Peete and Repeat

The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries #3

by Karen Musser Nortman

A biking and camping trip to southeastern Minnesota turns into double trouble for Frannie Shoemaker and her friends as she deals with a canoeing mishap and a couple of bodies. Strange happenings in the campground, the nearby nature learning center, and an old power plant complicate the suspect pool and Frannie tries to stay out of it--really--but what can she do? After all, she is only curious, but sometimes it isn't just cats who have trouble with that!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Audiobook

157 pages, Paperback

First published September 7, 2013

Reviews

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Was it a sign of things to come? Travelling in a convoy of campers, Frannie Shoemaker and her husband Larry were horrified when one of their tyres blew – shredded and beyond redemption. The unexpected arrival of a police cruiser to escort them to the nearest town and tyre shop was fortunate; when they resumed their trip and met up with their friends at the campground in Minnesota, they were most pleased to arrive.

As the days progressed and the friends indulged in trail bike riding and exploring the district, the nearby nature learning centre proved interesting. The derelict old power plant was eerie but drew them to explore – but the shock of what they found meant the sheriff was soon involved. And when Frannie had an accident herself, things were looking decidedly gloomy.

Why was it that Frannie drew murder into her orbit when they camped? Her curious nature meant there was danger for her on the horizon as well…

Peete and Repeat by Karen Musser Nortman is the 3rd in the Frannie Shoemaker series and every bit as good as the previous two. I thoroughly enjoy the fun and hilarity I find in these books, with laugh out loud moments often hitting me. I have two more to read in the series and am really looking forward to getting into them. Highly recommended.

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was very nice to get back together with the Shoemakers and the rest of the gang. I am a big sucker for the camping theme and absolutely enjoyed the mystery. Once the ball gets rolling it keeps me guessing till the end. I always get a chuckle out of their idea of exercising...it is pretty laid back.
I may even get used to the VERY detailed writing style. ;)

[Jan Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

Karen Musser Nortman has created a great series with the Frannie Shoemaker character, and Peete and Repeat does not disappoint. This book is both a standalone listen and part of a series. Being familiar with southern Minnesota, I could envision much of the campground. This book brings back many happy memories of camping as a child. This book includes a murder mystery that has many suspects and red herrings. I love it when the killer or motive is not obvious. Michelle Babb was wonderful bringing the characters to life with her voice. I could hear the various characters, and found her to add to my enjoyment.

[Anastasia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peete and Repeat by Karen Musser Nortman is the third book in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries series. A camping trip sees Frannie Shoemaker and her friends finding the two bodies of twins that they had recently met on their trek to an old power plant. Frannie and her friends are seasoned campers and the best part is joining them on their adventures and the various characters they meet along the way. The mystery was interesting although a little predictable. An enjoyable cozy mystery with camping tips included.

[Margaret Jensen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Peers and Repeat was a wonderful read.

I haven't camped out since I was a kid, but Ms. Nortman makes it seem that it's never too late to start again. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and likes humor with their mysteries.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Karen writes well. Her stories are clean enjoyable stories. No Course language. Violence is kept at a minimum and doesn’t go into great detail.

The narrator does a wonderful job using different voices for different characters. I am enjoying these short stories.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another excellent Frannie Shoemaker Camping mystery. I really enjoy the characters and the mysteries are always good. This one was no exception. :) I definitely can't wait to read the next one.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series. It makes me want to get outside and camp and do all the fun outdoor activities that this crew is always doing. I love hearing about life around the camp and the meals they put together. This mystery was good, if a little predictable. The narration was great and I can’t wait for the next one!

[Delta · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love cozy mysteries, but cozy mystery series are a special kind of beast. We get to learn so much about these characters and watch as they (hopefully) learn from their past mistakes. But by the same token you have to suspend a measure of disbelief. I mean, how many murders can a single family come across before you have to question whether they have some terrible demon hanging around them. Despite this hurdle, the Shoemakers are full of humor and thrills. The title of this one is a bit cheesy, but it's definitely not the worse I've ever seen.

Michelle Babb is basically my cozy mystery go-to narrator. Her soft accent is just enough to make you feel comfortable and laugh at even the darkest of humor. Every time she narrates a new book she gets better and better. Her female voices become more defined and her male voices sound like they belong to a male. Just beautiful.

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.**

[Betty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frannie & Larry Shoemaker are again camping with friends at a Minnesota Campground near the Burden River noted for bicycle trails, nature centre and old power plant. Shortly after arriving they meet Virginia and Valerie Peete. Twin sisters are in their 30s and still dress alike. Frannie sees one sister in a romantic stance with Richard Ellis-Reynolds. He denies knowing them. The group hikes to the old power plant and finds the sisters murder. In an accident getting into a boat, Frannie hurts her knee and must stay off it. The group goes on the hikes, bicycle trips and explore day nature centre at Frannie insistent. Frannie has plenty of time to look for clues to the murder. The day before the group leaves the murder is uncovered. The ending is a surprise

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoy Karen's books. I have read all of them except one. That one is next.
This story was a great mystery. You think you know who did it then you question yourself! Karen is great at keeping us wondering by all the exciting clues she comes up with and the many suspects.

This one had a cool beginning section that I really liked.

I love the campground settings because we are taken to different locations and I can relate well to camping and all the mishaps or challenges.
Such fun. And all the food references are a hoot. I totally enjoy that part too. But I get hungry reading it!

I really feel like I personally know her characters. I like that we have the same ones or at least part of the same group in every mystery novel.

I hear there is anew book pretty soon. Yay!

[Odee · Rating 5 out of 5]

For those so luckily acquainted with our wonderful campers, this book starts out a smidge differently, but oh wow!

I just cannot gush about these books enough. Great writing, wonderful stories, just cozy perfection!

Karen Musser Nortman reframed the layout of the book this go round as well, Happy Camper Tips are now found in the back of the book.
I believe I understand the reason for the change but I have to say I liked the HCTips at chapter ends. They took me out of the story and reminded me I was going to be late for work if I kept binge reading!

[Deb Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit!

I have fallen in love with the prospect of RVing through these wonderful Frannie Shoemaker mysteries. These mysteries are not boring in any way and they manage to provide a great mystery with a great RV adventure. I enjoy the fact that there is no bad language, no sex, and yet the storyline keeps you wanting more, as in you will be not want the book to end. I hope this author keeps the books coming! I wish I could always keep one of these books at my side!!!

[Julie Howard · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I have listened to but I really like the narrator so thought I would give it ago. Glad I did because I really enjoyed it. You sort of knew who the killer is right from start but the author has you questioning yourself so you aren't positive until the big reveal. No plot spoilers here I an not telling you who I thought it was. I liked the group of friends and there was enough information to make them well rounded characters, without giving you there life history at the expense of the mystery and as the series develops and you learn more about them I am sure they are going to become like old friends. I found that I liked the unusual idea of different mysteries at different campgrounds, so will definitely be checking out the other books in the series.
Frannie and her husband are camping in Minnesota with a group of friend when two of the other camp site guests are killed. Frannie had noticed them on the site and around town, who could miss two grown twins that still dressed alike. Frannie having stumbled over the bodies can't help but get involved when knowing there caravan is empty, she sees lights. What could the burglar be looking for? Is it connected to the photos the ladies were taking all over town and what happened to there camera? Did they see something someone does what them to see like the run down caravan on the edge of the property? Frannie hurts herself In a canoeing accident giving her plenty of time to sit in a deck chair and keep an eye on the suspects. Can she work out why the twins had to die before there stay is over?
As I said I really like the narrator. Normally when a narrator I likes changes series it takes a while to get my head around the new characters, as I am still picturing the old characters but this is not the case with Michelle Babb. I had no problems with the new cast members and think she did another excellent job.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the friends are together in this book (Frannie & Larry, Jane Ann & Mickey, Nancy & Ben, and Donna & Rob) as they head to Minnesota for some camping and biking. Shortly after they group arrives they come across the scene of two dead bodies. Not only is the group involved in another possible murder investigation but this time around Frannie had an accident getting into a canoe. Frannie having bruised ribs has to stay behind while the others go on biking, hiking, and shopping trips. Frannie starts to see some strange things happening around the campground. Was this a murder/suicide? Was someone at the campground involved? Will Frannie get involved in the investigation?

I was immediately sucked into this story. I loved how author Karen Musser Nortman writes her characters with flaws. The story starts with a flat tire, Donna buys shoes that are too small because they are cute, Nancy is some sometimes over organized, and Frannie fell in the river and got hurt but refuses to go for medical help. I like the humor Nortman puts in her stories but the stories are written with a realistic tone.

Narrator Michelle Babb doesn’t disappoint , she brings another story to life. Mrs Babb is a natural storyteller. She has a smooth clear voice and keeps the story moving at a steady pace. She makes listening to the story an enjoyable experience.

I would recommend the cozy, no graphic language, sex, or graphic violence.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this audiobook for my honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.

[Elena Alvarez Dosil · Rating 4 out of 5]

Review originally published at: https://www.lomeraniel.com/audiobookr...

This cozy mystery was a bit different than others because there was a backstory to it, about two very peculiar twins, adult women with an unhealthy relationship. Frannie Shoemaker and her friends meet these two women at a campground where they are spending some days. It was a very entertaining listen, and I honestly could not figure out who was the murder. There were so many twists and turns, and surprises along the way, that I was completely hooked.

This book is the third in the series but it can be perfectly read as a standalone, as the characters are briefly introduced again, and there is no information that must be known from previous books.

Michelle Bab did a wonderful job bringing all the characters to life, and providing a very expressive narration, with subtle changes to make the characters recognizable. Listening to a book narrated by Babb is always a pleasure.

This is a nice series that I would recommend to anyone, especially to those who are into cozy mysteries. I am looking forward to listening to book four.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

[Juanita · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review: Peete and Repeat by Karen Musser Nortman. 3.5★'s

This author has written a lot of mysteries that are called the, “Frannie Shoemaker Mysteries”. It’s a series that doesn’t need following unless the reader is interested and wants to read a few of these books. Each one of these books is a different mystery. However, Frannie and her husband Larry will be the two main characters in these books. This is the first mystery I have read from this author and I think she did a pretty good job with her writing and I thought her characters were developed to suit the mystery. It’s fast pace and more of a beach read. Karen Nortman could have added a little more to the ending but over all it was good.

Frannie and her husband like to travel and do some camping in different areas. The setting of this mystery is in Minnesota this time. Frannie is the type of woman whose curiosity is always one step ahead of her. On this trip they are with a few of their friends in different campers and it doesn’t take them long to get settled closed to each other in the campground. They all seem to like the adventure of hiking, biking, canoeing, bird watching and taking advantage of some of the campgrounds activities.

After they were all set up and relaxed they met a few of the other campers nearby. Among the campers are two identical twins who liked to impersonate each other, an old flame from one of the twins past, a young man who is training to be part of a terrorist group, a country singer with a fake accent, a suspected operating meth lab, and a Nature Center employee riding around with a four wheeler to check up if any of the campers needed anything. Somehow in the midst of their recreation activities they also happen upon a shocking murder scene while hiking on one of the trails. This is where the mystery comes in and Frannie, like usual, without trying gets involved with the investigation. Her husband Larry is a retired cop and near the end of the book he also gets involved.

The story unfolded smoothly with likable characters and the environment setting was relaxing even for the reader. There was no up and down thrills but a great mystery.

[Eric Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found the story to be very enjoyable. I could picture the campgrounds and the small town because they reminded me of places I used to camp several years ago. I had a hard time at first following the story. In the first 20 minutes or so, (audiobook version), you are introduced to two sisters and four couples. That's 10 character names, their occupations, plus a couple of pet names to try to sort out in quick order. At about 30 minutes into the audiobook, I ended up rewinding back to the beginning and starting over so I could sort out who was married to whom, their relationship to each other, and what was going on. That may just be a flaw in my brain, but I have a hard time when an author throws so many characters at the reader (listener) at the beginning of a book. From then on, it was a great book (Also of note: this was my first book in this series, so I was unfamiliar with the recurring cast of characters.) The audio narration was well done with the narrator putting just enough different inflections in her voice to make it easy to follow as to which character was talking. Pleasant to listen to.

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Frannie is a wonderful amateur sleuth and can’t help getting herself involved in cracking the case of dead twin sisters. Her husband, Larry, is another great character. In fact, the entire secondary cast of characters are wonderfully portrayed.

There is so much going on in this story which makes for a very interesting mystery for readers to solve. There are dozens of twists and turns along the way. I enjoy going on these camping trips with the Shoemakers and trying to figure out whodunit right along with them.

This is the third book in the Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries. I listened to book #2 and then this one. The author gives us a complete mystery in each book and she keeps you guessing. The series is a nice one to listen to. The narrator’s voice is smooth and keeps the story flowing.

I’ll definitely continue this series.


FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Linda Brendle · Rating 5 out of 5]

This may be my favorite Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mystery so far. It’s hard to decide because they are all entertaining while being very different. In Peete and Repeat, the Shoemakers and friends meet identical twins and unintentionally, as usual, become involved in a love/hate triangle and a double homicide. To complicate matters, Frannie injures herself and somehow manages to become the target of a rather inept ring of drug traffickers.

As usual, Karen Musser Nortman manages to create the relaxed atmosphere of a camping vacation while still building the tension of whatever crime in progress Frannie has stumbled into. Each book introduces new characters, whether it’s grandchildren or more of the Shoemakers’ camping friends – and all of them, even the annoying ones, are multi-faceted and likeable.

Peete and Repeat is the last in the Camping Can Be Murder Boxed Set. I need to check and see what predicaments Frannie gets herself into next.

[Beverly Laude · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy cozy mysteries, you can't go wrong with any of the books in this series. Frannie Shoemaker and her husband are going camping and cycling with their friends. But, instead of a relaxing and enjoyable weekend of fun, they become involved in several crime scenes and murder investigations!

Frannie's husband Larry, a retired policeman, tries to keep her out of trouble, but her curiosity once again gets her in deep! The author has done a great job in creating a great cast of likeable characters and the story is engaging and humorous. Part of the fun of reading a cozy mystery is trying to figure out the whodunit before the author reveals it and even though I thought I had it all worked out, the author let the story develop in a wonderful way.

The narrator is perfect for this series and her performance added a lot to my enjoyment of this book. I was given the chance to listen to this book by the author/narrator/publisher and chose to review it.

[Trisha · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frannie and the gang are out camping again, this time in Minnesota where they intend to bike all around the area. But after a canoeing accident that has put Frannie out of commission for a while it only gives her time to think about the two dead bodies that were found and what happened to them.

I have fallen in love with these Frannie books, to the point I have to ration out the audios to myself, yep I got the audios narrated by the wonderful Michelle Babb. She does such a great job and her voice is Frannie to me now. These books have enough suspense and action to go around a whole campsite. Not to mention Frannie's curiosity would scare a lot of kitties straight. But there is always a bit of humor thrown in as well, and this all together is what makes these awesome books so special.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Frannie and her husband are not the folks you want pulling into the campground near you. It seems every time they go on vacation in their camper someone dies. This time they have identical twin sisters in the campsite near them. Turns out the sisters aren't as good friends as they appear to everyone else. One feels the need to "protect" the other, which is really just code for control her life. Frannie, her husband and their usually camping friends still have a good vacation. Frannie has a few clumsy moments and ends up very sore after falling trying to get into a canoe for a what should have been a relaxing paddle down a river. While she is sitting relaxing in the campground and everyone else is out riding their bikes she manages to solve the mystery of the murdered twins.

[Norma · Rating 4 out of 5]

( Format : Audiobook )
"She watches a lot of CSI.""
Another enjoyable outing with the keen campers, Frannie and Larry Shoemaker and friends.
Enjoying their latest happy camping, replete with eating, walking, cycling (and pies), it isn't long before they discover a body or two and begin sleuthing.
Good characters and dialogue, gentle, if predictable, story, humour and an overall interesting cozy mystery 
The excellent Michelle Babb again helps bring the protagonists to life.
Just right for a light-hearted listen.

[V L · Rating 5 out of 5]

What could happen on a camping trip?

Excitement, adventure and dead bodies seem to follow Frannie Shoemaker and company. Many strange events and unique characters are at the campground. Who killed the twins? What motivated the murder of the twins. Many suspects and numerous red herrings abound. This is a great read! Definitely a book to get and find a comfortable chair and open and enjoy an exciting adventure.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

3rd book in the series. You can read this one without having to read the prior books.
Great narrator. the author does a very good job of setting scenes and giving enough information that you can close your eyes and see the events of the story unfolding.
I had a little bit of a difficult time focusing on this one. Not sure why. I did enjoy the story. I very much appreciate how the author always ties up loose ends.

[Sue · Rating 4 out of 5]

Format: audiobook
Narrator: Michelle Babb

This is book 3 in the Frannie Shoemaker campground mysteries and one thing is for sure if Frannie and her group pulled onto my campground I’d pack up and leave the same day lol
Frannie has some bad luck of her own in this one but that doesn’t stop her ‘investigating’ when they stumble across a double murder!
A good mystery with enough twists to keep it interesting and again the narrator does a fab job.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first experience with Karen Musser Nortman's work, and it was enjoyable. The story was about a group of retirees that go on a camping trip together. They become involved in a murder investigation. The characters were fun and quirky and were the main element to making this story entertaining. Michelle Babb's narration was great, and her performance added to the story's entertainment. I was given a free copy of the audiobook, and I have voluntarily posted this review.

[Deedra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Franny and the gang are camping again.A set of identical twins are camping nearby.There could be a meth lab in the campground.Of course,Franny is the one to stumble across the deceased.The sherrif in the town actualy appreciates her input.A really fun mystery!Michelle Babb is the perfect narrator.
“I was voluntarily provided this free review copy audiobook by the author, narrator, or publisher.”

[Lin Micce · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this was an enjoyable mystery.
I enjoy these characters. they are fun to read and get to know. i have read a few of this series, and it's always fun to "go camping with frannie" I wish i got more character development though.


This said... I have to say i had it figured out pretty early.