Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes

Greetings!  A Legacy of Murder by Connie Berry comes out October 8 along with A Christmas Home by Marta Perry and Child's Play by Danielle Steel.  Christmas Angels by Nancy Naigle is available on October 15.  I love reading Christmas stories.  They are always heartwarming, feel-good stories.

Daniel Boone National Park

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky.  Mae West owns Happy Trails Campground which will be hosting a wedding party.  A giant RV pulls up to the campground office and the bride disembarks with her entourage.  Mae is surprised to recognize the bride’s mother as Misty Moon whose husband, Tom is the creator and owner of Moonbucks Coffee Company.  Mae associated with Misty Moon and her husband, Tom when she was married to Paul.  Shay Moon wants a Southern themed wedding (well, her idea of southern) which is being held at Old Train Station Motel in Coke Ogden’s renovated barn.  Mae gets roped into being Shay’s wedding planner and everything is a go except for coffee from Gert Hobson’s Trials Coffee Shop.  It turns out that the Moonbucks signature blend was created by Gert when she was in college which Tom stole.  Gert and Tom have a public argument which many people were happy to capture with their cell phones. Unfortunately for Gert, Tom ends up dead with her new knife in is back (want to guess who found the body).  With Gert the prime suspect, Mae and the Laundry Club ladies work to clear their friend’s name.  The killer is not happy with Mae’s snooping and attempts to eliminate her.  Can Mae and the Laundry Club ladies track down the killer before her strikes again?

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims by Tonya Kappes is the ninth A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery.  For those new to the series, the book can be read alone by why would you want to do that.  I always enjoy visiting Normal, Kentucky to catch up with Mae, Dottie, Hank, and the rest of the gang.  Tonya Kappes has created a delightful cast of quirky characters.  Mae is a spunky woman who has found her place in life which is in Normal.  Mae is happy with the campground, her camper, friends, boyfriend, and her little dog, Fifi.  Normal, Kentucky is a charming town with quaint shops and friendly residents.  It is situated next to the Daniel Boone National Park which is currently showcasing reds, oranges, and yellows for fall and the area is enjoying cooler temperatures.  Tonya’s conversational writing style draws a reader right into the story (it is like talking to an old friend).  The story moves along at a peppy pace. I liked that we get to learn more about Mae’s childhood and her parents.  The murder does not occur until after the halfway point.  By the time Tom is axed, there is a slew of suspects (he was not a pleasant man).  There is misdirection along with a twist or two.  I enjoyed how it all came together at the end.  Hank’s attitude, though, needs an adjustment.  He needs to accept the fact that Mae is going to meddle and there is no stopping her.  In the future, though, May might be forced to make a choice. I loved the drama and humor in this engaging tale.  A story that can make me laugh is special indeed.  Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is an appealing cozy mystery with a ritzy RV, a robbed recipe, a bratty bride, a relentless reporter, and greedy graspers. 

Valleys, Vehicles and Victims is out today and available at Amazon.  You can find a complete list of A Camper & Criminal Cozy Mysteries here.  The books in this series including Valleys, Vehicles and Victims are available through Kindle Unlimited.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be reviewing A Christmas Haven by Cindy Woodsmall and Erin Woodsmall tomorrow.  May you have a day filled with laughter.  It is good for the soul.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader