“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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I am really enjoying this series! Bernie, the mail carrier, is suffering from the symptoms of menopause. I enjoyed the humorous descriptions (even though I know they are not funny)! Another murder in the quiet town and a list of possible suspects. As usual, I couldn’t figure it out but I had fun trying! Fantastic, page turning story I couldn’t put down!
I received an advance copy of this book from the author, however, I voluntarily wrote an honest review. All opinions are strictly my own.
No spoilers in my reviews. This is the 4 installment of the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series, BUT, it’s important to know that even if you haven’t read the others, you can pick up this book, enjoy the suspense, fun, twists, and turns, feel like you are engaged with the characters and follow this entertaining cozy mystery without missing a beat. THEN, you’ll want to go back and read the others (I guarantee it!) A 50ish mail carrier, widow, ‘maw-maw’, and yoga enthusiast(?), is on the case of a who-dun-it of a local proprietor. Trouble looms as Bernie tries to figure things out with the help of the ‘ears’ of her Front Porch Ladies, and just being an overall snoop. As previously mentioned, there are plenty of twists and turns to have you second-guessing your own conclusions about who really was the murderer, but you just need to pick this book up and read for yourself. Likable characters, good story, humor, and mystery, and good clean fun AND recipes! What more could you ask for except for someone to refill your coffee because you are too busy swiping the pages of your Kindle to get to the ending! One-click now! I totally recommend this! I received an ARC, and am pleased to supply my honest, unsolicited review.
I loved this book from start to finish. I hated Bernie not being with Mac because I know they truly care about each other but her head is ruling her heart right now. I loved that she started trying out yoga. I did the whole thing too with the yoga pants and trying to contort myself into the crazy moves. Bernie and I both had the same results. Yoga is not for us. I also loved that the sheriff is using her again to solve a murder that just so happens to deal with a letter. I love a good murder mystery and Tonya always delivers on the humor, suspense, and love able characters. I can’t wait to read the next one.
Return to Sender is the fourth in Tonya Kappes’ Mail Carrier mystery series. It’s one of my favorites, because Bernadette Butler, our protagonist, is a middle-aged woman like me. It’s always fun to read about characters I relate to!
This book finds Bernie trying to learn yoga. I laughed at the yoga scenes, because Bernie sounds like she handles it about as well as I would. She’s also having to deal with some strong feelings toward Lucy Drake, host of a popular radio show, now that Lucy has taken up with Bernie’s former sweetie, Mac Tabor. (Can I just say, I do not like Lucy and Mac together. Nope nope nope. That’s just not right.) But even if she doesn’t really care for the “maw-maw” label Lucy has branded her with, Bernie is just in love with her new granddaughter, Clara.
On her route one day, Bernie finds a certified letter addressed to Simon, down at the gas station. When she can’t deliver it to him, she keeps it to give to him the next day. That night, the post office is broken into, and the next morning, Simon is found dead. Is the break-in connected to the letter? Did Simon kill himself, or was it murder?
As always, Bernie and the Front Porch ladies put their minds to the problem. I love that Bernie has a mature girl gang behind her, and I want to be a Front Porch lady when I’m older. In this case, the killer was someone I DID NOT see coming. I love it when a book manages to completely surprise me like that!
It helps to read the series in order, as there is backstory in each book that’s helpful to know. But if you just want a fun mystery, Return to Sender can stand alone. I highly recommend it for anyone interested in a good mystery with a little romance, good friendships, and Southern charm.
Disclaimer: I received an advance reader copy of this book from the author. All opinions here are my own, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t like.
Return to Sender by Tonya Kappes is the 4th book in her A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series. Even though this is the 4th book in this series it can very well be read as a standalone but why would you do that? The series just keeps getting better and better every time I think it can’t get any better it does. Ms. Kappes wrote a wonderful story which drew me right in, making me forget everything else and did not let me go until I turned the last page. The story is very well written and the characters are well defined and likable. I love that some of the characters are of mature age. This was a nice quick read. I really enjoy books written by this author she is very descriptive and so it makes you feel you are right there with the characters. There are twists and turns that will keep you engaged and turning the pages. I highly recommend this book and series if you are a cozy mystery lover.
Bernadette “Bernie” Butler has a knack for getting involved in murder investigations. A registered letter mistakenly gets put in Bernie’s mailbag instead of the correct mail carrier’s. Bernie attempts to deliver the letter which seems to stir up something. A short time later the recipient ends up dead. Bernie feels she needs to help solve what happened to this person.
I enjoyed this book. This is a laugh-out-loud humorous mystery and the best in the series so far. I really love Bernie’s character. Bernie is in her 50’s and as I am fast approaching my 50’s I can relate to things she is going through. The book is full of southern charm and quirky secondary characters. As a southerner myself I feel as if I could be reading about my friends and neighbors. The mystery is well written with several twists and turns along the way. I was completely surprised by the killer is. The secondary story-line also grabs your attention, you just have to find out how things turn out for Bernie and Mac.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
Return to Sender is another exciting installment in Kappes’ Mail Carrier mystery series. I find myself enjoying this series more and more with each new installment. In this book, Bernie is excited about her new granddaughter while also trying to deal with her recent breakup. Things take an ominous turn when a certified letter ends up in Bernie’s mail bag by mistake. In trying to get this letter to its rightful owner, Bernie ends up discovering the owner of the letter dead. When her friend becomes the number one suspect, Bernie has no choice but to try and find the killer herself.
Return to Sender proves to be a real test for Bernie both personally and professionally. Recent events force Bernie to face that she needs to decide what she wants from Mac as well as if she wants to continue on her current course. Kappes does a great job at setting up a great conflict for Bernie which really challenges her making her grow as a character. I loved seeing all of my favorite secondary characters back again as well. The book’s mystery is well done full of a lot of twists and turns grabbing the reader’s interest from the very beginning and never letting go. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a great cozy mystery to read. I look forward to reading Bernie’s next adventure.
Received a copy of Return to Sender from the author in exchange for my honest review.
This is the 4th book in the Mail Carrier Mystery Series We get to check in with our favorite 50 something widowed small town mail carrier, Bernadette Bulter, and her friends the Front Porch Ladies. In this 4th installment, Bernie finds a suicide victim while trying to deliver a certified letter requiring a signature. But the clues don’t seem to add up and it looks like the suicide is really a murder. No fear, Bernie and the Front Porch Ladies will sleuth around town gathering info as only they can to help solve the crime. Tonya Kappes is brilliant at writing small town southern cozies that are engaging with laugh out loud humor and characters that you care about. Series is best read in order to follow the background relationships within these mysteries.
I’ve liked every book in this series, but I connected the most with Bernie, the main character, this time. This is probably because she’s become a grandmother for the first time and since she’s of a certain age she’s dealing with perimenopausal symptoms—mostly in a humorous way. I’m excited to see her romance with Mac is back on track, but like the best cozies, the emphasis is on the mystery. It was an intriguing puzzle to solve and I can’t wait to see what happens in the next book. I recommend this book and series; all the books work well as standalones, but are probably best enjoyed read in order. I was provided an arc of this book, but these opinions are my own.
Bernie is having a problem with Mac and Lucy being together. Even though she is the one who broke it off with him, it bothers her to see them together, especially at her old farmhouse with her granddaughter! Then she finds another dead body. A young man who had hopes of surgery would help with his disease is now dead, and his partner doesn’t act too bothered by it. But was it suicide or murder? What will she do about Mac and Lucy? There are many things that are going on in this story, so get comfy, you won’t want to stop till the very end! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Bernadette (Bernie) Butler is a much-loved mail carrier in the southern town of Sugar Creek Gap. As a mail carrier in a small town, she is privy to a great deal of information on her neighbors. When a certified letter is mistakenly placed into her carrier bag for a different route, she figured delivering it wouldn’t be a problem. The address was only one street off her route. What she didn’t figure on was finding the recipient dead! Most likely murdered! Bernie is no stranger to murder. She has found a few dead people along her route in the last few months. With the help of her “Front Porch Ladies,” Bernie is bound and determined to search out the clues that will reveal the killer.
I always enjoy going on Bernie’s route as she gets the inside scoop on all the residents. Tonya Kappes, skillfully weaves the story with an intriguing plot, a bit of Southern humor, and a smidgen of romance, which in my opinion, adds to the mystery of the story. This is a very entertaining cozy mystery, one that will have you laughing out loud at some of the antics of the “Front Porch Ladies!” Grab a copy and travel to the cozy town of Sugar Creek Gap. I’m sure the ladies will fix you a tall cold glass of sweet ice tea! I received an advanced reader copy from the author. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This series just gets more enjoyable for me with each book. This is a series that you will want to read in order to understand each of the characters in this town. I love Bernie, Mac and all the rest. I love the small town vibe. The mystery was interesting and I love what Bernie goes through to solve it. I did not put this down till I finished it. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.
Bernie and Iris are great. I love the fact they are a little older and still alive and kicking up trouble and trying to get out of it.
Well written and as all of Tonya Kappes books are they keep you entertained and wanting more. Can’t wait for the next book in the series.
This story makes you dive in head first and face a whirlwind of emotions and confusion as it twists and turns in the mystery.
Bernie is at it again-snooping as she delivers mail to her customers along her route. Unfortunately for her, she is drawn into another murder. It doesn’t help she’s already facing a large flux of emotions dealing with Mac and Lucy, plus menopause. Who knows which is worse? While delivering a certified letter to the garage, she finds Simon Little dead. The question is why did Peaches, the yoga instructor, do it? But did she? The clues all point towards her, but there are still things that are not adding up. Why did she do it? Did she dislike him that much?
This story has plenty of twists and turns and just enough information to have you think the killer is right in front of your face – whether they are or not. Well written and great character building.
This book can be read as a stand-alone, but is best read as a series as it will fill in a lot of questions on the characters.
This was an advanced copy for my reading enjoyment and honest review.
Overall, I liked this story.
Tonya Kappes has done it again in the newest book in her Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Each book in this series just gets better and better and this one is the best so far. I love how she brings you along and you can feel like you could walk right in to town, sit down and be friends with all of them. If you just want to escape and relax then jump right in and read this book you won’t be disappointed.
Bernie once again gets caught up in a murder investigation. She is trying to deal with changes in her life and body. Some of the funniest parts of the book is when Bernie is talking about going through menopause and I just love how it is weaved into a part of the mystery solving. When Bernie finds Simon’s body after the break in at the post office she immediately starts putting pieces together and snooping. Can she figure out who has done Simon in and help her friend and yoga teacher Peaches figure out if she was involved or not? Bernie sure is going to try to.
Bernie is an intelligent, quick thinking and caring person who just can’t help but get involved in snooping, it’s just who she is. Iris and the Front Porch Ladies are there to help too. I could just imagine sitting and having coffee with them all. The small town setting along with all the characters added to the mystery equals a fun, laugh out loud, page turning cozy mystery you just can’t put down.
All the characters seem to be growing in each book. They are evolving and that makes each book unique. This book has all the right ingredients, a good puzzling mystery, great characters, a little bit of romance, several suspects and a surprise ending. I highly recommend this book and the series.
This is the fourth book in the Mail Carrier Series. If you are new to this series, the best advice I can give you is to start at the beginning and read each book. Is it necessary? Well if you are just reading for the mystery, probably not. Ms. Kappes completes the mystery in each book. However she tends to write well rounded books. Her books aren’t just a mystery, they are life histories in a small town. This series centers around Bernie, a mail carrier, in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. It’s a small town that is slowly growing. Bernie has her route that covers the downtown area, an old folks home and a quiet street where she has a home along with the Porch Ladies and love interest Mac. As you read the series you come to know all these people and how their lives all intersect. This is what I mean when I say Ms Kappes writes well rounded stories. She has a real talent for taking you from your reading spot and transplanting you into the middle of town. You are invested because you belong.
In this book Bernie and Mac are finding their new reality. Bernie with her work, her pets and yoga with Iris. Mac with Lucy Drake who happens to be yoga fit and effortlessly taking the same class Bernie is taking. Bernie doesn’t seem to be the only one in town struggling with love. Yoga instructor Peaches has a package marked return to sender she gives to Bernie. Seems she can’t accept a package from Simon anymore than she can accept Sarah coming to the yoga class. Love might not be in bloom but the green eyed monster sure is. When Bernie stumbles upon a dead body she will need to find out if the green eyed monster was responsible or if it was suicide. Love hurts but does it hurt enough to die over?
I was caught up in this book. I love the relationships, (friends and lovers), and seeing how things play out. I can relate a lot to Bernie. I love seeing her in her new role as MawMaw. The mystery was well done. The only thing I missed was seeing Vince but his absence was explained. Hopefully we will see him in the next book.
*I received an uncorrected electronic copy of this book for review consideration. I voluntarily reviewed this book. My review is based on my thoughts and feelings while reading and afterwards.*
I love spending time in Bernie’s world. She is middle aged and, at fifty, she is going though menopause with all of the craziness that it entails. To help with her stress level, she gets talked into taking yoga classes. Sounds reasonable but then there is the issue of yoga pants (I agree with Bernie on that chore) and the fact that, at the end of the class Bernie always falls asleep….and snores. I can feel her pain. Beyond The Change, there are lots of other changes in her life. She has moved out of her farm house after giving it to her son and daughter-in-law because of their new baby, Clara. Now Bernie is living in town, doing her three loop mail delivery routes and the in town living takes a bit of getting used to but the Front Porch Ladies are great neighbors and then there is Mac….just a holler away. Romance adds to the stress, too. What Bernie didn’t expect? Murder. She has a certified letter from the U S Patent Office to deliver but the recipient is in no condition to sign for it…..he’s very dead. What was in the letter that was so important that it was worth killing over? Was the killing due to a lovers quarrel? Leave it to Bernie and the Front Porch Ladies to uncover the answers.
This series has everything I enjoy in a cozy series. It’s set in a small southern town full of colorful characters, lots of humor, a bit of romance, family ties, friendships and assorted pets. Oh, and mentions of food that make my mouth water. My diet wouldn’t stand up to the food that would knock me off the wagon. I’m looking forward to the next in the series, First Class Killer, due out on October 27, 2020.
This was a fun, exciting read! Fourth in the Mail Carrier Mystery series, Tonya Kappes delights us with a young-at-heart, first time grandma (Maw Maw!) who is a mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. Bernie is in early menopause and wonders if it is why whatever passes through her brain tends to fall out of her mouth, which isn’t always a good thing! The characters are defined very well; I enjoyed visiting with them, especially the Front Porch Ladies, again! The mystery was more challenging this time, so I was very surprised at the ending. As far a Bernie’s new “pastime” of yoga, I think my mind would be telling me the same things Bernie’s did!
Bernie adores her granddaughter, Clara, born a few weeks ago. Clara is thriving and Bernie, her son Grady, and daughter-in-law Julia couldn’t be happier – except Julia can’t wait to get back to work. Bernie and her boyfriend, Mac, broke up a couple months ago. I couldn’t believe it, much less that he has been seen around town with the bimbo radio news jockey, Lucy. When Bernie’s best friend Iris talks her into going to yoga classes to learn to relax, she has to see Lucy at every class, perfect hair, figure, and all.
Peaches is the owner and yoga instructor at Tranquility Spa. She has been stressed due to the recent breakup with her boyfriend, Simon. Simon’s new girlfriend began coming to yoga since dating Simon, causing Peaches even more heartache. Simon has his share of troubles, too. He’s a partner to Nick in their vehicle mechanic business and needs surgery to be able to turn a wrench again. Simon is waiting for patent documentation on a motorcycle part he designed, and Nick is building, so he could have the money for the surgery. When Bernie went to deliver the letter for his signature, however, it was too late. She found him dead in his office.
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Simon had been murdered, and the evidence leads to ex-girlfriend Peaches. She begged Bernie for her help, so Bernie will see what she can learn. She puts her adorable Front Porch Ladies on a mission to see what they can find out, and the sheriff will listen to any tidbits of info she can learn while on her route. You see, Bernie is good at getting the latest gossi-um-news from people and is a huge help to the department, even if she does go a little above and beyond the call of tidbits.
I loved this mystery! We empathize with Bernie “going through the change”, which helps make this series get better and better! I enjoy how things seem to fall out of Bernie’s mouth without a filter…most of the time. It is fun at times to be of an age where we are eccentric rather than some of the alternatives. This mystery was a challenge for me; I did not see the real whodunit coming, the person was not even on my “guess” list. The end was surprising and satisfying, with all loose ends tied up. I highly recommend this novel, and this series, to those who enjoy Southern cozy mysteries, middle-aged and mature characters where friends are like family, and laughter is guaranteed.
From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.
What a fun read. So I thought it was someone first as the killer but as I read more I changed my mind and I was right. Though not for any reason I thought. Bernie is going through something without Mac. She can’t sleep so she is trying yoga. Which has hilarious results for us to read. You will love Bernie and everyone in this book. Bernie is getting older and with that comes things we all will have to deal with eventually or for some right now. This book will make you laugh, go hunting for a murderer, cheer Bernie on and hope love will actually win out.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*