Southern Fried

Kenni Lowry #2

by Tonya Kappes

In the South, it's better when the food is fried and the secrets kept buried...After the dead body of a beloved Cottonwood resident is found tangled up in an electric fence, Sheriff Kenni Lowry has a hunch that somethin' ain't right. Her investigation heats up with a fierce cook-off competition, a euchre game where the intel is sweeter than the brownies, and a decades old family recipe that may just be the proof in the pudding.

The icing on the cake: Kenni is fighting an attraction to her recently sworn-in deputy sheriff, and election season is hot on her tail. When the killer comes after who she holds most dear, even her poppa's ghostly guidance might not be enough to keep her and her own out of the frying pan.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Paranormal, Audiobook, Fiction, Ghosts

300 pages, ebook

Published October 14, 2021

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

Pinterest
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

[Sherry Fundin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tonya Kappes had me laughing from the opening pages of Southern Fried, when Kenni Lowry is shushing her ghost.

Kenni is the Sheriff of the small of Cottonwood and the ghost is her Grandfather. It was no surprise that she carried a gun, but there were those who frowned on her being the Sheriff.

Even though Cottonwood is a small town, the characters are far from being small.

The story contains funny quotes and unique characters that will have you smiling and laughing, and shaking your head.

“It’s hotter than a prostitute’s doorknob on pay day in here.”

Murder, the supernatural and humor are the norm in a Tonya Kappes novel.

There are plenty of suspects to keep me guessing, with some romance on the side and a lovable hound dog that, even though he’s not a guard dog, acts like one.

The small town of Cottonwood is like all small towns. Even with all the personality conflicts and disagreements, the people come together in the end.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes.

To see more visit fundinmental

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes
Kenni Lowry series #2. Southern paranormal cozy mystery series. Best read in series order.
Another body is found in Cottonwood and Sheriff Kenni Lowry is on the case. Unfortunately the body is in a patch of prize winning tomatoes with barbed wire fence marks around the ankle so Kenni needs to work fast or the property owner won’t wait to harvest the tomatoes, body or not. The fierce cook-off competition has Kenni, her ghostly guidance and new deputy sheriff all working to find the killer before the next victim is cold.

Amusing southern style cozy that moves quickly as the town regulars do their quirky thing.
🎧 I prefer to listen to this author via audiobook. The performance was done by Hillary Huber who does a great job with the character voices and the southern slang. I did have to increase the speed to 1.6 to more closely match a Midwest conversation.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening

This kindle e-book novel is from my Kindle Unlimited account book 2

Kennie find a dead man which leads to an investigation with lots of action, misdirection, and violence leading to the conclusion.

I would recommend this series and author to readers of mystery novels. 2024

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

This is my second trip to Cottonwood and not much has changed. Sheriff Kenni Lowry is still trying to prove she can do her job even to her own mother. When another dead body is found some of the residents blame her for the surge in crime and a retired officer throws his hat into the ring to run against her in the next election. This doesn’t sit well with Poppa, her grandfather, the former sheriff, a ghost, that strives to help her protect the community. Time to use a little Southern wit and charm at a few local events to try to move her investigation along. A cook-off competition seems to connect her suspects but knowing this town it could be any little thing that caused one of the residents to turn on one of their own.

I knew when I loaded this book onto my Kindle it was going to put a smile on my face and it did. The story opens with Kenni and Finn on a Ferris wheel and I am thinking their relationship is about to take a big step but then they receive a call for assistance and the moment is totally lost. When the sheriff arrives at Petal Pusher’s Landscaping with her ghostly sidekick they find Owen Godbey dead in the greenhouse, face down in the owner’s prize tomatoes. Myrna Savage, the owner seems more concerned about the smashed fruit than she is a dead employee. Soon the investigation takes off and a certain amount of hilarity ensues.

These characters are a pure treasure. Kenni’s relationship with her grandfather warms my heart and the man had me laughing out loud more than once. Finn and Kenni work well together and would probably play well together too as soon as they sort out a couple of things. The residents of Cottonwood are an eclectic group, full of p&v as my grandmother used to say. We saw that you don’t want to mess with Kenni’s mama. It is okay if she tries to talk Kenni out of being Sheriff, but no one else had better say Kenni isn’t fit for the job. Talk about a turn around.

The murder mystery seems to revolve around a cookbook. Everyone is trying to find it because it contains a very important secret, something about okra. There are several twists and turns and I started to put things together a little quicker than Kenni, but not by much. I found the plot to be very clever and entertaining.

If you like your cozies with a bit of Southern sass and charm then this is the perfect story for you. It is sure to tickle your funny bone too.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Last night I finished Tonya Kappes Southern Fried, the second book in her Kenni Lowery Mystery series. I loved book two, this was a great story and this wonderful cozy mystery is filled with Southern charm, manners and absolutely addicting Southern sayings. I really love the way Sheriff Kenni and the ghost of her grandfather work together in this one and I enjoy the new deputy as well.
Tonya does a great job of giving the readers what they need, a bit of what they want and enough to make you long for the release of book 3.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommended sequel for cozy mystery lovers.

In book two of the Kenni Lowry Mystery Series, Sheriff Kenni Lowry and the ghost of her Poppa and former Sheriff once again are investigating the murder of one of the residents of their small town of Cottonwood, KY. Sheriff Kenni and her newly sworn in Deputy Finn Vincent are called to the greenhouse for Petal Pusher’s Landscaping. The owner of Petal Pusher’s, Myrna, has found a body on top of her prize-winning tomatoes. The body belongs to Owen Godbey and shows no obvious signs of how he died. However, the appearance of his body strikes Sheriff Kenni as suspicious. The autopsy confirms Kenni’s suspicions that this was indeed a murder. While trying to solve the murder, Kenni also is having to deal with her feeling for Deputy Finn, her Poppa’s opinion about Big City Officers getting bored in a small town, the announcement of her former deputy running against her in the next election for Sheriff, and concern for her missing dog, Duke. Sheriff Kenni handles everything with true southern determination and wit.

I loved this book from start to finish. Being a southerner from a small town myself, I can relate to the southern slang, small town gossip and ideals, and the southern charm that Author Tonya Kappes includes in her books. You don’t have to be a southerner to fall in love with the characters of this series. Sheriff Kenni has a very special relationship with her mother. Even though her mother does not like Kenni being Sheriff because of the dangers the job brings, she immediately starts campaigning for Kenni’s reelection and is determined to see her daughter win. Also, the relationship with Poppa’s ghost shows just how special he is to Kenni and how much he influences her career. The budding feelings between Kenni and Deputy Finn adds just the right touch of romance and tension to make you want to see how things work out for them without overwhelming the rest of the story line. There are just enough twist and turns in the plot to keep you guessing and solve the mystery right along with Kenni. One other thing I loved about this book is how so many people show love for Duke by taking care of him when Kenni can’t.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book provided by the author. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern Fried by Tonya Kappes is the second book in A Kenni Lowry Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The author provides background information on the main characters and updates the reader on what occurred in Fixin’ to Die. I thought it was easy to read thanks to the authors’ conversational writing style. The story moved along at a quick pace. Southern Fried is a humorous tale that features the cozy element with a light mystery. The story is full of quirky characters who love to meddle and gossip (especially Kenni’s mother). My favorite character is Poppa, Kenni’s grandfather. He is a charming man who dearly loves Kenni and provides keen insight. I hope Poppa will be featured more prominently in future books. I thought the mystery was well crafted. It is complex and there are a few fun twists. Those that enjoy figuring out whodunit will enjoy solving this one. I appreciate the entertaining Southern phrases in the book. It will be interesting to see how the re-election campaign plays out in future books. If you are looking for an amusing cozy mystery novel with a paranormal element, then check out Southern Fried.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A roller coaster fun cozy mystery set in a small town where everyone knows everyone else!

Once again Tonya has hit it out of the park! This is book 2 in the author's Kenni Lowry series and it sure doesnt't disappoint. With her dog Duke by her side and her newly sworn deputy she has to solve another murder mystery in the small town of Cottonwood, KY where every one knows everyone else. Of course she is helped along by the ghost of her grandfather, who was the former sheriff, know to Kennis as Poppa. With lots of laughs, red herrings, twists and turns you are guided through the mystery and Kenni's re-election campaign. So much going on in this small town and can Kenni be falling for the handsome deputy, Finn? Using southern vernacular and charm we cheer for our heroine and are charmed by the small town. Lots of laughs combined with a mystery a re-election challenge by her former deputy this book does not disappoint in any way! Can't wait to see how this series unfolds.

[Donna Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

This fetching little cozy mystery is the second in a series, but I didn’t read the first one, and I was able to keep up with it finer than frog hair. You might could, too. I am grateful to Net Galley and Henery Press for the DRC, which I received absolutely free of charge in exchange for this review. But don’t you worry none, cause you can buy it now.

Our protagonist is Sheriff Kendrick Lowry, and she tells us the whole story in the first person. The problem starts when Myrna finds Owen in the greenhouse on top of her prize tomatoes. Why did he have to go and die there? She says it took her months to get them that plump, and if you’ve ever grown great tomatoes—an impossible feat in Seattle, I am sorry to admit—you know it’s true.

Sheriff Kendrick, locally known as “Kenni”, is assisted in her law enforcement activities by Poppa. Poppa was the sheriff around these parts, but he’s dead now, and his ghost can only appear when she has a case to crack, so in a strange sort of way, this murder is a blessing in disguise. The local stigma against a woman as sheriff in this small Kentucky town is offset by the venerable family tradition Poppa cultivated before he departed.

I believe my favorite part is the day following the discovery of the body, when Lowry arrives to find the crime scene tape destroyed and Myrna moseying around the greenhouse like nothing ever happened. You know this happens in real life, but you never see it in fiction, except here. I also love the part when someone suggests the sheriff call for backup, and she notes that her deputy is out of town, and so exactly who is she supposed to call? Again, fictional cops always seem to have unlimited resources in even the most unlikely situations, and Kappes leaned hard on my funny bone. What a hoot.

A lot of this book doesn’t make much sense, but then it doesn’t have to. It’s a romp. However, if a couple of inconsistencies had been cleared up and a hot-stove issue hadn’t been grazed, it would be better still.

Would anyone kill for an okra recipe, for example? (I was told as a child that okra tastes like a bowl of warm snot.) Because there’s so much camp in this very funny story, I can’t tell whether I should be suspicious of this as motive or not; in the real world I don’t see it, but in this story, I feel as if anything goes. And while I love the feminist spirit in the sheriff’s assertion that she doesn’t cook anything, period, later she goes to try out the secret recipe and I find myself wondering how she knows how to glaze a cast iron pan. This woman doesn’t even know how to boil water, and yet a fairly obvious cooking skill that nobody puts into a recipe seems to present no problem at all.

But these are just li’l thangs.

Despite the occasional feminist overtones, there are some tired devices and stereotypes that are harder to disregard. Why does half the story obsess with her crush on her deputy? It’s kept light, but the notion that a woman is nothing without a man, while not openly asserted, seems to float in the air. I would have liked to see more women, especially older women, depicted in a positive light. It seems as if every story that features a heroic young woman has to also feature an impossible mother, and so I moaned when she introduced her momma. And there’s the “cat fight”, which while there’s no denying that the narrative is straight-up hilarious, is also a stereotype that suggests women can’t get along once you put us in a room together.

The thing that knocked a star off what would have been a four star review is the place where her Poppa’s ghost notes that when he saw Deputy Finn carry Kenni’s drunken, unconscious body to her bedroom and put her in her bed, he had feared the deputy was about to “take advantage” of her. The word is rape, and it’s never funny. The deputy didn’t, but the suggestion, accompanied by the euphemism, left an after-taste in my mouth that I couldn’t quite get rid of.

If you can get past these brief but clear obstacles, you will get a lot of laughs out of the main thread here. Kappes has a raucous sense of humor, and I had immersed myself in too many dark stories. I was ready for a good laugh, and this title provided several. But unless your pockets are deep or your interest great, I recommend you get this one cheaply on kindle while you can, or at your local library if available.

[Kathleen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this ARC from netgalley and am voluntarily posting a review. This is the first I have read in the Kenni Lowry series. It is number 2 in the series. It is a rather fast read and doesn't drag. I did not anticipate the twist and turns this book would take on the crime but kind of guessed the situation between Finn & Kenni. I would read more in this series. There is humor, insight into small town living and the murder was done in an intriguing fashion.

[Robin Leslie Coxon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheriff Kenni Lowry is back. Sitting on top of the Ferris wheel after dark, at the annual Cottonwood Festival, we are given insight into a developing relationship between Sheriff Kenni Lowry and State Reserve officer Finn Vincent. As Finn begins to explain to Kenni the relationship of the pretty brunette in the picture in his wallet, the cozy moment was interrupted by a call for assistance at Myrna Savage’s Petal Pusher’s Landscaping greenhouse. As they arrive upon the scene Sheriff Kenni Lowry with the ghost of her grandfather and former sheriff, Elmer Simms, find a body lying inside the greenhouse on top of Myrna’s prized tomatoes. The body belongs to Owen Godbey, an employee of Myrna’s. Owen is dead but his death doesn’t readily exhibit how. Sheriff Kenni as well as Deputy Finn and with the assistance of Poppa’s ghost, who only Kenni can see, begin the process of determining the reason behind this death. From the beginning, I found I couldn’t put it down. The characters oozed with their Southern charm and the background made you feel like you were right there with them. Tonya Kappes has pulled from her own Southern background to make the book genuine.

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. Kenni is a great character and I loved the small town feelings and the dynamics with everyone in the town.
When Kenni, the sheriff, is called to a crime scene, she spirals into a whirlwind of family secrets that will tear this case wide open.
Trying to ignore her feelings for her new deputy, Kenni leaves no stone unturned in this cozy mystery.
Having the ghost of her grandpa in the book makes it more fun to read.
I look forward to reading more in the series.

I voluntarily read an ARC of this book provided by the publisher and NetGalley.

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series from Tonya Kappes for many reasons. For one thing, it makes me laugh. Kappes has got a small Kentucky town – and all its quirks – down pat. From lines like, “I wasn’t sure, but I think she just blessed my heart without saying it” to the Sweet Adelines (a Baptist Women’s church group), I spend a good deal of time chuckling between the pages of this series.

But I also love these books because Kenni is such an endearing character. She’s tough – sometimes not really as tough as everyone sees her and other times a lot tougher than she thinks she is. But she’s also a little quirky and a little insecure, and she is the only one who can see her Poppa’s ghost (the former sheriff) who pops in and out to help her solve the murder mysteries she encounters. Her budding relationship with her Deputy Sheriff Finn makes me smile and I’m looking forward to seeing where it goes from here.

And lastly? I love these books because the whodunit isn’t all that obvious. Just when I think I’ve figured it out, a new wrench is thrown into the mix and I’m back to square one. Twists and turns are made all the more entertaining by the gossipy-catfighting Euchre players and the equally gossipy dispatcher.

Bottom Line: Southern Fried picks up right after the ending scene in Fixin to Die but I think it would still do just fine as a stand alone. Fun characters, a quirky town, and Southern phrases will all keep a smile on your face … though you may also find yourself swooning at Finn on more than one occasion. Kenni Lowry is one of my fave cozy mystery heroines, and I look forward to joining her on more adventures!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.)

see my full review at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Bookish_predator · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book 2 in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series.

Gotta love this series! Kenni is a wonderful character and I absolutely LOVE her ghostly grandfather, he is awesome!

The mystery is well written and the characters are fun, the development is steady and the setting is 'typical' small town which is how I like most of my cozy mysteries.

Have books 3 and 4 to read so they're going on my list of 'to-read very soon' cozies, will hopefully start book 3 today but we shall see.

*Huge thanks to Tonya Kappes, Henery Press and NetGalley for this copy which I chose to read and all opinions are my own*

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni is the sheriff of Cottonwood KY. You are hit with the murder right away in the story. Kenni and Finn receive a call from Myrna about a dead body in her greenhouse. The body is that of Owen and it all seems suspicious to Kenni. She is right and there is a murder to be solved. She is assisted along the way from the former sheriff who happens to be dead and her Grandfather - Poppy! Fun and fast paced read. Can’t wait for the next installment.

[Dawn Frazier · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absolute delight to read, this is book 2 in the series. Kenni Lowry is one of my very favorite characters, and I had so much fun reading this! She is hot on the trail again for a killer, and along for the ride is her deceased grandfather "Poppa". I think he adds so much to the story, it wouldn't be the same without him. Duke the dog is also back, and as lovable as ever. And we can't forget Finn, the hunky deputy sheriff. I love the romance between him and Kenni. There are a lot of twists and turns in this book, it made it hard to put down. I was sad to get to the end of the book, I love these characters so much. I cannot wait for the next in the series! I received an ARC of this book, all opinions are mine.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'd almost forgotten that for some reason I never read books 2 and 4 in this awesome series, so I wanted to be sure I got back to the beginning. Now I know why Duke was given a hero's award and a couple of things about Finn Vincent. Two people ended up murdered that didn't deserve it, but the killer was definitely someone that I wanted to see put away even when I didn't realize yet that they were the killer.

I just love Poppa's ghost! This is probably my favorite ghost story and ghost character, because it's definitely not scary, just sweet. I'd probably be scared to pieces if my own grandpa came back to me like that, but I think it's really cool how Poppa helps Kenni, since he was the sheriff in Cottonwood once. I'm hoping not to let too much time pass before I get to book 3!

[Missy VanHoose · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was hooked from the first page!! Tonya Kappes keeps you guessing through the whole story as to "who done it". You will not be disappointed in this book. The great mystery, little bit of romance and of course the southern charm keeps you coming back for more. Definitely looking forward to more adventures from Kenni, Poppa and the rest of the gang in Cottonwood, Ky in the future.

I was fortunate enough to receive a arc copy of Southern Fried for my honest opinion.

[Jennifer Dicenzo · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't think anyone writes Southern charm and Southern mystery like this author. Kenni is back and is still serving as sheriff, along with her Poppa, although she is the only one that can see him. But another murder has turned up and she is going to have to figure out who turned to murder this time. This second book was just as great as the first one. So grab your favorite blanket and curl up into your reading spot for a touch of southern charm mystery.
I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book.

[Jemima Pett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern Fried starts well; the dead body is discovered in the greenhouse of his occasional employer, splattering her ripe prize tomatoes that she was banking on to win her the cook-off competition. All the evidence suggests she did it. Fortunately Sheriff Kenni Lowry (Kenni is a woman) doesn't take anything at face value. Oh, except phone messages that she accidentally deletes from breathy women she overhears on her hot deputy's phone.

This is an engaging story full of misdirection and undercurrents--the misdirection being from the neighbours in neighbourly Kentucky, and not from the author! Undercurrents are both romantic and deadly--both inspire jealousy, I suppose. Why is the family of a deceased cook in such a turmoil over a secret okra recipe? The puzzle is nicely tangled and untangled, then retangled and unknotted. Duke the dog plays a vital part.

The atmosphere of 'Southern' comes across in the pages, oozing charm and back-biting in equal measure. People fall over themselves to help our poor sheriff, rather more than she needs at times. It creates a great sense of place.

I thoroughly enjoyed Southern Fried, so much that I may backtrack to the first Kenni Lowry mystery before the third comes out.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you liked the first book then you are going to love this one, if you haven't read the first then I don't think that you will have a problem following it. This book was nonstop, Kenni is called for a murder in a greenhouse, which leads to secret recipes, a family feud, suspicious characters, threats, a possible love interest, Poppa who is a ghost that pops in to help and plenty of lovable characters. The mystery kept me guessing and I figured it out right along with Kenni, I love when that happens.
Get ready for some Southern charm and phrases that had me laughing out loud. I will definitely continue on with this series.
I was lucky enough to have received an arc copy of this, and this is my honest opinion.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book two in the series does not disappoint.
I love these characters and the small town setting.
I especially like the relationship between Kenni and her Poppa.
I cannot wait to read the next in the series. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Betty · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and fun cozy mystery set in Cottonwood with a play on southern stereotypes. It has a touch of paranormal and a romance.This book was a problem to rate as parts were fascinating and other areas were ho-hum. Sheriff Kenni Lowry is dismayed to find a Cottonwood resident, Owen Godbey dead with electric wires wrapped around his feet. The Sheriff, who is exploring a suspicious death with her new deputy, Finn Vincent finds a mess of domestic problems, contests of food, and a strange will. The will picks siblings against each other. Owen has the cookbook but Stanley has the crop. The idea of the will was to bring the siblings together. However, greed, jealousy, and lust interfered and the brothers are far apart. Stanley nominates a candidate to run against Kenni involving re-election nonsense. The ghost has only a small part of the story. Jenni and Finn are beginning a romance. I found portions of the plot hard to believe. The ending will surprise.

Disclosure: I received a free copy from Henery Press through NetGalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

SOUTHERN FRIED is the second installment in the Kenni Lowry mystery series, and its Southern charm and Tonya Kappes’s light hearted writing had me hooked from the first page. How can you go wrong with a murder mystery centered on a secret fried okra recipe that might be worth killing for? There is plenty going on in the small Kentucky town Cottonwood. Owen Godby is found dead among his employer’s prized tomatoes, a political campaign is launched against Kenni, and Kenni is having trouble ignoring her feelings for her new permanent deputy Finn. As she, Finn, and her grandfather Poppa’s ghost investigate, she uncovers a family feud and secrets worth killing another town resident to keep. Things get more and more dangerous for Kenni and those she holds most dear the closer she gets to discovering the truth.

Kenni is quickly becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery protagonists and Cottonwood one of my favorite places. She is relatable and down-to-earth. Finn and Poppa are equally endearing. The supporting characters, including Kenni’s mother and the other residents are quirky without being caricatures, and Cottonwood reminds me of my hometown before its population exploded. I would be remiss if I did not mention Kenni’s dog Duke. He is a loveable character, and I cannot imagine the series without him. The mystery is well executed and full of twists and turns that kept me engaged until the last word.

Kappes offers us an eccentric slice of small town life, and her laid back style and characters will keep readers coming back for more. I impatiently wait for the next book in the series. Highly recommended.

I received and ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my unbiased opinions here.

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

My second visit to Cottonwood, Kentucky proved that although this town might be small, the characters are not. I last left Sheriff Kenni Lowry tying up loose ends to a connected murder and robbery, while things were heating up between her and a certain handsome city boy. Just when everyone thinks things are back to normal, one of the citizens is found dead in the greenhouse of another. Although the evidence is all laid out for her, Kenni feels it’s too big of a coincidence to be that cut and dry. As the investigation heats up, so do the citizens as they start to blame Kenni for the spike in crime.

Can I just say how much I love these characters? Poppa is such fun character and I love how he helps Kenni on the cases, just like she did as a little girl when he was Sheriff. Poppa has a different approach to things than Kenni and it proves to be very helpful during the investigation. And did I mention he’s a ghost? I still feel like Kenni has some growing to do, especially when it comes to her own personal life. I’m hoping this big time city boy is just what this small town girl needs. The romance seems to be heating up between Deputy Finn and Kenni and I can’t wait to read the next book to see if they finally get some alone time.

Tonya Kappes sure does know how to keep you on your toes. With one mystery intertwined into another, she keeps you guessing while twisting and turning until you’re dizzy. She also knows how to create a colorful cast that will have your sides hurting from laughter. These southern characters are sure to keep you in stitches.

I’d recommend this book to anyone who is a fan of cozy mysteries. I’d also recommend it to anyone who loves southern humor and likes a little paranormal in their books.

[Samantha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I actually rate this more like 3.5 stars but lowered it to 3 because I just couldn't do 4 stars.

This is the first book that I've read written by Tonya Kappes and it was recommended to me because I enjoy a slight paranormal twist to my books. This story wasn't bad by any stretch of the means but I just didn't love the plot. While unique (which I enjoyed) it just didn't keep me turning the pages. It was just a decent and solid story.

Kenni Lowry is the newly elected sheriff in Cottonwood, Kentucky who also happens to have the spirit of her grandfather (the previous sheriff) tagging along with her to look out for her while she's on duty. She's been recently investigating the death of one of the townspeople when all of a sudden things are popping for such a small town. The characters were likable and I enjoyed them, though this "romance" or whatever it is between Kenni and Finn, at least in this book, was more aggravating than anything else.

Overall, the characters were quaint and realistically southern, but there was little character development, and the plot didn't keep my interested. That being said, I enjoyed the authors style of writing, and feel like this could be the type of series that develops over time and would be really enjoyable.

Special thanks to Netgalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Brenda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Southern Fried is the second installment in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series set in Cottonwood, KY featuring Sheriff "Kendrick" Kenni Lowry and ghostly sidekick, her grandfather "Poppa". Having recently solved two murders in the sleepy town, Kenni is delighted to be investigating her new relationship with hunky State Reserve Officer, Finn Vincent.

Their date at the county fair is interrupted by the report of a body found at Petal Pushers, the local landscape and florist business owned by Myrna Savage. Myrna is more upset that Owen Godbey had the nerve to die in her prize winning tomatoes than she is at finding the body of her former employee. One look at Owen's body and Kenni knows that his death was not an accident, the wounds from an electric barbed wire fence around his ankles gives it away.

The police duo, along with Poppa and Kenni's dog Duke, set out to find the real killer and soon uncover that tensions between the Godbey family members runs deep. Owen is recently divorced from wife Sandy and is fighting with his brother and sister in law, Stanley and Inez over the cookbook left by family matriarch Rae Lynn.

A fast paced plotline with quirky characters, the second book in the series will often have you laughing aloud. Looking forward to more adventures with the Cottonwood gang.

I received an advanced copy of Southern Fried from NetGalley via Henery Press. While not required to write a review I am more than happy to offer my honest opinion.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I LOVED this book! Tonya Kappes is a genius! I enjoyed how the plot played out. Totally didn't see where it was going. Usually the first book in a series is my favorite but not with Tonya's. I love each book more and more.

[Paula · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Kenni and deputy Finn are working together (along with Poppa) to find out who dunnit. Being from the south I loved all the southern isms and small town banter. Will Kenni and Finn be able to make a love connection? How long will Poppa hang around? I was really stumped by this mystery and I'm usually not so kuddos to the author. She is one of my favorite!!!!

[Jessica Robbins · Rating 4 out of 5]

For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs...