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Camper & Criminals #40

Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies

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Welcome to Normal where nothing is normal.

Get ready for a cozy mystery adventure with a southern twist in Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies!

Mae West is just hoping for a peaceful weekend at Happy Trails Campground during the Climb the Cliffs Festival in the heart of Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest. But when the festival's star climber, James Rafferty, is found dead at the base of the Cascades, Mae's plans for a quiet weekend crumble faster than a buttermilk biscuit.

What looks like a tragic accident turns out to be murder, and Mae armed with her sleuthing notebook and the unwavering support of the Laundry Club Ladies, is on the case.

Mae follows clues from cryptic coordinates to suspicious boot prints, she soon discovers that secrets run deep in the close-knit town of Normal, Kentucky. But with a killer determined to keep those secrets buried, Mae’s about to find out that some cliffs are more dangerous than they seem.

One thing's for sure—this mystery is about to take a deadly turn.

1 pages, Audio CD

Published December 30, 2025

512 people are currently reading
651 people want to read

About the author

Tonya Kappes

453 books3,686 followers
Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...

Webpage
tonyakappes.com

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Twitter
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

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5 stars
331 (56%)
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160 (27%)
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83 (14%)
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11 (1%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 99 reviews
Profile Image for Holly Stover.
147 reviews10 followers
March 31, 2025
The Climb the Cliffs festival begins but not without some heated arguments from some of the contestants! James Rafferty is seen arguing with another competitor and then disappears! When Mae is out and about what she finds is James' body off the cliff where the climbers shouldn't have been due to being unsafe. At first, what seems to be an accident after funding some suspicious clues his death was deemed a murder!
Mae gets the Laundry Club girls together, and the race is on to find the culprit! The clues add up along with some suspicious coordinates that could lead them to the killer. When the truth unfolds, the killer is a shocking discovery that could put Mae right off the cliff!
Tonya Kappes dishes out southern snarky humor with small town charm that will "bless your heart"!
Profile Image for Amy.
1,337 reviews
March 22, 2025
The Climb and Cliff Festival begins in Normal, and the climbers are ready to enjoy the beauty and climbing.
A world class climber named James Rafferty is found dead by Mae and Violet, off the cliff that was not safe. Accident or Murder?
Yes, Violet has come for a visit. Well, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies including Violet certainly have some interesting clues to work through. Where or who will those clues lead to? I really felt like I was there in Normal, with Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies following the clues.
Twists and turns kept me guessing. One of my favorite things about this series is the friendship that has evolved among the Laundry Club Ladies.

I received an ARC prior to publication and decided to voluntarily review it.
Profile Image for Julia David.
2,502 reviews26 followers
March 21, 2025
Mae is so excited when Violet comes to visit. But of course, the two of them stumble upon the body of a climber. At first, they think he fell but find out that he was murdered. Mae thought Violet came to see her, that is true, but she also came to interview the headliner for the Climb the Cliffs Festival. The man is so arrogant and reckless. Mae, Violet and the Laundry Ladies are on the case. Everyone knows they will solve the murder before the sheriff does. So many suspects and so little time.
Profile Image for Leah.
1,977 reviews
April 2, 2025
This one takes place in spring. It involves a hiking and climbing festival in a national park. The murder victim was a star climber with an attitude problem which led to a lot of potential killers. The story took a few twists. I liked the way the mystery ended. I thought it would be someone else. The best part of the story was Violet coming back to visit.
Profile Image for Kandy.
1,385 reviews13 followers
March 19, 2025
This is another excellent addition to this series. I love this group of characters and the setting they are in. I love this series and this book.
Profile Image for Jen’s library.
20 reviews56 followers
December 30, 2025
If you are a fan of Tonya Kappes, you know exactly what you’re getting: quirky neighbors, a determined protagonist, and a lighthearted mystery. This book delivers on all those fronts. That said, it felt very similar to other books in this genre. I found myself guessing the 'who-done-it' about halfway through, and some of the clues felt a little too convenient. It’s a good 'palette cleanser' book, but it didn't stand out as a favorite in the series for me.
Profile Image for Frances.
194 reviews
January 2, 2026
Not as good as the previous ones. Seems like she could’t wait to finish it. I think it ended abruptly .
Profile Image for Helen Drake.
984 reviews15 followers
March 31, 2025
There is so much to like in the latest edition to the Campers and Criminals Series. Violet Rhinehammer the former editor of the Normal Gazette, has come for a visit, but why? A Climb the Cliffs Festival through the National Park Committee of the Daniel Boone National Forest is bringing in a big time climber along with other climbers including local ones.

The big name is found dead by a waterfall area and it’s up to Mae, the Laundry Club Ladies, and Violet to solve the murder, until Violet has to return home.

The mystery kept me engaged until the killer was revealed. A number of people had reason to want him dead. I was somewhat surprised when the killer was revealed.

As good as the mystery is, the compelling characters keep me coming back to this series. Mae West Sharp her husband, Park Ranger Hank Sharp, their dogs, Dottie and Henry, the Laundry Club Ladies and other Normal residents are so down to earth and relatable. It’s relaxing to share their lives.

I was fortunate to receive an Advanced Copy.
67 reviews
April 5, 2025
CLIFFS, CLUES, & CONSPIRACIES

It's The Climb & Cliffs Festival at the Daniel Boone National Park in Normal, Kentucky! There is already a loud argument going on between the headliner, James Rafferty, & a local climber, Ethan Caldwell. There are hikers, climbers, & nature enthusiasts locally & from out of town who have come to the Festival. There was a exclusive prep festival hike forclimbers, conservationists, & a handful of representatives from the Daniel Boone National Park Committee including Mae! Emily Brewer, the soft-spoken botanist leading the hike, was telling the groups that they are working to protect the white-haired goldenrod. There were rope fences enclosing the endangered species with fences & markers rerouting trails to prevent any damage from hikers & climbers accidentally sampling the plants.

James acts & talks like he came to "see what all the fuss was about" at the Festival & proceeds to call the Daniel Boone Forest cliffs for "hobby climbers & nothing compared to the Grand Canyon" which upset the groups! Doug Thatcher, the festival's biggest financial backer, gives him a warning that he could be making a lot of enemies around there with that kind of put-down talk!

Dottie gets a call from Henry at the Campground & says he needs help with a problem. She & Mae head back to see what's going on. the campground is full since the festival is starting tomorrow. Henry is pacing in front of the Office like something was terribly wrong. He tanks open the Office door & says "See for yourself!" As Mae climbs in the door , she freezes in her tracks as she sees Violet Rhinehammer standing there! Violet says she is there to surprise Mae. She looks at Henry & asks if he knew. He told her that Hank thought it would be a nice surprise for Mae. As they walked up to Mae's old camper, as she opens the door, there is a chorus of "SURPRISE" from Abby, Betts, & Queenie! Dottie is not happy she wasn't told about the surprise but Violet tells her they knew she would tell Mae & ruin the surprise! He next surprise is they are all going out to Tex's off-the-grid pampering at his mobile spa!

After they have their spa time, they head out to the opening ceremony. Hank even thought of putting 3 outfits in a bag so she could change on the way! As they arrive, Mae sends a text to Hank to find out where he is. As they enjoy the festivities, the guest of honor takes the stage. As James spoke, his criticism & contempt about the Festival. As he talks about "the cute little setup here" then said "the cliffs here weren't exactly what he called challenging", boos broke out. Instead of apologizing, he says " I respect what y'all are doin'. It's adorable really." Judge Hemmer interrupts & tries o smooth over James' rudeness. Everyone heads back to their respective homes for some much needed rest before the big day of the Climbs & Cliffs Festival.

A low, eerie howl ripped through the quiet of the morning, jarring Mae awake. It was Chester & trying to get him to settle down was futile. Mae hears a whisper through the open window. As she looks out the window, she sees a figure standing below the window. She realizes it is Violet! She wants to go catch James Rafferty at the Old Train Station Motel for an interview. As they reach the Motel, they see Coke Ogden. Mae tells her Violet is here to interview Rafferty. Coke tells them he had left earlier headed to the Cascades earlier. Mae & Violet take off to try to find him so Violet can try to get him to answer her questions! As they continued to hike, they reached the Cascades with their "breathtaking tiered waterfalls tumbling over smooth stone, the water glistening like diamonds in the morning sun". As they looked at the Cascades, they both realize there was someone sprawled at the base of the cliff! They both realize at the same time it is James Rafferty! Mae calls Hank & lets him know they have found Rafferty's body! So many suspects after his terrible insults at the Opening Ceremony last night! Who did it?
Profile Image for Jeanie.
1,323 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2025
The first annual Climb and Cliffs Festival is beginning in Normal, Kentucky, and many locals and tourists are downtown on opening night. Mae has a surprise visitor – her former nemesis, Violet Rhinehammer! Now the editor of a newspaper in Holiday Junction, Violet once reported the news in several venues in Normal. She once wanted to get THE SCOOP that would put her on a major news network, and stepped on anyone in her way. Violet and Mae became friends since then. Violet blossomed since leaving Normal, and she loves her new life.

Dottie and Mae visited the pre-festival climb. Ethan, a climber and climbing instructor, and Doug, owner of the largest guided climbing company in the area, were there. The festival’s headliner, James, was also going on the climb. He is a well-known climber with awards from huge climbing competitions around the world. In his mid-60s, he is arrogant and insulting.

Dottie and Mae went back to Mae’s campground, Happy Trails, where Violet surprised them. She accompanied our favorite sleuths, the Laundry Club Ladies, Mae, Dottie, Betts, Queenie, and Abby, to the festival opening. James introduced himself and gave the keynote speech. His bad manners and arrogance were front and center. The crowd booed him when he insulted the Red River Gorge and the many local climbers.

Violet later revealed the reason for visiting at this particular time. She heard James would be there, and wanted to interview him, particularly about the rumors of him using performance enhancing drugs. He refused, and even pushed her away. Somebody knew the truth, perhaps even someone at the competition.

Early the next morning, Mae and Violet went to James’s motel to catch him before the morning competition at Lover’s Leap. He left early to go to the gorgeous Cascades waterfalls before the Lover’s Leap climb. They took the hiking trail towards the Cascades. When they were close, Mae and Violet saw someone lying on the ground, partially submerged in water at the bottom. It was James, and he had been murdered.

Mae, with the help of the other Laundry Club Ladies, had solved many murders since arriving at Happy Trails, the campground her late husband left her in Normal. Mae is curious, but doesn’t want to get involved this time. Since moving to Holiday Junction, Violet, with tips from Mae, began solving murders there. They make a fine team, as do the Laundry Club Ladies!

The breathtaking wonders of Kentucky are reflected throughout. I appreciate seeing, scenting, and hearing the natural beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest! Mae loves people, always watching and chatting with locals, campers, and children at play.

Mae and Violet knew this would be a challenging case. It can be hard to find whodunit when someone comes from out of the area, but the local climbing community was there. James had a knack for upsetting people, but Mae and her friends had a knack for getting the bad guy. The real killer surprised me, as I had not even considered the person! I highly recommend this novel, especially to those who love camping, quirky female sleuths, and outdoor activities.

From a thankful heart: I received a pre-publication copy of this book, and this is my honest review.
Profile Image for Loretta TheMoodyRedhead.
1,047 reviews4 followers
April 5, 2025
Normal, Kentucky is anything but normal

I would give this 4 stars; however, I’m adding a 5th ⭐️ because of the hiking and camping atmosphere. I always look forward to reading about the beautiful scenery of the Kentucky Daniel Boone National Forest.

Violet Rhinehammer who was a prior resident of Mae’s Normal, Kentucky is in town and she’s itching for an interview of a well-known climber named James visiting the area. Apparently James is on performance drugs and Violet wants to get the scoop. However, James is avoiding her.

Violet and Mae go on a hike to try to catch up with James, but they find James… resting… and he won’t be answering any of Violet’s questions or anyone’s for that matter. Ever.

Yep, this time the murder is James’s. Oh dear. Since Violet loves interviewing folks and of course Mae does too, the 2 ladies begin asking questions so they can verify alibis of suspects.

The ladies also get the club involved to help - The Laundry Club ladies. All the ladies work together to solve the whodunnit before the sheriff Al can.

I must admit I knew before James was even killed not only who would be killed in this book, but I also knew who the killer would be. I was right! Hey, there’s a forest for everything. 😆

If you like camping, hiking, being outdoors in general, people that make you feel at home, sassy ladies, a sweet granny, and a good ol’ mystery, you’ll love this series!

There are recipes in the back and campers hacks that are all really cool and helpful.

Next is book 41: “Haunts, Hikes, & Havoc,” with no release date that I saw, but I’m sure it’s soon!

Since Book 41 isn’t out yet, I’ll get back to the series I was reading before I decided I needed a break from its stress and read this Book 40. I’ll be reading a paranormal mystery by Erin Huss from her A Lost Souls Lane Mysteries. It’s Book 2 “A Medium Place.” It’s about a girl named Zoe Lane who sees the ghosts of people who can’t move on until Zoe helps them with whatever it is they need. In book 1, she helped a man find out who killed him and also find family he never knew he had.

See you in my next review.
Deuces to your cabooses!
Profile Image for Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy.
2,035 reviews64 followers
March 25, 2025
Normal, Kentucky is a little piece of paradise and home of the esteemed Laundry Club Ladies, a group of amateur sleuths who know how to solve a case. If there is a murder to be solved, these ladies are the best ones to investigate.

The Cliff Climb Festival is just getting underway, and the town is full of visitors, some of which have very large egos. When one of the climbers, who was very arrogant and rubbed everyone the wrong way, is found dead, local law enforcement realize they have their work cut out for them because the suspect pool will be large.

Mae and the other Laundry Club Ladies, along with a blast from the past, journalist Violet Rhinehammer (who has her own series now) never let a little thing like "stay out of it" bother them. They believe the truth shall set you free, and go after it with a vengeance. They are all invested in the mystery, but Mae is fearless in her pursuit of the finding the truth. This group of ladies are some of my favorite fictional characters.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story, and I dearly love this series. The mystery is always fresh and interesting. Tonya Kappes knows how to tickle my funny bone to the point that I often laughed out loud like a hyena. Dottie is always good for a laugh such as, "I need someone to work the tension outta my back before I fall apart like a lawn chair." Queenie, with her bright, tight jazzercise clothes, is always good for a laugh as well - "my joints need more help than a rusted out car." These are just a few of the funny scenes that will make you laugh and smile.

You can count on good, clean fun, a cast of quirky, lovable characters and a top notch mystery that makes the little girl Nancy Drew in me happy as a clam.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am am leaving this review voluntarily.
Profile Image for Mary Brown.
1,298 reviews74 followers
April 4, 2025
Cliffs,Clues, & Conspiracies
A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery, Book #40
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Welcome to Normal where nothing is normal.
Get ready for a cozy mystery adventure with a southern twist in Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies!
Mae West is just hoping for a peaceful weekend at Happy Trails Campground during the Climb the Cliffs Festival in the heart of Kentucky's Daniel Boone National Forest. But when the festival's star climber, James Rafferty, is found dead at the base of the Cascades, Mae's plans for a quiet weekend crumble faster than a buttermilk biscuit.
What looks like a tragic accident turns out to be murder, and Mae armed with her sleuthing notebook and the unwavering support of the Laundry Club Ladies, is on the case.
Mae follows clues from cryptic coordinates to suspicious boot prints, she soon discovers that secrets run deep in the close-knit town of Normal, Kentucky. But with a killer determined to keep those secrets buried, Mae’s about to find out that some cliffs are more dangerous than they seem.
One thing's for sure—this mystery is about to take a deadly turn. (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well rounded and well developed. Mae and her friends are looking forward to the Climb The Cliffs Festival. When the star climber of the festival is found dead from an apparent accident, the Laundry Club Ladies will have to figure out what really happened. Was it an accident or murder?
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and those descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and it was not easily solved.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well plotted cozy mystery. The Laundry Club Ladies are very entertaining and I enjoy these books very much.
Profile Image for Kathleen.
1,846 reviews9 followers
May 25, 2025
This is book forty in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes.

Another trip to Normal, Kentucky. A sixty-ish rock climber doesn’t know who butters his biscuits. You don’t poke the bear and act like an idiot, when you’re trying to be the best at rock climbing.

I enjoyed that Violet return to Normal, but she came across as a little meaner to me than when she’s in Holiday Junction.

In the draft, there were timing issues with events but I’m sure they will be ironed out prior to publication.

The plot was unique. The twists were great. I didn’t see the culprit as the killer. This felt introduce the character at the end with just a mention in the beginning. I would have never deduced the exact killer but I did have the motive down as a possibility.

Since, I am not a fan of sliding the killer into the story at the end, (I don't count a mention before the reveal as giving the cozy reader a real chance to figure out who might have killed the jerk. I cannot rate higher than a 3. There are plenty of good turns that keep you guessing. I enjoyed the book until the reveal, then I was disappointed.

I received an advanced readers’ copy and these are my opinions. If your proclivity towards cozies does not lean towards the category of finding the clues to picking out the killer, this book is for you. In real life the culprit is not easily found.

I am late with this review due to circumstances beyond my control.
Profile Image for Sapphyria  .
2,265 reviews59 followers
March 30, 2025
Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies is the 40th book in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series, but it’s as fresh and exciting as all the previous books. Reading Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies is like coming home to Normal, Kentucky and hanging out with all my friends., who also happen to solve crimes. I love the familiarity of the characters, the hominess of the locations throughout the book, and the comfort of knowing Mae, Hank, Dottie, and the Laundry Club Ladies are keeping everyone safe.

The book takes place during the Climb the Cliffs Festival. When one the star cliff climber is found dead at the base of the cliffs, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation.

The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. There are several viable suspects as Mae and the ladies unravel a network of secrets flowing through Normal. I was kept guessing until the very end. I loved how the loose threads quickly and methodically tied right up at the end.

As with the rest of the books in the series, the mystery isn't the only thing going on in the book. Tonya Kappes did a terrific job weaving the main storyline and other ones together. The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal with every book in the series.
Profile Image for Merry Chapman.
2,579 reviews23 followers
March 30, 2025
It is time for the Climb and Cliff Festival in Normal, Kentucky and this year they will have a famous climber, James Rafferty, to set things off. Arrogant and egotistical, he isn't well liked by the local climbers. But as things are going along, Mae is surprised by the visit by her friend, Violet Rhinehammer, a journalist, who moved away. But Violet also had another purpose for her visit with Mae. She wanted to get an interview with Rafferty and has tried a number of times. But then when Violet found he was going to climb up by the Ravine which he wasn't supposed to do, She gets Mae out of bed and they park by the trail entrance and climb the trail to the ravine. They did find Rafferty, but he was dead off the cliff into the ravine. Not to listen to "Stay our of it," Mae, Violet and of course Dottie with the laundry club ladies and Henry are on the case with a little help from Hank, Mae's husband. With so many twists and turns you are taken to a surprise ending! This 40th book is a great addition to the Camper and Criminals series is fantastic and fun. Not only do I highly recommend this book but the entire series as well and I can't wait for more! I received an ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.
Profile Image for Sarah.
1,104 reviews46 followers
March 31, 2025
Welcome to springtime in Normal, Kentucky, located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. It’s a special weekend in town – Climb the Cliffs Festival, and the Happy Trails Campground is packed with climbers from all over the country.

But Mae’s hope for a relaxing weekend is put aside when the festival's star climber, James Rafferty, is found dead at the base of the Cascades, and what looks like a tragic accident turns out to be murder.

Unable to simply ignore a mystery and the search for justice, Mae West and her friends in the Laundry Club jump into the case with both feet!

I just love this series and visiting with Mae and friends is such a treat each time. I love the descriptive setting and can easily picture the campground and surrounding town. It was a rainy weekend when I read this and I loved getting to escape through the pages of the book into a beautiful springtime season.

Suspects and twisty clues abound in this story, and I did not solve it ahead of time! I also enjoyed having Violet make an appearance in this story.

As always, Tonya’s writing is descriptive and the humor and Southern small town charm make for such an enjoyable read! I will always pick up a book about Mae and her friends!
Profile Image for Susan.
612 reviews10 followers
April 5, 2025
Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies is another exciting installment in Kappes' camper and criminals cozy mystery series. Mae is looking forward to the Climb the Cliffs festival that the town of Normal is holding. Things don't go as planned when the headliner of the event spends more time bad mouthing the town and event instead of promoting it. A town of angry people makes for a lot of suspects when the headliner turns up dead. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies have their hands full with this mystery to solve.

Kappes does a great job at setting up an entertaining read. I always look forward to each new installment in this series, and this book definitely doesn't disappoint. I always look forward to seeing my favorite secondary characters back as well so I really enjoyed an appearance by Violet. The book's mystery is well done full of enough twists and turns to keep the reader's attention. Overall Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies 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 Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies from the author.
216 reviews3 followers
March 19, 2025
The Climb & Cliff Festival is ramping up in Normal, attracting climbers eager to take advantage of the natural beauty and climbing opportunities. This event promises to be a significant money maker for the town. Among the attendees is world-class climber James Rafferty, whose appearance adds to the excitement. However, the festive atmosphere quickly turns dark when James is found dead. Did he fall, or was he helped to his death by someone?
Mae and her Laundry Ladies have some intriguing clues to sort through, and they have an extra helper this time—Violet is back in town. The timing of Violet's return is suspicious, especially since she had a tense conversation with the deceased climber. Mae suspects there might be more to this story. Violet reveals that the climber had a drug problem and wasn't the nicest guy around, leaving no shortage of suspects. James's bad attitude and tendency to find trouble everywhere he went means Mae has plenty of people to investigate to solve this mystery.Another fun adventure with Mae West!
Profile Image for Jen.
1,075 reviews10 followers
March 22, 2025
Cliffs, Clues & Conspiracies is the fortieth cozy mystery in the Campers & Criminals mystery series. The Climbs the Falls Festival is in town as professional climbers are ready to see what the Daniel Boone forest has to offer. When the star climber, James Rafferty is found dead at the bottom of the Cascades it looks like a tragic accident. Upon farther investigation it’s proven that James was pushed and there is another murderer in Normal, Kentucky. After finding the body, there is no way Mae can sit this case out. Will she be able to get to the bottom of it before the killer strikes again?

I have loved this series since I started reading it and I still look forward to each new installation. Most series have lost their edge by this pint in the series, but this one hasn’t! I love Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies and think they are a great cast of characters who drive this series. This mystery was fast paced and easy to get into and had me guessing until the end. This was another great cozy mystery in this series and I look forward to whatever Mae gets up to next!
Profile Image for Kara Marks.
454 reviews80 followers
March 31, 2025
This is the 40th (!) book in this series; I’ve read and loved them all, but this book can stand alone surprisingly well. The very bright and likable main character, Mae, is the owner of a camper area, located in Daniel Boone National Forest in Normal, Kentucky, a small town that is charming and full of interesting characters. Violet, a journalist, is visiting Mae, having moved away from Normal. They discover a climber’s body at the base of a waterfall and it turns out to be murder. They are both known for their investigative work, welcomed by officials or not, and sometimes helped by the ladies of the Laundry Club. There are plenty of suspects and some red herrings, so it was fun to try to solve the murder alongside the ladies. The setting is so picturesque and described beautifully; if it weren’t for the deaths that occur on the regular in the area, I’d certainly loved to visit this book setting. I can definitely recommend this cozy mystery and the whole series; I was provided an ARC, which I really appreciate, but these opinions are my own.
371 reviews5 followers
March 30, 2025
The Cliff Climb Festival in Normal, Kentucky is just getting underway, and the town is full of visitors, some of which have very large egos. When one of the climbers, who was very arrogant and rubbed everyone the wrong way, is found dead, local law enforcement realize they have their work cut out for them because the suspect pool will be large.

Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies, along with a blast from the past, journalist Violet Rhinehammer (who has her own series now) never let a little thing like "stay out of it" bother them. They believe the truth shall set you free, and go after it with a vengeance. They are all invested in the mystery, but Mae is fearless in her pursuit of the finding the truth.

Every new book in the Campers and Criminals series by Tonya is always a great, fun read and this one is no exception. I love the Laundry Club Ladies and I really enjoyed seeing Violet stop by for a visit. You can never go wrong when these ladies are on the case.
135 reviews3 followers
March 30, 2025
Book number 40 of the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series by Tonya Kappes is an exciting read. A person never knows what to expect when reading this series. A warm feeling comes over the reader as soon as they hear those thrilling southern saying and charm. Mae West's new husband has brought together a group of Mae's friends. The ladies are enjoying a girl's weekend before the Climb and Cliff Festival begins. There is so much local buzz and excitement about the town of Normal, Kentucky. Everyone is excited about the activities to take place. At the opening ceremony James Rafferty, expert climber is introduced to the crowd. He makes opening remarks that do not sit well with those in attendance. Later he is found dead. Mae and members of the Laundry Lady Club come together to begin searching for clues to who and why did James die. This time they have a former town reporter, Violet Rhinehammer helping solve this case. Never a dull moment when reading this cozy mystery. A must read!
Profile Image for Yaritza.
751 reviews133 followers
March 31, 2025
When cliffs are the perfect murder scene for an accidental death. Get ready to sleuth with Mae. When an expert climber, James Rafferty, is found dead, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies will figure this murder in a jiffy. How far will you go to protect the environment? James made many enemies, competing in his climbing sport. His arrogance made new enemies on his way up to fame. His arrogance will get him murdered by someone who wasn't even trying to compete with him in his sport.

Tonya led the readers to climb their way to the killer with all the clues. The characters were well developed and worked well in telling the story. I loved how the Laundry Club Ladies work well at solving murders. They are funny and are great at piecing together the evidence in order to solve the murder. Tonya's storytelling will transport the readers to Normal to help Mae solve this murder.
77 reviews3 followers
April 1, 2025
The Climb the Cliffs festival has everyone in Normal, Kentucky buzzing. Destined to be a tourist bonanza for the town, the excitement level is pushed even higher with world-class climber James Rafferty as headliner. Unfortunately, his holier-than-thou attitude and disparagement of the festival and area earn  him the scorn of many in the community. But karma hits home when his crumpled body is found at a cliff base by the intrepid Mae West and visiting friend Violet.


As in preceding Camper and Criminals mysteries, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are on the case, much to the chagrin of her hunky Hank. Clues are cleverly delivered with wit and humor against the backdrop of wonderfully detailed descriptions of the gorgeous Kentucky mountains. If you have this one figured before the end, you're more clever than I!
Profile Image for Jeanne.
1,908 reviews9 followers
April 2, 2025
Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies is book #40 in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series by Tonya Kappes.

It’s time for the Climb and Cliffs Festival in Normal, Kentucky. What should be a fun weekend of climbing and enjoying the beauty of the Daniel Boone National Forest ends up with a death. Was it an accident or murder? The victim has an attitude problem, which means there are many suspects for Mae in the Laundry Club Ladies to investigate. Mae also gets a surprise that I absolutely loved! In my opinion, the reason the series is able to go on for so long is that while the mysteries are interesting, the characters and their relationships are the heart of the series. I look forward to each visit to Normal!

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Barbara.
1,609 reviews22 followers
March 26, 2025
Violet Rhinehammer comes back to Normal for a visit but her main reason for being there is to interview James Rafferty, a climber attending the Climb the Cliffs Festival. Mae and Violet come across his dead body in an area he shouldn’t have been in, and it’s determined that he was murdered. James wasn’t one to follow rules and was disliked by many people so there are plenty of suspects who might want to see him dead. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies, Violet temporarily included, set out to solve the crime.

Another fun addition to the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. It kept me guessing until the end.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Sheri Little.
78 reviews1 follower
March 30, 2025
It's time for the Climb the Cliffs Festival. Mae and the rest of the town are ready for additional tourists. However, the headliner appears to cause trouble from the beginning. He is seen arguing with others and then insulting the entire town. While out on a hike, Mae finds his body at the bottom of a cliff. It appears he got too close to the edge and then fell. After further investigation, it's found to be a murder. With his attitude, there is an entire town of suspects. Mae and the Laundry club women may have met their match trying to solve this one. I was truly wrong on the ending of this one. Can't wait for the next book in this series.

I received an advance copy of this book however, all opinions are my own.
Profile Image for Cozy Champagne.
158 reviews6 followers
April 7, 2025
Cliffs, Clues, and Conspiracies is the 40th book in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series from Tonya Kappes. The sleuth is Mae West, owner of the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky (where nothing is normal).

Normal is hosting Climb the Cliffs, a festival for climbing enthusiasts. The festival will take place in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest and will include all sorts of fun activities, from a bluegrass concert to an amateur climbing contest.

Mae and everyone are fixing to have a good time when one of the climbing enthusiasts ends up at the bottom of the cliff courtesy of a killer. But that's not the only wild turn of events. Mae's old friend Violet Rhinhammer is back in town and is acting all sorts of mysterious.

It's up to Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies to figure out who's hiding what and why.

Cliffs, Clues, and Conspiracies is a fun mystery! It's always great to be back on the case with Mae. As usual, Dottie and her antics cracked me up, and I enjoyed spending time with the Laundry Club Ladies (Abby, Queenie, and Betts). These characters are the best part of the series. They keep me coming back book after book.

Author Tonya Kappes is very good at making you feel right at home in Normal. I enjoy her writing and look forward to reading the next book in the Camper and Criminals Mystery Series!
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