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Camper & Criminals #25
Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest
Southern hospitality with a smidgen of homicide...
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!
When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.
As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act.
Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!
When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.
As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act.
Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!
186 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 28, 2022
546 people are currently reading
2057 people want to read
About the author
Tonya Kappes
438 books3,672 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...
Twitter
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 191 reviews
April 10, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook 🎧
Have I mentioned how much I love Dottie? I definitely have, but I’m going to mention it again. I love Dottie!
Have I mentioned how much I love Dottie? I definitely have, but I’m going to mention it again. I love Dottie!
May 4, 2022
I just love these books such a fun series.
April 22, 2022
It was so much fun watching Mae, Dottie, and the Laundry Club Ladies this time! Hank’s PI firm was able to bring them along on his newest case, and it was quite an adventure! The setting in the Daniel Boone National Forest sounds gorgeous, especially as the author describes a “3-d” for the senses – sight, scents, and sounds. The mystery was particularly challenging with an assortment of suspects. Dottie is not quite as cantankerous as usual; something is up with her. This novel, and all the Campers and Criminals mysteries can be read as standalones.
Hank can use the special touch of the Laundry Club ladies on his newest case. A young woman, Kyra, had gone missing from the retreat she went to in another part of the national forest. Kyra had been at the Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat. Hank and his undercover “staff” rode together in Mae’s camper van with rooms awaiting them at the Retreat. The ladies were there to become Forest Bathing Therapists, a week-long program to train people to help others get in touch with nature and its healing properties. When Dottie learned they would stay in yurts, she decided to sleep in the camper with Fifi, Mae’s beloved poodle. Their job is learning to be therapists while keeping eyes and ears open to find Kyra.
Early one morning, Mae looked and saw a fire in the nearby forest. Hank, a former park ranger, and Mae took her camper van as close to the fire as they could get. Mae talked with Jon, an older man who had been out running, saw the fire, and called it in. It wasn’t long before those combing through the burned area found the burned body of a young woman, with Kyra’s wallet and ID nearby. When learning that Kyra was murdered before the fire was set, her parents extended their job to find the killer.
I appreciate how much Mae cares about others and has empathy with them, especially Kyra’s parents. She can so easily step into the shoes of other folks, making her the excellent friend and owner of Happy Trails Campground that she is. Dottie cracks me up every time! I got many laughs from the description of what the forest bathers were doing, especially Dottie’s reactions! Just imagine Dottie being told she couldn’t smoke there! I would have been in the camper van with her and Fifi, and maybe found out what was up with Dottie sooner. The reference to the monarch butterflies reminded me of the video I’ve seen of their migration phenomenon that I would love to see in person.
Solving this case was a challenge! Plot twists added suspects, one by one, then eliminated them, until Mae got into a situation that was too hot to handle. Even then, I was conflicted about which of my last pet suspects killed Kyra, but at least I was down to only two! The end was very satisfactory with no loose ends. If you like to crack some tough cases, laugh, and be part of a Southern community where everyone works together for the common good, you won’t want to miss this! I highly recommend it!
From a thankful heart: I requested and received an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.
Hank can use the special touch of the Laundry Club ladies on his newest case. A young woman, Kyra, had gone missing from the retreat she went to in another part of the national forest. Kyra had been at the Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat. Hank and his undercover “staff” rode together in Mae’s camper van with rooms awaiting them at the Retreat. The ladies were there to become Forest Bathing Therapists, a week-long program to train people to help others get in touch with nature and its healing properties. When Dottie learned they would stay in yurts, she decided to sleep in the camper with Fifi, Mae’s beloved poodle. Their job is learning to be therapists while keeping eyes and ears open to find Kyra.
Early one morning, Mae looked and saw a fire in the nearby forest. Hank, a former park ranger, and Mae took her camper van as close to the fire as they could get. Mae talked with Jon, an older man who had been out running, saw the fire, and called it in. It wasn’t long before those combing through the burned area found the burned body of a young woman, with Kyra’s wallet and ID nearby. When learning that Kyra was murdered before the fire was set, her parents extended their job to find the killer.
I appreciate how much Mae cares about others and has empathy with them, especially Kyra’s parents. She can so easily step into the shoes of other folks, making her the excellent friend and owner of Happy Trails Campground that she is. Dottie cracks me up every time! I got many laughs from the description of what the forest bathers were doing, especially Dottie’s reactions! Just imagine Dottie being told she couldn’t smoke there! I would have been in the camper van with her and Fifi, and maybe found out what was up with Dottie sooner. The reference to the monarch butterflies reminded me of the video I’ve seen of their migration phenomenon that I would love to see in person.
Solving this case was a challenge! Plot twists added suspects, one by one, then eliminated them, until Mae got into a situation that was too hot to handle. Even then, I was conflicted about which of my last pet suspects killed Kyra, but at least I was down to only two! The end was very satisfactory with no loose ends. If you like to crack some tough cases, laugh, and be part of a Southern community where everyone works together for the common good, you won’t want to miss this! I highly recommend it!
From a thankful heart: I requested and received an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.
April 13, 2022
Hank Sharp enlists Mae and The Laundry Club ladies to go along undercover so Hank can look into his clients' daughter's disappearance. Laura and Steve Tenney's daughter, Kyra, has been out of touch for two weeks.
Hank happens to leave a few things out, one being that they are all at the retreat to get Forest Bathing Therapy. Dottie is not one bit happy about being turned into a tree hugger. What will she do without her cigarettes?
When questions about Kyra are met with strange vibes, Mae starts to think that Kyra's parents are right to be concerned.
A forest fire was started and Hank got word that a body had been found. It turned out to be Kyra's body. Their case has gone from missing to murder! Help comes from an unlikely source, someone who ruffled Hank's feathers for their sneaky approach!
This case is turning into more than they bargained for. Few answers and more questions lead to muddy waters for the group as they decide if they should call it quits.
This was an excellent mystery! Just as I thought I had the killer figured out, then something else would come to light and I'd be back trying to guess. I really liked how Hank, Mae, and the group pulled together to investigate as a team. There's a nice tie-in with Violet Rhinehammer from the new series. As always, Dottie makes me laugh, she wasn't too happy about not being well informed about the investigation and didn't mind telling Hank for future reference to inform her of all the details because she's not falling for his batting "mesmerizing green eyes" at her! LOL
I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book!
Hank happens to leave a few things out, one being that they are all at the retreat to get Forest Bathing Therapy. Dottie is not one bit happy about being turned into a tree hugger. What will she do without her cigarettes?
When questions about Kyra are met with strange vibes, Mae starts to think that Kyra's parents are right to be concerned.
A forest fire was started and Hank got word that a body had been found. It turned out to be Kyra's body. Their case has gone from missing to murder! Help comes from an unlikely source, someone who ruffled Hank's feathers for their sneaky approach!
This case is turning into more than they bargained for. Few answers and more questions lead to muddy waters for the group as they decide if they should call it quits.
This was an excellent mystery! Just as I thought I had the killer figured out, then something else would come to light and I'd be back trying to guess. I really liked how Hank, Mae, and the group pulled together to investigate as a team. There's a nice tie-in with Violet Rhinehammer from the new series. As always, Dottie makes me laugh, she wasn't too happy about not being well informed about the investigation and didn't mind telling Hank for future reference to inform her of all the details because she's not falling for his batting "mesmerizing green eyes" at her! LOL
I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book!
April 14, 2022
In this next installment of the Camper Series, Hank as recruited Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies to work undercover and help him find a missing girl.
After all this time, in Normal Kentuckey Mae has finally realized that this group of women were her "tried-and-true girlfriends", and that was something special to her. They worked and like a well-oiled machine.
Their undercover work brings them to a "forest retreat". When Hank registered the group, he claimed he was "CEO of Hank's Landry Club" a minor detail he left out to the rest of the ladies. Boy, were they surprised!
The retreat claims that Kyra Tenny took a hike one day and just never returned. To her parents as well as Hank and "his posse", that just seems a bit fishy. No one at the resort will talk to them about her and several employees are acting suspicious. Add to that, Violet has appeared on National news with a body of her own, and is asking Mae for advise on how to solve the murder!
After several days of tree hugging, Kyra's body is found. Now the missing girl case has turned into a murder case. Who did it, and why?
With Hank now on "their side of the law", everyone buckles down. However, things become more dangerous, the longer they remain. With a bevy a suspects and close calls, even Hank says "This is getting out of our hands."
With a surprise resolution, you may find yourself on the edge of your seat!
Thank you to Tonya Kappes for the advanced copy.
After all this time, in Normal Kentuckey Mae has finally realized that this group of women were her "tried-and-true girlfriends", and that was something special to her. They worked and like a well-oiled machine.
Their undercover work brings them to a "forest retreat". When Hank registered the group, he claimed he was "CEO of Hank's Landry Club" a minor detail he left out to the rest of the ladies. Boy, were they surprised!
The retreat claims that Kyra Tenny took a hike one day and just never returned. To her parents as well as Hank and "his posse", that just seems a bit fishy. No one at the resort will talk to them about her and several employees are acting suspicious. Add to that, Violet has appeared on National news with a body of her own, and is asking Mae for advise on how to solve the murder!
After several days of tree hugging, Kyra's body is found. Now the missing girl case has turned into a murder case. Who did it, and why?
With Hank now on "their side of the law", everyone buckles down. However, things become more dangerous, the longer they remain. With a bevy a suspects and close calls, even Hank says "This is getting out of our hands."
With a surprise resolution, you may find yourself on the edge of your seat!
Thank you to Tonya Kappes for the advanced copy.
April 15, 2022
Another fun whodunit in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series. Now that Hank is a private investigator and no longer in law enforcement, he’s able to show more of an appreciation for the sleuthing skills of Mae and The Laundry Club Ladies. He recruits them to assist in the case of Kyra Tenney, a missing person, which ends up being a case of finding a murderer instead. There are several suspects right off the bat but they all have verified alibis, so the search continues. Soon another body is found with a connection to Kyra. Hank, Mae, and The Laundry Club Ladies are about to turn the case completely over to law enforcement but before that can happen Mae finds herself in a bit of a jam. How is she going to get out of this one?
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
October 3, 2023
Bookish Books Reading Challenge & #LibraryLoveChallenge
April 14, 2022
Mae, Hank, and the Laundry Ladies are all the same case! Hank has them undercover at a Forest spa to find a missing girl, Kyra. Her parents are worried about her and hoping the team can figure out where she is! It doesn’t take long for the gang to realize something fishy is going on. On the first night in, there’s a forest fire and a burned body. Sadly, it turns out to be the missing girl. Mae and the team are working through their suspect list when a 2nd body is found, burned again. Do they have a murderer on the loose who is also a pro at setting fires? Why would someone want to kill Kyra and the 2nd victim? Mae’s working hard to connect the dots this time! You will definitely enjoy this 25th book in the series. It’s a great place to start the series if you are new cozy mystery reader! You’ll be hooked by the clever mystery, and the family of characters. Tonya Kappes is truly the cozy mystery queen. I am honored to read ARC’s for this author! The opinions are my own.
April 15, 2022
Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest is a wonderful cozy mystery. This book is engaging and fun to read. The characters are interesting and quirky. I enjoyed how Hank and the Laundry Club ladies worked together to solve his case. The mystery has many twists and turns to keep you guessing. I really enjoyed this book and look forward to more in the series.
June 28, 2024
Not as good as the rest in the series.
December 25, 2025
"Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest (Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Book 25)" by Tonya Kappes just jumps right into investigating the mystery of a missing woman. No build up, just everyone loading into Mae's RV/Van to head to a Forrest Bathing Therapy Training retreat. Well, except for Violet. This is the one where there's some cross chatter with her spin off series' first book that's set during a St. Patrick's Day celebration.
While at the retreat trying to track down the missing woman a forest fire breaks out. Their "undercover" missing person investigation gets changed to a murder investigation. I personally kept wondering why they never thought to look into the culprit's background a bit more. I can't say more than that or I would be giving out some serious spoilers.
While at the retreat trying to track down the missing woman a forest fire breaks out. Their "undercover" missing person investigation gets changed to a murder investigation. I personally kept wondering why they never thought to look into the culprit's background a bit more. I can't say more than that or I would be giving out some serious spoilers.
April 19, 2022
“Adventure, Abductions & Arrests” the 25th instalment in the "Camper & Criminals “ Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. I absolutely love this series, and can’t get enough of the Laundry Club Ladies and Mae West.
In this instalment we have the ladies and Hank going undercover as Forest Bathing Therapist trainees! What could go wrong, lol Dottie cracks me up and she wasn’t shy about letting everyone know what she thought of Forest Bathing.
The mystery was good, with lots of suspects and a few red herrings thrown in. I did suspect the killer early on, but not the reason why.
I’m full of anticipation/excitement for Book 26 Rangers, Rvs, & Revenge as I want to know more about what’s in store for The Laundry Club ladies.
I highly recommend you read this series from the beginning and enjoy the escapism as much as I do.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
In this instalment we have the ladies and Hank going undercover as Forest Bathing Therapist trainees! What could go wrong, lol Dottie cracks me up and she wasn’t shy about letting everyone know what she thought of Forest Bathing.
The mystery was good, with lots of suspects and a few red herrings thrown in. I did suspect the killer early on, but not the reason why.
I’m full of anticipation/excitement for Book 26 Rangers, Rvs, & Revenge as I want to know more about what’s in store for The Laundry Club ladies.
I highly recommend you read this series from the beginning and enjoy the escapism as much as I do.
I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.
April 19, 2022
Mae and her group are asked by Hank to help in an investigation to be undercover.....i loved that Hank now do see their potential instead of wanting to shelter them, it's a great improvment.
It was super funny to see them as therapist to become especially Dotty , impossible to resist smiling if not laughing out loud.
The investigation was well written but the culprit was a little too evident for me so the fact Mae did not connect the dots quicker annoyed me but it's so well written that you keep reading completely immersed in the story
A bonus, if you have read the spin off Four Leaf Felony you get here the point of view of Mae on these events and her side of the conversation with Violet.
really a series worth discovering and continuing.
It was super funny to see them as therapist to become especially Dotty , impossible to resist smiling if not laughing out loud.
The investigation was well written but the culprit was a little too evident for me so the fact Mae did not connect the dots quicker annoyed me but it's so well written that you keep reading completely immersed in the story
A bonus, if you have read the spin off Four Leaf Felony you get here the point of view of Mae on these events and her side of the conversation with Violet.
really a series worth discovering and continuing.
April 28, 2022
Adventure, Abduction & Arrest
Camper & Criminals, Book #25
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE
USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!
When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.
As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act.
Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!
Review:
Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are at it again. They are going undercover, along with Hank, to find out what happened to a missing person. They go undercover as Forest Bathing Therapists and this makes for a fun job, especially with Dottie. Join them on their quest and see if they can figure it out.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions brought the book alive in my mind’s eye. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and the mystery was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You got to love Mae and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
Camper & Criminals, Book #25
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars
Synopsis:
SOUTHERN HOSPITALITY WITH A SMIDGEN OF HOMICIDE
USA Today Bestselling author Tonya Kappes brings you southern and quirky characters in her mystery series. Her stories are charged with humor, friendship, family and life in small southern towns.
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky where nothing is normal!
When Hank Sharpe asked me in the laundry club ladies to join him in an undercover investigation to help find a missing person, me and ladies grabbed our sleuthing notebook without hesitation.
As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act.
Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
Put on your sleuthing caps and join Mae West along with the Laundry Club Ladies as they take their investigation skills to a whole ‘nuther level! Especially after Mae finds herself in the fire!
Review:
Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are at it again. They are going undercover, along with Hank, to find out what happened to a missing person. They go undercover as Forest Bathing Therapists and this makes for a fun job, especially with Dottie. Join them on their quest and see if they can figure it out.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions brought the book alive in my mind’s eye. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and the mystery was not easily solved.
I would highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. You got to love Mae and friends.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.
August 22, 2023
3.5 ⭐
April 13, 2022
Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest is the 25th book in the Camper and Criminals series by Tonya Kappes. This is the first I have read in this series, but did not feel that I was at a disadvantage starting this late into the series. I will read the others preceding this so I can become more familiar with the characters, whom I enjoyed a lot.
The missing person mystery that Hank and the Laundry Club Ladies are trying to solve was easy to immerse myself into despite not being familiar with the characters. Where did Kyra go and why did she disappear from a retreat she had paid money for? While I figured out the killer, there are suspects aplenty that made me doubt my choice. Lots of red herrings in here to keep you guessing—good job! I enjoyed the main characters in this series and felt they were people I would like to know if they were real. Added bonuses to the story are recipes and camping tips at the back of the book. I received an ARC of Adventure, Abduction & Arrest and am leaving my honest review. Thank you Tonya Kappes for this opportunity to read this story in advance.
The missing person mystery that Hank and the Laundry Club Ladies are trying to solve was easy to immerse myself into despite not being familiar with the characters. Where did Kyra go and why did she disappear from a retreat she had paid money for? While I figured out the killer, there are suspects aplenty that made me doubt my choice. Lots of red herrings in here to keep you guessing—good job! I enjoyed the main characters in this series and felt they were people I would like to know if they were real. Added bonuses to the story are recipes and camping tips at the back of the book. I received an ARC of Adventure, Abduction & Arrest and am leaving my honest review. Thank you Tonya Kappes for this opportunity to read this story in advance.
December 16, 2022
Another great addition to this series. I love reading about Dottie and her antics and I enjoyed how they got to leave the campground for a little to find out more about become Forest Bathing Therapists. Looking forward to the next one.
April 14, 2022
“I told her if she wanted to make something of herself she needed to hang in there like a hair in a biscuit”. I love me some Dottieisms!!! Now that Hank is all in on Mae and The Laundry Club Ladies snooping everywhere since he’s no longer a deputy things get much more interesting! In the newest case the team is undercover looking for a girl that has gone missing at a tree hugger group in the forest. The team lives in the forest in yurts trying to find out what happened on the sly. Things take a turn for the worse and everyone is running out of suspects!!! Wonderfully written and another great mystery
April 10, 2022
Another fun and charming cozy in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series with a great cast of southern and quirky characters I feel like I know and call them my book friends, a must-solve twisty mystery, humor, friendship and life in the small town of Normal, Kentucky. Book 25 begins when Hank Sharpe asks Mae and the Laundry Club ladies to assist him in an undercover operation to find a missing person. So, get comfortable with your book and a spiral notebook if you need to keep sleuthing notes and join them on another great adventure. I really like that each book can be read as a standalone and includes recipes and camping hacks but if you don't want to miss out on the fun you need to read them all. I received an advance reader copy of Adventure, Abduction & Arrest and am voluntarily leaving my review. Thank you Tonya Kappes for another can't put down book.
April 29, 2022
Hank recruits Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies to help find a missing young woman (Kyra.) Kyra went missing a couple of weeks prior from a retreat. Mae, and the gang go undercover to stay at the retreat to try and get some leads on where Kyra has gone. No one at the retreat seems to know anything helpful. Can they find Kyra without blowing their cover.
Another great escape to The Daniel Boone National Forest with Mae and the girls. This group of characters, especially Dottie, will always bring a whole lot of entertainment into my day. I love losing myself in these books. This mystery was full of twists and turns. I couldn't figure out who was behind Kyra’s disappearance or why. This is a must for fans of the series and cozy mysteries.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
Another great escape to The Daniel Boone National Forest with Mae and the girls. This group of characters, especially Dottie, will always bring a whole lot of entertainment into my day. I love losing myself in these books. This mystery was full of twists and turns. I couldn't figure out who was behind Kyra’s disappearance or why. This is a must for fans of the series and cozy mysteries.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way have I been influenced by anyone.
April 26, 2022
Hank wants to enlist Mae and the Laundry Ladies to help him with a missing person case. They all load into Mae's little RV and head for a forest retreat, the place the missing woman was last seen. What he failed to tell them? They are registered as Hank's Laundry Club and has listed himself as the CEO. The ladies aren't all that thrilled to find that they are really undercover as Forest Bathing Therapists trainees. Let's just say Dottie isn't a believable trainee when the rules say no smoking. Their cover is soon a thing of the past when a fire breaks out in the forest and a body is discovered burned to death. Sadly it's the young woman Hank had been hired to locate. From a missing person to investigating a homicide which turns into a double homicide, this retreat has become very complicated for Mae, Hank and the Laundry Ladies. Luckily this is familiar territory for them and they make the shift to tracking down the killer with their usual determination.
Spending time with Mae and the Laundry Ladies is always entertaining with a huge dose of laughter. The setting of the Daniel Boone National Forest comes alive when described by Tonya Kappes. I would love to rent one of Mae's cabins and spend time relaxing by the lake. Not sure about the homicides to investigate but I did encounter one I sure would like Mae to be in charge.
The mystery, as always, was well crafted and kept me guessing as to the killer's identity. Beyond the mystery it's really the great cast of characters I look forward to visiting. It's never dull or boring. After 25 mysteries that's saying something.
Spending time with Mae and the Laundry Ladies is always entertaining with a huge dose of laughter. The setting of the Daniel Boone National Forest comes alive when described by Tonya Kappes. I would love to rent one of Mae's cabins and spend time relaxing by the lake. Not sure about the homicides to investigate but I did encounter one I sure would like Mae to be in charge.
The mystery, as always, was well crafted and kept me guessing as to the killer's identity. Beyond the mystery it's really the great cast of characters I look forward to visiting. It's never dull or boring. After 25 mysteries that's saying something.
May 13, 2022
Adventure, Abduction & Arrest Earns 5/5 Tree Huggers…Engaging Cozy!
Hank Sharp has taken his experience as a ranger in the Daniel Boone National Park and a detective and interim sheriff for Normal, Kentucky, and applied his skills to being a private investigator. So, why is he recruiting his girlfriend Mae and the senior Laundry Club ladies for an undercover operation? Maybe because they have own experience, albeit as amateurs, successfully bringing several criminals to justice. Laura and Steve Tenney are desperate to find their twenty-something daughter who two weeks ago disappeared from the Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat, and they have hired Hank to find answers which the guests and therapist are not forthcoming to provide. The owner Robin Michaels is unaware of the team’s real motive for pretending to be forest bathing therapist trainees, but could it help Dottie kick her smoking habit?
They weren’t prepared for the retreat’s primitive nature (I know, a pun): yurt accommodations, no television, and vegan meals. Dottie is greatly challenged, and the owner Robin and a main therapist Chad Baldwin are not amused with her snarky comments. When Mae starts informally questioning people about where she might find her friend Kyra, several become standoffish. Then…Fire! Forest fire! Mae and Hank set off to investigate and find first responders working to contain the blaze. Sadly, Hank’s ranger friend reports the discovery of a body at ground zero. Did they just find the Tenney’s daughter? What could she have done to end this way? And why does it seem several guests are hiding something?
Even after twenty-five books, Tonya Kappes continues to make her Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery series fresh and entertaining. The mystery is more intense with multiple murders, perilous discoveries, fire igniting everywhere, and a nail-biting conclusion, but it is tempered by Kappes’s witty banter, true friendships, and lots of southernisms on display. The suspects all have alibis hard to challenge, and motives are limited, and as usual, clarity doesn’t pop up until Mae is staring at the killer making this book a real page turner all the way to the end. Mae’s inner thoughts about similarities with the victim having wanted her own a change was insightful. Tonya’s writing style is entertaining, and fans of the new Holiday Junction Mystery series will enjoy Violet Rhinehammer’s cameo appearance with phone calls that highlight the process Mae uses in her own investigating. It’s too bad the retreat wasn’t the beginning of the end to Dottie’s smoking addiction…maybe next time. Recipes and camping Hacks are a nice bonus in this series. Enjoy theses recipes (Berry Crisp Foil Packs, Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs, and Grilled Watermelon), and three camping hacks to make life less complicated: (1) Top 10 Things NOT to Do, (2) Top Things to Do, and (3) Fishing Rod Storage.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
Hank Sharp has taken his experience as a ranger in the Daniel Boone National Park and a detective and interim sheriff for Normal, Kentucky, and applied his skills to being a private investigator. So, why is he recruiting his girlfriend Mae and the senior Laundry Club ladies for an undercover operation? Maybe because they have own experience, albeit as amateurs, successfully bringing several criminals to justice. Laura and Steve Tenney are desperate to find their twenty-something daughter who two weeks ago disappeared from the Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat, and they have hired Hank to find answers which the guests and therapist are not forthcoming to provide. The owner Robin Michaels is unaware of the team’s real motive for pretending to be forest bathing therapist trainees, but could it help Dottie kick her smoking habit?
They weren’t prepared for the retreat’s primitive nature (I know, a pun): yurt accommodations, no television, and vegan meals. Dottie is greatly challenged, and the owner Robin and a main therapist Chad Baldwin are not amused with her snarky comments. When Mae starts informally questioning people about where she might find her friend Kyra, several become standoffish. Then…Fire! Forest fire! Mae and Hank set off to investigate and find first responders working to contain the blaze. Sadly, Hank’s ranger friend reports the discovery of a body at ground zero. Did they just find the Tenney’s daughter? What could she have done to end this way? And why does it seem several guests are hiding something?
Even after twenty-five books, Tonya Kappes continues to make her Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery series fresh and entertaining. The mystery is more intense with multiple murders, perilous discoveries, fire igniting everywhere, and a nail-biting conclusion, but it is tempered by Kappes’s witty banter, true friendships, and lots of southernisms on display. The suspects all have alibis hard to challenge, and motives are limited, and as usual, clarity doesn’t pop up until Mae is staring at the killer making this book a real page turner all the way to the end. Mae’s inner thoughts about similarities with the victim having wanted her own a change was insightful. Tonya’s writing style is entertaining, and fans of the new Holiday Junction Mystery series will enjoy Violet Rhinehammer’s cameo appearance with phone calls that highlight the process Mae uses in her own investigating. It’s too bad the retreat wasn’t the beginning of the end to Dottie’s smoking addiction…maybe next time. Recipes and camping Hacks are a nice bonus in this series. Enjoy theses recipes (Berry Crisp Foil Packs, Grilled Cheese Hot Dogs, and Grilled Watermelon), and three camping hacks to make life less complicated: (1) Top 10 Things NOT to Do, (2) Top Things to Do, and (3) Fishing Rod Storage.
Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.
April 25, 2022
Adventure, Abduction and Arrest by Tonya Kappes is the 25th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery. I like Tonya Kappes’ writing style. It is casual (like talking to an old friend). Mae West, Hank Sharp, and the Laundry Club ladies are heading to a Forest Bathing Therapy Retreat in the Daniel Boone National Forest to hunt for a missing girl. Hank was hired by Laura and Steve Tenney to find their daughter, Kyra who disappeared over two weeks ago. She went out on a hike never to be seen again. The people at the retreat have proved to be less than helpful. Hank, Mae, Betts, Dottie, Abby, and Queenie are going undercover at the retreat in the hopes of getting some answers. Unable to sleep after their first day at the retreat, Mae is admiring the scenery when she notices a fire in the forest. Officials arrive and quickly put out the fire only to find a body in the middle of it. Someone tried to cover up evidence of a murder with the fire. Hank, Mae, and the ladies are on the case. The mystery was fun but simple. There are good clues to help readers arrive at the solution. I thought the mystery was easy to solve (early in the book). Mae and the gang conducted a good investigation. They asked questions and searched for clues. There are, of course, some hijinks along the way (be prepared to laugh often while reading this story). Mae also helps out Violet Rhinehammer with her murder mystery in Holiday Junction. I like how the author tied in Violet’s new series. There are clever camping hacks and recipes at the end of the book. Those who enjoy lighthearted, humorous cozy mysteries will enjoy A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mysteries. Adventure, Abduction and Arrest is an amusing tale with a vanished offspring, happy tree huggers, kumbaya around the campfire, unassuming yurts, a fatal fire, a determined reporter, and six savvy sleuths.
April 25, 2022
In this sequel, Hank has asked Mae, and the Laundry Club ladies to go undercover to locate a missing person. The parents hadn’t heard from their daughter and asked Hank to go to the Forest Bathing Retreat, where she was last seen. Hank gathers up the gals and off they go to learn more about Forest Bathing, in order to become therapists (I had no idea that Forest Bathing was a real thing.) Of course, rather than being able to track down their missing person, they are now looking for her killer.
This is such a fun series. I love all the characters. Our main character Mae, is always evolving and of course Dottie! That woman, what she says and does keeps me laughing. As you can imagine, the retreat had several suspects, as well as some not in attendance. The plot was well planned, with several directions it could go. I did have an idea early on who the killer might be, but with the all the suspects, and clues leading in different directions, I wasn’t certain until closer to the end when the clues began to come together.
I’m excited to share this review with you. I asked for, and received an advanced copy of this book.
This is such a fun series. I love all the characters. Our main character Mae, is always evolving and of course Dottie! That woman, what she says and does keeps me laughing. As you can imagine, the retreat had several suspects, as well as some not in attendance. The plot was well planned, with several directions it could go. I did have an idea early on who the killer might be, but with the all the suspects, and clues leading in different directions, I wasn’t certain until closer to the end when the clues began to come together.
I’m excited to share this review with you. I asked for, and received an advanced copy of this book.
April 19, 2022
The Laundry Club ladies join Hank Sharp at a retreat in the forest to track down a missing girl Hank has been hired to find. Kyra Tenney was attending a Forest Bathing Therapy retreat and had accepted a job with the camp, only to apparently walk out of her yurt and disappear into the forest.
The ladies are skeptical of the whole "forest bathing" idea, especially Dottie, who has no intention of giving up her cigarettes and becoming a "tree hugger."
Employees at the retreat all seem reluctant to talk about Kyra, which makes Mae suspicious of them all. Then there is a forest fire in the area, and a body is discovered, which turns out to be Kyra. Now their missing person case is a murder investigation.
The crew has more questions than answers, and then they get assistance from an unlikely source whom Hank is wary of trusting because of his first impressions of this person. The reveal of the murderer came as a real shock to me.
Although this book is #25 in the series, it can also be read as a stand-alone story. All of the main characters are fun and likable, and locations are described in amazing detail. You will be hooked from beginning to end. AND you will find a great tie-in to Four Leaf Felony, the first book in the new Holiday series, starring Violet Rhinehammer, a former resident of Normal.
I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book!
The ladies are skeptical of the whole "forest bathing" idea, especially Dottie, who has no intention of giving up her cigarettes and becoming a "tree hugger."
Employees at the retreat all seem reluctant to talk about Kyra, which makes Mae suspicious of them all. Then there is a forest fire in the area, and a body is discovered, which turns out to be Kyra. Now their missing person case is a murder investigation.
The crew has more questions than answers, and then they get assistance from an unlikely source whom Hank is wary of trusting because of his first impressions of this person. The reveal of the murderer came as a real shock to me.
Although this book is #25 in the series, it can also be read as a stand-alone story. All of the main characters are fun and likable, and locations are described in amazing detail. You will be hooked from beginning to end. AND you will find a great tie-in to Four Leaf Felony, the first book in the new Holiday series, starring Violet Rhinehammer, a former resident of Normal.
I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book!
April 28, 2022
Mae is surprised when Hank asks her to be a part of an undercover investigation that is to help locate a missing person. Never one to turn down a mystery Mae agrees to do her part in uncovering here Kyra Tenney is. Mae along with some of her laundry club ladies are acting as trainees at Forest Bathing Therapist in hopes of finding some clues into where Kyra could be and who exactly took her. They soon discover a body that ends up being the missing Kyra. The ladies feel its their duty to figure out who killed Kyra and why. Follow along as they discover clues and pull on threads that will hopefully lead them to the answers they seek. This is a fun cozy series filled with a mixed cast of characters who will not only keep you laughing but will also keep you on your investigative toes.
May 17, 2022
I just love cozy mysteries. Ever since I read my first Agatha Christie and discovered a world of mysteries that weren’t also thrillers or horror stories. I have turned to cozies as a sort of warm afghan I can wrap up in and just enjoy.
The name cozy mystery is just so fitting for this book. Now, this was a first time read for me, first time I’ve read this author and first time I’ve read this series but I don’t believe it will be my last but, wow, this is one prolific author, LOL.
Mae West, yes, you heard right, is not a professional detective but her boyfriend Hank Sharp is and he has requested the help of Mae and her Laundry Club Laundromat members to aid his investigation. Hank has been hired by the parents of a missing young woman. She went missing while attending a course for, wait for it, Forest Bathing Therapy.
When a forest fire is reported and a body is found Mae and Hank suspect it may not have been an accident and continue their investigation into what is confirmed to be a murder.
I enjoyed this story but since I have not read the twenty-four previous books in the series I was a bit confused at the beginning with which character was which but by the end I think I had all straight. This really was a classic cozy with plenty of suspects and characters.
I won this ebook in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to the author Tonya Kappes.
The name cozy mystery is just so fitting for this book. Now, this was a first time read for me, first time I’ve read this author and first time I’ve read this series but I don’t believe it will be my last but, wow, this is one prolific author, LOL.
Mae West, yes, you heard right, is not a professional detective but her boyfriend Hank Sharp is and he has requested the help of Mae and her Laundry Club Laundromat members to aid his investigation. Hank has been hired by the parents of a missing young woman. She went missing while attending a course for, wait for it, Forest Bathing Therapy.
When a forest fire is reported and a body is found Mae and Hank suspect it may not have been an accident and continue their investigation into what is confirmed to be a murder.
I enjoyed this story but since I have not read the twenty-four previous books in the series I was a bit confused at the beginning with which character was which but by the end I think I had all straight. This really was a classic cozy with plenty of suspects and characters.
I won this ebook in a First Reads giveaway. Thank you to the author Tonya Kappes.
July 30, 2024
BETTER THAN THE LAST ONE:
PREMISE: As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act. Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
THOUGHTS: Enjoyed this one a lot more than the last one. Love hearing about Dotti and Henry. Found the reveal to be different but not in the best way. It was more of an "oh, that's what you were doing" and honestly wasn't a fan so took a star off. Otherwise still liking the series and looking foreward to the next one.
4 Stars!
xoxo.
PREMISE: As undercover Forest Bathing Therapist trainees we were bound and determined to find out with happened to Kyra Tenney. When we did find her body in what appeared to be an accidental forest fire, we thought we were finished with our undercover act. Only the coroner’s report came back that our missing person had been killed before the fire.
THOUGHTS: Enjoyed this one a lot more than the last one. Love hearing about Dotti and Henry. Found the reveal to be different but not in the best way. It was more of an "oh, that's what you were doing" and honestly wasn't a fan so took a star off. Otherwise still liking the series and looking foreward to the next one.
4 Stars!
xoxo.
October 7, 2024
Such a fun series. This was well worth the wait to continue on audible. Narration as always perfect by Johanna Parker. Written story by Tonya Kappes 4.5 out of 5.
The Laundary club ladies are helping out Hank with his new private investigator buisness, this case is a missing person's case. Bigger than the reach of Hank has without a badge of the policie force. Takes the team to a forest retreat for some outdoor therapy.
Dottie is very, as always, still one of my most favorite characters, and I am happy to see she is still written the same as past books.
The Laundary club ladies are helping out Hank with his new private investigator buisness, this case is a missing person's case. Bigger than the reach of Hank has without a badge of the policie force. Takes the team to a forest retreat for some outdoor therapy.
Dottie is very, as always, still one of my most favorite characters, and I am happy to see she is still written the same as past books.
April 29, 2022
Mae and the Laundry Ladies take on a new missing persons case to help out Hank. They go undercover to find out what happened to Kyra. They soon her body in the remains of a forest fire and believe it to be an accidental death, but as things seem to go for the Laundry Ladies, it is not as it seems.
Soon the find out that she was dead before the fire and they are back on the job to find out what really happened.
I received a copy of the book to read, the review is mine.
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