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Camper & Criminals #13
Gear, Grills, & Guns
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
Mae West is bound to prove she deserves the seat she was appointed to on the National Park Committee when she brings a big car show to Normal during the slower fall month. But, when Wendell Holliday's body is found dead in one of Happy Trails Campground bungalows and one of the rentable campers is burning to the ground, Mae along with the help of the Laundry Club Ladies once again put on their sleuthing caps to figure out who is trying to sabotage Mae and her new position on the committee.
Mae West is bound to prove she deserves the seat she was appointed to on the National Park Committee when she brings a big car show to Normal during the slower fall month. But, when Wendell Holliday's body is found dead in one of Happy Trails Campground bungalows and one of the rentable campers is burning to the ground, Mae along with the help of the Laundry Club Ladies once again put on their sleuthing caps to figure out who is trying to sabotage Mae and her new position on the committee.
185 pages, Paperback
First published October 22, 2020
692 people are currently reading
2808 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Kappes
459 books3,706 followersBeloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!
The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.
A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.
Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.
Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...
Webpage
tonyakappes.com
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
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https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11
Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/
For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,
The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.
A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.
Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.
Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...
Webpage
tonyakappes.com
Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/
For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 249 reviews
November 7, 2021
Gears, Grills, & Guns by Tonya Kappes
Campers and Criminals book 13. Cozy mystery. Best read as part of the series in order.
A car show comes to Normal, OK due to Mae’s hard work in revitalizing the small town. But the dead body of one of the car owners will put a crimp in the enjoyable event. Mae and her Laundry Club friends investigate the common sense way to find the killer.
Mae’s past is surfacing more. In this book she is traumatized by a camper fire that brought back memories of her childhood home burning and the loss of her family. It doesn’t stop her from figuring out the killer though now she needs to find an escape from the same fate!
Amusing with twists to keep you entertained.
🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who has done the full series to-date. She does a fantastic job with the southern drawl and different character voices. I listened to this at 1.5 which is faster than my preferred because it upped the drawl to a more reasonable talking speed.
I prefer the audiobook format for this author since it tends to hide the editing errors. A few of them did creep into this version.
Campers and Criminals book 13. Cozy mystery. Best read as part of the series in order.
A car show comes to Normal, OK due to Mae’s hard work in revitalizing the small town. But the dead body of one of the car owners will put a crimp in the enjoyable event. Mae and her Laundry Club friends investigate the common sense way to find the killer.
Mae’s past is surfacing more. In this book she is traumatized by a camper fire that brought back memories of her childhood home burning and the loss of her family. It doesn’t stop her from figuring out the killer though now she needs to find an escape from the same fate!
Amusing with twists to keep you entertained.
🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who has done the full series to-date. She does a fantastic job with the southern drawl and different character voices. I listened to this at 1.5 which is faster than my preferred because it upped the drawl to a more reasonable talking speed.
I prefer the audiobook format for this author since it tends to hide the editing errors. A few of them did creep into this version.
November 1, 2020
Visiting Mae's campground at Halloween would be pretty awesome to see all those decorations that she and Dottie put up. That was pretty much the extent of Halloween though, because the focus was on a murder during the car show.
There was a great series of red herrings, and I wasn't sure whodunit, but Betts got a little spotlight this time as the Laundry Club lady who figured it out and kept Mae from getting killed. I liked that the personal conflict that Mae was having put her on the road to fixing that part of herself. A tragedy at the campground triggered some bad memories for her. I don't want to spoil anything, but I was glad to see her seeking help. The ending was really sweet, but I could tell Mae's going to be on a mission in the next books. Gotta admit, when Mary Elizabeth first came on the scene in the earlier books, I didn't like her much, but she's become one of my faves!
There was a great series of red herrings, and I wasn't sure whodunit, but Betts got a little spotlight this time as the Laundry Club lady who figured it out and kept Mae from getting killed. I liked that the personal conflict that Mae was having put her on the road to fixing that part of herself. A tragedy at the campground triggered some bad memories for her. I don't want to spoil anything, but I was glad to see her seeking help. The ending was really sweet, but I could tell Mae's going to be on a mission in the next books. Gotta admit, when Mary Elizabeth first came on the scene in the earlier books, I didn't like her much, but she's become one of my faves!
October 21, 2020
This has been my happiest visit to Happy Trails Campground to spend time with Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies as fall is welcomed in. One of my favorite lines from the book is about squirrels in the campground. “They were scurrying around and digging up their nuts like we were going to take them.” This is only a glimpse of the laughs this fun and feisty group of ladies shares! The camaraderie, love, humor, and adventure are the perfect escape from the stresses of everyday life!!
Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies are back, along with the glorious colors of autumn in the Daniel Boone National Forest where Happy Trails Campground is located. Mae and one of my other favorite characters, Dottie, are preparing the campground for their monthly fireside party. This month, the theme is Fall in the Forest, and there are carved pumpkins, colored lights, spider webs, hay bales, and every imaginable Halloween decoration. It is the day that everyone is arriving in Normal for the car show, and the campground is full. Late that night, when campfires are out and folks are asleep, a murder occurs. The wife of one of the car show entrants found her husband dead in their bungalow. Mae and Dottie found her after hearing her scream.
The prime suspect is a man who was interested in purchasing Wendell’s prize-winning vehicle and had been upset that again, Wendell changed his mind and wouldn’t sell. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are ready to take on another case, especially after another serious incident occurs at the campground.
The characters are well defined through actions and conversations, yet I learn more about them each time. Ava, the attorney from Mae’s past, has several surprises for Mae this time. I do appreciate the sensitivity with which the author writes about Ava’s recent struggles, and while she might not become best buddies with Mae and her friends, they might be able to collaborate on cases in the future. I enjoyed meeting Tex, also, and seeing Mary Elizabeth’s reaction to him! This is the 13th novel in the series and it can be read as a standalone, as there is the perfect amount of backstory shared so that a reader new to the series can catch up quickly. Readers new to the series will then want to go back to the beginning and read this delightful series after a taste of Happy Trails Campground!
The mystery is detailed, as are rich descriptions of the woods, hiking trails, and Normal itself. This is a town I could live in, with people I could be happy to know as neighbors. Mae’s past comes back to haunt her again as she finds herself reliving certain events. The author shows this with sensitivity and grace, and I’m looking forward to full resolution of the events. In the meantime, there were several appealing suspects for Wendell’s murder, and I selected my “pet” suspects. There were still surprises in store, as is always the case with Campers and Criminals cozy mysteries! I highly recommend this for those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries, a delightful variety of small-town folks, and are real or armchair campers. Camping hack and recipes included!
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary eARC of this novel; a review was not required.
Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies are back, along with the glorious colors of autumn in the Daniel Boone National Forest where Happy Trails Campground is located. Mae and one of my other favorite characters, Dottie, are preparing the campground for their monthly fireside party. This month, the theme is Fall in the Forest, and there are carved pumpkins, colored lights, spider webs, hay bales, and every imaginable Halloween decoration. It is the day that everyone is arriving in Normal for the car show, and the campground is full. Late that night, when campfires are out and folks are asleep, a murder occurs. The wife of one of the car show entrants found her husband dead in their bungalow. Mae and Dottie found her after hearing her scream.
The prime suspect is a man who was interested in purchasing Wendell’s prize-winning vehicle and had been upset that again, Wendell changed his mind and wouldn’t sell. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are ready to take on another case, especially after another serious incident occurs at the campground.
The characters are well defined through actions and conversations, yet I learn more about them each time. Ava, the attorney from Mae’s past, has several surprises for Mae this time. I do appreciate the sensitivity with which the author writes about Ava’s recent struggles, and while she might not become best buddies with Mae and her friends, they might be able to collaborate on cases in the future. I enjoyed meeting Tex, also, and seeing Mary Elizabeth’s reaction to him! This is the 13th novel in the series and it can be read as a standalone, as there is the perfect amount of backstory shared so that a reader new to the series can catch up quickly. Readers new to the series will then want to go back to the beginning and read this delightful series after a taste of Happy Trails Campground!
The mystery is detailed, as are rich descriptions of the woods, hiking trails, and Normal itself. This is a town I could live in, with people I could be happy to know as neighbors. Mae’s past comes back to haunt her again as she finds herself reliving certain events. The author shows this with sensitivity and grace, and I’m looking forward to full resolution of the events. In the meantime, there were several appealing suspects for Wendell’s murder, and I selected my “pet” suspects. There were still surprises in store, as is always the case with Campers and Criminals cozy mysteries! I highly recommend this for those who enjoy well-written cozy mysteries, a delightful variety of small-town folks, and are real or armchair campers. Camping hack and recipes included!
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary eARC of this novel; a review was not required.
October 21, 2020
Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes is the 13th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading all the books in this delightful series. Mae West owns Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky. She has worked hard to build up the business as well as to help promote the town. Normal is fortunate to have a special car show in town which is drawing numerous visitors. Every place in town is booked including Happy Trails. Mae has come a long way since she arrived in Normal. She has a close group of friends, reconnected with her adopted mother and foster brother, turned around Happy Trails, obtained a dog, and has a boyfriend. I enjoy the descriptions of Happy Trails with the bungalows and fixed up vintage trailers. Mae comes up with creative themes for her the monthly party she throws for the townspeople at Happy Trails. When one of Mae’s guests who is in town for the car show is murdered, Mae is ready to dive into the case. Hank may not like her investigating, but Mae just loves it and so the rest of the Laundry Club ladies. The mystery was multifaceted. There are two murders, a fire, misdirection, and multiple suspects. I like how it all played out, especially the reveal. I had fun following Mae and the Laundry Cub ladies as they worked to solve the case. One little detail was the key to me solving this whodunit. You never know what will help a sleuth solve a case. Fall is Mae’s favorite time of year. I like how Dottie and Mae decorated the campground the Halloween. Mae has certainly made Happy Trails a cozy place for people to stay. One of the events triggers repressed memories of Mae’s. I like how Mary Elizabeth helped her. There is humor scattered throughout the story. I laughed often while reading this amusing tale especially from Mary Elizabeth’s antics. Ava, Tex, and Glenda are a great addition to the story. I hope we see more of them in future books. Gear, Grills, and Guns is a fun Southern cozy mystery that will provide you with a diverting afternoon with the treacherous trails, the fall foliage, classic cars, the mystifying murder, curious clues, the horrifying fire, and a concerned campground owner.
October 19, 2020
Gears, Grills & Guns
A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
"Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul."
--Kirkus
"Scrumptious... Fans of culinary cozies will have fun."
--Publishers Weekly
"A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home."
--San Francisco Book Review
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
Mae West is bound to prove she deserves the seat she was appointed to on the National Park Committee when she brings a big car show to Normal during the slower fall month. But, when Wendell Holliday's body is found dead in one of Happy Trails Campground bungalows and one of the rentable campers is burning to the ground, Mae along with the help of the Laundry Club Ladies once again put on their sleuthing caps to figure out who is trying to sabotage Mae and her new position on the committee. (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well defined and well rounded. Hank and Mae are still squabbling about Mae getting involved in his investigation, but he does like to hear her take on things. The Laundry Club Ladies are happy to get involved, and when they are on the case, there is no stopping them. And when they get involved, mayhem follows.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I could visualize the activities at the campsites and the gossip at the laundromat. The mystery was well plotted and held my interest throughout the whole book. It was not easily solved and I was not certain until the reveal at the end.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. The stories just keep getting better.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
"Romance, a lovable bunch of eccentrics, and a collection of recipes with murder most foul."
--Kirkus
"Scrumptious... Fans of culinary cozies will have fun."
--Publishers Weekly
"A sweet Southern mystery with a delightful plot and quirky characters who quickly make you feel at home."
--San Francisco Book Review
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
Mae West is bound to prove she deserves the seat she was appointed to on the National Park Committee when she brings a big car show to Normal during the slower fall month. But, when Wendell Holliday's body is found dead in one of Happy Trails Campground bungalows and one of the rentable campers is burning to the ground, Mae along with the help of the Laundry Club Ladies once again put on their sleuthing caps to figure out who is trying to sabotage Mae and her new position on the committee. (Amazon)
Review:
The characters are well defined and well rounded. Hank and Mae are still squabbling about Mae getting involved in his investigation, but he does like to hear her take on things. The Laundry Club Ladies are happy to get involved, and when they are on the case, there is no stopping them. And when they get involved, mayhem follows.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. I could visualize the activities at the campsites and the gossip at the laundromat. The mystery was well plotted and held my interest throughout the whole book. It was not easily solved and I was not certain until the reveal at the end.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy. The stories just keep getting better.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
October 10, 2020
“ Gear, Grills & Guns” by Tonya Kappes the 13th instalment in the " Camper and Criminals Mystery" series. I really enjoy this series and look forward to visiting Normal and the Laundry Club ladies as they are such a hoot.
I really enjoyed this instalment in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. I adore Mae and the laundry Club ladies, and the whole concept of living in a RV Park in the woods, by a pond and river.
In this instalment Mae and Happy Trails Campground are getting ready for Fall around the campground with scarecrows, pumpkins and hay bales. There is a big car show happening and one of the car owners gets himself murdered. Mae must figure out who did it as it happened in her bungalow.
This mystery had a lot of suspects and I didn’t figure it out till just before Mae! I did suspect who but once again there were enough red herrings to change my mind.
Now some of Maes past has come to the surface and I know she will have to deal with in the next book, I’m really looking forward to that. I’m also hoping Tex and Glenda will appear in one of the next stories as I can see them being a good addition.
If your looking for a fun, southern mystery then this is your book!
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
I really enjoyed this instalment in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. I adore Mae and the laundry Club ladies, and the whole concept of living in a RV Park in the woods, by a pond and river.
In this instalment Mae and Happy Trails Campground are getting ready for Fall around the campground with scarecrows, pumpkins and hay bales. There is a big car show happening and one of the car owners gets himself murdered. Mae must figure out who did it as it happened in her bungalow.
This mystery had a lot of suspects and I didn’t figure it out till just before Mae! I did suspect who but once again there were enough red herrings to change my mind.
Now some of Maes past has come to the surface and I know she will have to deal with in the next book, I’m really looking forward to that. I’m also hoping Tex and Glenda will appear in one of the next stories as I can see them being a good addition.
If your looking for a fun, southern mystery then this is your book!
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
October 1, 2020
I think I have a new favorite character in Revonda Gail. This was a fun read, and I think it is my favorite one so far. Lots of twists and turns. I normally have it figured out near the end, but I was totally shocked by who done it in this one. Love this series and look forward to the next book.
March 23, 2024
Another funny book of the series 😃
October 22, 2020
This is my favorite series by Tonya Kappes. This is the thirteen book in the series, and it just keeps getting better. If you like your cozy mysteries with a lot of humor, a touch of romance, and full of small-town southern charm this is the series for you. The mystery is well written. There is no shortage of twists and turns and misdirections to keep the reader guessing until the big reveal. I admit that I did suspect the killer, but there were plenty of other suspects that could have been the culprit as well. My favorite character is the protagonist Mae West. Mae is a strong female, but she isn't perfect. Mae wants to help people, especially those she feels compelled to help by investigating their murder. However, Mae has feelings that she has buried down deep, feelings that this investigation is bringing to the surface. This investigation may be more than Mae can handle. This is a must-read for fans of the series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
October 8, 2020
This book had me in tears at times, sometimes happy, sometimes sad. When there is a murder at the campground, Mae and the Laundry ladies hit the road running. There is a lot tied up with this book, including learning a little bit more about Mae. I certainly didn’t want to put this book down! These books just keep getting better and better.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
May 31, 2023
I am excited to see where Mae's story is going to go from here. This book dove into her past a little bit regarding her family and the house fire that took all of them, but Mae and I think we are going to learn a lot more about what happened in the coming books.
November 7, 2020
Gears, Grills & Guns earns 5/5 Vintage Autos...Engaging & Clever!
Tonya Kappes has penned another great drama with the thirteenth book in her A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae and her adoptive mother, Mary Elizabeth Moberly, have begun to heal their former tumultuous relationship, but a hiking excursion didn’t end well. Mary chooses to be more fashionable than practical causing her to slip, fall, and wince in excruciating pain. Mae holds her tongue and “I told you so-s.” But, a cranky mother, a hectic holiday season, and car show riddled with serious competitors are the least of the issues...a murder, a trailer fire, and another dead body seem to get the “best in show.” The murder mystery sparks the attention of Mae and her “Laundry Club” adding to great fun following their “nosy” detecting. My own Sherlock had a couple of reasonable theories wrapped in greed, jealousy, and a “truck.” The final suspect and motive was briefly on my radar, but I dismissed it...twice! Along with the investigation we get further insights into Mae’s past, her family, and the secrets that have been slowly revealed. Tonya’s writing style, of course, is engaging and has made me a long-time fan with her use of descriptive language, southern-rich sayings, clever dialogue, and vivid characters of varying ages and personalities. Fans, like me, are always treated to the entertaining life of literary friends with ins and outs of managing and living an RV campground, prepping for Halloween, drinking coffee and eating donuts, and enjoying nature and good friends. What the life! Adding to the delightful experience with this series is the unique “Recipes and RV Hacks Advice from Mae West, Owner of Happy Trails Campground.” The hack offers advice to easily start a campfire and easily get rid of used toilet paper rolls: Toilet Paper Fire Starter. Three recipes are great even if you’re just a backyard camper: Lemon Chicken Skillet Style, Campfire Cobbler, and Your Mama’s Biscuits and Gravy Dutch Oven Style.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Tonya Kappes has penned another great drama with the thirteenth book in her A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae and her adoptive mother, Mary Elizabeth Moberly, have begun to heal their former tumultuous relationship, but a hiking excursion didn’t end well. Mary chooses to be more fashionable than practical causing her to slip, fall, and wince in excruciating pain. Mae holds her tongue and “I told you so-s.” But, a cranky mother, a hectic holiday season, and car show riddled with serious competitors are the least of the issues...a murder, a trailer fire, and another dead body seem to get the “best in show.” The murder mystery sparks the attention of Mae and her “Laundry Club” adding to great fun following their “nosy” detecting. My own Sherlock had a couple of reasonable theories wrapped in greed, jealousy, and a “truck.” The final suspect and motive was briefly on my radar, but I dismissed it...twice! Along with the investigation we get further insights into Mae’s past, her family, and the secrets that have been slowly revealed. Tonya’s writing style, of course, is engaging and has made me a long-time fan with her use of descriptive language, southern-rich sayings, clever dialogue, and vivid characters of varying ages and personalities. Fans, like me, are always treated to the entertaining life of literary friends with ins and outs of managing and living an RV campground, prepping for Halloween, drinking coffee and eating donuts, and enjoying nature and good friends. What the life! Adding to the delightful experience with this series is the unique “Recipes and RV Hacks Advice from Mae West, Owner of Happy Trails Campground.” The hack offers advice to easily start a campfire and easily get rid of used toilet paper rolls: Toilet Paper Fire Starter. Three recipes are great even if you’re just a backyard camper: Lemon Chicken Skillet Style, Campfire Cobbler, and Your Mama’s Biscuits and Gravy Dutch Oven Style.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
October 4, 2020
Autumn season brings beautiful colors, tourists, and getting ready for Halloween in Normal, Kentucky. When Mae takes Mary Elizabeth along to check out a new trail, in an attempt to be stylish, Mary Elizabeth takes a tumble. Refusing for Mae to leave her, they slowly go back the way they came, only to run into Glenda. Glenda leads them to a hippy camp, where Mary Elizabeth grudgingly allows a strange man, who may be on whacky tobbacy, to see if he can help her.
Meanwhile, Happy Trails Campground is booked with tourists coming in for the car show hosted by Coke at the Old Train Station. Even Henry entered his 1967 Buick Wildcat Sport Coupe into the car show.
Mae is woken in the middle of the night, by rustling sounds. She heads outside and runs into Dottie, who also heard noises. They race toward a scream coming from a bungalow, and find the body of Wendell Holliday at his wife's feet. Wendell had come to Normal to enter into the car show. Mae already suspects, one person with ties to Wendell, who swears they are innocent.
Mae thinks she has the killer with a motive, but soon finds herself in hot water with Hank, after tampering with evidence. As Mae starts to poke around and strike up conversations with others entered into the car show, she learns some interesting news that leads her to con Betts into helping her. Then, Mae gets a call about one of her campers being on fire, and when she races back to the campground, the fire brings back the tragedy of her own family. Despite Mae having flashbacks to contend with, she is determined to find the killer with the help of The Laundry Club gals.
I enjoyed laughing at Mary Elizabeth's revulsion turned euphoria with a hippy named Tex! Dottie is still her loveable self, with her way of words and her unique flair for pink feathers! I love this series!
I received an ARC and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Meanwhile, Happy Trails Campground is booked with tourists coming in for the car show hosted by Coke at the Old Train Station. Even Henry entered his 1967 Buick Wildcat Sport Coupe into the car show.
Mae is woken in the middle of the night, by rustling sounds. She heads outside and runs into Dottie, who also heard noises. They race toward a scream coming from a bungalow, and find the body of Wendell Holliday at his wife's feet. Wendell had come to Normal to enter into the car show. Mae already suspects, one person with ties to Wendell, who swears they are innocent.
Mae thinks she has the killer with a motive, but soon finds herself in hot water with Hank, after tampering with evidence. As Mae starts to poke around and strike up conversations with others entered into the car show, she learns some interesting news that leads her to con Betts into helping her. Then, Mae gets a call about one of her campers being on fire, and when she races back to the campground, the fire brings back the tragedy of her own family. Despite Mae having flashbacks to contend with, she is determined to find the killer with the help of The Laundry Club gals.
I enjoyed laughing at Mary Elizabeth's revulsion turned euphoria with a hippy named Tex! Dottie is still her loveable self, with her way of words and her unique flair for pink feathers! I love this series!
I received an ARC and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
September 30, 2020
This has got to be one of my favorite books out of all of Ms Kappes’ series. This is a great read!! It’s very imaginative and easy to read, The imagery flows through your mind as you’re reading it. This national park sounds absolutely beautiful!! What a great backdrop for a book series !! It was such a clever murder, no one would’ve figured it out. There are other things going on to distract Mae and yet the other people are the ones who help lead her in the direction she needed to go. Living with past tragedy definitely digs into the present moment robbing us of living fully present. You can only live in one or the other. In living in the past, or remembering those painful memories, Mae couldn’t really function in the present. It’s crippling!! Mae is a great doppelgänger for those of us who hang onto a tragic past. The storyline is a little twisted which makes it extremely interesting, it was really hard to see the truth. I love stories like that!!
October 10, 2020
Gear, Grills, and Guns by Tonya Kappes is the 13th book in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series and I absolutely loved it!! I was totally stumped until the very end as to whodunnit! Normally I can usually tell who the killer is but this time I was guessing the whole time. I recommend this book to anyone that’s never read a Tonya Kappes book or that has and hasn’t started this series yet.
October 7, 2020
Mae West, owner of the Happy Trails Campground is busy with guests attending a classic car show. Unfortunately, things don’t always run smoothly and this time is no exception. When a guest is murdered, Mae and her friends, the Laundry Club Ladies decide to help investigate. When tragedy strikes a second time, demons from Mae’s past rears its ugly head.
Twists and turns are abound in this intriguing mystery with the beautiful backdrop of autumn in the Daniel Boone National Forest. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
Twists and turns are abound in this intriguing mystery with the beautiful backdrop of autumn in the Daniel Boone National Forest. I’m looking forward to the next book in this series.
October 27, 2020
Mama said there’s be days like these!!!
Mae and Dottie are busy getting ready for the car show coming to town. Of course there is a full house at the Happy Trails campground and Dottie is itching to decorate for fall but first Mae and Mary Elizabeth have to go on a hike to the falls for her report to the National Park Committee where they meet Tex the bare chested chiropractor. Back to the campground with a quirky and diverse group of campers for the car show tempers flare, angry words exchanged and later of course a blood curdling scream sends Mae running to of course another murder. With her “friend” Ava moving into town things get moving quickly with Ava representing the widow and Mae and the Laundry Club ladies jump into gear to help solve the murder and save the car show and fall festivities. This was a really good who dunnit that had me guessing until the end when you just had to say “Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit” when you finally learn who done it.
Mae and Dottie are busy getting ready for the car show coming to town. Of course there is a full house at the Happy Trails campground and Dottie is itching to decorate for fall but first Mae and Mary Elizabeth have to go on a hike to the falls for her report to the National Park Committee where they meet Tex the bare chested chiropractor. Back to the campground with a quirky and diverse group of campers for the car show tempers flare, angry words exchanged and later of course a blood curdling scream sends Mae running to of course another murder. With her “friend” Ava moving into town things get moving quickly with Ava representing the widow and Mae and the Laundry Club ladies jump into gear to help solve the murder and save the car show and fall festivities. This was a really good who dunnit that had me guessing until the end when you just had to say “Well butter my butt and call me a biscuit” when you finally learn who done it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 17, 2022
not totally sure if cozy mysteries are my thing. i did have fun because it was a quick, spooky read, but i have gripes. firstly, culprit was too predictable; i'll take some predictability, but this was a little too on the nose. secondly, for an outdoorsy bunch who like to hike and support small businesses and other stereotypically progressive things, this felt too...politically conservative. there was nothing outright offensive as far as i noticed, but there was a severe lack of diversity in any regard. everyone was so bland! lastly, and my biggest beef, i learned nothing about any of these characters other than frick mae's detective bf. that man was insufferable, and she needs to have left him 13 books ago. (truthfully, idk when they got together in the first place bc she talked a lot about her late ex-husband, but still!)
October 17, 2023
I was a little disappointed that this book wasn’t more Halloweenish. Especially since it had Jack o lanterns on the cover, eerie sort of print in the title, and it was book number 13 in the series. It definitely had a fall flavor to it, but not Halloween. Still a very good read. If it had been more Halloween as anticipated I would have given this one 5 stars.
August 22, 2023
Quick read! I was able to finish this in one day. For once I actually guessed who the killer was but was very excited to see how the laundry club figured it out.
October 2, 2020
This is the thirteenth installment of A Campers and Criminal Mystery Series. This can be read as a standalone book. The author gives you the background you need to know. I haven’t read all of them but the ones I have are terrific! I love the humor, the light romance and the characters. Ms. Kappes has a way of making them unique. The cover is quaint, colorful, and inviting.
Glenda (Revonda Gail) from book 7 is a character in this story. She hangs wit Tex- short for Texas whom is a chiropractor extraordinaire.
This episode in the Daniel Boone National Forest, includes a car show and two murders. Car show participant and guest at Happy Trails Campground, Wendell Holliday is murder on the campground ground premises. Who did it? Mae sees someone running & then driving off. Both Dottie and Mae heard noises which brought them outside to see what could be going on. Is Wendell’s vintage truck at the center of this murder?
Hoss Asher, the prime suspect in Wendell’s murder and another car show contestant, dies when the camper he’s staying in burns. Mae knows Hoss from Perrysburg, KY when her family home was destroyed by fire. Mae was the only family member to survive the tragedy.
Ava Cox moves to Normal, Kentucky, to open her own private business. She enlists the Laundry Club to help her out.
I loved the twists, turns, and misdirections. The story is well-crafted. I look forward to seeing how Tex is integrated in the upcoming story and Ava’s future roll.
Keep this series going – it’s entertaining and a great distraction from the political news we see on out televisions or hear on the radio.
I received an e-copy ARC of the book from the author and am Not required to leave a positive review.
I would definitely gift this book.
Glenda (Revonda Gail) from book 7 is a character in this story. She hangs wit Tex- short for Texas whom is a chiropractor extraordinaire.
This episode in the Daniel Boone National Forest, includes a car show and two murders. Car show participant and guest at Happy Trails Campground, Wendell Holliday is murder on the campground ground premises. Who did it? Mae sees someone running & then driving off. Both Dottie and Mae heard noises which brought them outside to see what could be going on. Is Wendell’s vintage truck at the center of this murder?
Hoss Asher, the prime suspect in Wendell’s murder and another car show contestant, dies when the camper he’s staying in burns. Mae knows Hoss from Perrysburg, KY when her family home was destroyed by fire. Mae was the only family member to survive the tragedy.
Ava Cox moves to Normal, Kentucky, to open her own private business. She enlists the Laundry Club to help her out.
I loved the twists, turns, and misdirections. The story is well-crafted. I look forward to seeing how Tex is integrated in the upcoming story and Ava’s future roll.
Keep this series going – it’s entertaining and a great distraction from the political news we see on out televisions or hear on the radio.
I received an e-copy ARC of the book from the author and am Not required to leave a positive review.
I would definitely gift this book.
September 30, 2020
GEAR, GRILLS, AND GUNS
BOOK REVIEW
LISA ANNE TAYLOR
GEAR, GRILLS, AND GUNS is the 13th installment in Tonya Kappes’ criminal and camper series. There’s enough background material on the characters that it can be read as a stand alone.
We’re welcomed back to Happy Trails Campground, Daniel Boone National Forest, and Normal, Kentucky, with a car show and two murders.
When car show participant Wendell Holliday is murdered in a campground bungalow, Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies start snooping around. Then another car show participant is murdered. At the center of the murders is Wendell’s vintage truck. Are the amateur sleuths dealing with one killer or two?
Mae’s past collides with her present, when Hoss Asher (the number one suspect in Wendell’s murder) dies when the camper he’s in is set on fire. The camper fire brings back memories of Mae’s childhood where she survived a suspicious house fire and her family didn’t. Also, Hoss Asher and Mae knew each other when her family died in Perryville, Kentucky. Was Hoss and his family connected to the deaths of Mae’s parents and siblings?
This is another fun mystery by Tonya Kappes and she keeps you guessing throughout the book until the unveiling of the killer/killers.
The only disappointment in GEARS, GRILLS, AND GUNS is campground manager Dottie Swaggert. Dottie is annoying throughout the book, and is not the eccentric, funny person she usually is. She would be a prime candidate to be killed in a future book. The newest character in the series Tex, the forest chiropractor, is intriguing and it will be interesting to see how he fits into future books.
I voluntarily read an advanced reading copy of GEAR, GRILLS, AND GUNS and have given a honest review of the book.
BOOK REVIEW
LISA ANNE TAYLOR
GEAR, GRILLS, AND GUNS is the 13th installment in Tonya Kappes’ criminal and camper series. There’s enough background material on the characters that it can be read as a stand alone.
We’re welcomed back to Happy Trails Campground, Daniel Boone National Forest, and Normal, Kentucky, with a car show and two murders.
When car show participant Wendell Holliday is murdered in a campground bungalow, Mae West and the Laundry Club ladies start snooping around. Then another car show participant is murdered. At the center of the murders is Wendell’s vintage truck. Are the amateur sleuths dealing with one killer or two?
Mae’s past collides with her present, when Hoss Asher (the number one suspect in Wendell’s murder) dies when the camper he’s in is set on fire. The camper fire brings back memories of Mae’s childhood where she survived a suspicious house fire and her family didn’t. Also, Hoss Asher and Mae knew each other when her family died in Perryville, Kentucky. Was Hoss and his family connected to the deaths of Mae’s parents and siblings?
This is another fun mystery by Tonya Kappes and she keeps you guessing throughout the book until the unveiling of the killer/killers.
The only disappointment in GEARS, GRILLS, AND GUNS is campground manager Dottie Swaggert. Dottie is annoying throughout the book, and is not the eccentric, funny person she usually is. She would be a prime candidate to be killed in a future book. The newest character in the series Tex, the forest chiropractor, is intriguing and it will be interesting to see how he fits into future books.
I voluntarily read an advanced reading copy of GEAR, GRILLS, AND GUNS and have given a honest review of the book.
October 13, 2020
Another good mystery. I am loving this series. Mae has a full campground because of a car show in town. Everything is great until she hears a noise during the night. Dottie has heard the same noise and they go to investigate. Then there is a scream and they discover a woman standing over her dead husband with a gun in her hand. I couldn't have been her, so who killed him. As Mae and the gang help with the investigation, Then there is another murder. A man is burned in one of the campers.
Mae's past starts to come to the front of her mind and she is forced to deal with it. Can they figure it out before someone else is killed? Things aren't always as they seem. Can't wait to see where Mae goes from here.
Mae's past starts to come to the front of her mind and she is forced to deal with it. Can they figure it out before someone else is killed? Things aren't always as they seem. Can't wait to see where Mae goes from here.
October 11, 2020
Lucky #13 is Gear, Grills & Guns! To borrow a phrase from this awesome book, “hand to god”, you need to read this one!
Mae West and the Happy Trails Campground are right in the middle of another murder. A car show comes to Normal and with it a new mystery! A death in the campground followed by a fire brings back some big emotions for Mae! It wouldn’t be a murder in Normal if it didn’t include Dottie and the Laundry Club Gals. I love the return of Ava; this opens up some cool possibilities for Mae and the gals! I had a hunch, but the clues had me running in circles until the end. I really love that we are getting deeper into Mae’s background and the fire that killed her family. What I love most about this series is the endless possibilities. I also hope to see more of Tex the Chiropractor and Glenda, they are great new additions to this family of characters.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.*
Mae West and the Happy Trails Campground are right in the middle of another murder. A car show comes to Normal and with it a new mystery! A death in the campground followed by a fire brings back some big emotions for Mae! It wouldn’t be a murder in Normal if it didn’t include Dottie and the Laundry Club Gals. I love the return of Ava; this opens up some cool possibilities for Mae and the gals! I had a hunch, but the clues had me running in circles until the end. I really love that we are getting deeper into Mae’s background and the fire that killed her family. What I love most about this series is the endless possibilities. I also hope to see more of Tex the Chiropractor and Glenda, they are great new additions to this family of characters.
*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book. I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.*
October 4, 2020
Mae and the clan are getting ready for fall and the campground is full with a car show in town. Normal, Kentucky is anything but normal when one of the participants in the car show winds up dead and suspects stack up! The victim had an original classic car that was worth a fortune which could be been a motive for many people as he refused to sell at any price. Once again Mae and the Laundry Club girls are back in action and stirring the pot!
I love this series as I feel like I am at home with the characters and it provides lots of laughs and delight!
I love this series as I feel like I am at home with the characters and it provides lots of laughs and delight!
October 24, 2020
Although I really enjoy this series, this book was a slower read for me. I had a harder time getting engaged with the story. I enjoyed the idea of the car show bringing people to the campground, where a character was murdered. I would have liked to have seen some of the action at the car show. The majority of the action occurred at the campground. There were conflicting clues which led Mae to wonder if the person identified as the killer was actually the killer. It has a more complex ending.
In addition to the main murder, another character, and the chief suspect is murdered when a fire is set in one of the campers. This fire brings back bad memories of the fire that killed Mae’s family. All of those that support Mae, especially her foster Mom and Hank, want to see her get some help to deal with her past.
There were a few lighter and humorous moments involving Mae’s foster mother.
It was good to see the ladies of the Laundry Club being more involved in this story. Ava, a lawyer, and the wife of Mae’s ex husband Paul’s business partner has moved to Normal. She has moved there to be closer to her son who is imprisoned for the murders in an earlier book in the series. She has also provided legal assistance to Mae in previous books. She adds another layer to the rich ensemble of characters.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book.
In addition to the main murder, another character, and the chief suspect is murdered when a fire is set in one of the campers. This fire brings back bad memories of the fire that killed Mae’s family. All of those that support Mae, especially her foster Mom and Hank, want to see her get some help to deal with her past.
There were a few lighter and humorous moments involving Mae’s foster mother.
It was good to see the ladies of the Laundry Club being more involved in this story. Ava, a lawyer, and the wife of Mae’s ex husband Paul’s business partner has moved to Normal. She has moved there to be closer to her son who is imprisoned for the murders in an earlier book in the series. She has also provided legal assistance to Mae in previous books. She adds another layer to the rich ensemble of characters.
I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this book.
October 28, 2020
I really enjoyed reading about Mae and how she keeps finding dead bodies and how she gets the crimes solved with out getting into too much trouble with the other people in her life. I cannot imagine how she and her friends seem to get into so much. She also has to deal with a blast from the past as she tries to sort everything out. I received a copy to read, the review is mine.
October 5, 2020
I don't know how Tonya keeps coming up with new ideas for these books. Amazing. I love this series. The storyline, characters, settings - everything. It makes me want to spend my next vacation Normal, Kentucky. In this book, Mae has to confront demons from her past. Great book. I can't wait until the next one.
October 12, 2020
Welcome back to Normal, Kentucky. This time we have a car show going on in this small town. Mae comes face to face with a past she doesn't want to remember. Hank seems more angry at the beginning of the book but softens with Mae. Tonya Kappes does a good job making you think it's one killer than another until it's finally revealed who the killer is. The Laundry Ladies are in full form helping out in this book. We also get some time with Mary Elizabeth. I really enjoyed this book as we had a great mystery plus all the wonderful characters were around a lot in this book. I look forward to the next book.
*I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*
*I received a free copy of this book from the author and am voluntarily giving my honest opinion*
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