Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal. It’s Labor Day weekend in Normal, and if you know anything about camping and RVing, you know it’s one of the busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, Daniel Boone National Park is in danger of being closed due to a drought and local businesses are scrambling for ideas to survive a possible shutdown.Happy Trails Campground is at the center of … Campground is at the center of a murder in which campers as well locals are suspects. It looks likely that a local resident is responsible for the dastardly deed since the victim is the one person who had the power to shut down the national park, which would be devastating to Normal’s small businesses.
Follow Mae West as she searches for clues to get to the bottom of this Labor Day campground caper!
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I enjoy revisiting these characters, they are such fun. It’s Labor Day and the campground is busy, a rowdy group having a bachelor party weekend arrive, all seems okay until the groom to be begins to fight with a forest ranger. From there Mae has her hands full when the ranger is found dead and the groom to be disappears, and the bride to be arrives to help find him. This story kept me turning the pages wondering what else could happen. I will continue on with this series.
Mae West has a packed campground including a bachelor party staying for the long Labor Day weekend. It is the busy season for Happy Trails Campground and the town of Normal, which is in danger of a shutdown due to a drought. When a ranger is found dead (the man with the power to shut down the national park) and the groom-to-be missing, all chaos ensues. Can Mae once again come to the rescue?
Between trying to find time for romance (will it by Ty or Hank), keeping the campground running, and solving a mystery, she also has her hands full with Fifi the poodle. Little Fifi is about ready to burst with puppies, which just adds more to the madcap adventure that Mae finds herself in.
I love the quirky characters, romance triangle, storyline, and very well-thought out mystery.
What a great mystery. Love the characters especially Mae
Each book in this series is even better than the one before. I loved returning to the small town of Normal, Kentucky and becoming reacquainted with the residents. It is an easy book to read and a hard one to put down!
It is Labor Day weekend and the Happy Trails Campground is full. However, the threat of closing part of the adjacent Daniel Boone National Forest due to drought is a serious cause of concern. But we soon find out that there are other immediate issues that need attention – such as finding a killer! Once again campground owner Mae West finds herself involved with the investigation.
Add in a touch of romance (will it be Hank or Ty?) and Fifi, the purebred poodle given to Mae after she was spoiled for breeding by an encounter with a pug at Happy Trails, and you have the all the elements for a page-turning story.
Tonya Kappes provides a great plot, fun characters, and witty dialogue.
Although this is the third book in the series, it can be read as a standalone novel. I’ve already pre-ordered book 4 and look forward to reading it when it is released next month.
Third book in a great new series by Tonya Kappes. More dead bodies seem to find Mae West, or Mae finds them. We continue to enjoy some of Normal, Kentucky’s interesting citizens while Mae tries to investigate. She can’t keep from nosing around. There is still a little romance going on, but it takes a slight twist. And Fifi is about to have her puppies. Wonder what will happen in Normal and the Happy Trails campground as the series continues. Looking forward to the next book in this Campers and Criminals series.
Ms. Kappes brought me back to Normal, KY with sassy southern humor and a twisted mystery set at Happy Trails Campground during Labor Day weekend. Mae once again gets involved as one of her visitors turns up missing, a suspicious death of a Park Ranger and a friend is murdered. There’s rumors flying about drought that may close the Daniel Boone National Park that could hurt all of Normal’s tourist business, too. Being the third book in the series all of The Laundry Club ladies are back and I do love every one of them. They are kind, quirky and sassy; and Mae’s newest acquisition, a miniature poodle is pregnant and ready to give birth at any minute. A fast paced plot, twists that kept me guessing, rumors that could be fact or fiction and a the romance triangle finally settled. The reveal came as a shock to me as it just happened without Mae really contributing much to the case this time. I’m eagerly awaiting the next book.
This series is a fun cozy mystery with unique characters and with a mix of hillbilly humor and southern charm. The plots are entertaining with layers of stories from a variety of characters and of course a murder or two sprinkled in to keep things interesting. This book would have benefited a bit from an editor to review and clean up a few things, but nothing that interferes with the storyline and entertainment value of the book. I really can’t wait to see what happens in the next story as this series is definite a fun escape from reality.
As usual, another winner for Tonya Kappes! In this latest book, a lot is happening. First, one of Mae’s campers goes missing, then Mae and Ty find the dead body of a park ranger while hiking, and lastly, a local reporter is murdered. Mae investigates to see if she can find out what happened. I absolutely loved this book! I feel like I am right there with the characters and I really want to go to this charming town. I’m a little torn on who to root for as a romantic interest for Mae. I really like her with Ty, but it doesn’t look like things will work out at the moment. I’m okay with seeing where things go with Hank, but wouldn’t mind Mae and Ty in the future. Can’t wait for the next book!!!!
Forests, Fishing and Forgery, book 3, Camper and Criminals cozy mystery series. Tonya Kappes gifts readers with cozy mysteries that have gumption. Full stories, action, suspense, great twists and turns and clever developments. Characters and places readers will visit again AND again! Whether a new installment or a reread. This series follows Mae West, (May-bell-ine), rebuilding her life. From New York City high society to Happy Trails Campground owner. In Normal, KY. The place where she grew up. The place she left as quickly as she could. At 18yrs old. Her “ex” husband duped alot of people out of a lot of money. Mae included. Back in Normal, KY she is discovering a life full of all the things she never realized were missing. A place to belong. People to belong with. Friends that are family. With a couple building ‘will they/won’t they’ relationships. A life that will continue to grow. I read this book on Kindle Unlimited.
Happy Trails campground is just a normal campground in Normal, Kentucky. Well not really, the town of Normal quiet and the welcoming citizens are wonderful. Mae, the owner of the Happy Trails Campground has been welcomed into the small community and is enjoying her peaceful existence. Life, however is not quiet for long as Mae keeps finding dead bodies. Yes, you heard right not one dead body but three of them. How can one person be at the wrong place at the right time so many times. Just lucky or unlucky depending on how you look at it. This is a really fun series and I have enjoyed each one. Ms. Kappes has a knack for keeping you wondering what will happen next. Love the plot and the characters in this series and believe that you will too.
I was so excited to finally get my hands on book 3 of A Camper and Criminals Cozy Series and Author Tonya Kappes does not disappoint. I really enjoyed this fun fast cozy. All the southern small town charm, quirky characters, and sweet fur babies I have come to love in this series was there in spades. Mae West, although not perfect, has completely become one of Normal, KY, influential citizens at least in a lot of people’s eyes. This is both good and bad for Mae and Happy Trails Campground. The good thing about Mae being influential is that she can help other local businesses as well as Happy Trails with bringing in new business with her social media campaigns and parties at the campground; Bad in the fact that some people think Mae can fix all the problems in Normal, like the predicted drought and park shut down. This is how Mae becomes involved in multiple investigations. With all the twist and turns in this story, I was surprised at the outcome of the mystery. Also, I love how Mae has taken to Fifi and became such a caring and nurturing mom to her furbaby. I am excited to see how some unexpected turns to Mae’s love life turns out. In this book, we didn’t really get to see a lot of the other Laundry Club Girls although they did pop up from time to time to give Mae any support she needed.
I am really looking forward to the next book. I definitely recommend this book and series. There is a bonus at the back of the book for camping fans as Mrs. Kappes has included some RV Hacks and Recipes.
I was provided with an ARC of this book in hopes I would supply an honest review. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and in no way been influenced.
I liked FORSTS, FISHING, AND FORGERY. It is the third book in the Camper and Criminals Mystery series and the best installment to date. This time around Happy Trails Campground owner Mae is up to ears in Labor Day party festivities, a looming drought, and a rowdy bachelor party. When Mae stumbles across the body of local park ranger Corbin and the groom-to-be William disappears, Mae does all she can to solve the mystery while dealing with two suitors and her poodle Fifi’s imminent delivery of her litter of puppies.
At first, I did not really like Mae very much, but she has really grown on me. She makes a decent sleuth, mostly stumbling across clues, but I do not understand why she withholds important information from the police. The supporting cast of characters is diverse and quirky. The pace of the book is steady until the abrupt resolution, and the mystery itself is easy to figure out. I do hope the love triangle is at an end with this installment.
Overall, FORESTS, FISHING, AND FORGERY is a fun, light-hearted read with plenty of humor and Southern charm. Recommended.
I received and ARC of the title and voluntarily shared my thoughts here.
This is third book in this series, and the only “F” missing from this title is FUN! Super fun, clean cozy mystery that will keep your attention till the very end. No shortage of entertainment at the Happy Trails Campground, in Normal Kentucky, Meet Mae, who just can’t seem to stop stumbling upon dead bodies. A bachelor party gone awry, a dead body, add to this a missing camper, a dog about to have puppies, a cast of characters that will keep you laughing out loud, and you have nothing but a recipe for a wonderful read from page one till the end! No spoilers here, but here’s what you need to know: Entertainment galore, well written, easy to follow and does fine as a standalone if you missed the first two stories in the series. You should do yourself a favor and go back and read the first two as well, and you won’t be disappointed…twists and turns that keep you guessing, when you think you know how it’s going to turn out, you are taken in yet another direction, and you find yourself saying huh and you hurry to find out how this is really going to pan out. The bottom line: Don’t miss out on this fun read and visit the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky right away for your daily dose of excitement, entertainment and a just overall feel good read. Can hardly wait for the next in the series.
In this third book of the series it is Labor Day in Normal, Kentucky and things are going wonderfully for Mae at the Happy Trails Campground. They are booked solid and Mae has become comfortable in the new life she has made for herself. Her dog is pregnant and should be having puppies soon, she has two men who are both interested in her, and friendships are strong. When a bachelor party group arrives and starts to become rowdy Mae hopes that she can keep them under control, hopefully keeping them from running off other guests. When the groom ends up going missing Mae knows that she has to look into his disappearance and quickly find out where he is otherwise it could hurt the campgrounds. While out looking for the man she ends up finding the dead body of a local forest ranger who had been out searching earlier in the day. Was the forest ranger murder and if so why and where is the missing groom? These are the answers that Mae is searching for. When the groom is found dead and another person connected to the ranger dies Mae becomes intent on finding the answers that she so desperately needs. Follow along as Mae runs her business, tries to go out on a couple of dates, and delves into the deaths happening around her. This is such a readable series filled with a cast of fun characters and a location that I wouldn’t mind visiting. I look forward to seeing what Mae gets into next.
Mae stumbles upon a dead body again and again and again. While trying to help put the pieces of the murders together and figuring out her feeling for Ty and the hardnosed detective may be more than she can handle. Also her poodle is ready to give birth and she is a nervous owner. You’ll be surprised with who ends up coming to her rescue.
ANOTHER FUN ADVENTURE!
Forests, Fishing & Forgeries (A Caper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Book 3) is another fun adventure with Mae West and her wonderful group of friends at the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky. This book is best read as part of the series so the characters will be better understood. This installment finds Mae West and her staff preparing for the Labor Day Weekend festivities. She soon discovers she has a group of rowdy young men celebrating a Bachelor Party Weekend and and has a feeling that it’s going to be a disaster. As the weekend kicks off and everyone starts celebrating, it’s not long before bedlam breaks loose. Will Detective Hank call on Mae to help him solve the many mysterious happenings in and around Normal, KY? Will he and Ty continue to wage their “quiet” battle for Mae’s affections? Another great installment! I was provided an ARC of this book by the Publisher. The opinions expressed here are completely my own and without influence.
It’s always fun to return to Happy Trails Campground to see what kind of adventure Mae & her friends will be on next. Forests, Fishing and Forgery is my favorite of the series so far. In addition to solving a couple of murders, this book also focuses on Mae’s potential relationships. I love how things are working out between Mae, Ty and Hank, and I can’t wait to see how things progress in the next book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary Advance Reader Copy.
I am really liking this series! This third book is the best one yet – plenty of mystery and intrigue to go around. From a drought that has the potential to close down her campground and destroy the tourism economy of Normal to a murdered park ranger as well as a missing bachelor-party camper, there is plenty for Mae to poke her nose into…not to mention that topsy turvey love life of hers! Plenty of great supporting characters, laugh-out-loud moments and Southern charm as only Tonya Kappes can write. Those cute retro trailers on the cover art have me longing for a camping trip!
Never a dull moment with Mae West! Happy Trails Campground is booked solid, and Mae has grown roots in Normal, Kentucky, her home. When a rowdy bunch shows up for a bachelor party, Mae finds herself diverting trouble between the groom-to-be, William Hinson, and Ranger Corbin Ashbrook. William has overindulged, and Mae has him sleep it off.
When Mae and Ty Randall go for a stroll along the trails, Mae has to answer a call of nature. Instead, she finds the body of Ranger Corbin, and William is missing. A piece of evidence puts William at the scene.
Mae runs into Alison Gilbert at the police station. Alison shares that she is a suspect because she was investigating into a claim about drought made by Ranger Corbin, and was threatened about some things she uncovered. When Hank Sharp asks for Mae’s help, Mae is more than willing to.
Hank and Ty, both competing for Mae’s attention, a missing camper to find, mysterious death to solve, and expecting puppies any day all makes for a delightful read! This is a wonderful series, I highly recommend!
I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review.