“Six Feet Under” By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway/Recipe

by Kathleen Costa

Details on how to win a copy of this book at the end of the review and links to purchase it.

“Welcome to Cottonwood, Kentucky!
In the South, it’s better when the food is fried and the secrets kept buried!”
First published in June 2016 with Fixin’ to Die, the Kenni Lowry series by Tonya Kappes is an engaging adventure with a clever paranormal twist with which she has a talent. The four books (a fifth book due out in May), follow Sheriff Kendrick “Kenni” Lowry as she patrols Cottonwood, Kentucky, along with deputy bloodhound Duke, her very demanding southern mom Viv, handsome transplanted Yank and recent boyfriend Deputy Finn Vincent, all levels of quirky citizens of Cottonwood, and…Poppa. Poppa is Elmer Sims, the town’s former sheriff and Kenni’s grandfather, who sadly died from a massive heart attack, but now is a delightful ghostly sidekick. It was a shock to discover Poppa hadn't “crossed over,” but his assistance has been invaluable in hunting down killers and closing several case files.

Check out the Kenni Lowry Mystery section on Tonya Kappes’s website for some fun: Cottonwood Visitor Guide, Southern Recipes, Meet the Folks, Virtual Vacation in Cottonwood, Scavenger Hunt PDF, Book Cover Coloring pages, and Book Club Questions. Tonya has provided her fans with a well-rounded experience beyond just reading her books…



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Six Feet Under earns 5/5 Country Diner Treats…Murderously Fun!

Mrs. Vivian “Viv” Lowry, Kenni’s mom, is all excited…hair done, makeup set, and looking suspicious younger. She is one of two in contention for a spot on Culinary Channel’s Southern Home Cookin’ show hosted by Frank Von Lee, southern culinary chef and food critic. Although Kenni was an unwitting partner in unsuccessfully spying on the competition touting mouth-watering barbecue, Viv is still very confident her award-winning chicken pot pie recipe will win the day. However, when ‘Frank’ ends up dead, the crime scene and initial interviews may just substantiate Viv’s motive and opportunity...is that from the diner? Ok, now “means” may have been discovered. Kenni may have a crises of professionalism now that her mama is a “person of interest.




Image source: Henery Press

Wow! This fourth book is from one of my top ten favorite series…engaging and the paranormal aspect is a delightful twist that works, not juvenile hocus-pocus. Poppa doesn't have a ghostly clairvoyance; he knows when it's not an accident and often sends Kenni in the right direction, but he doesn't have an inside track on who is guilty. That produces a realistic relationship between granddaughter and ghost. And like many of Kappes’s work, even though it seems the immediate “person of interest” is clear, she weaves in suspects with motives that make it an entertaining adventure to challenge one’s own inner “Sherlock.”

However, it is the southern flair of Kappes’s characters that have made this a favorite. I love “Kenni-bug,” and the crises of “professionalism” from which she suffered when her mom looked to be a center figure. A great topic for a book club discussion on law enforcement and their family. Would you actively investigate or turn in a member of your family? The mother/daughter dynamic is fascinating, but Mama Viv can be frustrating…infuriating! It may be a Southern rule that “mother knows best,” but the manner in which she plows ahead and often bullies, threatens, and ignores warnings from Kenni is hard to overlook. However, Kenni loves her mama and seems to have a understanding of her personality knowing that no matter how overbearing she may seem, she's not a killer. Another book club discussion may be the relationship between Kenni and her Deputy Finn Vincent. Is it good to have a personal relationship with a subordinate…even if he's really, really handsome?

Book Five due out in May!
The fifth book in the Kenni Lowry series, Dead as a Doornail, is set to be released in mid-May. Another engaging story has Poppa standing over a body, death seemingly of natural causes, but Kenni knows his presence usually indicates murder…not another one. Lucy Lowell always took full advantage of publicly airing negative reviews of things she didn't like, so it isn't surprising she ends up “dead as a doornail.” Fans, like me, are eagerly waiting!

Mix and Baked with Murder…Southern-style!

Country Chicken Pot Pie

“In Kentucky, we LOVE our pies…including meat pies. Here is a super easy pot pie recipe that my four boys absolutely crave!” says Tonya Kappes. This is probably why Kenni’s mom Viv chose to serve her award-winning country chicken pot pie to the Culinary Channel’s Southern Home Cookin’ chef. Viv added her own special ingredient to entice Frank Von Lee and everyone to rave about her culinary talents, so remember you can add your signature spices and veggies to make it your own.

Ingredients:
2 lbs. chicken
2-8 oz. cans of Veg*All [trademarked product; use canned mixed vegetables]
1-8 oz. can of corn
1-8 oz. can of cream of chicken
2-8 oz. cans of chicken broth
2 cups Bisquick
2 cups 2% milk
1 stick of butter, melted
country chicken pot pie
Country Chicken Pot Pie

Directions:
Preheat oven 450*
Cook chicken by boiling or in a crock pot.
In a large baking dish combine cooked chicken, Veg*All, corn,
cream of chicken, chicken broth, and butter.
In a mixing bowl combine Bisquick and milk.
Pour the Bisquick mixture evenly over the top of the chicken
mixture.
DO NOT MIX, just pour over.
Place in oven and bake 20-30 minutes or until topping is brown.

BONUS! Country Sausage Gravy
Here is the perfect addition to any brunch or family gathering. Pile on top of your favorite biscuits for a mouth-watering purely Southern treat courtesy of Tonya Kappes

Like, Visit, and Follow…Oh My!
Facebook – Author Tonya Kappes
Join the “Cozy Krew”
Become a Member at the Website – Tonya Kappes

Check out other Henery Press mysteries on their website.

To enter to win a copy of Six Feet Under, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “forgeries,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen April 14, 2018. U.S. residents only for print copy. If entering via email please included your mailing address and whether you want ebook or print.

You can use these links to purchase the book. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:


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Kathleen Costa is a long-time resident of the Central Valley, and although born in Idaho, she considers herself a “California Girl.” Graduating from CSU-Sacramento, she is a 35+ year veteran teacher having taught in grades 1-8 in schools from Sacramento to Los Angeles to Stockton to Lodi. Currently Kathleen is enjoying her retirement revitalizing hobbies along with exploring writing, reading for pleasure, and spending 24/7 with her husband.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.


Comments

  1. One of my favorite series & authors. doward1952(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  2. I would love to read this book. It sounds really good. Thanks for the chance at the giveaway.

    faithdcreech at gmail dot com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I have read the rest of the series and I'm looking forward to this installment robinswebhotmailcom

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  4. This sounds like it's going to be amazing, can't wait for it to come out!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Would love to read and review sounds so good ! Thank you for putting this book on your site such a good author. ptclayton2(at)aol(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  6. I would love to win this book. Thanks for the chance.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I just love this series! Thanks for the giveaway! barbie17(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  8. I love this series! Thanks for the chance to win. MarshaMysteryreader(at)yahoo(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'd love to read this book on my Kindle. Thankyou for the opportunity!
    minishoes(at)msn(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  10. Tonya is one of my favorite authors. Can't wait to read "Six Feet Under".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
  11. You are one of my favorite authors and Kenni is such a strong character!
    kaitismommy@gmail.com
    I'd love a print book
    3375 West 7800 South Apt 921
    West Jordan, Utah 84088

    ReplyDelete
  12. one of my most favorite authors. would love print if i was lucky enough to win. sparkle40175AT hotmail DOT com.

    ReplyDelete
  13. It sounds so interesting I’d love to read it. Donamaekutska7@gmail.com

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