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 NEW 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!Everyone in Sugar Creek Gap has tried to fix up widow and beloved mail carrier, Bernadette Davis on … Bernadette Davis on several dates. They say she has to be lonely.
What they don’t know is how Bernadette’s life is filled…filled with everyone’s hidden secrets and obsessions. After all, she does deliver their mail and hears all the dirty laundry southern folks love to sweep secrets under the rug.
While on her route, Bernadette finds out the beloved Sugar Creek Gap Country Club is being sold and turned into condos. The developer is Bernadette’s best friend, Mac Tabor and right now he’s not very popular.
The entire town is against the development and eager to vote it down, vowing they will do whatever needs to be done to stop the sell of the country club to Mac Tabor.
Chuck Shilling, majority owner of the country club, and Mac have a public fight because Chuck is rethinking of selling the club to Mac. When Chuck is found dead, Mac Tabor is the number one suspect.
Bernadette discovers she’s got a penchant for discovering clues that just might help STAMP OUT a killer who is on the loose while trying to save Mac Tabor from going to prison for a murder he didn’t commit.
more
Love Sugar Creek Gap a true southern Kentucky town. Small towns are so friendly and the citizens are so kind and considerate, usually. Try to change the atmosphere of the town or take away a benefit they have gotten used to and watch out. Sugar Creek Gap’s country club is bankrupt and the town is out for blood. Bernadette Butler is the local postal worker and amateur sleuth and she finds herself in the middle of a mystery that she is determined to solve. The porch ladies and Vince are so much fun. You will feel like you have known them all their lives.
Love the characters in the story and the town itself. Bernadette is one great character and each story only makes her better. Really enjoyed reading this book and will continue to read all of this series. Yes, it is that good!! A must add to your TBR pile, you will be glad you did.
Ms. Kappes sure knows how to write a small town cozy mystery. This one is unique in that it is about a widowed mail carrier who thought she had the perfect marriage and best friend in Mac, who has always been there for her. When Mac is accused of murder she helps by speaking to people on her mail run. She finds out deep buried secrets that may end up with her as the next victim. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Loved this new series!
Another winner from Tonya Kappes! This book was a lot of fun to read. Bernadette is a postal worker and finds the dead body of a man who was partnering with her friend, Mac, to buy the country club. The two men had been arguing the night before, so Mac becomes the prime suspect. Bernadette is positive Mac is innocent and sets out to prove it with help from the Front Porch ladies and a former FBI worker at the nursing home. Enjoyable characters, a charming town, and a well-written storyline. I look forward to the next book in this series and seeing what happens with Bernadette and Mac! Highly recommend!!!
What a great debut to the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series with endearing characters, small town vibe, southern charm, a great mystery that quickly became a page-turner. I felt an instant connection to Bernadette Butler and with her first-person narrative, I felt like she was talking right to me. I loved her dynamic with the eccentric and lovable citizens in Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky. Ms. Kappes never disappoints whatsoever and I look forward to book two in this must-read series.
A first in a new series by author, Tonya Kappes, that’s off to a good start. Bernadette Butler, a middle-aged mail carrier in Sugar Creek Gap Kentucky, lost her husband ten years earlier and has been a single mom ever since. Sugar Creek Gap is a small community where everyone knows your business and, as we see with Bernadette, all remember her husband’s death. Every year on the anniversary of his passing, each stop brings condolences, leaving it difficult for Bernadette to move on. This particular anniversary brought along a surprise as she realized she forgot the date, until one of her stops brings it up, along with the news about the sale of the Country Club. The town is in an uproar about the sale, many protesting, while others feel it would be a good fit for the town. Unfortunately, her long-time friend Mac, and his friend Chuck, are behind the sale. When Bernadette finds Chuck’s dead body in the creek, all fingers point to Mac. Mac has always been there for Bernadette since her husband’s death, and she feels it’s her responsibility to help find the killer, in order to prove Mac’s innocence.
I welcomed the introduction of an older sleuth, her determination and loyalty admirable. The glimpse into the small-town life of Sugar Creek Gap was enjoyable as we follow Bernadette on her route and meet the various residents. As a small tight-knit community, Sugar Creek Gap comes with a variety of characters, from the front porch widow ladies, where the latest gossip is always a topic, to residents who are not afraid to speak their mind. A couple of my favorite characters were Harriette, a spunky senior and Vince, a resident in a retirement community with a very interesting past. The story had a variety of suspects, with clues that began to uncover secrets. Will Bernadette be able to handle the secrets she uncovers while attempting to establish Mac’s innocence. I look forward to the next book in the series, as Ms. Kappes continues to give us additional insight into the lives of the Sugar Creek Gap community!
Stamped Out by Tonya Kappes is the first entry in her new Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery Series.
Bernadette, widow and single mom for the last ten years, works as a mail carrier. This is a unique take on the cozy, and the day job of the main sleuth. I found it really interesting in that mail carriers are among those careers, those invisible people, that must hear a great deal of secrets as they move through their jobs, unnoticed for the most part by the majority of people. Those are the Day jobbers that make the best amateur sleuths, as they hear the most gossip.
It’s the tenth anniversary of Bernie’s husbands death. Other than that, it’s a relatively routine day. There’s some brouhaha about the country club and some condos, but that’s not really a concern to her until she hears her late husbands best friends name.
And then she stumbled over a dead body, and Bernie may never again have a routine day. Bits heard here, almost pieces not shared there, and Bernadette realizes everything she’s thought for ten years may just be all wrong.
Join Bernie, Harriet (leader of the front porch ladies), and Vince (retired {& bored} FBI) on an adventure you just won’t see coming. Ms. Kappes has done it again and pulled off another 5 star read.
Stamped Out is book one in a new series called A Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery. I was super excited for a new series by this author. I am never disappointed. Bernadette’s best friend is accused of murder, and she must find the clues to prove his innocence. This story kept me hooked throughout, and I definitely recommend it.
Stamped Out is a new series by Tonya Kappes that is a wonderful new read. I’m truly looking forward to more in this series.
This is the first book in a new mystery cozy series by the fabulous Tonya Kappes. The main character is Bernadette who is a recent widow and is a mail carrier. It’s wonderful to have a character who is older be the protagonist of a series. She has a son in town and now lives by herself. There is of course a death in which she finds herself suddenly sleuthing. The mystery keeps you guessing and it actually personally affects Bernadette. If was a surprising ending and I look forward to the next book to see how Bernadette deals with personal revelations which were discovered at the end of this book. I voluntarily reviewed this book and this is my honest review.
I am a faithful fan of this author and have read many of her books, but I was disappointed in this new series debut – there wasn’t any witty humor or charm that I normally associate with her writing and I missed that. There were also three things that bothered about this book now that I have finished reading it. First, that the mail carrier protagonist would decide to open someone’s mail anyway after having just struggled with the moral dilemma of it being illegal to do so in the sentence before. Two, the potential “romance” now after a decade of being friends with nothing to stand in the way of either party acting on it – except the plot driven secret of course (which, in my opinion, any true friend would never keep from the other). And, thirdly, the secret itself – sure, a great reveal for the shock factor, but really just a case of poor moral judgment that I can watch on TV or read about in the news. I just wasn’t left with the happy feeling I normally have after reading a Tonya Kappes book. I hope to see a different direction in the next book.
Just finished Stamped Out…every Tonya Kappas fan should read. Great story with colorful characters. Glad to read a cozy with main characters closer to my age. Surprised by the ending, but it shows the things one will do to protect the ones they love. Can’t wait for the next one. Fantastic read, Tonya
“Stamped Out” earns 5/5 Ssssecrets…Engaging and Entertaining!
What an entertaining starter to a new series, Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery, from Tonya Kappes! “Stamped Out,” set again in Kentucky, introduces Bernadette Butler, widow of ten years, mother of a high-school teacher/coach son, and beloved US mail carrier of Sugar Creek Gap. With all the southern charm Tonya Kappes can muster, she has penned a first-person narrative from Bernadette’s delightful perspective sharing her feelings, insights into other residents, love for family and friends, and her developing skill with investigating murder. Chuck Shilling, majority owner of the local country club, is selling to Mac Tabor, property developer and friend of Bernadette’s late husband. The development plan to build condos is causing serious conflicts, but…murder! Chuck is found dead, an argument is reported between him and Mac, and the weapon in question is found near Mac’s house, so Mac is the prime suspect! I loved it! The murder mystery was clever, twisty with more suspects to consider, several secrets revealed, curious “feelings” from Iris, and a satisfying ending I almost guessed, but it’s Tonya’s signature southernisms, descriptive language, and dialogue illustrating well the various personalities that made the entire read very entertaining. There’s a lot going on forcing me to pay close attention. I really like having so many characters of a mature age, some quirky, endearing friendship with BFF Iris and sleuthing sidekick Vince, efforts to hook Bernadette up, and…four easy-to-follow sweet treats to top it all off…Pumpkin Sugar Cookies, Lemon Philly Pie, Southern Pecan Bread, and Cheesecake-Stuffed Pumpkin Bread. Cozy fans should not miss this one!
This is a great start to a new series. I love that Bernadette is an older sleuth and a mail carrier. This was a joy to read and ended way too soon I can’t wait until the next one. I love the southern feel and the quirky characters the front porch ladies are a hoot.
I received an ARC for a honest review but I bought the paperback also.
Do you ever get tired of the amateur sleuth who puts her nose into everybody’s business with no reason to be there? We accept it but I’ve always wondered what would be the reason for such snooping all over town and without having people wish you would, maybe, leave town – for a long vacation, at least? Well, Tonya Kappes has the solution and it’s custom made for a great new cozy series with a twist at the end. Make your sleuth a letter carrier! Bernie (short for Bernadette) has been a widow for ten years – as most of the town reminds her on this anniversary date. Ten years ago she lost the love of her life and left her to raise their son, Grady. She had given up her job at the local post office to be a full time mom but later returned to the job she loved. Grady is now a high school teacher/football coach (GO GRIZZLIES) and is married. Bernie still carries her heartache and finding a new love is not one of her life goals. Her husbands’ best friend, Mac, has been a constant shoulder to cry on and has helped her through this decade. Now she has stumbled upon a corpse while on her route and the police are ready to lock Mac in a jail cell for the crime. Mac had been seen going toe to toe with the dead man and most of the town wishes Mac would keep his hands off the local country club land. Seems like nobody thinks a development of condos is good for their town. Would somebody kill to put a stop to Mac’s plans?
What would a friend do for a friend but try to unmask the real killer, right? Some of her methods sort of cross a line or two but she is sure Mac is innocent. But does Bernie really know Mac as well as she thought and, on top of that, how well did she really know her late husband? As her job takes her all over town and she hears more than people would ever imagine, she knows their secrets, too.
Filled with a lovely cast of characters who make up Bernie’s circle of friends and family along with the rest of the town of Sugar Creek – some good and some not so good, at all, like a killer, I enjoyed this series debut from start to finish. The next in the series, Address for Murder, comes out December 31, 2019.
I was excited to read this first book in the new series and I love Bernadette. I like that she is a post carrier and it makes me see this profession in a new light. They do get to see a lot of personal information that is sent through the mail and that is great for our main character. Through her use of sleuthing skills and hearing gossip while working her route she is able to piece together a case to help her best friend Mac who is accused of a murder. Loving the characters, especially the front porch ladies, and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed this ARC given to me by Tonya Kappes.
Welcome to Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky – home of beloved mail carrier Bernadette Butler. Stamped Out opens on a singularly hard day for Bernadette: the 10th anniversary of her husband’s death and the day she discovers the body of Chuck Shilling. Discovering Chuck’s body puts her on the path of amateur sleuth – who better to discover the truth behind Chuck’s murder than the local mail carrier? She is privy to everyone’s secrets after all.
Stamped Out is an excellent beginning to the Mail Carrier Cozy Mystery series. Tonya Kappes has created a compelling character in Bernadette – she is strong, smart, and vulnerable. The cast of characters/townspeople that she is surrounded by are ripe for further development as the series continues. I am particularly fond of Vince Caldwell, resident of the local retiree community and a retired FBI Agent. Bernadette and Vince have all the makings of a sterling investigative team.
We also meet Bernadette’s best friend, Iris Peabody; her son and daughter-in-law, Grady and Julia; and Mac Tabor – her husband’s best friend and source of major emotional support since Bernadette became a widow.
The truth behind the murder of Chuck Shilling takes us deep into small-town politics and uncovers secrets that have been kept for a decade. I truly enjoyed all the twists, turns, and red herrings as the culprit was uncovered. One of my favorite things about Tonya Kappes’s mysteries is that she always keeps me guessing right up to the end!
I have high hopes for the Mail Carrier Cozy mystery series – I think it has the potential to become a new favorite!
First, no spoilers in my review, second, I received an ARC of this book, and am providing my own, honest opinion. This is a super fun read and a great start to a new series! Tonya Kappes has a way of enveloping you into the story and with the characters to make you feel like you’re one of the gang. The subject/protagonist of this series is an older character, a widow with a cat, a married son, and an entire family with ties to the community (the better to process the small town gossip with, my friend!). As with all of her other books, the lead character just can’t help herself when it comes to finding a murder victim and getting involved to help clear the wrongly accused and find out who did it. Lots of twists, snarkiness, the ‘group of gossips’ that we’ve come to expect and that small-town feel that makes you love this author and her characters so very much. If cozies are your cup of coffee, er, tea, this is the book for you. I highly recommend this newest addition to the Cozy Mystery genre of books!
This is a new cozy mystery from the very talented author. I love the idea of the mail carrier as the one who solves the mystery. She does talk to everyone and gets info from people that might not talk to the cops. It will be fun to get to know Bernadette and the whole town in more books. Mac is also a great person who will be a big help to Bernadette in the future. Bernadette learns a lot in this book about some people that she thought she knew. I like that Bernadette has help from a former FBI agent and from her friends and family. Also I find it really cool that both my name and my sisters name is in this book. Though her name is spelled with a Y in this book and an I in real life.
*I received a free copy of this book via author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Welcome to a new series by a very talented author. I love how she uses small town settings which come to life with her descriptions. I absolutely loved that the author used delivering mail as the main character’s job. Today we don’t see many mail carriers going house to house delivering mail. Most subdivisions have gone to a collection of mail boxes grouped together near the front of the community. I loved how Bernadette loved her job and was welcomed by everyone. What a nice treat to stop and visit with neighbors as you enjoy a glass of iced tea.
Bernadette lost her husband to a tragic accident which left her raising a son on her own. She doesn’t lack for well meaning neighbors trying to set her up with dates. One of the things I liked about this story was that it centered around older mature people who loved their town.
The vivid tour the author takes us on around town was fun. I loved the little shops and the quirky names they chose like The Wildflower Diner. I would love to visit this town and sit with the ladies and listen to their opinions about the townspeople. There is a big uproar when rumors spread that the country club is being sold. Smack dab in the middle of the gossip is Mac. Mac is a wonderful character and has been Bernadette and her son’s guardian angel since the death of her husband. When Bernadette finds a body, the gossip grows to a thunder as Mac becomes the number one suspect. Who knew that wanting to buy the country club would cause people to protest and have a dead body pop up? I bet this is the most excitement this town has ever seen.
I loved who Bernadette teamed up with to help clear Mac’s name. The mystery is sure to have readers trying to figure out who the killer is in this exciting new series. There are plenty of suspects but I was very surprised who the guilty person was. I must mention the cameo appearance of Bernadette’s beloved cat. The author has a knack for putting pets in her stories and highlighting the need for foster homes for animals. The series is off to a great start in this small town filled with secrets, lies and a mystery that will surprise the town.
I received an arc copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.