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The Campervan Detectives
A 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.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 28, 2026
About the author
Maeve Haran
39 books77 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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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
August 3, 2026
3 Stars
One Liner: Good premise, but moves too quickly
Sadie Sutton made an impulsive decision after her husband’s betrayal to buy a campervan and travel to the little seaside town of Winching, her favorite place from her childhood. With her little miniature schnauzer, she arrived at the picturesque place only to witness a suspicious stranger escaping and a dead body in the community gardens.
Turns out, Sadie knew the victim, too, a Mrs. Charlotte Woolf, a retired headmistress disliked by just about everyone. As Sadie meets three other women and becomes a part of their group, they decide to do their own sleuthing and find the killer. With a long list of suspects, they have much work to do!
The story comes in Sadie's (more %), Rose, Tina, and Amanda’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts
It seems to be the year of campervans. This is my second book with them, and there’s another on NG I’m thinking about.
The basic premise is definitely interesting. A woman in her early 60s starting fresh and choosing to embrace her adventurous side while also returning to her childhood place is a good foundation for the overarching plot.
The concept of actually living in a campervan, making it one’s home, the need for downsizing without compromising basic comfort, the complexities that come with it, and other aspects are handled well. We get the right amount of detail to visualize the setting.
The mystery, too, has its merits, with a victim who was known as a bully and hated by just about everyone. The resolution ties things up neatly.
However, it’s the journey that has many bumps. A lot happens in a short time, and it’s just too much to process. The long character list doesn’t help either. Don, Dan, Ron, Bert, Bratt… so easy to get confused with names like this.
The FMC makes a drastic decision, finds a dead body, becomes a part of a women's campervan group, goes for a makeover, solves the murder, and even finds a potential new love interest without formally resolving her past, all in a span of a few days. It’s just too much to handle, and there’s literally no need for it since the book is set up to be a series. Space it out.
While the other women have interesting backstories, I’m not sure about their so-called friendship or group. If the snarky attitude was supposed to be humorous, it failed for me. I found them unnecessarily rude towards each other. The dialogue and tags also mismatched in many instances, and I wonder if this is more of a writing/editing issue than a characterization issue.
The FMC is actually good. She needs a chance to grow and change organically, rather than being pushed into a complete makeover at 8x speed. Hopefully, with everything quickly established in this one, the subsequent books will allow the characters to breathe properly.
The dog is a cutie and will likely have a meatier role to play as the series progresses.
To summarize, The Campervan Detectives has its merits and potential to become a series, but a lot is crammed into 260 pages, thereby making it feel unrealistic.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheCampervanDetectives
One Liner: Good premise, but moves too quickly
Sadie Sutton made an impulsive decision after her husband’s betrayal to buy a campervan and travel to the little seaside town of Winching, her favorite place from her childhood. With her little miniature schnauzer, she arrived at the picturesque place only to witness a suspicious stranger escaping and a dead body in the community gardens.
Turns out, Sadie knew the victim, too, a Mrs. Charlotte Woolf, a retired headmistress disliked by just about everyone. As Sadie meets three other women and becomes a part of their group, they decide to do their own sleuthing and find the killer. With a long list of suspects, they have much work to do!
The story comes in Sadie's (more %), Rose, Tina, and Amanda’s third-person POVs.
My Thoughts
It seems to be the year of campervans. This is my second book with them, and there’s another on NG I’m thinking about.
The basic premise is definitely interesting. A woman in her early 60s starting fresh and choosing to embrace her adventurous side while also returning to her childhood place is a good foundation for the overarching plot.
The concept of actually living in a campervan, making it one’s home, the need for downsizing without compromising basic comfort, the complexities that come with it, and other aspects are handled well. We get the right amount of detail to visualize the setting.
The mystery, too, has its merits, with a victim who was known as a bully and hated by just about everyone. The resolution ties things up neatly.
However, it’s the journey that has many bumps. A lot happens in a short time, and it’s just too much to process. The long character list doesn’t help either. Don, Dan, Ron, Bert, Bratt… so easy to get confused with names like this.
The FMC makes a drastic decision, finds a dead body, becomes a part of a women's campervan group, goes for a makeover, solves the murder, and even finds a potential new love interest without formally resolving her past, all in a span of a few days. It’s just too much to handle, and there’s literally no need for it since the book is set up to be a series. Space it out.
While the other women have interesting backstories, I’m not sure about their so-called friendship or group. If the snarky attitude was supposed to be humorous, it failed for me. I found them unnecessarily rude towards each other. The dialogue and tags also mismatched in many instances, and I wonder if this is more of a writing/editing issue than a characterization issue.
The FMC is actually good. She needs a chance to grow and change organically, rather than being pushed into a complete makeover at 8x speed. Hopefully, with everything quickly established in this one, the subsequent books will allow the characters to breathe properly.
The dog is a cutie and will likely have a meatier role to play as the series progresses.
To summarize, The Campervan Detectives has its merits and potential to become a series, but a lot is crammed into 260 pages, thereby making it feel unrealistic.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheCampervanDetectives
July 11, 2026
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.
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.
July 28, 2026
The Campervan Detectives is a cozy murder mystery novel by Maeve Haran. Sadie catches her husband cheating with her best friend, so she flees from her marriage, buys a bright orange vintage VW campervan, and moves to the seaside town of Winching.
Shortly after arriving, she trips over the dead body of a local retired headmistress named Charlotte Woolf. Sadie teams up with three women that she met at the campsite practicing #vanlife to investigate the murder, but they stumble into more than they bargain for.
This was a cute, cozy English mystery. It is the first in a series and is off to a promising start. I enjoyed the friendship that these women found in each other and the idea of traveling around in a campervan solving crimes. I’m interested to see where this series goes!
Read this story if you enjoy:
🕵🏻♀️ Amateur detectives
🕵🏻♀️ Female friendship
🕵🏻♀️ English murder mysteries
🕵🏻♀️ Van Life
🕵🏻♀️ Moving on
I listened to the audio version of this book, and it was very well done! Fenella Fudge really brought the story to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Shortly after arriving, she trips over the dead body of a local retired headmistress named Charlotte Woolf. Sadie teams up with three women that she met at the campsite practicing #vanlife to investigate the murder, but they stumble into more than they bargain for.
This was a cute, cozy English mystery. It is the first in a series and is off to a promising start. I enjoyed the friendship that these women found in each other and the idea of traveling around in a campervan solving crimes. I’m interested to see where this series goes!
Read this story if you enjoy:
🕵🏻♀️ Amateur detectives
🕵🏻♀️ Female friendship
🕵🏻♀️ English murder mysteries
🕵🏻♀️ Van Life
🕵🏻♀️ Moving on
I listened to the audio version of this book, and it was very well done! Fenella Fudge really brought the story to life.
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the advance copy of this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
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.
July 7, 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.
July 28, 2026
Many thanks to Bookouture and NetGalley for this ARC, book 1 of A Campervan Detective Mystery. This book releases today, July 28, 2026.
"It had all started with a chance remark, the kind that men make to women all the time and then accuse them of having no sense of humour when they don't laugh."
When Sadie Sutton discovers that her husband is cheating on her, she grabs her Miniature Schnauzer, Sam Spade, buys a bright orange campervan and leaves her boring life in London in favour of the small seaside town of Winching, a place that holds fond memories for her as it was her father's favourite place in the world.
Here, she meets the Vintage Vanettes, a small friend group of feisty females who welcome Sadie with open arms and teach her the basics of campervan living, and when Sadie quite literally stumbles upon a dead body, she and the Vintage Vanettes take it upon themselves to sleuth out the truth of what happened to Winching's retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, who had enemies all over town.
The Campervan Detectives is a cozy mystery, but it is also a story of friendship, community and second chances in life. It is a warm, genuine and comforting story of a group of very different women who have all faced rejection and loss, and all choose to stick it to the patriarchy and capitalism and pursue their own version of happiness in their campervans.
Pick up this one if you are looking for an underdog story with amateur sleuthing, fun banter, hints of romance, quirky locals and a journey of self-discovery for a woman in her late fifties who has finally had enough of diminishing herself to please an unappreciative husband. I really enjoyed this one, and I highly recommend this for cozy mystery fans, and for anyone who believes that it's never too late to find happiness and purpose in life.
"It had all started with a chance remark, the kind that men make to women all the time and then accuse them of having no sense of humour when they don't laugh."
When Sadie Sutton discovers that her husband is cheating on her, she grabs her Miniature Schnauzer, Sam Spade, buys a bright orange campervan and leaves her boring life in London in favour of the small seaside town of Winching, a place that holds fond memories for her as it was her father's favourite place in the world.
Here, she meets the Vintage Vanettes, a small friend group of feisty females who welcome Sadie with open arms and teach her the basics of campervan living, and when Sadie quite literally stumbles upon a dead body, she and the Vintage Vanettes take it upon themselves to sleuth out the truth of what happened to Winching's retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, who had enemies all over town.
The Campervan Detectives is a cozy mystery, but it is also a story of friendship, community and second chances in life. It is a warm, genuine and comforting story of a group of very different women who have all faced rejection and loss, and all choose to stick it to the patriarchy and capitalism and pursue their own version of happiness in their campervans.
Pick up this one if you are looking for an underdog story with amateur sleuthing, fun banter, hints of romance, quirky locals and a journey of self-discovery for a woman in her late fifties who has finally had enough of diminishing herself to please an unappreciative husband. I really enjoyed this one, and I highly recommend this for cozy mystery fans, and for anyone who believes that it's never too late to find happiness and purpose in life.
August 21, 2026
Absolutely love the audiobook narrator!
A thoroughly engaging book with believable and likeable characters. You felt like you got to know the characters and the setting.
I thought it was obvious who the killer was but I was wrong! (I'm terrible at picking whodunit).
My first book from this author and will gladly read more! I hope there is a series with these characters.
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.
A thoroughly engaging book with believable and likeable characters. You felt like you got to know the characters and the setting.
I thought it was obvious who the killer was but I was wrong! (I'm terrible at picking whodunit).
My first book from this author and will gladly read more! I hope there is a series with these characters.
My thanks to NetGalley for the advance copy of the audiobook.
July 20, 2026
3.75 stars
First of all, thank you & Netgalley so much for sending me an audio copy of this book.
The Campervan Detectives is about a middle-aged woman named Sadie who catches her husband cheating on her with her best friend. She impulsively buys a campervan and ends up in a small town just in time to witness a murder. In this town, she meets a group of women her age and together they try to solve the murder.
I liked the story. A fun and easy listen with funny characters. I loved how the narrator did voices for everyone and I found them very fitting. I also love being right about the murder which I was. I had a fun time listening to it and it went above my expectations.
However, the cover could’ve gone without the use of AI. I saw it once I loaded it in and it definitely took away my rating.
I also didn’t like the ending too much. It was already clear there was a shown of character, so why add it in a way that is super obvious.
Overall, it’s a fun listen and I would recommend it to people who don’t mind the use of AI in a cover. It wasn’t used in the story itself.
First of all, thank you & Netgalley so much for sending me an audio copy of this book.
The Campervan Detectives is about a middle-aged woman named Sadie who catches her husband cheating on her with her best friend. She impulsively buys a campervan and ends up in a small town just in time to witness a murder. In this town, she meets a group of women her age and together they try to solve the murder.
I liked the story. A fun and easy listen with funny characters. I loved how the narrator did voices for everyone and I found them very fitting. I also love being right about the murder which I was. I had a fun time listening to it and it went above my expectations.
However, the cover could’ve gone without the use of AI. I saw it once I loaded it in and it definitely took away my rating.
I also didn’t like the ending too much. It was already clear there was a shown of character, so why add it in a way that is super obvious.
Overall, it’s a fun listen and I would recommend it to people who don’t mind the use of AI in a cover. It wasn’t used in the story itself.
August 1, 2026
BLOG TOUR REVIEW
Review for 'The Campervan Detectives' by Maeve Haran
CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GRAB THIS ABSOLUETLY BRILLIANT PAGE TURNING COZY CRIME MYSTERY TODAY!! ONE THE BEST COZY CRIME BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!! GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!! I CAN GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!!!
This may be the first book I have read by this extremely talented author but there is no way in hell it it is going to be my last!! What a blooming epic read!! Seriously, if you are a fan of cosy crime books and looking for a brilliant read then you will LOVE this!! It is also the first book in Maeve's 'A Campervan Detective Mystery' series and what an absolutely blooming brilliant introduction it is to an extremely promising series!!
OMFG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS ADDICTIVE, TWISTY AND EPIC BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MYSTERY FILLED PAGE TURNING MUST READ!!!
A CAMPERVAN, MYSTERY, MURDER AND A GORGEOUS DOG CALLED SAM SPADE. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR??
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the AMAZING author Maeve Haram! Where on Earth have you been hiding all my life? As a cosy crime lover I am SHOCKED I have not read your books before!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!! Thank God I have rectified that stupid mistake and read this and now I can sink my teeth into the rest of your books. I mean, if this is anything to go by then they are guaranteed to be epic!! I am just absolutely landed that this is just the first book in this amazing series and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!! Speaking of which, the next book is actually available to pre-order on Amazon NOW so RUN do NOT walk! It is called 'A Wedding Date with Death' and will be published on the 30th September. Make sure you mark your diaries, I already have!! I am a MASSIVE animal lover and even run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media if you are interested). therefore, any books that contain animals are a HUGE bonus for me and therefore the gorgeous miniature schnauzer Sam Spade definitely gives this brilliant book bonus points!! This book is also FREE with KINDLE UNLIMITED so what more could you ask for?? This book genuinely has something for everyone. There is crime, a gorgeous dog, female friendships, beautiful settings, English murder mystery, red herrings, amateur detectives, twists, mystery, a campervan, older protagonists, moving on, larger than life characters, murder, friendship, heartache, humour, fantastic narrative, drama, community.... and so much more!! Anything you could ever ask for in a brilliant cosy crime and SO SO SO MUCH, MUCH MORE!! This really has got to be just one of the most addictive cosy crime books I have ever read!!! It is extremely fast paced and page turning read and I devoured it in one sitting in the space of just a few short hours!!! There was no chance I was going to be able to put it down! Each time I promised myself one more chapter something else happened that gripped my attention and I just JHAD to know what was going to happen next. This kept happening until, you guessed it, I had finished it all and was definitely left wanting, no NEEDING, more!! There was constantly something going on to keep you turning the page/listening and it has more than just one mystery to try to solve!!
This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Fenella Fudge who did an absolutely incredible job of bringing this story and it's larger than life characters to life. I would listen to this book in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Fenella did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices and portraying the characters emotions through his voice!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Maeve but also to listening to more books narrated by Fenella! This really is the perfect book to read for any cosy/crime/mystery/good book fan, you genuinely could not ask for a more perfect read!! You really do need to stop wasting your time reading this which cannot justify how good this book is and just run, don't walk, and grab your copy of this book now. It genuinely felt like Maeve had transported me into a mystery filled holiday with Sadie, Sam and 'The Vintage Vanettes' (Rose, Tina, Amanda and of course Sadie include) in the seaside town of Winching. IF YOU WANT TO MORE THEN YOU JUST HAVE TO GRAB YOUR COPY FOR YOURSELVES!! I can promise you that if you love cosy crime then you will absolutely LOVE this!!! With an addictive storyline what on Earth are you waiting for? This truly is an absolutely addictive, action packed page turner with a unique storyline that will grip you from the moment you open the pages until the very end, and longer!! A huge well done to Maeve on the absolute uniqueness of this book!! I have read hundreds and hundreds of books so it is getting harder and harder to find books with a truly unique storyline but Maeve has well and truly smashed it out of the ballpark.
The setting and atmosphere is perfect for the storyline and Maeve's fantastic emotive and evocative writing skills really suck the reader into the story ensuring they can see the characters and settings all around them. You have truly got to grab a copy of this fantastic cosy crime today!!! I loved meeting all the larger than life characters and each had their own unique personalities with different flaws, weaknesses, strengths and quirks. 'The Vintage Vanettes' are all so relatable, larger than life and I just loved them all! I cannot wait to meet them all again in 'A Wedding Date with Death'. I must admit though that Sam Spade the miniature schnauzer just had to be my favourite! This is one of those brilliant books that it does not matter if you read in the sun with a glass of wine or with a hot chocolate by the fireplace as Maeve will transport you to the charming coastal town of Winching at the turn of a page! The fact that Maeve cares about each and every one of her characters clearly shines through the pages in the way that she has brought them all to life, giving them realistic and fantastic personalities and he ensures the readers feel, see and hear absolutely everything that they are!!
A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE ON THIS BRILLIANT SUCCESS!!
Clear your schedules before turning a single page as this book is truly unputdownable!!!
This book is one THE BEST cosy crime books I have ever read !!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up and had devoured within a couple of hours!!! It had absolutely everything you could ask for and more!!! GET IT NOW!!
Well done Maeve Haran on an absolutely addictive and memorable page turner and I would definitely like to the top spot of my favourite authors of all time!!! Congratulations on an absolutely fantastic success and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall an absolutely addictive cosy crime that will keep you turning the pages until you've devoured the book in hours!!
#TheCamperVanDetectives #ACampervanDetectivesMystery #MaeveHaran #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous #BookoutureBookClub
@MaeveHaran @Bookouture @BookoutureAnonymous @BookoutureBookClub
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Review for 'The Campervan Detectives' by Maeve Haran
CLEAR YOUR SCHEDULES AND GRAB THIS ABSOLUETLY BRILLIANT PAGE TURNING COZY CRIME MYSTERY TODAY!! ONE THE BEST COZY CRIME BOOKS I HAVE EVER READ!! GRAB YOUR COPY NOW!! I CAN GUARANTEE THAT YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT!! YOU CAN THANK ME LATER!!!
This may be the first book I have read by this extremely talented author but there is no way in hell it it is going to be my last!! What a blooming epic read!! Seriously, if you are a fan of cosy crime books and looking for a brilliant read then you will LOVE this!! It is also the first book in Maeve's 'A Campervan Detective Mystery' series and what an absolutely blooming brilliant introduction it is to an extremely promising series!!
OMFG!!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED THIS ADDICTIVE, TWISTY AND EPIC BOOK, AN ABSOLUTELY AMAZING MYSTERY FILLED PAGE TURNING MUST READ!!!
A CAMPERVAN, MYSTERY, MURDER AND A GORGEOUS DOG CALLED SAM SPADE. WHAT MORE COULD YOU ASK FOR??
The first thing I have got to say is an absolutely HUGE CONGRATULATIONS to the AMAZING author Maeve Haram! Where on Earth have you been hiding all my life? As a cosy crime lover I am SHOCKED I have not read your books before!! I ABSOLUTELY LOVE, LOVE, LOVED IT!!! Thank God I have rectified that stupid mistake and read this and now I can sink my teeth into the rest of your books. I mean, if this is anything to go by then they are guaranteed to be epic!! I am just absolutely landed that this is just the first book in this amazing series and I cannot wait for the next book to come out!! Speaking of which, the next book is actually available to pre-order on Amazon NOW so RUN do NOT walk! It is called 'A Wedding Date with Death' and will be published on the 30th September. Make sure you mark your diaries, I already have!! I am a MASSIVE animal lover and even run my own cat rescue called Golden Oldies Cat Rescue And Hospice (you can find me on social media if you are interested). therefore, any books that contain animals are a HUGE bonus for me and therefore the gorgeous miniature schnauzer Sam Spade definitely gives this brilliant book bonus points!! This book is also FREE with KINDLE UNLIMITED so what more could you ask for?? This book genuinely has something for everyone. There is crime, a gorgeous dog, female friendships, beautiful settings, English murder mystery, red herrings, amateur detectives, twists, mystery, a campervan, older protagonists, moving on, larger than life characters, murder, friendship, heartache, humour, fantastic narrative, drama, community.... and so much more!! Anything you could ever ask for in a brilliant cosy crime and SO SO SO MUCH, MUCH MORE!! This really has got to be just one of the most addictive cosy crime books I have ever read!!! It is extremely fast paced and page turning read and I devoured it in one sitting in the space of just a few short hours!!! There was no chance I was going to be able to put it down! Each time I promised myself one more chapter something else happened that gripped my attention and I just JHAD to know what was going to happen next. This kept happening until, you guessed it, I had finished it all and was definitely left wanting, no NEEDING, more!! There was constantly something going on to keep you turning the page/listening and it has more than just one mystery to try to solve!!
This is one of the few books that I have listened 100% on Audiobook. If I listen to a book on audiobook I usually also read the physical book between but I listened to the whole book and I was impressed! I must say a HUGE congratulations to the narrator Fenella Fudge who did an absolutely incredible job of bringing this story and it's larger than life characters to life. I would listen to this book in the car and while walking at any opportunity and Fenella did a fantastic job on both male and female characters voices and portraying the characters emotions through his voice!!! I'm not only looking forward to reading more books by Maeve but also to listening to more books narrated by Fenella! This really is the perfect book to read for any cosy/crime/mystery/good book fan, you genuinely could not ask for a more perfect read!! You really do need to stop wasting your time reading this which cannot justify how good this book is and just run, don't walk, and grab your copy of this book now. It genuinely felt like Maeve had transported me into a mystery filled holiday with Sadie, Sam and 'The Vintage Vanettes' (Rose, Tina, Amanda and of course Sadie include) in the seaside town of Winching. IF YOU WANT TO MORE THEN YOU JUST HAVE TO GRAB YOUR COPY FOR YOURSELVES!! I can promise you that if you love cosy crime then you will absolutely LOVE this!!! With an addictive storyline what on Earth are you waiting for? This truly is an absolutely addictive, action packed page turner with a unique storyline that will grip you from the moment you open the pages until the very end, and longer!! A huge well done to Maeve on the absolute uniqueness of this book!! I have read hundreds and hundreds of books so it is getting harder and harder to find books with a truly unique storyline but Maeve has well and truly smashed it out of the ballpark.
The setting and atmosphere is perfect for the storyline and Maeve's fantastic emotive and evocative writing skills really suck the reader into the story ensuring they can see the characters and settings all around them. You have truly got to grab a copy of this fantastic cosy crime today!!! I loved meeting all the larger than life characters and each had their own unique personalities with different flaws, weaknesses, strengths and quirks. 'The Vintage Vanettes' are all so relatable, larger than life and I just loved them all! I cannot wait to meet them all again in 'A Wedding Date with Death'. I must admit though that Sam Spade the miniature schnauzer just had to be my favourite! This is one of those brilliant books that it does not matter if you read in the sun with a glass of wine or with a hot chocolate by the fireplace as Maeve will transport you to the charming coastal town of Winching at the turn of a page! The fact that Maeve cares about each and every one of her characters clearly shines through the pages in the way that she has brought them all to life, giving them realistic and fantastic personalities and he ensures the readers feel, see and hear absolutely everything that they are!!
A MASSIVE CONGRATULATIONS MAEVE ON THIS BRILLIANT SUCCESS!!
Clear your schedules before turning a single page as this book is truly unputdownable!!!
This book is one THE BEST cosy crime books I have ever read !!! This book really is a truly unique page turner that I picked up and had devoured within a couple of hours!!! It had absolutely everything you could ask for and more!!! GET IT NOW!!
Well done Maeve Haran on an absolutely addictive and memorable page turner and I would definitely like to the top spot of my favourite authors of all time!!! Congratulations on an absolutely fantastic success and here is to what is guaranteed to be many more 🥂
Overall an absolutely addictive cosy crime that will keep you turning the pages until you've devoured the book in hours!!
#TheCamperVanDetectives #ACampervanDetectivesMystery #MaeveHaran #Bookouture #BookoutureAnonymous #BookoutureBookClub
@MaeveHaran @Bookouture @BookoutureAnonymous @BookoutureBookClub
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Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
﹒⌗﹒advanced reader copy received through netgalley in exchange of an honest review ⸝⸝
| ‘It’s the same for me. I was in pieces when I came here and in such a short time, you’ve helped me to put myself back together, only better and stronger.’
‘Like Humpty Dumpty,’ suggested Rose, smiling.
‘No, Rose,’ Amanda corrected. ‘The whole point about Humpty was they couldn’t put him back together, remember.’
‘They should have sent him here,’ Rose giggled. ‘The Vintage Vanettes would have sorted him out.’
where do i sign up to become a vintage vanette?
seriously. i'll take whatever position is available. i can be amanda's acting protégé. i can be tina's contact inside the police as the overly enthusiastic young detective who shows up with coffee and absolutely no jurisdiction. i can drive the campervan, make tea, organize the snacks, or simply stand in the background looking supportive. i'm not picky.
i just want to join the club.
that's probably the biggest compliment i can give the campervan detectives, because while the mystery itself is perfectly enjoyable, that isn't what made me fall in love with this book — it was the people.
cozy mysteries live or die by the characters. after all, there are only so many ways you can write "someone died under suspicious circumstances," and eventually readers stop coming back for the murders and start coming back for the detectives. the crime is what gets the story moving, but the characters are what make you keep turning the pages, and this book absolutely understands that.
our main character, sadie, finds herself rebuilding her life after discovering that her husband has been cheating on her, which is already a compelling starting point. instead of allowing that betrayal to define the rest of her life, though, she does something wonderfully impulsive and buys a campervan, setting herself on a completely unexpected path.
along the way, she meets rose, tina, and amanda, and together they become the vintage vanettes: a group of older women who have collectively decided that life is far too short to waste on disappointing men when they could instead travel the countryside, enjoy each other's company, and occasionally solve a homicide or two.
you know.
normal retirement activities.
what i loved most is how effortlessly their friendship develops. it never feels forced or manufactured by the plot. instead, it grows naturally through conversations, shared experiences, little acts of kindness, cups of tea, and the kind of easy companionship that only comes from people who genuinely enjoy being around one another.
the mystery gives them something to do, but their friendship gives the book its heart.
the entire time i was reading, i kept thinking about donna and the dynamos from mamma mia , and if you know me, you'll know that's about as high a compliment as i can possibly give.
there's something incredibly comforting about stories centered around women who have already lived so much life but still refuse to believe their best years are behind them. these aren't characters waiting quietly for life to happen. they're actively choosing joy. they're choosing adventure. they're choosing each other.
the book quietly celebrates the idea that friendship can completely reshape your life, that it's never too late to find your people, and that starting over doesn't have an expiration date. there's something so hopeful about watching sadie slowly rediscover herself simply because she's surrounded by people who like her exactly as she is.
there are countless books about finding love after heartbreak, but there are far fewer about finding a community.
personally, i think the second one is just as beautiful.
the mystery itself is well constructed and kept me interested throughout, although if i'm being completely honest, it wasn't the aspect of the book that stayed with me the most. i was much more invested in seeing the vanettes share another meal together, tease one another, or wander around winching chatting than i was in collecting clues.
i don't think that's a criticism, by the way. if anything, i think that's the mark of a successful cozy mystery.
by the halfway point i realized i wasn't thinking, "i wonder who the murderer is."
i was thinking, "i hope these ladies never stop hanging out."
i did find the final reveal and the way everything came together a little more theatrical than i personally prefer. the confrontation leaned slightly into cartoonish territory, and while it worked well enough within the tone of the story, it wasn't my favorite part of the book.
the funny thing is... i barely cared because by then i was completely won over by the vanettes.
when characters are this charming, they earn a surprising amount of goodwill from me. i'll happily overlook a slightly over-the-top ending if it means i get another hundred pages of spending time with people i've grown genuinely fond of.
the writing style also deserves a mention because it perfectly matches the atmosphere the book is trying to create. there's something delightfully old-fashioned about it. reading it felt like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of tea while someone tells you a story by the fireplace.
yes, it occasionally leans a little too heavily into exposition, and there were moments where i wished the narrative trusted the reader just a bit more.
but honestly, that same style also contributes enormously to the cozy atmosphere. it made me feel like i was walking around winching alongside the vanettes, listening to every conversation, peeking into every little shop, and slowly becoming part of their world.
the audiobook deserves praise as well.
the narrator absolutely understood the assignment, bringing warmth, humor, and personality to every member of the cast. each conversation felt lively, every joke landed naturally, and the friendships somehow became even more lovable through the performance.
by the end, i wasn't closing the book because i had solved a mystery. i was saying goodbye to a group of people i genuinely wanted to spend more time with.
which is why i'm already looking forward to the next installment.
although i should probably think twice before buying a campervan with my best friend and driving around looking for suspicious deaths, mostly because if we actually found one, we'd probably spend so much time stopping for snacks that someone else would solve the case before we even got there. the vanettes, most likely.
| ‘To think I ran away from my old life hoping to find a bit of peace!’ laughed Sadie.
‘Who needs peace?’ said Rose airily, knocking back her sherry. ‘You’ll get plenty of that when you’re dead.’
| ‘It’s the same for me. I was in pieces when I came here and in such a short time, you’ve helped me to put myself back together, only better and stronger.’
‘Like Humpty Dumpty,’ suggested Rose, smiling.
‘No, Rose,’ Amanda corrected. ‘The whole point about Humpty was they couldn’t put him back together, remember.’
‘They should have sent him here,’ Rose giggled. ‘The Vintage Vanettes would have sorted him out.’
where do i sign up to become a vintage vanette?
seriously. i'll take whatever position is available. i can be amanda's acting protégé. i can be tina's contact inside the police as the overly enthusiastic young detective who shows up with coffee and absolutely no jurisdiction. i can drive the campervan, make tea, organize the snacks, or simply stand in the background looking supportive. i'm not picky.
i just want to join the club.
that's probably the biggest compliment i can give the campervan detectives, because while the mystery itself is perfectly enjoyable, that isn't what made me fall in love with this book — it was the people.
cozy mysteries live or die by the characters. after all, there are only so many ways you can write "someone died under suspicious circumstances," and eventually readers stop coming back for the murders and start coming back for the detectives. the crime is what gets the story moving, but the characters are what make you keep turning the pages, and this book absolutely understands that.
our main character, sadie, finds herself rebuilding her life after discovering that her husband has been cheating on her, which is already a compelling starting point. instead of allowing that betrayal to define the rest of her life, though, she does something wonderfully impulsive and buys a campervan, setting herself on a completely unexpected path.
along the way, she meets rose, tina, and amanda, and together they become the vintage vanettes: a group of older women who have collectively decided that life is far too short to waste on disappointing men when they could instead travel the countryside, enjoy each other's company, and occasionally solve a homicide or two.
you know.
normal retirement activities.
what i loved most is how effortlessly their friendship develops. it never feels forced or manufactured by the plot. instead, it grows naturally through conversations, shared experiences, little acts of kindness, cups of tea, and the kind of easy companionship that only comes from people who genuinely enjoy being around one another.
the mystery gives them something to do, but their friendship gives the book its heart.
the entire time i was reading, i kept thinking about donna and the dynamos from mamma mia , and if you know me, you'll know that's about as high a compliment as i can possibly give.
there's something incredibly comforting about stories centered around women who have already lived so much life but still refuse to believe their best years are behind them. these aren't characters waiting quietly for life to happen. they're actively choosing joy. they're choosing adventure. they're choosing each other.
the book quietly celebrates the idea that friendship can completely reshape your life, that it's never too late to find your people, and that starting over doesn't have an expiration date. there's something so hopeful about watching sadie slowly rediscover herself simply because she's surrounded by people who like her exactly as she is.
there are countless books about finding love after heartbreak, but there are far fewer about finding a community.
personally, i think the second one is just as beautiful.
the mystery itself is well constructed and kept me interested throughout, although if i'm being completely honest, it wasn't the aspect of the book that stayed with me the most. i was much more invested in seeing the vanettes share another meal together, tease one another, or wander around winching chatting than i was in collecting clues.
i don't think that's a criticism, by the way. if anything, i think that's the mark of a successful cozy mystery.
by the halfway point i realized i wasn't thinking, "i wonder who the murderer is."
i was thinking, "i hope these ladies never stop hanging out."
i did find the final reveal and the way everything came together a little more theatrical than i personally prefer. the confrontation leaned slightly into cartoonish territory, and while it worked well enough within the tone of the story, it wasn't my favorite part of the book.
the funny thing is... i barely cared because by then i was completely won over by the vanettes.
when characters are this charming, they earn a surprising amount of goodwill from me. i'll happily overlook a slightly over-the-top ending if it means i get another hundred pages of spending time with people i've grown genuinely fond of.
the writing style also deserves a mention because it perfectly matches the atmosphere the book is trying to create. there's something delightfully old-fashioned about it. reading it felt like wrapping yourself in a warm blanket with a cup of tea while someone tells you a story by the fireplace.
yes, it occasionally leans a little too heavily into exposition, and there were moments where i wished the narrative trusted the reader just a bit more.
but honestly, that same style also contributes enormously to the cozy atmosphere. it made me feel like i was walking around winching alongside the vanettes, listening to every conversation, peeking into every little shop, and slowly becoming part of their world.
the audiobook deserves praise as well.
the narrator absolutely understood the assignment, bringing warmth, humor, and personality to every member of the cast. each conversation felt lively, every joke landed naturally, and the friendships somehow became even more lovable through the performance.
by the end, i wasn't closing the book because i had solved a mystery. i was saying goodbye to a group of people i genuinely wanted to spend more time with.
which is why i'm already looking forward to the next installment.
although i should probably think twice before buying a campervan with my best friend and driving around looking for suspicious deaths, mostly because if we actually found one, we'd probably spend so much time stopping for snacks that someone else would solve the case before we even got there. the vanettes, most likely.
| ‘To think I ran away from my old life hoping to find a bit of peace!’ laughed Sadie.
‘Who needs peace?’ said Rose airily, knocking back her sherry. ‘You’ll get plenty of that when you’re dead.’
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Finished reading: July 16th 2026
*** A copy of this book was kindly provided to me by Netgalley and Bookouture Audio in exchange for an honest review. Thank you! ***
REVIEW
September 2, 2026
Advanced audiobook copy provided by Netgalley/the publisher:
When I saw The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran, I thought this would be a great addition to the collection of easy-going murder mysteries I seem to be collecting.
As the name suggests, The Campervan Detectives revolves around a group of women brought together by their love of the portable hotel rooms and solving crimes. Known as the Vintage Vanettes, the rag-tag crew of experienced women consists of Amanda, an old thespian planning her retirement, Rose a cleaner who knows everyone’s business, and ex-detective Tina. The group welcome Sadie into the fold when she finds the body of her old headmistress in a popular spot in town and a hooded figure fleeing from the crime scene.
With the police seemingly as useless as a fart in a thunderstorm, the Vanettes set about investigating the murder and quickly draw up a large list of suspects. As the team works to find whodunnit, we get to learn more about the Vanettes themselves. With four main characters to juggle and a murder to solve, The Campervan Detectives could have been overbloated with backstory, but Haran expertly balances plot with character development, leaving us with a slick novel that is easy to devour.
Despite the label of murder mystery, The Campervan Detectives is distinctly British with most characters being apologetically polite. If the book is ever adapted into a film, everyone could easily be played by Hugh Grant. It might sound like a criticism, but the result made me feel like The Campervan Detectives is a cosy and easy going experience and could be the British version of Murder, She Wrote.
To further this point, The Campervan Detectives leans heavily into the ‘meddling old woman’ trope. The Vanettes get away with their investigations because they are disregarded by most of the village as nosy women. In a time where ageism is very prevalent, I can understand why the book chooses to highlight this, but the frequency that this is mentioned threatens to put a dampener on the lively book. Fortunately, the Vanettes do call out the behaviour, often accompanied by a sarcastic comment by Amanda.
Haran’s writings were brilliantly brought to life with Fenella Fudge’s narration. Each character was distinct and a pleasure to listen to, especially when the characters got together for their nightly debrief. A particular highlight was listening to Amanda’s dry and pointed wit take aim at each suspect. The performance reminded me of Joanna Lumley’s Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous, the aging character concerned about where the next glass of wine is coming from. There were a few incidents when I confused Sadie with Tina as their voices were a little too similar but thankfully this only happened once or twice over the course of the book and didn’t detract from any of the action taking place.
The Campervan Detectives is as cosy as it gets, especially when it comes to murder mysteries. The easy-breezy novel has a well-paced plot, a list of fleshed-out suspects and characters that oozes charm and charisma. The quaint setting and polite characters might be a little twee for some, but the combination of Maeve Haran’s words and Fenella Fudge’s narration left me wanting more of the Vintage Vanettes.
When I saw The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran, I thought this would be a great addition to the collection of easy-going murder mysteries I seem to be collecting.
As the name suggests, The Campervan Detectives revolves around a group of women brought together by their love of the portable hotel rooms and solving crimes. Known as the Vintage Vanettes, the rag-tag crew of experienced women consists of Amanda, an old thespian planning her retirement, Rose a cleaner who knows everyone’s business, and ex-detective Tina. The group welcome Sadie into the fold when she finds the body of her old headmistress in a popular spot in town and a hooded figure fleeing from the crime scene.
With the police seemingly as useless as a fart in a thunderstorm, the Vanettes set about investigating the murder and quickly draw up a large list of suspects. As the team works to find whodunnit, we get to learn more about the Vanettes themselves. With four main characters to juggle and a murder to solve, The Campervan Detectives could have been overbloated with backstory, but Haran expertly balances plot with character development, leaving us with a slick novel that is easy to devour.
Despite the label of murder mystery, The Campervan Detectives is distinctly British with most characters being apologetically polite. If the book is ever adapted into a film, everyone could easily be played by Hugh Grant. It might sound like a criticism, but the result made me feel like The Campervan Detectives is a cosy and easy going experience and could be the British version of Murder, She Wrote.
To further this point, The Campervan Detectives leans heavily into the ‘meddling old woman’ trope. The Vanettes get away with their investigations because they are disregarded by most of the village as nosy women. In a time where ageism is very prevalent, I can understand why the book chooses to highlight this, but the frequency that this is mentioned threatens to put a dampener on the lively book. Fortunately, the Vanettes do call out the behaviour, often accompanied by a sarcastic comment by Amanda.
Haran’s writings were brilliantly brought to life with Fenella Fudge’s narration. Each character was distinct and a pleasure to listen to, especially when the characters got together for their nightly debrief. A particular highlight was listening to Amanda’s dry and pointed wit take aim at each suspect. The performance reminded me of Joanna Lumley’s Patsy from Absolutely Fabulous, the aging character concerned about where the next glass of wine is coming from. There were a few incidents when I confused Sadie with Tina as their voices were a little too similar but thankfully this only happened once or twice over the course of the book and didn’t detract from any of the action taking place.
The Campervan Detectives is as cosy as it gets, especially when it comes to murder mysteries. The easy-breezy novel has a well-paced plot, a list of fleshed-out suspects and characters that oozes charm and charisma. The quaint setting and polite characters might be a little twee for some, but the combination of Maeve Haran’s words and Fenella Fudge’s narration left me wanting more of the Vintage Vanettes.
July 31, 2026
As soon as I saw the cover of this book, I had to read it without knowing anything about the author or story line. Westy campers are the best. I'd never have any other kind (although mine is from the mid-80s. A setting involving a camper promises a mysterious, rootless occupant or one in trouble in the woods without the protection of solid walls. And so many parts of a vehicle to tamper with!
On the other hand, the setting, a small English village, and the return of a woman to a place from her childhood with so many happy memories hinted at a cozy. Even though I've written two of my own, that's not a genre I enjoy. I decided to take a chance, for the sake of the camper. I gratefully accepted the ARC from Net Galley and Bookoture audio, and starting listening to the audiobook. I am very glad I did.
The novel starts with Sadie Sutton, heading toward 60 years old. She arrived home early one day to fine her husband in bed with her best friend. All she wanted at that moment was to get away from them. She ran out and while she was running from, with no clue where to go, she happened across a dealer for vintage VW campers. She bought one, and without knowing how the camping part of the vehicle worked, took off for the village she loved as a child. Arriving toward dusk, she stopped to walk her dog Sam Spade before continuing to the campground and found a body.
Talking to the police caused her to arrive after dark, where she was happy to find that camper vans were welcome in addition to tents. While she was fumbling around trying to figure out how to set up the camper. A woman in a nearby site comes over to help her. The woman was similar in age to Sadie and was part of a group of three women who had taken up van life and called themselves the Vanettes. They took Sadie under their collective wing, and as their stories came out, Sadie bonded with them.
Sadie knew the woman from her childhood. The victim, Charlotte Woolf, was a former headmistress and was widely disliked. The group decided to investigate the murder.
The novel turned solidly cozy without car chases, bloody murders, or autopsies described. I enjoyed every word. There were plausible threats that picked up toward the end of the book. The group's suspects changed as they uncovered information – none of the dramatic, unbelievable, last second twists that are popular these days.
The camper detectives were intelligent, funny, and charming. Each Vanette brings needed skills to the investigation. Sadie's is local knowledge. The writing itself is terrific. It is a very visual novel, so that I felt in the story every step of the way. The reader does a vey good job for the audio version.
I hope this group comes back with many adventures. I miss them already. I'd like to see them caravan over to camp in other European countries.
This is my honest opinion.
On the other hand, the setting, a small English village, and the return of a woman to a place from her childhood with so many happy memories hinted at a cozy. Even though I've written two of my own, that's not a genre I enjoy. I decided to take a chance, for the sake of the camper. I gratefully accepted the ARC from Net Galley and Bookoture audio, and starting listening to the audiobook. I am very glad I did.
The novel starts with Sadie Sutton, heading toward 60 years old. She arrived home early one day to fine her husband in bed with her best friend. All she wanted at that moment was to get away from them. She ran out and while she was running from, with no clue where to go, she happened across a dealer for vintage VW campers. She bought one, and without knowing how the camping part of the vehicle worked, took off for the village she loved as a child. Arriving toward dusk, she stopped to walk her dog Sam Spade before continuing to the campground and found a body.
Talking to the police caused her to arrive after dark, where she was happy to find that camper vans were welcome in addition to tents. While she was fumbling around trying to figure out how to set up the camper. A woman in a nearby site comes over to help her. The woman was similar in age to Sadie and was part of a group of three women who had taken up van life and called themselves the Vanettes. They took Sadie under their collective wing, and as their stories came out, Sadie bonded with them.
Sadie knew the woman from her childhood. The victim, Charlotte Woolf, was a former headmistress and was widely disliked. The group decided to investigate the murder.
The novel turned solidly cozy without car chases, bloody murders, or autopsies described. I enjoyed every word. There were plausible threats that picked up toward the end of the book. The group's suspects changed as they uncovered information – none of the dramatic, unbelievable, last second twists that are popular these days.
The camper detectives were intelligent, funny, and charming. Each Vanette brings needed skills to the investigation. Sadie's is local knowledge. The writing itself is terrific. It is a very visual novel, so that I felt in the story every step of the way. The reader does a vey good job for the audio version.
I hope this group comes back with many adventures. I miss them already. I'd like to see them caravan over to camp in other European countries.
This is my honest opinion.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Originally posted on my blog Nonstop Reader.
The Campervan Detectives is the debut book in a cozy mystery series by Maeve Haran. Due out 28th July 2026 from Bookouture, it's 287 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a cute series opener with an appealing mature female protagonist who catches her husband and former best friend in flagrante, burns her bridges, impulse buys a vintage VW camper van and hits the road with her faithful pup Sam Spade as her copilot, but without much of a plan otheriwse. Happily, she ends up in coastal village Winching which has fond memories from her childhood, and even more fortunately, she stumbles into a support network in the form of a varied ensemble cast of women who take her in and make sure she lands on her feet.
The murder of a local harridan draws the ladies (who are all RV adventurers) into amateur sleuthing, and to everyone's surprise, they're quite good at it. The climax, denouement, and resolution are satisfying and self-contained. The final chapter foreshadows book 2 which is due out from the same publisher in late 3rd quarter 2026.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 49 minutes and is capably read by (the improbably named) Fenella Fudge. She has a warm, well modulated alto voice and does a super job with a wide range of regional accents, a variety of ages, and both sexes. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.
Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or for very light summer holiday reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
The Campervan Detectives is the debut book in a cozy mystery series by Maeve Haran. Due out 28th July 2026 from Bookouture, it's 287 pages and will be available in paperback, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links throughout. For Kindle Unlimited subscribers, this book is currently included in the KU subscription library to borrow and read for free.
This is a cute series opener with an appealing mature female protagonist who catches her husband and former best friend in flagrante, burns her bridges, impulse buys a vintage VW camper van and hits the road with her faithful pup Sam Spade as her copilot, but without much of a plan otheriwse. Happily, she ends up in coastal village Winching which has fond memories from her childhood, and even more fortunately, she stumbles into a support network in the form of a varied ensemble cast of women who take her in and make sure she lands on her feet.
The murder of a local harridan draws the ladies (who are all RV adventurers) into amateur sleuthing, and to everyone's surprise, they're quite good at it. The climax, denouement, and resolution are satisfying and self-contained. The final chapter foreshadows book 2 which is due out from the same publisher in late 3rd quarter 2026.
The unabridged audiobook has a run time of 7 hours and 49 minutes and is capably read by (the improbably named) Fenella Fudge. She has a warm, well modulated alto voice and does a super job with a wide range of regional accents, a variety of ages, and both sexes. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.
Four stars. It would be a good choice for public or home library acquisition, or for very light summer holiday reading.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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
What a fun, crazy story!
WE OPEN UP WHEN Sadie comes home early one day to surprise her husband! And, well, SHE is the one surprised to find her husband IN BED with her best friend!! (PAGE ONE OF THE BOOK, SO NO SPOILERS!! The story is actually BASED on this...)
So, not knowing what to do or where to go, she gets in her old camper van and heads to the one place she has wonderful memories growing up. A place where she spent a lot of time with her Dad when she was young. Where she made some wonderful memories...
And so, she finds a campsite and is getting settled in with her faithful little Schnauzer dog Sam Spade. When she goes for a walk, she literally trips over a body. A dead body. And to her dismay, after calling the police, she realizes it is someone she recognizes from her childhood.
And so it begins. The women who have befriended her in her new campervan life have decided to stick with her AND help her solve the murder mystery (especially since the chief cop wants nothing to do with it, or any of her discoveries...)
Friendships are formed. Lasting bonds are made. And, more bodies are dropping....
4 heartfelt, sweet, found-friends-are-the-best stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheCampervanDetectives by @MaeveHaran and narrated beautifully by @FenellaFudge. (I originally thought she said Vanilla Fudge, which made me LOL!) Of note: This is book #1 of a new series... so Yay!
This one has not been released yet. Look 👀 for it on July 28, 2026!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BookoutureAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
WE OPEN UP WHEN Sadie comes home early one day to surprise her husband! And, well, SHE is the one surprised to find her husband IN BED with her best friend!! (PAGE ONE OF THE BOOK, SO NO SPOILERS!! The story is actually BASED on this...)
So, not knowing what to do or where to go, she gets in her old camper van and heads to the one place she has wonderful memories growing up. A place where she spent a lot of time with her Dad when she was young. Where she made some wonderful memories...
And so, she finds a campsite and is getting settled in with her faithful little Schnauzer dog Sam Spade. When she goes for a walk, she literally trips over a body. A dead body. And to her dismay, after calling the police, she realizes it is someone she recognizes from her childhood.
And so it begins. The women who have befriended her in her new campervan life have decided to stick with her AND help her solve the murder mystery (especially since the chief cop wants nothing to do with it, or any of her discoveries...)
Friendships are formed. Lasting bonds are made. And, more bodies are dropping....
4 heartfelt, sweet, found-friends-are-the-best stars for me!! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
#TheCampervanDetectives by @MaeveHaran and narrated beautifully by @FenellaFudge. (I originally thought she said Vanilla Fudge, which made me LOL!) Of note: This is book #1 of a new series... so Yay!
This one has not been released yet. Look 👀 for it on July 28, 2026!
Thanks so much to #NetGalley and @BookoutureAudio for an ALC of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
You can also find my reviews on: Goodreads,
Instagram: @BookReviews_with_emsr and/or
My Facebook Book Club: Book Reviews With Elaine
Thanks so much for reading! And if you ‘liked’ my review, please share with your friends, & click ‘LIKE’ below… And, let me know YOUR thoughts if you read it!!
And as always, thanks for reading along with me! 📚⭐️📖🩷
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
In a bid to escape her failed marriage, Sadie Sutton takes off in a campervan and heads to her childhood. Instead of finding solitude, she becomes embroiled in a murder mystery and finds an unlikely group of friends along the way.
The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran sits firmly in the cosy crime genre. I found this worked well as an audiobook, as it didn't need my full concentration at all times.
Having returned home during the day to surprise her husband, Sadie was shocked to find him in bed with her best friend. Sadie immediately bolted, taking her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, with her. I could completely empathise with Sadie as her "flight mode" was activated, and she bought a campervan and headed off. With no plan in mind, she finds herself in the seaside town of Winching, her childhood home.
Not only is Sadie out of her depth with the campervan, something she's never stayed in before, but she's also completely in over her head when she discovers a dead body. Thankfully, a group of women who are also living in campervans are at hand to help her out. Rose, Tina, and Amanda all come to Sadie's rescue, showing her that van-life can be enjoyable. Their particular skills also aid Sadie in her hunt to track down a murderer.
There are lots of characters and possible motives to keep you puzzling, hardly surprising as the victim wasn't a particularly nice individual. I did feel that the villain became fairly obvious once they appeared, but it was interesting seeing how our sleuths narrowed the field down.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran sits firmly in the cosy crime genre. I found this worked well as an audiobook, as it didn't need my full concentration at all times.
Having returned home during the day to surprise her husband, Sadie was shocked to find him in bed with her best friend. Sadie immediately bolted, taking her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, with her. I could completely empathise with Sadie as her "flight mode" was activated, and she bought a campervan and headed off. With no plan in mind, she finds herself in the seaside town of Winching, her childhood home.
Not only is Sadie out of her depth with the campervan, something she's never stayed in before, but she's also completely in over her head when she discovers a dead body. Thankfully, a group of women who are also living in campervans are at hand to help her out. Rose, Tina, and Amanda all come to Sadie's rescue, showing her that van-life can be enjoyable. Their particular skills also aid Sadie in her hunt to track down a murderer.
There are lots of characters and possible motives to keep you puzzling, hardly surprising as the victim wasn't a particularly nice individual. I did feel that the villain became fairly obvious once they appeared, but it was interesting seeing how our sleuths narrowed the field down.
If you enjoyed my review please check out my book blog, Reading For Leisure
https://readingforleisure.blogspot.com/
or follow me on:-
Twitter; @Debbie_Hart_UK
Instagram; @reading_for_leisure_blog
August 21, 2026
I kindly received an ARC of The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran via NetGalley, so a special thank you for the opportunity to read this one early!
The story follows Sadie Sutton, who decides to overhaul her entire life after catching her husband cheating with her best friend. On an impulse, she buys a campervan and retreats to the tiny, picturesque village where she grew up. But her quiet fresh start is cut short when she stumbles upon the dead body of her former headmistress. Joining forces with a group of fellow campervan women, Sadie sets out to investigate the murder. It’s a classic, cozy murder mystery packed with all the small-town tropes and charm you’d expect from the genre.
I actually had a bit of a hard time getting into the story at first, and in retrospect, I’m not entirely sure why. I felt like I was thrown into the story without much context. Overall, it turned out to be a decent and lighthearted read, but the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me.
My main issue was the uneven pacing. There were stretches where far too many things were happening all at once, followed immediately by long lulls where nothing moved forward at all. I also found the dynamics among the main group of women a little jarring at times. While a little back-and-forth banter is to be expected, there was a lot of bickering that didn't always come across in a friendly or nice way, which felt a bit strange for a tight-knit cozy sleuthing group.
The premise is genuinely promising, and I can definitely see this becoming a delightful series if the author slows down the pace and lets the characters build a warmer rapport in the next installment. If you love small-town mysteries with a mature female cast, it's worth a look!
The story follows Sadie Sutton, who decides to overhaul her entire life after catching her husband cheating with her best friend. On an impulse, she buys a campervan and retreats to the tiny, picturesque village where she grew up. But her quiet fresh start is cut short when she stumbles upon the dead body of her former headmistress. Joining forces with a group of fellow campervan women, Sadie sets out to investigate the murder. It’s a classic, cozy murder mystery packed with all the small-town tropes and charm you’d expect from the genre.
I actually had a bit of a hard time getting into the story at first, and in retrospect, I’m not entirely sure why. I felt like I was thrown into the story without much context. Overall, it turned out to be a decent and lighthearted read, but the execution didn't quite hit the mark for me.
My main issue was the uneven pacing. There were stretches where far too many things were happening all at once, followed immediately by long lulls where nothing moved forward at all. I also found the dynamics among the main group of women a little jarring at times. While a little back-and-forth banter is to be expected, there was a lot of bickering that didn't always come across in a friendly or nice way, which felt a bit strange for a tight-knit cozy sleuthing group.
The premise is genuinely promising, and I can definitely see this becoming a delightful series if the author slows down the pace and lets the characters build a warmer rapport in the next installment. If you love small-town mysteries with a mature female cast, it's worth a look!
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
How many of us would relish the chance to completely reinvent ourselves after enduring a challenging life experience? Well, that’s precisely what Sadie Sutton did. Her marriage ended, and she found herself navigating midlife as a newly single woman. Rather than wallow, she decided to embrace a lifestyle she’d only ever dreamed of — she acquired a vintage orange Volkswagen camper van, determined to turn it into her home and set off on a journey of exploration.
When Sadie decided to return to a small seaside village that held fond memories for her, it turned into far more than a cozy homecoming. Her old life was behind her, and the people there knew. But did the new Sadie ever imagine she’d become a woman who stumbles upon a corpse who simply can’t walk away from the mystery? Teaming up with a few fellow van-life women she meets along the way, Sadie and her new friends eagerly don their amateur sleuth hats.
And honestly, that’s exactly what makes this book so much fun! Living vicariously through Sadie, there is something so satisfying about watching her rebuild her life on her own terms, only to find herself thrown headfirst into a murder investigation with an unlikely crew of campervan-dwelling friends by her side. It’s warm, it’s witty, and it’s got just the right amount of intrigue to keep you turning pages. If you love a cozy mystery with heart, humor, and a heroine who refuses to be underestimated, The Campervan Detectives is an absolute treat!
This was exceptionally enjoyable as an audiobook and I hope I can continue upcoming books in this series in the same manner.
When Sadie decided to return to a small seaside village that held fond memories for her, it turned into far more than a cozy homecoming. Her old life was behind her, and the people there knew. But did the new Sadie ever imagine she’d become a woman who stumbles upon a corpse who simply can’t walk away from the mystery? Teaming up with a few fellow van-life women she meets along the way, Sadie and her new friends eagerly don their amateur sleuth hats.
And honestly, that’s exactly what makes this book so much fun! Living vicariously through Sadie, there is something so satisfying about watching her rebuild her life on her own terms, only to find herself thrown headfirst into a murder investigation with an unlikely crew of campervan-dwelling friends by her side. It’s warm, it’s witty, and it’s got just the right amount of intrigue to keep you turning pages. If you love a cozy mystery with heart, humor, and a heroine who refuses to be underestimated, The Campervan Detectives is an absolute treat!
This was exceptionally enjoyable as an audiobook and I hope I can continue upcoming books in this series in the same manner.
August 16, 2026
A charming cozy mystery with fantastic audio narration
I like reading a cozy mystery every now and then as a step away from what I normally read, so this was a lovely change of pace for me! The story follows Sadie Sutton, who, after her marriage implodes, buys a vintage orange VW campervan and heads off to the seaside town of Winching with her dog Sam Spade. Her fresh start takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across the dead body of her old, sharp-tongued headmistress, Charlotte Woolf. Before long, Sadie teams up with three fellow van-lifers at the campsite – Rose, Amanda and Tina – to do a bit of amateur sleuthing.
Listening to the audiobook was an absolute treat, especially thanks to the brilliant narrator, Fenella Fudge. She brought the characters to life so vividly, giving each person their own distinct personality and catching the warmth, wit and dry humour of the story perfectly. Her performance made it so easy to get swept up in the journey as Sadie and her new campsite friends set out to solve the crime.
The plot itself is quite lighthearted and gentle, which made for a really relaxing listen. It does take a little while for the murder mystery to get properly moving as we spend time getting to know the lead characters, their backstories and campsite life, but once the investigation gets going, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
Overall, it's a great escapist listen. I will definitely be looking out for the next instalment in the series!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my honest thoughts.
I like reading a cozy mystery every now and then as a step away from what I normally read, so this was a lovely change of pace for me! The story follows Sadie Sutton, who, after her marriage implodes, buys a vintage orange VW campervan and heads off to the seaside town of Winching with her dog Sam Spade. Her fresh start takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across the dead body of her old, sharp-tongued headmistress, Charlotte Woolf. Before long, Sadie teams up with three fellow van-lifers at the campsite – Rose, Amanda and Tina – to do a bit of amateur sleuthing.
Listening to the audiobook was an absolute treat, especially thanks to the brilliant narrator, Fenella Fudge. She brought the characters to life so vividly, giving each person their own distinct personality and catching the warmth, wit and dry humour of the story perfectly. Her performance made it so easy to get swept up in the journey as Sadie and her new campsite friends set out to solve the crime.
The plot itself is quite lighthearted and gentle, which made for a really relaxing listen. It does take a little while for the murder mystery to get properly moving as we spend time getting to know the lead characters, their backstories and campsite life, but once the investigation gets going, it is a thoroughly enjoyable ride.
Overall, it's a great escapist listen. I will definitely be looking out for the next instalment in the series!
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for enabling me to listen to and share my honest thoughts.
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