Cozy Mystery Review ~ Insects, Ivy, & Investigations (Camper & Criminals #17) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes @tonyakappes11

About the Book:

Alicia Becker shows up at the screen door of The Milkery beaten, bruised, and claims to be one of Mary Elizabeth Moberly's foster children.Mae West's suspicion of why Alicia is there turns to an investigation after Alicia is found on a nearby hiking trail standing over the lifeless body of Craig Sutton. Who is Craig Sutton?

Craig Sutton is Alicia Becker's con-ex-boyfriend.

Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies can't help but wonder if Craig's death was self-defense, though Alicia swears she didn't kill him. Or was Alicia set up?

Grab your bug spray and camping equipment. Mae West and Laundry Club Ladies are 'bout to put their sleuthing skills back to the test.

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Book Details:

ASIN: B08TB41ZVN
Publication Date: April 23, 2021
Print Length: 182 pages

My Review:

Insects, Ivy, & Investigations is book 17 in the Camper and Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. When Alicia Becker shows up at The Milkery, clearly having been physically assaulted, claiming to be Mary Elizabeth’s foster daughter, Mae’s world tips sideways. Completely leery of Alicia’s reason for showing back up, Mae makes it her responsibility to research Alicia, her abusive ex, all while keeping Mary Elizabeth from being taken advantage of. When Alicia’s ex, Craig Sutton, shows up in Normal, Mae also needs to make sure Mary Elizabeth is safe after Craig starts making inquiries around town.

Mae needn’t have worried, however, when a short time after arrival, Craig is found dead with Alicia standing over him. Now, Alicia is the prime suspect in a murder she claims she didn’t commit. In an effort to alleviate Mary Elizabeth’s worries over Alicia’s fate, Mae, and the Laundry Club Ladies to what they do best – so their own investigating. Meanwhile, there’s an engagement party to plan amid the murder investigation, the arrival of an old friend, the evaluation of a relationship and whether it’s moving in the right direction, and a shocking ending. There is a lot going on in Insects, Ivy, and Investigations and the Laundry Club ladies sure are busy. The author did a wonderful job weaving all the different threads around one another.

Insects, Ivy, & Investigations is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author introduced several potential suspects and provided the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. 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. As Mae and the Laundry Club unravel the murder, shocking events are revealed, suspects are added, as well as removed, from the list, and danger abounds.

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

My Rating:

#CozyMystery #Review ~ Paddlers, Promises & Poison (Camper & Criminals, Book #16) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes

Realtor Chelsea O’Connell is found dead in a model home of the new development in Normal. She was not popular in the small tourist town located in the Daniel Boone National Park because the last thing this town wants is for more development to come in to take away anymore of the forest.


Detective Hank Sharp has his own hands full instead of worrying about his girlfriend Mae West and her nosey set of friend, The Laundry Club Ladies, now that he found out cuts are coming the Normal Sheriff’s department.

Rumors are swirling around about the Sheriff’s department doing some outsourcing and Hank’s job is one of them. Mae finds herself at a crossroads, does she put on her sleuthing cap to help out a friend who is the number one suspect on Hank’s list, or does she let Hank solve the murder by himself so he can prove how valuable his position is to the department?

Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/54469861-paddlers-promises-poison

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My Review:

Paddlers, Promises, & Poison is book 16 in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. There is a lot going on in Normal, Kentucky between upcoming development around the Daniel Boone National Park, potential cuts to the Sheriff’s department, and election season. Excitement, anxiety, and tension abound, keeping Mae, Hank, and The Laundry Club Ladies on their toes. While the death of Chelsea O’Connell is being fully and officially investigated by Hank, and unofficially by Mae and the rest of the gang, there are also several undercurrents revolving around Hank’s job, the rapid increase in development, and the possible corruption in City Hall.

Paddlers, Promises, & Poison is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author did a wonderful job introducing potential suspects and providing the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. 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. As Mae and the Laundry Club unravel the murder, shocking events are revealed, suspects are added, as well as removed, from the list, and danger abounds.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating: