Shotgun Wedding

Kenni Lowry #12

by Tonya Kappes

Small-town Southern cozy mystery with a sheriff sleuth

Something borrowed, something blue… and something deadly.

Sheriff Kenni Lowry’s wedding day should be about vows, cake, and finally catching her breath. Instead, her wedding night is interrupted by a visit from her ghostly Poppa—and a warning that something is very wrong.

Miss Tilda Boone, a beloved church fixture and lifelong rule-follower, was expected at the ceremony. She never arrived.

Before Kenni can even consider a honeymoon, she’s back in uniform, standing inside Miss Tilda’s quiet home, where a familiar afternoon routine ended in death. What first appears to be a natural passing quickly turns suspicious when evidence points to tampered tea and a kettle prepared with deadly intent.

With the town watching and rumors spreading fast, Kenni must uncover who had access to Miss Tilda’s home, her habits, and her trust. The suspect list grows to include church volunteers, family members, and neighbors who knew Miss Tilda’s meticulous routines a little too well.

Balancing newlywed life, small-town politics, and a homicide investigation—while Poppa offers his unfiltered commentary—Kenni is determined to uncover the truth before another life is lost.

Because in Cottonwood, Kentucky, marriage doesn’t slow down murder… and this sheriff won’t rest until justice is served.

A cozy Southern mystery
A sheriff sleuth juggling marriage and murder
👻 A ghostly grandpa with opinions and warnings
🍵 A suspicious death hiding behind routine and tradition
⛪ Church secrets, small-town gossip, and tight-knit suspects
💍 Wedding bells, Southern charm, and clean cozy sleuthing

Perfect for readers who love Southern cozy mysteries, small-town sheriff sleuths, and gentle paranormal twists with heart, humor, and justice served right on time.

Genres: Cozy Mystery

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication February 27, 2026

About the author

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...

Webpage
tonyakappes.com

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Twitter
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

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https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

Reviews

[Amanda Reads Cozies · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, heartfelt read with truly beautiful storytelling. Her descriptive language is unmatched, painting scenes and emotions so vividly that it’s easy to get swept away.

[Sara Duttry · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this fast-paced mystery. I love the duo of Finn and Kenni and how their chemistry just keeps getting better with every book in the series. In Shotgun Wedding, Tonya Kappes delivers everything fans have been waiting for: the long-awaited wedding we’ve rooted for since the beginning, interrupted in true Cottonwood, Kentucky fashion by a suspicious death that pulls Sheriff Kenni Lowry right back into detective mode on what should be her honeymoon night.

The ghostly Poppa is as sassy and helpful (and hilariously unfiltered) as ever, providing those classic supernatural nudges that make this series so unique and entertaining. The small-town Southern charm is dialed up—sweet tea, quirky locals, community drama—and the plot twists keep coming without ever feeling forced. Balancing newlywed life, small-town politics, and a full-blown homicide investigation keeps the energy high from start to finish.

If you’re a fan of the Kenni Lowry series, this one feels like a rewarding milestone with all the heart, humor, and homicide we’ve come to expect from Tonya Kappes. Cozy mystery perfection—highly recommend grabbing it and settling in for a wild (and wedding-filled) ride!

[Theresa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kenni Lowry is back in Shotgun Wedding, and this fun mystery truly starts with a bang. Finn and Kenni’s big day has finally arrived, but she faints right after the “I do,” giving everyone—especially her new husband—a real scare. The incident finally pushes her to tell Finn about her ghost deputy, Poppa, and how she feared she might never see him again once they were married.
But crime doesn’t take a honeymoon. On their wedding night, Poppa appears and sends them to check on Miss Tilda Boone. Sadly, Miss Boone has died—and not of natural causes. She’s been murdered. As a longtime resident and retired teacher, Miss Boone seemed to know plenty of secrets about the townspeople, and that knowledge may have put her in danger. Some of those secrets even involve people close to Kenni.
Clues point in all kinds of directions, and it’s up to Kenni, Finn, and Poppa to sort through the chaos and uncover the truth. I’m so happy Finn and Kenni finally made it to the altar, and the mystery itself is excellent—lots of suspects, great clues, and a whole bunch of fun.

[Lilpep · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding bells are finally ringing in Cottonwood, Kentucky, for Sheriff Kenni Lowry and Finn Vincent. But just as their vows are spoken, Kenni is so shocked to see Poppa's ghost standing in the aisle that she faints dead away. They had always believed he'd vanish upon her marriage! Not only is he still there, but at the reception, he tells Kenni there's trouble afoot and it involves missing guest, Miss Tilda Boone. When the beloved retired teacher is found dead, honeymoon plans are forgotten as Kenni suspects foul play.


I always enjoy the Kenni Lowry mysteries, but this one is a standout. I was totally absorbed from the first chapter, putting it down only when my eyelids drooped closed. The story is fast-paced with just enough clues and misdirections to keep you guessing. A lovely bonus is that Kenni finally opens up to Finn about Poppa, and the three of them collaborate to catch the killer. What a delightful read this was. If you're looking for a mystery with great characters, southern charm, and small town quirks, this is the one!

[Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Shotgun Wedding is the twelfth cozy mystery in the Kenni Lowry series. Sheriff Kenni Lowry is getting married to Deputy Finn Vincent and things are going well until Kenni sees Poppa. Poppa is her ghost deputy and her grandpa. He only appears when there has been a crime in town. Instead of the fun, worry free wedding night Kenni had hoped for she discovers the body of Miss Tilda Boone. Now Kenni needs to solve the case before she can have her honeymoon with Finn.

I have loved this series since I discovered it and I’m so glad to see Kenni getting her happily ever after even if it’s followed by a murder. I’ve been rooting for her and Finn for a long time. This mystery pulled me in from the beginning and held my interest all the way through. It was a mystery full of twists and turns but I never got lost and enjoyed the whole ride. This is a great series full with fun characters that I love seeing again. I really enjoyed this mystery and can’t wait to see what else comes for Kenni and everyone in the next mystery in this series.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding bells are ringing through Cottonwood as Sheriff Kenni Lowry and Finn Vincent are finally getting married. Kenni faints right after the “I do,” as Poppa’s ghost shows up unexpectedly. They had believed Poppa would vanish when Kenni married. Seems that did not happen and Poppa was sticking around. Which now has Kenni telling Finn about her ghost Poppa.
When Poppa tells Kenni something is wrong on their wedding night, it involves Miss Tilda. Who was supposed to be at the wedding, Kenni and Finn go check on her.
Kenni and Finn discover that Miss Tilda is dead.
The honeymoon plans are put on the back burner for now.
Many clues, suspects to sort through as well as plenty of chaos is definitely challenging for Kenni, Finn and Poppa. Can they uncover the truth?
Quirky characters, small town with a mystery to keep you guessing.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.

[Holly Stover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great storyline in this small town series! When a retired teacher is missing from Kenni and Finn's wedding they go to investigate and find her dead in her home. Who would have something against this wonderful lady? The suspects are endless, once again goes to show no quaint small town is without their criminals!
Wonderful characters and a small town, everyone knows everyone southern feel.
You won't be disappointed in this one!

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome to the wedding. Kenni and Finn are finally tying the knot. However, before they can start their honeymoon they find a dead body. And it is a suspicious death. Now they have to solve a murder before they can leave. Who wanted Tilda Boone dead and what secrets did she have they wanted kept hidden? Kenni, Finn and ghost Grandpa investigate to solve the mystery.

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's Kenny's and Finn's wedding day. When one of Kenny's expected guests didn't turn up to the wedding or reception, they go looking for her and find her dead at home. Kenny isn't satisfied that it is a natural death and is determined to solve it before they leave for their honeymoon. Captivating mystery and wonderful characters.

[Kandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great book in this series. Kenni has her hands full with another case as Sheriff. Luckily she has the ghost of her grandfather to help her along the way. Such great characters and a storyline that keeps you turning the pages.

[Gayle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy we get to visit Cottonwood again. This is my favorite series by Tonya Kappes.
The story begins with Kenni’s wedding day, and what a memorable day it turns out to be. This is my favorite series by Tonya Kappes. Great characters, fun relationships, and a terrific mystery.

[Jennifer Wertz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed reading Shotgun Wedding. It is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery. I love the characters. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing.