Media Kit

Short Bio

Tonya Kappes has written more than 150 southern cozy mysteries, all of which have graced numerous bestseller lists, including USA Today and Woman’s World Book Club pick twice. Best known for stories charged with southern charm, emotion and humor and filled with flawed characters, her novels have garnered reader praise and glowing critical reviews.

Use this quick, professional bio to introduce Tonya at your event or in your article. For a longer “Meet Tonya” story, follow this link.

Fast Facts

Tonya graduated from the University of Kentucky with an elementary education degree and then went on to get certified as a child therapist.
Tonya wrote her first book under an oak tree while waiting for her son to finish peewee football practice.
Tonya presently serves on the Board of Directors for both BingeBooks and the Bookfunnel.
Every year in September Tonya plays herself in New York City’s award winning Divabetic Radio Show’s annual Mystery Theater.
Two Dames on a Mystery Train is Tonya’s annual event where Tonya meets up with 100 readers on a weekend centered around a mystery dinner train and fun excursions.
Two of Tonya’s books were on the USA TODAY Bestseller’s list together in one month.

Career Highlights

Beaches, Bungalows, & Burglaries has spent three years on Amazon’s Cozy Mystery Top 100.
2017 Penned Con Suspense Author of the Year
2017 Tonya was able to retire from her job as a child therapist to fulfill her dream of being a full time author.
In 2018 A Charming Voodoo was Woman’s World Magazine October Book Club pick.
2019 A Ghostly Undertaking received the Best Fiction Award at Cincinnati’s Books By the Bank.
In 2023 Vistas, Vices, & Valentine's was First Magazine’s January Book Club pick.
In 2023 Vistas, Vices, & Valentine’s was Woman’s World Magazine February Book Club pick.
As of 2023 Tonya has over 100 published cozy mysteries.

Articles & Interviews

Reader's House Magazine

October 29, 2024 | Reader's House Magazine

Why Tonya Kappes?

We are thrilled to announce that the cover of Reader’s House magazine (Issue 50) features none other than the prolific and beloved author, Tonya Kappes. With over 180 southern cosy mysteries to her name, Tonya has enchanted readers worldwide with her unique blend of southern charm, humour, and unforgettable characters. Her books have not only topped bestseller lists, including USA Today, but have also twice been selected for the Woman’s World Book Club, solidifying her status as an Amazon All Star Author.

Tonya’s journey to becoming a celebrated author is as captivating as the stories she writes. Growing up in a small rural town in Kentucky, she was far from a bookworm, often avoiding reading altogether. It wasn’t until her thirties, through a serendipitous encounter with a book club, that she discovered the escapism and joy that books could offer. This newfound love for reading eventually blossomed into a passion for writing, leading her to create a world where readers can escape into the heart of the South.

Now residing in northern Kentucky with her husband, and with her four boys having flown the nest, Tonya writes full-time from her camper, drawing inspiration from her vibrant southern upbringing. Her stories are rich with local dialects, quirky characters, and vivid descriptions of southern life, making each book a delightful escape for her readers.

In an exclusive interview we conducted, Tonya shares her unconventional path to writing, the influences behind her beloved series, and how her mobile lifestyle fuels her creativity. She opens up about her initial reluctance to read, her transformative experience with a book club, and the serendipitous moments that led her to become a full-time author. Her tales of growing up in rural Kentucky, complete with moonshiners and southern phrases, add an authentic charm to her stories that readers can’t get enough of.

Tonya’s Camper & Criminals series, featuring the indomitable Mae West and the quaint town of Normal, Kentucky, has become a fan favourite. She reveals how her childhood experiences with camping and a fascination with real-life events inspired this popular series. Her ability to weave personal anecdotes and southern culture into her narratives has created a loyal following of readers who eagerly anticipate each new release.

Despite her impressive accolades, Tonya remains grounded and focused on her primary goal: to help readers escape the hardships of the world through her entertaining and humorous stories. Her dedication to her craft and her readers is evident in every book she writes, and her success is a testament to her talent and hard work.

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Crime & Wine Interview

January 24, 2024 | Crime & Wine

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Subscriptions For Authors Interview

December 5, 2024 | REAM

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AUTHOR INTERVIEW: TONYA KAPPES

May 31, 2022 | Mystery Manon

Hi Tonya! Thanks so much for joining. Earlier this month saw the release of Blowin’ Up A Murder, book eight in your Kenni Lowry Mystery series, which is set in small-town Kentucky and features charming, quirky characters. Southern hospitality plus homicide is your specialty—what do you think makes this combination so popular?

It’s definitely the Southern style and ways incorporated with the murders that readers really love—how we Southerns like to sweep things under the rug and make insults without people even realizing it just adds a little fun to an already fun genre to read.

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