“Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul.”–Kirkus“Scrumptious… Fans of culinary cozies will have fun.”–Publishers Weekly“A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home.”–San Francisco Book Review“Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul.”… of recipes with murder most foul.”
–Kirkus
“Scrumptious… Fans of culinary cozies will have fun.”
–Publishers Weekly
“A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home.”
–San Francisco Book Review
Bernadette Butler has a penchant for solving murders while keeping her ear low to the ground listening to gossip while on her mail carrier route.
Bernie tries to deliver a return to sender package and a certified letter to a local man and finds him dead.
When the death turns up suspicious, Bernie uses her amateur sleuthing skills along with the gossipy help of the Front Porch Ladies to cross reference who exactly in their small southern town stamped out the victim.
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This is the 4th in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mysteries series by Tonya Kappes. I accidentally read this one out of order, but thoroughly enjoyed it. It was my first glimpse into Sugar Creek Gap, Bernie and all the other colorful characters. It was delightful to see a Grannie investigating a mysterious death. Bernie is a hoot. I have to get busy and read the ones I skipped over. Well done!
Return to Sender by Tonya Kappes is the 4th A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery. Each book can be read on its own, but they are an entertaining collection. I laughed frequently while reading Return to Sender. I enjoy Tonya Kappes’ engaging writing style which draws the reader right in and holds them until the very end. Bernadette Butler is a fifty-year-old widow with a married grown son, a darling granddaughter, and two fur babies. She is enjoying her smaller house in town and Bernie loves her job as a walking mail carrier. Bernie is having relationship regrets especially when she sees Mac Tabor with morning talk show host, Lucy Drake. Currently Bernie’s biggest issue is menopause symptoms. The hot flashes are so intense Bernie expects fire to shoot out the top of her head. I could certainly relate to what Bernadette was experiencing and the scenes were amusing. The romance was a little more prevalent in this story that in the others in the series. We get to see Bernadette struggling with her feelings regarding Mac. She loves him, but, after her first marriage, Bernie feels the need to go slowly. The mystery had some interesting and clever components. I like how it all worked together. The Front Porch Ladies are helpful in gathering intel to help Bernie. While I was sure I knew the identity of the killer, I enjoyed following Bernie as she solved this whodunit. The descriptions of Bernie in the yoga class were hilarious. Her comments about yoga clothing were spot on (especially about the pants). Return to Sender contains good writing with realistic, developed characters set in a charming, small Southern town. There is friendship, community, and Southern charm. Return to Sender is a witty tale with a delightful duck, horrible hot flashes, a glaring green-eyed monster, boundless baked goods, and a messed-up murder.
AWESOME!
Loved it, as usual. Great characters, setting, & story. Well written, easy to follow & I didn’t figure out who did it until the author was ready to reveal it. I look forward to many more in this series!!
Return To Sender
A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, Book #4
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
“Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul.”
–Kirkus
“Scrumptious… Fans of culinary cozies will have fun.”
–Publishers Weekly
“A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home.”
–San Francisco Book Review
Bernadette Butler has a penchant for solving murders while keeping her ear low to the ground listening to gossip while on her mail carrier route.
Bernie tries to deliver a return to sender package and a certified letter to a local man and finds him dead.
When the death turns up suspicious, Bernie uses her amateur sleuthing skills along with the gossipy help of the Front Porch Ladies to cross reference who exactly in their small southern town stamped out the victim. (Goodreads)
Review:
Whenever you pick up a book written by this author, you know you are in for a real treat. They have a warm southern setting, engaging characters, an intriguing mystery and plenty of humor.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Bernie and her friend, Iris, go way back and there is nothing that they would not do for the other. It was really great to get to spend some time with Bernie’s new granddaughter, she is one happy Mawmaw. Her and Mac, her longtime friend, have some issues to work through but I think they are okay. When someone turns up dead, Bernie, with the help of Iris and the Front Porch Ladies, works at solving the mystery. And when they are on the case, you never know what will happen.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and through much of the story, I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and although I was pretty sure who the killer was, it did not detract from my enjoyment.
I would highly recommend this book, and series, to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Grab a copy and enjoy.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
This instalment was great really even if it’s not the best one in my eyes. It was funny really and Mac Tabor sur redeemed himself in my eyes , both cat and dog are seen a lot and i love that ( Rowena and her attitude , so true and so funny) .
Bernadette is in the middle of menopause and it doesn’t goes well for her, it was interesting to see a character like that as let’s be honest it’s rarely spoken about in books or in bad way. Seeing her trying yoga was really funny.
The investigation is well written, but the fact the ending come nearly by chance disappointed me a little….Bernadette didn’t really think about that as she did in previous case but she got lucky.
It’s an excellent cozy mystery that give you a warm feeling and a smile while you are reading.
“Return to Sender” Is the fourth instalment in the Mail Carrier Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes. I loved returning to Sugar Creek Gap Kentucky as I really wanted to know what would happen between Mac and Bernadette was it the end or would they get back together. Even though these are cozy mysteries I find myself invested in the lives of the characters like they are family.
I enjoyed this instalment so much, Tonya Kappes has done it again writing another wonderful story with characters I love and care about. I find myself repeatedly saying the same things about her series as I read them as they take me away to a better place one of friendship, southern charm and community with a little murder thrown in. I love that Bernadette aka Bernie is in her 50’s I can relate to her, and especially as she is going through menopause just like me lol.
The story was well written and there were just enough suspects, twists and turns to keep me guessing and not wanting to put the book down! I did suspect the killer but it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves cozy mysteries.
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Return to Sender is another satisfying story in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series.
Bernie is your typical 50-year widowed mail carrier, with the once small exception. Dead bodies seem to follow her! In this story Bernie is on the case to prove that Peaches, her yoga instructor did not murder her ex-boyfriend. I had a hunch but wasn’t sure who the murderer actually was until the last page. I love my cozy mysteries and all of Tonya Kappes’ series will hook you with their fun characters and stories. I would love to see this series on the Hallmark Mystery Channel. Bernie, Iris, Mac, and the Front porch ladies are incredibly entertaining. I love where the Mac/Bernie relationship is heading. A fun read that left me wanting more!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.*
I love Bernie and the Front Porch ladies. When I’m reading about them and the things they get up to, it feels like I’m there seeing and hearing everything. I totally get where Bernie is coming from doing Yoga to get in shape and then trying not to eat the cake to not make it worse. The mail carrier series definitely doesn’t disappoint. Love all the characters – even Lucy (I know someone like her).
Return To Sender by Tonya Kappes is the fourth book in the delightful Mail Carrier Series. In my opinion, Tonya hit it out of the park with this book. It is not only a delightfully charming, easy to read book, but it has all the elements of a good mystery, including suspense, twists and turns, drama and romance, but is well written in a fun, entertaining way. I loved that Bernie and Mac got together. I rated it a five.
I LOVED IT! This is by far my favorite series by Tonya Kappes. I wasn’t real happy with Mac at first, but as the book got more involved I started to change my feelings. Bernie does what she always does and “sticks her nose where it doesn’t belong” and thank goodness she does in this case. I really hope she doesn’t give up the post office to take care of her grandbaby. I would totally miss her.
Return to Sender is a wonderful fourth book in the Mail Carrier cozy mystery series. Bernie is still trying to get used to being single and watching the man of her dreams cozy up to someone else. She’s taken on yoga, and reading about Bernie in the yoga class made me laugh. When she resumes her mail carrier duties, she realizes she’s been given a certified letter for a different zone on accident. While trying to get the letter to the correct place, the events that unfold lead to the death of the recipient of the letter – before he has the opportunity to sign for it.
The death of a local spurs Bernie into investigative mode, especially when another local is high on the suspect list. Except, as Bernie does her undercover sleuthing, she finds several other potential suspects. The means, motives, and opportunities are all there for everyone on Bernie’s list. One of the constants in the series are the Front Porch Ladies. As Bernie continues to investigate, the Ladies put their gossip-listening ears on and assist her whenever possible.
The author did a fantastic job introducing multiple potential suspects in the murder of Simon Little. There was means, motive, and opportunity for everyone. 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 killed Simon although, looking back, I can see how the trail led to that person.
The characters are likable, realistic, and I loved them – well, almost all of them. Bernie’s personal life is a focus of this book but it doesn’t overshadow the mystery. 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. Although this is book 4 in the series, this is the second book I’ve had a chance to read. I will be going back to read books 1 and 2 as soon as I can.
I was provided a copy of this book to read.
Return to Sender earns 5/5 Yoga Poses…Entertaining Fun!
Bernadette Butler has extra “me” time, since moving into town, allowing her to gossip with the Front Porch Ladies, spend time with her new granddaughter Clara, and attend a few of Peaches’s yoga classes with BFF Iris. But, the classes only cause some self-esteem issues when her now ex-boyfriend’s new girlfriend is also in attendance. Worse—the girlfriend seems to be ingratiating herself into Bernie’s granddaughter’s life. Hopefully, all the kerfuffle won’t include another dead body. But, Iris has one of her “I don’t have a good feeling” concerns. Unfortunately, she may be right. While delivering mail at the Tranquility Spa, Bernie witnesses more trouble than tranquility. Peaches, the former, is yelling at Sarah, the current girlfriend of Simon Little. But, Simon has issues other than personal with series health complications and business conflicts, so who will law enforcement look at when Simon ends up murdered?
Tonya Kappes has added another excellent adventure to her four-book Mail Carrier Mystery series with a clever mystery, excellent drama, charm and southern hospitality you’d expect, and all the Kentucky Hot Brown breakfast you can eat down at the Wallflower Diner. Bernadette is a middle-aged, newly christened grandmother who is dealing with some realistic emotional quandaries, but she has friends needing her support, and she gets theirs. Tonya’s writing style is always entertaining, descriptive, witty, and compelling. I’m used to the felony popping up later in the drama because, like many fans, we come and stay for the characters. The slow reveal of issues, conflicts, and questionable decisions related to Simon was compelling, and the ins and outs and a few twists challenged my inner Sherlock. This is one of my favorite series from the mind of Tonya Kappes…join in!
This is the 4th installment in The Mail Carrier Series. I have read and love each and every one of them. This book was particularly satisfying since Bernie (the mail carrier and protagonist of the series) and Mac (her true love) come back together in this book. Bernie discovered the body of Simon when she goes to deliver a letter to his garage. His ex girlfriend, Peaches, is suspected of the crime, but Bernie is working hard to prove that she is innocent and also who really killed Simon. Bernie is also showing the first signs of menopause (or is it?!). I highly recommend this book and this entire series!!
This is a book in the Mail Carrier series. The main character Bernie is a widow and a mail carrier. She often finds herself involved in solving mysteries. At the beginning of the book Bernie is recovering from her break up with Mac, a grandchild and yoga. Of course there is a murder to solve. The mystery is fun and keeps you guessing. The arc of Bernie and Mac’s story is interesting and satisfying. All of the characters are well written and it’s a fun book.
I enjoy this series so much!
Another great installment of the Mail Carrier series. I love this series Bernie is a great older sluthe and I love that her and Mac got back together they are a great couple. The Front Porch Ladies are my favorite characters and are so funny. I highly recommend this series.
Return to Sender is the 4th book: A Cat Cozy Mystery: A Mail Carrier Cozy which was a great story to read! Bernadette Butler has recently started having hot flashes and thinks that yoga will help expect she keeps falling asleep during the class. When Bernie finds the yoga instructor’s ex-boyfriend dead. She tries to help find the murderer before her friend is charged, all while trying to be a grandmother. Another fun-filled story! Can’t wait for the next book.
Another great addition to the Mail Carrier Series. I really enjoyed the story and it kept me guessing. The characters are great and each book is like catching up with old friends.
I definitely recommend this if you are looking for a fun, quick read.
I was given an advance copy of this story and voluntarily reviewed it.
Return to Sender, Mail Carrier Mystery book 4, by Tonya Kappes is another great mystery from the Southern Cozy Queen.
Bernie Butler has a prime route for mail delivery in the center of Sugar Creek Gap. Her friends and neighbors on her route keep her apprised of all of the latest gossip. And helps the amateur sleuth to solve murders.
As with every other mystery this prolific writer pens, this story is well put together and full of fun people with realistic lives and relationships. You truly feel you know these characters and locations, and it pulls you right into the page. And I love this character. Bernie Butler is an incredibly well-rounded character. A middle-aged hard working woman you feel a kinship with. 4.5 stars rounded to 5.
Return To Sender by Author Tonya Kappes is the fourth in the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series. This is another delightful installment to a fun series. I do think you would enjoy it more if read in order but as always there is enough back story to get you started.
I look forward to and enjoy every book Author Tonya Kappes writes and hope you will too.