Stamped Out

Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery #1

by Tonya Kappes

Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.

What they don't know is how Bernadette's life is filled...filled with everyone's hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.

While on her route, Bernadette finds one of her clients dead and suspects foul play even though the local police aren't convinced.

Bernadette discovers she's got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose.

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

211 pages, Paperback

First published October 29, 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]

I like trying different cozy mysteries, mostly for varieties. In Stamped Out, the MC is a mailwoman in a very small town Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. Bernadette Butler is in her fifties and a widow. She lives with her cat Rowena. Her son Grady teaches English and is the head coach at Sugar Creek High.

Book one involves turning Sugar Creek Country Club into condos. People aren't happy that the deal is going through and one person is found dead after an argument. "Bernie" steps in to find the real killer after a friend is detained.

I enjoy this little book (162 pages/3h 53m) and it had a good twist! But I have two complaints. First, Bernie opened someone's letter knowing it was illegal and two, she made Shrimp Gumbo in the book but no gumbo recipe! 😒

👩‍🍳🥧Recipes: Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, Lemon Philly Pie, and Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread.

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes
A Mail Carrier cozy mystery.
Bernadette is a mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap, a small southern town. When she finds a body, sleuthing seems the natural thing to do.

A cute cozy mystery typical of the author - talking to neighbors and friends to solve the puzzle.
Bernadette in the story has a cat named Rowena. Sounds familiar.
And with tongue in cheek humor:

“I plan on talking to people…
You’ve seen it on TV, even The Hallmark channel. The people that solve crimes are usually a baker, librarian, and even camp ground owners”

🎧 I alternated between a paperback copy and an audiobook which was narrated by Tiffany Morgan who does many of the books by this author. The southern drawn is slow to me so I listened to most of the book at 1.5 speed. Having the same narrator on multiple series makes it a bit difficult to distinguish between series. Since they are all cozy mysteries, with the heroine doing pretty much the same sleuthing across the board, it doesn't really matter.
The Audiobook did not have the recipes that were included in the paperback version.

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

The mail carrier finds a body in the creek when feeding the duck from the bridge. Her best friend is accused of the murder and arrested. She ask questions of the friends on her mail route. She uncovers the truth which leads to the arrest of the killer. I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic relationships mystery novels 👍🔰 2023 👒😤😮🌙

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the debut novel in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Bernadette Butler is an older protagonist which I appreciate. I like that we are seeing main characters that are in their 40s and 50s. Bernadette is a widow who is a local mail carrier and lives with a cat. Bernadette’s son, Grady is an English teacher at the local high school as well as the football coach. His wife, Julia works as Mac Tabor’s secretary. Bernadette’s parents own The Wallflower Diner in downtown Sugar Creek Gap. Sugar Creek Gap is a charming small town with quaint shops and variety of residents. The Front Porch Ladies (Henriette, Ruby, Millie and Gertrude) are a group of older women on Bernadette’s route that are curious by nature bunch. They see and hear everything that happens on the street where they live which comes in handy when Bernadette needs some helpful gossip. The whodunit involves the death of Chuck Shilling after he agreed to sell his shares of the Sugar Creek Gab Country Club to Mac Tabor. Mac mistakenly mentioned that he plans to erect condos. Many people object to Mac’s development idea. There are protests, signs, picketing and a murder. Chuck is shot and the killer has framed Mac for the crime. Bernadette intends to prove Mac is innocent and deliver the proof to the police chief. Bernadette is good at picking up pieces of helpful information and searching for clues. I did feel the story needed a little fine tuning. There was a repetition of information and there is mild foul language. There is a potential love interest for Bernadette. Bernadette is not sure how she feels about these new feelings. I enjoyed reading Stamped Out and I look forward to the next book in A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Stamped Out is an engaging new cozy mystery with rioting residents, country club conundrum, spray paint scribbling, gleeful gossips, a framed friend and delayed deliveries.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stamped Out” by Tonya Kappes is the first book in her all new “A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery” series starring Bernadette Butler and her cat Rowena.

Once again Tonya has woven a picture of small town Kentucky with its southern charm, quirky characters and a dash of humour. Welcome to Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky y’all!

Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.

What they don’t know is how Bernadette’s life is filled ... with everyone’s hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.

While on her route, Bernadette finds one of her clients dead and suspects foul play even though the local police aren’t convinced.

Bernadette discovers she’s got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose.

The story moved at a steady pace with a few red herrings and a few twists to keep you guessing. I was completely surprised by the ending, totally not what I expected. I am super excited to read book two “Addressed For Murder” out on December 31, 2019.

I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

An excellent new series with an intelligent, interesting middle aged main character! The main character is a mail delivery person so she hears a lot of interesting things on her route through town which puts her in the perfect place to discover who did "it" when a body is discovered in town. A great cast of characters including a delightful tabby cat! I really like that the main character is a more like a real person, not into a ton of hobbies, but works and has a family life to deal with while tucking a side of sleuthing into her schedule. I can't wait to hear what comes next as I am listening to this series on audio through Hoopla via my local library!

[Linda Langford · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, original cozy mystery! Great characters, quaint town setting, and fast-moving plot. Sweet kitty named Rowena. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Patricia Wagner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette Davis's friends try to set her up on dates the widow is lonely. Bernadette as their mail carrier knows all their secrets. Bernadette finds a dead body on her route and suspects foul play even though the police don't believe her. Can Bernadette flush out a killer?

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stamped Out
A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, Book #1
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.

Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.

What they don't know is how Bernadette's life is filled...filled with everyone's hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.

While on her route, Bernadette finds out the beloved Sugar Creek Gap Country Club is being sold and turned into condos. The developer is Bernadette's best friend, Mac Tabor and right now he's not very popular.

The entire town is against the development and eager to vote it down, vowing they will do whatever needs to be done to stop the sell of the country club to Mac Tabor.

Chuck Shilling, majority owner of the country club, and Mac have a public fight because Chuck is rethinking of selling the club to Mac. When Chuck is found dead, Mac Tabor is the number one suspect.

Bernadette discovers she's got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose while trying to save Mac Tabor from going to prison for a murder he didn't commit. (Goodreads)


Review:

Stamped Out is the first book in a new series and it is a good one. It has everything that I look for in a cozy: great characters, an inviting setting and an engaging mystery.

The characters are well rounded and well developed. I enjoyed getting to meet Bernadette and her family and friends. I enjoyed the fact that she is a little older and has a family. That is a refreshing change from most of the cozies I read. The Front Porch Ladies were a hoot and added a lot to the story.

As is usual with this author, the setting was cozy southern and brought Sugar Creek Gap alive in my mind. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story right from the very beginning.

I thought the mystery was well plotted and not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider. I was surprised to find out who the culprit was.

I would highly recommend this book (and all of the series written by this author) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

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

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stamped Out” earns 5/5 Ssssecrets...Engaging and Entertaining!

What an entertaining starter to a new series, Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, from Tonya Kappes! “Stamped Out,” set again in Kentucky, introduces Bernadette Butler, widow of ten years, mother of a high-school teacher/coach son, and beloved US mail carrier of Sugar Creek Gap. With all the southern charm Tonya Kappes can muster, she has penned a first-person narrative from Bernadette’s delightful perspective sharing her feelings, insights into other residents, love for family and friends, and her developing skill with investigating murder. Chuck Shilling, majority owner of the local country club, is selling to Mac Tabor, property developer and friend of Bernadette’s late husband. The development plan to build condos is causing serious conflicts, but...murder! Chuck is found dead, an argument is reported between him and Mac, and the weapon in question is found near Mac’s house, so Mac is the prime suspect! I loved it! The murder mystery was clever, twisty with more suspects to consider, several secrets revealed, curious “feelings” from Iris, and a satisfying ending I almost guessed, but it’s Tonya’s signature southernisms, descriptive language, and dialogue illustrating well the various personalities that made the entire read very entertaining. There’s a lot going on forcing me to pay close attention. I really like having so many characters of a mature age, some quirky, endearing friendship with BFF Iris and sleuthing sidekick Vince, efforts to hook Bernadette up, and...four easy-to-follow sweet treats to top it all off...Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, Lemon Philly Pie, Southern Pecan Bread, and Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread. Cozy fans should not miss this one!

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

[Christa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stamped Out is a fun start to a cozy series. I really enjoyed reading it, and liked the small town Kentucky setting. The main character, Bernadette David, was great. I loved the way she cared about her town and her family and friends. It was fun to get to know the townspeople.

This book revolves around a potential highly controversial sale of the local country club. The sale would result in the property being repurposed for condos. One of the main players in the deal is found dead and Bernadette's late husband's best friend, Mac, becomes a suspect. Bernadette is determined to prove him innocent, but as she investigates she wonders if he is truly the good man she always believed him to be. Bernadette comes across a few surprises on her way to proving his innocence.

I'm glad I read this one and found it very enjoyable. My only issue was that Bernadette comes across some shocking information that connects to her in a very personal way. She didn't seem to be nearly as emotionally affected as what you would expect. I felt like she kind of just breezed through it without being bothered much, which didn't seem too authentic. I did like everything else about the book and am looking forward to reading the next one.

[Vivian · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am a faithful fan of this author and have read many of her books, but I was disappointed in this new series debut - there wasn't any witty humor or charm that I normally associate with her writing and I missed that. There were also three things that bothered about this book now that I have finished reading it. First, that the mail carrier protagonist would decide to open someone's mail anyway after having just struggled with the moral dilemma of it being illegal to do so in the sentence before. Two, the potential "romance" now after a decade of being friends with nothing to stand in the way of either party acting on it - except the plot driven secret of course (which, in my opinion, any true friend would never keep from the other). And, thirdly, the secret itself - sure, a great reveal for the shock factor, but really just a case of poor moral judgment that I can watch on TV or read about in the news. I just wasn't left with the happy feeling I normally have after reading a Tonya Kappes book. I hope to see a different direction in the next book.

Note: I did receive an ARC of this book from the author, but my review is voluntary.

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was actually shocked by how much I liked this book. If it wasn't by one of my favorite authors I might have passed it by. I wasn't sure how I would like the main character being a mail carrier or a little older than I'm used to. It was a great chance and I can't wait to read more of this series. It held my attention and made me want to read. I've been having a hard time focusing lately. Tonya Kappes always pulls through!

[Daniele · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars
STAMPED OUT, the first book in the Mail Carrier Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes, introduces readers to a new small town setting and cast of characters. Bernadette, a widow and mail carrier, gets caught up in the investigation of a local business man’s murder when her best friend Mac becomes the prime suspect. It comes as a shock that Mac has been keeping secrets from her, and she is determined to find a killer and some answers.

I like that Bernadette is older than the average cozy mystery sleuth. She is smart and confident, and even though she does some questionable things in the name of detecting, she is a strong sleuth. I cannot think of a better occupation than that of a mail carrier; it makes all of her investigating seem perfectly natural. I also like Mac and trust readers will see the “real” him going forward. Overall, the characters are less quirky and there is less humor than in Kappes’ other works, but it is still quite entertaining. The mystery is engaging, but I think the big curveball is too over-the-top. As is the case with many shorter books, the ending feels rushed.

I enjoyed STAMPED OUT and will definitely give the next book in the series a try when it is released. There is great potential here. Recommended to any cozy mystery fan.

I received an ARC of this title from the author and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.

[Thomas · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette Butler is a mail carrier for Sugar Creek Gap. She is also the mother of the H.S. Football coach, and a widow for the last 10 years.

The town gets its knickers in a twist over the sale of the country club to a developer who wants to raze the grounds and build a condo development on the grounds of the bankrupt property.

On her delivery route, Bernadette discovers the body of one of the country club owners, and the person who was going to buy it is now the prime suspect. Out of friendship to the man who helped her and her young son get through the trying time of grief. She determines to help clear his name. She discovers that Mac may not be the person she thought he was. She also learns that the life and marriage she thought she had was very different in reality.

This is the first story in a new series from Tonya Kappes. It has developed characters, some humor and a few Red Herrings to keep things interesting.

[JoAn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the first book in her new small town cozy mystery series, A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery.

Ms. Kappes' descriptive writing brings Sugar Creek Gap to life as you meet Bernadette Butler, her son Grady and his wife Julia. The story moved quickly but the characters are developing slowly so that a reader gets to know them throughout the story. I enjoyed the fact that Bernie is older than the average cozy mystery protagonist. I found all of the characters to be likable and Sugar Creek Gap to be a small town that I would love to visit. The finale's twist was shocking and I can't wait to read the next book to see what happens next.

The author provided me with a copy of this book to review. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernadette Butler is a widower who delivers mail in Sugar Creek Gap. She has a married son, Grady, and daughter-in-law, Julia. She has lots of friends and everyone seems to love her. Things turn bad for her when she finds a body and a very good friend is the main suspect. I really felt like I was with Bernadette while she was following her mail route and visiting with her customers along the way. I could feel the sorrow she still felt at the death of her husband and the feelings she is feeling for another man. Kudos to the author for making me feel these emotions.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Heather Gilbert · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cute cozy mystery! And VERY Southern, which I appreciated. Looking forward to reading more Tonya Kappes books!

[Jeanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This exciting first in Tonya Kappes’ new Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series is a great intro to one of my new favorites of hers! Starring Bernadette, widowed mail carrier, and Rowena, her charming rescue cat, it is sure to delight Southern cozy mystery fans. The characters are defined well in this opening episode, and the mystery is a challenge to solve. Working for the post office and stamp collecting is interesting to me. The sweet Kentucky town of Sugar Creek Gap is full of surprises and suspense!

It is the tenth anniversary of the death of Bernadette’s husband, Richard, and it starts much the same as any other. She begins her mail route, stops to visit with Vince, resident at the retirement condos, and is making plans to attend the evening’s high school football game in which the Grizzlies will play their biggest competitor. Bernadette’s son Grady is the head football coach, and a college scout will be there.

Bernadette stops at the emergency city council meeting after learning that her late husband’s best friend Mac, who is like family to her and Grady, is buying the land the country club, near bankruptcy, sits on. The mayor, the man who owns 40% of the land, council members and neighbors want to stop the sale since Planning and Zoning have approved for Mac to build condos on the land. A meeting will take place before tonight’s football game. Mac, and Chuck Shilling, who is selling his 60% of the land, are required to be there and postpone signing the final papers until afterwards.

Bernadette catches up on the rumors with the Front Porch Ladies, including a fight that Chuck and Mac had. She didn’t know that Mac has been seeing a woman with a fancy car. As close friends as they are, the morning shows that Mac has been keeping some big secrets from her.

Continuing on her route, Bernadette begins to cross the bridge over Little Creek and look for the duck she feeds daily. The duck pointed out something unusual to her – the body of Chuck, the man who was selling the country club to Mac. The police begin to investigate. Not only has he been shot, but the gun that was used is found next to Mac’s house. It is reported that Mac and Chuck had disagreements the night before and it sounds like Chuck had been threatened.

The suspense builds as Bernadette decides to listen to what she can to get Mac off the hook. Even when she learns more of Mac’s secrets, and it hurts that he didn’t tell her some of these things! There may be a lot she doesn’t know, and one thing she does – Mac would never kill someone over a deal that doesn’t finalize. The rumors, gossip, and interesting things she learns on her mail route are perfect for her to find who the real bad guy is.

I like Bernadette! She has been a widow for ten years. Her best friend Iris has been trying to fix her up for nine years, but she feels Richard was the love of her life and nobody else could be like him. She is content with her life, her friends and activities, her son and daughter-in-law, and cat. She is smart and loyal. I also like Vince, who becomes her sleuthing partner. He has a few secrets of his own that help him with her search.

I highly recommend this to fans of the author, challenging and suspenseful cozy mysteries with delightful southern characters, and cats!

From a thankful heart: I received an advance reader copy of this novel; a review was not required.

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

A first in a new series by author, Tonya Kappes, that’s off to a good start. Bernadette Butler, a middle-aged mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap Kentucky, lost her husband ten years earlier and has been a single mom ever since. Sugar Creek Gap is a small community where everyone knows your business and, as we see with Bernadette, all remember her husband’s death. Every year on the anniversary of his passing, each stop brings condolences, leaving it difficult for Bernadette to move on. This particular anniversary brought along a surprise as she realized she forgot the date, until one of her stops brings it up, along with the news about the sale of the Country Club. The town is in an uproar about the sale, many protesting, while others feel it would be a good fit for the town. Unfortunately, her long-time friend Mac, and his friend Chuck, are behind the sale. When Bernadette finds Chuck’s dead body in the creek, all fingers point to Mac. Mac has always been there for Bernadette since her husband’s death, and she feels it’s her responsibility to help find the killer, in order to prove Mac’s innocence.

I welcomed the introduction of an older sleuth, her determination and loyalty admirable. The glimpse into the small-town life of Sugar Creek Gap was enjoyable as we follow Bernadette on her route and meet the various residents. As a small tight-knit community, Sugar Creek Gap comes with a variety of characters, from the front porch widow ladies, where the latest gossip is always a topic, to residents who are not afraid to speak their mind. A couple of my favorite characters were Harriette, a spunky senior and Vince, a resident in a retirement community with a very interesting past. The story had a variety of suspects, with clues that began to uncover secrets. Will Bernadette be able to handle the secrets she uncovers while attempting to establish Mac���s innocence. I look forward to the next book in the series, as Ms. Kappes continues to give us additional insight into the lives of the Sugar Creek Gap community!

[Mayda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The mystery in this novel really comes in second or even third after the delightful characters and charming hometown setting. Bernadette is a 50-ish mail carrier, and a widow with a grown son. She is a delight to nearly everyone, and she and her son have a special fondness for Mac, who has watched out for them since his best friend, Bernie’s husband Richard, died ten years ago. When a murder has made Mac the number suspect in the eyes of the police, Bernie is determined to prove his innocence. It’s an interesting enough mystery, with a twist concerning Bernie at the end. But the continuing story of the town and its inhabitants will be the real reason readers will love this series.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, but sweet and fun.
I really liked this cosy mystery. It sailed all the way up my mental list to one of the best I've listened to in quite a while.

Great storytelling, a sympathetic main character, and an interesting mystery with an explanation that managed to avoid the stereotypical Usual Suspects trench. Aaaaand a cat.

In spite of its shortness this book kept things simple in terms of characters. They weren't too many to keep track of, which I greatly approved of.

It took me a while to figure out the age of the main character. She's just about 50, but at first I imagined someone in her mid 30s. So that was pleasant surprise. I really like a character with life experience as a contrast to they younger ones I usually stumble upon.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first in the series by Ms. Kappes.
Bernadette finds a body on her mail route, someone who has caused quite the uproar around town. When she finds her good friend who has helped her and her son since the death of her husband is the main suspect, Bernadette decides that she must help him as he had helped her.
The characters are likable, I loved the "front porch ladies", they quickly became a favorite of mine. The mystery kept me guessing, my only drawback was the reactions at the end didn't seem

[Chyril Sparks · Rating 5 out of 5]

New series to read

I've been reading Tonya's campers & criminals cozy mysteries and started reading the killer coffee mysteries and decided to give this series a try. I enjoyed this book along with new cast of characters to follow. Looking forward to reading the next book.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun loving cozy mystery involving a mail carrier.

[Mayar Mahdy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

This was pretty cute. The protagonist is cool and the small town vibe is amazing.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

A quick and easy listen with a fun premise. I liked the mail carrier element and Bernadette is a likable MC. Good mystery with a surprising ending. Will look for more of this series soon.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy was alright, I give it more of a 3.5 star rating. It was pretty short so I was able to finish it in a few hours so it's a good afternoon read, however it felt kind of rushed. It was entertaining but I'm not sure I like the characters all that much, everyone just seems gossipy.

[Joy · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Crystal P · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stamped out was a fun cozy mystery angle with a mail carrier for the amateur sleuth. A mail carrier who delivers mail on foot brings the quirky characters and mystery to life. Bernadette and Mac are cute and I look forward to where this series takes their relationship.