#BookReview ~ Sh0tgun Wedding (Kenni Lowry Mystery Book 12) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #ParnormalCozyMystery

 

Sh0tgun Wedding (Kenni Lowry Mystery Book 12)

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0DXLJP185

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication Date: ‎ February 27, 2026

Page Couunt: ‎ 226 pages

Book 12 of 13: ‎ Kenni Lowry Mystery

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About the Book:

Small-town Southern cozy mystery with a sheriff sleuth

Something borrowed, something blue… and something deadly.

Sheriff Kenni Lowry’s wedding day should be about vows, cake, and finally catching her breath. Instead, her wedding night is interrupted by a visit from her ghostly Poppa—and a warning that something is very wrong.

Miss Tilda Boone, a beloved church fixture and lifelong rule-follower, was expected at the ceremony. She never arrived.

Before Kenni can even consider a honeymoon, she’s back in uniform, standing inside Miss Tilda’s quiet home, where a familiar afternoon routine ended in death. What first appears to be a natural passing quickly turns suspicious when evidence points to tampered tea and a kettle prepared with deadly intent.

With the town watching and rumors spreading fast, Kenni must uncover who had access to Miss Tilda’s home, her habits, and her trust. The suspect list grows to include church volunteers, family members, and neighbors who knew Miss Tilda’s meticulous routines a little too well.

Balancing newlywed life, small-town politics, and a homicide investigation—while Poppa offers his unfiltered commentary—Kenni is determined to uncover the truth before another life is lost.

Because in Cottonwood, Kentucky, marriage doesn’t slow down murder… and this sheriff won’t rest until justice is served.

My Review:

Sh0tgun Wedding is the twelfth book in the Kenni Lowry Mystery series. Kenni and Finn say "I do" in this story but their happiness is short-lived when Poppa brings unhappy news. The happy couple trade wedding clothes for uniforms to check in on a guest who RSVP'd but didn't show. What they find chills Kenni's blood and she knows she'll do anything to find out what happened to retired schoolteacher Miss Tilda Boone.

I enjoyed Sh0tgun Wedding. I’m a fan of books with supernatural elements and having Poppa’s ghost help Kenni is a fun aspect. Having her grandfather back in her life must be exciting and wonderful but not being able to hug him must be torture. Poppa proves to be quite the asset to Kenni as she investigates and attempts to analyze the clues and piece everything together.

World-building and character development continues in Sh0tgun Wedding. I enjoyed the characters and their involvement in this book. Enjoyable and interesting, this cozy mystery pulled me in and kept me engaged. The mystery was intricate and wonderfully woven through the pages.

Previously reviewed on Reviews by Saph.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#ReleaseDay #BookReview ~ The Secret of the Old Clock: A Nancy Drew Detectives Story (Mini Mysteries) by Marci Kay Monson ~ #NancyDrew #Mystery #MiniMystery #GibbsSmith

The Secret of the Old Clock

Publisher: ‎ Gibbs Smith
Publication date: ‎ April 21, 2026
Print length: ‎ 32 pages
ISBN-10: ‎ 1423669215
ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1423669210
Reading age: ‎ 4 - 8 years
Book 3 of 3: ‎ Mini Mysteries
Grade level: ‎ Kindergarten - 3rd

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About the Book:

This retelling of the very first Nancy Drew mystery, The Secret of the Old Clock, originally published in 1930, is the third book in the Mini Mysteries series of interactive picture book mysteries for children.

The Secret of the Old Clock is the originating volume in the Nancy Drew Mystery Stories. The book, published in 1930, first introduced the teenage sleuth in a cozy mystery (no violence or gore). The story has Nancy solving the case of a missing will, hidden in an old clock, and helping the struggling relatives and friends of Josiah Crowley receive the promised money from his estate. Of course there are robbers, greedy will-altering heirs, suspense, and resolution. Monson’s retelling of the original book captures the plot and distills it in a way that is fun for children, gently ushering them into the literary world of Nancy Drew mysteries. Along with the story, there are activities, games, and puzzles throughout to help with children’s engagement, and might just foster a few budding detectives.

There is also a glossary of mystery-related terms.  

My Review:

I love Nancy Drew Mysteries and jumped at the chance to review the retelling of the very first book, The Secret of the Old Clock. More than just a Mini Mystery, The Secret of the Old Clock: A Nancy Drew Detectives Story is an interactive book. Developed for children ages 4-8, this book features vibrant illustrations, enrichment activities, and a shortened but engaging mystery. 

I love the introductions of the players, the development of the mystery, and the resolution. The author includes a glossary of terms, different activities on each page, and a wonderful adventure for the reader. Children will enjoy working with Nancy Drew as she works to solve The Mystery of the Old Clock.

I have been a Nancy Drew fan for practically my entire life. My grandma introduced me to the series when I was probably 9 or 10 and I never looked back. I have almost the entire original series in hardcover; various years, covers, etc., but I don't care that the books I own in the series doesn't match. I have a bunch of the Nancy Case Files paperbacks and other offshoots from the main series. I'm excited to add this Mini Mystery to the collection.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#BookReview ~ Faux Paw (A Magical Cats Mystery, Book #7) by Sofie Kelly ~ #CozyMystery

Magical cats Owen and Hercules from A Midwinter’s Tail are back and ready to help librarian Kathleen Paulson pounce on a killer art thief…

Book Details:

Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley

Publish Date: October 6, 2015
ISBN-10: 0451472152
ISBN-13: 978-0451472151

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About the Book:

Normally, the arrival of an art exhibition at the Mayville Heights library would be cause for celebration. But thanks to the overbearing curator and high-tech security system that comes with it, Kathleen’s life has been completely disrupted. Even Owen and Hercules have been affected, since their favorite human doesn’t seem to have a spare moment to make their favorite fish crackers or listen to Barry Manilow.

But when Kathleen stops by the library late one night and finds the curator sprawled on the floor—and the exhibition’s most valuable sketch missing—it’s suddenly time to canvass a crime scene. Now Kathleen, her detective boyfriend Marcus, and her clever cats have to sniff out a murderous thief, before anyone else has a brush with death…

My Review:

Mayville Heights library has the unique pleasure of hosting an art exhibition and the residents are excited to have it in their small town. With the art, however, comes Margo, a high maintenance curator. When Margo is found dead and the most valuable art piece stolen, Kathleen, her boyfriend Detective Marcus Gordon, and her magical cats Owen and Hercules try to piece together what happened that night at the library.

Faux Paw is a great book in Sofie Kelly's Magical Cats Mystery series. The pacing is steady and the entire novel is easy to read and understand. Multiple suspects keep the reader guessing and keep Kathleen and Marcus on their toes. I really enjoy the Magical Cats Mystery series even if newcomers to the town are the ones that are murdered. The continued world building and character development of Kathleen, her magical kitties, and Marcus, along with the secondary characters, is fresh and original with each installment.

The books in Sofie Kelly's Magical Cats Mysteries are descriptive without going overboard. I feel like I'm in every scene of the story. The books also have the right amount of suspense to keep the reader engaged all the way to the end. The romance included isn't over the top and doesn't overshadow the mystery solving. It's a nice addition to give the story and characters realism.

The Magical Cats Mystery series is one of my favorites. I enjoy the lowkey nature of cozy mysteries. They keep me entertained with their quirky main characters.

Paperback review copy was purchased by me for my bookshelf.

I purchased this book myself. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books. 

My Rating:

Visit the Author:

https://sofiekelly.com/

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#BookReview: Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3 by Julie Chase ~ #CozyMystery

Cat Got Your Secrets: A Kitty Couture Mystery by Julie Chase

Cat Got Your Secrets 

A Kitty Couture Mystery, Book 3

Cozy Mystery 

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 320 pages 

ISBN-13: 978-1683312833 

E-Book ASIN: B06XVWR8Q9

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About the Book:

Lacy Marie Crocker has settled into a comfortable groove back home in New Orleans, and with Valentine’s Day right around the corner, she’s busier than ever running a thriving pet boutique, helping her mother organize the upcoming National Pet Pageant, and untangling her complicated love life. But when delivering a king-sized order of dreidel-shaped doggy biscuits for a Saint Berdoodle’s bark-mitzvah, Lacy stumbles into yet another murder scene—and the last person to see the victim alive was her own father.

It’s up to Lacy to clear her dad’s name from the suspect list before Detective Jack Oliver has to cage him for good. But just when she starts pawing at the truth, she receives a threatening letter from a mysterious blackmailer bent on silencing her with her own secrets. And Lacy’s not the only one with bones in her closet.

My Review:

Cat Got Your Secrets is the third book in the Kitty Couture series and the book, and series is amazing. I love the author's writing style and the conversational tone with which she writes each book. The  characters in this series are a hoot.  

Upon delivery of a pet treat order, Lacy finds out that the owner of the location of the delivery was found dead that morning; locked in a freezer.  Unfortunately, the last person to see the man alive is Lacy's veterinarian father, putting law enforcement's sights set on him.  Lacy knows she cannot just sit idly by even though Detective Jack Oliver is on the case. He's extremely capable but this is Lacy's father.  She does some pretty dumb things in the book but I can't say I wouldn't do everything I could to help out my father if something like this happened.  

Cat Got Your Secrets is full of twists and turns as the author takes the reader on an adventure that opens up cans of worms in the lives of some of the more affluent members in the Garden District.  I love the background story of Lacy becoming more involved in society related events at the request (or demand) of her mother.  While, Lacy is from an affluent family in the New Orleans Garden District, she doesn't act like it. She is very down-to-earth and her character has been written wonderfully. She has the opportunity to never want for anything but she wants to make her own way in the world. Instead of falling back on family money, she worked hard to get through college and start her own business - a pet boutique. 

Oh, Detective Jack Oliver....be still thy fluttering heart. His character in this series is a fresh take on cozy mystery heroes. Sure, he's the standard potential love interest police officer but he's so much more. His banter with Lacy had me rooting for them through the entire book. The chemistry is spot on and can be felt by the reader.  His character has depth and emotion and he's oh, so patient with Lacy and her antics while trying to "help" solve crime.

Jack Oliver isn't the only potential love interest in Cat Got Your Secrets. Her friend Scarlet's brother-in-law, Chase Hawthorne, is back in town and has set his sights on Lacy. I still don't feel their chemistry like I do when Jack enters the picture. There's nothing particularly wrong with Chase but I just don't feel any of the right vibes when he's with Lacy. The sizzle and tension are non-existent; I actually get more of a brother-sister vibe from them most of the time. I'm giddy with delight at how things progress with the love interests though and can't wait for the next book.

I am still very impressed by the way the author was able to keep suspicion off of the true killer. I was none the wiser until the big reveal and didn't suspect a thing. The path to solving the murder was paved with several potential candidates that had means and motive. 

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

Review previously posted on Sapphyria's Books but has been updated.

This post contains affiliate links.

If you make a purchase using my links, I will receive a small commission from the sale at no cost to you.

Thank you for supporting Sapphyria’s Books.