Must Read Tonya Kappes Cozy Mystery
Ranch and Red Herrings
Book One in the Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery Series
Ranch and Red Herrings
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Tonya Kappes
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Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery Series
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Paperback, ebook
Ranch and Red Herrings is the first book in the Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes. The story is set in Bluegrass Ridge, Kentucky, a small town with big secrets. The series sleuth is Georgia "Cussy" Hollingsworth, a twenty-seven-year-old city girl with country roots.
Cussy hasn't been in Bluegrass Ridge since her daddy died, but she finds herself back in his old hometown when her Uncle Amos passes away unexpectedly. She plans on blowing into town for the funeral and right back out as soon as she can. But things don't quite work out that way. Cussy is invited to a hurried reading of the will, where she learns that Uncle Amos has left her everything, including his sprawling horse and cattle ranch. Cussy is shocked, and her cousins are none too happy about being passed over by their own father.
Before she can figure out what she's going to do with a ranch she knows nothing about, Amos's death is ruled a homicide. Cussy can't imagine who would want to kill her beloved uncle, but she's determined to find out. As she investigates, she uncovers more questions than answers and finds herself juggling secrets, scandals, and a possible romance as sparks begin to fly between her and the rugged ranch manager.
Reasons to Read Ranch and Red Herrings
There are so many good reasons to read Ranch and Red Herrings, but the setting and the characters are two of the best.
Bluegrass Ridge provides an excellent backdrop for a mystery with small-town suspense. It is the kind of place where everyone knows everyone, and everyone remembers everything. You can run into half the town and all your family at the IGA grocery store, but there are still big secrets--some of them hiding in plain sight.
Tonya Kappes does a wonderful job of vividly describing the town and its various places. There's the Buckle and Boots, where you can hear the fiddle, get a drink, and dance your worries away, and the town square, where you can find hot cider, hot gossip, and hot summer festivals.
And then there's the Bluegrass Ridge Ranch, which has been in the Hollingsworth family for generations. It is lovingly described, from the old farmhouse with a burr wood table and cozy crochet blankets to the sprawling pastures filled with cattle and horses. It's a fun change from the bookstores and teashops where you find many cozy mystery sleuths.
Cussy Hollingsworth is a fish out of water and a reluctant sleuth when the story begins. Her character arc is enjoyable from start to finish. The will-they-won't-they romance between her and a swoon-worthy cowboy, who just happens to be engaged, adds an extra layer of suspense on top of the murder mystery. The supporting characters in this story, from the old horse Whiskey (who is impossible not to love) and the Bluegrass Belle queen bee (who keeps everyone on their toes), really add to the fun and lend themselves well to the setting.
Ranch and Red Herrings is written by Tonya Kappes, a USA Today bestselling author and an Amazon All-Star who has written almost 200 books. Her cozy mysteries are known for their Southern charm, humor, and unforgettable characters. Several have been selected as Woman's World Book Club Picks.
Sample Ranch and Red Herrings
Read an excerpt of Ranch and Red Herrings on author Tonya Kappes’s website.
Listen to Tonya Kappes read the first three chapters of Ranch and Red Herrings on YouTube.
What Readers Say About Ranch and Red Herrings
“The mystery kept me guessing the entire time—I was completely stumped and loved every twist and turn. ”
“I think this might be the start of my favorite series yet. I loved Cussy and the other characters so much.”
“From the description of Southern comfort food to the bustling small-town square, Kappes paints a vivid and nostalgic portrait of the South. As someone who grew up there, I found these details not only accurate but deeply resonant. ”
“This exciting new series offers a lively setting, an unforgettable heroine, and a mystery that will hook you from the very first page.”
Ranch and Red Herrings Reading Kit
Keep the party going after you read the book with this free Ranch and Red Herrings Reading Kit. It contains discussion questions, book club activities, a ranch-friendly supper menu, and themed word games and coloring pages. If you aren’t part of a book club, you can use the discussion questions as reflection questions to think about your feelings and experiences after reading the book.
Interview with Author Tonya Kappes
See an interview with Tonya Kappes, the author of Ranch and Red Herrings. Find out why she chose the cozy mystery genre, how she crafts her cozy settings, and what she does to take a story from an idea to a published novel.
Book Two in the Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery Series
Lassoes and Lies
Lassoes and Lies is the second book in the Bluegrass Ridge Ranch Mystery Series.
In this book, small-town scandals and secrets are on the loose--and so are the Bluegrass Belles.
Cussy has wrangled trouble before, but she'll need all her wits to lasso the clues in this buckwild mystery.
Other Mysteries by Tonya Kappes
Tonya Kappes has written more than a dozen mystery series, including the wildly popular Camper and Criminals Cozy Mysteries. The first book in this series, Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries, spent more than three years in the Amazon's Cozy Mystery Top 100. The series has more than 40 books (and counting) and is currently under development for a Hallmark television series.
Cozy mystery book series by Tonya Kappes include the:
Tonya has also written rom-coms, books with short stories, and themed cozy mystery collections.
Camper and Criminals Mystery Books 1-10
Connect with Tonya and Other Readers
Visit TonyaKappes.com to learn more about Tonya, sign up for her free newsletter, and join her community of cozy mystery readers.
Tonya Kappes Cozy Mystery Bookshelf
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