Review of Ax To Grind

Ax To Grind
A Kenni Lowry Mystery, Book #3
Tonya Kappes
5+ Stars

Synopsis:

Southerners keep their secrets swept under the rug, but what happens when that rug goes up for sale?

Bestselling author Berlye Stone, the most famous citizen to ever come out of Cottonwood, Kentucky, has died and put all her worldly possessions up for auction, but not without leaving one more manuscript behind. A hidden tell-all about Cottonwood that’s got more gossip than a ladies’ luncheon.

When Beryle’s assistant turns up with an ax in her back and the only witness is in a coma, Sheriff Kenni Lowry reckons someone in town will do anything to keep the manuscript from seeing the light of day. Her poppa’s ghost returns to help piece together the life of the Beryle he once knew, but his memory’s a little foggy, and any misstep could cause them a world of trouble. With the help of Deputy Finn Vincent, can Kenni sort through the secrets buried in Beryle’s books, or will this be her final chapter?

Books in the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series:

FIXIN’ TO DIE (#1)
SOUTHERN FRIED (#2)
AX TO GRIND (#3)
SIX FEET UNDER (#4) Spring 2018 (Goodreads)

Review:

I really enjoy this series a lot. The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I really like the relationship between Kenni and her Poppa (or at least his ghost). You can tell how close the two of them were when he was alive and even death cannot keep them apart. He helps Kenni solve whatever mystery there is to solve and their time together is special. Kenni’s mother drives me nuts but she brings humor to the story, so I guess I can forgive her for being so prim and proper. And Finn, her deputy, makes a good partner for Kenni and may be a future love interest. I am looking forward to finding out.

The mystery was carried on well throughout the entire book and it was not easily solved. There are enough suspects to consider, clues to sift through and red herrings to toss out that even the most talented armchair detective will have a hard time solving this one. I definitely did not have the culprit figured out and it surprised me, which is a great thing.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the book I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place and eavesdropping in on conversations. She is also very talented in creating small town settings, with the gossip mill at full speed and people knowing everyone else’s business. I would love to visit Cottonwood, Kentucky, and sit a spell.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. And if you like paranormal thrown in with your cozy, this is a must read book. I am already looking forward to the next book in this series, whenever it is published. Do yourself a favor and check out this book (and series), you will not be disappointed.

I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Henery Press for the opportunity to read and review this awesome book.