“Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul.”
–Kirkus
“Scrumptious… Fans of culinary cozies will have fun.”
–Publishers Weekly
“A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home.”
–San Francisco Book Review
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
Mae West knows tourism and … where nothing is normal.
Mae West knows tourism and nothing stops tourists like a dead body found in the Daniel Boone National Park.
Unfortunately, Yaley Woodard, a local tour guide, is found dead at Happy Trails Campground. Mae is determined to put her amateur sleuth skills to investigate along with the help of the Laundry Club gals.
But when Yaley’s past ends up being tied to forest trails and local Joel Grassel, Mae realizes Yaley’s death has caused much more turmoil than she’d originally thought – and the killer might want to close the tourism in the Daniel Boone National Park for good.
AUTHOR’S NOTE: Come spend some time in the small southern town setting with quirky lovable characters to help solve an intriguing mystery with twists and surprises around every corner.
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This is the eleventh in the series. Mae stumbles upon Yaley Woodard, a local tour guide, in the campgrounds’ dumpster. Who did it? All evidence points to the main suspect but did he do it?
The gang looks into it. Hank becomes miffed and we are told why. His reasoning is well thought out and the gang’s meddling hampers his investigation.
See what happens between Hank & Mae and who the killer is.
I liked it. I found it entertaining and full of humor. I can always count on Ms. Kappes to take me away for a few hours.
I received an advanced readers copy and am not required to leave a positive review.
Here we are with book #11 and a killer has struck the town of Normal. KY – again. The local police continue to wish that Mae and the Laundry Gals would stop playing detectives but, heck, when the latest corpse is found smack dab on Mae’s doorstep, so to speak, there’s no way on earth these ladies are going to tend to other business and leave the police to solve the crime.
It’s the start of the tourist season for Mae and she is trying to get everything in order so her camp ground can welcome the tourists eager to hike the trails and enjoy the scenic beauty of the Daniel Boone National Park. The Happy Trails campground is Mae’s life so when somebody kills Yaley Woodward, a Sierra Club guide, and tosses her corpse into the Happy Trails dumpster, all bets are off and Mae, Dottie and the Gals are hot on the killers tail. If the killer isn’t caught fast, there goes the Spring campground revenue and most of Mae’s yearly income. What more reason does she need to ignore the advice from Hank, her boyfriend detective and set out on her own investigation? Turns out Yaley had a past that wouldn’t stay buried and somebody wanted revenge. But who? I guessed wrong.
No spoilers in this review: Another cozy mystery that is sure to please anyone who loves this genre. Twists and turns capture you as you swipe away to find out just ‘whodunit.’ Plenty of suspects as we quickly find things aren’t always what they appear to be. Mae West just can’t stay away from dead bodies and the draw to solve the apparent murder. She comes complete with her super hunky detective boyfriend and a bunch of friends who assist her in sticking their noses where they just don’t belong. A super fun cast of characters are the stars of this fun cozy that will not disappoint! Background/setting is a campground in Kentucky; and can certainly be read as a stand-alone but, rest assured, if this is your first book by Tonya Kappes, it won’t be your last; you will absolutely want to go back and read the others in this series (and the other series’ too) if for no other reason for sheer enjoyment (plus a little bit of backstory). One-click now, you won’t be sorry.
Mae West and her crew from the Laundry Club have done it again! Got in the middle of a murder and hung in there to take care of business. I absolutely love Normal Kentucky and the people there.Everyone has everyone’s back. Sometimes I just have to laugh out loud at some of the things they say and then I look around to see who saw me and don’t really care anyway. This is a definite must read book! It’s the kind of book that keeps you up at night reading so you can find out what happen next.
Tonya Kappes books are so fun and a perfect way to spend a day reading. She always makes you laugh while you ride along trying to figure out whodunit. Tents, Trails and Turmoil is a fantastic, fun, roller coaster ride to the end with great characters, plot and surprise ending. I loved it.
When Mae and Dottie discover a body in the camp grounds dumpster they have to kick snooping into high gear so their campground can open. Hank tries to keep Mae out of the investigation but snooping is her thing. I just love the Laundry Book Club ladies and they are on it when it comes to snooping and gossiping. Dottie just cracks me up with her my way or the highway attitude. Hank is a straight forward guy but knows when he is beat when it comes to keeping Mae from snooping. They are the perfect match. I love the little town of Normal KY and could just imagine going and visiting there. It is just the perfect setting for the perfect cozy mystery.
If you love camping, hiking, a great mystery, with fantastic characters, set in a beautiful town with a mystery that keeps you wondering and guessing to the end then you must read this one.
A great addition to Tonya Kappes’s Camper Criminal Cozy Series. This time Mae West discovers the murder victim in the dumpster at the Happy Trails Campground which Mae owns. The fact that the victim was murdered spreads fast as do the cancellations for the campground. To save her campground and tourism in Normal, KY, it’s important that the killer be found quickly. Mae and the members of the Laundry Club work together to try to help Hank solve the case, although he would rather they let the sheriffs department do the investigation.
I love these characters! They are so real as they deal with the twists life throws them. I enjoyed the plot and the numerous red herrings Ms Kappes threw in. In this one I suspected the murderer early on and was pretty sure about halfway in. I just couldn’t figure out the motive.
I was privileged to receive an advanced copy.
Mae is in the process of getting everything ready for the opening of the campground for the season when the smell of something in the campground is definitely overwhelming. She had just been in town and learned of a missing young woman and you know Mae, she can’t resist sticking her nose into things and this time, literally! When it is discovered that the stench is coming from her own dumpster and it’s a body, then it’s personal because the reputation of the campground is on the line. And add to that, the person being accused is someone near and dear to Mae, Joel Grassle. Mae really has her work cut out for in this one and between annoying Hank and wrangling up suspects, you’re in for a fun-filled ride with Mae West and her Laundry Ladies detectives.
Tents, Trails, and Turmoil is another exciting installment in Kappes’ Camper and Criminals cozy mystery series. I find myself enjoying each book in this series and always look forward to reading about Mae’s latest adventure. Mae finds herself involved in yet another murder mystery when she finds a dead body in the dumpster on her campground property. Since her busy season is about to begin, Mae is really worried that this latest murder could hurt her business. Then when a friend of hers becomes the prime suspect, Mae has no choice but to investigate.
Kappes sets up a compelling story especially since Mae finds herself personally tested on two fronts while trying to solve this latest case. Tensions start between Mae and Hank when she decides once again to investigate. Hank wants to protect Mae while Mae is determined to help. Hank’s feelings about Mae’s investigations has been building, and this latest case makes them both deal with each other. Mae also finds herself tested when one of her dearest friends faces a medical emergency. Both of these events really make Mae make some decisions and make this mystery even more personal. The book’s mystery is well done and does as a great job at catching the reader’s interest from the very beginning and never lets go. Overall Tents, Trails, and Turmoil 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 Tents, Trails, and Turmoil from the author in exchange for my honest review.
If you are looking for a funny and exciting story that is full if twists then I definitely recommend reading Tents, Trails and Turmoil. This can be read as a stand alone.
I love Mae West and the laundry ladies, they always know how to help you escape for a few hours. Since everything started with the coronavirus I have struggled to read. However, I found myself easily flipping through this story.
I would highly recommend this wonderful story.
I recieved an ARC and all thoughts and options expressed are honest and my own
Have you met Mae West and her Laundry Club ladies? If you haven’t, you need to head on over to Normal, Kentucky! Mae and the Laundry Club gals are preparing for the tourist season. Even though a tour guide has gone missing from their town, Mae is anxious to make sure her campground, Happy Trials, is ready before the big holiday weekend. Everything is looking good until the tour guide’s dead body shows up in her dumpster! It’s time for Mae and the Laundry Club to start investigating before the whole town loses out on the tourist trade.
The 11th installment in the series and it just keeps getting better. Tonya has created a cast of characters that are loving, loyal, and downright funny. There is a sense of realism when reading this series, the way the characters interact with one another, sharing their thoughts, and working together to solve the crime. The plot is well-written with clues and humor woven throughout the story. There were enough suspects to keep me guessing and the reveal at the end was one I was not expecting. Another enjoyable read from author, Tonya Kappes.
I really loved this one! Not only we do get some memories from past books without them being too obvious or preventing this to be read as stand alone but we go get a great story and see the group of characters stick together.
I loved how all the girls were there for each other and not giving up.
Also i loved how the relationship between Mae and Hank is evolving, this was great to see them sit and talk about what they are thinking and feeling.
If you need to change your mind in these strange times this is a excellent book to read in one sitting! My only very very small disappointment? i had I hoped this instalment would have been more about what we learned in the last book but i really don’t mind this story at all it’s excellent as always simply not teh one i thought it would be!
a great book for sure! full of humour, adorable pets and so much more because Normal is everything except normal^^;;
The best part about reading this series (A Camper & Criminals Cozy) is you really can just read any of the eleven and get hooked!
Mae is getting ready for the new season to start and there is a foul smell at the Happy Trails Campground. Mae discovered Yaley Woodard, a local tour guide, in her dumpster. Hank closes down the Campground while he is investigating the murder which causes Mae and the Laundry Club to get involved in the investigation to save the Campground from going bankrupt. Will Mae figure out this mystery before everyone cancels their reservations at Happy Trails?
Tents, Trails, & Turmoil is another fun read by Tonya Kappes. It’s the eleventh book of her Campers & Criminals series.
When tour guide Yaley Woodard is found murdered in the dumpster at Happy Trails Campground, it could close the campground and Mae West’s ability to make a living. It also threatens the relationship of Mae and Detective Hank Sharp.
There is a good list of suspects. They range from her ex-boyfriend Joel Grassle, to real estate agent Bonnie Turner, to tourist Bert Erickson, to the new Bourbon Trails Distillery owner Shane Holland, to her brother Ted. Also thrown into this mix are the health issues of campground manager Dottie Swaggert, and the dislike that the new diner waitress Shannon has for Mae. What secrets do Dottie and Shannon have? Could those secrets have something to do with the recent murder?
Let Tents, Trails, & Turmoil take you on an adventure through Normal, Kentucky, and the Daniel Boone National Forrest. You won’t be disappointed.
I voluntarily read an advanced reading copy of Tents, Trails, & Turmoil, and have given a honest review of the book.
If you are looking for an escape, then any book by author Tonya Kappes would be a perfect choice. Having said that, I love A Camper and Criminals Series. It is one of my favorites. When I read one of these books I feel as if I’m reading about beloved friends. The book grabbed my attention from the start, I finished this book in one day. It is entertaining and humorous. The mystery is well-written with several twists and turns. There is no shortage of suspects and I was completely surprised by the killer.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
Here we are back in Normal Kentucky with Mae West in the Happy Trails Campground she finds another dead body this time it’s in her dumpster so she has to solve this fast to keep her cancellations down. This is another great read with so many twist and turns and getting to know more about all the characters. This one is one of my favorites. Normal Kentucky is like coming home and a great escape from real life with each book I read. I highly recommend
I received a copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion
Tents, Trails, and Turmoil may be the best book in the series so far! The story is a real page-turner: I read it in two sittings (it would have been one, but I couldn’t stay up *all* night reading). The mystery is filled with enough twists, turns, and red herrings that I was guessing right up to the end. The characters are well-rounded, constantly growing, and a joy to visit over and over.
In Tents, Trails, and Turmoil, Mae’s campground, Happy Trails, unwittingly plays host to a dead body! When the body of local tour guide, Yaley Woodard, is discovered in the campground’s dumpster, the Laundry Club gals are quick to help Mae’s boyfriend, Detective Hank Sharp, investigate.
I highly recommend Tents, Trails and Turmoil – visiting Mae and company in Normal, Kentucky, is always a pleasure!
Spring has arrived in the Daniel Bone National Forest in Kentucky. Mae West and her manager / friend Dottie Swaggert are busy getting everything ready for the reopening of the Happy Trails Campground. It’s been a long, cold winter! The campground and the little town of Normal are looking forward to the influx of tourists that is their livelihood.
Then Mae finds the body of Yaley Woodard in the dumpster at the camp ground. Yaley was a tour guide at the national Forest and had connections with several residents of the town. Along with her friends from the Laundry Club, Mae needs to solve the murder before it shuts down the tourist season before it begins. Of course, boyfriend and policeman Hank Sharp wants Mae and her friends to stay out of the murder investigation. But not even Hank will deter Mae and her friends from investigating.
With characters that will become your friends, this is the latest release in the in the wonderful , southern cozy series by author Tonya Kappes. Mae West and her Laundry Club ladies will keep you entertained as they try to solve the murder. Don’t miss the delicious recipes and camping hints at back of the book. I highly recommend Tents, Trails, and Turmoils!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy.
Mae West and Dottie find a dead body too close for comfort. Hank is put on the case and their relationship may be in jeopardy due to Mae being too helpful. But Hank needs her and Laundry Club’s gossip circle to find leads to the killer. This one surprised me with who dunnit. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.
Head back over to your favorite campground in Normal, Kentucky and enjoy another round of murder, mayhem, and more Mae West.
In this outing, a young beautiful tour guide, Yaley Woodard, is found dead by Mae at the Happy Trails Campground. The murder is heinous and it’s putting a damper on local businesses. People are pointing the finger at Yaley’s boyfriend, Joel Grassel, but Mae knows Joel, and she can’t believe he is capable of such a crime. Mae is determined to find the real killer. Mae might have to travel down a few different trails, smell some bad smells, fight with Hank, get threatened, and keep Dottie from passing out, but in the end Mae always solves the mystery.
This is one of my favorite series. Each new installment gets better and better. The mysteries are well-plotted and the pacing is perfect. The characters light up the story and keep readers coming back for more. Highly entertaining and fun at every turn!
I really needed to do some traveling during the quarantine. Going to Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky was just the ticket to lift my blues. I love this series by Tonya Kappes. It’s set in the Daniel Boone Forest which is a place I have loved since childhood. Mae, Dottie, Hank and the rest are just like being around family. Dottie has an interesting role in this book. I really like her so it was good, but scary, to see her get a bigger role this book. The mystery was really good. I was second guessing just about everybody! She had me so wound up, I almost thought it was Mae. Haha. I’m just kidding you there. We all know Mae is the nosy gal who knows just how to get the gossip. Y’all know I’m not going to tell you about the mystery either. So just get your copy, a snack and a drink, then go camping.
This series is tremendous fun! If you are just starting it, I would strongly suggest starting at the beginning with book one. You can enjoy this as a stand-alone but, no lie, you will miss a lot of the background. Ms Kappes does a great job catching you up without boring the rest of us, but you know it’s the little things you miss.
I received an uncorrected ecopy for review consideration. I reviewed it voluntarily and based my review on my thoughts and feelings.