The Corpse at Caddo Lake

by Jayna Morrow

Pack your bags, pull in the slides, and hit the road with the Happy Campers RV Club in this fun travel cozy mystery series. Every camping vacation comes with good friends, beautiful destinations, and the occasional dead body.

Mystery author and full-time RVer Anne Marie Chandler has found the perfect way to combine her love of writing and travel. This Fourth of July, she and her eccentric best friend are joining the Happy Campers RV Club for a relaxing camping vacation at beautiful Caddo Lake, Texas. With ancient cypress trees draped in Spanish moss, lazy days by the water, colorful camper neighbors, and local legends of Bigfoot roaming the woods, it should be the perfect getaway.

Anne Marie might even finish her book before her looming deadline.

Then a nighttime hike ends with a very real dead body.

The victim is an obnoxious tabloid writer who came to Caddo Lake hunting for a sensational story. When suspicion lands a little too close to Anne Marie and her fellow campers, the mystery writer turns amateur sleuth and starts following the clues herself.

With her matchmaking best friend at her side, Anne Marie searches for answers among the campground's quirky characters, campfire conversations, Bigfoot sightings, and secrets. Somewhere in this peaceful vacation paradise is a killer. Anne Marie intends to uncover the truth before it's time to hitch up the camper and hit the road again.

If you love lighthearted cozies filled with friendship, travel, camping adventures, quirky characters, amateur sleuths, intriguing clues, and happy endings, grab your favorite camp chair and join the Happy Campers RV Mystery series. Every book brings a new vacation destination, a new mystery to solve, and another chance to enjoy life on the open road.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Cozy, Fiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 25, 2024

About the author

Jayna Morrow is a sweet romance and cozy mystery author whose stories brim with heart, humor, and a sense of home—even if that home is on wheels.

A full-time RVer, Jayna draws inspiration from real-life campgrounds, small town festivals, and the people she meets on the road, setting her books in places readers can truly escape to.

She’s the creator of the Motorhome Mysteries series, where campfire coffee and clues go hand-in-hand as amateur sleuth Anne Marie and her road family solve crimes one campground at a time. Jayna also writes heartwarming romance books, including The Fairytale Inn and The Marriage Spell, which deliver all the feels with slow-burn chemistry, small-town charm, and happily-ever-afters.

She writes from her RV office, a cup of coffee in hand and her “Hallmark Hero” husband by her side. When she’s not plotting her next whodunit or love story, she’s kayaking, treasure-hunting in thrift shops, or sending postcards from her latest stop. She believes wholeheartedly in the power of a really good mystery or a really great kiss.

Reviews

[Ronica Seeber · Rating 2 out of 5]

I only got halfway through and had to stop reading. I HATE not finishing books but this one I couldn’t keep forcing myself to read. It was so slow and pretty boring for a mystery murder book.

[Nikki · Rating 2 out of 5]

i don't know what it is about reading about a writer but it's just not my thing.

[LeAnn · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, The narrator’s robotic voice was distracting, but I was invested in the story enough that I managed to ignore it for the most part. However, the plot was incredibly predictable, and I found myself bored for the majority of the book. If you’re looking for a similar experience to the movie Caddo Lake, this book is not it. It was a cute little mystery, to be sure, but it was a bit too bland for my usual taste in mysteries.

[Tambi Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I picked up The Corpse at Caddo Lake, the first book in Jayna Morrow's The Motorhome Mysteries series, I was immediately drawn into a cozy mystery that swaps the classic "locked room" scenario for a more adventurous RV park setting in Uncertain, Texas. The adventure begins with the Happy Campers RV Club's trip to Caddo Lake, a place steeped in mystery and local legends of Bigfoot. The setting, with its towering cypress trees and hanging Spanish moss, perfectly sets the stage for an intriguing July 4th getaway that quickly turns mysterious. Uncertain, Texas, a real town with a name that adds a perfect touch of irony, is the ideal backdrop for a murder mystery where nothing is quite what it seems.
As a mystery author herself, Anne Marie Chandler is no stranger to whodunits, but she's caught off guard when her peaceful getaway is disrupted by the discovery of a dead body. I loved how Anne Marie, juggling a looming writing deadline, an eccentric matchmaking best friend, and a desperate need for peace, finds herself at the center of suspicion in this tightly-knit camping community. Her character is engaging, and her journey from writer to sleuth is both entertaining and clever, offering us a peek into her witty and analytical mind. Anne Marie's internal struggle to balance her professional deadlines and her love life with solving a real-life crime adds depth to her character, making her journey all the more engaging.
Set against the eerie yet beautiful backdrop of Caddo Lake, Jayna Morrow's use of sensory details is exquisite. The scenery really captures the camping vibe, making me wish I were pitching a tent right alongside the Happy Campers. The addition of Bigfoot sightings and lore cleverly intertwines the natural with the supernatural, offering a tantalizing taste of Southern Gothic charm. The settings were so vividly described that I felt like I was right there, experiencing every twist and turn with Anne Marie.
The closed-circle RV campground is the perfect setting for a mystery filled with red herrings. Everyone is a suspect, and Anne Marie needs to clear not only her own name but also that of someone close to her. This dual challenge adds a refreshing twist to the story. Jayna Morrow’s skillful use of dialogue and character interactions kept me guessing and made it seem as if everyone was hiding something. It was up to Anne Marie to unravel these mysteries. The pacing of the novel was just right—slow enough to build suspense but fast enough to keep me on the edge of my seat during crucial moments. With plenty of twists and a satisfying ending, I was definitely encouraged to continue the series.
Jayna Morrow has packed this book with all the essentials for a "wheely" good mystery—clever plot twists, vivid settings, and engaging characters. So hitch your literary trailer to this series and embark on a page-turning adventure!

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

This has mystery with comedy and a little romance. It is the perfect combination. I love that the MC has a typewriter named Jessica after Jessica Fletcher from Murder, She Wrote. There were so many great characters, including Katina, who has a hot pink scooter and is just the right amount of quirky.

I loved all of the 4th of July activities. I was able to visualize everything so clearly. I could almost smell the burning wood and hotdogs. My favorite part of the book had to be when the group took a trip out to Onion Island. It was interesting to read the story and history behind it.

The list of possible suspects seemed to keep growing and I had no idea who the killer was. I did not see that coming at all. The romance part of the book was done just right. There was one part where I had to slow down and really take my time. I was almost holding my breath. That part of the book alone had me purchase the author's romance book. I am just letting it be known that I am #TeamBennett.

Thank you to the author for my copy in exchange for my review.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

This was a fun, easy read. I worked with Jayna at a local public school almost 20 years ago. Jayna was always fun and very talented. She also gave me a massage, which she was very good at! I was quite surprised by how good this book, was! My husband and I love camping, so I could really relate to the RV life and we have been tk Caddo Lake, the scene for this book. The main character, Anne Marie Chandler, is part of the Happy Campers group. She is a writer and amateur sleuth. There has been a murder at the campgrounds and she's pretty sure it was Big Foot! A few of the campers are trying to match make Anne Marie with world traveler, Gray or her best friend, Bennett. Anne Marie likes being a writer and her camping life, she's not sure she wants a full time companion. Team Gray or Team Bennett? Can't wait to read book 2 in this Motohome Mysteries series! Good job, Ms Jay!

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun new series set in Uncertain, Texas. I loved the presmise- the Happy Campers, a group of RVers who travel together as a group from campground to campground. There was a quirky group of characters and it seemed like a fun place to be (well, excpet for the murder and all).

The MC, Anne Marie is a cozy mystery writer who works on an old typewriter, which she has named Jessica, after Jessica Fletcher. The campers are planning for a 4th of July party at the campground and everyone is excited. Anne Marie's friend met a fella online and has invited him to the party. He is annoying, pushy and overall not very fun to be around. Anne Marie can see that he is using her friend to get to Anne Marie and another author who is traveling with them. He ends up murdered, and Anne Marie has to clear her name.

I did like the sub stories- Anne Marie's novel and her family background.

[Rachel Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little slow to start out but it wound up being a good book. The book follows Anne Marie, an author who travels around with a group of fellow RVers. Things take a dark turn when a mysterious and unlikable writer turns up dead. As a suspect, Anne Marie investigates to clear her name, but then wants to ses the case to the end. There is a wide array of characters that help Anne Marie; each unique and providing something different to the story. Anne Marie has an interesting backstory with being adopted and on the journey to find out about her birth parents. Did I mention there are two guys vying for Anne Marie's affection? This book has intrigue, a little touch of romance, a fun cast of characters, and a beautiful setting for a story. The ending was a little bit of a twist, I really enjoyed it.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Corpse at Caddo Lake is a fun cozy mystery. Thirty-something Anne Marie Chandler travels in a vintage camper with the Happy Campers RV group. She is a mystery writer/blogger and uses a typewriter named Jessica because it's the same kind that Jessica Fletcher used in Murder She Wrote! Anne Marie and her friends are preparing to celebrate the Fourth of July in Texas. But when they discover Omer Rush stabbed to death on a night hike, they wonder who among them is a killer. This story has a romantic triangle for Anne Marie, with two worthy men vying for her attention. I really like the idea of a traveling RV group as the setting for a cozy mystery series. I like the main characters and I look forward to reading other books in the series.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I didn't love this book when I first started reading it, and it felt slow in the middle but by the end, I liked it better. This cozy murder mystery takes place in a campground. The main character, Anne Marie Chandler, is a single, female, full-time RVer, and mystery author.

There are a lot of characters, since the main character is part of an RVing group "Happy Campers RV Club". Keeping them all straight in the beginning was a challenge. They weren't well defined and I didn't find myself caring about any of them.

I thought it was odd that the series is called "The Motorhome Mysteries" since Anne Marie has a vintage trailer, not a motorhome, but I know that I am splitting hairs.

I might read the next in the series at some point, but I am not eager to get it and start reading.

[Tessa Corn · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a cute little cozy. Parts reminded me of "Murder She Wrote" , and since the characters typewriter is named Jessica , I can only assume that is what inspires the author. However, I figured out who was the killer almost immediately, the love triangle felt forced and there were more mistakes towards the end of the book. I noticed a recurring mistake ( using "an" instead of "a") example: an hug instead of a hug. I know that is knit picking but that stuff is kind of annoying to me. Also, she said a character had an old Myspace account from the 90s. Myspace didn't come out until 2003...

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and read it fairly quickly. It was interesting to learn about "the RV life," people who've sold many of their worldly possessions and live out of RVs. The concept of bonding together in a group that travels from one place to another was unique. The "whodunit" was a surprise, which is always a win in my mind. Interested to see where the next stop for the Happy Campers group takes Anne Marie and her friends.

[Terri Paulson-Sasaki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved this book! A cozy murder mystery. One body and lots of suspects. Jayna kept me guessing until the very end. I thought I had it figured it out, but I was wrong. The Happy Camper RV club sounds like a great bunch of people to travel with. All of them with different personalities that I fell in love with. I can’t wait to read more books in this series

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The Corpse at Caddo Lake (The Motorhome Mysteries #1)" by Jayna Morrow is a great cozy mystery with a but of 4th of July. I like the idea of a RV group and it giving the main character the opportunity to go to different settings. I am also now hooked because I want to know about this mysterious birth family. My favorite line was "the trotting of her heart like an awkward llama.." I had to tell my child that one and they enjoyed it as well. It is a great line.

The mystery was well involved and kept me guessing. I did have a suspect in mind that ended up being correct. However, it was still an ah ha moment at the reveal.

[Roxanne Dupuis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Do you like stories set in an RV campground with great descriptions of the scenery? If you do this is the book for you. Read about Anne Marie and the Happy Campers RV Club along with Anne Marie's TWO love interests as they camp by the lake and solve a murder mystery. A very enjoyable story. I received this book for free and am voluntarily leaving this honest review.

[Shelby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun cozy

Ok, I'm a sucker for a fun cozy. Ann Marie is a writer who has taken to the RV lifestyle. She has joined a group of RV friends who travel together from one site to another. This time, an obnoxious camper gets done in. Was it Bigfoot who killed him? Not only do we have Bigfoot, but also a pack of dogs and a floating 4th of July parade.

[Hannah · Rating 2 out of 5]

Almost DNF

Honestly, I started out liking this book up until the word unalived was used instead of murdered or killed. Thankfully it only happened once, but it really threw me off and took me out of the story. I tried to get back into it but just didn't connect with the characters. The love triangle stuff also felt really forced. Probably not going to continue the series.

[Sharon Middleton · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun story

This is a fun cozy mystery, although a little silly. Of course, a little silliness never hurt anyone, and laughter is good for the soul. I could relate to heroine, a writer searching for her bio mom. As an adopted child, I understand that need to connect. Looking forward to the next Motorhome Mystery.

[Shirley Wallen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book and plan to go onto the next one. The main character, Anne Marie, is intriguing, exasperating, charming, ditzy and loveable. The end totally surprised me! I thought I knew who killed the "corpse" but was way off. I hope the author has her pick the right guy for her. I personally am on
team ***** :)

[Joe Gilbody · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nomad Murders

I really enjoyed this book. I was a nomad myself as a neurosurgery nurse. Traveling all over the south on 13 week assignments at hospitals. I loved the life.

Great group of characters, much like what I found on the road.

I felt as if I had met each one on my various assignments.

Can't wait to read the next one.

Love to get out on the open road one more time.

[connie deloach · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was unexpected

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery. I'm looking forward to reading more of Jayne Morrow Motor home mysteries. This is one that I never figured out. Great writing. Unexpected who done it.😁

[Sandra Taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Corpse at Caddo Lake (The Motorhome Mysteries Book 1)

This book took me quite a while to get into, and I persevered to the end. It was only the latter part that kept me interested.

[Sandra Olson · Rating 4 out of 5]

interesting

I loved the characters and setting for this intriguing mystery. Definitely a different way of presenting the lifestyle. The only thing annoying was that it sometimes dragged along with finding the killer.

[Sadie Francis · Rating 2 out of 5]

Meh. I probably shouldn’t have even counted this one as read because I read about 10 chapters then skipped to the last 5 to see whodunit. Just didn’t capture my attention. Not terrible writing though, just not for me. There’s a lid for every pot.

[Katrina Strohl · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Sweet Palate Cleanse!

A super cute, cozy mystery!
It is a great story with many twist and turns! Already ready for Anne Marie’s next adventure with the Happy Campers!

[Christi Barron · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good old murder mystery fun

RV living with murder thrown in . fun characters and a good storyline. Will be interesting to follow along for not adventures. A great cozy read.

[Debby · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn’t finish it was too slow moving for me and very repetitive.

[Kasey Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story…

I didn’t know the killer until the final confrontation. Lots of twists and interesting characters. Good start to a series of Happy Camper stories.

[Tammy Corkhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable

I took a chance on this book and was not disappointed. Very easy read with slot of enjoyable characters. And just a lot of questions of where it will happen next.

[James Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun read

The author has created an interesting and informative plot to go with an imaginative group of characters making this hard to put down