Saturday, August 29, 2020

Review ~ Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes @tonyakappes11 ~ A Camper & Criminals Cozy, Book #12


Book Details:

Print Length: 173 pages
ASIN: B08B4VX9CD
Publication Date: August 29, 2020
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3aXghQi

About the Book:

Deep in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Mae West has spent the last few years bringing the rundown Happy Trails Campground and the small southern and cozy town of Normal, Kentucky back to a thriving economic community.

Mae's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Not only is Happy Trails Campground in the running to be named Campground Hospitality of the Daniel Boone National Park, but she landed the coveted Paddle Fest kayak competition that secures the winner a spot on the Olympic team.

When champion and Olympian kayaker Bryce Anderson turns over in his kayak dead...there's more than paddling going on and his death has been ruled a homicide. News of Bryce's death spreads fast and Happy Trails becomes the center of bad publicity.

Come camping with Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies as they put their sleuthing, well nosy, caps on and put their skills to the test so they can figure out who killed the Olympian and save Happy Trails from financial ruin.

My Review:

Mae has done a lot of work to get Happy Trails Campground and Daniel Boone National Forest on the itinerary of vacationers everywhere. So much so, she's up for a spot on a committee and for an award. Her efforts include hosting Paddle Fest, a kayaking competition set to name the next person to claim a spot on the kayaking team at the Olympics. 

Unfortunately, wild spirit and top contender, Bryce Anderson winds up dead.  His death is ruled as a homicide, bringing murder to the campground and Paddle Fest, causing unwelcome bad press, judgmental townsfolk, and fear. To find Bryce's killer, bring closure to his family, and remove the dark cloud over Happy Trails Campground, Mae and her Laundry Club Ladies investigate Bryce's death in hopes of quickly solving the crime.

The mystery was exciting and intriguing. Author Tonya Kappes does a wonderful job introducing a number of potential suspects. There were twists and turns that had me going in one direction only to have the mystery shift. The author did a great job building up the suspense until the reveal of the murderer and motive. I was truly shocked when the culprit was revealed. I was also saddened for the family of the deceased and for the family of the killer.

I love how the author developed the characters and created such a fun and entertaining world. The characters are just that - characters. Each one is hoot in their own right. The romance between Mae and Hank is subtle and doesn't overshadow the mystery. I love romances in my cozies but not when they are the main focus. I want a little bit of romance in my cozy, not a little bit of cozy in my romance. I was engaged in the story from the very beginning and loved the adventures as Mae and company “helped” the police figure out who the murderer was. 

I was provided a copy of this book to review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

My Rating:


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