Deadly Delivery

Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery #7

by Tonya Kappes

Welcome to Sugar Creek Gap. It's a lovely small town. Small towns have their advantages, everyone is together to celebrate the good times and rallies together to comfort during the bad times. It also has its disadvantages, Everyone knows everyone and it's a hotbed of gossip.

Bernadette gets into an argument with a cantankerous patron of her her delivery route. When he winds up dead, Bernadette is the primary suspect, since she brought him biscuits as a peace offering!

With the assistance of her BFF Iris and her neighbor Revonda Gail, she works on clearing her name so she can have more time to spend with her family.

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

168 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 19, 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

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

Bernadette Bulter is the finance of Mack Table and her son and daughter in law are excepting a baby 🚼. She is working her mail route when she has a fight with one of the men on the route. She is suspended for a week and the man 🚹 is murdered. Who is the killer? Why? Bernie and friends investigate by asking questions. Then she finds out the truth while delivering mail leading to the arrest of the killer. I would highly recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of family and friends relationships mystery novels 👍🔰. 2023 👒😀😡🏡

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Welcome back to Sugar Creek Gap, a town where everyone can’t help but know your business. In this small town, gossip is delivered daily. That is, if you are Bernadette Butler and her group of seniors, affectionately known as the Front Porch Ladies! As the mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap, Bernie is privy to the gossip that's going around. Those Front Porch Ladies, never miss a beat. As soon as they knew Mac Tabor, Bernie's boyfriend, proposed, they got right to work throwing them an engagement party! Everyone in town turned up for the party, including a very attractive woman, who is hanging onto Mac. This just doesn’t sit well with Bernie! Unfortunately, Bernie is going through menopause, and her emotions seem to get the best of her, Frankly, she's a hot mess! Things start to happen quickly in this installment. A customer files a complaint, resulting in Bernie’s suspension. When said customer is murdered, Bernie becomes their main suspect. Add in a family emergency, and the list just keeps growing! It's up to Bernie to clear her name and find out who really murdered the victim.

This installment was one of the best so far in the series! I laughed, I cried, and was totally thrown off by the killer and the ending! I love Bernie because she is so relatable. She is a believable character, that shows her strengths as well as her flaws. Tonya has designed a character I would love to be friends with, in a small town I would love to visit. If you haven't been to Sugar Creek Gap, you need to visit, hang out with the Front Porch Ladies, and meet all the wonderful characters Tonya has created. I requested and received an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deadly Delivery by Tonya Kappes has Bernie Butler enjoying a neighborhood engagement party with her friends in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. Bernie overindulges in champagne and regrets it the next morning. Bernie sets out on the third loop of her route with a large package for Felix Mercer. He is not at home, so Bernie leaves the box with his neighbor. Unfortunately, Felix takes offense and files a formal complaint against Bernie which puts on her unpaid leave. Bernie attempts to apologize, but Felix’s snarly attitude has Bernie losing her temper in front of the neighbors. Felix is found dead that afternoon which puts Bernie at the top of the suspect list. Deadly Delivery is the 7th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. The story contains Tonya Kappes engaging writing. The characters feel like old friends. It is nice checking up on Bernie who is newly engaged to Mac Tabor. I love that Bernie is an older protagonist (50) who is kind, smart, and with a big heart. She is going through menopause which causes a variety of symptoms (dry eyes, hot flashes, night sweats are just a couple of them). Our favorite characters are back like the Front Porch Ladies, Iris, Mac, Grady, Julia, and Revonda Gail. The mystery was fun to follow with Revonda Gail helping Bernie to clear her name. It leads to some humorous situations. I laughed often while reading this tale. You need to have your tissues handy because you will need them. There are some emotional moments. There is a cliffhanger at the end which has me eager for Red Letter Slay. Deadly Delivery is a fun cozy mystery with an imprudent green-eyed monster, an engagement get-together, menopause madness, package problems, baby anticipation, a mystifying murder, and a curious cliffhanger.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my favorite series that Tonya Kappes writes, and this 7th in series keeps it a favorite! I love the town of Sugar Creek Gap and how most folks get along and help others out. At 50, Bernie has been around long enough to have substantial wisdom and knows the folks in town well enough to learn almost anything about anyone. I like Bernie and appreciate how things get really real at times just like in real life. There are lots of laughs and some tears. I get to know Bernie, her fiancé Mac, and the Front Porch Ladies better every time. I am happy that Revonda Gail has fast become a good friend to Bernie!

Bernie and Mac are engaged, and the Front Porch Ladies – the senior ladies on her road who meet on one of their front porches every day – have given them an engagement party. One of Mac’s new clients came to the party. Annabelle is a beautiful, trim, younger woman, who is moving to town and having Mac design the plans for her new home.

Bernie, on the emotional roller coaster ride called menopause, is happy and excited about almost everything in her life. She is looking forward to marrying Mac, adores her granddaughter Clara, and eagerly awaits the birth of her second grandbaby. On the flip side, Annabelle seems to be a little too interested in Mac for more than his architectural work!

This roller coaster ride does not always serve her well. As the result of a grumpy old postal customer’s complaint to the post office, Bernie was given a one-week unpaid suspension while the incident was “investigated”, along with a suggestion that she consider retiring. The following day, Bernie went to apologize to the old guy and take him a peace offering – biscuits that her mama makes at the diner her parents own. Grumpy old guy was just as rude and snarky as ever, and those hormones just blasted out of her mouth for all to hear. Later that day, he was found dead on his porch. Various clues lead the sheriff to see Bernie as the number one suspect.

The author brings us characters that I truly enjoy and can empathize with. They go through some of the same things we do – although I could not go after the bad guys the way Bernie and best friend Iris do! All are well defined through their words and actions, yet we learn more about them every time. While some of the situations are not completely happy, they are real, and I appreciate seeing “real” in a story.

The mystery was tough to solve. It is hard to narrow down the killer for someone as unpopular as this guy! Bernie, Iris, Revonda, and even the Front Porch Ladies all play a part in the solution. I was SO surprised to see whodunit, as I didn’t even suspect that person! I highly recommend Deadly Delivery and am really looking forward to the next visit to Sugar Creek Gap!

From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.

[Melmo2610 · Rating 4 out of 5]

An enjoyable adventure with Bernie and her friends. A quick and easy listen with a few surprises along the way. Good read.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deadly Delivery Earns 5/5 Package Predicaments…Engaging & Clever!

They’re getting married, and Bernadette’s and Mac’s friends and family have shown up to celebrate with balloons, grilling, and champagne. But, enter Annabelle Pascal, Mac’s new client who plans to build a double lot house has hired Mac as the best architect in the biz. But, without any provocation, Bernie feels a twinge of jealousy, compounded the next day, admittedly with a champagne hangover, when she finds Annabelle in Mac’s office; a bit too saccharine for her tastes. But, headache or not, she’s off to finish her route. When she reaches Felix Mercer’s house, he’s not home, and whether made more frustrating by her hangover or a reluctance to leave the package on his porch, she chooses to give it to his neighbor. The neighbor delivers the package, alright, along with a lecture on sobriety. Felix lodges a complaint causing Bernie to be placed on unpaid admin leave, and Iris, with one of her feelings, warns Bernie not to approach Felix with an apology. She doesn’t heed the warning, so the shouting match and hurling of threats will be hard to dismiss when Felix is found murdered.

Tonya Kappes has penned some first-class intrigue for her seventh book in this cozy gem: a cleverly devised murder, an attempted murder, and a perilous ending. Real life is always an engaging part of any Kappes book, and along with future weddings, problematic pregnancies, animal hijinxes, and jealous triads in this drama, several issues connected to age are raised: menopause symptoms, patronizing responses, and missteps and miscommunications attributed to competence. Bernie is a favorite literary friend with whom one could easily identify as “a good mom, a smart woman,” and a loyal friend well-like by all. A favorite part in Tonya Kappes’s cozies is the easy-to-follow recipes that she includes that are either something her literary cafés, diners, or bakeries serve, like Breakfast Egg Bombs from the Roasted Bean, or something with a bit of southern flair, like Kentucky Oatmeal Jam Cookie. I greatly enjoy this series, and the little cliffhanger at the end of book seven makes me anxious for book eight, “Red Letter Slay,” out in late November.

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

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie and Mac are celebrating their engagement with family and friends. Bernie seems to have celebrated a bit too much. The next day she isn't really at her best, she is tired and a little jealous over Mac’s new client. So when she gets into an argument with an unpleasant person on her mail route, she gets suspended from work. Bernie tries to smooth things over and gives him a peace offering. But when he turns up dead, Bernie is the prime suspect. Can Bernie clear her name, resolve her jealousy, and get her job back?

This book has Bernie (and me) on a roller coaster of emotions. At the beginning of the book she’s happy celebrating her engagement. Then she gets jealous and upset over Mac’s attractive new client and angry with her unpleasant customer. There are a few sad events that I don't won't spoil for others. Bernie's character is well-developed, complex, relatable, and likable. The other characters are quirky, supportive, and entertaining. They are there for Bernie through the good times, bad times, and sad times. The mystery is well-plotted with plenty of surprises, twists, and turns. I enjoyed the book but it does deal with some sad topics. There is a touch of romance and humor but this one does pull on your heartstrings.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.

[Miki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is good excellent even but this instalment is my least favourite one....oh there is the mystery ( several even), the investigation, the touch of romance.....but...a little too many sad events for my taste.....i can't tell you what if i want to avoid spoiler but you will need tissues lot of tissues are feel angst several time....it's wonderfully written but for me cozy mystery must leave you with an happy feeling ( murder solved, happy ambience.... etc) not crying like a baby... the author is really talented to create descriptions so you are really feeling the pain, saddnest or angst the characters are feeling and in this book the bad exceed the good it feel too unfair, too depressing.....so wer are feeling that while reading too....i may be too sensitive but it was what i felt.

For the story.... a new murder case but for this one Bernie is the suspect so she must find the culprit to have her name cleared no matter the state of her personnal life and her health.... thankfully she has her friends to help her...even if some can't keep their mouth shut.

so good investigation, great characters, well written but very moving and sad one

[Dawn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much going on in this book. So many emotions. Sabe and I loved it! On to book 8 the last installment of this sweet Sugar Creek Gap story. 💗

[Federica De dominicis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a cozy read.

Interesting mystery, but definitely in need of many trigger warnings. There was really nothing cozy about this story and the main characters are starting to be unpleasant.

[Wendy]

When a grouchy resident is found dead after Bernie has an argument with him, Bernie becomes the prime suspect. Bernie has her work cut out for herself during this adventure. Bernie is struggling with menopause and it seems Grady and Julia are having a tough pregnancy. This story took some twists and turns that I wasn’t expecting. Looking forward to the next adventure.

[Pernette · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Mail Carrier mysteries may be my favorite series of Tonya Kappes. I enjoy Tonya's funny down-home witticisms and Southern ways. Deadly Delivery strayed a little from the humor I love but I still enjoyed the latest Bernadette Butler, The Front Porch Ladies, Mac and the rest of the usual suspects, I mean characters! LOL I would definitely recommend Deadly Delivery.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall I liked this book. Bernie is suspended from work. Unfortunately, the person who got her in trouble dies. She then decides to figure out who did it. Of course she does solve it. However, in the end of the book we are left with another death.

[Christine · Rating 2 out of 5]

The more the series goes on, the less I like Bernie. It’s a shame too because I really like the premise behind the series, the town, and its people.

Bernie has become the kind of mom who shows up at their adult child’s work and interrupts them in the middle of the job to demand why they haven’t returned her calls (the last book).

Several books ago she actually threw blame on her pregnant daughter-in-law in the middle of the night and when Julia’s blood pressure rose, Bernie speculated that if she wasn’t guilty, then why was she so anxious. Afterward, the stress put Julia in the hospital in early labor, but instead of apologizing she was just happy to have a grandbaby.

Now, being menopausal is a character trait. That’s all she talks about. Every wrong turn or over-emotional reaction is blamed on hormones. It leaves no room for character development and gets old fast.

I don’t think Bernie was wrong for being upset with how much time Mack spent with his client. He really needed to set professional boundaries.

Which leads to a larger problem. As someone from a small southern town, I don’t like seeing people who live in these types of places portrayed as unprofessional. And everyone in this series is. No one has any professional boundaries and it all gets messy. In a small town, anyone behaving as Bernie does would have a poor reputation. People would more than likely avoid her for fear of being publicly accused of murder.

At first, it was really nice to see a middle-aged woman as the main character. But I’ve come to realize that with her poor choices and cringey false accusations, it’s just embarrassing to watch— more so than with a younger lead. At least with a younger person, you could blame it on their age and lack of experience. With someone Bernie’s age, it’s just a little harder to watch through the secondhand embarrassment.

[Lisa Teves · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie the Great

Mail Carrier Cozy is my favorite Tonya Kappes mystery series. I read and finish each new episode almost immediately and then eagerly and impatiently wait for the next book. In Deadly Delivery I was sympathetic to Bernie and admired her for holding her temper as long as she did with Annabelle. I'm more like Iris--filter challenged. Bernie angers a postal customer on her route and gets suspended without pay. The next day against the advice of her friends (including the Front Porch Ladies) decides to take her mama's biscuits to that customer to apologize but all she gets for her effort is an earful of nastiness. That man had no redeeming qualities, it's no wonder he was murdered. Bernie becomes a suspect and of course not trusting the sheriff to solve the crime begins investigating along with Iris (her wing woman) and Revonda Gail. In Deadly Delivery Bernie has a lot going on emotionally and physically. Her hormones are running amok, Mac is working with Annabelle, a demanding difficult client who has a big bank account, a flat stomach and a penchant for making Bernie feel insecure. And worse of all she's worried about Grady and Julia as Julia's having a difficult pregnancy. Ugh
There were parts in the book that made me smile and wish that Bernie was my mail carrier, or my neighbor or my friend. This book also brought me to tears and that was unexpected but it shows what an amazing writer Tonya Knappes is to be able to create characters that touch our hearts.
Needless to say I've already preordered Red Letter Slay.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Mail Carrier series as I can relate to Bernie! I am not a mail carrier or a grandmother at this point, but her age and menopause symptoms resonate especially when those mood swings hit!
One of those mood swings caused Bernie to be placed on a one-week suspension after a complaint by a postal customer. It should be a very happy time for Bernie after getting engaged to Mac, but things go from wonderful to terrible after the customer who complained about Bernie was found dead! Since several people witnessed the confrontation between Bernie and the irate customer, she would be a person of interest.

The irate customer had quite a few enemies so it was difficult to decide who was the killer. Ms. Kappes kept me guessing until the end. I wish I had a group of friends like the Front Porch Ladies, Revonda, and Iris to go on mystery-solving quests. I always feel that I am a part of the story when reading this series and can picture the town as Bernie walks her postal route. The characters are fully developed and relatable. I look forward to the next installment of this series to wrap up the cliffhanger! I received an ARC of the book and this is my honest opinion of the book.

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie and her friends had another crazy mystery to unravel all while trying to think about her own wedding plans and the new grandchild coming. Oh that Revonda Gail was one of the best ideas the author ever had for adding to this group of ladies! I just love her and her ability to stand up to everyone (she claims it came from being in the big house, but I think she' s just born gutsy LOL). She was pretty useful in digging up information, but as Bernie realized much too late, she should've not let her take the lead in one part.

I'd had no idea who the killer would be and was surprised at the showdown. Definitely have some tissues ready, because there're a few places in the book you'll need them. I don't dare even hint, so just read the book yourself and just remember that in real life when something's sad, there's always something else to make you glad again. The main mystery was solved, but that cliffhanger! C'mon book 8!

[Debbi · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the 7th book in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. Each book is a fun cozy mystery about the people and town of Sugar Creek Gap. This time Bernadette gets into a big blowup with grumpy Felix on her route. It wasn’t the first time Felix called her boss on her so she’s put on leave and he turns up dead. So she becomes a suspect. Once again she puts on her sleuthing cap to figure out who did it. While this is happening she’s worried that Mac’s new client might be trying to steal him away and her son Grady and Julia are having problems with her pregnancy. It’s never a dull moment in Sugar Creek Gap. The story keeps you guessing right up to the end. I know I didn’t have the killer figured out. If you haven’t tried the series yet, you should. I think you’ll enjoy it. You’ll definitely find yourself chuckling at times at this crazy town.

[Ezekiel Blessing · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rounded up from 3.75

Pros:
-The slightly darker topics actually was a welcome change. The miscarriage was dealt with well, and the bomb actually made me laugh out loud for how extreme that seemed for a cozy mystery.
-It used the cast of characters better. Iris being more in the story than the front porch ladies felt right
-The murder weapon and Bernadette's being blamed fit nicely

On the fence:
-Mack's treatment of Bernadette's jealousy. Makes sense with his character, but was he really that blind?

Cons:
-The treatment of menopause like Bernadette was going insane felt dangerously close to misogynist, but maybe that's just me
-So much emphasis on natural cures and how the all natural eye drops were better than the doctor's. It feels like anti-vaxx and broader anti-doctor sentiment

[kathy keith]

This was the perfect book to read on a cold, winter day. OF course, a cup of coffee added to the fun. I love the characters in this series, and all of their quirks. I always try to figure out the culprit and was way off on this one. I love how little hints seem to point to one person, while they actually are pointing to another person all the time. Great read and great mystery! I also love quotes from the characters. My favorite from this book is “they believed that when you gossiped on the prayer chain, it counted as praying for the people you were gossiping about.” I really love the homespun humor throughout all of Tonya Kappas’ books.

[Robyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bernie suspended

Neighborhood gives Bernie and Mac an engagement party. Julia is having Braxton Hicks contractions. Felix complains when Bernie leaves a package on his porch and not to him. Felix receives another package but he's not at home his neighbor offers to accept it for him. Bernie gets called into the boss' office, Felix filed another complaint against her. Bee chewed Felix out for ordering wine, he's an alcholic so he filed a complaint that she shouldn't have left the package with Bee. Bernie is put on unpaid suspension. Monica finds Felix dead on his front porch, Bernie's a suspect. A new murder for her to solve. Good story. HATED THE LAST PARAGRAPH.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is still very good. Great characters and usual lots.

Bernadette has a lot going on in her life. Engaged to Mac, son and wife expecting second grandchild and some difficult postal customers.

Bernadette gets into an argument with a cantankerous patron of her her delivery route. When he winds up dead, Bernadette is the primary suspect. Her "apology biscuits" ,ay have been what poisoned him! She is put on unpaid leave for a week so that gives her, her best friend Iris and neighbor Revonda Gail time to solve this murder mystery!

[Jan Tomalis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fantastic story from Tonya Kappes! Her books always pull me right in and keep me interested. There are many things going on. In this one it is Bernie and Mac’s engagement, Grady and Julie’s baby, and Bernie being a murder suspect. We also catch up with all our wonderful friends in Sugar Creek Gap: the Front Porch Ladies, Iris, Vince and Revonda Gail. Full of twists and turns with a surprise ending! A must read!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.

[Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

TW for pregnancy loss.
Bernie is in hot water again for upsetting one of the older residents on her mail route. She’s going through a lot of menopause symptoms, which is another great reason to love this older (50s) sleuth. It’s nice to have a real character to relate to.
The family suffers a loss. It’s not just passed over so if you’re sensitive to pregnancy loss, be aware of that as a theme throughout the book.
The community comes around Bernie to find out who did it. And we’re left with a cliffhanger!

[Navyvet Nam · Rating 5 out of 5]

TONYA KAPPES IS A VERY TALENTED WRITER . WHO KEEPS HER READERS LOOKING FOR TONYA'S NEXT BOOK. A MYSTERY WRITER, WITH HUMOR IN HER BOOKS ALONG WITH HER USUAL NEIGHBORS AND ALWAYS MANY POSSIBLE SUSPECTS TO KEEP THE READER THINKING AND ALWAYS GETTING INVOLVED IN THE STORY

IF YOU READ ONE BOOK YOU WILL BE LOOKING FOR MANY MORE. IN THIS CRAZY WORLD THE WRITER GIVES US A NEW WORLD TO GET LOST IN HER STORIES.

[Celest · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not just a surprise ending, but Shocking.

This was another great adventure with a lot of surprises. Fun characters as usual, with Bernie doing her best to solve a murder. Putting herself in danger seems to be business as usual. Solving the mystery while in the middle of a family crisis, and finding out who the murderer was, wasn't the only surprise. As a matter of fact the very end was not only shocking, it was sad.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love every visit I make to Sugar Creek Gap but this one was a little different. Yes, there were the same loveable characters but Bernie is having work issues as we as a few other things. What I appreciated most about this book is that it’s not always sunshine and rainbows for Bernie and her friends. They faced real-life, not so fun issues and helped each other through. The mystery was a little darker, too (alcoholism). This is my favorite one of the series so far.

[Marsha Bonifant · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bernie a suspect?.

This book had me laughing and crying, a first for one of Tonya’s books. Bernie is having some hormonal issues and things get a little out of hand with one of her postal customers. She ends up being a suspect in the murder of this customer. Things are also going on in her personal life and that was sad. All in all this was a great book.

[Neena Christianson Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Changes

Bernies life is getting out of control due to her wacky hormones from menopause. She got into trouble at work, became a prime suspect in a murder, and is so full of jealousy over a new client Mac has. Trying to deal with everything and having a personal loss is sending her off the rails.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

Determined to clear her name, Bernie is at it again! The town of Sugar Creek Gap is always a pleasure, but this time it was off the rails. Who could possibly believe that Bernie is a suspect in a murder case? Plenty of hot flashes, mood swings, humor, and twists to keep you riveted to the end. I can’t wait for the next book! I received an ARC and this is my honest opinion.