#BookReview ~ Dandelions, Deception, & Detours by Tonya Kappes (Camper & Criminals, Book 43) #CozyMystery

Dandelions, Deception, & Detours (Camper & Criminals, Book 43) by Tonya Kappes 

 

In the heart of Kentucky’s Daniel Boone National Forest, murder has checked into Happy Trails Campground.

ASIN: ‎ B0FP5TMFH9

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication date : ‎ March 29, 2026

Print length: ‎ 232 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

When a high-profile RV dealership manager is crushed beneath a fifth-wheel trailer, it looks like a tragic hitching accident.

Until the coroner rules it homicide.

And Mae West’s husband becomes the prime suspect.

As owner of Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky, Mae is used to managing campfires, communal suppers, and the occasional tourist meltdown—not clearing her husband’s name in a murder investigation.

With help from the sharp-eyed Laundry Club Ladies, a campground full of watchful guests, and more than a little Southern stubbornness, Mae follows a trail that will lead her straight to the killer.

In a town where reputation is everything and word travels faster than wildfire, Mae must uncover who was really behind the wheel before Hank’s future goes up in smoke.

Because at Happy Trails, loyalty runs deep.

And no one messes with family.

My Review:

Dandelions, Deception, & Detours is the 43rd book in the Camper & Criminals series. While this may be the 43rd story, the author does a spectacular job keeping each story fresh and imaginative.

Spring is here and that means RV shows. Competing dealerships are showcasing the newest RVs, features, and hot pricing. Mae and Hank are perusing the RVs on display when Hank comes face-to-face with a former classmate. One who clearly has issues. He's found dead at the dealership the next day and it seems like a tragic fifth-wheel accident. When the death is ruled a homicide, Hank is first on the suspect list.

We all know Hank didn't do it so that's not a spoiler. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies put their heads together to clear Hank's name and get him removed from the suspect list. The author developed several suspects besides Hank, and they all had means, motive, and opportunity. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. I was kept guessing until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and other ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided with a copy of this book. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.

My Rating:

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#NewRelease #BookReview ~ Snowcaps, Skiing, & Sabotage by #TonyaKappes

Welcome to Normal, where nothing is normal.

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0D6744TWG
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (December 29, 2024)
Publication date: ‎ December 29, 2024
Print length: ‎ 231 pages
Amazon
Goodreads

About the Book:

The small town is buzzing as Normal, Kentucky, hosts the Southeast Olympic ski trials for the first time, drawing elite athletes and sponsors to the usually peaceful Happy Trails Campground. But whispers of sabotage and broken equipment soon cast a dark shadow over the competition—and all clues seem to lead back to Mae’s campground, where one of the competitive skiers is found dead.

With ruthless sponsors, jealous rivals, and old grudges coming to light, Mae finds herself on a slippery slope of secrets and lies. Alongside her trusty friends, the Laundry Club Ladies, Mae digs into the lives of the skiing elite, uncovering motives as sharp as the winter chill.

As Mae races to uncover the truth, she’ll have to tread carefully through snowy trails and hidden dangers. Because in Normal, where everyone knows everyone, the killer might be closer than she thinks.

Perfect for fans of small-town charm, sassy amateur sleuths, and mysteries that keep you guessing, Snowcaps, Skiing, & Sabotage will have cozy readers flipping pages well into the night. Grab a mug of hot cocoa and settle in for a thrilling ride through the heart of winter in Normal, Kentucky—where the temperature’s low, but the stakes have never been higher.

My Review:

Snowcaps, Skiing, and Sabotage is the 39th book in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series, but it’s as fresh and exciting as all the previous books. Reading Snowcaps, Skiing, and Sabotage is like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky and hanging out with all my friends. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the various locations throughout the book, and the comfort of knowing Mae, Hank, and the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe.

The town of Normal is buzzing with winter activity. The snow is falling and the Olympic Trials are being held locally. The old distillery has been transformed into ski slopes, a lodge, and other buildings. Well-known skiers have infiltrated town, filling up the lodging including some bungalows in Happy Trails Campground. When one the stars is found frozen to death, Mae and the the rest of the Laundry Club Ladies find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation.

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. There are several viable suspects since it appears the victim wasn't very well liked. I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved how the loose threads quickly and methodically tied right up at the end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

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#CozyMystery #Review ~ Fireworks, Freedom, & Felonies (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series, Book 37) by Tonya Kappes

 

ASIN: ‎ B0CQ371JBL
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication date: ‎ June 23, 2024
Print length: ‎ 211 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE

USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.

Mae West, owner of Happy Trails Campground located in the Daniel Boone National Forest, is no stranger to the twists and turns of life in Normal, but she never expected her community's knitting circle to unravel into chaos. When local knitting enthusiast is found murdered with her own knitting needles during the town's lively Fourth of July celebration, the community is spun into a whirlwind of suspicion and secrets.

Amidst the burst of Fourth of July festivities and the echoes of fireworks long past, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies unravels a tangled web of secrets. With tales of a cursed heirloom and hidden treasures rumored to be concealed within the walls of the Stitchin’ Post, they find themselves piecing together clues from both past and present.

As tensions mount against the backdrop of booming Fourth of July fireworks, Mae learns that in Normal, Kentucky, some secrets are explosive enough to kill for. Can she unravel the killer’s identity before the fabric of her community is torn apart forever? Join Mae as she chases down clues and crooks amidst the sparks and echoes of Independence Day celebrations!

My Review:

Fireworks, Freedom, & Felonies is the 37th book in the Camper & Criminals series, but it’s as fresh and exciting as all the previous books. Reading Fireworks, Freedom, & Felonies is like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky and hanging out with all my friends. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the various locations throughout the book, and the comfort of knowing Mae, Hank, and the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe.

The Fourth of July celebrations have commenced and it's almost time for the fireworks. On a dark street, lit up intermittently with the brightness of freedom, a confrontation takes place, and just like that, there's another homicide in Normal, Kentucky. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are on the case!

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end. I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved how the loose threads quickly and methodically tied right up.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series. I was provided a copy of this book.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

#CozyMystery #Review ~ Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series, Book 32) by Tonya Kappes

 

Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary, A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 32, invites you back to the heart of Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest. 

The Cowgirl Campers, an all-women's vintage camping club, roll into the Happy Trails Campground with their quaint campers, ready to indulge in the annual 127 yard sale and antique treasure hunting. But amidst the cozy camaraderie, a chilling event shatters the tranquility. Local woman Etta Hardgrove, a consignor at the Tough Nickel thrift shop, catches the eye of a Cowgirl Camper with her distinctive jewelry. But when Etta is found dead, the Campers swiftly become suspects, mired in a town teeming with those who harbored ill-will against Etta. The mystery deepens, and no one can be trusted. 

Meanwhile, campground owner Mae and her partner Hank have their hands full. Hank is preoccupied with a missing teenager's case while Mae is entangled in wedding plans and premarital counseling that she's not particularly invested in, much to the dismay of her friend Mary Elizabeth. As whispers of suspicion turn towards the nomadic Cowgirl Campers, Mae, Dottie, and the intrepid Laundry Club Ladies embark on a mission to unravel the truth behind Etta's untimely death. They dig deep into Etta's past and scrutinize the traveling campers, all to ensure the safety of their beloved Normal, Kentucky. 

From yard sales to murder trails, "Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary" delivers a captivating blend of cozy camaraderie, nuptial nuances, and mystery that will keep you guessing till the last page.

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0BYXKGNSJ
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ July 27, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 208 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/43P6BkT

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/123360857-questions-quarrels-quandary

My Review:

Questions, Quarrels, and Quandary is the 32nd book in the Camper & Criminals series but it's as fresh and exciting as the first book. Reading Questions, Quarrels, and Quandary is just like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the setting, and the comfort knowing Mae the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe.

It's time for the multi-state 127 yard sale and the highway runs right through Normal, Kentucky. With the festivities comes The Cowgirl Campers make their temporary home in Happy Trails Campground while they treasure and antique hunt. All the citizens in Normal have geared up for the yard salers, including notorious hoarder, Etta Hardgrove.

When the body of Etta is found bludgeoned to death on her property, foul play is suspected. As newcomers flow in and out of Normal, the local police have their work cut out for them. Enter Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies. After a particular incident between one of the Cowgirl Campers and Etta, the Campers are put on the suspect list. Having them close in the Campground allows Mae and Dottie to do some sleuthing.

The author kept me guessing about the person responsible, as well as the motive. There ends up being several characters who have obvious reasons to be on the suspect list. It just took some time to logically sort things out.

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

#CozyMystery #Review ~ Zoning, Zealots, & Ziplines (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 30) by Tonya Kappes ~ #CamperandCriminal #TonyaKappes

 

ASIN: ‎ B0BDXQV7NS
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (February 23, 2023)
Publication Date: ‎ February 23, 2023
Print Length: ‎ 203 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41nIwBo

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63003267-zoning-zealots-ziplines

SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE

About the Book:

When the owner of the local zipline is found dead on the ride, the small town of Normal, Kentucky is in a state of shock. With the local ranger and sheriff at a loss for leads, it falls to the Laundry Club Ladies - a group of nosey sleuths led by Mae West - to crack the case.

Mae is more than happy to put her nose to the grindstone and get to work, especially since it gives her a chance to escape her pesky new sister-in-law, Ellis.

As Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies dig deeper into the mystery, they uncover a slew of suspects in the cozy town. But with the killer still on the loose, the investigation takes a dangerous turn. Can Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies catch the killer before it's too late?


Join Mae and her team as they navigate the twists and turns of this intriguing murder case in this page-turning cozy mystery that will keep you guessing until the very end.

My Review:

Zoning, Zealots, & Ziplines is the 30th book in the Camper & Criminals series but it's as fresh and exciting at the first book. Reading Zoning, Zealots, & Ziplines is just like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the setting, and the comfort knowing Mae the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe. 

There are some new businesses coming to the Daniel Boone National Forest. As Mae is on the National Park Committee, she is selected to inspect the new Star Gazers business, which happens to be right next to the new Zipline Adventures business. During the inspections of both new businesses, the owner of the zipline dies during demonstration. Due to the nature of the death, the investigation is at a standstill with very few leads. Enter Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies. 

The author kept me guessing about the person responsible, as well as the motive. There ends of being several characters who have obvious reasons to be on the suspect list. It just took some time to logically sort things out. 

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end. 

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book.

My Rating:

#Review ~ Gifts, Glamping, & Glocks (Camper & Criminals, #29) by Tonya Kappes

About the Book:

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky, a small town in the Daniel Boone National Forest and Happy Trails Campground, where the annual Christmas activities are in full swing. But behind the twinkling lights and festive cheer lies a sinister secret.

When a local delivery driver is found murdered in Seymore’s Candy Cane Factory, suspicion quickly falls on the eccentric cast of characters who call Normal home. From the grumpy old man who own’s the candy cane factory, to the bubbly town fiddle player, Otis Gullett, who is secretly in a rendezvous with the factory owner’s wife. No one is above suspicion.

As the investigation heats up, the town's residents begin to turn on each other, and the killer's true identity becomes more and more elusive. As the body count rises, Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies must race against the clock to uncover the truth before the killer strikes again.

With a southern twist and plenty of red herrings, Gifts, Glamping, & Glocks is a holiday thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

My Review:

Gifts, Glamping, and Glocks is the 29th book in the Camper & Criminals series but it's as fresh and exciting at the first book. Reading Gifts, Glamping, and Glocks is just like coming back home to Normal, Kentucky. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the setting, and the comfort knowing Mae the the Laundry Club ladies are keeping everyone safe.

It's Christmastime in Normal. Happy Trails Campground's decorating crew is in full swing. The town's Christmas activities are ramping up. And a dead body is found in the local candy cane making factory. A slew of suspects has Mae, Dottie, and the rest of the crew, running around trying to solve the case before anyone else becomes a target. Only, the number suspicious deaths increase. Attempts at identifying the killer fall short when new theories come into play, alibis are revealed for suspects on the whiteboard, and clues becoming stagnant.

The author kept me guessing about the person responsible, and the scheme was shocking. There are several characters who have obvious reasons to be on the suspect list. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal, or wherever the Laundry Club may be, with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B0B4PTPC3R

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication date: ‎ December 15, 2022

File size: ‎ 3707 KB

Print length: ‎ 197 pages

Amazon

Goodreads

Book #Review ~ Campfires, Courage, & Convicts (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series, Book 27) #CozyMystery #TonyaKappesBooks @tonyakappes11

ASIN: ‎ B0B4PX43HN

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (September 15, 2022)
Publication Date: ‎ September 15, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 176 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3f9SMdb

About the Book:

It is fall in Normal, KY, and the town is celebrating the season with a Bourbon Festival.

Mae West is trying to enjoy the festival and a night out with Hank. While trying to dodge the one question every keep asking (When is the wedding?) Mae overhears an argument between the bourbon king’s son and another man and woman. So, when she stumbles over a body with ties to the Bourbon King, her hackles are raised.

Mae, Dottie, and the rest of the Laundry Club Ladies start poking around into the Bourbon King’s complicated life and soon find out there's more than bourbon underneath the lid of a bourbon barrel.

My Review:

Campfires, Courage, & Convicts might be the 27th book in the Campers and Criminals series but it’s as fresh and exciting as the first book and just like coming back home. The Bourbon Festival is in full-swing and Mae can’t wait to celebrate with Hank. During the festival, a disturbance between three people threatens to ruin the festivities, but the altercation is over almost as quickly as it starts. When one of the people involved in a very public argument is later found dead in the Daniel Boone National Forest, Mae has her hands full.

The author kept me guessing about who was responsible. There were several characters who fit the bill, along with outside characters. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified right until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal, or wherever the Laundry Club may be, with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

New Release #Review ~ Rangers, RVs, & Revenge (Camper & Criminals #26) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery

 

Book Details:

ASIN: ‎ B09SDJXWMH
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books
Publication Date: ‎ June 30, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 173 pages

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3uja3Fr

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58696402-rangers-rvs-revenge

About the Book:

Welcome to Normal where nothing is normal!

As we say in the south beauty is only skin deep but ugly...now that runs straight to the bone.
When Miss Daniel Boone Days is murdered and our good friend Helen Pyle, owner of Cute-icles beauty salon is standing over our beauty queen with a gun, lets just say Helen didn't giddy up on out of there.

Nope. She was hauled down to the sheriff's department and booked for murder.

Ranger Tucker Pyle is taken off the case because let's just say he knows his Aunt Helen didn't do it, but who better to snoop around to help him out?

Yep! You guessed it!

The Laundry Club Ladies and Mae West once again find themselves with their sleuthing notebook in hand and get all gussied up to find out just who is behind the murder.

After all everyone has beauty but not everyone sees it.

My Review:

Mae, Hank, Dottie, and the Laundry Club ladies are back in Rangers, RVs, & Revenge, book 26 in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. It's Daniel Boone Days in Normal, Kentucky and they've just crowned the Miss Daniel Boone Days queen. When she's later murdered during the festival, all eyes point to the woman holding the gun - Helen Pyle. Scorned owner of Cute-icles, Helen has been very vocal about her disappointment in the newly crowned Miss Daniel Boone Days queen. Taking things as far as murder is out of character for Helen, and Mae knows it just as much as Tucker knows.

Mae discovers several potential suspects and the author kept me guessing which one committed the murder. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and directional shifts. The author would have Mae follow one path, only to suddenly have her change course. There was suspense all the way up to the reveal.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several other ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal, or wherever the Laundry Club may be, with every book in the series. 

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:

#CozyMystery Book #Review ~ Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest (Camper & Criminals #25) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes @tonyakappes11

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!

When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.

As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act.

Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.

Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3kJfDMg

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/60447988-adventure-abduction-arrest

ASIN: ‎ B09SDK2JZW
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (April 28, 2022)
Publication Date: ‎ April 28, 2022
Print Length: ‎ 174 pages

My Review and Rating:

Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest is the 25th book in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. This book finds most of the gang out of town at a retreat to help Hank locate a missing person. Kyra Tenney left home to work on becoming a Forest Bathing Therapist. Kyra disappears after hiking through the forest near the retreat. When a smoldering body is discovered amid an accidental fire, the group thought it was case closed. That is until the coroner provides information about the body that opens the case wide open.

The author kept me guessing about who was responsible. There were several characters at the retreat who fill the bill, along with outside characters. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified right until the very end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and several smaller ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal, or wherever the Laundry Club may be, with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

View all my reviews

Book #Review ~ Vistas, Vices, & Valentines (Camper & Criminals #24) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes #CozyMystery

Welcome to Normal where nothing is normal!

Join Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies as they cha cha and twirl their way around Happy Trails Campground as they put on some sleuthing dance shoes to bring closure to this southern and fun cozy Valentine's mystery.

When I begged Hank Sharp to take dance lessons to celebrate Valentine's Day, I knew I was getting more than I had bargained for. But when a dancer's dead body shows up at the height of the competition and Hank is hired to investigate the murder, I had no idea what we were in store for when he had Dottie Swaggert and Henry Bryant go undercover as a dance competition couple to get insider information.

After a little snooping around, we discovered there were deep running feuds and passions behind those sequins and smiles that gave motive and opportunity to kill for the desires to win the most coveted dancing title.

Time is running out and we fear Dottie's life is in danger. Let's face it, she has a hard time keeping her mouth shut. And NO ONE puts Dottie in the corner.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3r9Yuzc

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58722646-vistas-vices-valentines

ASIN: ‎ B09BK5LHCD

Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books

Publication Date: ‎ January 27, 2022

Print Length: ‎ 182 pages

My Rating and Review:

Vistas, Vices, & Valentines by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Vistas, Vices, and Valentines is book 24 in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. It’s the holiday of love in Normal, Kentucky. Due to an upcoming dance competition, there are dancers everywhere in Normal. With the approach of Valentine’s Day, Mae brings in those professional dancers to offer free dance lessons to guests at the Happy Trails Campground. Later, one of them is found dead in a very unlikely location and fingers are pointed toward a guest. Mae, Hank, and the Laundry Club Ladies infiltrate the competition to unravel the mystery.

Vistas, Vices, and Valentines is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and engaging. The author does a wonderful job keeping the story fresh and exciting.

The author kept me guessing who was responsible for the dancer’s death. There were twists and turns throughout the book that had me going in one direction only to have the mystery shift. Multiple suspects were introduced who had means, motive, and/or opportunity. It was easy to see why they were suspects. The author did a great job building up the suspense until the reveal of the murderer and motive.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job of weaving everything together between Hank and Mae’s relationship, the murder, and the side stories. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.  

View all my reviews

Book Review ~ Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions (Camper & Criminals #23) by Tonya Kappes #CozyMystery #TonyaKappes

 

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions by Tonya Kappes
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions is book 23 in the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. When the local gossiper/tall-tale teller is found dead in the Christmas play area of the local church, Mae gets swept into another mystery. She, Hank, and the Laundry Club ladies shift into sleuthing gear to find the murderer so Christmas in Normal is red and green, instead of black.

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions is another great book in the Campers & Criminals series. The mystery is exciting, intriguing, and kept me guessing. The author introduced many suspects in this book. It was hard not to see how the entire town would be suspected since Neva stepped on many toes, ruined, or attempted to ruin lives, and just plain gossiped and lied about everything. The reader is provided means, motive, and opportunities for each named suspect.

There were twists and turns throughout the book 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 unravels the murder, additional events are revealed, suspects are added and removed from the list, and danger abounds.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job of weaving everything together between Hank and Mae’s relationship, the murder, and the side stories. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series I am fortunate enough to read.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

View all my reviews

Amazon https://amzn.to/2ZCseKa

Book #Review ~ Jackets, Jack-O-Lantern, & Justice (Camper & Criminals, Book #22) by Tonya Kappes #TonyaKappes @tonyakappes11

 

Let me be the first person to welcome you to Normal, Kentucky located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I'm Mae West the owner of Happy Trails Campground.

Fall at the campground is my favorite time of the year. The bursts of orange, yellow, green, and red pop on the falling leaves, creating a colorful path along the trails for all of my guests at my campground is a real life picture that could never be captured by a camera.

Days are warm and at night you need a light sweater to enjoy the campfire or snuggle up in a cozy blanket. The campground is full and the campers are excited to participate in Normal's annual Pumpkin Carving Carnival.

It's a little spooky seeing the hundreds jack-o-lantern faces all light up with toothless or toothy smiles.

It's the dead body among them that chills me to the bone.

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/58194659-jackets-jack-o-lantern-justice

Amazon https://amzn.to/3nkiSdG

ASIN: ‎ B0965KHXMW
Publisher: ‎ Tonya Kappes Books (October 21, 2021)
Publication Date: ‎ October 21, 2021
Print Length: ‎ 155 pages

My Review:

It's Halloween time in Normal, Kentucky. The campground is all decked out in spooky decorations. Mae has organized a pumpkin carving contest for all the guests in her campground. In the middle of the festivities, Mae finally confronts Hank about his abrupt return to Happy Trails, his new appearance, and the change in campers. He's trying to stay under the radar while unofficially working on a case. The case involves his sister, Ellis. Mae reluctantly agrees to help, all in the name of helping Hank out, even if it means avoiding an out-of-town Ranger intent on finding Hank.

The author introduced potential suspects, providing the reader with means, motive, and opportunities for each. Some of the suspects were much stronger than others and it took some deep thinking to get to the bottom of the murder. 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 unraveled the murder, shocking events are revealed, suspects are added and removed from the list, and danger abounds.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in Normal, Kentucky. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job of weaving everything together between Hank's return, the murder, and the side stories. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series I read.

I was provided a copy of the book to read.

My Review: