Forests, Fishing, & Forgery

Camper & Criminals #3

by Tonya Kappes

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.

It's Labor Day weekend in Normal, and if you know anything about camping and RVing, you know it's one of the busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, Daniel Boone National Park is in danger of being closed due to a drought and local businesses are scrambling for ideas to survive a possible shutdown.

Happy Trails Campground is at the center of a murder in which campers as well locals are suspects. It looks likely that a local resident is responsible for the dastardly deed since the victim is the one person who had the power to shut down the national park, which would be devastating to Normal’s small businesses.

Follow Mae West as she searches for clues to get to the bottom of this Labor Day campground caper!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Cozy, Adult, Romance

Audiobook

First published July 30, 2018

About the author

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

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

Visit Tonya:
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Reviews

[Kay · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5⭐
I'm enjoying this series. Fun, light, and quick read. A perfect palate cleanser and I can finish it in a few hours.

It's Labor Day and Daniel Boone National Park is a popular destination except it's at risk of a shutdown due to drought. Our gal, Mae West owner of Happy Trails Campground has more murder mysteries to solve. As she hikes a trail with a handsome suitor she almost does her business on a missing ranger's body hidden in a bush off the trail.

There are fun secondary characters -the Laundry Club Ladies, cute dog Fifi, and two possible 💘 love interests. The campground recipes and cleaning hacks for camping/RVing are good and helpful... although I do neither. 🏕️😅

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forests, Fishing, & Forgery by Tonya Kappes
Campers & Criminals book 3. Cozy mystery.
Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky is booked solid for the Labor Day weekend though a drought threatens the area. A renter disappears and Mae West almost pees on a dead body. She is again in the middle of “helping” investigate.

🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who speaks with an appropriate southern accent for Mae West. I had to speed it up to 1.4 instead of my usual 1.2 to offset the drawl and get to a comfortable speaking speed. I prefer listening over reading for this author because most of the editing errors in print form are hidden.

Fast moving, plenty of twists and a dog about to give birth make this an amusing episode to the series.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see how this story can go on and on and on 😝 But I’m tapping out ✌️ It’s a quick cozy mystery series- not a bad one. I just have a mountain of other books I would rather read 🤓

[Leo · Rating 4 out of 5]

Struggling with depression and finding huge comfort in cozier mysteries. Loving this one. not sure it's going to be a favorite but excited it's so long.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Release Date: July 31, 2018
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Actual Rating: 5 stars

I love this series so much!!! The books covers, the characters, the sleuthing, the setting, the banter, and everything in between is perfect. Tonya Kappes has a knack for cozy mysteries and I have recently become a huge fan of her books. In fact, I loved this series so much that I grabbed the first book in each of her series. They are honestly that good. Every time she releases a new book I **squee** because I am so excited to see what will happen with her characters next. Sigh, too bad I am all caught up in the series. I simply don't want to wait for the next installment!

Forests, Fishing, & Forgery is the third book in the Camper & Criminal Cozy mystery series. I recommend reading all the books in order as the books progress in terms of relationships and such as the series gets new books. The story takes place in the fictional town of Normal Kentucky which is as far from normal as one can get! The characters are wacky (in a good way) and the crime is low (if you don't count the three murders that recently occurred). Most of the plot takes place at the Happy Trails Campground where the owner is not only good at keeping the residents busy and happy, but solving crimes as well! Mae West is one of my favorite sleuthing heroes and her sidekicks follow closely behind.

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this series! These books are quick, fun, witty, and downright hilarious! Even better? You can read these books for free with a kindle unlimited subscription!

[Esme · Rating 4 out of 5]

this series makes me feel like I'm watching a soap with my great grandma. 100% a comfort read and will read all of these books happily.

[Michelle Kuhn · Rating 1 out of 5]

I tried. I really tried. I just couldn’t finish listening to it. The strong southern accent. Then, “OMG” “pee pee” “tinkle”. So sorry, but I tried because it received 4+ stars.

[Erica Chaillot · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice and fun read. I’m really enjoying this series and characters. I didn’t know the culprit to the end. Highly recommend.

[Janice Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am in love with Normal, Happy Trails and Fifi — now to book #4.

[Peter Monn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m obsessed with this series! Love it. Soooo good!

[Kelly Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

The tale is excellent, the characters are gaining depth and the book is overall entertaining.
The mistakes, both grammatical and structural, continue to take me out of the story. This time I highlighted only 15, which is an improvement, but the book would be so much better if the author got a decent editor, a proof reader and some Beta readers. She is seriously doing herself and her readers a disservice.

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

The editing in this series is definitely lacking, and at times the timeline doesn’t fully add up. However, the characters are cute, quirky, and likable, and the books are great beach reads!

[Bella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the Camper and Criminals series, and it was another great read! I’m really enjoying this series and love getting to spend more time with these fun and quirky characters. This was a fun and quick read, with a fast-paced plot that kept things moving along. The mystery was interesting and entertaining to follow, and I enjoyed seeing how everything unfolded. I continue to love the characters, especially the Laundry Club ladies. They are such a fun and entertaining group, and honestly, I wish I had friends like them! Their friendship and personalities add so much charm and humour to the series. I also loved seeing Fifi have her puppies! It was such a sweet addition to the story, and I always enjoy seeing the animal characters get their own moments. Overall, this was another wonderful addition to the Camper and Criminals series. With a fast-paced mystery, lovable characters, plenty of fun, and adorable puppies, I had a great time reading this one!

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

This series is so fun!

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this is my favorite in the series so far! Mae's heart has finally come to a decision on her love life, her adopted poodle had some puppies, not to mention another great mystery was solved.

Mae had her hands full on Labor Day weekend. There was possibly a drought going on, and if the park was closed, that meant financial trouble for her and all her fellow small businesses. One of her campers, the groom from a rowdy bachelor party group, went missing, then someone was murdered, or was it accidental? As the bodies continued to pile up, Mae was wondering how these cases were all connected, but in the end the case was solved and life was good again.

I just love the Laundry Club member Queenie! She's a longtime member of Normal and seems to know just about everyone and all their business too. I loved the outcome of the whole story, as well as the birth of the puppies, so sweet! After you finish the books, there are three RV hacks/tips and three campground recipes to enjoy. We don't camp, but I'm sure we can figure out a way to enjoy the recipes anyway.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Forests, Fishing and Forgery by Tonya Kappes is the third installment in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae West owns the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky. With it being Labor Day weekend, the campground is full plus they are hosting their monthly party. Mae gets the honor of checking in a rowdy bachelor party group who will be staying for the weekend. Willian Hinson and his groomsmen have been overindulging in alcoholic beverages. William ends up in an argument with Ranger Corbin Ashbrook and a warning from Mae to settle down or they will be tossed out. The next morning, William is missing, but they are hopeful that he just passed out in the forest and will soon return to the camp. Mae is enjoying a hike with Ty when she has to tinkle. She nips behind a tree and encounters a dead Ranger Ashbrook (at least she looked down before she did her business). Did William kill him and take off? Mae does not need another murder associated with Happy Trails, so she begins fishing for information. She is hoping William’s distraught fiancé can provide some helpful intel. Mae is also dealing with the potential closing of Daniel Boone National Park due to drought conditions, rivalry between Hank and Ty, a pregnant Fifi and finding a way to get out of her hair appointment. Come along to Normal, Kentucky to join Mae as she casts a line to reel in the killer in Forests, Fishing and Forgery.

Forests, Fishing and Forgery is a light-hearted, humorous cozy mystery. The book is well-written and has a steady pace which makes it easy to read. Mae West is a fun main character with her mass of curls, her humor, compassion, curiosity, and desire to help others. There are several quirky characters which make up The Laundry Club. They are in the book, but the ladies are not prevalent this time around. I thought Forests, Fishing and Forgery was toned down compared to the first two books in the series (I liked it). There is still plenty of wit along with small town Southern charm. I just love the description of downtown Normal, Kentucky (such a quaint and welcoming city). The mystery was not complicated and identifying the guilty party is duck soup. I like the direction Mae’s love life is headed. I believe this individual is suited to Mae’s personality (if I told you who it would spoil it for you). Little Fifi is having a rough time of it as she nears her due date. Mae will soon have the patter of little paws in her small trailer (I can just imagine the trouble they will cause). It is lovely to see Mae thriving in her new home and to see Happy Trails Campground flourishing. There are recipes and RV hacks included at the end of the book. I wonder what mischief Mae will get up to in the next A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery!

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

We are back at the Happy Trails Campground in Normal Kentucky for the Labor Day weekend. Campground owner Mae West has a lot on her plate with the campground fully booked and her little dog Fifi due to give birth to three puppies any day. She is also worried about the drought in the area that could shut down her camp and other local businesses. Her romantic life is in flux too.

Mae’s current guests include some rowdy men celebrating the long weekend with a bachelor party. The groom, William gets into an argument with Ranger Corbin Ashbrook. The bachelors are warned if they cause any more trouble she will boot them from the campground. The next morning William is missing and Ranger Corbin Ashbrook is dead.

Mae knows another murder is bad for business so she starts her own little investigation to get things back to as normal as things in Normal can be as quickly as she can.

I am enjoying the characters in this series so much. Each is unique in their own way and very cleverly written. I love the way Mae has become close with so many people and that she has grown comfortable running the campground even though she still has things to learn like how to keep her business going in times when a drought strikes. The Laundry Club members are quite a group. Gossip, information, book clubs, and more, these ladies are a hoot. They have also become great friends to Mae.

So we have a missing groom and a dead ranger. There has to be a connection, right? Ms. Kappes has tangled things up in a terrific way that keeps both readers and Mae on their toes. Throw in another murder, pick up the pace, throw in some twists and turns, a rumor or two, and the author takes her readers on one heck of a trip. I did figure most of the mystery before all was revealed but with the quirky characters in Normal that did not deter my enjoyment of this story. I was excited to see the pups be born and what was going to happen with Mae’s romantic life and if she was going to actually go to her hair appointment and how that would turn out. All the subplots meshed so nicely with the mystery.

There is always something happening at Happy Trails Campground and Ms. Kappes takes the time to give us detailed accounts so we feel we are right there on the scene. Whether it be out on a hiking trail or at the birth of Fifi’s puppies, at other campground events, or when there is a shocking discovery, all was easily crystal clear in my mind.

Forests, Fishing, & Forgery is just the 4th installment of what is now a 33-book series. It will take me quite some time to get caught up but each visit to Normal Kentucky has been fun and entertaining. I hope I get to visit again soon.

[Taryn · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this third book of the series it is Labor Day in Normal, Kentucky and things are going wonderfully for Mae at the Happy Trails Campground. They are booked solid and Mae has become comfortable in the new life she has made for herself. Her dog is pregnant and should be having puppies soon, she has two men who are both interested in her, and friendships are strong. When a bachelor party group arrives and starts to become rowdy Mae hopes that she can keep them under control, hopefully keeping them from running off other guests. When the groom ends up going missing Mae knows that she has to look into his disappearance and quickly find out where he is otherwise it could hurt the campgrounds. While out looking for the man she ends up finding the dead body of a local forest ranger who had been out searching earlier in the day. Was the forest ranger murder and if so why and where is the missing groom? These are the answers that Mae is searching for. When the groom is found dead and another person connected to the ranger dies Mae becomes intent on finding the answers that she so desperately needs. Follow along as Mae runs her business, tries to go out on a couple of dates, and delves into the deaths happening around her. This is such a readable series filled with a cast of fun characters and a location that I wouldn't mind visiting. I look forward to seeing what Mae gets into next.

[Patrizia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stelle e mezza
Di questa serie mi piacciono un sacco le copertine, ma quando leggo i libri non sono mai convinta del tutto. In questo caso ho trovato che a volte la storia era confusa e alla fine non sono stata sodisfatta della motivazione per uno degli omicidi (e non dico di più per non fare troppi spoiler).

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶😮✨😃🎵

This kindle novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account book three of 39

She has planned a weekend party. Four guys arrive for a bachelor's weekend. One goes missing, a park ranger is found dead, and the local paper reporter is murdered. What is going on? It all works out to a happy ending 😆🏚 2024 👒

[Catbytheseareads ♡ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
Cute and cozy mystery.
I feel like I missed something and that I should have started with book 1.
It can be read as a standalone but at the beginning I felt a little lost.
I like the campsite with cabins , campers and bungalows.

[Lucinda Race · Rating 5 out of 5]

I listened to the audio book and it was a fun little escape.
Take a quick trip to Normal KY if you're looking for a quick read

[Corey · Rating 3 out of 5]

plots ok, but full of errors

I do like the characters and want to know what happens, but there are so many errors and continuity problems in the text it’s aggravating to read. It’s like the author writes a draft, goes back and changes a scene or two, or the order of something and then never adjusts the rest of the book to fit the changes. I’m giving up on the series.

[Erin · Rating 1 out of 5]

The main character speaks like a toddler. I can't get past a grown women saying she has to go "pee-pee." I might pick one of these up here or there to listen to from the library out of sheer despiration if nothing else is available, but these are not going to be a must read for me.

[Caitlin C · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am really enjoying this series. I also like knowing there are so many of them and I will be able to keep reading for a while! Mae is settling in to being a campground owner and a full fledged member of the Laundry Club. She is stil learning the ins and outs of living in Normal, Kentucky thought. She is quickly finding out that the dreaded "d" word (drought) is threatening their area, and this could be totally devestating to the campground. Mae is trying to keep her campers happy and agrees to allow a group celebrating a bachelor party to stay. The groom goes missing and a local park ranger is found dead on one of the trails. Relationships are starting to shift in this one and I'm looking forwad to seeing what is to come.

[Ray · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the flow and feel of the campy series. It is a nice relaxed enjoyment, not too heavy. The story follows along and progresses as the elements build from book to book. not a wow but it satisfies me.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Life has changed for Mae West. She went from a mansion in New York to an RV in Kentucky and she's never been happier. Of course, things never stay quiet for long in Normal. Over Labor Day weekend, one of Mae's campers disappears, the park may be shut down due to a draught, and a park ranger dies. Mae is back at it trying to solve the mysteries and save her camp ground and the town!

It is a fun series. I'm looking forward to the next book to see what the citizens of Normal are up to.

[Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s Labor Day weekend and the folks of Normal, KY, are a happy bunch. The long weekend has brought in many visitors to the Happy Trails Campground, including a wild bachelor party. Everyone seems to be having a good time until news of a drought might close the Daniel Boone National Park, the groom-to-be goes missing, and a park ranger turns up dead.

Overall, I continue to enjoy my time spent in Normal, Kentucky. The books are quick, fun, and I really like Mae. This time around, the mystery was a bit more complex, with multiple murders that may or may not be connected. Mae comes up with some interesting theories, and in the end, she usually figures out most of the details, therefore helping the local police.

The Ty-Mae-Hank love triangle continues to play a roll in the books. I am not a fan of triangles, and it was a bigger part of this book than the previous two titles. Although I felt this side story took a bit of a detour during Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, by the end of the book, it appears the author has set the course for future titles. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the direction Ms. Kappes selected, but if the triangle ends and we only witness one blossoming romance in the fourth title, I’ll be happy.

Once again, I found a few inconsistencies that alone aren’t a big deal, but after happening a couple times in each book, it is starting to bug me a little bit. Additionally, I am beginning to wonder about the number of deaths and murders in this small town. I get that there needs to be a murder for a cozy to work, but at some point I’ll have to suspend reality and not question why the town isn’t getting bad press! It’s also the fact that Mae is always the one to stumble across the dead bodies… it’s getting to be a bit too often. I hope the author finds a new way to establish the mystery in subsequent titles.

Narration: I’ve come to appreciate-nearly LOVE-Ms. Parker’s southern drawl and how it adds ambiance to a story. The series is shared from Mae’s first person narrative, and Ms. Parker’s voice fits Mae’s personality: friendly, courageous, and determined. Overall, Ms. Parker fits the southern, small-town feel and pacing of the narrative. Each character has a slightly different voice fitting his/her age and gender, with her male and older women characters having deeper voices.
In the end, I enjoyed listening to Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, but I do hope things change up a bit in future titles.

My Ratings:

Story: B/B-
Narration: A-
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
​

[JoAn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Kappes brought me back to Normal, KY with sassy southern humor and a twisted mystery set at Happy Trails Campground during Labor Day weekend. Mae once again gets involved as one of her visitors turns up missing, a suspicious death of a Park Ranger and a friend is murdered. There's rumors flying about drought that may close the Daniel Boone National Park that could hurt all of Normal's tourist business, too. Being the third book in the series all of The Laundry Club ladies are back and I do love every one of them. They are kind, quirky and sassy; and Mae's newest acquisition, a miniature poodle is pregnant and ready to give birth at any minute. A fast paced plot, twists that kept me guessing, rumors that could be fact or fiction and a the romance triangle finally settled. The reveal came as a shock to me as it just happened without Mae really contributing much to the case this time. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.

[Sharon Mariampillai · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay Read

This was an alright read. This is the third book of the Campers & Criminals series. It is a cozy mystery that takes place in Normal, Kentucky. In this story, Happy Trails Campgrounds is fully booked for Labor Day weekend despite a drought that threatens to cause local businesses to close. As this is going on, Happy Trails Campgrounds is at the center of a murder investigation, where the locals and campers are considered suspects. Mae West must follow the clues in order to find the campground murderer. I thought the story was good and quick. I enjoyed Mae a bit more in this story, but she did come off as a bit of a naive, and self-centered person at times. I think her character development still needs improvement. I am hoping that as the series goes on, I can build more of a connection with her. I thought the ending was good. I will continue the series. I am wondering what Book 4 has in store for me. Overall, an okay read.