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Alaska Campground Cozy Mysteries #1
A Midlife Mountain Murder
Camping can be murder.
After a messy divorce, Vicki Vandermoon packed everything she cared about into a VW camper van and left her cheating husband miles behind to start over in her 40s as a campground host in a gorgeous national park in Alaska.
Vicki has always loved the outdoors and quickly fits in with her quirky new neighbors. Even the cute dachshund in the campsite next door has adopted her, and everything is coming up wildflowers.
But when a previously healthy and active camper drops dead on one of Vicki's flower-finding hikes, and the police write it off as natural causes, she's going to have to call on all of her ingenuity and her new friends' loyalty to learn the truth. There's something rotten in the campground outside of the bear-proof trash cans, and it's up to Vicki to unmask a killer, or she and her friends might be next ...
After a messy divorce, Vicki Vandermoon packed everything she cared about into a VW camper van and left her cheating husband miles behind to start over in her 40s as a campground host in a gorgeous national park in Alaska.
Vicki has always loved the outdoors and quickly fits in with her quirky new neighbors. Even the cute dachshund in the campsite next door has adopted her, and everything is coming up wildflowers.
But when a previously healthy and active camper drops dead on one of Vicki's flower-finding hikes, and the police write it off as natural causes, she's going to have to call on all of her ingenuity and her new friends' loyalty to learn the truth. There's something rotten in the campground outside of the bear-proof trash cans, and it's up to Vicki to unmask a killer, or she and her friends might be next ...
135 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 26, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
July 30, 2023
I enjoyed this story. It’s a lighter mystery, taking place in an RV campground setting in Alaska with the main amateur sleuth an athletic, divorced female. She befriends another female camper and they try to solve the murder of a camper. It’s a short story, and an easy read. Looking forward to the next story!
March 1, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Divorced and on her own in her 40s, Vicki Vandermoon has always loved the great outdoors so she decides to start her life over in Alaska. She has loaded up everything she needs and holds dear in a VW camper van and will park it in a beautiful national park where she has been hired as a campground host.
Living at the Spruce Cone Campground in Alaska’s beautiful Denali Park requires some adjustment because the sun barely sets in Alaska during the summer and she keeps waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning instead of 6 or 7. She also has to travel across the campground to shower and eat her meals at a picnic table but she is exactly where she wants to be.
A group calling themselves the Vagabonds had been staying at the campground for a couple of days birdwatching, taking hikes, and enjoying everything the park had to offer. When one of them dies on one of Vicki’s flower-finding hikes, it is written off as natural causes but Vicki doesn’t think there was anything natural about the death and she is going to prove it. Her biggest fear so far is coming face to face with a bear, now she needs to fear coming face to face with a killer. Can she trap the killer? or will her days in Alaska end much too soon?
I love that Vicki escaped to Alaska following her divorce and that she enjoys the campground life. She is smart, practical, and organized and makes a fantastic campground host. She is super friendly and takes her time to get to know the campers. Vicki becomes fast friends with her neighbor Miranda who she deems a latter-day hippie. She has a soft Tennessee drawl, and is one of those people who can pull off wearing a muumuu. She has a 3-wheel bicycle she rides everywhere usually with her long-haired black and tan dachshund, Barksley in his soft-sided pet trailer.
We also meet Vicki’s boss Lloyd who is a bit of a curmudgeon and a tall, tanned, and prematurely grey, “hot pilot” Elliot. He tags along on a hike so that he see if it is something he can recommend to his customers. And then there are the Vintage Vagabonds. They are a group of seniors touring the country in their RVs. Sue, Birdie, Lou, Elyse, Dottie, Frank, Mitzi, and Lulu are a quirky group of characters. I was able to identify with Elyse because she has a disability that requires a wheelchair or walker depending on the circumstances, like me.
Ms. Ecker plotted out an intriguing mystery where all the suspects are Vagabonds. I appreciated the way Vicki approached them with her questions in such a comfortable way. She does need to practice her snooping or take along Miranda as a lookout though. The setup for the reveal was clever but the showdown was fabulous. I loved it.
I enjoyed the campground setting in Alaska and how the author set the scenes. From the sunrises and sunsets to hikes through the woods and all around the campground and beyond. Everywhere Vicki went I felt like a butterfly on her shoulder.
A Midlife Mountain Murder was a captivating little cozy with an engaging protagonist and an entertaining mystery. Ms. Ecker packs a lot into just 136 pages. I have downloaded book 2, A Case of Moose-Taken Identity, and the prequel, The Dachshund and the Gold Digger. I hope to read and share my thoughts about them soon.
Divorced and on her own in her 40s, Vicki Vandermoon has always loved the great outdoors so she decides to start her life over in Alaska. She has loaded up everything she needs and holds dear in a VW camper van and will park it in a beautiful national park where she has been hired as a campground host.
Living at the Spruce Cone Campground in Alaska’s beautiful Denali Park requires some adjustment because the sun barely sets in Alaska during the summer and she keeps waking up at 3 or 4 in the morning instead of 6 or 7. She also has to travel across the campground to shower and eat her meals at a picnic table but she is exactly where she wants to be.
A group calling themselves the Vagabonds had been staying at the campground for a couple of days birdwatching, taking hikes, and enjoying everything the park had to offer. When one of them dies on one of Vicki’s flower-finding hikes, it is written off as natural causes but Vicki doesn’t think there was anything natural about the death and she is going to prove it. Her biggest fear so far is coming face to face with a bear, now she needs to fear coming face to face with a killer. Can she trap the killer? or will her days in Alaska end much too soon?
I love that Vicki escaped to Alaska following her divorce and that she enjoys the campground life. She is smart, practical, and organized and makes a fantastic campground host. She is super friendly and takes her time to get to know the campers. Vicki becomes fast friends with her neighbor Miranda who she deems a latter-day hippie. She has a soft Tennessee drawl, and is one of those people who can pull off wearing a muumuu. She has a 3-wheel bicycle she rides everywhere usually with her long-haired black and tan dachshund, Barksley in his soft-sided pet trailer.
We also meet Vicki’s boss Lloyd who is a bit of a curmudgeon and a tall, tanned, and prematurely grey, “hot pilot” Elliot. He tags along on a hike so that he see if it is something he can recommend to his customers. And then there are the Vintage Vagabonds. They are a group of seniors touring the country in their RVs. Sue, Birdie, Lou, Elyse, Dottie, Frank, Mitzi, and Lulu are a quirky group of characters. I was able to identify with Elyse because she has a disability that requires a wheelchair or walker depending on the circumstances, like me.
Ms. Ecker plotted out an intriguing mystery where all the suspects are Vagabonds. I appreciated the way Vicki approached them with her questions in such a comfortable way. She does need to practice her snooping or take along Miranda as a lookout though. The setup for the reveal was clever but the showdown was fabulous. I loved it.
I enjoyed the campground setting in Alaska and how the author set the scenes. From the sunrises and sunsets to hikes through the woods and all around the campground and beyond. Everywhere Vicki went I felt like a butterfly on her shoulder.
A Midlife Mountain Murder was a captivating little cozy with an engaging protagonist and an entertaining mystery. Ms. Ecker packs a lot into just 136 pages. I have downloaded book 2, A Case of Moose-Taken Identity, and the prequel, The Dachshund and the Gold Digger. I hope to read and share my thoughts about them soon.
May 31, 2024
Divorced and looking for a new start, a woman takes a job as a campsite host in Alaska. A man falls and dies while on a hike with her, and she's suspicious of foul play.
I loved the setting. The main character and her friend with the dog were both likable. The mystery was interesting. I guessed wrong. It was a quick and cozy read, and I'm interested in reading more of the series.
I loved the setting. The main character and her friend with the dog were both likable. The mystery was interesting. I guessed wrong. It was a quick and cozy read, and I'm interested in reading more of the series.
August 18, 2024
An Alaskan campground...such a great setting for the book and very atmospheric. Characters were good, especially lil' Barksley! Good amount of 'suspects' to choose from and it was overall just a fun, quick read. I'll be picking up the next book soon!
January 18, 2024
Who done it
This is a nice change reading for me. A Alaska Campground Cozy Mystery A Midlife Mountain Murder is very good, clean story.
This is a nice change reading for me. A Alaska Campground Cozy Mystery A Midlife Mountain Murder is very good, clean story.
Read
December 18, 2025Ohhh, I read this little book to fullfil a reading challenge "set in Alaska", I thought the book was actually totally boring... but look at all the happy reviews! I don want to yuck their yums, so I'll leave no stars this time
August 6, 2023
Closing in on the Killer . . .
Getting through a messy divorce, Vicki Vandermoon packed her camper van, left her cheating husband, and started over in Spruce Cone Campground as a campground host in Alaska. She loves her new job and the people she meets.
On a hike, Vicki heard a scream. She sent the others down with Mitzi Parks while she headed toward the scream which turned out to be Sue Wong trying to get her attention. On the path with steep drop-offs, Lou Grempler, who hadn’t been feeling well, must have fallen and was face-down at the bottom. Vicki had Sue show her where he had fallen and she climbed down to get to him. The path wasn’t that steep and he should have been able to stop his fall. Had the heat gotten to him? Heart trouble? When she got to him, it looked like his neck was broken. Elliot joined her along with two park rangers and a uniformed Alaska State Trooper, Eliot’s cousin.
The police thought the death was from natural causes, but finding his pills expired, and his wife Elyse so bitter about his cheating, Vicki knew something else was going on. Something kept nagging at her. She needed to find the killer before someone else died. Would she investigate on her own, starting with a bonfire party the night before everyone was leaving in order to force the culprit’s hand? Would the killer finally be revealed? Or would another body be found the next day?
Getting through a messy divorce, Vicki Vandermoon packed her camper van, left her cheating husband, and started over in Spruce Cone Campground as a campground host in Alaska. She loves her new job and the people she meets.
On a hike, Vicki heard a scream. She sent the others down with Mitzi Parks while she headed toward the scream which turned out to be Sue Wong trying to get her attention. On the path with steep drop-offs, Lou Grempler, who hadn’t been feeling well, must have fallen and was face-down at the bottom. Vicki had Sue show her where he had fallen and she climbed down to get to him. The path wasn’t that steep and he should have been able to stop his fall. Had the heat gotten to him? Heart trouble? When she got to him, it looked like his neck was broken. Elliot joined her along with two park rangers and a uniformed Alaska State Trooper, Eliot’s cousin.
The police thought the death was from natural causes, but finding his pills expired, and his wife Elyse so bitter about his cheating, Vicki knew something else was going on. Something kept nagging at her. She needed to find the killer before someone else died. Would she investigate on her own, starting with a bonfire party the night before everyone was leaving in order to force the culprit’s hand? Would the killer finally be revealed? Or would another body be found the next day?
October 31, 2023
This was a fun cozy mystery that makes the absolute most out of its Alaskan setting. Ecker writes Alaska as its own character in the story and with authority. Usually in books set here I find a lot of references to Ooo how dangerous it is and little else. Vicki Vandermoon's Alaska is so much more as she is finding out after her messy divorce and cross country move. Vicki takes her years in business to take her new job of helping to manage a campground and trail guiding to a new level, trying promotions like a camp picture board. Its through her job of trail guiding we get to see Alaska in all her beauty including the local flora (while hoping not to need the bear spray for the fauna).
She's dealing with the 24 hours of sunlight better than I would but I'm jealous of her leading a group of elderly RV explorers out into the wilderness. On this fateful trip, the pilot of a local helicopter tour group is also along to see if he wants to rec her company to his clients (and to provide the potential love interest we're used to seeing in cozies). When one of the men - a womanizer - goes over a cliff and dies and the police (a relative of Hot Pilot) think it might be a simple accident, Vicki feels less sure.
So she and her friend a hippie-esque woman with a dauschund partner, start looking into it before the group of RV explorers pull out for destinations unknown. Naturally Vicki is right and one of the things I liked best about this, is she isn't obnoxious in her questioning of others (a cozy turn off for me is the amateur sleuth running around like people owe her answers) and there are consequences of her snooping. The other thing I really loved about this was the ending. We're accustomed to the amateur sleuth getting in trouble at the end but in this case it would have been SO easy to fall back on Hot Pilot riding to the rescue. I won't spoil the ending but I will say it was much more satisfying than that. I really enjoyed Vicki and her friends and I'm looking forward to more of the series. This was a highly entertaining first book.
She's dealing with the 24 hours of sunlight better than I would but I'm jealous of her leading a group of elderly RV explorers out into the wilderness. On this fateful trip, the pilot of a local helicopter tour group is also along to see if he wants to rec her company to his clients (and to provide the potential love interest we're used to seeing in cozies). When one of the men - a womanizer - goes over a cliff and dies and the police (a relative of Hot Pilot) think it might be a simple accident, Vicki feels less sure.
So she and her friend a hippie-esque woman with a dauschund partner, start looking into it before the group of RV explorers pull out for destinations unknown. Naturally Vicki is right and one of the things I liked best about this, is she isn't obnoxious in her questioning of others (a cozy turn off for me is the amateur sleuth running around like people owe her answers) and there are consequences of her snooping. The other thing I really loved about this was the ending. We're accustomed to the amateur sleuth getting in trouble at the end but in this case it would have been SO easy to fall back on Hot Pilot riding to the rescue. I won't spoil the ending but I will say it was much more satisfying than that. I really enjoyed Vicki and her friends and I'm looking forward to more of the series. This was a highly entertaining first book.
November 6, 2023
Vicki Vandermoon is recently divorced from Indiana! She is Starting a New Life as a Campground Host at the Spruce Cone Campground in the Alaska National Park including Mount Denali! She is living in a New to Her VW Van! She has befriended her quirky Campground neighbor, Miranda and her Dachshund, Barksley, who live in an Orange Tent next to her. It is really fun to read how Vicki is trying to acclimate to the Midnight Sun in Alaska which takes time. When a Vagabond camper dies in what is initially classified as an accidental death. Vicki is the only one who takes up figuring what is really off with his death! The twists and turns she faces are Intriguing to Navigate and figure out the real Truth! Vicki continues even through Peril to herself and solves the Case! I can't wait to read more of Vicki's Adventures and Mayhem in the next Cozy Mysteries!
I received an ARC Book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review of this Awesome Book.
I received an ARC Book from the author. I am leaving a voluntary and honest review of this Awesome Book.
August 6, 2023
The first but hopefully one of many in this new series hits the ground running and is a page turner from beginning to end. Vicki is quite sweet and her sleuthing skills are realistic.
The book features an excellent mystery, plenty of suspects and quirky characters, a quite adorable dog and excellent descriptions of the terrain and wildlife of Alaska, which really lend atmosphere to the story.
The campground hasn't given up all its mysteries and hopefully Vicki will continue to find out more in future books. In any case, this is a great series to get into and I think cozy mystery readers will be delighted.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
The book features an excellent mystery, plenty of suspects and quirky characters, a quite adorable dog and excellent descriptions of the terrain and wildlife of Alaska, which really lend atmosphere to the story.
The campground hasn't given up all its mysteries and hopefully Vicki will continue to find out more in future books. In any case, this is a great series to get into and I think cozy mystery readers will be delighted.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 25, 2023
This was a fun look into Vicki’s new life as campground host. The book had me at the dachshund on the cover, but I really enjoyed the friendships and good times Vicki experienced, well when there wasn’t an attempt on her life. Although that ended up working out okay because everyone knows in the woods you never know when you’ll need your bear spray.
Little Barksley the dachsie was adorable though and pretty good at finding clues. He definitely made a good comfort pet when anyone needed a sweet, cuddly pup to love. I’m eager to borrow the next book when it’s out! In the meantime, I’m gonna read the prequel that I nearly forgot I’d downloaded from BookFunnel.
Little Barksley the dachsie was adorable though and pretty good at finding clues. He definitely made a good comfort pet when anyone needed a sweet, cuddly pup to love. I’m eager to borrow the next book when it’s out! In the meantime, I’m gonna read the prequel that I nearly forgot I’d downloaded from BookFunnel.
July 29, 2023
Fun read and good mystery Vicki is the campground host, works at Spruce Cone Campground in Alaska, One of the campers dies while on a hike. Police think it's an accident, Vicki isn't so sure. Misleading clues, several suspects capable of murder. Just when you think you know who the killer is, but then something turns up that shows she isn't . One of the good things about this book is the views the author gives you of Alaska. Wonderful descriptions. Example: Alaska bluebells in the borage family, change color from pink to blue as they mature, just like comfrey does.
September 22, 2025
I really enjoyed the first 'real' instalment in the Alaska Campground series. Spending more time with Vicki and the guests and residents of Spruce Cone Campground was a delight, and even if I picked pretty much from the moment the murder occurred, I still enjoyed Vicki's process of discovering who and why.
Not to mention the gorgeous Alaskan scenery, which I look forward to being able to go back and visit again at some point when travel there becomes safe again, assuming that happens in my lifetime.
Not to mention the gorgeous Alaskan scenery, which I look forward to being able to go back and visit again at some point when travel there becomes safe again, assuming that happens in my lifetime.
August 17, 2023
A quick, enjoyable read. The setting is a real standout--the author lives in Alaska, and it's clear she knows the landscape and the everyday life. Vicki's new post-divorce life, as a campground supervisor at Denali National Park, is interesting and brings a different set of issues than the typical small-town cozy. Definitely worth your time!
August 25, 2023
An enjoyable afternoon read with likable characters, an "accidental" death that the heroine questions, plot twists that kept me guessing and few suspects who might have helped create the "accident". The setting in an Alaskan campground is so different from other cozies and the author's description made me feel like I could actually "see" Alaska. I'm looking forward to the next one in the series.
August 18, 2024
This was an interesting cozy mystery. I liked the setting in the Alaskan wilderness. Vicki was a relatable fun character to follow. The plot was good, and the mystery was intriguing enough to keep my attention. I liked how the author wrote the side characters, they felt like real people. All in all, a good book and I would like to read more by this author in the future.
June 1, 2026
Cute little cozy mystery set in the (fictional) campgrounds of Denali National Park. When an insufferable guest dies on a guided hike, Vicki is not so quick to rule it out as accidental. And so, she goes from campground host to informal homicide detective. I enjoyed this short read, it was a nice escape!
July 22, 2026
I liked the Alaska setting and the campground. There is a lot about those things that Vicki is experiencing. The investigation is a bit clunky and the solution happened pretty quickly, but this is the first in a series and the first time Vicki is investigating. So a bit clunky makes sense. Enjoyable camping cozy.
September 28, 2023
A Midlife Mountain Murder
When one of the campers falls to his death the mystery of natural causes or murder come into question. Vicki is determined to find the truth. Lots of twists keep you turning the pages. A great read. I love this series.
When one of the campers falls to his death the mystery of natural causes or murder come into question. Vicki is determined to find the truth. Lots of twists keep you turning the pages. A great read. I love this series.
February 19, 2024
Vicki recently divorced packs up and heads to Alaska to manage a campground! One of the seniors that are travelling together is found dead and Vicki is caught in finding which of the other members of the travelling seniors removed him from the land of the living.
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July 20, 2023A very fun novella with great characters especially the busy-body mystery-uncovering main character! Great use of the Alaskan campground setting - it really made me homesick for Alaska.
February 28, 2024
Great fun book to read!
This book was so much fun to read I loved the different characters and personalities I would happily read more of these books!Great book
This book was so much fun to read I loved the different characters and personalities I would happily read more of these books!Great book
Read
May 21, 2024DNF at 43%
This cover is everything I love but unfortunately the story inside is a snooze fest.
This cover is everything I love but unfortunately the story inside is a snooze fest.
May 25, 2024
a fun, breezy read with an engaging protagonist and entertaining characters
February 14, 2025
very entertaining! I honestly didn’t see something’s coming but I loved every second! now to get the rest of the series
January 4, 2025
Lackluster and a bit too silly. 2.5 stars.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews