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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This is the 7th installment in Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. I was happy to return to “Normal, Kentucky” and Happy Trails campground. Every time I read one of these books it makes me want to visit Kentucky and the Daniel Boone National Park.
This was another one I couldn’t put down until I read the last page. The previous owner of the Old Train Station motel is murdered and there are so many suspects to choose from, most tied to a previous bank robbery, that may or may not have happened. Mae with the help of the Laundry Club ladies are going to figure out who the killer is…
Its full of personality, non-stop action, and plot twists which keeps you interested till the very end.
I thought I had identified the killer early in the book but as I read on there were some red herrings and just when thought I had it all figured out, there were some really big twists.
I cant wait for the eighth installment in this series, I highly recommend this to cozy lovers.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
Another great book in a wonderful series. Mae is once again in the thick of things. There is always something going on in Normal Kentucky that keeps all the citizens on their toes. The plot twists and turns kept me engrossed in this fun, fast paced read. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
Hitches, Hideout, & Homicides is book #7 in the A Camper & Criminals Cozy Series by Tonya Kappes. Another awesome story from Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky. This was another one of those books you can’t put down until you read the last page. The twists and turns keep you guessing, and the well-developed quirky characters keep you reading this book. There is humor, mystery and of course a little romance. This is a very quick, fun and easy read. I can’t forget the added bonus recipes and camping tips at the end of the book. This is a nice addition to this already great series. I highly recommend this book if you love cozy mysteries, camping, cooking and fun.
Mae West is back and once again finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation. Welcome back to Normal, Kentucky and Happy Trails Campground.
Robbery, murder and money, twists to keep you guessing and humor.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it. Opinions expressed are my own.
I voluntarily read an advanced copy for an honest review.
Mae West is at it again. She seems to have a built in “slaydar” and an ability to trip over (this time literaly) dead bodies.
Mae finds out that someone she works with is peripherally involved, so of course, with the help of the “Laundry Club” sets about trying to solve who done it.
Mae has to deal with her boyfriend Hank, not wanting her to stick her nose in the case, though at this point in their relationship, if he hasn’t figured out she is who she is, I don’t have much hope for their relationship lasting.
Tonya keeps you guessing, until the last minute, who done it, by throwing lots of characters, who all had motives.
A fun read.
Mae is at it again and this time her snooping is causing more tension with Hank. Ty and Abby are having problems also. Mae had offered Bett’s cleaning service to the newly opening soon Old Train Station Motel and there’s lots of action there, past and present. The previous owner is murdered and there are so many suspects, most tied to a previous bank robbery, that may or may not have happened. Lots of tension. And lots of help from the Laundry Club ladies. And just when you think you have it all figured out, two really big twists at the end. Can’t wait to see what’s ahead for Mae and the ladies. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All of the above opinions are my own.
Not my favorite but still fun to read anyway. A decent addition to this series.
I am continuing to follow Mae West’s adventures in Normal, Kentucky as I continue through this series. This book moved a bit faster in the storyline then I feel the others have but it kept me invested. I always find myself rooting for Tonya and the members of the Laundry Club. They also make me laugh throughout. I cannot wait to see how this series continues.
I enjoyed this 7th in the series. Mae goes to a Hoe Down and discovers a body who was seen arguing with numerous people earlier.
I enjoyed revisiting with these characters, they are a fun group. The mystery was good and kept me guessing with plenty of suspects to choose from. I will definitely continue on with this series.
Talk about coming out of left field, nothing about this book was normal. EVERYONE was whack-a-doodle and they sure wasn’t hiding it! Mae and Hank are on shaky ground in my opinion and I’m not sure they can keep it together. What is with Ty all of a sudden? Is he trying for Mae again? I think I’m going whack-a-doodle reading this series.
I enjoy this series. The characters and the setting of Normal, Kentucky are anything but normal. I did chuckle at a few things and was caught up in the whole storyline. Mae always seems to happen across a dead body or two. And having her boyfriend, Hank, a detective on the Normal Sheriff’s Department, can cause a few waves as she attempts to find the killer. I love immersing myself in this crazy world for a short time. Now back to reality until I open up the next one.
Good series. Entertains and not a heavy read.
Love this series! Life is always exciting in Normal, Kentucky. A man is found dead at a hoedown celebrating the opening of the new Old Train Station Motel. It is later determined that he was murdered. His ex-wife shows up and is claiming he robbed a bank many years ago and has hidden the money. Mae gets involved investigating at the request of her friend, Dottie. Some interesting twists with a killer revealed that I did not see coming. Looking forward to reading more of this series with Mae and her friends and seeing Mae and Hank’s relationship develop more!!
Love Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal and yet everything is normal. What a great place to visit. The town has its share of crazy people but most of them are harmless. However, once in a while one of the crazies gets murder on their mind. That is where Hank, the sheriff, and Mae West butt heads when trying to solve the mystery. Mae West is totally and absolutely a hoot. This series is so much fun, love the characters, the town and the situations that occur. You really need to read this series, just sit back and enjoy your trip to Normal, Kentucky.
Is Mae a busybody?
Hitches, Hideouts, and Homicides by Tonya Kappes is a set in the year after Mae moved to Normal, Kentucky when her whole life changed. Hank and she are still going out, she has amazing friends, but she can’t seem to stop snooping around in other people’s business.
Mae West, our sleuth
Mae West is our sleuth, main character, point of view, and the one trying to solve the murder. Granted this time, she wasn’t going to, but certain circumstances have led her to believe that she must. A lot is going on in this book for Mae as always. She is dealing with Hank not wanting her to get hurt, her friend Dottie’s friend Paulette showing up, and of course, learning more about Abby Fawn (and her family).
Likes
• She was already thinking about solving the crime before she was asked to and before Hank told her not to do it.
• I love that when someone tells Mae no, she does it anyway.
• She wants to help her friends but at what cost for her relationship with Hank?
Hank Sharp, love interest and detective
Hank Sharp is Mae’s boyfriend and a local cop. He is still the same guy that he has been throughout the series so far. Just a few new things like him telling Natalie to stop getting into his personal space and that he doesn’t like her. Despite his sister trying to set them up in the past. Hank is just trying to his job while keeping Mae out of trouble, which in itself is a full-time job.
Mystery
The mystery is that someone killed is a horse trainer. Everyone has a theory on with who robbed the bank and what they did with the money. Of course, that was playing through the whole thing in the entire book. What happened to the money, and who did it? I loved the mystery I thought it was excellent, but I did figure out whodunit a bit early on.
It was reasonably easy to be able to figure out who did it, but I won’t tell you who. We do have some red herrings in this one.
Four Star
Hitches, Hideouts, and Homicides by Tonya Kappes is the newest mystery in the series. It was exciting to follow Mae’s thought process. I loved that I actually figured it out. This series is so great, the more I read it, the more I feel like I am friends with the characters. I adore Tonya Kappes mysteries, she has the way of writing that makes you feel comfortable with the characters, and her mysteries keep me guessing.
I am giving it a four-star rating and recommending it to anyone that likes cozy mysteries.
Take a look at the great recipes in the back of the book. You may see a recipe post from one of these on my blog. Well, they are on my list. Let’s hope I can get my nose out of the books long enough to cook.
Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of Hitches Hideouts and Homicide by Tonya Kappes.
Until the next time,
Karen the Baroness
Happy Reading!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy from the Author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
If you would like to read more reviews like this one, please go to baronessbooktrove.com
Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides is the seventh book in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. I never fail to get excited when I get my hands on a book by this author. This one kept me hooked from the get-go, and I couldn’t put it down. I highly recommend it!
A rumor in Normal, Kentucky of a 40 year old bank robbery that may or may not have happened and a present day murder finds Mae West and her friends deeply involved again. She also has two other problems. She can’t keep her mouth closed and her nose out of trouble. From a hoedown to a stable, to a sleazy bar, the fun and mayhem continue. It is the new normal for Mae and every part of it is fun and enjoyable for the reader. I received an ARC of this book for my honest review.
The girls are on the case when a local resident is murdered and everyone is a suspect! As expected of this author, this book is skillfully written with a tight plot and great characters. There are multiple story lines within this cozy mystery. I was kept guessing until the very end. I received this book free and chose to make a voluntary, unbiased review.
Mae West finds herself helping Bette out by doing house cleaning for the newly converted train station. It has been turned into a motel, restaurant, and soon a wedding event center. What Mae doesn’t expect is to witness a transient being chased off the property by a gun-toting cowboy. That same cowboy is later found dead during the Hoe Down celebrate of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. Of course, Mae doesn’t believe it is a suicide and finds herself once again involved in a murder investigation, against the wishes of her law enforcement boyfriend.
This turns into another madcap adventure for Mae and her Laundry Club ladies as they stick their noses into solving the mystery. Along the way, Mae discovers Dottie may have some ties to the murder victim and his past, which might come back and ruin the ladies friendship.
What I love most about this series are the dynamics between the Laundry Club Ladies, a group they probably wouldn’t have become friends under normal circumstances. There is always a great murder mystery filled with tons of twists and turns, laugh out loud moments, red herrings, and a surprise ending.
Mae West owns and runs the Happy
Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky.
The campground is located within the
Daniel Boone National Park.
The author takes us to a extremely well
described hoedown at the refashion
Old Train Station. This makes you feel
you are right there in the barn.
When the lights suddenly go out, Mae
discovers a body outside the back of the
barn. Who would want this horse trainer
dead?
Two murders, two robberies in town, a gun
stolen from a camper, a young man with a
backpack appearing in places he shouldn’t
be. What is going on in the Normal area?
Mae and her Laundry Club Ladies decide
to investigate.
The characters are very colorful, well defined,
interesting with southern charm adding to
their flavor. There are two fur babies, Fifi
( Mae’s poodle) and Chester( Mae’s boyfriend
dog) plus Rosa, the horse.
The book has murder, robbery, adventure,
twists and turns, captivating writing that turns
into a titillating story. A real page turner with
recipes and camping tips at the end.
This is book # 7 in the Campers & Criminals Cozy
Mystery series. It can be read as a stand alone.
I volunteered to read Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicides.
Thanks to the author for the opportunity. My
opinion is my own.