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!
Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal: A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 10
By Tonya Kappes
I am just so excited! Are you excited? Book #10 Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal a new Camper Series edition. It’s like going home to see family and good friends. You’re so excited to pack your bags to get home and sad when it’s time to leave.
I can’t wait to see what’s new with the Laundry Club ladies. Mae’s cell phone won’t stay charged. Whose hacking into the bank. Will Happy Trails survive financially. Who would murder a beloved community member? How normal is Normal with all this! Come sleuthing with us.
Normal, KY is the place to be don’t forget to stop by for a chance to meet everyone. Make sure to reserve a spot at Happy Trails the #1 place to stay when camping out in Normal. All books are stand alone reading or read in order in the Camper Series. Can you really be normal in Normal, KY?
Kia G
Sunsets, Sabbaticals and Scandal
A Camper & Criminal Cozy, Book # 10
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
Who served up the murder at Normal Diner?
A beloved resident of Normal, Kentucky is found dead on the floor of the Normal Diner, leaving the entire town on high alert. Faster than the short order cook can say order up… the laundry ladies are in the scene.
News spreads fast about the murder and Detective Hank Sharp is hungry for answers.
Mae West along with the Laundry Club ladies come up with a list of suspects and the evidence is piling up faster than a juicy double cheeseburger.
Who murdered the beloved citizen?
Was it a hit to score some extra lunch money? (Goodreads)
Review:
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is a quick, easy read.
The characters are well developed and well developed. I always enjoy getting to spend time with Mae and her family and friends. I really liked that Mae went back to her hometown, it gave me a little more insight to who she has become. I also liked spending more time with Mary Elizabeth, she is growing on me.
There were enough clues to sift through and characters to consider. This time I did know who the killer was fairly early, but it did not take away from my enjoyment.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. Take a trip to Normal, Kentucky, you will be happy that you did.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
This is book #10 in A CAMPER & CRIMINALS COZY series.
Nothing is normal in Normal, Kentucky. And who served up murder in Normal’s Diner?
The whole town is on high alert after a beloved resident of Normal, Kentucky is found dead on the floor of the Normal Diner. The laundry ladies are on the scene faster than a short order cooks can ring the bell and say “order up”.
The news of the murder spreads fast. Detective Hank Sharp is on the case, hungry for answers.
Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies have their own list of suspects. Evidence is piling up.
Who would murder their beloved citizen? And who would scam money out of some of the local townspeople’s bank accounts?
This was a good read. I enjoyed how Mae and the Laundry Club ladies worked through clues and evidence to figure out who the killer was.
This series deserves more than 5 stars! Well written with great characters. Each book is like taking a vacation to beautiful Kentucky. Mae and the rest of the characters are fantastic. I look forward to visiting them again soon.
No Spoilers!!!! I can’t even tell you how much I enjoy Tanya Kappes and anything she writes! Book #10 Sunsets, Sabbaticals and Scandal filled me with joy!
Have you read the first 9? NO worries, you can start with this book and fall in love with every character. I want to head right to Normal, Kentucky whenever I read about this lovely place. Mae is the reason you will keep reading. The quirky characters, Hank her hunk and her Laundry club ladies find themselves with a murder, a big hack (where is the $$) and a return home for Mae. Home is complicated for sure. I love that Mae is learning more about home and her past. I can’t wait to see where things go for Mae (and Hank) after this book.
Keep them coming!
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.
Mae and the Laundry Club are here to welcome you back to Normal, Kentucky. In this book we learn more about Mae and what happened to put her into the foster care system. That was a real interesting storyline that I am hoping is continued as I felt like it left me hanging. It is a background storyline so I’m fine with it so long as it continues. For me it truly enhances this series.
Just how did we get to learn so much? Well, the mystery in this book involves a character I liked and the introduction of a some characters from Mae’s hometown. With the mystery involving a friend, you know Mae and the ladies are going to be on it. So Mae and Mary Elizabeth are off to visit the old hometown. I’m not going to lie. I loved seeing them go off together. It really encourages me to read a real feel relationship about the foster care system, (having worked in it, I’m well aware of what’s wrong with it. I’m also aware that there is a lot right, too. That part rarely gets the spotlight.). Hank is back, of course, and is along for the visit.
The first few chapters moved slow for me. I’ve read the series since the beginning so, while I understand the need for the catch up, it felt long. Once I was past that, it moved along at its usual fast pace. It is definitely another page turner! I felt a nice mix of humor with bit of poignancy. The mystery was nicely developed with a good mix of suspects. The descriptions of the Daniel Boone Forest always leave me with a yearning to return. I am already anticipating the next chapter!
No spoilers in this review! This book is just as enjoyable as the previous books is this series. Mae West, owner of Happy Trails Campgrounds, and Hank Sharp, hunky detective actually work (well sort of) together this time to get to the bottom of a murdered waitress and hacked bank accounts. Some old friends and new acquaintances surface for us in this fun installment of the goings on in Normal, KY, however, don’t let the fact that this is the 10th book in the series scare you off. This book does well as a standalone because the characters and relationships are all well explained and it’s easy to make all the connections. You will totally be surprised when you find out who the killer is…So, join the fun, enjoy this great cozy, and go back after this and read the others if you haven’t already. I received an advanced copy of this book and here is my honest review.
Who knew Hank could be so funny. I laughed every time he talked on this road trip. He was also very sweet and there for Mae through it all. Well Mae has to go back to her hometown and she is dreading it and I don’t blame her. Mae does find out some unsettling news in her hometown and it will be interesting to see how that plays out in later books. I knew who the killer was when they were first introduced in the book but it was still fun to watch Mae and Hank find the killer. This was again a fun cozy mystery to read. I do love this series and hope to visit the Daniel Boone National Forest in real life some day.
*I received a copy of this book via the author and am voluntarily leaving a review.*
When a member of the community that everyone loves is found dead Mae and the Laundry club are set out to find out who the killer is.
Another great book in the series. The book is well written and the characters and setting are great make you feel like you are one of the gang.
Mae finds herself embroiled in another murder. But she has other troubles too – a dying phone, a hacked bank account with zero balance, and she has to cope with visiting her hometown.
This is another enjoyable trip to Normal, Kentucky. I love the characters and location.
When Abby Fawn screams the laundry club ladies are running to find out what happened. A body is found in the diner, and you can bet the laundry club ladies are on the case. Doesn’t matter if the police want their help or not.
Clues that lead Mae back to her hometown.
Fast Paced, fun characters, funny and entertaining.
I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Sunsets, Sabbatical & Scandal is the 10th addition to the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes. Even though this is book 10 in the series it can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend that you read all the books in order. Sunsets, Sabbatical & Scandal in another fun filled visit to Normal, Kentucky. A quick and fun read that has a lot of twists and turns that will keep you turning the pages. This is one of those books that once you pick it up you don’t put it down until you have turned the last page. Just when I think this series cannot get any better Kappes writes another one proving me wrong. Ms. Kappes writes a wonderful story which draws the reader right in. Her books are full of humor, southern charm, and suspense. I highly recommend this book and series. I can’t wait for the next book.
Camper & Criminals mysteries by Tonya Kappes is one of my favorite cozy mystery series.
Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is the 10th installment in the Camper & Criminals mystery series . I LOVE visiting “Normal, Kentucky” and Happy Trails campground.
The story was intriguing and I liked how we learnt more about Mae’s past as she visits her hometown of Perrysburg, Kentucky. It brought to life why she is the way she is and why she left at 18.
I did figure out who the hacker and killer was fairly quickly but it didn’t take away from the story.
One thing that I found hard at first was that in this instalment there was so much back story in the first 3 chapters, and some things were repeated more than once. (This is just my personal opinion and in no way a reflection on the author) But with that said if you were new to the series you might like this. I was thinking it would be better to have list of characters at front of book, even a map of normal…
I still love this series and can’t wait for Tents, Trails and Turmoil to come out on April 28th!
There are recipes and cleaning hacks at the end of the book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced, unpolished, electronic copy of this book
I am fairly new to reading Tonya Kappes and this is the first book I have read in A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series. I quickly got the background information and headed into the page turning part of the book! The murder of a good friend brings Mae and the Laundry Ladies into full sleuthing mode. They have their notebook with the list of suspects. Hank, Mae’s boyfriend, tries to keep her out of the investigation for fear she will get hurt. Part of the investigation takes her back to her hometown where we find out about her younger life. Hacked bank accounts, a murder – – nothing is normal in Normal, Kentucky! An exciting read!
I received an advance copy of this book and I voluntarily wrote an honest review.
Sunset, Sabbatical & Scandal by Tonya Kappes
Campers & Criminals book 10. Cozy mystery. Best read in series order but can stand-alone.
A friend is found dead in the local diner. Mae West and her Laundry Club investigate though detective boyfriend Hank is worried about their safety.
When you listen to 6 of these fun cozies in a row, the details do tend to blur a bit. This is the book where Mae travels to her hometown, not the previous.
What I do remember specifically is about the local bank accounts were hacked and the connection is a real life wake up call on electronic security.
Entertaining and a bit amusing.
I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who has done the full series to-date. She does a fantastic job with the southern drawl and different character voices. I listened to this at 1.5 which is faster than my preferred because it upped the drawl to a more reasonable talking speed.
I enjoyed this tenth in this series.
When a loved citizen of Normal is found dead, the town is devastated and they want answers. Mae and the crew begin to investigate. We also get a peek into Mae’s past which I found interesting.
The mystery was good and wrapped up nicely.
I will continue on with this series.
There is the added bonus of some yummy sounding recipes and some camping tips.
I’m pretty sure I keep saying the same thing but I really enjoy this series by Tonya Kappes. I enjoy checking in with Mae West, Hank and the other residents of Normal. I was glad to read more of Mae West’s life growing up. I also realize I need to get better with my sleuthing skills as Mae West tries to fit the pieces together, but it is fun still trying to solve alongside.
I always enjoy this series, and hearing about what is happening in the town of Normal, Kentucky and at the Happy Trails Campground. In this book we learn a little more about Mae’s past when she visits her hometown while investigating the murder of a friend. Hank does not want her and the Laundry Club ladies to investigate, but that never stops them from getting involved. These books are fun, easy reads with mystery, friendship, a little romance and a whole lot of laughs.
Book 45 towards my goal of 260! 5/5 stars for this camping cozy mystery! “Nothing is normal in Normal.” Boy howdy! Such a great series, set in Kentucky, in Daniel Boone National Park! Great stories and characters, and in this one we get to see our main character return to her home town. Love these covers! Quick stories! Can’t recommend them enough!
Well I called this one! I had the killer, hacker and the thought about the fire that killed Mae’s family all figured out from chapter 1. It was still a really good story and I read every page. I probably won’t have any idea come the next book but that is what I enjoy about this series.