Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal. A Campers and Criminal Mystery Series is another brainchild of USA Today Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. If you love her quirky southern characters and small town charm with a mystery to solve, you’re going to love her new cozy mystery series!Everyone in Normal is excited for the Hoe Down to celebrate the opening of the new Old Train Station … Old Train Station motel grand opening.
The evening comes to an abrupt end when a lightning storm knocks out all the power. At least, that’s what appears to have knocked out the electricity. But things aren’t always as they appear.
Mae West has a way of sticking her nose where it doesn’t belong and finds herself in a dangerous situation when she finds a treasure map that leads to more than just treasure. . . a dead body!
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Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides is another exciting installment in Kappes’ Camper and Criminals mystery series. Mae once again finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when she finds a local horse trainer dead under suspicious circumstances. When Mae’s good friend Dottie is revealed to have a connection to the deceased, Mae becomes determined to find the real killer and prove her friend innocent. Naturally things don’t go as planned, and Mae finds herself facing danger once again.
Kappes does a great job at setting up this new mystery with some great conflict for Mae. I absolutely loved seeing a strong focus on Mae and Dottie’s friendship with the progression of this mystery. The book’s secondary characters always add so much to the story so I was thrilled that Mae and the reader got to learn more about Dottie. The mystery also resulted in some tension between Mae and Hank with Hank asking Mae not to get involved. Kappes did a great job at setting up great internal conflict for Mae with some of the people closest to her while also creating a great mystery. The book captures the reader’s attention from the beginning and never lets go. Overall Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides proved to be a great read that I would most definitely recommend. I look forward to reading Mae’s next adventure.
Received a copy of Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides from the author in exchange for my honest review.
Mae West is back and finding dead bodies seem to be her specialty. I love Normal Kentucky and its quirky characters. Mae continues to investigate the murder despite her boyfriend Hank the cop that puts a strain on their relationship. This is another great installment on this wonderful series. I highly recommend
I received an ARC for my honest review.
Mae is as strong willed as ever and her mouth keeps getting her in more sticky situations than ever. This time Mae has to figure out who killed a horse trainer who was getting desperate for a stable to keep his horses after a new landlord takes over. Tonya kept me guessing until the very end and I was still shocked by the ending. Great read!
Tonya Kappes has done it again! A delightful book that I devoured in one afternoon. The character development continues to be thoughtful and vivid in this series, and just when I thought the murder had been solved there was an unexpected twist! The recipes at the end of the book are a delightful extra. I can’t wait to read the continuing adventures of Mae West! I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this wonderful book!
Hitches, Hideouts & Homicides by Tonya Kappes is a good addition to this series. I can always count on Ms. Kappes to provide me with a good mystery filled with twists and these sweet and quirky characters that I would love to spend time with in Normal, KY. There is some major friction in this one between Mae and Hank because of her snooping around the latest murder. I do understand his concern but he should know by now how Mae is which she needs to find answers to her questions. I know Mae can’t help herself but I do wish she would listen to Hank just a little more. Also Abby is acting more than quirky in this one which has Mae confused.
A quickly paced plot with several suspects, a cold case that involves plenty of rumors but no concrete facts and enough red herrings to keep me turning the pages until the reveal. I truly enjoy each book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
I’m so glad to be back in Normal, Kentucky. I love this series and Mae is my favorite character. Her charisma is contagious and I would be the first in line to check into her place. Surrounded by nature and quirky characters, I would be content to stay forever.
This adventure is filled with hitchhikers, buried secrets and a murder that rocks the community. How does Mae find herself in this mess? Perhaps it has to do with her hunky boyfriend Hank. His job as a detective just breeds danger and mystery. This latest murder is sad to me. I hated to read about the man who had been a fixture in the community for years. Did greed get him killed? Some say he had a dark secret that could cause him harm. There are others that suspected his secret and with the gossip around the campground you never know what will be said.
The gang is back in this murder mystery with all the slapstick comedy and a trail that leads to danger. I really wish someone would get smart and turn this into a show. I just imagine how funny it would be to watch Mae and the Laundry Club as they gather to talk about the latest mishaps in the town. It is a tight group that has each other’s backs. I love how easily it is to get wrapped up in the story and forget everything around you. As always there is a squabble between Mae and Hank. Could he please make up his mind; either he wants Mae to help him in investigations or he doesn’t. Gee talk about can’t commit. I loved the ending and was a bit surprised at who the killer was. Well gang until next time, Happy Trails to you.
I received an arc copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion.
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky – or at least what passes for “normal” in Mae West’s campground. She sure experiences a lot of wacky adventures there and I totally enjoy reading about them! When a murder stirs up old secrets, Mae finds herself investigating to the dismay of her boyfriend, Sheriff Hank. There is such a quirky cast of characters in this series and they definitely add color to the books. There were plenty of suspects all with believable motives – how am I supposed to figure it out? That’s the fun in a Tonya Kappes book – just when you think you know who or what it is…then you find out it’s not at all what you thought – fun!!
Whoever named Normal, Kentucky sure missed the mark. Very little is normal there but, despite that, I wouldn’t mind spending time the, hanging out at the RV park in one of Mae West’s refubished and decked out campers. The thought of a quiet evening roasting marshmallows for S’Mores and chatting with friends is very calming. Unfortunately it can’t last. Murder and mayhem are just around the corner, waiting to involve Mae and the Laundry Club Girls in another investigation.
A big event is coming, the re-opening of the local train station, now a lovely motel with ten units and Mae and her friend are doing the final cleaning to get it ready for its new life. There she meets a horse trainer named Jay. The next time she sees him at the hoedown, she literally trips over him in the dark. She has gone to try and get the power back on when the power fails. Poor Mae really is a murder magnet.
As is always the case, Mae and her friends start to investigate much to the dismay of Mae’s boyfriend, Hank. He is the local police detective and he takes the proverbial dim view of her becoming involved. All I can say is if Hank really wants a long term relationship with Mae, he had better change his attitude about her snooping around crimes. In this case it’s not only a fresh homicide – can it be somehow connected to a decades old bank robbery? Well, the list of suspects is long and the twists, turns and red herrings abound. Several times I thought I had figured out who dunnit but boy, was I wrong.
This is the 7th of the series but is easily read as a stand alone. Reading them in order just makes getting to know Mae, Hank and the Laundry ladies much more fun.
Mae West is her name…solving crimes is her game. Welcome to Normal, Kentucky and the Happy Trails Campground, where life is never boring. Hitches, Hideouts & Homicides is full of twists and turns, making it another great story in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series.
Nice easy to read cozy mystery. Good clean fun mystery. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, then this is one to read.
I like the characters and even though the book can be read by itself. I felt like I need to go back and read some previous ones, especially for some character development and background.
I only gave it four stars because I had trouble with a couple of transitions. I felt like where did that come from. I even tried rereading and reading out aloud. Did not help. Now I will admit that at time of reading I had a migraine(?) and that may have affected me. But I still feel that even reading it numerous times and coming back to it, should have fixed the issue if the headache was the cause. Also take into consideration that I am reading an ARC copy.
This is my honest and freely given review. I did receive an ARC book.
You know you onto an awesome series when you dream of moving to Happy Trails camping grounds in Normal Kentucky.
Book 7 in this funny, murder mystery series was just as good as the previous books, I love the setting, really love the characters and even the budding romance is a sweet side addition to life in Normal for Mae West.
I can’t wait to visit Happy Trails again very soon.
I love this book! Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides is book 7 in the series. It can be read as a stand alone however I like to read the books in order as the characters do continue to develop throughout the series. I really like the camproud setting. The characters are wonderful. I love Mae and how she continues to develop throughout the series. The book is so well written that you can just picture everything in your mind clearly. The mystery is so interesting and there are many twists and turns that kept me guessing until the end. This is one of my favorite mystery series. I love it and highly recommend the whole series!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
An old bank robbery and a current murder has Mae West on the case. She just can’t help herself and you would think her boyfriend, detective Hank would be used to it but he worries for her safety. Hopefully her sleuthing doesn’t interfere with his work and with their relationship. Her madcap and quirky friends throw in their two cents about the murder and are Mae’s cheerleaders. I want to hook up my camper and go camp in Normal and visit these ladies at the laundromat. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Hitches, Hidouts, & Homicide brings you the southern small town feel with a camp ground, a run down train depot, and a small law enforcement! The ladies of Normal, Kentucky just love to tell stories just like the big city girls. The friendships grow closer, the love stories always make you wonder, and the mysteries will keep the town alive. Sometimes things from the past will always change things in the future.
This book made me laugh as well as kept me turning pages! You would always think the story is going to end one way and then something else happens that changes the story line!
Loved the book, the authors work, and the characters she has built in the series!
#ARC#TonyaKappes#NormalKY#Addicted
So another great addition to this series. You can read these books as stand alone but why would you they are all so good. Hank and Mae have some problems to work out and this book I think just showed they have more then they thought they did. This was a little harder to figure out who the killer was. As always it’s fun to follow Mae around as she searches for the truth. I will be interested to see how Mae and Hank figure things out in the next book. Tonya also puts some great recipes and tips at the end of each book.
*I received a free copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Visiting Normal, Kentucky is always a wonderful experience! Tonya Kappes writes the heck out of this town and I love everything; the characters, the setting, the mystery, and even the romance that is beginning to form nicely between Hank and Mae. If there were ever a fictional town I would be able to visit this would be it- hands down! The people of Normal are just so sweet, tight-knit, and friendly. Not only that, the small town feels just speak to me. If it weren’t for Tonya’s ability to write the way she does I wouldn’t feel this way. So thank you!
Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides is the 7th book in the Camper & Criminals series. Each book does feature a new mystery but I personally recommend reading these books in order as the characters grow in each book (especially in the romance department). In this one, Mae stumbles on yet another dead body while hanging out with the gang at a local hoedown. Unfortunately, that’s not where it ends though. Mae simply can’t help but stick her nose in the investigation and with a little help from the ladies at the Laundry Club she may just find out who the killer is.
Readers, this is one of my FAVORITE cozy series and I highly recommend it to all that read the genre! Tonya brings the town of Normal, Kentucky to life! You can practically feel the sunshine on your back and hear the laughter from the people! It’s that good! Then, when a little mystery is thrown in you become consumed with finding the killer just as Mae does. It’s just perfect! So make sure to grab your copy of this one releases on May 28th!
Tonya Kappes
Mae West once again finds a dead body. While attending the grand opening of the Old Train Station Motel, the lights go out. Mae goes to the barn to check to see if everything is okay with the breakers on her way back to the celebration Mae literally trips over a body. Despite Hank’s warning for Mae to stay out of the investigation, Mae can’t help herself. Mae with the help of the Laundry Club Girls is determined to find out who the killer is and if the mysterious stranger that had a conflict with the deceased a few days before the killing. Mae feels the death has some ties to a bank robbery that happened more than 20 years earlier. Can Mae solve the murder before she meets harm’s way or before her investigation causes a problem in her relationship with Hank or some of her friends?
This is a wonderful addition to an entertaining cozy series. Every time I read a book from A Camper and Criminal Series, I want to by an RV and head to Daniel Boone National Park. True to Tonya Kappes’s books the characters have fun quirky personalities and the setting is a southern small town with as much personality as the characters. Mae West is my favorite character, yes she is a little nosy but she is the type of friend you want especially if you are in trouble. The mystery has great pace with several twists and turns. Every time I thought I had figured out whodunit something would happen which changed my mind. If you are a cozy mystery fan or a Tonya Kappes fan I highly recommend this book which can be enjoyed as part of the series or a stand-alone. There is a bonus section of recipes and camping hacks for campers.
I voluntarily agreed to read an Advanced Readers Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced.
Mae West offered Betts Hager cleaning services to Coke Ogden. Coke took Mae up on it, so Mae and Betts were at the Old Train Station Motel early in the morning. Coke was preparing for a big Hoe Down.
While the Hoe Down got underway, a thunderstorm rolled through and the power went out. Mae got elected to go see if she could return the power, except Coke noticed a prize horse was out of her stall and on the run. In trying to catch the horse, Mae ended up tripping over a dead body.
After the coroner’s office ruled that the body was not murdered. Mae started to have some doubts. She discovers a fact when she revisits the scene where she tripped over the body. Mae’s friend announces that there’s a problem, and then is sworn to secrecy. Mae’s loyalty is tested. Despite Hank Sharp, Mae’s detective boyfriend, telling Mae to stay out of things; Mae is not going to.
If you are looking for a fun, entertaining read that has twists and humor, this is the series for you! Mae is good people, that seems to have a knack for finding bodies, and an even bigger knack for finding details about the crime. One of my favorite series!
I have voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
Hitches, Hideouts & Homicides is Book 7 in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series.
I am so happy to be back in Normal , Kentucky and visiting Happy Trails Campground. Honestly, reading this series makes this New Englander want to travel to Kentucky!
The last owner of the Old Train station is found murdered and let me tell you the suspects are piling up!!!! Some are even linked to a 40 year old bank robbery, but I won’t give away too much except did the robbery really happen?
Mae is back and so is the Laundry Club. These characters are so full of life and entertaining and smart!
The story had me flipping pages with those wonderful twists that the author has such a talent at intertwining into the mystery. This is an action packed edge of your seat mystery.
I enjoyed every minute of it , and I thought I knew who the culprit was , and I was TOTALLY wrong.
Highly recommend this book and the entire series.
There are some hikers roaming around Normal. They have been sites around Mae’s campground and around the new motel that is having a grand opening. Hank isn’t happy about this and has warned everyone to be on the lookout especially now that a couple of stores have been broken into and things took. On the night of the grand opening of The Old Train Station Motel, a thunderstorm comes through causing the lights to go out. Mae goes out to the barn to see if the breakers are alright, while she is there she stumbles over the body of Jay Russel. He is a horse trainer. It has also been rumored that he and his friend robbed the Normal Bank twenty years earlier, though it was never proved and Jay said he never did it. At first, they thought Jay killed himself because the gun found was registered to him, but later it was ruled a homicide. You will have to read the book to see how Dottie is involved in all of this. Also Rosa, Jay’s prize horse is missing! I voluntarily reviewed a free ARC of this book.