Reviews

Ax To Grind by Tonya Kappes

readingactually's review

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I struggled through this book. I just couldn’t connect with the plot or the characters. I do enjoy this authors books though and look forward to her next book

bwilhoite8's review

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5.0

This addition to the Kenni Lowry series was great! I love that this book was based around Cottonwoods famous author.

pugmomsbookblog's review against another edition

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5.0

Well bless your heart! You want to take a romp through Cottonwood, Kentucky? Go right ahead. Oh, be careful of the ax wielding killer who murdered Beryle Stone's assistant and almost killed Paige, Lonnie's wife (that no good Sheriff wannabe!!). Also, make sure you don't do anything in this town that you wouldn't want gossiped about and put in a tell-all book!! Oh, and don't forget Poppa the ghost! But that's ok, only Kenni can see him! And it's a good thing too because he helps her solve mysteries! All in all, this book is a great read so grab a glass of sweet tea and a plate of mama's beans and cornbread and sit back and enjoy this 3rd book in the Kenni Lowry mystery series!! I am eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.

shobeteener's review

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4.0

This is a part of a series but it is easily can be a stand alone. Though I do think if you read the books in order you'll get more out of the series as a whole.

Kenni is sheriff of Cottonwood. She gets help from her deputy Finn Vincent, her dog Duke and the ghost of Poppa (her grandfather) who was the Sheriff years ago.

Famous author Beryle Stone passes away and rumors are flying that she left behind a manuscript that is a 'tell all' about some of the town's residents. Now resident's are trying to find the manuscript and it takes a nasty turn when Beryle's assistant, Cecily is murdered and the former deputy's wife is found critically injured at the scene.

I loved the twists and turns of this book. I love a story that has me trying to figure out what is going to happen next and who's responsible. I was just as curious as everyone else as to what is in that manuscript. The whole time this is going on the sparks are flying between Kenni and Finn. I'm seeing a possible hook up here.

pguynn64's review

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5.0

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.

I just love the small-town feel of Cottonwood, Kentucky, it reminds me of the small town that I grew up in where everyone knew everyone and gossip was rampant. If you haven't read a Tonya Kappes book then this book or the Kenni Lowry Mysteries is a perfect way to start

dollycas's review against another edition

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5.0

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Another fun, entertaining, crazy, cozy from Tonya Kappes. If you are not smiling and laughing when you are reading this story there is something wrong.

Cottonwood, Kentucky is mourning the loss of bestselling author Berlye Stone, their most famous resident. Then Berlye’s assistant is found with an ax in her back. Seems there is a tell all manuscript somewhere and that may have lead to the assistant’s death. Sheriff Kenni Lowry with a little help from her Poppa and Deputy Finn Vincent, is determined to find both the book and killer before someone axes her into the great beyond right along with her Poppa.

There was so much I loved about this story.

The characters are so strong and cleverly written. Kenni is such a strong protagonist. She is a darn good sheriff handling verything from neighborly disputes to murder. Her mother is an absolute hoot and a half, she is always deeply involved in one cause or another and right now she is campaigning for her daughters reelection. Kenni’s Poppa’s ghost returns just when she needs him, sometimes even before she knows she needs him. They relationship is so strong and heartwarming. It is funny too because only Kenni and her dog Duke can see the ghost. She sometimes forgets that and needs to quickly explain who the heck she is talking to. Deputy Finn Vincent is starting to put down roots in Cottonwood and that bodes very well for a real relationship with Kenni. The tricky part is, she is his boss, so going forward this will be quite interesting.

I really enjoyed the storyline too. An author, who is a bit of a recluse dies and everyone in town seems to be anxious and even afraid of what could be in this tell all book. Kenni learns that the characters in most of the steamy romance books she has written in the past have been based on residents from Cottonwood. This opens wide the list of suspects. She has never read any of the stories but she knows someone who has and that gives her clues to move her investigation forward. Small towns, you have to love them and there is no small town better than Cottonwood for a fantastic cozy mystery.

Southern charm, small town gossip, unique characters and a quality mystery you can stick your teeth into, Ax to Grind is a must read. It can be read all on its own but you really should start at the beginning and get introduced to Cottonwood and the folks that live there properly. Have you ordered you copy yet? What are you waiting for? 🙂

wulfwyn's review

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5.0

As I was reading this book it occurred to me that I get excited by Tonya Kappes coming out with a new book because the characters really feel like old friends or family. The Kenni Lowry Mysteries are no different. Ax to Grind is the third book in the series.

Kenni Lowry is sheriff of Cottonwood. Her grandfather, "Poppa," is her helper from the other side and Finn Vincent is the hunky deputy from Chicago, (who is also the love interest). The budding romance works so well because Momma trying to marry Kenni off and have her be a proper Southern wife is funny, (and truly kind of real -I'm constantly hearing about that. There is a lot I relate to in Tonya's books.). In book three we have a murder mystery that revolves around an author and her final tell all manuscript. There are enough potential suspects and curves to keep you guessing until the end.

The book does close with a final ending making it easy to read as a stand alone or out of order, (though for the flow of the romance, I would suggest reading them in order). The book is clean making it fine for listening on audio. I received an arc from Net Galley for review purposes but have also purchased the book. I highly recommend this book, (and series). Tonya Kappes books are addictive and best enjoyed with coffee and a brownie.

vkemp's review

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3.0

Sheriff Kenni Lowry has an opponent for her sheriff's race, her former partner, Lonnie Lemar. When Beryle Stone, Cottonwood's most famous resident and best-selling romance author, is killed the whole town gets in on the act. Kenni's life is complicated by all the out-of-towners who have showed up for the auction of Beryle's estate, not to mention handsome Finn Vincent, her new deputy. Kenni's mother practically has the church booked for their wedding. All the henny-hens of Cottonwood have their theories about who benefits from Beryle's death, including anyone who might be mentioned in the tell-all book Beryle was supposedly writing when she died. A little too cute and cozy for my tastes, but for those who love their mysteries southern-fried, this will fill the bill.
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