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The Campervan Detectives
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26A totally addictive and gripping English cozy murder mystery
Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!
It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!
Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…
With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!
Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?
First in a brilliant new series from bestselling author Maeve Haran, this warm, witty and absolutely gripping cosy crime novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.
Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!
It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!
Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…
With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!
Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?
First in a brilliant new series from bestselling author Maeve Haran, this warm, witty and absolutely gripping cosy crime novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Maeve Haran
37 books74 followersMaeve Haran is an Oxford Law graduate who worked in journalism and television before writing her first novel, Having It All, a worldwide bestseller translated into 26 languages and shortlisted for
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
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July 11, 2026
4 stars
This was a fun cozy mystery novel about a group of women who live in campervans that end up investigating a murder case. As the group formed, they called themselves the ‘Vintage Vanettes’. There are a lot of suspects and the book has you constantly guessing as to who it could be. I didn’t really have any clear suspicions myself. It is all neatly tied up and clearly explained at the end. There is also a good bit of humour sprinkled throughout the book and each of the characters has a distinct, unique personality – a bit of an odd bunch.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was brilliant. It really brought the book to life, with clear distinct voices for each of the characters and great expression and tone too. Definitely worth listening to the audiobook.
Fans of British cosy mysteries are sure to enjoy this book.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
This was a fun cozy mystery novel about a group of women who live in campervans that end up investigating a murder case. As the group formed, they called themselves the ‘Vintage Vanettes’. There are a lot of suspects and the book has you constantly guessing as to who it could be. I didn’t really have any clear suspicions myself. It is all neatly tied up and clearly explained at the end. There is also a good bit of humour sprinkled throughout the book and each of the characters has a distinct, unique personality – a bit of an odd bunch.
I listened to this as an audiobook and the narration was brilliant. It really brought the book to life, with clear distinct voices for each of the characters and great expression and tone too. Definitely worth listening to the audiobook.
Fans of British cosy mysteries are sure to enjoy this book.
Thank you to Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for sharing an advance reader copy of this book with me. All opinions are my own.
June 21, 2026
3.5 stars! What a cute start to a hopefully long-running series. A group of ladies who live in camper vans and solve mysteries?? Yes please and thank you! How charming. I am digging the idea that they will be roaming sleuths as well - can’t wait to see what shenanigans they get up to as they take their convoy around England (and beyond?) to put their skills to the test.
As this was a first book, there were some growing pains. The plot definitely happened too quickly. The ladies became instant best friends super quickly, Sadie bought her van the same day she left her husband and didn’t resolve that and already found a potential love interest (would have loved to see that in book two) and everyone seemed so settled into their roles. In my opinion, Sadie also decided so quickly to make changes in her life. It didn’t feel like the dawning of an idea that had been festering for awhile. I would have appreciated a bit more organic growth in our characters. I understand it’s a first book and you have to set out who we are dealing with quickly, but I think that leaving some time for developing personalities, and making sense of the actions of our main four ladies by getting to know them a bit better would help. Speaking of rushed
Despite this, the setting for this and future novels was fantastic. I’m really excited by the idea of traveling sleuths. And the book helped set them up for success in their future endeavors at the end! The minor annoyances didn’t stop me from tearing through this book. Cozy mysteries are my favorite and it’s rare that we get a new type of sleuth - especially one who isn’t tied to just one place. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one!
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
As this was a first book, there were some growing pains. The plot definitely happened too quickly. The ladies became instant best friends super quickly, Sadie bought her van the same day she left her husband and didn’t resolve that and already found a potential love interest (would have loved to see that in book two) and everyone seemed so settled into their roles. In my opinion, Sadie also decided so quickly to make changes in her life. It didn’t feel like the dawning of an idea that had been festering for awhile. I would have appreciated a bit more organic growth in our characters. I understand it’s a first book and you have to set out who we are dealing with quickly, but I think that leaving some time for developing personalities, and making sense of the actions of our main four ladies by getting to know them a bit better would help. Speaking of rushed
Despite this, the setting for this and future novels was fantastic. I’m really excited by the idea of traveling sleuths. And the book helped set them up for success in their future endeavors at the end! The minor annoyances didn’t stop me from tearing through this book. Cozy mysteries are my favorite and it’s rare that we get a new type of sleuth - especially one who isn’t tied to just one place. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one!
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
reading-next-arc-approvals
July 2, 2026PUBLISH DATE: July 28, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Campervan Detectives
SERIES: A Campervan Detective Mystery Book 1
AUTHOR: Maeve Haran
NARRATOR: Fenella Fudge
PUBLISHER: Bookouture Audio
FORMAT: Audio
PAGES:
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
BOOK TITLE: The Campervan Detectives
SERIES: A Campervan Detective Mystery Book 1
AUTHOR: Maeve Haran
NARRATOR: Fenella Fudge
PUBLISHER: Bookouture Audio
FORMAT: Audio
PAGES:
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
July 10, 2026
Thank you #Bookouture and #netgalley for the advanced audio release of #thecampervandetectives
I love the cover art. The idea of changing up my life and living in a camper van is not something I would be excited over. But these ladies definitely give hope in the face of discrimination with older women.
Our narrator, Fenella Fudge does a wonderful job. Her voice is pleasant and easy to listen to. I would rate her an A-. More on the rating later. (I had to look it up to make sure I heard her name correctly. I'm here for it. You've got my attention when the name is that much fun.)
Sadie starts off the story with a bang. Hold on to your horses, everything happens quickly. Sadie leaves her husband, buys a camper van, finds a body, then finds the people who become her mates and they instantly bond. There's no slowing down in the beginning of this story. I was maybe an hour in when I thought wow! This will be solved quickly, how do I still have 5 hours left? I never felt rushed or felt like I was missing any information. I have a few caveats but I'll get there. Sadie starts out the story but we do learn about all our lovely protagonists and they each get some time in the narration. I am in my 40's and can sympathize with these lovely women. It made me wish I had the support and friendship they offer as I grow older. Each have their own story and each brings a skill set perfect for solving murders with some added humor. I did find myself chuckling at times.
They are amateur detectives so you have to let your self believe that a woman in a camper van can help solve a murder. Once you get that - you'll have no problem enjoying it.
My caveats - I do like the narrator but I did find myself rewinding a couple of times to make sure I knew which character was talking. Had I been reading it, I would have caught the quick change in speaker but as we often do, we multitask when listening to an audiobook and there isn't always a big distinction in the character's voice. Sadie also starts with the dog being a part of her adventures then it just kind of disappears for a bit and just when you're wondering where it is, then the dog is brought back in. The pup isn't the focus of the story, but we still want the continuity of what happens when living in a camper van with a dog that is essentially always with you. Then there's the husband and attraction to a new beau. Okay. I get that this story moves quickly, but can we have a bit of reality thrown in? This isn't happening months after leaving your husband, it's a short period of time and you're still wrapping your mind around the end of your marriage, which you haven't legally addressed yet and your friends are already suggesting a new man? No. Just not ready for that. And I hope there is a 2nd book and the husband and marriage is addressed better in it. It's minor issues but enough to knock my rating just a bit. I give it 3.75 stars. I will be watching for more in this series as I really do like the characters and I want more.
I love the cover art. The idea of changing up my life and living in a camper van is not something I would be excited over. But these ladies definitely give hope in the face of discrimination with older women.
Our narrator, Fenella Fudge does a wonderful job. Her voice is pleasant and easy to listen to. I would rate her an A-. More on the rating later. (I had to look it up to make sure I heard her name correctly. I'm here for it. You've got my attention when the name is that much fun.)
Sadie starts off the story with a bang. Hold on to your horses, everything happens quickly. Sadie leaves her husband, buys a camper van, finds a body, then finds the people who become her mates and they instantly bond. There's no slowing down in the beginning of this story. I was maybe an hour in when I thought wow! This will be solved quickly, how do I still have 5 hours left? I never felt rushed or felt like I was missing any information. I have a few caveats but I'll get there. Sadie starts out the story but we do learn about all our lovely protagonists and they each get some time in the narration. I am in my 40's and can sympathize with these lovely women. It made me wish I had the support and friendship they offer as I grow older. Each have their own story and each brings a skill set perfect for solving murders with some added humor. I did find myself chuckling at times.
They are amateur detectives so you have to let your self believe that a woman in a camper van can help solve a murder. Once you get that - you'll have no problem enjoying it.
My caveats - I do like the narrator but I did find myself rewinding a couple of times to make sure I knew which character was talking. Had I been reading it, I would have caught the quick change in speaker but as we often do, we multitask when listening to an audiobook and there isn't always a big distinction in the character's voice. Sadie also starts with the dog being a part of her adventures then it just kind of disappears for a bit and just when you're wondering where it is, then the dog is brought back in. The pup isn't the focus of the story, but we still want the continuity of what happens when living in a camper van with a dog that is essentially always with you. Then there's the husband and attraction to a new beau. Okay. I get that this story moves quickly, but can we have a bit of reality thrown in? This isn't happening months after leaving your husband, it's a short period of time and you're still wrapping your mind around the end of your marriage, which you haven't legally addressed yet and your friends are already suggesting a new man? No. Just not ready for that. And I hope there is a 2nd book and the husband and marriage is addressed better in it. It's minor issues but enough to knock my rating just a bit. I give it 3.75 stars. I will be watching for more in this series as I really do like the characters and I want more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. I wish I could have given it more, Actually, I would have given it 3 but I listened to the audiobook version and have added the extra 0.5 for the narrator who reads the story clearly and professionally.
Starting with the positives: if shortened and the language simplified (e.g. by removing dialect words), this would make a fantastic Reader for learners of English as a foreign language – especially those who love the idealised England depicted in popular TV shows such as Midsommer Murders and Beyond Paradise. It could make the perfect book to bridge the summer gap between language school semesters.
Beyond that thought, it just didn’t grab me. The plot was predictable to the point that I could often finish the sentences in my head before the narrator spoke them.
The main character, Sadie, a nearly 60-year-old Londoner who on discovering her husband’s infidelity, grabs the family dog and all the random items she’ll need to survive the rest of the book (swimming costume, pepper spray etc), buys a fully-fitted orange VW campervan and that very same day heads off to the coast to a fictional town where she once attended boarding school.
Before she has even reached the camping ground she discovers the body of the universally disliked Eleanor Woolf, Sadie’s old headmistress, in the community gardens. The rest you can probably work out for yourself.
This is a strong attempt of jumping on the current Cozy Crime wave and I could easily imagine it being picked up by a TV company and being turned into a mostly forgettable but popular series (this is Book 1, after all). In the story, the author herself even likens the Vintage Vanettes – as the group of four middle-aged-plus van-dwelling women call themselves – to Miss Marples.
The book is well-written but for me it was lacking in originality and depth. The unchallenging plot was full of predictable ‘twists’ and a lot of overly similar characters.
Certain things also didn’t make sense to me, e.g. there was no feeling of a timeframe, I don’t know if it took place over 5 days or 5 months. There were also arbitrary opinions peppered throughout the book, such as wild swimming is good but meditation is laughable. The dog (depicted on the cover) never got fed, was mostly left in the van, and hardly even appeared in the middle 4/6ths of the book, and when Sadie’s van was broken into, the women were all more concerned that someone had moved Sadie’s make up than that the same person had mistreated her dog. (Yes I’m a dog person so these things bother me).
Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Conclusion: The Famous Five for grown-up women in which copious amounts of wine replace ginger pop.
Starting with the positives: if shortened and the language simplified (e.g. by removing dialect words), this would make a fantastic Reader for learners of English as a foreign language – especially those who love the idealised England depicted in popular TV shows such as Midsommer Murders and Beyond Paradise. It could make the perfect book to bridge the summer gap between language school semesters.
Beyond that thought, it just didn’t grab me. The plot was predictable to the point that I could often finish the sentences in my head before the narrator spoke them.
The main character, Sadie, a nearly 60-year-old Londoner who on discovering her husband’s infidelity, grabs the family dog and all the random items she’ll need to survive the rest of the book (swimming costume, pepper spray etc), buys a fully-fitted orange VW campervan and that very same day heads off to the coast to a fictional town where she once attended boarding school.
Before she has even reached the camping ground she discovers the body of the universally disliked Eleanor Woolf, Sadie’s old headmistress, in the community gardens. The rest you can probably work out for yourself.
This is a strong attempt of jumping on the current Cozy Crime wave and I could easily imagine it being picked up by a TV company and being turned into a mostly forgettable but popular series (this is Book 1, after all). In the story, the author herself even likens the Vintage Vanettes – as the group of four middle-aged-plus van-dwelling women call themselves – to Miss Marples.
The book is well-written but for me it was lacking in originality and depth. The unchallenging plot was full of predictable ‘twists’ and a lot of overly similar characters.
Certain things also didn’t make sense to me, e.g. there was no feeling of a timeframe, I don’t know if it took place over 5 days or 5 months. There were also arbitrary opinions peppered throughout the book, such as wild swimming is good but meditation is laughable. The dog (depicted on the cover) never got fed, was mostly left in the van, and hardly even appeared in the middle 4/6ths of the book, and when Sadie’s van was broken into, the women were all more concerned that someone had moved Sadie’s make up than that the same person had mistreated her dog. (Yes I’m a dog person so these things bother me).
Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Conclusion: The Famous Five for grown-up women in which copious amounts of wine replace ginger pop.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sadie is approaching 60. One day she discovers something that upends her life. She leaves her home with her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade. On the spur of the moment, she buys a bright orange campervan and sets off for Winching, where she has happy memories of time spent there with her late father. Sadie was at boarding school in the area, which brings some not-so-happy memories, but she does reconnect with a beloved teacher she had there. Taking Sam Spade for a walk through the community gardens, Sadie sees a mysterious person acting suspiciously. Then she sees the body of a deceased woman, although she can't see her face. After dealing with the police, she finally gets to the campground where she plans to park her campervan. Having no experience with campervans, she is relieved when a fellow camper, Rose, helps her set up her bed and promises to be back in the morning. From there Sadie meets a couple of other women who live in their campervans at the site and quickly connects with them, becoming part of the group. When the closed-minded guy who is in charge of the investigation doesn't get very far, the women decide to investigate themselves. They start calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes and plot ensues from there.
I had such a great time reading this book. I loved the Vanettes and was happy to spend time in their company. Each woman had their own back story which was provided in enough detail to connect with readers, but also leaving room for things to be fleshed out further in subsequent books. The supporting cast was full of interesting personalities. I enjoyed the setting a lot, including the way that Sadie interacted with this environment, which held so many memories but also possibilities for the future. The story moved along at just the right pace and I was kept interested in both the mystery and the people. I admit that at first I was slightly skeptical of the rapid connection between Sadie and the other Vanettes, but then I remembered instances in my own life when such connections happen seemingly in the blink of an eye and in completely unexpected ways. In any case, I soon overcame my skepticism and just settled into the story, which had many elements to it--at times tense, heartwarming, funny, and of course, mysterious. The ending was quite satisfying with regard to the mystery, but also in terms of Sadie's decision-making about where she wants her life to go from there. Will she go back to her old life or will she choose another path?
I'm thrilled that this is the first in a series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. It's good to know that there's more in store for Sadie and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
I had such a great time reading this book. I loved the Vanettes and was happy to spend time in their company. Each woman had their own back story which was provided in enough detail to connect with readers, but also leaving room for things to be fleshed out further in subsequent books. The supporting cast was full of interesting personalities. I enjoyed the setting a lot, including the way that Sadie interacted with this environment, which held so many memories but also possibilities for the future. The story moved along at just the right pace and I was kept interested in both the mystery and the people. I admit that at first I was slightly skeptical of the rapid connection between Sadie and the other Vanettes, but then I remembered instances in my own life when such connections happen seemingly in the blink of an eye and in completely unexpected ways. In any case, I soon overcame my skepticism and just settled into the story, which had many elements to it--at times tense, heartwarming, funny, and of course, mysterious. The ending was quite satisfying with regard to the mystery, but also in terms of Sadie's decision-making about where she wants her life to go from there. Will she go back to her old life or will she choose another path?
I'm thrilled that this is the first in a series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. It's good to know that there's more in store for Sadie and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Publication Date: July 28, 2026
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in right away and honestly felt like a little escape while I was reading. Sadie Sutton’s life completely unravels when she catches her husband with her best friend, and I really felt for her in those opening chapters. I loved how she didn’t overthink it though, she just grabbed her dog and left London behind for a fresh start in a bright orange campervan. It felt messy, brave, and exactly what she needed.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story for me. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, full of quirky locals, community spaces like the gardens, and that sense that everyone knows more than they say. I could really picture the salty air, the quieter pace, and the contrast between Sadie’s new, slightly chaotic van life and this close-knit town with deep roots and buried secrets. It made the mystery feel both cozy and a little tense underneath.
Of course, Sadie’s fresh start does not stay quiet for long. Before she even settles in, she finds a dead body and spots someone running from the scene. When the police quickly settle on an obvious suspect, I found myself just as frustrated as Sadie and completely on board with her decision to start digging deeper.
The Vanettes were easily one of my favorite parts. Their friendship felt genuine and uplifting, and I loved how each of them brought something different to the group. Watching Sadie slowly open up, gain confidence, and start figuring out who she is on her own was just as satisfying as the mystery. It gave the whole story a really warm, hopeful feel.
The mystery itself follows a familiar cozy pattern, and while I did find parts a bit predictable, I was still second-guessing things enough to stay engaged. The added twists and rising stakes kept it interesting without losing that light, easy tone that makes this genre so enjoyable.
Overall, this felt like the kind of book you curl up with when you want something cozy but still engaging. It is a great mix of mystery, friendship, and fresh starts, and I would happily continue on with this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
★★★★
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in right away and honestly felt like a little escape while I was reading. Sadie Sutton’s life completely unravels when she catches her husband with her best friend, and I really felt for her in those opening chapters. I loved how she didn’t overthink it though, she just grabbed her dog and left London behind for a fresh start in a bright orange campervan. It felt messy, brave, and exactly what she needed.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story for me. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, full of quirky locals, community spaces like the gardens, and that sense that everyone knows more than they say. I could really picture the salty air, the quieter pace, and the contrast between Sadie’s new, slightly chaotic van life and this close-knit town with deep roots and buried secrets. It made the mystery feel both cozy and a little tense underneath.
Of course, Sadie’s fresh start does not stay quiet for long. Before she even settles in, she finds a dead body and spots someone running from the scene. When the police quickly settle on an obvious suspect, I found myself just as frustrated as Sadie and completely on board with her decision to start digging deeper.
The Vanettes were easily one of my favorite parts. Their friendship felt genuine and uplifting, and I loved how each of them brought something different to the group. Watching Sadie slowly open up, gain confidence, and start figuring out who she is on her own was just as satisfying as the mystery. It gave the whole story a really warm, hopeful feel.
The mystery itself follows a familiar cozy pattern, and while I did find parts a bit predictable, I was still second-guessing things enough to stay engaged. The added twists and rising stakes kept it interesting without losing that light, easy tone that makes this genre so enjoyable.
Overall, this felt like the kind of book you curl up with when you want something cozy but still engaging. It is a great mix of mystery, friendship, and fresh starts, and I would happily continue on with this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
★★★★
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of The Campervan Detectives in exchange for my honest review. 🎧💙
Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres, and this book was such a delightful surprise! I had so much fun following Sadie and her wonderful group of campervan friends. The Vintage Vanettes are exactly the kind of quirky, lovable characters I enjoy reading about. 🚐🔍
After a life-changing discovery, Sadie decides it's time for a fresh start. With her adorable miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to a place filled with memories from her past. What begins as a journey of healing quickly turns into something much more exciting when Sadie stumbles upon a murder. Before long, she finds herself surrounded by a group of welcoming women living at the campsite, and together they decide to uncover the truth when the official investigation seems to be going nowhere.
What I loved most was how warm and comforting this story felt. It wasn't just about solving a mystery—it was about friendship, second chances, and finding a place where you truly belong. Each member of the Vintage Vanettes brought something unique to the story, and I really enjoyed getting to know their different personalities and backgrounds. They felt like a group of friends I would happily join around a campfire. 🏕️💛
The mystery itself kept me interested from beginning to end. There were enough clues and twists to keep me guessing without losing the cozy atmosphere. The pacing was steady, balancing the investigation with the characters' personal journeys, heartfelt moments, and a few laughs along the way. I also loved the beautiful countryside setting, which made me want to pack my own bags and go on a campervan adventure.
The audiobook was a joy to listen to and made the characters feel even more alive. 🎧✨
I'm so happy this is the start of a series because I definitely want to spend more time with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes. If you love cozy mysteries filled with charming characters, found family, adorable dogs, and amateur sleuths, this is one I'd happily recommend. 🚐🐶📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of The Campervan Detectives in exchange for my honest review. 🎧💙
Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres, and this book was such a delightful surprise! I had so much fun following Sadie and her wonderful group of campervan friends. The Vintage Vanettes are exactly the kind of quirky, lovable characters I enjoy reading about. 🚐🔍
After a life-changing discovery, Sadie decides it's time for a fresh start. With her adorable miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to a place filled with memories from her past. What begins as a journey of healing quickly turns into something much more exciting when Sadie stumbles upon a murder. Before long, she finds herself surrounded by a group of welcoming women living at the campsite, and together they decide to uncover the truth when the official investigation seems to be going nowhere.
What I loved most was how warm and comforting this story felt. It wasn't just about solving a mystery—it was about friendship, second chances, and finding a place where you truly belong. Each member of the Vintage Vanettes brought something unique to the story, and I really enjoyed getting to know their different personalities and backgrounds. They felt like a group of friends I would happily join around a campfire. 🏕️💛
The mystery itself kept me interested from beginning to end. There were enough clues and twists to keep me guessing without losing the cozy atmosphere. The pacing was steady, balancing the investigation with the characters' personal journeys, heartfelt moments, and a few laughs along the way. I also loved the beautiful countryside setting, which made me want to pack my own bags and go on a campervan adventure.
The audiobook was a joy to listen to and made the characters feel even more alive. 🎧✨
I'm so happy this is the start of a series because I definitely want to spend more time with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes. If you love cozy mysteries filled with charming characters, found family, adorable dogs, and amateur sleuths, this is one I'd happily recommend. 🚐🐶📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for providing me with an advance listening copy of "The Campervan Detectives" by Maeve Haran, expertly narrated by Fenella Fudge. Expected publication is July 28, 2026.
After discovering her husband canoodling with her best friend, Sadie Sutton decides there's only one sensible course of action: spend her savings on a vintage VW campervan and return to the seaside hometown she left years ago. It's a fresh start she desperately needs--until an evening walk with her faithful miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, leads to the discovery of a dead body.
The victim turns out to be Sadie's former headmistress, a woman whose sharp tongue and questionable past earned her plenty of enemies. Sadie also recalls seeing a mysterious figure wearing a balaclava near the scene that night. Was it simply an unfortunate coincidence, or did she unknowingly glimpse the murderer?
Soon, Sadie befriends three women in the campervan community who proudly call themselves The Vintage Venettes. Convinced the local police are overlooking important clues, the quartet sets out to investigate the murder themselves. As they dig deeper, long-buried secrets, simmering resentments, and small-town rivalries begin to surface, revealing that almost everyone had a reason to dislike the victim.
Fenella Fudge delivers an engaging narration that was a pleasure to listen to. This was my first experience with her work, and she has certainly earned a place on my list of narrators to seek out in the future. She captures both the warmth and humor of the story while giving each character a distinct personality.
Marketed as the first book in a new cozy mystery series, The Campervan Detectives provides a solid foundation. The opening unfolds at a leisurely pace as Haran introduces the setting and cast, but once the investigation gains momentum, the story becomes increasingly engaging. Clever twists, appealing characters, and a classic whodunit structure make this an enjoyable, comforting read for cozy mystery fans.
I'm a sucker for senior female sleuths, and Sadie is a heroine worth rooting for. Between her loyal dog, her charming campervan community, and her knack for finding trouble, I'll happily climb aboard for her next adventure.
After discovering her husband canoodling with her best friend, Sadie Sutton decides there's only one sensible course of action: spend her savings on a vintage VW campervan and return to the seaside hometown she left years ago. It's a fresh start she desperately needs--until an evening walk with her faithful miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, leads to the discovery of a dead body.
The victim turns out to be Sadie's former headmistress, a woman whose sharp tongue and questionable past earned her plenty of enemies. Sadie also recalls seeing a mysterious figure wearing a balaclava near the scene that night. Was it simply an unfortunate coincidence, or did she unknowingly glimpse the murderer?
Soon, Sadie befriends three women in the campervan community who proudly call themselves The Vintage Venettes. Convinced the local police are overlooking important clues, the quartet sets out to investigate the murder themselves. As they dig deeper, long-buried secrets, simmering resentments, and small-town rivalries begin to surface, revealing that almost everyone had a reason to dislike the victim.
Fenella Fudge delivers an engaging narration that was a pleasure to listen to. This was my first experience with her work, and she has certainly earned a place on my list of narrators to seek out in the future. She captures both the warmth and humor of the story while giving each character a distinct personality.
Marketed as the first book in a new cozy mystery series, The Campervan Detectives provides a solid foundation. The opening unfolds at a leisurely pace as Haran introduces the setting and cast, but once the investigation gains momentum, the story becomes increasingly engaging. Clever twists, appealing characters, and a classic whodunit structure make this an enjoyable, comforting read for cozy mystery fans.
I'm a sucker for senior female sleuths, and Sadie is a heroine worth rooting for. Between her loyal dog, her charming campervan community, and her knack for finding trouble, I'll happily climb aboard for her next adventure.
July 14, 2026
I received an advance reader copy of this book through NetGalley.
I was initially drawn to this book by the cute cover and title. I enjoy mystery books and after reading the book’s description, I was excited to dive in.
Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that this book wasn’t going to bring me as much enjoyment as I had hoped.
There was just SO MUCH packed into the first day that we meet the main character, Sadie.
She finds her husband in bed with her best friend and backs a bag and leaves with her dog. She then impulsively stops to trade in her car and buy a camper van. Sadie then continues to a seaside town she used to visit as a kid. She gets to town and takes her dog for a walk. On the walk, she finds a dead body. She calls the police from a nearby tavern and returns to the crime scene to give her statement. After this, Sadie proceeds to the campsite. After she’s checked in and trying to figure out her camper van, she’s approached by another woman who invites her to dinner with friends at a nearby pub. Sadie goes to dinner and there is an instant friend group.
Yes. That all took place in only one day. It was far too much thrown at the reader in such a short time period. It all felt quite unbelievable as well.
As I continued to read, there were numerous smaller things that gave me pause as well. On page 91, when the group of women are together, one asks who Sparky is, in reference to a dog. Three pages later, on page 94, the EXACT same question arises again. I definitely didn’t forget who Sparky was in three pages.
Another time, the main character was walking with another woman in the friend group, Amanda. Amanda makes a statement and Sadie responds, surprised. “I didn’t know you …”. I think I laughed out loud as these women had only met two days before, so obviously there was a ton they didn’t know about each other.
The entire book just felt entirely too unreal and fake. From the ridiculous first day of the main character to the additional odd moments scattered throughout the, it simply made for a read that wasn’t super enjoyable to me.
I was initially drawn to this book by the cute cover and title. I enjoy mystery books and after reading the book’s description, I was excited to dive in.
Unfortunately, it quickly became apparent that this book wasn’t going to bring me as much enjoyment as I had hoped.
There was just SO MUCH packed into the first day that we meet the main character, Sadie.
She finds her husband in bed with her best friend and backs a bag and leaves with her dog. She then impulsively stops to trade in her car and buy a camper van. Sadie then continues to a seaside town she used to visit as a kid. She gets to town and takes her dog for a walk. On the walk, she finds a dead body. She calls the police from a nearby tavern and returns to the crime scene to give her statement. After this, Sadie proceeds to the campsite. After she’s checked in and trying to figure out her camper van, she’s approached by another woman who invites her to dinner with friends at a nearby pub. Sadie goes to dinner and there is an instant friend group.
Yes. That all took place in only one day. It was far too much thrown at the reader in such a short time period. It all felt quite unbelievable as well.
As I continued to read, there were numerous smaller things that gave me pause as well. On page 91, when the group of women are together, one asks who Sparky is, in reference to a dog. Three pages later, on page 94, the EXACT same question arises again. I definitely didn’t forget who Sparky was in three pages.
Another time, the main character was walking with another woman in the friend group, Amanda. Amanda makes a statement and Sadie responds, surprised. “I didn’t know you …”. I think I laughed out loud as these women had only met two days before, so obviously there was a ton they didn’t know about each other.
The entire book just felt entirely too unreal and fake. From the ridiculous first day of the main character to the additional odd moments scattered throughout the, it simply made for a read that wasn’t super enjoyable to me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I ended up doing a hybrid read of this one, switching between the ebook and audiobook, and it was such a fun change of pace from the darker thrillers I usually read.
After Sadie discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she leaves her old life behind, buys a vintage campervan, and heads to a seaside town full of childhood memories. Of course, her fresh start doesn't stay peaceful for long when she stumbles across a dead body and finds herself helping solve a murder alongside a group of women who quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the friendship between the Vintage Vanettes. They each brought something different to the group, and I loved watching them come together while trying to solve the mystery. The seaside setting and cozy atmosphere made this an easy book to settle into, and it felt like the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads.
The audiobook narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent. She gave each character a distinct voice and really brought the story to life. I found myself looking forward to getting back to the audiobook whenever I couldn't sit down and read, and I think the narration made an already enjoyable story even better.
The mystery kept me interested from beginning to end. It isn't packed with shocking twists, but that's not really the point. It's more about the characters, the friendships, and the journey, and I had a great time spending time with all of them. I did think a few parts moved a little quickly, and I would have liked a bit more depth in places, but those were minor issues for me.
This was a charming start to a new cozy mystery series, and I'll definitely be picking up the next adventure with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the Vintage Vanettes.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
After Sadie discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she leaves her old life behind, buys a vintage campervan, and heads to a seaside town full of childhood memories. Of course, her fresh start doesn't stay peaceful for long when she stumbles across a dead body and finds herself helping solve a murder alongside a group of women who quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the friendship between the Vintage Vanettes. They each brought something different to the group, and I loved watching them come together while trying to solve the mystery. The seaside setting and cozy atmosphere made this an easy book to settle into, and it felt like the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads.
The audiobook narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent. She gave each character a distinct voice and really brought the story to life. I found myself looking forward to getting back to the audiobook whenever I couldn't sit down and read, and I think the narration made an already enjoyable story even better.
The mystery kept me interested from beginning to end. It isn't packed with shocking twists, but that's not really the point. It's more about the characters, the friendships, and the journey, and I had a great time spending time with all of them. I did think a few parts moved a little quickly, and I would have liked a bit more depth in places, but those were minor issues for me.
This was a charming start to a new cozy mystery series, and I'll definitely be picking up the next adventure with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the Vintage Vanettes.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed this book and am glad I got in on the beginning with book one.
It does start out a little bit slow but I actually liked that because it was setting up the scene and explaining why four very different ladies end up living in camper vans and becoming very good friends. I liked the different personalities and the way they worked together, this does mean the story is told by the different characters as they go about doing there own investigating, each using there strengths. Of course you also get the love able dog Sam Spade joining in.
There is a lot going on with the mystery. Especially with the number of suspects that needed to be checked and a number of different motives for what turns out to be two deaths but the story is well worked and kept me guessing throughout. I look forward to the next case.
When dependable boring Sadie returns home early to surprise her husband, it is she that gets the surprise. She finds her husband in bed with her best friend. Rather than confront them she and her faithful dog Sam Spade hit the road, literally. She buys an old campervan and returns to the place she was most happy. Things don't go to plan when she finds her former headmistress dead in the allotments. With the police focusing on on her husband, Sadie decided to investigate. Joined by three fellow campervan ladies who show her not only the ropes to living in a campervan but also use there contacts and skills to investigate. Can they discover the real killer? Not before somebody else is killee.
I liked the narrator. She was the right choice for this audio book and with her laid back approach to the story Iqt made it easy to picture and imagine as it all unfolded.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
It does start out a little bit slow but I actually liked that because it was setting up the scene and explaining why four very different ladies end up living in camper vans and becoming very good friends. I liked the different personalities and the way they worked together, this does mean the story is told by the different characters as they go about doing there own investigating, each using there strengths. Of course you also get the love able dog Sam Spade joining in.
There is a lot going on with the mystery. Especially with the number of suspects that needed to be checked and a number of different motives for what turns out to be two deaths but the story is well worked and kept me guessing throughout. I look forward to the next case.
When dependable boring Sadie returns home early to surprise her husband, it is she that gets the surprise. She finds her husband in bed with her best friend. Rather than confront them she and her faithful dog Sam Spade hit the road, literally. She buys an old campervan and returns to the place she was most happy. Things don't go to plan when she finds her former headmistress dead in the allotments. With the police focusing on on her husband, Sadie decided to investigate. Joined by three fellow campervan ladies who show her not only the ropes to living in a campervan but also use there contacts and skills to investigate. Can they discover the real killer? Not before somebody else is killee.
I liked the narrator. She was the right choice for this audio book and with her laid back approach to the story Iqt made it easy to picture and imagine as it all unfolded.
I was given this free review copy audio book at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives is exactly the kind of cosy crime novel that feels like a breath of sea air—fresh, charming, and just a little bit mischievous. Maeve Haran introduces us to Sadie Sutton at her lowest point, only to send her spinning into a delightfully unexpected new chapter filled with friendship, mystery, and a bright orange campervan that steals every scene.
Sadie is instantly likeable: newly single, slightly bruised by life, but determined to reclaim her independence. Her return to the seaside town of Winching is meant to be a reset… until she literally stumbles over a dead body. From there, the story unfolds with the perfect blend of humour and intrigue. The murder mystery is engaging without ever losing the cosy charm that makes the genre so comforting.
The supporting cast is a joy—especially the trio of women at the campsite who have embraced Van Life with gusto. Their camaraderie adds warmth and levity, and their enthusiasm for sleuthing is infectious. Sam Spade, Sadie’s loyal dog, is the cherry on top.
Haran keeps the clues coming at a satisfying pace, weaving in local gossip, seaside quirks, and a few red herrings that keep things lively. By the time a second body appears, the stakes feel real, but the tone remains upbeat and inviting.
This is a delightful start to a new series—full of heart, humour, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie, and gentle, character‑driven whodunnits will feel right at home.
I’m already looking forward to Sadie’s next adventure.
With thanks to Maeve Haran, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Sadie is instantly likeable: newly single, slightly bruised by life, but determined to reclaim her independence. Her return to the seaside town of Winching is meant to be a reset… until she literally stumbles over a dead body. From there, the story unfolds with the perfect blend of humour and intrigue. The murder mystery is engaging without ever losing the cosy charm that makes the genre so comforting.
The supporting cast is a joy—especially the trio of women at the campsite who have embraced Van Life with gusto. Their camaraderie adds warmth and levity, and their enthusiasm for sleuthing is infectious. Sam Spade, Sadie’s loyal dog, is the cherry on top.
Haran keeps the clues coming at a satisfying pace, weaving in local gossip, seaside quirks, and a few red herrings that keep things lively. By the time a second body appears, the stakes feel real, but the tone remains upbeat and inviting.
This is a delightful start to a new series—full of heart, humour, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie, and gentle, character‑driven whodunnits will feel right at home.
I’m already looking forward to Sadie’s next adventure.
With thanks to Maeve Haran, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was thrilled to discover that Maeve Haran’s delightful new book is the first in a series. This fun story was completely elevated by the brilliant narration by Fenella Fudge so I do hope she is signed up for future installments.
This was such a delightful cozy British mystery led by an unlikely cast of sleuths calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes! Together with Sam Spade (the canine version) they set about solving the murder of the none too popular retired headmistress, forming a strong friendship along the way.
The story begins with Sadie heading home to surprise her husband only to realize that her marriage is over. Packing a few meager belongings Sadie uses all her saving to purchase a vintage camper van and heads off to a place filled with happier memories never expecting to stumble across a dead body that turns her fresh start into a murder investigation.
Sadie is a thoroughly lovable character, but it’s the bonds formed by this nomadic group that make the book shine. Their connection completely brightens the mystery, injecting a welcome dose of humor into the plot. Plus, the ending perfectly tees up book two for this eclectic group of traveling sleuths.
The mystery itself has some predictable turns but isn’t that part of the joy of reading a cozy mystery? I wasn't looking for heart-pounding twists. I was here for the charm, and I loved watching these ladies enjoy life's little perks (like free meals and flowers) while trying to figure out if the local characters they met were a murder suspect or a future love interest.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook that will be published on 28th July.
This was such a delightful cozy British mystery led by an unlikely cast of sleuths calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes! Together with Sam Spade (the canine version) they set about solving the murder of the none too popular retired headmistress, forming a strong friendship along the way.
The story begins with Sadie heading home to surprise her husband only to realize that her marriage is over. Packing a few meager belongings Sadie uses all her saving to purchase a vintage camper van and heads off to a place filled with happier memories never expecting to stumble across a dead body that turns her fresh start into a murder investigation.
Sadie is a thoroughly lovable character, but it’s the bonds formed by this nomadic group that make the book shine. Their connection completely brightens the mystery, injecting a welcome dose of humor into the plot. Plus, the ending perfectly tees up book two for this eclectic group of traveling sleuths.
The mystery itself has some predictable turns but isn’t that part of the joy of reading a cozy mystery? I wasn't looking for heart-pounding twists. I was here for the charm, and I loved watching these ladies enjoy life's little perks (like free meals and flowers) while trying to figure out if the local characters they met were a murder suspect or a future love interest.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook that will be published on 28th July.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Maeve Haran, Bookouture Audio and NetGally for the ALC.
I want to start this review with saying that Fenella Fudge does an outstanding job narrating this book. The story is narrated with humor and warmth, and careful consideration of where to add suspense or drop the voice to a whisper. Every character was given their own voice with personality, accents, warmth and tone, and given the larger cast of major and minor character I was thoroughly impressed! How she managed to keep track of them all is beyond me, I think I only heard characters swap voices once. The narration alone is a great reason to pick up this book!
The story itself is also very good, and I liked the gallery of characters a lot! Sadie has an eye for detail, and when she is thrown into a murderous whodunnit mystery, she uses it well. The chemistry between the ladies of The Vintage Vanettes made me want to pick up van life and become one myself. I was a little suprised at how quickly Sadie became the "de facto" leader of the group's investigations and made decisions for them, given that she was initially a timid character and didn't become more assertive until later in the book. Main character plot armor at play probably - it felt more natural as she came more into her own though. I liked that the hints to who the killer was was dispersed sparingly through the story and that we were given several red herrings throughout, it felt like listening to a Midsummer Murder mystery.
All in all this was a great summer read/listen, and one I would recommend for all enjoyers of Poirot, Marple, Vera, Barnaby and more.
I want to start this review with saying that Fenella Fudge does an outstanding job narrating this book. The story is narrated with humor and warmth, and careful consideration of where to add suspense or drop the voice to a whisper. Every character was given their own voice with personality, accents, warmth and tone, and given the larger cast of major and minor character I was thoroughly impressed! How she managed to keep track of them all is beyond me, I think I only heard characters swap voices once. The narration alone is a great reason to pick up this book!
The story itself is also very good, and I liked the gallery of characters a lot! Sadie has an eye for detail, and when she is thrown into a murderous whodunnit mystery, she uses it well. The chemistry between the ladies of The Vintage Vanettes made me want to pick up van life and become one myself. I was a little suprised at how quickly Sadie became the "de facto" leader of the group's investigations and made decisions for them, given that she was initially a timid character and didn't become more assertive until later in the book. Main character plot armor at play probably - it felt more natural as she came more into her own though. I liked that the hints to who the killer was was dispersed sparingly through the story and that we were given several red herrings throughout, it felt like listening to a Midsummer Murder mystery.
All in all this was a great summer read/listen, and one I would recommend for all enjoyers of Poirot, Marple, Vera, Barnaby and more.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Listeners Copy of this audio! All thoughts are my own.
This book was so cozy and cute! It was the first murder/mystery that I laughed and enjoyed the entire storyline of without just waiting to see how it ended.
While I was anticipating the murderer being brought to justice, I loved the storyline, the characters all had amazing development, the friendships formed among the “Vintage Vanettes” felt so genuine and like true sisterhood. They accepted Sadie right away, who had bought an orange VW bus and left home after discovering her husband Martin in bed with her best friend.
The investigation into the murderer also felt very real and thought out on the authors part because there were multiple suspects brought up along the way. In so many other murder mystery novels I’ve read, the killer is someone who is around in the book but ends up feeling random when it’s solved. This did not. All the twists and turns of the investigation made more puzzle pieces fall into place, so once everything was solved you had almost solved it with the “vintage vanettes”.
As a woman in my 30’s, I enjoyed this book being about women who were older than me, it was such a refreshing addition to the story!
The narrator of this audiobook Fenella Fudge, did an excellent job, her voice was cheery and switched between characters well and told the story beautifully!
I also enjoyed how the ending of the book set up more adventures for the ladies, I’m excited to see what comes next for them!
This book was so cozy and cute! It was the first murder/mystery that I laughed and enjoyed the entire storyline of without just waiting to see how it ended.
While I was anticipating the murderer being brought to justice, I loved the storyline, the characters all had amazing development, the friendships formed among the “Vintage Vanettes” felt so genuine and like true sisterhood. They accepted Sadie right away, who had bought an orange VW bus and left home after discovering her husband Martin in bed with her best friend.
The investigation into the murderer also felt very real and thought out on the authors part because there were multiple suspects brought up along the way. In so many other murder mystery novels I’ve read, the killer is someone who is around in the book but ends up feeling random when it’s solved. This did not. All the twists and turns of the investigation made more puzzle pieces fall into place, so once everything was solved you had almost solved it with the “vintage vanettes”.
As a woman in my 30’s, I enjoyed this book being about women who were older than me, it was such a refreshing addition to the story!
The narrator of this audiobook Fenella Fudge, did an excellent job, her voice was cheery and switched between characters well and told the story beautifully!
I also enjoyed how the ending of the book set up more adventures for the ladies, I’m excited to see what comes next for them!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars rounded up!
Sadie's life completely unravels. Her husband leaves her, she's betrayed by her best friend, and she's about to turn 60. Then she discovers something that changes everything. With her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she leaves home behind. On a whim, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to Winching, a coastal town filled with happy memories of time spent there with her late father.
A group of women living in campervans and solving mysteries? Yes, please! I had such a great time reading this book, and I absolutely loved the Vanettes.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, filled with quirky locals, beautiful community spaces like the gardens, and the sense that everyone knows more than they're letting on. It was the perfect setting for a cozy mystery.
Fenella Fudge did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. With such a large cast of main and side characters, she gave each one a distinct voice that made them easy to follow. And her accents were wonderful—they really brought the story and setting to life.
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in from the very beginning and felt like a little escape every time I pressed play. It's a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, found family, and fresh starts. I finished it eager to spend more time with these characters, and I'd happily continue with this series.
Thank you to Maeve Haran, Bookoutre Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!
Sadie's life completely unravels. Her husband leaves her, she's betrayed by her best friend, and she's about to turn 60. Then she discovers something that changes everything. With her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she leaves home behind. On a whim, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to Winching, a coastal town filled with happy memories of time spent there with her late father.
A group of women living in campervans and solving mysteries? Yes, please! I had such a great time reading this book, and I absolutely loved the Vanettes.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, filled with quirky locals, beautiful community spaces like the gardens, and the sense that everyone knows more than they're letting on. It was the perfect setting for a cozy mystery.
Fenella Fudge did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. With such a large cast of main and side characters, she gave each one a distinct voice that made them easy to follow. And her accents were wonderful—they really brought the story and setting to life.
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in from the very beginning and felt like a little escape every time I pressed play. It's a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, found family, and fresh starts. I finished it eager to spend more time with these characters, and I'd happily continue with this series.
Thank you to Maeve Haran, Bookoutre Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Campervan Detectives
Series: Campervan Detective Mystery Book #1
Author: Maeve Haran
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Fudge
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 272
When Sadie Sutton finds her husband Martin cheating on her with her best friend, she grabs some of her things and her dog Sam Spade and heads out of London.
Later she trades in her car for an orange campervan and heads to the coastal town of Winching - the childhood place she visited with her dad. However, she no sooner gets there when she finds a dead body in the community gardens and sees a person wearing a balaclava running from the scene.
Sadie and her new friends at the campground become detectives and call themselves the Vanettes and then become the “Vintage Vanettes”.
They discover that the women who will killed was Charlotte Wolfe someone Sadie knew as she was the headmistress at the school she attended. Charlotte had a reputation of being mean -and never very nice’- therefore had several enemies.
The ‘Vintage Vanettes’ solved the case. They now find “the newest ‘old’ detectives” on the block” in demand!!
Sadie is enjoying her new life and is reminded of her father’s saying –
‘Life is full of the Unexpected!
Thank you NetGalley, author Maeve Haran, narrator Fenella Fudge, and Bookouture Audio for this fun audiobook.
Publishing Date is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
Series: Campervan Detective Mystery Book #1
Author: Maeve Haran
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Fudge
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 272
When Sadie Sutton finds her husband Martin cheating on her with her best friend, she grabs some of her things and her dog Sam Spade and heads out of London.
Later she trades in her car for an orange campervan and heads to the coastal town of Winching - the childhood place she visited with her dad. However, she no sooner gets there when she finds a dead body in the community gardens and sees a person wearing a balaclava running from the scene.
Sadie and her new friends at the campground become detectives and call themselves the Vanettes and then become the “Vintage Vanettes”.
They discover that the women who will killed was Charlotte Wolfe someone Sadie knew as she was the headmistress at the school she attended. Charlotte had a reputation of being mean -and never very nice’- therefore had several enemies.
The ‘Vintage Vanettes’ solved the case. They now find “the newest ‘old’ detectives” on the block” in demand!!
Sadie is enjoying her new life and is reminded of her father’s saying –
‘Life is full of the Unexpected!
Thank you NetGalley, author Maeve Haran, narrator Fenella Fudge, and Bookouture Audio for this fun audiobook.
Publishing Date is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I requested The Campervan Detectives from Netgalley because I absolutely loved the cover, and I'm so glad I did! I don't read a lot of cozy mysteries, but this one was such a fun surprise.
While I found parts of the mystery a little predictable, I still had a great time trying to figure out who was responsible. The author sprinkled in plenty of red herrings, and every suspect seemed believable enough that I could genuinely picture them being the culprit. The mystery kept me invested without becoming overly complicated, which made for a really enjoyable read.
I especially loved the English seaside setting and the cozy atmosphere. Watching these women become unlikely amateur detectives—and bonding over murder—was both entertaining and right up my alley. One of my favorite parts was Sadie's journey. Seeing her find her tribe, grow in confidence, and really come into her own made me smile.
I also listened to the audiobook, and Fenella Fudge did an outstanding job with the narration. She brought the story to life with warmth, humor, and distinct character voices, making it easy to settle into the story and connect with everyone along the way.
Overall, The Campervan Detectives was a charming, cozy mystery filled with friendship, a picturesque setting, and an engaging whodunit. It was a fun read, and I'm really glad I decided to pick it up!
Thank you to #netgalley and the author for the chance to read this book
#thecampervandetectives
While I found parts of the mystery a little predictable, I still had a great time trying to figure out who was responsible. The author sprinkled in plenty of red herrings, and every suspect seemed believable enough that I could genuinely picture them being the culprit. The mystery kept me invested without becoming overly complicated, which made for a really enjoyable read.
I especially loved the English seaside setting and the cozy atmosphere. Watching these women become unlikely amateur detectives—and bonding over murder—was both entertaining and right up my alley. One of my favorite parts was Sadie's journey. Seeing her find her tribe, grow in confidence, and really come into her own made me smile.
I also listened to the audiobook, and Fenella Fudge did an outstanding job with the narration. She brought the story to life with warmth, humor, and distinct character voices, making it easy to settle into the story and connect with everyone along the way.
Overall, The Campervan Detectives was a charming, cozy mystery filled with friendship, a picturesque setting, and an engaging whodunit. It was a fun read, and I'm really glad I decided to pick it up!
Thank you to #netgalley and the author for the chance to read this book
#thecampervandetectives
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This is a new series and author for me, and I really enjoyed this book. Sadie has had her world tossed upside-down when she finds her husband in bed with her best friend. So she does the only thing a middle-aged lady can do, she packs a bag, grabs her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, and buys an orange campervan. Sadie heads for Winching, a charming town with Queen Anne houses, adorable shops and tearooms, the ruins of a church and monastery, and the sea. Sadie has fond memories of camping with her dad there as a child before he died, then not so fond memories of being a scholarship student at a school there. Before even trying to figure out how to deal with her new home on wheels, Sadie comes upon a dead body while walking her dog for the night! While trying to wrap her head around all these changes, she meets three neighbors in the camping area, ladies of a similar age who are very helpful with her van and circumstances. They invite her to join their little group, the Vintage Vanettes, and so begins the adventure of figuring out her new life, making wonderful friends, and solving a murder. I enjoyed my time with these spunky ladies and look forward to more adventures. Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to discover this group! #The Campervan Detectives #ACampervanDetectiveMystery #MaeveHaran #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After Sadie Sutton’s life imploded spectacularly she needed a safe place to lick her wounds and decide what to do next. Winching was a place full of memories of happy holidays by the sea with her beloved late father and not so pleasant ones of her stay at the local boarding school, but, stopping only to trade in her car for a bright orange campervan, that's where she finds herself. Unfortunately, she also finds a dead body, and its someone she recognises! Being introduced to a trio of ladies known as the Vintage Vanettes provides her with friends as well as help to find a killer. When a second body is found, and an arrest is made, Sadie can’t help feeling mistakes have been made and that it's up to her and the other Vanettes to sort everything out.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read and I liked the four main protagonists who worked well together. My only gripe was the way there was no idea given of time passing. The action jumped from scene to scene with little warning and tbh I have no idea how long it took to find the truth. That said I will definitely be on the lookout for book two as this new series definitely deserves a second chance.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read and I liked the four main protagonists who worked well together. My only gripe was the way there was no idea given of time passing. The action jumped from scene to scene with little warning and tbh I have no idea how long it took to find the truth. That said I will definitely be on the lookout for book two as this new series definitely deserves a second chance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for the audiobook edition.
The story itself is a solid four-star cozy mystery, but Fenella Fudge's narration elevates it into a five-star listening experience.
Sadie is an instantly likeable protagonist, and I loved getting to know the Vannettes, her wonderful group of fellow campervan enthusiasts. Their friendship and unwavering support for one another became the heart of the story. By the end, I was left with such a warm, feel-good feeling. The found-family dynamic was beautifully done without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The mystery kept me engaged throughout, with plenty of believable suspects and enough twists to keep me guessing. It strikes a lovely balance between comfort, humour and intrigue.
Fenella Fudge's performance is exceptional. She brings every character to life with warmth, charm and distinct voices, making the listening experience completely immersive. I finished this audiobook in one sitting because I simply didn't want to stop listening.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with an engaging cast, a satisfying mystery and outstanding narration, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Many thanks to Maeve Haran, Fenella Fudge, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
The story itself is a solid four-star cozy mystery, but Fenella Fudge's narration elevates it into a five-star listening experience.
Sadie is an instantly likeable protagonist, and I loved getting to know the Vannettes, her wonderful group of fellow campervan enthusiasts. Their friendship and unwavering support for one another became the heart of the story. By the end, I was left with such a warm, feel-good feeling. The found-family dynamic was beautifully done without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The mystery kept me engaged throughout, with plenty of believable suspects and enough twists to keep me guessing. It strikes a lovely balance between comfort, humour and intrigue.
Fenella Fudge's performance is exceptional. She brings every character to life with warmth, charm and distinct voices, making the listening experience completely immersive. I finished this audiobook in one sitting because I simply didn't want to stop listening.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with an engaging cast, a satisfying mystery and outstanding narration, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Many thanks to Maeve Haran, Fenella Fudge, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!
If cozy, small town murder mysteries are your vibe, you should be adding The Campervan Detectives to your TBR list.
After discovering her husband has been cheating with her best friend, Sadie Sutton returns to her childhood town of Winching, living out of a refurbished VW camper van while she figure out what comes next. The new start she was looking for takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across a dead body.
What follows is a captivating cosy mystery filled with new friendships, small town charm, a compelling whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the end. A cast of loveable characters and just the right balance of humour, heart, and suspense, this was a very enjoyable story to listen to, and left me wanting to spend more time in Winching!
The narrator didn't instantly grab my attention, but I did come to enjoy the style as the story progressed and more characters were introduced. The story was well written and did have me excited to continue listening to it throughout the day!
The story itself was a 3.5/5 star story for me, I enjoyed it as the story progressed after a slow start.
The audiobook was a 3/5, I did find myself struggling initially to follow along with the narrator.
If cozy, small town murder mysteries are your vibe, you should be adding The Campervan Detectives to your TBR list.
After discovering her husband has been cheating with her best friend, Sadie Sutton returns to her childhood town of Winching, living out of a refurbished VW camper van while she figure out what comes next. The new start she was looking for takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across a dead body.
What follows is a captivating cosy mystery filled with new friendships, small town charm, a compelling whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the end. A cast of loveable characters and just the right balance of humour, heart, and suspense, this was a very enjoyable story to listen to, and left me wanting to spend more time in Winching!
The narrator didn't instantly grab my attention, but I did come to enjoy the style as the story progressed and more characters were introduced. The story was well written and did have me excited to continue listening to it throughout the day!
The story itself was a 3.5/5 star story for me, I enjoyed it as the story progressed after a slow start.
The audiobook was a 3/5, I did find myself struggling initially to follow along with the narrator.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this lovely audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a delight of a book! I sincerely hope this series has many, many more additions!
The Campervan Detectives is a sweet and charming cozy mystery set near the sea in England, where a group of ladies in their second act of life have come together as friends in a campground. They call themselves the Vintage Vanettes, and have just welcomed a new member, Sadie, who walked away from her old life and promptly discovered a dead body. No worries though, the Vanettes are on the case, “the oldest new detectives on the block”.
This is a delightful romp of a book, compulsively readable and a fantastic summer read. It’s playful and funny, with a good mystery and great characters with unique voices. The narrator of the audiobook did a brilliant job bringing the characters to life, and her pacing and style were perfect for the story. I feel like I made a crew of new friends and now want to retire in a camper an by the sea.
This was beautifully done and I will be recommending it to multiple friends, especially those who, like the ladies in this book, still have a lot of spirit and spunk in them regardless of age.
Goals:
Books: 84/130
Mystery/Thriller: 28/30
This was such a delight of a book! I sincerely hope this series has many, many more additions!
The Campervan Detectives is a sweet and charming cozy mystery set near the sea in England, where a group of ladies in their second act of life have come together as friends in a campground. They call themselves the Vintage Vanettes, and have just welcomed a new member, Sadie, who walked away from her old life and promptly discovered a dead body. No worries though, the Vanettes are on the case, “the oldest new detectives on the block”.
This is a delightful romp of a book, compulsively readable and a fantastic summer read. It’s playful and funny, with a good mystery and great characters with unique voices. The narrator of the audiobook did a brilliant job bringing the characters to life, and her pacing and style were perfect for the story. I feel like I made a crew of new friends and now want to retire in a camper an by the sea.
This was beautifully done and I will be recommending it to multiple friends, especially those who, like the ladies in this book, still have a lot of spirit and spunk in them regardless of age.
Goals:
Books: 84/130
Mystery/Thriller: 28/30
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🚐 The Campervan Detectives
By Maeve Haran
🎧 Narrated by Fenella Fudge
"Fearless, feisty, and behind the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly single Sadie is about to begin an unexpected new chapter... as a detective?!"
When Sadie stumbles across a body, she teams up with the members of The Vintage Vanettes to uncover the truth.
One thing I really appreciated was how different this felt from many cozy mysteries. Instead of constantly throwing themselves into danger, these women actually use common sense. They work through familiar police officers, local reporters, and community connections to gather information, which made the investigation feel refreshingly believable.
Another highlight was the cast itself. The main characters are middle-aged and senior women, and I loved seeing protagonists who don't fit the typical amateur sleuth mold.
The mystery kept me guessing with several possible directions, and the resolution wasn't nearly as straightforward as initially thought. And, of course, I was happy to see the story end with the possibility of a well-deserved romance for Sadie.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the next adventure takes The Vintage Vanettes.
By Maeve Haran
🎧 Narrated by Fenella Fudge
"Fearless, feisty, and behind the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly single Sadie is about to begin an unexpected new chapter... as a detective?!"
When Sadie stumbles across a body, she teams up with the members of The Vintage Vanettes to uncover the truth.
One thing I really appreciated was how different this felt from many cozy mysteries. Instead of constantly throwing themselves into danger, these women actually use common sense. They work through familiar police officers, local reporters, and community connections to gather information, which made the investigation feel refreshingly believable.
Another highlight was the cast itself. The main characters are middle-aged and senior women, and I loved seeing protagonists who don't fit the typical amateur sleuth mold.
The mystery kept me guessing with several possible directions, and the resolution wasn't nearly as straightforward as initially thought. And, of course, I was happy to see the story end with the possibility of a well-deserved romance for Sadie.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the next adventure takes The Vintage Vanettes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to publishers Bookouture and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this advance copy.
This is a fast-paced cosy crime novel. Sadie, the main protagonist, experiences an unexpected event in her life and decides to pack up and buy a bright orange campervan. Accompanied by her little dog, Sam Spade, she heads to Winching, the seaside town where she attended boarding school. Before reaching her destination, she stops to give Sam Spade a walk and unexpectedly stumbles upon a crime scene.
At the campsite, she meets three other women of a similar age who also live in campervans. The women quickly become friends, calling themselves the ‘Vintage Vanettes’. Concerned by the way the police investigation is progressing, they decide to investigate the crime themselves. Their friendship and loyalty to one another grows naturally over the course of the story.
This is the first book in the series, and I think it would have benefited from exploring the main characters and their backstories in a little more depth. That said, I enjoyed the light-hearted, fast-paced plot. There are some amusing moments as the women go about their investigation with very little regard for their own safety.
A lovely, light-hearted read that left me looking forward to book two.
July 10, 2026
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Format: audiobook
Finally! FINALLY. A worthwhile COZY mystery. This is the cozy mystery of my dreams. You can read it by the pool or at the beach. You can listen to it while cooking dinner. You can read it on a rainy Sunday in your bed. On several occasions, I dosed off listening to it while cosleeping with my 7-month-old son, and I didn’t mind re-listening to the parts I slept through. THAT’S a perfect cozy mystery in my opinion.
Highlights:
⭐️Our protagonists - The Vintage Vanettes. Four women with very different life experiences and personalities coming together to solve crime. Their genuine friendship is a breath of fresh air of women supporting women.
⭐️Our mystery unfolds nicely and smoothly. Everything connected and kept me engaged/intrigued the entire time. It also wasn’t super obvious the ending/conclusion.
⭐️There are a few side plots ranging from romance to drama that I’m so excited to see how it unfolds in the next book(s)!
⭐️Narration was beautiful!
⭐️We LOVE a VW bus! (My first car was a green VW bug 🥲)
Pitfalls:
❌None!
Overall, best cozy mystery I’ve read in a long time!
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for an ARC of this book for my honest opinion and review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A well‑constructed cosy crime mystery with a clear emphasis on female friendship, middle‑aged reinvention, and the gentle optimism of fresh starts. The plot follows a fairly predictable trajectory, with familiar beats and a mystery that unfolds much as expected, but the thematic focus gives it more substance than the average light crime novel.
The campervan setting adds a welcome sense of mobility and adventure, allowing the characters’ personal journeys to mirror their literal one. It’s a story that values companionship and second chances more than shock twists, and it’s strongest when exploring how women support one another through change.
The narration is the standout element — polished, expressive and genuinely enhancing the emotional tone. It adds nuance to the characters and lifts the overall experience, justifying the move from a 3.5 to a confident 4 stars.
A solid, character‑driven cosy crime that succeeds through warmth, voice and atmosphere rather than complexity.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this pleasant audiobook.
The campervan setting adds a welcome sense of mobility and adventure, allowing the characters’ personal journeys to mirror their literal one. It’s a story that values companionship and second chances more than shock twists, and it’s strongest when exploring how women support one another through change.
The narration is the standout element — polished, expressive and genuinely enhancing the emotional tone. It adds nuance to the characters and lifts the overall experience, justifying the move from a 3.5 to a confident 4 stars.
A solid, character‑driven cosy crime that succeeds through warmth, voice and atmosphere rather than complexity.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this pleasant audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives was such a fun, cozy mystery and an absolute delight on audio. The combination of an intriguing whodunit, charming characters, and a picturesque setting made it incredibly easy to get swept up in the story.
The mystery kept me guessing without becoming overly complicated, and I loved getting to unravel the clues alongside the characters. The campervan travel element added so much charm and made me want to pack my bags and hit the road myself. The small-town atmosphere and colorful cast gave the story plenty of personality, and I quickly found myself invested in spending time with them.
The audiobook narrator brought the story to life beautifully. The pacing was engaging, each character had a distinct voice, and the narration made it feel like I was right there on the adventure. It's one of those audiobooks that's easy to get lost in during a drive or while doing chores.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, quirky characters, beautiful scenery, and a mystery that's more charming than dark, I'd definitely recommend giving The Campervan Detectives a listen—especially in audiobook format.
The mystery kept me guessing without becoming overly complicated, and I loved getting to unravel the clues alongside the characters. The campervan travel element added so much charm and made me want to pack my bags and hit the road myself. The small-town atmosphere and colorful cast gave the story plenty of personality, and I quickly found myself invested in spending time with them.
The audiobook narrator brought the story to life beautifully. The pacing was engaging, each character had a distinct voice, and the narration made it feel like I was right there on the adventure. It's one of those audiobooks that's easy to get lost in during a drive or while doing chores.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, quirky characters, beautiful scenery, and a mystery that's more charming than dark, I'd definitely recommend giving The Campervan Detectives a listen—especially in audiobook format.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the free early edition of this audiobook.
When Sadie finds out her husband has cheated on her with her best friend, she decides she needs a change of scenery and buys a campervan and runs away to the sea town of her childhood. Little did she know she would meet a group of ladies that would become her lifeline in a rough time of her life.
I enjoyed the characters and their individual idiosyncrasies. Sadie was well rounded and dealing with a lot of issues at once. A lot of the side characters were also interesting and engaging.
I feel like the pace of this story was hard to get through at times as the plot was not propelling me forward through the book quickly. There is a decent amount of dead space where no much is happening that slow down the pace of the book. I also feel like we skipped over the turmoil Sadie was going through with her divorce a little too quickly as she basically cut everyone she knew off and went to the beach town.
I did enjoy the story it just is very similar to other books I’ve read of the type.
Truly Sam stole the show tho, absolutely the best character.
When Sadie finds out her husband has cheated on her with her best friend, she decides she needs a change of scenery and buys a campervan and runs away to the sea town of her childhood. Little did she know she would meet a group of ladies that would become her lifeline in a rough time of her life.
I enjoyed the characters and their individual idiosyncrasies. Sadie was well rounded and dealing with a lot of issues at once. A lot of the side characters were also interesting and engaging.
I feel like the pace of this story was hard to get through at times as the plot was not propelling me forward through the book quickly. There is a decent amount of dead space where no much is happening that slow down the pace of the book. I also feel like we skipped over the turmoil Sadie was going through with her divorce a little too quickly as she basically cut everyone she knew off and went to the beach town.
I did enjoy the story it just is very similar to other books I’ve read of the type.
Truly Sam stole the show tho, absolutely the best character.
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