Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars

Camper & Criminals #29.5

by Tonya Kappes

This is a new short story/novella is the Campers & Criminals series that follows the latest book, Gifts, Glamping & Glocks #29.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Romance, Novella, Short Stories, Humor

66 pages, ebook

First published January 1, 2022

About the author

Beloved 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,

Reviews

[Regina the Constant Reader · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Kindle Book (Novella)

“She was so drunk last night, she was stumbling around like a blind mule in a pumpkin patch.” -Dottie

[Tonya Kappes]

It's here! Grab your copy and start the wedding month off by joining Mae West on her bachelorette party!

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Laundry Club Ladies surprise Mae with Bachelorette Party weekend sponsored by a nearby vineyard. With a weekend of partying and activities with fellow brides and bridesmaids, Mae decides to take a quite hike to see the sunrise. As the sun is rising and Mae reveals what she thought was wildlife was actually a body. Mae and the ladies at stuck at the vineyard if the murder isn’t solved quickly, so they breakout the notebook and start collecting clues.

This is a fun novella. The ladies are fun and full of personality as usual. Dottie manages to steal the show even amongst a lot of other ladies by telling the male stripper to put it back on during the welcome party. The mystery though short is still full of twists and turns to keep you guessing who killed the bride. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, I have not been influenced by anyone.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Laundry Club Ladies whisk Mae away from Happy Trails Campground for a bachelorette party. They set off in Mae's campervan for a few days of girl fun!

The once-a-year Batches for Bachelorettes offers a little of everything for everyone. The welcome program featuring a male striptease dancer had Dottie screaming for him to "Put it back on!"

Mae gets acquainted with another bride, who finds Dottie amusing. The two make plans the following morning to see the sunrise together. When the bride is a no-show, Mae sets out on her own, and what looks like a deer near a waterfall suddenly isn't a deer once the sun is up.

Dottie is fit to be tied when Mae finds a dead body; however, she declares they have some investigating to do after overhearing an EMT.

The Laundry Club Ladies do what they do best! This was a fun, quick read!

I received a complimentary copy and voluntarily read and reviewed this book.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review Coming

[William · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining mystery listening 🎶🔰

This kindle e-book novella is from my Kindle Unlimited account prequel

The laundry ladies 🚺 take her on a surprise bride's party. They are having a fun 🌙 time and then there is a murder. They are in the middle of the investigation leading to the truth and arrest.

I would recommend this series and author to 👍 readers of romantic family and friends relationships adventure mystery novels 👍🔰. 2024 👒🐕

[ReviewWithPhil · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was short and sweet and just a little detour from the normal life at happy trails

[Virginia Winfield · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love that no matter where Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies go they will find a dead body and solve who did it. I loved this very quick story. I love all the laughs in the story. I love that Mae and her friends can get anyone to talk. I received a copy of the book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will.

[Dwayne Keller · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Laundry Club kidnaps Mae for a surprise bachelorette weekend. They go to another campground that specializes in bachelorette parties. Mae meets another bride and makes plans with her, but she never shows up the next morning. Mae goes on a hike and finds the bride’s dead body. The Laundry Club is on the case. They have to solve the murder so they can get back home. This is a short, fun novelette full of the usual antics and good mystery.

[Helen Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a fun novella. The Laundry Club Ladies take Mae for a special Bachelorette Party among other bachelorettes. Of course one of the other bachelorettes is killed. It’s up to Mae and the Ladies to figure out the killer so they can go home. I enjoyed the overall story except the ending seemed a bit abrupt.

I was fortunate to receive an advanced copy of this story.

[Susan Reads Cozies · Rating 5 out of 5]

Are you ready for Mae and Hank’s wedding? If you are looking for another way to prepare then you need to read this short and fun story.

The Laundry Club ladies take Mae on a bachelorette trip. It is always a good time with these ladies. I love any chance to read about the Laundry Club ladies. It has everything you need for a good time!

P.S. Always love the titles for this series. This one is definitely a tongue twister!

[Mary Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Leaves you hanging

The wedding date is still undetermined. The gang takes a trip to a campground for a Bachelorette weekend. One of the other brides is murdered and Noone can leave, the group needs to get home. They want to solve the situation.

[Lee Brothers · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a short little story about the bachelorette party!! Sounds like a great place to go and spend the weekend! Just a quick fun read!!

[Tracy Fritts · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love it!!

What a good story. I love these characters they make me laugh. Loved the storyline and it's well written. I look forward to rest of the series.

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest lurks someone who has it in for a bride. This sweet novella takes us on a special spa retreat for Mae West after being kidnapped. . . by the Laundry Club Ladies? She is then faced with one of the most heartbreaking mysteries yet. They have only 24 hours to find whodunit before returning to Normal for Mae’s adoptive mother Mary Elizabeth’s big birthday bash.

Betts, Dottie, Queenie, and Abby have, with help from Mae’s fiancé Hank and campground maintenance man Henry, planned a surprise for Mae. To their credit, she never even caught on. Hank and Henry will take care of Happy Trails Campground while they pile into Mae’s campervan for their bachelorette party on wheels, and Hank will take care of Mae’s beloved poodle, Fifi.

Hank and Mae have not yet set their wedding date, but the hearts of the bridesmaids are set on taking her to a once-a-year event. They made arrangements to participate in Batches for Brides, held at a Kentucky winery. Even though none of them drink very much, they will enjoy the activities and spa time.

Mae and Sloane, another bride, want to do the early morning hike to see the best sunrise in the area and made plans to meet the next morning. Sloane never showed up, so Mae finally went by herself. She saw a gorgeous waterfall off the trail, with what she thought was a deer sleeping near it. On the way back, in full daylight, Mae stopped to take in the scenery; what she saw wasn’t a deer. It was Sloane, who never made it back from scuba diving the night before. Her oxygen line had been cut; she was murdered.

Nobody was allowed to leave the area until the forest rangers talked with everyone and thoroughly scouted the area. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies had to be back in Normal the next day and they had the experience to help search for whodunit. The obvious would be someone from Sloane’s bridal party, but they didn’t want to answer questions from a bride-to-be they just met.

This novella is concise and very well-written. I admire those who can write a potentially full-length novel in a much shorter format. I don’t feel as if I missed anything, and enjoyed catching up with our friends in an evening. There still were plot twists, some of Dottie’s feistiness, and the beauty of the season. I was so surprised and sad to see whodunit and why, since Sloane was a sweet lady with so many wonderful hopes and dreams. I highly recommend this to those who enjoy good, Southern cozy mysteries and are fans of the Campers & Criminals series and challenging cases.

From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.

[Lisa Christensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

What happens when the Laundry Club Ladies kidnap Mae West for a bachelorette party weekend? Well, another murder that needs to be solved of course, with ‘Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars’ getting to the murder and solving it doesn’t take long as this is a novella leading up to the next book, ‘Witness, Woods, & Wedding’. I really enjoyed how quick this book was. It was a wonderful way to escape the real world for a few moments and then also have my mind try and figure out who did it.

I’m sure you are asking yourself what makes the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series one I keep returning to. Well, I have to say the characters from Normal, Kentucky always keep me coming back. It’s hard to say I have a favorite because each one really makes the story but when I see that Dottie is going to be on the page or in a scene, I know I will for sure have a smile on my face and there will be a very good chance that I will chuckle or even just full on laugh. A good example of this is when the Laundry Club Ladies meet up with Mae after she finds a dead body.

“Doggonit!” Dottie Stomped around the beach area behind the police tape. The smoke from her cigarette rolled out of her mouth. “We can’t go nowhere without you finding a dead body.”

And Dottie wasn’t the only one who mentioned Mae always finding a dead body. Mae’s fiancé, Hank, comes up with a good name for her.

I jumped when my phone rang. “Hank.” I was so happy to see his name pop up. “You aren’t going to believe this.” “How you found another dead body?” He half snorted on the other end of the phone. “You make it sound like…” I searched for the right word. “You’re a murder magnet?” He finished the sentence for me. “You are. Granny told me about Sloan, and I did a bit of digging around.”

I think when Tonya first mentions Mae she should say Mae ‘Murder Magnet’ West. I feel like that has a good ring to it. With a good mystery of trying to figure out who did it and the same excellent group of characters coming back ‘Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars’ is a great five-star novella. And just like most cozy mysteries the sizzle level is none but that is something I like when it comes to a cozy mystery, and this is a good way to cleanse your reading palate between books.

You can get ‘Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars’ on Amazon and if you’re a Kindle Unlimited member this book is included in your membership.

**I would like to thank Tonya Kappes for the ARC copy of this book. Getting the ARC Copy did not influence my thoughts on the book as they are all my own.**

[Deana Dick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Poor Mae has been kidnapped and on her way to her surprise bachelorette party. The group is off on an adventure that is sure to be filled with fun, mystery and laughs galore. Buckle up your seatbelt everyone. This is going to be a wild ride when Mae and The Laundry Club Ladies are together. I can tell that Mae is not thrilled where they brought her to. What were they thinking anyway? Mae does meet another bride to be and make plans to go hiking the next morning.

Mae is up bright and early waiting on Sloan so they can enjoy the sunset. How long should Mae wait for Sloan? After being at least thirty minutes late, Mae decides to go anyway. Everything is going great until she spots something laying down by the lake. I can already guess who Mae is going to find. The question is why and who did it? The way the bride to be died was awful and definitely was intentional. Now it looks like the bachelorette party has turned into a murder investigation.

I do find it funny that Sloan’s friends bring her to a bachelorette party when technically she is already married. That sure seems a bit fishy to me. Now I begin my list of suspects as I follow Mae’s lead. With unexplained photos missing from social media, an argument between Sloan and someone in front of an ATM, there is quite a bit of excitement going on. The story has some twists that took me off who I suspected and oh my was I surprised at the guilty person. Great little story to get readers excited about a really big day coming up. When is the wedding dear author?

I received a copy of this book from Celebrate Lit. The review is my own opinion.

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brides, Bribes & Binoculars
A Camper And Criminals Cozy Mystery
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Mae West has been kidnapped...BY THE LAUNDRY CLUB LADIES for a spa retreat bachelorette party like no other.
Dottie's screaming at the stripper to put it back on instead of keep taking off, fun bride games, and spa activities don't keep these sleuthing friends off the tracks of a killer when one of the other brides ends up dead!

Put a group of nervous brides and slew of prissy brides maids together, meddling along with jealousy brings out a bridezilla who will do anything to make her day more special than anyone, even Mae! (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. The Laundry Club Ladies have kidnapped Mae for her bachelorette party. But of course, Mae has to find a dead body while they are away. They will all have to work hard to figure out the killer and why she was killed and soon so they can get back home.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions pulled me into the story from the very beginning. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and there were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would recommend this book (and series) to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I cannot wait for to see what happens in the next book.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book and provided my honest review.

[Aimee Stark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mae knows something is going on. Hank isn’t answering her calls, Dottie took the day off to keep Mae busy, Henry cant seem to take any of her requests and The Laundry Club Ladies are being quiet. (That would scare even me!) Turns out, the girls are taking off to a surprise location in the camper van, bedazzled shirts and all.

When they arrive at their destination, Mae finds they are at the Batches for Bachelorettes, an annual party at a winery specifically for bachelorette parties. Mae meets another bride, and they make a hiking date for 5:30 the next morning to catch the sunrise. But her new friend Sloan doesn’t show, so Mae decides to take in the sunrise by herself. She takes in amazing views, such as a waterfall with a deer laying nearby. But unfortunately, it wasn’t a deer after all. Dottie says it best when she said they “can’t go nowhere without Mae finding a dead body.” And of course, the Laundry Club ladies get to work on finding the killer. As they add and delete suspects to their list, they are working on borrowed time, so they can make it back to town in time. We all know if anybody can work a deadline, it’s the Laundry Club Ladies. And they sure pull through, with the identity of the killer surprising the heck outta me. This was a fun read, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store next for Mae and Hank as the wedding draws closer. I received an arc copy of this book, but all opinions are my own, and if you haven’t met the Laundry Club Ladies yet, it’s past time that you do.

[Tammy Lunsford - Escape to Books By Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Only the Laundry Club Ladies could plan a surprise weekend getaway for a Mae's bachelorette party and end up in the middle of a murder investigation and all of the drama that surrounds the investigation. They are at a winery with other brides to be and their bridesmaids. When one of the brides ends up dead, you know these spunky ladies will not pass up a chance to put their sleuthing skills to the test. Mae's future husband, Hank, calls her "a murder magnet". I just loved this. Their trip to the destination was so much to read about that I wanted to be in the vehicle with them. These ladies know how to have a good time.

This is a short novella, but it is still filled with plenty of mystery and the trademark antics we all know and love with this wonderful cast of characters. You never know what may come out of their mouths, but we must give credit where credit is due, they know their stuff.

I never tire of this series with a great cast of characters who will make you laugh. Now I anxiously await to see if Mae will finally tie the knot. Enquiring minds want to know. Fun times with lifelong friends make this book and this series a great addition to your library.

Thank you to the author for this ARC. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Theresa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wedding bells are finally ringing for Mae and Hank, but before the big day gets here, her best friends are whisking her away for a bachelorette weekend! Dottie, Betts, Abby, Queenie and Dottie have big plans for Mae! They are off to enjoy a one -time-a-year Batches for Bachelorettes winery visit. It would not be a party without a murder and before Mae can get too far into her weekend, there is a dead body! Not a random person but another bride on vacation at the winery, one that Mae just happened to meet the day before! It doesn’t take long for the ladies to get into investigation mode, because it looks like the bride was murdered! She was already married but that doesn’t change the fact that someone murdered her! Mae and the ladies are in crime solving mode right away. There is no time to waste, they have to be back in Normal and can’t be trapped at the winery for long! This is a mini-Mae story with lots of twists and turns! I for one can’t wait for my invitation to the biggest wedding coming up! This story just has be excited for the big wedding even more!

[Cathy Myers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The phrase “Southern Hospitality with a Smidgen of Homicide” was on Tonya’s webpage, and that is exactly what this lovely cozy mystery novella contained! Mae West has been whisked away to a Bachelorette retreat by the Laundry Club Ladies, her group of friends from the Happy Trails Campground. Instead of finding relaxation and fun, Mae finds a dead body, something that obviously happens to her a lot. She and her sleuthing besties are now on the case to find a murderer!

I can honestly tell you I loved spending time with these characters. The author really captured the essence of a group of Southern friends! And don’t get me started on Dottie; she was an absolute hoot! This was the first book I have read in this series and truly wish I had read them in order now because I would know the characters even better. I cannot wait to read the whole series! If you like cozy mysteries, especially if you are Southern (I’m from Alabama and could appreciate many of the phrases used), I would recommend you checking out this novella!

[Judy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Laundry Club ladies surprise Mae with a weekend away bachelorette party at a nearby vineyard. The vineyard annually hosts bachelorette parties where they have many activities planned, including strippers, hiking, and scuba diving. It was really funny that Dottie kept yelling for the stripper to “put it back on.”

Of course, Mae discovers a body during her stay and she and the girls decide to solve it so they can make it back home. The body is Sloan, who Mae had met the night before and was going to go on a hike with. Sloan’s group of friends make good suspects and I felt the killer was a surprise and the reason why was a good one—not if you are sane—but in her mind, I’m sure it was a good reason.

I don’t usually read novellas because they are so short and I feel they are a waste of time. I’d rather authors invest more time and give me a real story. Despite my feelings on novellas, it was a fun read.

[Deb Spalding · Rating 5 out of 5]

A short story by the talented author, Tonya Kappes, that is part of the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. The Laundry Ladies with the help of Hank, Mae's fiancé, whisk Mae away for a surprise bachelorette party. Mae is reluctant to leave Happy Trails Campground and her precious dog, Fifi. Hank assures her he will take good care of her dog and guests. Off the excited ladies go to celebrate their good friends upcoming nuptials. Wherever Mae West goes murder is sure to follow. During the first night of events Mae friends another bride. They agree to meet the next morning to hike a trail to watch the sunrise. The bride fails to meet Mae and her body is later found. A murder is loose and the Laundry Ladies are on the case. Analyzing the clues with thoroughness and Dottie's homespun humor the ladies make short work on identifying the suspect.
This novella is a cant miss winner.
I received an advanced reader copy for an honest review. These opinions are my own and given freely.

[Sapphyria · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brides, Bribes, and Binoculars is a novella in the Campers & Criminals series. Whisked away by the Laundry Club Ladies, Mae finds herself at a bachelorette spa retreat. Pampering, relaxation, and fun are on the agenda. The dead body by the lake, however, was not. Now instead of partaking in the fun schedule of events, Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are on the case of the dead bride.

The author kept me guessing about the person responsible, and the reason was shocking. There are several characters who have obvious reasons to be on the suspect list. The book was full of twists, turns, red herrings, and shifts in direction. The mystery would start out going one direction, then completely shift a new way. The suspense build-up was written well and intensified until the very end.

The characters are wonderfully crafted, realistically written, and I feel like I'm coming home to Normal, or wherever the Laundry Club may be, with every book in the series.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars is another exciting installment in Kappes' campers and criminals cozy mystery series. This novella is a fun entertaining read as Mae is kidnapped by her friends for a bachelorette party to celebrate her upcoming marriage to Hank. The Laundry Club ladies pick the perfect venue full of camping, activities, and a few days of fun. It would have been perfect except for Mae finding a dead body. The Laundry Club ladies have no choice but to solve this one if they want to get home.

Kappes delivers and entertaining tale that is perfect for Mae's bachelorette party. I loved seeing all of my favorite characters coming together to celebrate Mae's upcoming wedding and their friendship. The novella's story is well done full of fun, mystery, and girl power. This novella proved to be a great read that left me anxious to read Mae's next adventure.

Received a copy of Brides, Bribes, & Binoculars from the author.

[Vanessa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Even though Mae did not want a Bachelorette Party, she was thankful that her best friends (AKA The Laundry Club Ladies) whisked her away for a girls’ weekend. They arrive at a once-a-year bridal retreat, which is really a continuous bridal shower/bachelorette party. While Mae is not the party type, she is determined to have fun and even befriends one of the other brides. Plans to hike together the next morning are thrown into chaos when the other bride does not show. Mae decides to set off on her own but instead discovers a body. The Ladies are off their game a little bit since they are not on their turf; however, they know they have to solve the mystery to get home.

It is an excellent quick read in the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery Series and just enough to hold me over until the next book in the series arrives. I received an ARC, but this is my honest review.

[Merry Chapman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a short and very fast paced cozy murder mystery that you just can't put down! Dottie and the other Laundry Club ladies give Mae a Bachelorette party like no other! Taking her to a nearby vineyard who specializes in these parties has you laughing out loud, especially when Dottie yells put it back on to one of the pseudo strip tease males. When Mae went to take one of the hikes to see the sunrise with another bride she met, she was shocked to find the body of this bride. And of course, Mae and the Laundry Club ladies are on the case! With lots of twists and turns and laughs, we are taken to a surprise end. This is a must read series that keeps you totally entertained from the first page of the first book and through each successive book. I highly recommend this book and the whole series! I received and ARC of this book but the opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

A quick, fun whodunit! Mae has been kidnapped by the Laundry Club Ladies for a surprise weekend bachelorette getaway. Mae was truly surprised. She goes on a morning hike to see the sunrise and finds a body. Even though she and the Laundry Club Ladies aren’t in their own area, they decide to try solving the crime when it’s determined to be a murder because they’ve been told no one can leave until the murderer is found. Without knowing any of the other individuals, can they determine who might have wanted this individual killed? They’re sure going to try!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Jodi Skeen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brides, Bribes & Binoculars

Ooo, this was a fun read, strippers and partying - what’s not to like.

Well … maybe the dead body might put a damper ob things. Only Mae and her crew would have a great bachelorette part trip and get sucked into a murder and mystery of finding who killed her.

Of course Dotty is all in for the stripper, except the insults she hurls his way. Mae makes friends right off with a couple of people, but then tragically trouble starts.

But the ladies are on it and get to the bottom of things so they can get back to their loved ones.

And,,,, still waiting for The Date for the wedding!