#Review: First Class Killer (A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, Book #5) by Tonya Kappes @tonyakappes11 #TonyaKappes

 

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 southern cozy mystery series by USA TODAY Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. Don't miss out on the good RECIPES at the end of the book!

Mail Carrier Bernadette Butler just can’t stop delivering clues when the clerk of the new book store turns up dead in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky, after the town is already shocked over a tell all “fiction” romance novel that hit the shelves filled with secrets that were brushed under the rug and now left hung out to dry.

ASIN : B08B4XGZMV
Publication Date : September 26, 2020
Print Length : 184 pages

Purchase Link: Amazon

My Review:

Sometimes writing what you know can have disastrous consequences.

When young former resident Stella Jane Clark returns to Sugar Creek Gap with her first, and wildly popular, novel, residents are excited. The whole town is also made aware of the reopening of the old mill as the town's new bookstore. The excitement is palpable and the author did a wonderful job making those emotions real and able to be felt. The way the townsfolk react to the contents of Stella Jane's book is also realistic and I was able to feel their horror, embarrassment, and humiliation. Topping off the scandalous book and its hidden secrets is the death of the bookstore's new manager. The death puts Iris, one of Bernie's friends and foe of the deceased, at the head of the suspect list. Bernie knows Iris didn't do anything and starts to investigate the mysterious death. 

The author did a fantastic job introducing multiple potential suspects in the murder. Even though the book was considered fiction, the events and goings-on paralleled too many things that did happen, giving several people the means, motive, and/or opportunity. I had a hard time trying to figure out who committed the crime. Even Bernie and her friends had a hard time. Every time a suspect was identified, something or someone was able to come up with an alibi for that person. I really did not suspect who committed the murder.

The characters are likable, realistic, and I loved them. The author tossed in a few other side stories to continue the small-town feel of the series. I enjoyed the story and how the author threw in red herrings to keep the reader guessing. I was also able to visualize the story as I read along. I look forward to the next book.

I was given a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: