Address For Murder

Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery #2

by Tonya Kappes

Discover the southern life of Bernadette Butler, along with the eccentric and lovable citizens, along with all the fur babies, who live in Sugar Creek Gap in this NEW southern cozy mystery series by Tonya Kappes.

Mail Carrier Bernadette Butler makes sure she checks on all of her elderly customers on her mail carrier route during the colder months. It makes her feel good and lets face it, she's trying to keep her mind off the feelings she's having for her deceased husband's best friend, Mac Tabor. Which makes putting everyone before her is easy.

Until she notices one particular customer's dog is on the loose, Bernadette takes the dog back and something isn't right. The door is open. Bernadette goes in to check on her customer only to find him murdered!

Bernadette knows someone knows something about the murder in the small knit community. Now that she's help solve one murder, she can't resist to try her hand at it again...of course not without the help of the FRONT PORCH LADIES and Vince!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Fiction, Contemporary, Mystery Thriller

191 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 20, 2019

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

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bernadette your mail carrier of Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky finds another body when Buster, a chocolate Lab comes barking at the post office. When Bernie takes the dog back to his home, she found the owner dead.

I find the motive and conclusion a little out there, but I had fun with the book. Bernie's friends and customers are shop owners on Main Street, residents at a nursing home, and a neighborhood behind Old Mill. They help Bernie solve the murder.

165 pages/5h 35m

[Linda Langford · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story with interesting characters. I enjoy the Front Porch ladies who are huge gossipers with kind hearts. Bernie receives a big surprise in this story, and it’s a gift that keeps on giving. I highly recommend this cozy series.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Address for Murder by Tonya Kappes is the second A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Stamped Out first (it is such a charming book). Tonya Kappes has given us another engaging cozy mystery. Bernadette Butler is fifty years old and a widow who lives in a farmhouse outside town with her cat, Rowena. Bernadette is a kind woman who cares about her friends, family and those on her postal route. If someone is ill, she takes them chicken soup. Bernadette especially makes sure that the older folks on her route are alright. She inquires about their health, their families and their day (I wish she was my postal carrier). When she discovers Buster, Lee Macum’s dog, behind the post office, she adjusts her mail route to return him. Bernadette finds his gate open and the door open. She is distressed to find Lee dead in his overcrowded living room. Bernadette liked the cranky man and is determined to find who murdered him. She gets assistance from Vince at the senior living facility and the Front Porch Ladies who live on the same street as Lee. While I could easily identify the guilty party, there were some clever aspects to the crime (I just love a unique whodunit). I was curious to see how this tale would play out and see Bernadette get justice for Lee. The Front Porch Ladies are so cute, and they add levity to the story. Vince uses his FBI contacts and database to help Bernadette get information on her suspects. Tonya Kappes has an engaging writing style. It reminds me of talking to an old friend. I started reading and did not stop until I finished the story. Romance is in the air for Bernadette with her old friend, Mac Tabor. The trick is seeing if they can transition their friendship into a relationship. I liked the scenes with Rowena and Buster. The author captured how cats and dogs react when they first meet. The dogs are excited while the cat hisses and raises its back with fur standing on end. There are lovely heartwarming moments in Address for Murder along with a special surprise. I look forward to reading the next installment in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Address for Murder is a delightful story with swift scuttlebutt, a cute canine, an astonishing announcement, unwanted weeds, and a compassionate mail carrier.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

Things in Bernadette's life are really getting spiced up when she and her long time friend decide to take things to the next level, she stumbles across another dead body and inherits a dog! This series is so refreshing (can a murder mystery, be refreshing??? LOL!) as the people are normal people living in a quaint small town and going about normal life events, they just have a dead body pop up every now and then. As the town mail carrier, it seems that Bernie has become the finder of those bodies! I am thoroughly enjoying this series and can't wait to hear what comes next as I continue binge listening to this series on Hoopla thanks to my local public library!

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is hard to believe it is possible, but this book is better than the last. Mac and Bernie move closer in their relationship. I enjoyed reading about Buster and Rowena. The sad part is the town losing a friend. The best part is some news Bernie receives. I hope there are more books in the series!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Bernadette is a mailman in the small town in Tennessee. Leaving the post 📪 office she comes on Buster a dog 🐕 of one of the people on her route. When they arrive at the house the door is cracked. They go inside and find the owner dead. Bernadette has a number of suspects on her list and is working with the police. She happens on the truth which leads to the arrest of the killer. I would recommend this series and author to 👍readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Shawna Shaheen · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 1st book. Bernie (Bernedette) is a mail carrier in her 50's with her best friend Iris that owns a bake shop. Bernie knew all her people on her routes. One particular older man Lee was a great man. But Carla a president of a Spring committee and she was mad at Lee because he had filthy outside house. Bernie son Grady and his wife Julia were expecting. Like was Lee nephew. And Lee had one else. But Bernie always was nice to him in her routes. Bernie seen Lee dog Buster on street. Luke said that Lee his uncle was forgetting things. So Bernie thought he forgot to let Buster in. So Bernie went to his house and found him dead. This was an alright book. I Loved that the nursing home that Bernie have mail to the residents there was playing Bingo. In beginning of story. Me and my late father Ron would go to bingo together ( not in nursing homes) My dad was unconscious ( they called him that because he always won. ) Me and him had fun time.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book of the series we find out just what a great person Bernadette really is. She takes care to check on her elderly customers while making her way along her route, especially during the colder months. When walking her route one day she notices one of her customers dog out and running loose. After catching the dog she takes him back home and she sees that something isn't quite right. The door has been left open, she decides to enter and check on things. When she gets inside she finds the man has been murdered. Having solved one murder already Bernadette feels she has it in her to solve another. She know the information she needs is out there she just has to talk to people and ask the right questions. Along the way she has to figure out her feelings for Mac, her dead husband's best friend. Follow along as Bernadette looks for clues in hopes of finding a killer, will she be successful or will a killer remain at large.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Address For Murder
A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, Book #2
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Discover the southern life of Bernadette Butler, along with the eccentric and lovable citizens, along with all the fur babies, who live in Sugar Creek Gap in this NEW southern cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes.

Mail Carrier Bernadette Butler makes sure she checks on all of her elderly customers on her mail carrier route during the colder months. It makes her feel good and lets face it, she's trying to keep her mind off the feelings she's having for her deceased husband's best friend, Mac Tabor. Which makes putting everyone before her is easy.

Until she notices one particular customer's dog is on the loose, Bernadette takes the dog back and something isn't right. The door is open. Bernadette goes in to check on her customer only to find him murdered!

Bernadette knows someone knows something about the murder in the small knit community. Now that she's help solve one murder, she can't resist to try her hand at it again...of course not without the help of the FRONT PORCH LADIES and Vince! (Goodreads)


Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Bernadette’s family and friends mean a lot to her, she is never really alone. The Front Porch Ladies are so unique and I love spending time with them. They keep an eye on Bernadette and they love helping her solve mysteries.

The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick easy read. The author’s description brought the book alive in my mind, and I could see the Front Porch Ladies waiting for Bernadette to bring their mail and visit. The mystery moved along at a great pace and was not easily solved.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading a cozy mystery full of Southern charm. I cannot wait to read the next book in the series to see what Bernadette will get involved with next.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Address for Murder was a very cute cozy mystery featuring mail carrier, Bernadette Butler. It had the same cast of characters from the charming Kentucky town of Sugar Creek Gap. Bernadette was just as entertaining in this book as in the first one. I love the way she cares about the people of her town and helps out wherever she sees a need. She even makes friends with all of the animals and doles treats out to them as she delivers the mail. One of the most whimsical things she does is to feed a duck that she sees each day. He takes his treats from her and then races to catch her again for another treat at a different point along the creek. Her own cat, Rowena, is a nice addition to the story.

In this book, an elderly hoarder is found murdered in his home. Of course, Bernadette is the one who finds him, after being lead there by his dog, Buster. Bernadette immediately knows she will be doing all she can to find the identify of the killer.

This was a fun one, and I'm looking forward to the next release.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

This one didn't catch my fancy as much as the first one. Now it felt more like back to a more typical cosy mystery type of story and even if it kept me amused enough, it didn't stick as well in my memory.

I also found the entire story kind of odd. And unlike the first one, sort of predictable. The one that seems the most likely to be the culprit turned out to be exactly that. No surprise to be had.
The whole arrangement with leaving everything you own to your mail carrier felt a bit weird, but things are different in the US, I guess. Would be impossible to do that here in Sweden.

I'm very torn when it comes to Bernadette's relationship with Mac. It's so strange and forced. They fell into each other's arms at the end of the first book - in front of people - yet at the start of this book it's suddenly a secret that they like each other and kind of are dating. Like ... huh!?

Mac has sort of shifted personality from the last book and I didn't really like it. I will give book 3 a go never the less.

[Doward Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

A twisted murder plot that will keep you guessing right to the surprising ending.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s a Southern cozy mail carrier and her cat! Full of southern wit and grit, I enjoyed this even more than the first in series, Stamped Out! It is funny, scary, and suspenseful, with sadness at the loss of a good friend and several surprises.

Rowena is the perfect cat for a mail carrier who has long working days and evenings out with friends or family. She is a loving, happy girl who is a little spoiled (don’t tell my cats about feeding dishes with timers!). Bernie is the favorite mail carrier of the Front Porch Ladies and downtown Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky.

It is time for Carla to retire. Among other things, she has headed the Sugar Creek Gap Beautification Committee for years. This year, she is determined that Sugar Creek Gap will win the Make Kentucky Colorful campaign to complete her years of service. Going through town spraying weeds that have the nerve to grow in the cracks of the sidewalks and delivering yard cleanup tickets to Lee, a retired trash collector who brought home many treasures over the years, are her biggest bane. She’ll do almost anything to win!

Little Creek Road has some of the best residents. Mac, who was Bernie’s late husband’s best friend, is like a family member to Bernie, Grady, and Grady’s wife Julia. The Front Porch Ladies, who helped Bernie solve a murder a while back, almost always have food and beverage for her as they visit on Harriette’s porch. Lee seems like a grumpy old man, but Bernie has won him as a friend, bringing any unusual stamps she finds for his collection, soups for him, and treats for his dog Buster.

Early one morning, Buster was running around the parking lot at the post office and Bernie walks him home before starting her route. Lee’s nephew Luke has been telling people that Lee may be in the early days of dementia, which Bernie finds hard to believe. He seems as sharp as ever to her, but why is his dog loose? When she arrives at Lee’s, the gate is open, the door is open, and Lee is dead.

Bernie is a delight, fast becoming a favorite sleuth. From her charm and wit to her love for the friends made on her route in the past ten years, this is a woman I wouldn’t mind having as a neighbor. She sees the people on her route as her customers, and has a hard time seeing them grow older each year. Bernie also believes that if one gives out goodness, it comes back tenfold.

Bernie and the Front Porch Ladies want to honor Lee. Even though she doesn’t want to get involved in another murder, Lee was her friend. I enjoyed seeing the interactions between Mac and Bernie, Bernie and her parents, and Bernie and her favorite seniors, as well as how secure she has become in herself. The mystery was hard to solve, as there were some really strong suspects! There are definitely surprises in store throughout, as I was surprised at how the whole story played out. I highly recommend this to fans of the author, those who appreciate older sleuths and seniors, cats, and well-written Southern cozy mysteries.

From a Thankful Heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel, and this is my honest review.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette the mail carrier is always trying to be good to the elderly on her route in the town of Sugar Gap Creek.
The town has been getting ready to be judged by the beautification committee. Except Lee Macum who is a hoarder and his home is filled with trash inside and out or in his words treasures he has collected.
When Lee is found dead, Bernadette is going to investigate in her own way.
Wonderful characters, laughs, friends and family. Love the Front Porch Ladies!
Don’t miss out on this second book in the series.

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

[Miss W Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely LOVED this book!
Address for Murder is Book number two in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series.
Tonya Kappes has done it again with an incredible mystery, setting and characters.

I really love the protagonist Bernadette Butler, aka Bernie. Not to mention all the fun characters in the wonderful town of Sugar Gap Creek .

Bernie takes care of everyone and I think thats why she is so relateable. As the town's mail carrier, she is always checking on her elderly neighbors. This is how she ends up finding a dead body.

Bernie is on the case along with the Front Porch Ladies.

The mystery was well written and surprising. The writing is fantastic.

I enjoyed this book so much!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette Buttler is a mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap, KY. Bernadette along with a quirky lovable cast of characters are getting ready for the Make Kentucky Colorful Spring Campaign. Everyone trying to beautify their town to win the award; everyone but Lee Macum. Mr. Macum is a senior citizen who is a known hoarder. When Bernadette finds Mr. Macum's beloved pup running around town without Mr. Macum she takes him home. When Bernadette arrives at Mr. Macum's house she knows something is wrong. When she goes inside she finds Mr. Macum’s dead body. Feeling the loss of one of the beloved seniors on her route Bernadette has to find out who killed him.

This is the second book in the series. The first book is a good introduction to the characters, this book is even better. In Address for Murder, you learn more about Bernadette’s relationships with the Front Porch Ladies and Mac (her deceased husband’s best friend). The mystery is more developed with no shortage of suspects. The story-line is well-developed and moves at a great pace. In addition to great characters and mystery, this book is full of other signature aspects of Author Tonya Kappes's books... a touch of romance, humor, adorable pets, and southern charm.

I received a copy of this book at my request, and I have voluntarily left this review. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.

[John Presler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carla Ramey is going around town with a spray bottle full of weed killer in an effort to finally win the Make Kentucky Colorful spring campaign before she retires. She is especially upset with one person in town, Lee Macum, whose yard she says is a disaster. Mail carrier, Bernadette Butler has no issues with Lee and always has a treat for his dog, Buster when she delivers Lee's mail.

When Bernadette sees Buster running loose near the Post Office, she decides to take him home. When she gets to Lee's home, she finds both the gate and the front door open. Inside the home, she discovers that Lee is dead. The coroner says that Lee was poisoned. There are several people who had issues with Lee, but were their differences serious enough to provoke them to murder? To compound matters, the main suspects all have verifiable alibis for the time of death.

Who killed Lee? Why was he killed? Can Bernadette solve the mystery and expose the killer?

Tonya Kappes has another winner with great characters and wonderful situations. There are plenty of twists and turns in this adventure to keep the reader guessing clear to the end.

[Krystyna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Treasure, trash and murder

Okay variations of this plot have been used by many authors but this has a nice fresh feel to it. Our heroine is a middle aged mail carrier (or postie here in the UK) and she's bright, curious and trim. The town at present is under strict orders to get "beautified". The one eyesore everyone has is one house that has junk in it's front garden, possible rats and is full of boxes. However when the owner dies a shock is delivered to our heroine. Not only does she inherit the dog and the estate but the poor man was murdered. Was it the real estate agent that desperately wants the house? The only family the man had left and who is in dire needs of funds? Or did it have something to do with the need to beautify? Then there is the matter of a new romance, her daughter-in-law's illness, the radio announcer's new moniker for her and how will her cat react to a dog!
Nicely paced and well thought out but wish it had a bit more quips from the Front Porch Ladies. Possibly some humour as well as some sarcasm.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

AUTHOR Kappes, Tonya
TITLE Address For Murder
DATE READ 06/02/20
RATING 4/B
FIRST SENTENCE
GENRE/ PUB DATE/PUBLISHER / # OF Cozy Mystery/2020/hoopla-audio/5 hr 35 min
SERIES/STAND-ALONE #2 Mail Carrier
CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal 110/120;
GROUP READ Tonya Kappes Cozy Crew
TIME/PLACE Present/KY
CHARACTERS Bernadette Davis/Mail Carrier
COMMENTS Another good entry in this series. Bernie is always kind to her Senior customers and usually goes above and beyond when she delivers the mail to them. When Bernie finds Buster, one of the senior's dog, running loose -- she goes to return him to his owner … only to find his body dead on the floor.

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read it in one sitting!

I'm loving this series! It's simple, relaxing and funny. Perfect to enjoy when I'm need of an easy read after a full day.
I particularly felt for the murder victim this time around, making this a very gripping read. For some reason this character was one of those I wanted to read more about and see developed, so I was more vested in discovering the killer.

[Mona J. (MyameeGirl) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5 Another cute, cozy mystery that was quick to read. There are 7 books in this series. If they all end up with Bernadette finding dead bodies all over her town... she should think about moving! LOL
Taking a break to read some other titles, but I'll return to book 3 soon. I rather enjoy the whole whodunnit vibe with these books. And come on... the covers are adorable! :0)

[Ezekiel Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.75. Better mystery elements than the previous, but still not amazing. I admired Bernadette for having more a spine in this book, but the drama with Luke fizzled out like a sparkler. I don't particularly care for relationship drama, but if you're going to have it in my opinion it should at least make sense in conception and in length

[Tina · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the second book of this great cozy mystery series. Bernadette has done it again - stumbled onto a murder that she is going to butt in and try to solve. This book gives more insight into Bernadette's private life and some of the challenges she faces. Absolutely LOVE the Front Porch Ladies!!! Really enjoyed getting to learn more about Mac Tabor.

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adore this cozy mystery angle of a sleuth that delivers mail on foot. The town remains adorable. The mystery was good with plenty of misdirection. I very much liked the victim in this book and was a tad sad when he was found deceased! I like that Bernadette stands her ground with Mac and that he (eventually) takes his head out his booty!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Address for Murder earns 5/5 Sparkling Mail Carts...Entertaining Fun!

Bernadette “Bernie” Butler has an agreement with her long, long-time BFF Iris Peabody to not share when she gets one of her “feelings.” She’s not psychic, it’s just a feeling, and her track record is more miss than hit. When they were younger several misunderstandings occurred because of misinterpreting one of Iris’s “feelings. But, ten years ago the “feeling” she got about Bernadette’s husband Richard turned out to be tragically correct, and her recent “feeling” about Mac Tabor, her husband’s best friend, was oddly correct, too. But, Bernie sees Iris with a look of concern. Bernie doesn’t want to know if she’s had one of her “feelings,” but Iris can’t hold it back, “There’s something about Little Creek Road.” Little Creek Road is something alright. Mac lives there, and he has two investment properties there; one is infested with rats in the cellar which may be connected to the neighbor. Neighbor Lee Macum lives there, and his hoarding and collecting of junk impacts his living condition as well as the look of the area. Mac is concerned, the real estate agent is frustrated, the nephew is worried, and the president of the beautification committee is threatening to “kill him.” So which of these “somethings” lead to murder!

Entertainment Delivered! Tonya delivered another engaging drama in her Mail Carrier Mystery series with her entertaining writing style of descriptive language, dialogue that illustrates well the tone and various personalities, and a fun Kentucky flare. This series is at the top with a clever mystery exploring selfishness, revenge, and greed, wonderful characters from millennials to baby boomers to senior seniors, and an ending that included some nail-biting peril and “Whew!” satisfaction. Bernadette is a fifty-something widow with realistic fears and challenges entering a more romantic relationship with a close friend; she’s also still a mother, despite her son being an adult himself with the prospect of being a grandma that makes her a character to whom many can identify. Ok, it’s a cozy mystery and amateurs investigate murder with or without support from official channels (Bernie has a love/hate relationship with Sheriff Angela Hafley), but Tonya wraps it up in a quaint small southern town with characters readers might recognize as friends and family and a story that might be found in the headlines. And a bonus, too. Tonya has given everyone a little taste of recipes referenced in the story like [Iris’s] Bonbon Cookies, [her mom’s] Chocolate Crinkles along with my favorite Chocolate Chip Blondes with peanut butter and the intriguing...Pepper Cookies! Wow! I love it!

Did you hear book three “All She Wrote” releases sometime in 2020, and she has contracted audio versions for her three book Mail Carrier Mystery. It’s going to be an exciting 2020!

Disclosure: I received an ARC. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Suzanne Bourgeois]

I don't think the "murder she wrote" style mystries are for me. Thee was nothing wrong with this book, the characters were well written, the mystery fun and engaging. It just.... rambled. I read another book by a different author and had the same problem. I think it's just me. If cozy mysteries are your bag, then read this! It was cute and well well written.

[Debbie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this second in the series. Bernadette finds the dog of one of an older man who is on her route and returns the pet only to find a body. This was a fun read with likable characters. I love the setting and the front porch ladies.
I will continue on with this series.

[Crystal Cline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Super fun! Another great installment in this series! I love Bernadette so much! Her sleuthing skills are top notch, and I love the perks she has with being a mail carrier. I can’t wait to continue this series and see where her and her family are going to go with everything that has changed!

[Sue Rae Buck · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this second book by Tonya Kappes Bernadette the local mail carrier finally realizes that she is falling for Mac, her deceased husbands best friend. While another murder happens and poor Rowena gets a roommate! So what else can happen in this book!

Wonderful characters which you feel like you are right there with them during the whole book!

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette the mail carrier is always trying to be good to the elderly on her route in the town of Sugar Gap Creek. The town has been getting ready to be judged by the beautification committee. Except Lee Macum who is a hoarder and his home is filled with trash inside and out or in his words treasures he has collected.
When Lee is found dead, Bernadette is going to investigate in her own way.
Wonderful characters, laughs, friends and family. Love the Front Porch Ladies!!
Don’t miss out on this second book in the series.

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