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The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries #1
Bats and Bones
Frannie and Larry Shoemaker are retirees who enjoy weekend camping with their friends in state parks in this new cozy mystery series. They anticipate the usual hiking, campfires, good food, and interesting side trips among the bluffs of beautiful Bat Cave State Park for the long Fourth of July weekend—until a dead body turns up.
Confined in the campground and surrounded by strangers, Frannie is drawn into the investigation. Frannie’s persistence and curiosity helps authorities sort through the possible suspects and motives, but almost ends her new sleuth career—and her life—for good.
As a bonus, each chapter ends with a camping tip or recipe—some useful, some not so much.
Confined in the campground and surrounded by strangers, Frannie is drawn into the investigation. Frannie’s persistence and curiosity helps authorities sort through the possible suspects and motives, but almost ends her new sleuth career—and her life—for good.
As a bonus, each chapter ends with a camping tip or recipe—some useful, some not so much.
256 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 11, 2012
88 people are currently reading
544 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
November 16, 2021
An easy and enjoyable read. Although the first chapter details the mistakes of novice men campers, I can easily see myself and a few girlfriends making the same mistakes after a few fun cocktails and a giggling gab session!
The banter between characters is very true to life for close friends and family and I could see myself fitting in around the campfire. There was a bit too much talk of food, but plans were thrown awry after the discovery of the body so I guess it’s a pretty accurate description of how they passed the time. Planning out a meal, tending the fire, and then actually cooking the meal is certainly a more involved process than cooking in a modern kitchen.
I didn’t like the different font sizes that occasionally occurred; I found it jarring but not totally unexpected in a self-published book. Despite that, it was a good read with an original motive. The camping tips at the end were helpful and appreciated.
The banter between characters is very true to life for close friends and family and I could see myself fitting in around the campfire. There was a bit too much talk of food, but plans were thrown awry after the discovery of the body so I guess it’s a pretty accurate description of how they passed the time. Planning out a meal, tending the fire, and then actually cooking the meal is certainly a more involved process than cooking in a modern kitchen.
I didn’t like the different font sizes that occasionally occurred; I found it jarring but not totally unexpected in a self-published book. Despite that, it was a good read with an original motive. The camping tips at the end were helpful and appreciated.
January 23, 2013
Full disclosure alert: I am proud to say that the author was my teacher in high school so I may be a bit biased.
I very much appreciate the lack of spelling, grammatical & editing errors that seem to be more frequent in books these days; especially in Kindle books.
I really enjoyed this fun mystery; particularly because I am from Iowa and my family loves to camp so the local references were neat. I am a geocacher, which is still somewhat unique so the geocaching bits were exciting to read about. I think the "Happy Camper Tips" are a fantastic addition; I can't wait to try the recipe for smashed potatoes & gravy - YUM! I also have seen the awesome over the fire grill mentioned in the book - my parents have one & I really covet it!
The mystery kept me guessing, there were lots of interesting twists & turns. The characters were developed well and I could picture everyone in my mind (although I couldn't help trying to guess who, in real life, each character represented). I could also picture the campground and trails despite the fact that I have never been to the park that inspired the fictional park in the book. After reading this, I think we'll have to work a trip to Maquoketa into our summer camping plans...I sure hope no one ends up murdered in a cave!
I very much appreciate the lack of spelling, grammatical & editing errors that seem to be more frequent in books these days; especially in Kindle books.
I really enjoyed this fun mystery; particularly because I am from Iowa and my family loves to camp so the local references were neat. I am a geocacher, which is still somewhat unique so the geocaching bits were exciting to read about. I think the "Happy Camper Tips" are a fantastic addition; I can't wait to try the recipe for smashed potatoes & gravy - YUM! I also have seen the awesome over the fire grill mentioned in the book - my parents have one & I really covet it!
The mystery kept me guessing, there were lots of interesting twists & turns. The characters were developed well and I could picture everyone in my mind (although I couldn't help trying to guess who, in real life, each character represented). I could also picture the campground and trails despite the fact that I have never been to the park that inspired the fictional park in the book. After reading this, I think we'll have to work a trip to Maquoketa into our summer camping plans...I sure hope no one ends up murdered in a cave!
June 19, 2016
It was actually a 3.5 star rating.
It was definitely a good mystery and I loved the outdoor and camping theme a lot ... but the writing was somewhat unpersonal and I couldn't feel with the characters. Most of the time I felt like reading a report. Still, it wasn't a bad book and I will keep on reading this series.
It was definitely a good mystery and I loved the outdoor and camping theme a lot ... but the writing was somewhat unpersonal and I couldn't feel with the characters. Most of the time I felt like reading a report. Still, it wasn't a bad book and I will keep on reading this series.
September 9, 2014
A large new motorhome pulled forward into a campsite.
The first book in the Frannie Shoemaker series starts with newbie RV campers parking in the wrong direction. And so begins a spiral of things that can go wrong. The main characters of the series are Frannie and her husband Larry, Larry's sister, Jane Ann and her husband, Mickey and family friends, Donna and Rob. The couples travel to state parks in their RVs to camp.
The setting is a state park in Iowa with lots of caves and good hiking trails. Frannie stumbles across a body on the first day of hiking. Larry, a retired cop, assists with crowd control while the young ranger contacts the local authorities. The campground is closed until a resolution is reached in the murder.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. The camping tips were timely and would be very useful if I ever decided to camp again. (Not going to happen!) There was a good amount of suspense and multiple suspects. The last few chapters were written so that you felt you were involved with Frannie.
I will be looking for the next books in the series. An enjoyable read.
The first book in the Frannie Shoemaker series starts with newbie RV campers parking in the wrong direction. And so begins a spiral of things that can go wrong. The main characters of the series are Frannie and her husband Larry, Larry's sister, Jane Ann and her husband, Mickey and family friends, Donna and Rob. The couples travel to state parks in their RVs to camp.
The setting is a state park in Iowa with lots of caves and good hiking trails. Frannie stumbles across a body on the first day of hiking. Larry, a retired cop, assists with crowd control while the young ranger contacts the local authorities. The campground is closed until a resolution is reached in the murder.
I enjoyed the story and the characters. The camping tips were timely and would be very useful if I ever decided to camp again. (Not going to happen!) There was a good amount of suspense and multiple suspects. The last few chapters were written so that you felt you were involved with Frannie.
I will be looking for the next books in the series. An enjoyable read.
November 27, 2020
Bats and Bones by Karen Musser Nortman is the first book in the Frannie Shoemaker Mystery series. Seasoned campers Frannie and Larry Shoemaker are camping out with their friends at the Bat Cave State Park in Iowa when camp supervisor Maeve Schlumm is murdered and they become drawn into the investigation. A nice start to the series, with likeable characters who are ready to help out their friends and other not so knowledgable campers. I enjoyed the Park setting and the campground atmosphere, and learnt some camping tips. An engaging and enjoyable cozy mystery and I look forward to joining the campers on their next adventures.
June 30, 2013
Retired couple Frannie and Larry Shoemaker, along with Larry’s sister Jane Ann and husband Mickey, and friends Donna and Rob arrived at the Bat Cave State Park camping ground for the July 4th long weekend, each in their own camper. They loved camping, relaxing and enjoying their surroundings, and made sure they got together quite often. They had no idea this weekend was going to be very different to their previous trips away!
The heat was intense; when they had unpacked they relaxed in their chairs and watched the camp come to life. They were amused by the big camper, loaded with half a dozen guys trying to get set up, and when camp supervisor Maeve Schlumm came stomping up to inform them they were in the wrong spot, tempers flared.
The following morning the six of them decided to go for a walk, early, before the heat got intense, through the forest towards the caves in the area. They were currently closed, but the friends could enjoy the walk anyway. When they discovered a body in the mouth of one of the caves, their weekend began to go very wrong. Everyone in the camping ground were confined to the site while the sheriff and his deputy tried to put the very sparse clues together, also to make sure a possible killer didn’t get away.
With Frannie innocently questioning events, she and her friends were drawn into the investigation. Suddenly Mother Nature, a killer, stressed strangers and another body all combined to make it very dangerous for Frannie and her friends. Would the killer be caught before anything else happened? Would the state park reveal any secrets?
This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed the three couples and their interactions with each other, and other campers. The descriptions of the areas in the state park, the enjoyment of sitting around the camp, relaxing, playing cards or reading, befriending young five year old River and his mother Stephanie; I could see everything the author was describing which made me feel I was there at times.
An enjoyable cosy mystery I have no hesitation in recommending.
The heat was intense; when they had unpacked they relaxed in their chairs and watched the camp come to life. They were amused by the big camper, loaded with half a dozen guys trying to get set up, and when camp supervisor Maeve Schlumm came stomping up to inform them they were in the wrong spot, tempers flared.
The following morning the six of them decided to go for a walk, early, before the heat got intense, through the forest towards the caves in the area. They were currently closed, but the friends could enjoy the walk anyway. When they discovered a body in the mouth of one of the caves, their weekend began to go very wrong. Everyone in the camping ground were confined to the site while the sheriff and his deputy tried to put the very sparse clues together, also to make sure a possible killer didn’t get away.
With Frannie innocently questioning events, she and her friends were drawn into the investigation. Suddenly Mother Nature, a killer, stressed strangers and another body all combined to make it very dangerous for Frannie and her friends. Would the killer be caught before anything else happened? Would the state park reveal any secrets?
This was a great book! I thoroughly enjoyed the three couples and their interactions with each other, and other campers. The descriptions of the areas in the state park, the enjoyment of sitting around the camp, relaxing, playing cards or reading, befriending young five year old River and his mother Stephanie; I could see everything the author was describing which made me feel I was there at times.
An enjoyable cosy mystery I have no hesitation in recommending.
July 13, 2015
Loved it! Makes me want to buy a camper/RV. I love camping anyway and the descriptions of the food, the fires, the hiking...sigh...I just wanna go, lol. There was a good mystery in this as well and I would definitely read more in the series. The characters and their interactions with each other remind me of the relationships my husband and I have with another couple of friends.
March 16, 2013
A retired couple and their friends' Fourth of July camping plans take a surprising turn when they find a dead body on a hike. Cabin fever and suspicion grow as the camping grounds are put on lock-down. Frannie, her husband, and her friends find themselves more involved than they'd like to be. What did I think of this story? Camping? Hate it! Hiking? Hate it! Outdoors? Hate it! A hot Fourth of July spent largely outdoors with little air conditioning and public facilities? Ew, gross - hate it! Surprisingly, though, I really liked this book! I found the main characters to be likable and not too stupid - even the slightly annoying one. And, I always enjoy it when characters show personal growth. There was only one part I didn't understand about a particular someone being permitted to leave the campgrounds once his son arrived. I even liked the camping tips at the end of each chapter. Who knows? I may shock the world someday and take up Rv’ing. Throughout this book, I kept picturing my friend Teresa and her husband in the roles of the protagonist and her husband (despite the former couples’ younger ages) because I know how much they like outdoorsy activities such as this. I look forward to reading more in this series. If GoodReads were a half-star rating system, I'd give this one 4.5 stars. It seemed a teeny bit on the long side. However, the last half of the story flew by!
February 4, 2014
This is the first book by K.M. Nortman that I read. It is the first of the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries series. It takes place at a fictional Iowa State Park.
Frannie Shoemaker and her husband, Larry, like to go camping. This particular 4th of July weekend they visit a local State Campground and are joined by Larry's sister and brother-in-law, Jane Ann and Mickey, and family friends, Donna and Rob, all of whom have RVs.
While going for a morning hike, the group discover the body of one of the campground hosts. She's been murdered, and her body left in a cave. There are several suspects, as the victim had been particularly hard to get along with in the days leading up to her death.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery quite a bit. The main characters, Frannie and Larry, are retired, and have been married for many years. The interaction between the two of them, and between them and the other campers, seems very believable. I will be reading additional books in the series.
Frannie Shoemaker and her husband, Larry, like to go camping. This particular 4th of July weekend they visit a local State Campground and are joined by Larry's sister and brother-in-law, Jane Ann and Mickey, and family friends, Donna and Rob, all of whom have RVs.
While going for a morning hike, the group discover the body of one of the campground hosts. She's been murdered, and her body left in a cave. There are several suspects, as the victim had been particularly hard to get along with in the days leading up to her death.
I enjoyed this cozy mystery quite a bit. The main characters, Frannie and Larry, are retired, and have been married for many years. The interaction between the two of them, and between them and the other campers, seems very believable. I will be reading additional books in the series.
July 1, 2016
I enjoyed this book. I can't say why exactly but for some reason while reading I felt like I was totally relaxed and having fun. Which is why the 4 star rating.
The story is about 2 couples, a brother and his wife, Larry and Frannie, and his sister and her husband, Jane Ann and Mickey who are all retired and like to go camping together on the week-ends. Another couple overhears Rob and Donna asks to come along. While the ladies don't care for Donna what can they say.
After setting up, the campground host Mauve who has had problems with some of the park guests is found murdered on a morning walk and so the story begins.
The characters are well written and even though it is your basic story the little twist at the end was a good change of pace. This is a series I would recommend and I will continue to read as long as I can do it from the comfort of my home and no longer have to battle the joys of camping.
The story is about 2 couples, a brother and his wife, Larry and Frannie, and his sister and her husband, Jane Ann and Mickey who are all retired and like to go camping together on the week-ends. Another couple overhears Rob and Donna asks to come along. While the ladies don't care for Donna what can they say.
After setting up, the campground host Mauve who has had problems with some of the park guests is found murdered on a morning walk and so the story begins.
The characters are well written and even though it is your basic story the little twist at the end was a good change of pace. This is a series I would recommend and I will continue to read as long as I can do it from the comfort of my home and no longer have to battle the joys of camping.
October 23, 2017
Frannie and Larry Shoemaker are a couple of retirees that enjoy RV camping with other retiree friends. Normally their camping is quiet and peaceful until some new campers come to the state park they are camping at. First they parked their RV in the wrong place which causes them to have a run in with the camp hostess. Then Frannie and her crew take a walk and find a body. Everything seems to go down hill from there. Fortunately Larry is a retired cop so he was able to keep the area clean until the local police got there. Due to the murder the park is closed and no one can leave which makes everyone nervous that there may be a murderer among them. This is a great mystery with lots of angles and suspects. I enjoyed it enough that I would read the next one in the series.
January 23, 2016
Kept my interest from beginning to end
I found Bats and Bones (The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries) to be a very interesting read.Well written with great character and story development.I have never been camping,but I thought the camping tips at the end of each chapter were interesting and valuable to those who are campers.I thought the mystery was very interesting and plausible.
I read the Kindle version and have no formatting complaints.
Highly recommended for cozy mystery lovers.
I found Bats and Bones (The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries) to be a very interesting read.Well written with great character and story development.I have never been camping,but I thought the camping tips at the end of each chapter were interesting and valuable to those who are campers.I thought the mystery was very interesting and plausible.
I read the Kindle version and have no formatting complaints.
Highly recommended for cozy mystery lovers.
January 26, 2014
Frannie Shoemaker and friends were terrified as thunder booms and wind moved the shower building that shelter them from the storm. Morning came and the tornado had missed them. Frannie was remembering back to the day they arrived for nice visit to Iowa State Park. So much had happened it was hard to access it. The body they had found near the caves and being confined to the park. Now one of the campers is missing and searched for him has been set up. Frannie wonder how,would end.
Disclosure: I was provide with a free copy for an honest review
Disclosure: I was provide with a free copy for an honest review
October 20, 2017
Franny and Larry Shoemaker are spending the Fourth of July weekend camping with some friends. They expect this weekend will go like any other- some hiking, reading, relaxing and lots of eating. What they don't expect is to find the dead body of the campground host in a bat cave. I like that Franny has a way of investigating without being particularly obnoxious and nosy. She manages to work with the police as well as the park rangers to find the killer but not without a couple close calls of her own.
September 17, 2015
This book was an easy and fun read. When I say easy, I mean comfortable, where you want to keep on reading. You feel at home with the characters and the stories. You can imagine the people and what they look like in your mind. You can imagine their moves and you can see the setting and feel yourself there. The mystery was good with a surprise ending. This was the first book I read by the author but it won't be my last.
December 5, 2013
I really enjoyed this first campground mystery. Though you would especially enjoy it if you enjoy the outdoors, the characters are funny and the story good -- a fun read for anyone.
September 17, 2020
Fun read and perfect for reading while RVing.
May 22, 2017
Bats and Bones is the first book in the Frannie Shoemaker Mystery series. Frannie and her husband, Larry, along with two other couples go camping for the 4th of July weekend at Bat Cave State Park. Also staying at the campground is a group of 6 men (1st time campers), a woman and her young son, and another married couple that arrived on motorcycles as well as a very strict campground host and her husband. When the group decides to go hiking, Larry finds a body in a small cave off the trail. With the murder being investigated the police close the park and no one is allowed in or out. Frannie, who is grieving the recent death of her mother, is having a hard time handling them finding a dead body so with nothing else to do she starts to people watch and observes some suspicious behaviors. She and Larry who is a retired police officer, gets pulled into the investigation. Can Frannie and her friends solve the murder before someone else dies?
I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd book I have read by author Karen Musser Nortman, I actually read book 4 first. I really enjoyed this book, and having read a later book in the series first, I got to how the characters have grown over the series. Bats and Bones shows a realistic view of the group of friends being confined in hot temperatures with much togetherness and boredom, sometimes there is friction but things seem to work out in the end. This is a well written, steady paced book, with enough twist and turns to keep you guessing right along with Frannie on who is the murderer until the very end. No bad language, sex or graphic violence.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator Rebecca Roberts is clearly spoken and does good job with the storytelling, this book however is the only book in the series she narrates. I prefer the narrator of the later books. I am not sure if it is because I heard someone else’s vision of how the characters should sound first but to me something about Mrs. Roberts’s accents for some of the charters do not really seem to fit the character or maybe it doesn’t fit the dialect of the region the characters are from.
I voluntarily reviewed this book provided by the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
I really enjoyed this book. This is the 2nd book I have read by author Karen Musser Nortman, I actually read book 4 first. I really enjoyed this book, and having read a later book in the series first, I got to how the characters have grown over the series. Bats and Bones shows a realistic view of the group of friends being confined in hot temperatures with much togetherness and boredom, sometimes there is friction but things seem to work out in the end. This is a well written, steady paced book, with enough twist and turns to keep you guessing right along with Frannie on who is the murderer until the very end. No bad language, sex or graphic violence.
I listened to the audio version of this book. The narrator Rebecca Roberts is clearly spoken and does good job with the storytelling, this book however is the only book in the series she narrates. I prefer the narrator of the later books. I am not sure if it is because I heard someone else’s vision of how the characters should sound first but to me something about Mrs. Roberts’s accents for some of the charters do not really seem to fit the character or maybe it doesn’t fit the dialect of the region the characters are from.
I voluntarily reviewed this book provided by the author for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.
July 6, 2016
I've been thoroughly enjoying the few cozy mysteries I've read lately, and think that I may have just found a new genre to read!! This is no different, I ended up devouring this in a day.
The book centers on Frannie and Larry, whom are retirees enjoying a "relaxing" camping weekend with family and friends. That is until they stumble on the body of the grumpy woman who runs the campsite where they stay. This woman had multiple run ins with campers and wasn't very liked. With them being confined to the campsite till the police gather evidence, can Frannie find out the culprit from the multiple suspects?
This was such a fun "who done it" type of mystery and I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit was along with Frannie and the gang. It did keep me guessing till the very end, which is always a good thing! I also loved the setting and descriptions the author gives. It truly sounds like a beautiful place. Frannie, is also another plus. She is such an easily likable character. I can't wait to read more with these characters.
In all, such a great and entertaining mystery and one I recommend to everyone.
Rebecca Roberts has really cemented herself as one of my go to narrators. Her voice and manner is so easy to listen to and she always gives a top rate performance. I always recommend her if I'm asked about good narrators.
The book centers on Frannie and Larry, whom are retirees enjoying a "relaxing" camping weekend with family and friends. That is until they stumble on the body of the grumpy woman who runs the campsite where they stay. This woman had multiple run ins with campers and wasn't very liked. With them being confined to the campsite till the police gather evidence, can Frannie find out the culprit from the multiple suspects?
This was such a fun "who done it" type of mystery and I really enjoyed trying to figure out who the culprit was along with Frannie and the gang. It did keep me guessing till the very end, which is always a good thing! I also loved the setting and descriptions the author gives. It truly sounds like a beautiful place. Frannie, is also another plus. She is such an easily likable character. I can't wait to read more with these characters.
In all, such a great and entertaining mystery and one I recommend to everyone.
Rebecca Roberts has really cemented herself as one of my go to narrators. Her voice and manner is so easy to listen to and she always gives a top rate performance. I always recommend her if I'm asked about good narrators.
February 14, 2018
I have been a mystery lover since I first discovered Agatha Christie in the Weekly Reader Book Club at school. After finishing the exploits of Mrs. Marple and Hercule Poirot, I moved on to tougher detectives like Parker’s Jesse Stone, Patterson’s Alex Cross, or Baldacci’s team of King and Maxwell. But after reading Bats and Bones by Karen Musser Nortman, I may become a cozy mystery fan all over again.
The first book in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries Series immediately drew me in. My husband and I fell in love with the RV lifestyle shortly after we retired, and we have met many campers like the Shoemakers and their friends who are easy-going, fun-loving, gregarious, and all around nice people. The scenarios in Bats and Bones were reminiscent of many of our camping trips – minus the dead bodies, of course.
Karen Nortman’s writing style captures the laid back atmosphere of the campground while still building the tension as the plot thickens and Frannie becomes involved in spite of her best efforts to heed the warnings of her husband Larry and local law enforcement. Nortman’s characters are well developed and likeable – except for the bad guys. She offers a reading experience that’s fun, engaging, and flinch free, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
The first book in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries Series immediately drew me in. My husband and I fell in love with the RV lifestyle shortly after we retired, and we have met many campers like the Shoemakers and their friends who are easy-going, fun-loving, gregarious, and all around nice people. The scenarios in Bats and Bones were reminiscent of many of our camping trips – minus the dead bodies, of course.
Karen Nortman’s writing style captures the laid back atmosphere of the campground while still building the tension as the plot thickens and Frannie becomes involved in spite of her best efforts to heed the warnings of her husband Larry and local law enforcement. Nortman’s characters are well developed and likeable – except for the bad guys. She offers a reading experience that’s fun, engaging, and flinch free, and I look forward to reading the rest of the series.
November 3, 2015
Now I am in the mood to go camping (without any murder) with these characters.
What an awesome book! I was a little wary, since it was free on Amazon Kindle, but I was wrong. I really loved the setting and reading all the descriptions of camping life and the campsite itself. It sounds so relaxing and the camaraderie was really realistic. The character themselves were complex, but not overly dramatic. I would love to read more about their histories/personal lives in future books. As for the murder, I was intrigued and very surprised by the result. I will definitely be continuing this series.
What an awesome book! I was a little wary, since it was free on Amazon Kindle, but I was wrong. I really loved the setting and reading all the descriptions of camping life and the campsite itself. It sounds so relaxing and the camaraderie was really realistic. The character themselves were complex, but not overly dramatic. I would love to read more about their histories/personal lives in future books. As for the murder, I was intrigued and very surprised by the result. I will definitely be continuing this series.
May 24, 2014
Bats and Bones is a delightful read, especially for someone who has been campground camping. Well written, fast paced, quite enjoyable. Nortman has a thorough understanding of trailer and rv camping, which leads to the authenticity of the work. I've sat around a campground and wondered at the actions of other campers and the snippets of conversations overheard from other camp sites. The ages of the main characters also makes this an excellent read for those of us who are nearing retirement or already there. While I expect a younger audience would enjoy this equally as much, it was enjoyable to read about peer-aged main characters. Overall, I'd suggest this book to anyone, and I think it might even make a great read-aloud around the campfire, or even to the grandkids since there is an interesting young fellow set as a secondary character.
August 16, 2017
Frannie and Larry are long-time campers who are camping with Larry's sister & brother-in-law and a couple of friends. The first night they are there they watch as a rather unpleasant woman who also happens to be one of the campground hosts. They don't think a lot about it until the next morning when they find the woman's body in one of the caves as they were hiking.
I liked this story. There was enough camping information and descriptions about the campground that made the story interesting along with "real" characters and the mystery was well written.
I may be a bit biased as this is based on a campground in Eastern Iowa and I recognized the descriptions. Plus my family camps and hunts and so the characters sound like those we've met and remind me of some of my family. So I'd say read this if you like camping and mysteries but you might not like it if you want a lot of action.
I liked this story. There was enough camping information and descriptions about the campground that made the story interesting along with "real" characters and the mystery was well written.
I may be a bit biased as this is based on a campground in Eastern Iowa and I recognized the descriptions. Plus my family camps and hunts and so the characters sound like those we've met and remind me of some of my family. So I'd say read this if you like camping and mysteries but you might not like it if you want a lot of action.
January 26, 2013
The author has created a well-written, well-paced mystery that cozy readers will love -- RVers and non-RVers alike. Regular campers will recognize the characters in the book, nicely drawn straight out of America's campgrounds. You've probably met Frannie and Larry Shoemaker. They enjoy camping with their friends, schmoozing around the campfire, eating good food. But that's where the similarity to "regular campers" ends, when Frannie's curiosity about a death in the park almost spells the end of her camping forever. Some clever twists and turns as Frannie unwittingly becomes involved, will keep the reader guessing "whodunit" -- and why -- until, breathlessly, you reach the end of the book. I look forward to more books in the Campground series.
February 14, 2013
After a potluck of state park campers gathered creating a weekend village, Frannie stumbled upon a dead body during a hike. Poor Frannie. Her hopes for a perfect camping weekend just became a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside a s'more. Among campfires and thunderstorms, gun shots and lawn chairs, Frannie Shoemaker becomes determined to solve this puzzle and get back to the business of relaxing. Author Nortman's dialog flows smoothly and reflects her common sense midwest approach which contrasts ideally against an alarming situation. Frannie Shoemaker IS the Iowa version of Marge Gunderson from the movie "Fargo". I am looking forward to the further adventures of Frannie and will read it properly this time...in the dark with a flashlight.
September 24, 2014
What a wonderful surprise!!
So, I love the thought of camping in an RV so I thought I would love this book since it was also a mystery. I did indeed love this book as it reminded me of how things should be, despite the murders of course. The married couples were friends, there were no sex issues, and no curse words. However, it did not seem unrealistic as the friends did get annoyed with one another and bad things did happen. I was drawn into the storyline from the first paragraph. I was never bored and was sorry when it ended. The mystery wasn't easy to solve and curves were thrown in so it kept me wanting more. I plan to seek out this author's other mysteries immediately and look forward to more of their adventures!!
So, I love the thought of camping in an RV so I thought I would love this book since it was also a mystery. I did indeed love this book as it reminded me of how things should be, despite the murders of course. The married couples were friends, there were no sex issues, and no curse words. However, it did not seem unrealistic as the friends did get annoyed with one another and bad things did happen. I was drawn into the storyline from the first paragraph. I was never bored and was sorry when it ended. The mystery wasn't easy to solve and curves were thrown in so it kept me wanting more. I plan to seek out this author's other mysteries immediately and look forward to more of their adventures!!
July 3, 2017
One of my favorite mystery series! I always have a comforting feeling when I read a Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mystery. I enjoy the author's writing style. The main character, Frannie, is very genuine and realistic. So are her family and friends that come along for the ride. You feel as though you are right there at the campground with them, eating the smashed potatoes and sausage gravy. The mystery kept me guessing the whole time and the motive was shocking and creepy. I loved the scenes involving the tornado and storm. The suspenseful elements at the end were scary. The camping tips/recipes at the end of each chapter were a great touch. This series is highly recommended by me, especially if you love camping cozy mysteries!
October 3, 2014
I loved this book!
I had won the fourth of the series in a goodreads giveaway, 'The Lady of the Lake' and I am a quirky series reader in that I enjoy reading a book series in order.
So I quickly got a copy of 'Bats and Bones' and was hooked from the first chapter. It's a unique setting in the cozy world, camping! Each chapter ends with a little 'happy camper tip' even.
Well written and enjoyable from beginning to end. In fact I drew out the last couple chapters waiting for the next in the series to arrive 'The Blue Coyote'.
I'm very happy to have found this series and will look forward to more from this wonderfully creative writer! Cudos Karen Musser Nortman!
I had won the fourth of the series in a goodreads giveaway, 'The Lady of the Lake' and I am a quirky series reader in that I enjoy reading a book series in order.
So I quickly got a copy of 'Bats and Bones' and was hooked from the first chapter. It's a unique setting in the cozy world, camping! Each chapter ends with a little 'happy camper tip' even.
Well written and enjoyable from beginning to end. In fact I drew out the last couple chapters waiting for the next in the series to arrive 'The Blue Coyote'.
I'm very happy to have found this series and will look forward to more from this wonderfully creative writer! Cudos Karen Musser Nortman!
October 23, 2016
Highly recommend this book to all cozy lovers. The main characters are sixty somethings who love camping. They are so real and likable, I wish I could meet them. On a holiday weekend there are two murders, a tornado warning in the middle of the night and an abduction. The book is just action packed. There is also a camping tip or recipe at the end of every chapter. I downloaded this book because the characters seemed a lot like my hubby and me and I thought I might have found another series I'd like to follow. To let you know how that worked out, I asked hubby if he'd mind if I bought the second book in the series as soon as I finished the last page of the story. LOL!
February 6, 2013
When it's cold outside and dirty snow monopolizes the view, a cozy mystery set in the warmth of summer is what is needed. Bats and Bones begins a series centered around camping, a premise which allows the park settings to change with each book. The likeable Larry and Frannie Shoemaker, comfortably married for many years, are enjoying retirement and the outdoors. They're people we'd like to invite to our picnic. The storyline is cleverly plotted with an exciting conclusion, but it's the characterizations that leave the reader wanting the next mystery in the series.
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