Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs: A Jules Keene Glamping Mystery

by Heather Weidner

244 pages, Paperback

Published December 9, 2025

Reviews

[Carrie Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really love the set-up of Jules’ glamping resort, especially the literary-themed tiny houses and the new A.A. Milne tree house. Camping is most definitely not my thing but I wouldn’t mind staying in one of those tiny houses. The town of Fern Valley sounds quaint and charming too, and the fact that it’s nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains further cements its place on my ‘fictional places I wish were real so I could visit’ list. In Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs, Jules’ resort guests include vendors and visitors for the local teddy bear and toy festival (a super fun idea that I wish I could attend in real life), as well as a crew of ghost hunters. An eclectic mix of side characters for sure, and one that adds to the entertainment factor of the story and also adds to the suspect list.

And while we’re on the subject of eccentric characters and suspects and the local festival, who knew the world of toys and teddy bears could be so cutthroat and drama-filled? Jules not only has to deal with some extreme personalities at the resort (including one I was tired of as soon as I met her… which means the author did her job well because I’m pretty sure I was supposed to be in a state of perpetual eye roll where this character was concerned), she also has to handle them as part of the festival leadership. Cat fights and arguments and maybe even theft and sabotage – they keep poor Jules hopping, and in turn she keeps Sheriff Matt on speed dial like the savvy-and-smart amateur sleuth she is.

For that matter, Jules is really likable, her dog Bijou is adorable (and Weidner writes the terrier with the insight of someone owned by a dog), her gentle beau Jake is such a sweetie, and her aunt Roxanne is delightful as always. The addition of the paranormal investigators not only gave us a nice break from the meltdowns at the festival, it also gave us more potential suspects along with a group of easy-to-like characters (who I really really hoped weren’t involved in the murder and other goings-on). I could have spent a whole book with just them, and the author does seem to have left it open for at least some of them to return (as well as some of their associates to whom they recommended Jules’ resort), so I’ll eagerly keep an eye out for our paths to cross again. The mystery is well-crafted with several twists and red herrings, and even when the pacing meandered a bit or stretched on a bit longer than necessary, I still found myself happily along for the ride

Bottom Line: Between toy-festival theatrics, paranormal investigators, and a puzzling murder, Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs by Heather Weidner delivers some twisty whodunit fun that keeps armchair sleuths invested and engaged. I loved spending time at Jules’ literary-themed resort again (but seriously, can someone make that J.K. Rowling tiny house real?), and the eclectic guest list adds some lively layers to the story and to the suspect pool. I loved how Jules stays cool under pressure (and there’s a lot of drama in this mystery to test that, trust me lol), and I equally loved the steady people in her circle who rally around her when things get dicey. I’m definitely looking forward to the next installment!

(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)

first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower

[Christy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jules Keene is back on the case in Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs by Heather Weidner. It’s the fifth book in the Jules Keene Glamping Mystery series, but it can be read as a standalone. The series is set in the charming Blue Ridge Mountain town, Fern Valley. Thanks to Jules’s successful glamping business, the town is once again filled with tourists bringing their dollars to boost the economy. However, it seems that no matter what big event the town holds, Jules finds a body! Though this time she doesn’t technically find the body, she’s there when it’s discovered. Plus, it’s one of her guests who’s murdered. Of course Jules wants to discover whodunit and why! 

Like the title suggests, Teddy Bears are involved in the mystery. No, they don’t creepily come to life! Fern Valley is holding a Teddy Bear and toy festival. What about the Ghostly Lairs? A paranormal investigative group happens to be staying at Jules’s campground at the same time. Honestly, I would have loved to have them in their own book! They do play a part in the mystery though! 

As always, the main characters are well-written, and the side characters play important roles. I would have liked more of the “usual” side characters like Lester and Pixel, but that’s just me. I know we all have our favorites! As I mentioned, I liked the paranormal team. One of the places they investigate is an old abandoned hotel site. True to life, it’s one of those places that sadly got left behind when big interstates were created. In the story, it’s really gross with trash all over the place and worse! The author does a great job at describing it, and I never want to encounter anyplace like it! 

I enjoyed the plot and solving the mystery along with the characters. This mystery was a bit slower paced than normal as it had lots of details and day to day happenings included. I recommend this series and this book to cozy mystery lovers, and as usual, I am looking forward to seeing what mystery Jules and her friends get caught up in next. 

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jules Keene owns a glamping resort in the Blue Ridge mountains of Virginia and is on the local business council in Fern Valley. The council is sponsoring a Teddy Bear and to Festival with many of the vendors staying at Jules' resort. Along with the troublesome Vern Hogge Toy team, she is also hosting a group off paranormal ghost hunters who are touring the Blue Ridge area for sites that they believe are haunted.
Life gets interesting on page one as the teddy bear and toy vendors get set up Vern and his folks get into a tussle with the vendor next door. Things just go a bit haywire from there on. Jules and boyfriend, Jake head off that night with the ghost hunters to an abandoned hotel up on the ridge. Instead of ghosts, they find a dead body. Next, Vern's son Vee Jay is purported to be kidnapped, and so is the teddy bear Jake bought Jules. Bijou, Jules Jack Russel terrier gets hold of the teddy bear she bought as a gift for a friend and tears it apart to reveal contraband. Of course, between the murder, kidnapping and contraband, Jules has to investigate. After a literal wild ride and having a gun waved in her face, the killer is revealed and it was a bit of a surprise. All in all, the festival was a success, the ghost hunters gathered enough material for their podcasts and shows, the killer was caught and just maybe a hapless character will find his way in the world.
I look forward to a return trip to Fern Valley soon! Jules and her crew are lots of fun and Bijou is a riot, always finding a way to keep life interesting for his human1
Thanks to NetGalley for the read-now access to this in exchange for my honest thoughts.

[K.A. Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

TEDDY BEARS AND GHOSTLY LAIRS is the fifth book in the Jules Keene Glamping Mysteries by Heather Weidner. This charming cozy mystery brings back favorite characters to the page with an adorable Teddy Bear and Toy Extravaganza in town! The protagonist, Jules Keene, along with her feisty aunt, owns and runs Fern Valley Luxury Camping Resort, which has been in the family since the 1970s. I love how the two interact, and their loving banter brings a lightness to the story. And of course, Jules’ adorable dog, Bijou, steals each and every scene she inhabits… everyone should have a Bijou! The author has created characters with wonderful personalities and brings them to life with her strong descriptive skills.

Conflict happens right off the bat, building tension leading up to the murder. With disappearing teddy bears, a paranormal team of investigators hunting for ghostly sightings, a creepy abandoned motel, and a stolen antique bear worth close to ten thousand dollars, the stage is set for a page-turning mystery. The story is fast-paced, with clues sprinkled throughout to keep the sharp armchair detective on their toes. Jules and her friends work hand-in-hand with local law enforcement as they follow the trail to solve the case. If you enjoy character-driven mysteries with an adorable setting and a bit of humor, you’ll enjoy Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs!

[Rose Kerr · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series and it can be read as a stand alone.

There's a Teddy Bear and Toy festival taking place in Fern Valley, and Jules Keene is very involved with the festival while still running the resort her family has owned.
The resort has guests staying there who figure prominently in the story. One group of guests are paranormal investigators searching the area for ghosts. Then there's a group that's at the resort for the Teddy Bear and Toy Festival.
The conflict begins right away at the festival and Jules is involved from the beginning and Jake, her trusty sidekick and boyfriend, is by her side. And the tension escalates throughout the story with the characters involved with the festival.
Readers learn how much work organizing a festival in a small town is by seeing it all through Jules eyes.
Jules and Jake join the paranormal investigators on a scouting trip to a deserted resort. Ms. Weidner's vivid description of the abandoned resort had me turning on the lights while I was reading.
Ms. Weidner does excellent work increasing the stakes and tension throughout the story. There's plenty of clues for the reader to find.
Her vivid description of the abandoned resort had me looking turning on the lights when I was reading.
There are several twists that I didn't see coming.

This was a 5 star read and I recommend this book and series!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs features Jules Keene as the owner of a glamping campground with vintage trailers, tiny houses, and traditional campsites. Her little town in the Blue Ridge Mountains is buzzing with excitement about a Teddy Bear and Toy Extravaganza, with a street fair and many vintage booths. The campground is booked, including a group of paranormal investigators. When Jules and Jake go out with the group to an abandoned (and supposedly haunted) motel, they find a body.

I wanted to read this book because of the vintage campers and glamping aspect of the story. It turned out to be even more suited to me than anticipated: vintage campers, tiny houses, glamping themes involving classic children's books, mentions of vintage toys (including Steiff bears and even a mention of Dawn Dolls!), and a lovable Jack Russell Terrier named Bijou. Seriously, I am the target audience for this book!

The mystery aspect of this story worked well, with just the right amount of twists. I really like Jules as an amateur detective too.

I would recommend Teddy Bears and Ghostly Lairs for cozy mystery readers who have an interesting in glamping. It's a really fun read!

[Kallie Herink · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book had a lot of potential; however, it fell a little flat for me. A good "who-dunnit" set in a cozy town during a toy festival is a great idea, especially for a "cozy thriller". I feel there needs to be a bit more refinement on the writing. I hate saying it, but there were parts where the author was so descriptive that it left nothing for me to imagine. I found myself wondering if it was so detailed because the author needed to get to a certain word count. I like having enough detail I can see something, but also allows me to make it bit of my own picture.

I also struggled reading the character dialog. While the scense felt overly descriptive, the dialog lacked dimension and even felt forced.

I do see a lot of hope in development. The main female character, Jules, was written well. She was likeable and relatable. I think with just a bit of refinement, this book could easily improve.

[JXR · Rating 5 out of 5]

fun and very cute murder mystery with fantastic plotting and a very effective final culprit reveal that honestly I wasn't expecting. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.