Tuesday, January 9, 2018

Review + GIVEAWAY): Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper




Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper
By Amy Lillard
An Amish Mystery #1
Kensington, 2017


Summary

Content to be unmarried and plain-spoken, Kathryn “Kappy” King is an odd-woman-out in the Amish community of Blue Sky, Pennsylvania. But she’s skilled at making the special kapps local women need to cover their hair. And she might be the only one who can unearth the danger hiding in this peaceful valley . . .

When Kappy’s neighbor, Ruth Peachey, turns up dead in her yard, everyone in Blue Sky believes it’s a tragic accident. Until the Englisch police find the gentle dog breeder was deliberately struck down—and arrest her mentally-challenged son, Jimmy, for the crime . . .

Jimmy’s sister, Edie, returns to Blue Sky clear his name, yet no one will speak to a shunned former Amish woman, much less give her information. Determined to help, Kappy starts digging for the truth among her seemingly-innocent neighbors. But suddenly a series of suspicious “accidents” threatens Edie and the Peachey farm—property Edie is determined to protect for her brother’s future.

Now, as danger looms large in the small community, Kappy must bait a trap for a killer snapping hard at her heels. And Edie must decide whether to make a home once more in the town she thought she’d left behind . . .


My thoughts

Quirky, funny, entertaining, and full of puppy love … Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper has a lot of heart and I loved it! Amy Lillard begins a delightful new series that combines the best of cozy mystery and Amish fiction. I can honestly say that I’ve never read anything quite like it, and that’s very good.

One strength of this mystery is the crime-solving duo of Kappy and Edie. I’m not sure this pairing would work in any other setting, but it is most delightful here. Kappy, who makes Amish kapps, is a perfect example of someone who marches to their own drumbeat, as the saying goes, and I rooted for her all the way. She’s basically the district’s eccentric, choosing to remain on the fringes of her community. How could I not connect with a character who refuses to conform to tradition, yet is a strong woman of faith in God?

One area of being out of step is in speaking to her neighbor, Edie, who is under the Bann for leaving the Amish church after being baptized – and not only speaking to, but befriending. Actually, each is what the other needs and I love their friendship. Edie’s brother Jimmy, who has Down syndrome – "sweet as pie, stubborn as a mule, and cute as a button on a shirt" – is one of my favorites. Honestly, how could anyone believe he could be guilty of the crime with which he is charged? The author does a great job making Jimmy real and showing all that someone with this disability is capable of.

It was fun to follow the well-crafted mystery as Kappy and Edie questioned people – and the beagle puppies are absolutely precious! (Spoken by a cat lover). Spiritual themes are subtle, evidenced by Kappy’s conviction that God has a plan for everybody, especially for these three – one in jail for murder, one seemingly invisible to the Amish community, and one on the outskirts of that community.

I would love more character depth in Kappy and Edie – and that’s a compliment, because Lillard has created characters I want to know better and I’m eager to read the next story that releases in June 2018. Kappy’s closing thoughts indicate that there’s a lot more to come …

After all, it was a new day in Blue Sky.
And on a new day anything could happen.

I was provided a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.


_________________________



Amy Lillard is the award-winning author of more than twenty novels, including the Wells Landing series, The Quilting Circle  novels, the Sugarcreek Amish Mysteries  and the Kappy King Mysteries .

Born and raised in Mississippi, she now lives with her husband and son in Oklahoma. Please visit her online at www.AmyWritesRomance.com.

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GIVEAWAY

To enter the drawing, please click on this link and share my Facebook post, then leave a comment here letting me know that you shared.

BE SURE to leave your name and your email address in a safe format - [at] and [dot] - for the drawing. E-mail required for entry. Contest ends at midnight PST on Monday, January 22. Winner will be chosen by random.org and contacted by e-mail.

Eligibility: US residents

19 comments:

  1. Liked and shared. Really looking forward to reading.

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    1. Hope you get to read it soon, Dianne. Thanks so much for sharing!

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  2. Liked and shared. Can't wait to read this book!
    Thanks for the giveaway opportunity!

    Tiffany
    jtabalk(at)hotmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You're welcome, Tiffany. Best wishes in the drawing!

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  3. Sounds awesome, love books about the Amish. Thanks rose Blackard (at) gmail (dot) com

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    Replies
    1. I love Amish fiction too, Rose, and this is a great combination of cozy mystery and Amish.

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  4. Liked and shared as requested. I look forward to reading this new to me series. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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    1. I'm already hooked on this series and look forward to the next one, Dianne. Thanks so much for sharing.

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  5. I agree with you Kappy King is a delightful and funny book that you do not want to put down Looking forward to reading more Kappy King Thanks for posting your thoughts and the summary. PBond(dot)Pattti(at)gmail(dot)com

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    1. I really liked the characters, which makes a story for me, Patricia - as well as all the fun stuff. Hope this is a long-running series!

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  6. Loved the review. Looking forward to reading the book! Liked and shared. Jennifer j4hibdon at yahoo dot com

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    1. Thanks so much for sharing, Jennifer. It's a very enjoyable story and I hope you get to read it soon.

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  7. Looking forward to the book.
    Shared
    scarletbegonia5858(at)gmail(dot)com

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for sharing. Best wishes in the drawing.

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  8. This sounds like a fun winter read. I love Amy's books! Liked and shared.
    marypopmom (at) yahoo (dot) com
    Merry

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    Replies
    1. I enjoy Amy's Amish fiction also, Merry, and this is a great combo of the two genres. Best wishes in the drawing.

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  9. I shared the FB link. Ty for the giveaway! legallyblonde1961 at yahoo dot com

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