Thursday, January 11, 2018

Kappy King and the Puppy Kaper by Amy Lillard-Great Escapes Tour/Giveaway



Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Pennsylvania
Zebra (December 26, 2017)
An Imprint of Kensington Books
Paperback: 352 pages
ISBN-13: 978-1420142976
E-Book ASIN: B06XZQTCQH

About the book 
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 . . .

Character interview
Hello Kathryn welcome to the blog! 
Hi, Sherry. It’s nice to be here.

I am excited to meet you and learn a little bit about your life and community.
Thank you.

Kathryn seems so formal. Is your given name always used in the Amish community?
Actually no one calls me Kathryn except one of my neighbors, Martha Peachey. I was supposed to be called Kathy, but my younger brother couldn’t say it correctly and I ended up Kappy instead. If it hadn’t been that, it would have been something else; the Amish love to use nicknames. Mainly because we tend to name our children just a few names and we have a limited number of surnames. That makes for several people having the same name in the same community. Nicknames become a must to tell one from another.

I’m from Texas so I am used to pretty mild winters.  What is it like there in Blue Sky in the winter?  I bet you guys have a lot of snow. 
It’s very cold here in the winter. We get our fair share of snow. That makes it a little harder to get out with a horse and buggy, but we manage.

Do you live with your family?
I lost my family in a buggy wreck when I was much younger. My mamm, dat, and two brothers. After that. I went to live with my aunt. She died a few years ago, so now it’s just me. Though I have been thinking about getting a pet…

Do you work outside the home?
I’m the only kapp maker in Blue Sky. Maybe I should back up and explain. Prayer kapps are the coverings that Amish women wear. We believe that a woman should cover her head when praying so the coverings are very sacred and special. However, not every Amish woman likes to sew or is good at it. And the kapps are tedious to make. I make all the kapps in my district and work out of my home. That is to say, I make the kapps in my house, but sell them out of my basement. Though I have yet to convince all the women to go down into the basement when they want a purchase instead of knocking on my front door.

Do you have someone ‘special’ in your life?
I did. His name is Hiram and he married my best friend Laverna. She died not long ago and Hiram and I started talking, then it turned into more. We were engaged, but I broke it off a few weeks ago. Between you and me, I think he’s still very much in love with Laverna. I mean, I understand. Laverna was a wonderful person, but I want a little more. He says he loves me, but… Sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have said all of that. But, you know…

Is your community very rural?  Do you have close neighbors? 
My community is very rural. There are farms spread all across the valley. Most of the farmland in my area has been leased to other farmers. Most of my neighbors are elderly, and of course my favorite neighbors are Jimmy Peachey and his sister, Edie. Edie left the Amish years ago, but now that her mother is gone, she might just return for good. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Oh your neighbor is a dog breeder?  What kind of dogs?  Does Miss Ruth also
raise peaches or is that just the name of her farm?
Ruth raises beagles. In fact she’s the best beagle breeder in Central PA. She doesn’t raise peaches. That’s just her last name. Peachey is a very popular name is Kishacoquillas Valley. Almost every other mailbox is marked with the name Peachey.

I am a dog lover myself  but I am not sure I would want to live so close to a breeder.
I bet it can be pretty noisy sometimes. 
I’ve never owned a dog, but I’ve been thinking about it. Yes, the dogs are pretty noisy, but I live far enough away it doesn’t bother me. And when I’m over at the Peacheys’, well, the beagles have such a sweet bark, I can’t help but smile a little.

What is the best part of living in such a small community?
The best part is how everyone takes care of each other. We watch out for one another. Some folks might say it’s nosy or interfering, but I find that most folks keep to themselves until the need arises. Or maybe it’s just that way for me. Somehow I ended up on the fringes of the community, so to speak. I don’t mind. I like it right where I am.

I bet it’s nice to live in such a small place.  I bet there isn’t much crime.
unlike living in a large community. 
We have our share. Though sometimes I feel it’s not as violent as what goes on in the big city. And then there was Ruth’s murder.

Oh goodness so you mean there are suspicious things going on in town.
And a murder? Oh no.
It was a shock to everyone. Nothing like that has happened here before.

I am sure your local police will be solving the crimes soon, don’t you think?
I hope so. But then they arrested the wrong man, and I was afraid they would quit searching for the real killer. What to do…what to do…

I am sure that things will be back to normal soon.  I really hate to run but I know
you have things to do and maybe a little bit of sleuthing to do to help catch the villain.

Thanks so much for visiting!

Thank you for having me, Sherry!

And I thought
If the cover doesn't make you smile turn a few pages.  No need to settle in expecting a long read.  This one will have you turning the pages as you smile and maybe sometimes giggle as you try and figure out Who Dun It. 

Kappy is a delightful and sweet character.  This isn't your typical Amish read with a bunch of sweet romance.  When her next door neighbor is found dead.  The police quickly determine it was no accident.  And just as quickly find a suspect and arrest the wrong man.  

At least Kappy thinks it's the wrong man!

Kappy puts down her sewing and begins asking questions and sleuthing to find out what really happened and solve the crime.

With all the investigating there isn't much time for romance for 
poor Kappy.

 I am hoping future installments give Kappy a chance at a little romance.   

This was a fun and relaxing and cozy read.  I am looking forward to book 2. 

I received a complimentary copy from Great Escapes Tours.
This review will appear on retail sites where available. 
This review will appear on Good Reads.


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