Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!The Daniel Boone National Forest is gorgeous in the fall. The leaves have painted the sides of the mountains with yellow, oranges, reds and browns you won’t see anywhere else. That’s why it’s such a popular destination for weddings!When a wedding party show up at Happy Trails Campground, Mae West is thrilled. She’s all things girly and excited … girly and excited to assist the bride in all things southern, which is what the bride is hankering for.
Mae recognizes the parents of the bride when they arrive. They are from her past. The past she’s been desperately trying to escape…especially since it was the time she was married to Paul West. This just isn’t any couple, it’s the owners of the famous Moonbucks Coffee Company.
Determined to get the happy couple married off and on their way, hoping to see some of her past drive off forever, Mae volunteers herself and the Laundry Club ladies to become the wedding coordinators.
The wedding is set to take place in the beautiful wedding barn at the Old Train Station Motel, only Gert Hobson, the owner of Trails Coffee Shop and providing the coffee for the happy couple, has decided there’s no way she’s going to help out with Tom Moon’s daughter’s wedding since she claims how years ago Tom Moon STOLE her coffee blend recipe known today as the special Moonbucks blend.
A public fight between Gert and Tom leaves Gert a prime suspect after a member of the wedding party is found dead at the wedding venue. There might not be a happily ever after for the bride to be or Gert Hobson if Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies don’t solve the murder before the wedding party’s RV rolls out of town.
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Mae West owner of the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky near the Daniel Boone Forest. She’s soon to be host to a wedding party. Of course, Mae is excited; however, when the bride shows up Mae realizes she knows them from her previous life. Her life when she was married to Paul West and had plenty of money to spare.
The bride seems fun and wants to enjoy her time in Normal. Her father wants to buy his way everywhere he goes. There’s trouble with the groom, trouble with the father, and trouble with the Normal coffee maker. So, when the bride’s father turns up dead – who did it.
This is another fun, crazy story in the Campers & Criminals cozy mystery series. I really enjoyed this read.
Mae West has a wedding group coming to Happy Trails. The name did ring a little bell with Mae, but she soon forgot about it until the bride’s group arrived. Then her old life with Paul West and her new life collided! But Mae isn’t the only person who has a history with the bride’s party. Seems that Gert, from Tails Coffees and the bride’s father, have some history also, and it wasn’t a happy one. When the bride’s father is killed in the soon to be son in law’s room, things get moving and shaking! Things get worse, much worse. Now I will leave you to get your own copy of Valleys, Vehicles & Victims to find out the who, what, why and the ending of the story. I love this series!!! I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
A bridal party, complete with a spoiled and demanding bride, comes to stay at the campground. And, of course, there is a murder to solve. The writing is fresh and skillful. The plot is tight and multi-layered, and the characters are well drawn and believable. It was an enjoyable read and I’m looking forward to future installments. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
This author cracks me up – Moonbucks! (snort, laugh) With the author’s well-known fondness for coffee, it was just a matter of time before that hot beverage made it’s way into a main storyline! Mae West is hosting a bridal party at the campground – and the bride turns out to be from a wealthy coffee family from Mae’s old Manhattan world. Between dodging the reporter who was promised an exclusive interview about Mae’s former life to the bridezilla herself, Mae has her hands full. When the coffee king father turns up dead, Mae can’t help but investigate, to the dismay of her law enforcement boyfriend, Hank. As always, the culprit was not even on my radar, yet it made complete sense once he/she was revealed – the author has a knack for this. An entertaining read!
It’s always a pleasure to spent time with people from Normal, there is always something happening and mostly it’s murder since Mae joined them. No matter what Mae and the ladies of the Laundry club can’t stay out of it especially when one of their friend is in trouble so when Gert is suspect in a murder, they want to find the real murderer.
It’s full of humour and action too because the girls are doing a real investigation not just gossiping. I really loved the investigation part as the intrigue was really well written with twists to keep us doubting the culprit identity and motive.
I loved also to see how the people from Normal got protective of Mae proof she is really one of them now and we do learn more about her past too which was great.
The only thing i liked less was Hank’s attitude….really he fell in love with Mae but still want to change her, tries to blackmail her ….he disappointed me. He can be a wonderful protective guy but not dictate Mae life’s so i’m curious to see how they will solve that together.
A great southern cozy mystery which can be read as stand alone but so much better read in order.
Another interesting weekend in Normal, Kentucky. Mae is hosting a wedding party. The people in the party are from Mae’s past life in NYC. As you expect with these books someone dies. As one of Mae’s friends is a suspect she is on the case to clear her friend. Poor Hank, he really should just let Mae help him instead of fighting her all the time about it. Though Mae does get herself in a pickle a time or two in this book she always seems to come out of it. I had it down to two people as the killers and happily one of them was the killer. All of this book are funny cozy mysteries that you can read as a stand alone or with the series.
*I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
Valleys, Vehicles & Victims is the ninth book in the Camper & Criminals Series. While the book can be read on its own, I would strongly recommend reading them in order. The cozy mystery is completely solved in each book. It is the secondary, ongoing, story of Maybelline “Mae” West that requires the reading in order. I like Mae. I think she has a fascinating story, a little of which comes out in each book. I think you, if you are a new reader, will also become invested in Mae’s story. You’re going to want to know how things unfold. Plan on it.
In this book, a wedding is coming to Normal, Kentucky. The wedding party is staying at the Happy Trails campground. Mae is thrilled and excited to help the bride. Well, that is until she recognizes part of the wedding party from her time as a socialite. And she is not the only one who has met them before. It’s only a matter of time before things go squirrelly.
With surprises, twists and more suspects than you can shake a stick at you won’t be leaving Normal for a good bit. You may as well get some coffee, a decent snack and get comfy. Tonya Kappes tells a whopper of a story!
Valleys, Vehicles & Victims by Tonya Kappes is the ninth book in her Camper & Criminals series and was another amazing read.
Mae and the Laundry Club girls have their hands full this time as a wedding party descends on Mae’s campground. Ms. Kappes gave us some of Mae’s childhood in this one which I enjoyed as it rounded out her character more. Not long after the bride and groom make a big announcement at the Chicken Festival there’s a murder. As usual, Mae just can’t keep out of it as one of her friends is a number one suspect. The plot moves at lightening speed with several suspects and some twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
The Laundry Club ladies are back! Don’t miss this ninth in the series which includes some of the strongest – and funniest – Southern ladies you’ll ever meet. To Mae West, owner of Happy Trails Campgrounds, the Laundry Club ladies are her best friends and partners in crime-solving. It the most beautiful time of year in Normal, with the leaves in high color in the beautiful Daniel Boone National Forest. A high society wedding is going to take place here, with the editor in chief of High Society magazine in town to write up the nuptials of Shay Moon, daughter of Misty and Tommy Moon, of THE famous international coffee company, Moonbucks.
Mae realizes, too late, that she knows the family from her days of being married to Paul West, the guy who robbed his friends in New York of millions in an elaborate Ponzi scheme. This bridal party might not be as fun as she had hoped, but determined to make the best of it, Mae took them around town to introduce them to the folks at The Barn, the unique and glamorous wedding venue at the historic Old Train Station Motel. Mae learns the bride promised Pierce of High Society that if he did their wedding, Mae would give him an exclusive interview about her past, but forgot to tell Mae first.
Bless their hearts, her friends would rather lose the money from the wedding than have Mae in a biased tell-all tale. To get around it, Mae finally agreed to do an exclusive for the local news/ investigative reporter, Violet. Violet, wanting to get national attention to herself, will shop the national rag sheets to see who will buy the article since so many people heard about the scam.
Mae and her friends can’t catch a break from murder and mayhem. Tommy Moon and his attorney are in several disagreements with the groom and his family and Gert, the owner of The Trails Coffee Shop. Gert finally tells Mae where she knew Tommy from – and how he stole “the recipe” that was her special mixture for the coffee shop they worked in during college. The Recipe is now Moonbucks’ Original Blend, making Tommy beyond wealthy and famous. Shay publicly gives her half of stock ownership in the coffee empire to her fiancé, Lewis, during their rehearsal dinner at the local Chicken Fest. Then the other shoe falls, and one of the bridal party members is found stabbed to death.
I enjoyed learning more about Mae and Gert and spending time with these wonderfully fun ladies again, even the grumpy Dottie. The mystery is fresh and unique with plot twists that move the story along in different directions. It is fast-paced and while I came up with several solutions, none of them were the real one. I highly recommend this novel and series to those who enjoy fun, challenging cozy mysteries with lots of Southern sass and ‘tude!
From a thankful heart: I received an e-ARC of this novel and this is my honest review.
Mae West’s past has come to her campground in Normal, Kentucky. A high society wedding is going to be taking place, false promises have been made, and a friend of Mae’s has a past relationship with a family member of the bride. Hold on to your hats…this is going to be a very bumpy ride!
I love this series!
Coffee competitors, wedding mayhem and murder. Knowing a murder was inevitable, I immediately started searching for possible suspects. (Though the crime didn’t take place until about 60% into the book.) And suspects there were. A few coffee shop owners, all fighting for something different. A wedding that can change everything, for all those involved. Theft, secrets and lies.. and a little hit & run. We don’t see as much of the crazy antics that Mae (the Protagonist) and her gang usually perform in this book. (We don’t really see too much of those side characters at all… given that there are quite a few guest stars to keep us occupied with.) While there are many suspects, they all revolve around the coffee game. (And who will be the new King/Queen of Coffee.) There are a few laughs here and there, but for the most part it isn’t all that comical. (Due to the lack of shenanigans.) The story moves fast. It’s easy to read and reads quickly. It is clean and safe for teens and up.
*I volunteered to review an ARC of this book.
Welcome back to Normal, Kentucky and Happy Trails Campground where Mae is getting ready for a bridal party to arrive.
When things quickly go bad over a history of coffee and a body is found. We all know Mae is getting involved to find the killer.
A fun action packed mystery with great characters, who have become more like friends.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
I read an advanced copt for an honest review.
It’s autumn in Daniel Boone Park and Mae’s campground is going to host the bridal party.
What she doesn’t realize is that her past has come back due to the players in the wedding party.
In this book, we learn a lot more about Mae’s childhood.
We also encounter a murder victim who really had it coming and a list of suspects making it any body’s game.
The laundry club has it’s work cut out for them when a community member is the primary suspect.
Can they solve this case? Will Hank lose his hair pulling it out in exasperation? Will you the reader guess who the killer is, or be fooled again at the last minute like Tonya Kappas loves to do.
This book is a joy and pleasure to read. I can’t wait for more adventures to come..
Just another average day in the life of Mae West at the Happy Trails Campground, where Mae and Dottie Swaggert are expecting a bridal party. Normal, Kentucky is in full autumn bloom, the perfect backdrop for a wedding.
The bridal party brings the past to Mae’s door, where she and her former dead ex-husband used to run in the same circles as the bride’s parents. Turns out, Mae’s friend Gert Hobson, also; has a past involving Tom Moon, the bride’s father.
There’s a fight, that leads to the groom’s family staying at the Old Train Station Motel, when Mae, Christine Watson, and Violet Rhinehammer, who tagged along, stop at the motel to deliver some cake samples. Once again, Mae finds a body and the prime suspect is Gert. Mae isn’t going to let her friend down, she’s calling in the Laundry Club!
I love this series! We’ve gotten tidbits of Mae’s life here and there, but in this book we get a little more of a glimpse about Mae and her real family. I love how everyone rallies together to support one another because family isn’t always blood related.
I received an Advanced Reader’s Copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Mae’s past comes to Normal, KY. She has her hands full with the bride and her family so another dead body just isn’t what she was looking for. This one was a little different, IMO, because I felt like it was more about Mae than the murder. I really liked it and love getting to know more about her.
Valleys, Vehicles, & Victims OH MY!!!!! This is Book 9 in the Camper & Criminal Cozy Series!
I absolutely loved this book. We are back in Normal Kentucky. I was so thrilled to learn more about Mae. I loved a Bridal Party showing up at Happy Trails campground.
The characters in this series are so real y’all. I really want to live there, except for all the murders, ha! The mystery was so great and I loved little flashbacks of earlier adventures.
This could totally be read as a stand alone thanks to the author and her ability to intertwine key elements from previous stories. I do think you will have a better time if you read them all though because they are fantastic.
Take a visit to Normal Kentucky, where everyone is family. I do love how the community rallies up to help Mae. Such a well written story with twists as great as the characters!
Another good read. Liked it a lot.
I love Valleys, Vehicles & Victims! I love this whole series! The book is wonderful. So interesting and fun. I love Mae and the town of Normal. Mae falls into solving another murder in order to help a friend. The murder has many twists that keep you guessing. In this book we get to discover more about Mae and I really enjoyed that. I was captivated until the end and did not want to put the book down. This series is one of my absolute favourites. The book is a standalone and can easily be read without having read any of the others. I highly recommend this book to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.
This is the best so far. I loved learning more about Mae’s background and there were great recaps throughout the story to refresh your memory about previous stories or to help you if this is the 1st from the series you’ve read. A great mystery involving coffee shop Gert and a bridal party. I love how the townsfolk of Normal come together to support Mae. They are always looking out for each other. Definitely a favorite series of mine and I couldn’t put the book down.