A trip down memory lane is fine if you don’t stumble on a body. Frannie Shoemaker and her friends camp at Old Dam Trail State Park near one of Donna Nowak’s childhood homes. They take in the county fair, reminisce at a Fifties-Sixties dance, and check out old hangouts. But the present intrudes when a body surfaces. Donna becomes the focus of the investigation and Frannie wonders if the police shouldn’t be looking closer at the victim’s many enemies. A traveling goddess worshipper, a mystery writer and the Sisters on the Fly add color to the campground.
Frannie and Larry Shoemaker and their friends took their campers to Old Dam Trail State Park for the long weekend on Donna’s recommendation. It was a beautiful place; the sunsets over the dam; the quiet bush and the ambience meant the time would be relaxing and pleasant. The county fair was also on and the dance on the Saturday night they knew would be fun.
But when the friends spotted a body in the dam, the weekend deteriorated into a mix of danger, state police and misconceptions. And when one of the friends was arrested for the murder, Frannie knew she needed to do some investigating herself. After all, Larry was an ex policeman and she’d solved mysteries in the past, so why not this time as well. But would Frannie find herself in too deeply this time?
The Lady of the Lake by Karen Musser Norton is another enjoyable episode in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mystery series and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Filled with mystery, intrigue, friendship and laughter – it’s a great combination for a delightful cosy mystery which I have no hesitation in recommending.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery set in a campground site in Iowa. There is a legend about a ghost Lady of the Lake that wanders the lake in search of her lost baby. Frannie and her friends are there to enjoy a county fair and some camping, and of course they run across a murder. Who did it? Why did they do it? Read and find out.
This is another fun camping adventure with the Shoemakers and their friends. This time one of Frannie’s dear friends is being accused of murder. There’s no way Frannie will sit on the sidelines and let her friend be put in jail. She’s determined to prove her friends’ innocence. Frannie quickly discovers there are many suspects to choose from as the victim was far from being well liked by anyone.
The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries are a light fare. They are delightful and relaxing to listen to. Michelle Babb’s voice is perfect for storytelling. I could listen to her all day. This is the 4th in the series and are like “comfort food” for those, like me, who enjoy listening to fast-paced cozy mysteries with characters who feel more like close friends. I’m looking forward to my next camping trip with the Shoemakers.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed the audio book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
3.5 stars Despite all the murders that keep occurring, this series usually makes me want to go camping. However, this book probably had the least amount of "the fun of camping" or "day in the life of camping" scenes. There was a faire, which made the scene slight different and I did like mixing it up, but also missed more descriptions of the camping area, nature, etc. I was pretty intrigued by the murder and definitely surprised by the culprit and the ending, but each suspect seemed to have a very shallow reasoning for motive. This was a quick and fun book to read and I loved enjoyed how Frannie and her friends nosed their way into the answers.
Absolutely wonderful! This one had me up half the night because I couldn't put it down it's a page turner!! I love all the camping tip also. Thanks for a great book
Another good Frannie Shoemaker mystery. Frannie, her husband, and their camping friends are funny and well written. I really enjoy going on their trips with them. The mystery was interesting and I the person I suspected turned out to be the killer. :) Can't wait to travel with them all again!
Frannie and company are spending the weekend at Old Dam State Park at the recommendation of Donna. Donna spent some time in the area in a foster home near there. She loved the area although the foster home left a lot to be desired. The Lady of the Lake is a local ghost story that Frannie is interested in exploring. A local fair provides good entertainment with a Fifties/Sixties dance. Donna is frightened when she runs into her former foster father. The next day, Frannie and Jane Ann find him floating in the lake. Of course, Donna is the prime suspect.
I really enjoy camping with Frannie and the gang. These books are as close as I will come to camping now so I'm glad they are fun. I love the interaction between Frannie, Larry, Jane Ann and Mickey. Donna and Rob are the younger campers of the group as Rob is still working.
The introduction of a romantic mystery writer was a nice touch. The barefoot goddess worshipper was just enough quirkiness to make you smile. I have heard of Sisters on the Fly and enjoyed their inclusion in the story.
Frannie can't help but start investigating with Jane Ann's help. You would thing that her retired police officer husband would have a little more influence over her. Although, I suppose these would not be as fun to read.
I like reading the camping tips in each of the books. I may try a couple of the recipes. (In my own kitchen, not out in the wild.)
( Format : Audiobook ) ""Can you folks tell me what's going on here?"" It was not unreasonable for Agent Sanchez to suggest that Frannie and Larry and their camping friends were "a magnet for crime." They certainly do seem to have exciting camping holidays. This trip they have selected a camp site by a lake with a legend, that of a woman who walks at night searching for her drowned baby whose body was never recovered after a boating accident. Well, a body is found, but not that of the baby.
This is another fun, mystery and detection story in the Frannie Shoemaker series, where, besides murder and some mayhem we also meet her delightful (and irritating) friends as well as some quirky others also camping . This time there is Rosemary, a well known author, contemplating her next book, a barefoot Goddess worshipper, and a group of women fishermen, Sisters on the Fly. The portraits of all of them are delicious, as are the Frannie party portraits themselves, and the whole is served up in a swirl of camping fun, walking, dancing, boating, shopping, cooking and eating - and gossip. And there is the murder mystery, too. As always, Michelle Babb's performance is perfect, her warm voice reading at a pace ideally suited to that of the text. Although her dialogue voices are only slightly differentiated it really doesn't matter here as it is always obvious who is speaking and it is the tone which captures the humour or pathos of the situation. Ms.Babb is a pleasure to hear.
All of the Frannie Shoemaker books are enjoyable, light, warm listens but for me this is one of Karen Massed Norman's best so far. Have a great holiday with the camping gang and see if you can unravel the mystery before the ending. Great fun.
I enjoyed this book. I am really liking this series, listening to new locations and setting with each book is really refreshing as no two murders or situations are the same. The only constant is the great group of friends that get caught up in each one. The books are stand alone books but I have missed out book two, so I am going to go back to that one next then continue on with the series because why not? they have all been good so far. The mystery was good and it had plenty of suspects to keep you suspecting everyone and guessing until the end. The ghostly lady of the lake added a new dimension to the story as well. Frannie and her friends have returned to a location one of the friends knows very well. Donna had spent time at the Old Dam Trail State park while growing up in the foster care system leaving her with good and bad memories of her time there. Those memories turn bad when she sees the person responsible for all the bad memories, her abusive step father. Rather than taking off the friends decide not to let him ruin there holiday, especially when he doesn't even seem to recognise Donna.That is until she is arrest for his murder. Can Frannie work out who the real culprit is? Does it have anything to do with the ghostly legend of the lady of the lake? or is it a bit closer to home like his ex wife or even is strange brother. What about the sun goddess or the mystery writer do any of these quirky charters have anything to do with the murder? Frannie will have to whether a storm to get to the bottom of this little mystery. I really liked the narrator and thought she did another excellent job with the charters, each one sounds different so you know exactly who is speaking.
Really enjoyed this cozy mystery. Perfect story for when you want a lighter mystery listen without excess violence and gore. Great book for an afternoon listen. It's a fun, entertaining and very enjoyable addition to the series.
Even though this is book 4 in the series it can be listened to as a standalone. Although it's worth your time to listen to the whole series. Each book in the series is an adventurous and engaging story.
Being an Iowa girl, the setting just made me enjoy the story even more. When you have a special love for an area and a story your listening to takes place there it just makes you feel that much more part of the story.
You never know what can happen during a camping trip, especially one with Frannie and company. Once again Frannie is caught up in a murder investigation. Things just seem to happen wherever she goes.
This is the first time I have heard of the group Sisters on the Fly, they sound like such a fun group.
Michelle Babb does a great job once again with the narration. She narrates the whole series and it's like coming back and visiting friends with each new book. Pleasant voice that is easy to listen to for long periods of time. Clearly spoken with a nice even pace. Really good character voices. She is able to pull you into the story and make it come to life through her narration. Very enjoyable.
I was voluntarily provided this free review coy audiobook by the author, narrator or publisher.
The six friends decide to go this time to a campground close to where Donna spent her youth, but things get worse than they expected, when Donna’s stepfather appears dead in the middle of the lake and she is a person of interest in a murder investigation.
I had a great time with this cozy mystery, in which we meet many picturesque characters in the middle of a police investigation. What I liked from this book was that we get to know Donna better, and why she is like she is, snappy at times, and sometimes difficult to be around. Frannie lost a bit of protagonism in this book, but I think it made for a more interesting story, as it added variety and we got to see more of this group of friends.
I am not sure if it was because I listen to a lot of cozy mysteries, but I guessed from halfway through the book who the murderer was, with all the implications. This did not make the book less enjoyable though.
Michelle Babb delivered excellent character interpretations, as always, transmitting Donna’s anguish, Frannie’s puzzlement, and an array of emotions. Stories become vivid when they are narrated by Babb, she is one of my favorite narrators!
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
This book is a mystery based in a campground involving a group of friends that travel around camping together. The characters are great, funny and witty! I loved how they all interacted with each other and especially how no matter what they had each other's back.
This book did keep me guessing as to 'who did it?' the whole book. As the characters developed my opinion would change who it was. I liked how it kept me guessing.
She did a great job of describing fellow campers, the camp grounds, the lake, I could picture it all in my head. Made me feel ready for my next camping trip, without the murder HA!
I would recommend this book! The only down side was that it was quick! I plan on going back and reading the others in this series!
I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.
This is such a fun series! I feel like I know these characters and would love to go camping with them (even though they seem to stumble upon an awful lot of murders!).
This time, the 3 couples have traveled to Old Dam Trail State Park to go to the local fair. This happens to be a place from Donna Nowak's childhood and unfortunately, a place with not so great memories. Of course, our friends find a dead body and Frannie is once again caught up in a murder investigation. But, this time it's more personal since one of their own is accused of the murder!
The author has written a fun, quick cozy mystery, full of campground antics, quirky characters and a well-written story. I always know that I will enjoy a book in this series and this one does not disappoint.
The narrator does an amazing job (as usual) and her performance adds a lot to this book.
Frannie and the crew are camping at a oldie but goodie place and are having fun at a fair, and even a dance. But you know the saying all is fun until there is a body. Frannie is trying to stay out of it but just isn't sure why the police are not looking at more people as suspects, so by now you know where that will lead?
I love these Frannie books, they have everything you could want, action, suspense, even some humor to keep it light. These are easy books to read/follow even the audio narrated by the wonderful Michelle Babb who to me is now Frannie. These books are realistic and believable so that makes this world I and many others have fallen into one that is a great escape from our every day lives, and how nice that is right now.
The Lady of the Lake by Karen Musser Nortman is fourth in the Frannie Shoemaker mysteries. Another campground...another murder. Frannie and her friends have not only stumbled on another dead body but one of their group is arrested for the murder. How will Frannie and her former policeman husband get out of this one? Lots of fun and a good cozy mystery. With some twists and turns to the plot, the author keeps you guessing to the end as to the culprit. The Lady of the Lake is a fun book to read (or listen to as this reviewer did). The narrator, Michelle Babb, does a nice job of giving characters their unique voice, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
This is another simple, fun story about Frannie Shoemaker and her camping cohorts. Frannie finds yet another body and starts her own investigation into the murder. Dead bodies pop up wherever Frannie goes--or so it seems. She always comes up with evidence that the local police miss and ends up in trouble of her own. I love these stories. There's nothing too heavy and Michelle Babb's narration makes you feel like you're right there camping with them. It was really enjoyable. Just a note--I missed the dogs!
Pleasant cozy mystery involving a long standing group of camping friends. Although it is part of a series, that is certainly no deterrent to enjoyment of trying to solve the crime before the end of the book. The publisher's blurb and many other reviewers do a recap of the story, and there is no need for spoilers. I have found great enjoyment in reading this and several others by this author who simply tells a good tale without going overboard. Another good reason to pick it up is the audio performance of Michelle Babb who always makes the characters so much more real!
I don’t usually enjoy the cozy mystery, preferring a more R rated story, but I did like this one. It’s from a series that follows a group of middle age friends that camp together and stumble upon a mystery. My husband and I absolutely love camping and I found this story quite endearing. The group of friends are my and my husband’s age and I found them very down to earth. The mystery was good and I loved the collection of camping hints at the end of the story. I would certainly recommend this story for any mystery lover.
I was entertained by the fourth book in "The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries". In this book, Frannie and her friends meet an author who was basing her new novel on a ghost known as "The Lady of the Lake". The story was charming. I enjoyed the interpersonal relationships between Frannie and her friends, and I was intrigued by the mystery. Michelle Babb's narration was great, and her performance was pleasing to hear. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.
Poor Frannie just can’t catch a break and have a nice enjoyable camping trip. The local story of the lady in the lake was fun to listen to and to see who still believes in it as the story went on. Also trying to see how this could have something to do with a murder that they just stumbled upon was interesting. I like this book and can only hope Frannie gets a more enjoyable trip next time (but not really because what would be the fun in that).
I got this for free from Fussy Librarian, a site that gives you book recommendations and free e-books based on your preferences. I didn't notice it was part of a series. It was good enough for a stand-alone story, not reading the previous ones doesn't mean you missed any pertinent information. Overall the story was okay. Maybe just not my thing. I liked it well enough. It just wrapped up really fast.
The lady of the Lake by Karen Musser Nortman is the 4th book in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries series. Frannie Shoemaker and her friends are camping at Old Dam Trail State Park when one of the workers is killed and they become caught up in the murder investigation. It is always fun to tag along with this bunch on their camping holidays, and they meet quite a few quirky and eccentric characters. Lots of camping hints along the way and an interesting mystery.
This book was pretty wonderful. While I was able to figure out "who done it" (for each major mystery) about halfway through, I genuinely didn't care. It was such a fun book, with well written characters and a good story! I love camping (read this on a camping trip, actually), and so many of the little details felt relatable to one degree or another.
I'm not great at writing reviews, so I'll keep this short. This was my first book in the series, and I'm looking forward to reading more of them (a rarity for me). I really liked this, and you might, too. Definitely worth picking up!
Audible:This was the best campground mystery yet!Frannie just can't get away from murder.She and hubby are camping at a new spot when the handyman is found dead.It turns out he was known by a lot of people...so whodunnit!Michelle Baby was perfect as the narrator.I was provided this book free by the author, narrator or publisher.
NOTE: Readers might want to refer to Happy Camping Hint #20 at end of this book for information about real park that author based this camping site on. After reading, I saw this information, and found photos of the actual state park.
Enjoyed the interacts amongst the friends as well as their fellow campers.
I am loving this series, Great storyline, intelligent mystery and excellent characters. I like the dialogue between the main characters makes you believe they have know each other for years. Narrator really makes the experience special with good variations in characters and a pleasant easy to listen too voice. Highly recommend these books. I was given a complimentary copy.
Wow, another camping trip and another murder! This time they are at a campground where Donna spent some time in foster care in her high school days and the victim is someone she knew and had plenty of reasons to dislike. Once again, Frannie is able to help solve the case. Looking forward to the next adventure!
First book I have read from this author. I enjoyed it and will read others in this series. The narrator is enjoyable (not the first book I have listened to from her) and I will certainly look for other narrations from her. I listened to this book on my daily car commute and felt like it was just the right energy flow for driving.
I have enjoyed every book so far in this series! I love camping. I have camped in some of the parks she has used in her books. These are fun books that keep your interest. I love the hints and information at the end of the book as well!