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The Campervan Detectives: A Campervan Detective Mystery, Book 1
Not yet published
Expected 28 Jul 26A totally addictive and gripping English cozy murder mystery
Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!
It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!
Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…
With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!
Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?
First in a brilliant new series from bestselling author Maeve Haran, this warm, witty and absolutely gripping cosy crime novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.
Fearless, feisty and at the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly-single Sadie is about to enter a new era… as a detective?!
It’s never too late for a second chance, and when Sadie Sutton’s marriage implodes spectacularly, she jumps into her vintage VW campervan and heads for the twisty cobbled streets and sea views of her childhood in the little seaside town of Winching. But her fresh start comes to an abrupt stop when she trips over a dead body, turning an ordinary walk with her faithful dog Sam Spade into a murder investigation!
Having failed to stop a balaclava-wearing suspect disappearing from the scene into the night, Sadie can’t help but take matters into her own hands. The victim, retired headmistress Charlotte Woolf, was well known around Winching for her sharp tongue – rumours suggest she was particularly disliked by her own husband! But he swears he doesn’t even like killing snails by mistake…
With the enthusiastic help of three women at the campsite who have all embraced Van Life, Sadie starts sleuthing. Who was sending Charlotte anonymous bunches of flowers that had her rattled? Do the members of the local sea swimming club hold a vital clue? Sadie and her friends are on the right track… until their prime suspect ends up dead in his garden shed!
Can Sadie get to the root of the problem and stop the killer before the next person is buried? Or will her fresh new chapter end with her driving her campervan back the way she came?
First in a brilliant new series from bestselling author Maeve Haran, this warm, witty and absolutely gripping cosy crime novel is perfect for fans of Agatha Christie, The Thursday Murder Club and Robert Thorogood.
Audible Audio
Expected publication July 28, 2026
About the author
Maeve Haran
36 books72 followersMaeve Haran is an Oxford Law graduate who worked in journalism and television before writing her first novel, Having It All, a worldwide bestseller translated into 26 languages and shortlisted for
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
the Romantic Novel of the Year. She wrote twelve more contemporary novels, one work of non-fiction, and two historical novels.
Her new book In the Summertime is due out on June 8.
She has grown-up three children and lives in North London.
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July 2, 2026PUBLISH DATE: July 28, 2026
BOOK TITLE: The Campervan Detectives
SERIES: A Campervan Detective Mystery Book 1
AUTHOR: Maeve Haran
NARRATOR: Fenella Fudge
PUBLISHER: Bookouture Audio
FORMAT: Audio
PAGES:
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
BOOK TITLE: The Campervan Detectives
SERIES: A Campervan Detective Mystery Book 1
AUTHOR: Maeve Haran
NARRATOR: Fenella Fudge
PUBLISHER: Bookouture Audio
FORMAT: Audio
PAGES:
I received a complimentary digital ARC [Advanced Readers Copy] of this book via NetGalley. Thank you to the Publisher and the Author for the opportunity to read and review this title prior to publication. As always, the opinions expressed in this review are my own.
June 21, 2026
3.5 stars! What a cute start to a hopefully long-running series. A group of ladies who live in camper vans and solve mysteries?? Yes please and thank you! How charming. I am digging the idea that they will be roaming sleuths as well - can’t wait to see what shenanigans they get up to as they take their convoy around England (and beyond?) to put their skills to the test.
As this was a first book, there were some growing pains. The plot definitely happened too quickly. The ladies became instant best friends super quickly, Sadie bought her van the same day she left her husband and didn’t resolve that and already found a potential love interest (would have loved to see that in book two) and everyone seemed so settled into their roles. In my opinion, Sadie also decided so quickly to make changes in her life. It didn’t feel like the dawning of an idea that had been festering for awhile. I would have appreciated a bit more organic growth in our characters. I understand it’s a first book and you have to set out who we are dealing with quickly, but I think that leaving some time for developing personalities, and making sense of the actions of our main four ladies by getting to know them a bit better would help. Speaking of rushed
Despite this, the setting for this and future novels was fantastic. I’m really excited by the idea of traveling sleuths. And the book helped set them up for success in their future endeavors at the end! The minor annoyances didn’t stop me from tearing through this book. Cozy mysteries are my favorite and it’s rare that we get a new type of sleuth - especially one who isn’t tied to just one place. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one!
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
As this was a first book, there were some growing pains. The plot definitely happened too quickly. The ladies became instant best friends super quickly, Sadie bought her van the same day she left her husband and didn’t resolve that and already found a potential love interest (would have loved to see that in book two) and everyone seemed so settled into their roles. In my opinion, Sadie also decided so quickly to make changes in her life. It didn’t feel like the dawning of an idea that had been festering for awhile. I would have appreciated a bit more organic growth in our characters. I understand it’s a first book and you have to set out who we are dealing with quickly, but I think that leaving some time for developing personalities, and making sense of the actions of our main four ladies by getting to know them a bit better would help. Speaking of rushed
Despite this, the setting for this and future novels was fantastic. I’m really excited by the idea of traveling sleuths. And the book helped set them up for success in their future endeavors at the end! The minor annoyances didn’t stop me from tearing through this book. Cozy mysteries are my favorite and it’s rare that we get a new type of sleuth - especially one who isn’t tied to just one place. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for the next one!
Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 stars. I wish I could have given it more, Actually, I would have given it 3 but I listened to the audiobook version and have added the extra 0.5 for the narrator who reads the story clearly and professionally.
Starting with the positives: if shortened and the language simplified (e.g. by removing dialect words), this would make a fantastic Reader for learners of English as a foreign language – especially those who love the idealised England depicted in popular TV shows such as Midsommer Murders and Beyond Paradise. It could make the perfect book to bridge the summer gap between language school semesters.
Beyond that thought, it just didn’t grab me. The plot was predictable to the point that I could often finish the sentences in my head before the narrator spoke them.
The main character, Sadie, a nearly 60-year-old Londoner who on discovering her husband’s infidelity, grabs the family dog and all the random items she’ll need to survive the rest of the book (swimming costume, pepper spray etc), buys a fully-fitted orange VW campervan and that very same day heads off to the coast to a fictional town where she once attended boarding school.
Before she has even reached the camping ground she discovers the body of the universally disliked Eleanor Woolf, Sadie’s old headmistress, in the community gardens. The rest you can probably work out for yourself.
This is a strong attempt of jumping on the current Cozy Crime wave and I could easily imagine it being picked up by a TV company and being turned into a mostly forgettable but popular series (this is Book 1, after all). In the story, the author herself even likens the Vintage Vanettes – as the group of four middle-aged-plus van-dwelling women call themselves – to Miss Marples.
The book is well-written but for me it was lacking in originality and depth. The unchallenging plot was full of predictable ‘twists’ and a lot of overly similar characters.
Certain things also didn’t make sense to me, e.g. there was no feeling of a timeframe, I don’t know if it took place over 5 days or 5 months. There were also arbitrary opinions peppered throughout the book, such as wild swimming is good but meditation is laughable. The dog (depicted on the cover) never got fed, was mostly left in the van, and hardly even appeared in the middle 4/6ths of the book, and when Sadie’s van was broken into, the women were all more concerned that someone had moved Sadie’s make up than that the same person had mistreated her dog. (Yes I’m a dog person so these things bother me).
Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Conclusion: The Famous Five for grown-up women in which copious amounts of wine replace ginger pop.
Starting with the positives: if shortened and the language simplified (e.g. by removing dialect words), this would make a fantastic Reader for learners of English as a foreign language – especially those who love the idealised England depicted in popular TV shows such as Midsommer Murders and Beyond Paradise. It could make the perfect book to bridge the summer gap between language school semesters.
Beyond that thought, it just didn’t grab me. The plot was predictable to the point that I could often finish the sentences in my head before the narrator spoke them.
The main character, Sadie, a nearly 60-year-old Londoner who on discovering her husband’s infidelity, grabs the family dog and all the random items she’ll need to survive the rest of the book (swimming costume, pepper spray etc), buys a fully-fitted orange VW campervan and that very same day heads off to the coast to a fictional town where she once attended boarding school.
Before she has even reached the camping ground she discovers the body of the universally disliked Eleanor Woolf, Sadie’s old headmistress, in the community gardens. The rest you can probably work out for yourself.
This is a strong attempt of jumping on the current Cozy Crime wave and I could easily imagine it being picked up by a TV company and being turned into a mostly forgettable but popular series (this is Book 1, after all). In the story, the author herself even likens the Vintage Vanettes – as the group of four middle-aged-plus van-dwelling women call themselves – to Miss Marples.
The book is well-written but for me it was lacking in originality and depth. The unchallenging plot was full of predictable ‘twists’ and a lot of overly similar characters.
Certain things also didn’t make sense to me, e.g. there was no feeling of a timeframe, I don’t know if it took place over 5 days or 5 months. There were also arbitrary opinions peppered throughout the book, such as wild swimming is good but meditation is laughable. The dog (depicted on the cover) never got fed, was mostly left in the van, and hardly even appeared in the middle 4/6ths of the book, and when Sadie’s van was broken into, the women were all more concerned that someone had moved Sadie’s make up than that the same person had mistreated her dog. (Yes I’m a dog person so these things bother me).
Thank you Bookouture Audio for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Conclusion: The Famous Five for grown-up women in which copious amounts of wine replace ginger pop.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Sadie is approaching 60. One day she discovers something that upends her life. She leaves her home with her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade. On the spur of the moment, she buys a bright orange campervan and sets off for Winching, where she has happy memories of time spent there with her late father. Sadie was at boarding school in the area, which brings some not-so-happy memories, but she does reconnect with a beloved teacher she had there. Taking Sam Spade for a walk through the community gardens, Sadie sees a mysterious person acting suspiciously. Then she sees the body of a deceased woman, although she can't see her face. After dealing with the police, she finally gets to the campground where she plans to park her campervan. Having no experience with campervans, she is relieved when a fellow camper, Rose, helps her set up her bed and promises to be back in the morning. From there Sadie meets a couple of other women who live in their campervans at the site and quickly connects with them, becoming part of the group. When the closed-minded guy who is in charge of the investigation doesn't get very far, the women decide to investigate themselves. They start calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes and plot ensues from there.
I had such a great time reading this book. I loved the Vanettes and was happy to spend time in their company. Each woman had their own back story which was provided in enough detail to connect with readers, but also leaving room for things to be fleshed out further in subsequent books. The supporting cast was full of interesting personalities. I enjoyed the setting a lot, including the way that Sadie interacted with this environment, which held so many memories but also possibilities for the future. The story moved along at just the right pace and I was kept interested in both the mystery and the people. I admit that at first I was slightly skeptical of the rapid connection between Sadie and the other Vanettes, but then I remembered instances in my own life when such connections happen seemingly in the blink of an eye and in completely unexpected ways. In any case, I soon overcame my skepticism and just settled into the story, which had many elements to it--at times tense, heartwarming, funny, and of course, mysterious. The ending was quite satisfying with regard to the mystery, but also in terms of Sadie's decision-making about where she wants her life to go from there. Will she go back to her old life or will she choose another path?
I'm thrilled that this is the first in a series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. It's good to know that there's more in store for Sadie and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
I had such a great time reading this book. I loved the Vanettes and was happy to spend time in their company. Each woman had their own back story which was provided in enough detail to connect with readers, but also leaving room for things to be fleshed out further in subsequent books. The supporting cast was full of interesting personalities. I enjoyed the setting a lot, including the way that Sadie interacted with this environment, which held so many memories but also possibilities for the future. The story moved along at just the right pace and I was kept interested in both the mystery and the people. I admit that at first I was slightly skeptical of the rapid connection between Sadie and the other Vanettes, but then I remembered instances in my own life when such connections happen seemingly in the blink of an eye and in completely unexpected ways. In any case, I soon overcame my skepticism and just settled into the story, which had many elements to it--at times tense, heartwarming, funny, and of course, mysterious. The ending was quite satisfying with regard to the mystery, but also in terms of Sadie's decision-making about where she wants her life to go from there. Will she go back to her old life or will she choose another path?
I'm thrilled that this is the first in a series and I'm definitely looking forward to reading the next book. It's good to know that there's more in store for Sadie and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for a digital review copy.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Publication Date: July 28, 2026
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in right away and honestly felt like a little escape while I was reading. Sadie Sutton’s life completely unravels when she catches her husband with her best friend, and I really felt for her in those opening chapters. I loved how she didn’t overthink it though, she just grabbed her dog and left London behind for a fresh start in a bright orange campervan. It felt messy, brave, and exactly what she needed.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story for me. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, full of quirky locals, community spaces like the gardens, and that sense that everyone knows more than they say. I could really picture the salty air, the quieter pace, and the contrast between Sadie’s new, slightly chaotic van life and this close-knit town with deep roots and buried secrets. It made the mystery feel both cozy and a little tense underneath.
Of course, Sadie’s fresh start does not stay quiet for long. Before she even settles in, she finds a dead body and spots someone running from the scene. When the police quickly settle on an obvious suspect, I found myself just as frustrated as Sadie and completely on board with her decision to start digging deeper.
The Vanettes were easily one of my favorite parts. Their friendship felt genuine and uplifting, and I loved how each of them brought something different to the group. Watching Sadie slowly open up, gain confidence, and start figuring out who she is on her own was just as satisfying as the mystery. It gave the whole story a really warm, hopeful feel.
The mystery itself follows a familiar cozy pattern, and while I did find parts a bit predictable, I was still second-guessing things enough to stay engaged. The added twists and rising stakes kept it interesting without losing that light, easy tone that makes this genre so enjoyable.
Overall, this felt like the kind of book you curl up with when you want something cozy but still engaging. It is a great mix of mystery, friendship, and fresh starts, and I would happily continue on with this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
★★★★
www.pinkstinx.blogspot.com
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in right away and honestly felt like a little escape while I was reading. Sadie Sutton’s life completely unravels when she catches her husband with her best friend, and I really felt for her in those opening chapters. I loved how she didn’t overthink it though, she just grabbed her dog and left London behind for a fresh start in a bright orange campervan. It felt messy, brave, and exactly what she needed.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story for me. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, full of quirky locals, community spaces like the gardens, and that sense that everyone knows more than they say. I could really picture the salty air, the quieter pace, and the contrast between Sadie’s new, slightly chaotic van life and this close-knit town with deep roots and buried secrets. It made the mystery feel both cozy and a little tense underneath.
Of course, Sadie’s fresh start does not stay quiet for long. Before she even settles in, she finds a dead body and spots someone running from the scene. When the police quickly settle on an obvious suspect, I found myself just as frustrated as Sadie and completely on board with her decision to start digging deeper.
The Vanettes were easily one of my favorite parts. Their friendship felt genuine and uplifting, and I loved how each of them brought something different to the group. Watching Sadie slowly open up, gain confidence, and start figuring out who she is on her own was just as satisfying as the mystery. It gave the whole story a really warm, hopeful feel.
The mystery itself follows a familiar cozy pattern, and while I did find parts a bit predictable, I was still second-guessing things enough to stay engaged. The added twists and rising stakes kept it interesting without losing that light, easy tone that makes this genre so enjoyable.
Overall, this felt like the kind of book you curl up with when you want something cozy but still engaging. It is a great mix of mystery, friendship, and fresh starts, and I would happily continue on with this series.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
★★★★
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
⭐⭐⭐✨ 3.75 stars
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of The Campervan Detectives in exchange for my honest review. 🎧💙
Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres, and this book was such a delightful surprise! I had so much fun following Sadie and her wonderful group of campervan friends. The Vintage Vanettes are exactly the kind of quirky, lovable characters I enjoy reading about. 🚐🔍
After a life-changing discovery, Sadie decides it's time for a fresh start. With her adorable miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to a place filled with memories from her past. What begins as a journey of healing quickly turns into something much more exciting when Sadie stumbles upon a murder. Before long, she finds herself surrounded by a group of welcoming women living at the campsite, and together they decide to uncover the truth when the official investigation seems to be going nowhere.
What I loved most was how warm and comforting this story felt. It wasn't just about solving a mystery—it was about friendship, second chances, and finding a place where you truly belong. Each member of the Vintage Vanettes brought something unique to the story, and I really enjoyed getting to know their different personalities and backgrounds. They felt like a group of friends I would happily join around a campfire. 🏕️💛
The mystery itself kept me interested from beginning to end. There were enough clues and twists to keep me guessing without losing the cozy atmosphere. The pacing was steady, balancing the investigation with the characters' personal journeys, heartfelt moments, and a few laughs along the way. I also loved the beautiful countryside setting, which made me want to pack my own bags and go on a campervan adventure.
The audiobook was a joy to listen to and made the characters feel even more alive. 🎧✨
I'm so happy this is the start of a series because I definitely want to spend more time with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes. If you love cozy mysteries filled with charming characters, found family, adorable dogs, and amateur sleuths, this is one I'd happily recommend. 🚐🐶📚
Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for the ARC of The Campervan Detectives in exchange for my honest review. 🎧💙
Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres, and this book was such a delightful surprise! I had so much fun following Sadie and her wonderful group of campervan friends. The Vintage Vanettes are exactly the kind of quirky, lovable characters I enjoy reading about. 🚐🔍
After a life-changing discovery, Sadie decides it's time for a fresh start. With her adorable miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to a place filled with memories from her past. What begins as a journey of healing quickly turns into something much more exciting when Sadie stumbles upon a murder. Before long, she finds herself surrounded by a group of welcoming women living at the campsite, and together they decide to uncover the truth when the official investigation seems to be going nowhere.
What I loved most was how warm and comforting this story felt. It wasn't just about solving a mystery—it was about friendship, second chances, and finding a place where you truly belong. Each member of the Vintage Vanettes brought something unique to the story, and I really enjoyed getting to know their different personalities and backgrounds. They felt like a group of friends I would happily join around a campfire. 🏕️💛
The mystery itself kept me interested from beginning to end. There were enough clues and twists to keep me guessing without losing the cozy atmosphere. The pacing was steady, balancing the investigation with the characters' personal journeys, heartfelt moments, and a few laughs along the way. I also loved the beautiful countryside setting, which made me want to pack my own bags and go on a campervan adventure.
The audiobook was a joy to listen to and made the characters feel even more alive. 🎧✨
I'm so happy this is the start of a series because I definitely want to spend more time with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the rest of the Vintage Vanettes. If you love cozy mysteries filled with charming characters, found family, adorable dogs, and amateur sleuths, this is one I'd happily recommend. 🚐🐶📚
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I ended up doing a hybrid read of this one, switching between the ebook and audiobook, and it was such a fun change of pace from the darker thrillers I usually read.
After Sadie discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she leaves her old life behind, buys a vintage campervan, and heads to a seaside town full of childhood memories. Of course, her fresh start doesn't stay peaceful for long when she stumbles across a dead body and finds herself helping solve a murder alongside a group of women who quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the friendship between the Vintage Vanettes. They each brought something different to the group, and I loved watching them come together while trying to solve the mystery. The seaside setting and cozy atmosphere made this an easy book to settle into, and it felt like the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads.
The audiobook narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent. She gave each character a distinct voice and really brought the story to life. I found myself looking forward to getting back to the audiobook whenever I couldn't sit down and read, and I think the narration made an already enjoyable story even better.
The mystery kept me interested from beginning to end. It isn't packed with shocking twists, but that's not really the point. It's more about the characters, the friendships, and the journey, and I had a great time spending time with all of them. I did think a few parts moved a little quickly, and I would have liked a bit more depth in places, but those were minor issues for me.
This was a charming start to a new cozy mystery series, and I'll definitely be picking up the next adventure with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the Vintage Vanettes.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
After Sadie discovers her husband has been cheating on her, she leaves her old life behind, buys a vintage campervan, and heads to a seaside town full of childhood memories. Of course, her fresh start doesn't stay peaceful for long when she stumbles across a dead body and finds herself helping solve a murder alongside a group of women who quickly became one of my favorite parts of the story.
What I enjoyed most was the friendship between the Vintage Vanettes. They each brought something different to the group, and I loved watching them come together while trying to solve the mystery. The seaside setting and cozy atmosphere made this an easy book to settle into, and it felt like the perfect palate cleanser between heavier reads.
The audiobook narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent. She gave each character a distinct voice and really brought the story to life. I found myself looking forward to getting back to the audiobook whenever I couldn't sit down and read, and I think the narration made an already enjoyable story even better.
The mystery kept me interested from beginning to end. It isn't packed with shocking twists, but that's not really the point. It's more about the characters, the friendships, and the journey, and I had a great time spending time with all of them. I did think a few parts moved a little quickly, and I would have liked a bit more depth in places, but those were minor issues for me.
This was a charming start to a new cozy mystery series, and I'll definitely be picking up the next adventure with Sadie, Sam Spade, and the Vintage Vanettes.
3.5 rounded to 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives is exactly the kind of cosy crime novel that feels like a breath of sea air—fresh, charming, and just a little bit mischievous. Maeve Haran introduces us to Sadie Sutton at her lowest point, only to send her spinning into a delightfully unexpected new chapter filled with friendship, mystery, and a bright orange campervan that steals every scene.
Sadie is instantly likeable: newly single, slightly bruised by life, but determined to reclaim her independence. Her return to the seaside town of Winching is meant to be a reset… until she literally stumbles over a dead body. From there, the story unfolds with the perfect blend of humour and intrigue. The murder mystery is engaging without ever losing the cosy charm that makes the genre so comforting.
The supporting cast is a joy—especially the trio of women at the campsite who have embraced Van Life with gusto. Their camaraderie adds warmth and levity, and their enthusiasm for sleuthing is infectious. Sam Spade, Sadie’s loyal dog, is the cherry on top.
Haran keeps the clues coming at a satisfying pace, weaving in local gossip, seaside quirks, and a few red herrings that keep things lively. By the time a second body appears, the stakes feel real, but the tone remains upbeat and inviting.
This is a delightful start to a new series—full of heart, humour, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie, and gentle, character‑driven whodunnits will feel right at home.
I’m already looking forward to Sadie’s next adventure.
With thanks to Maeve Haran, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Sadie is instantly likeable: newly single, slightly bruised by life, but determined to reclaim her independence. Her return to the seaside town of Winching is meant to be a reset… until she literally stumbles over a dead body. From there, the story unfolds with the perfect blend of humour and intrigue. The murder mystery is engaging without ever losing the cosy charm that makes the genre so comforting.
The supporting cast is a joy—especially the trio of women at the campsite who have embraced Van Life with gusto. Their camaraderie adds warmth and levity, and their enthusiasm for sleuthing is infectious. Sam Spade, Sadie’s loyal dog, is the cherry on top.
Haran keeps the clues coming at a satisfying pace, weaving in local gossip, seaside quirks, and a few red herrings that keep things lively. By the time a second body appears, the stakes feel real, but the tone remains upbeat and inviting.
This is a delightful start to a new series—full of heart, humour, and just enough mystery to keep you turning the pages. Fans of The Thursday Murder Club, Agatha Christie, and gentle, character‑driven whodunnits will feel right at home.
I’m already looking forward to Sadie’s next adventure.
With thanks to Maeve Haran, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was thrilled to discover that Maeve Haran’s delightful new book is the first in a series. This fun story was completely elevated by the brilliant narration by Fenella Fudge so I do hope she is signed up for future installments.
This was such a delightful cozy British mystery led by an unlikely cast of sleuths calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes! Together with Sam Spade (the canine version) they set about solving the murder of the none too popular retired headmistress, forming a strong friendship along the way.
The story begins with Sadie heading home to surprise her husband only to realize that her marriage is over. Packing a few meager belongings Sadie uses all her saving to purchase a vintage camper van and heads off to a place filled with happier memories never expecting to stumble across a dead body that turns her fresh start into a murder investigation.
Sadie is a thoroughly lovable character, but it’s the bonds formed by this nomadic group that make the book shine. Their connection completely brightens the mystery, injecting a welcome dose of humor into the plot. Plus, the ending perfectly tees up book two for this eclectic group of traveling sleuths.
The mystery itself has some predictable turns but isn’t that part of the joy of reading a cozy mystery? I wasn't looking for heart-pounding twists. I was here for the charm, and I loved watching these ladies enjoy life's little perks (like free meals and flowers) while trying to figure out if the local characters they met were a murder suspect or a future love interest.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook that will be published on 28th July.
This was such a delightful cozy British mystery led by an unlikely cast of sleuths calling themselves the Vintage Vanettes! Together with Sam Spade (the canine version) they set about solving the murder of the none too popular retired headmistress, forming a strong friendship along the way.
The story begins with Sadie heading home to surprise her husband only to realize that her marriage is over. Packing a few meager belongings Sadie uses all her saving to purchase a vintage camper van and heads off to a place filled with happier memories never expecting to stumble across a dead body that turns her fresh start into a murder investigation.
Sadie is a thoroughly lovable character, but it’s the bonds formed by this nomadic group that make the book shine. Their connection completely brightens the mystery, injecting a welcome dose of humor into the plot. Plus, the ending perfectly tees up book two for this eclectic group of traveling sleuths.
The mystery itself has some predictable turns but isn’t that part of the joy of reading a cozy mystery? I wasn't looking for heart-pounding twists. I was here for the charm, and I loved watching these ladies enjoy life's little perks (like free meals and flowers) while trying to figure out if the local characters they met were a murder suspect or a future love interest.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture Audio for a copy of this audiobook that will be published on 28th July.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for the Advanced Listeners Copy of this audio! All thoughts are my own.
This book was so cozy and cute! It was the first murder/mystery that I laughed and enjoyed the entire storyline of without just waiting to see how it ended.
While I was anticipating the murderer being brought to justice, I loved the storyline, the characters all had amazing development, the friendships formed among the “Vintage Vanettes” felt so genuine and like true sisterhood. They accepted Sadie right away, who had bought an orange VW bus and left home after discovering her husband Martin in bed with her best friend.
The investigation into the murderer also felt very real and thought out on the authors part because there were multiple suspects brought up along the way. In so many other murder mystery novels I’ve read, the killer is someone who is around in the book but ends up feeling random when it’s solved. This did not. All the twists and turns of the investigation made more puzzle pieces fall into place, so once everything was solved you had almost solved it with the “vintage vanettes”.
As a woman in my 30’s, I enjoyed this book being about women who were older than me, it was such a refreshing addition to the story!
The narrator of this audiobook Fenella Fudge, did an excellent job, her voice was cheery and switched between characters well and told the story beautifully!
I also enjoyed how the ending of the book set up more adventures for the ladies, I’m excited to see what comes next for them!
This book was so cozy and cute! It was the first murder/mystery that I laughed and enjoyed the entire storyline of without just waiting to see how it ended.
While I was anticipating the murderer being brought to justice, I loved the storyline, the characters all had amazing development, the friendships formed among the “Vintage Vanettes” felt so genuine and like true sisterhood. They accepted Sadie right away, who had bought an orange VW bus and left home after discovering her husband Martin in bed with her best friend.
The investigation into the murderer also felt very real and thought out on the authors part because there were multiple suspects brought up along the way. In so many other murder mystery novels I’ve read, the killer is someone who is around in the book but ends up feeling random when it’s solved. This did not. All the twists and turns of the investigation made more puzzle pieces fall into place, so once everything was solved you had almost solved it with the “vintage vanettes”.
As a woman in my 30’s, I enjoyed this book being about women who were older than me, it was such a refreshing addition to the story!
The narrator of this audiobook Fenella Fudge, did an excellent job, her voice was cheery and switched between characters well and told the story beautifully!
I also enjoyed how the ending of the book set up more adventures for the ladies, I’m excited to see what comes next for them!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
3.5 Stars rounded up!
Sadie's life completely unravels. Her husband leaves her, she's betrayed by her best friend, and she's about to turn 60. Then she discovers something that changes everything. With her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she leaves home behind. On a whim, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to Winching, a coastal town filled with happy memories of time spent there with her late father.
A group of women living in campervans and solving mysteries? Yes, please! I had such a great time reading this book, and I absolutely loved the Vanettes.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, filled with quirky locals, beautiful community spaces like the gardens, and the sense that everyone knows more than they're letting on. It was the perfect setting for a cozy mystery.
Fenella Fudge did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. With such a large cast of main and side characters, she gave each one a distinct voice that made them easy to follow. And her accents were wonderful—they really brought the story and setting to life.
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in from the very beginning and felt like a little escape every time I pressed play. It's a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, found family, and fresh starts. I finished it eager to spend more time with these characters, and I'd happily continue with this series.
Thank you to Maeve Haran, Bookoutre Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!
Sadie's life completely unravels. Her husband leaves her, she's betrayed by her best friend, and she's about to turn 60. Then she discovers something that changes everything. With her miniature schnauzer, Sam Spade, by her side, she leaves home behind. On a whim, she buys a bright orange campervan and heads to Winching, a coastal town filled with happy memories of time spent there with her late father.
A group of women living in campervans and solving mysteries? Yes, please! I had such a great time reading this book, and I absolutely loved the Vanettes.
The coastal town of Winching added so much to the story. It has that classic seaside charm with a slightly faded feel, filled with quirky locals, beautiful community spaces like the gardens, and the sense that everyone knows more than they're letting on. It was the perfect setting for a cozy mystery.
Fenella Fudge did a fantastic job narrating the audiobook. With such a large cast of main and side characters, she gave each one a distinct voice that made them easy to follow. And her accents were wonderful—they really brought the story and setting to life.
This was such a fun, comforting cozy mystery that pulled me in from the very beginning and felt like a little escape every time I pressed play. It's a wonderful blend of mystery, friendship, found family, and fresh starts. I finished it eager to spend more time with these characters, and I'd happily continue with this series.
Thank you to Maeve Haran, Bookoutre Audio, and NetGalley for the ALC!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Title: The Campervan Detectives
Series: Campervan Detective Mystery Book #1
Author: Maeve Haran
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Fudge
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 272
When Sadie Sutton finds her husband Martin cheating on her with her best friend, she grabs some of her things and her dog Sam Spade and heads out of London.
Later she trades in her car for an orange campervan and heads to the coastal town of Winching - the childhood place she visited with her dad. However, she no sooner gets there when she finds a dead body in the community gardens and sees a person wearing a balaclava running from the scene.
Sadie and her new friends at the campground become detectives and call themselves the Vanettes and then become the “Vintage Vanettes”.
They discover that the women who will killed was Charlotte Wolfe someone Sadie knew as she was the headmistress at the school she attended. Charlotte had a reputation of being mean -and never very nice’- therefore had several enemies.
The ‘Vintage Vanettes’ solved the case. They now find “the newest ‘old’ detectives” on the block” in demand!!
Sadie is enjoying her new life and is reminded of her father’s saying –
‘Life is full of the Unexpected!
Thank you NetGalley, author Maeve Haran, narrator Fenella Fudge, and Bookouture Audio for this fun audiobook.
Publishing Date is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
Series: Campervan Detective Mystery Book #1
Author: Maeve Haran
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Fenella Fudge
Publisher: Bookouture Audio
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Pub Date: July 28, 2026
My Rating: 4 Stars!
Pages: 272
When Sadie Sutton finds her husband Martin cheating on her with her best friend, she grabs some of her things and her dog Sam Spade and heads out of London.
Later she trades in her car for an orange campervan and heads to the coastal town of Winching - the childhood place she visited with her dad. However, she no sooner gets there when she finds a dead body in the community gardens and sees a person wearing a balaclava running from the scene.
Sadie and her new friends at the campground become detectives and call themselves the Vanettes and then become the “Vintage Vanettes”.
They discover that the women who will killed was Charlotte Wolfe someone Sadie knew as she was the headmistress at the school she attended. Charlotte had a reputation of being mean -and never very nice’- therefore had several enemies.
The ‘Vintage Vanettes’ solved the case. They now find “the newest ‘old’ detectives” on the block” in demand!!
Sadie is enjoying her new life and is reminded of her father’s saying –
‘Life is full of the Unexpected!
Thank you NetGalley, author Maeve Haran, narrator Fenella Fudge, and Bookouture Audio for this fun audiobook.
Publishing Date is scheduled for July 28, 2026.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
After Sadie Sutton’s life imploded spectacularly she needed a safe place to lick her wounds and decide what to do next. Winching was a place full of memories of happy holidays by the sea with her beloved late father and not so pleasant ones of her stay at the local boarding school, but, stopping only to trade in her car for a bright orange campervan, that's where she finds herself. Unfortunately, she also finds a dead body, and its someone she recognises! Being introduced to a trio of ladies known as the Vintage Vanettes provides her with friends as well as help to find a killer. When a second body is found, and an arrest is made, Sadie can’t help feeling mistakes have been made and that it's up to her and the other Vanettes to sort everything out.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read and I liked the four main protagonists who worked well together. My only gripe was the way there was no idea given of time passing. The action jumped from scene to scene with little warning and tbh I have no idea how long it took to find the truth. That said I will definitely be on the lookout for book two as this new series definitely deserves a second chance.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read and I liked the four main protagonists who worked well together. My only gripe was the way there was no idea given of time passing. The action jumped from scene to scene with little warning and tbh I have no idea how long it took to find the truth. That said I will definitely be on the lookout for book two as this new series definitely deserves a second chance.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This review is for the audiobook edition.
The story itself is a solid four-star cozy mystery, but Fenella Fudge's narration elevates it into a five-star listening experience.
Sadie is an instantly likeable protagonist, and I loved getting to know the Vannettes, her wonderful group of fellow campervan enthusiasts. Their friendship and unwavering support for one another became the heart of the story. By the end, I was left with such a warm, feel-good feeling. The found-family dynamic was beautifully done without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The mystery kept me engaged throughout, with plenty of believable suspects and enough twists to keep me guessing. It strikes a lovely balance between comfort, humour and intrigue.
Fenella Fudge's performance is exceptional. She brings every character to life with warmth, charm and distinct voices, making the listening experience completely immersive. I finished this audiobook in one sitting because I simply didn't want to stop listening.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with an engaging cast, a satisfying mystery and outstanding narration, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Many thanks to Maeve Haran, Fenella Fudge, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
The story itself is a solid four-star cozy mystery, but Fenella Fudge's narration elevates it into a five-star listening experience.
Sadie is an instantly likeable protagonist, and I loved getting to know the Vannettes, her wonderful group of fellow campervan enthusiasts. Their friendship and unwavering support for one another became the heart of the story. By the end, I was left with such a warm, feel-good feeling. The found-family dynamic was beautifully done without ever becoming overly sentimental.
The mystery kept me engaged throughout, with plenty of believable suspects and enough twists to keep me guessing. It strikes a lovely balance between comfort, humour and intrigue.
Fenella Fudge's performance is exceptional. She brings every character to life with warmth, charm and distinct voices, making the listening experience completely immersive. I finished this audiobook in one sitting because I simply didn't want to stop listening.
If you're looking for a cozy mystery with an engaging cast, a satisfying mystery and outstanding narration, I highly recommend the audiobook.
Many thanks to Maeve Haran, Fenella Fudge, Bookouture Audio and NetGalley for the advance listening copy. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for the ALC!
If cozy, small town murder mysteries are your vibe, you should be adding The Campervan Detectives to your TBR list.
After discovering her husband has been cheating with her best friend, Sadie Sutton returns to her childhood town of Winching, living out of a refurbished VW camper van while she figure out what comes next. The new start she was looking for takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across a dead body.
What follows is a captivating cosy mystery filled with new friendships, small town charm, a compelling whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the end. A cast of loveable characters and just the right balance of humour, heart, and suspense, this was a very enjoyable story to listen to, and left me wanting to spend more time in Winching!
The narrator didn't instantly grab my attention, but I did come to enjoy the style as the story progressed and more characters were introduced. The story was well written and did have me excited to continue listening to it throughout the day!
The story itself was a 3.5/5 star story for me, I enjoyed it as the story progressed after a slow start.
The audiobook was a 3/5, I did find myself struggling initially to follow along with the narrator.
If cozy, small town murder mysteries are your vibe, you should be adding The Campervan Detectives to your TBR list.
After discovering her husband has been cheating with her best friend, Sadie Sutton returns to her childhood town of Winching, living out of a refurbished VW camper van while she figure out what comes next. The new start she was looking for takes an unexpected turn when she stumbles across a dead body.
What follows is a captivating cosy mystery filled with new friendships, small town charm, a compelling whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the end. A cast of loveable characters and just the right balance of humour, heart, and suspense, this was a very enjoyable story to listen to, and left me wanting to spend more time in Winching!
The narrator didn't instantly grab my attention, but I did come to enjoy the style as the story progressed and more characters were introduced. The story was well written and did have me excited to continue listening to it throughout the day!
The story itself was a 3.5/5 star story for me, I enjoyed it as the story progressed after a slow start.
The audiobook was a 3/5, I did find myself struggling initially to follow along with the narrator.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this lovely audiobook in exchange for an honest review.
This was such a delight of a book! I sincerely hope this series has many, many more additions!
The Campervan Detectives is a sweet and charming cozy mystery set near the sea in England, where a group of ladies in their second act of life have come together as friends in a campground. They call themselves the Vintage Vanettes, and have just welcomed a new member, Sadie, who walked away from her old life and promptly discovered a dead body. No worries though, the Vanettes are on the case, “the oldest new detectives on the block”.
This is a delightful romp of a book, compulsively readable and a fantastic summer read. It’s playful and funny, with a good mystery and great characters with unique voices. The narrator of the audiobook did a brilliant job bringing the characters to life, and her pacing and style were perfect for the story. I feel like I made a crew of new friends and now want to retire in a camper an by the sea.
This was beautifully done and I will be recommending it to multiple friends, especially those who, like the ladies in this book, still have a lot of spirit and spunk in them regardless of age.
Goals:
Books: 84/130
Mystery/Thriller: 28/30
This was such a delight of a book! I sincerely hope this series has many, many more additions!
The Campervan Detectives is a sweet and charming cozy mystery set near the sea in England, where a group of ladies in their second act of life have come together as friends in a campground. They call themselves the Vintage Vanettes, and have just welcomed a new member, Sadie, who walked away from her old life and promptly discovered a dead body. No worries though, the Vanettes are on the case, “the oldest new detectives on the block”.
This is a delightful romp of a book, compulsively readable and a fantastic summer read. It’s playful and funny, with a good mystery and great characters with unique voices. The narrator of the audiobook did a brilliant job bringing the characters to life, and her pacing and style were perfect for the story. I feel like I made a crew of new friends and now want to retire in a camper an by the sea.
This was beautifully done and I will be recommending it to multiple friends, especially those who, like the ladies in this book, still have a lot of spirit and spunk in them regardless of age.
Goals:
Books: 84/130
Mystery/Thriller: 28/30
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
🚐 The Campervan Detectives
By Maeve Haran
🎧 Narrated by Fenella Fudge
"Fearless, feisty, and behind the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly single Sadie is about to begin an unexpected new chapter... as a detective?!"
When Sadie stumbles across a body, she teams up with the members of The Vintage Vanettes to uncover the truth.
One thing I really appreciated was how different this felt from many cozy mysteries. Instead of constantly throwing themselves into danger, these women actually use common sense. They work through familiar police officers, local reporters, and community connections to gather information, which made the investigation feel refreshingly believable.
Another highlight was the cast itself. The main characters are middle-aged and senior women, and I loved seeing protagonists who don't fit the typical amateur sleuth mold.
The mystery kept me guessing with several possible directions, and the resolution wasn't nearly as straightforward as initially thought. And, of course, I was happy to see the story end with the possibility of a well-deserved romance for Sadie.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the next adventure takes The Vintage Vanettes.
By Maeve Haran
🎧 Narrated by Fenella Fudge
"Fearless, feisty, and behind the wheel of her bright orange campervan, newly single Sadie is about to begin an unexpected new chapter... as a detective?!"
When Sadie stumbles across a body, she teams up with the members of The Vintage Vanettes to uncover the truth.
One thing I really appreciated was how different this felt from many cozy mysteries. Instead of constantly throwing themselves into danger, these women actually use common sense. They work through familiar police officers, local reporters, and community connections to gather information, which made the investigation feel refreshingly believable.
Another highlight was the cast itself. The main characters are middle-aged and senior women, and I loved seeing protagonists who don't fit the typical amateur sleuth mold.
The mystery kept me guessing with several possible directions, and the resolution wasn't nearly as straightforward as initially thought. And, of course, I was happy to see the story end with the possibility of a well-deserved romance for Sadie.
I'm definitely looking forward to seeing where the next adventure takes The Vintage Vanettes.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
A well‑constructed cosy crime mystery with a clear emphasis on female friendship, middle‑aged reinvention, and the gentle optimism of fresh starts. The plot follows a fairly predictable trajectory, with familiar beats and a mystery that unfolds much as expected, but the thematic focus gives it more substance than the average light crime novel.
The campervan setting adds a welcome sense of mobility and adventure, allowing the characters’ personal journeys to mirror their literal one. It’s a story that values companionship and second chances more than shock twists, and it’s strongest when exploring how women support one another through change.
The narration is the standout element — polished, expressive and genuinely enhancing the emotional tone. It adds nuance to the characters and lifts the overall experience, justifying the move from a 3.5 to a confident 4 stars.
A solid, character‑driven cosy crime that succeeds through warmth, voice and atmosphere rather than complexity.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this pleasant audiobook.
The campervan setting adds a welcome sense of mobility and adventure, allowing the characters’ personal journeys to mirror their literal one. It’s a story that values companionship and second chances more than shock twists, and it’s strongest when exploring how women support one another through change.
The narration is the standout element — polished, expressive and genuinely enhancing the emotional tone. It adds nuance to the characters and lifts the overall experience, justifying the move from a 3.5 to a confident 4 stars.
A solid, character‑driven cosy crime that succeeds through warmth, voice and atmosphere rather than complexity.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced listener copy of this pleasant audiobook.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives was such a fun, cozy mystery and an absolute delight on audio. The combination of an intriguing whodunit, charming characters, and a picturesque setting made it incredibly easy to get swept up in the story.
The mystery kept me guessing without becoming overly complicated, and I loved getting to unravel the clues alongside the characters. The campervan travel element added so much charm and made me want to pack my bags and hit the road myself. The small-town atmosphere and colorful cast gave the story plenty of personality, and I quickly found myself invested in spending time with them.
The audiobook narrator brought the story to life beautifully. The pacing was engaging, each character had a distinct voice, and the narration made it feel like I was right there on the adventure. It's one of those audiobooks that's easy to get lost in during a drive or while doing chores.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, quirky characters, beautiful scenery, and a mystery that's more charming than dark, I'd definitely recommend giving The Campervan Detectives a listen—especially in audiobook format.
The mystery kept me guessing without becoming overly complicated, and I loved getting to unravel the clues alongside the characters. The campervan travel element added so much charm and made me want to pack my bags and hit the road myself. The small-town atmosphere and colorful cast gave the story plenty of personality, and I quickly found myself invested in spending time with them.
The audiobook narrator brought the story to life beautifully. The pacing was engaging, each character had a distinct voice, and the narration made it feel like I was right there on the adventure. It's one of those audiobooks that's easy to get lost in during a drive or while doing chores.
If you enjoy cozy mysteries, quirky characters, beautiful scenery, and a mystery that's more charming than dark, I'd definitely recommend giving The Campervan Detectives a listen—especially in audiobook format.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives is a charming cozy mystery that blends murder, friendship, and fresh starts into an easy, enjoyable read. It follows Sadie Sutton, a newly single woman traveling in her vintage VW campervan, and combines small-town warmth with a mystery that stays engaging.
Sadie is funny, relatable, and determined, and her friendships with the women at the campsite give the story a lovely found-family feel. The seaside setting and campervan life add extra cozy appeal, especially if you enjoy light, feel-good crime fiction.
The mystery is well paced, with enough twists and secrets to keep things moving without becoming too dark or complicated. Haran balances suspense and humor nicely, making this a comforting read rather than a grim one. There’s also a nice theme of starting over later in life, which gives the story a bit more depth.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review. Grab your copy on the expected release date July 28 2026
Sadie is funny, relatable, and determined, and her friendships with the women at the campsite give the story a lovely found-family feel. The seaside setting and campervan life add extra cozy appeal, especially if you enjoy light, feel-good crime fiction.
The mystery is well paced, with enough twists and secrets to keep things moving without becoming too dark or complicated. Haran balances suspense and humor nicely, making this a comforting read rather than a grim one. There’s also a nice theme of starting over later in life, which gives the story a bit more depth.
Thank you Netgalley and Bookouture Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest review. Grab your copy on the expected release date July 28 2026
July 2, 2026
Very cute cozy mystery about a woman who leaves her cheating spouse, rents a vintage VW bus outfitted as a camper van, and heads to a town where she has happy memories from her childhood.
There she is warmly welcomed by 3 other women of a certain age also camping in the off season. But first, she finds a dead body behind the Abbey. As it turns out, the dead body has a connection to our MFC who didn’t like her. But neither did anyone else in the town.
The mystery itself is not too difficult to solve, it’s just that the local chief wants to do it the quick and easy way, even if that means arresting an innocent man.
It’s a novel about the importance of friends, and the promise and possibilities of starting life over. A fun listen with good narration.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BookoutureAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheCampervanDetectives for review purposes. Publication date:28 July 2026.
There she is warmly welcomed by 3 other women of a certain age also camping in the off season. But first, she finds a dead body behind the Abbey. As it turns out, the dead body has a connection to our MFC who didn’t like her. But neither did anyone else in the town.
The mystery itself is not too difficult to solve, it’s just that the local chief wants to do it the quick and easy way, even if that means arresting an innocent man.
It’s a novel about the importance of friends, and the promise and possibilities of starting life over. A fun listen with good narration.
My thanks to the author, publisher, @BookoutureAudio, and #NetGalley for early access to the audiobook of #TheCampervanDetectives for review purposes. Publication date:28 July 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Excellent cosy mystery with the added extra of discovering strong female friendships.
When Sadie Sutton’s marriage suddenly ends, she sells her car, buys a vintage campervan and goes off to the seaside town of Winching where she spent many a childhood holiday.
On her first day there she discovers a body and like all the best cosy mysteries decides that the police have got it wrong so starts sleuthing herself.
With the help of three other women at the campsite she’s staying at they all find not only a killer but great friendships along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent with great voices and accents. It was a great escape from thinking about a very recent bereavement and for a short time I could put myself into their world rather than my own.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
When Sadie Sutton’s marriage suddenly ends, she sells her car, buys a vintage campervan and goes off to the seaside town of Winching where she spent many a childhood holiday.
On her first day there she discovers a body and like all the best cosy mysteries decides that the police have got it wrong so starts sleuthing herself.
With the help of three other women at the campsite she’s staying at they all find not only a killer but great friendships along the way.
I thoroughly enjoyed this audiobook. The narration by Fenella Fudge was excellent with great voices and accents. It was a great escape from thinking about a very recent bereavement and for a short time I could put myself into their world rather than my own.
With thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the audio arc in exchange for an honest review.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.
The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran is a cozy murder mystery set in the English countryside, following Sadie Sutton as she embraces a second chance at an adventurous life after discovering her husband in bed with her best friend. On a whim, she buys a bright orange VW campervan and, alongside her faithful dog Sam Spade, stumbles across a body at their very first stop, launching her into an unexpected murder investigation.
Fenella Fudge's narration was incredibly engaging and entertaining, bringing British charm and personality to the story. While parts of the mystery moved at a fast pace, I found the novel dragged a little too often. The friendship between the Vintage Vanettes was wonderfully supportive, but I didn't find the individual characters engaging enough to keep me fully invested in their search for the real murderer.
#TheCampervanDetectives #NetGalley
The Campervan Detectives by Maeve Haran is a cozy murder mystery set in the English countryside, following Sadie Sutton as she embraces a second chance at an adventurous life after discovering her husband in bed with her best friend. On a whim, she buys a bright orange VW campervan and, alongside her faithful dog Sam Spade, stumbles across a body at their very first stop, launching her into an unexpected murder investigation.
Fenella Fudge's narration was incredibly engaging and entertaining, bringing British charm and personality to the story. While parts of the mystery moved at a fast pace, I found the novel dragged a little too often. The friendship between the Vintage Vanettes was wonderfully supportive, but I didn't find the individual characters engaging enough to keep me fully invested in their search for the real murderer.
#TheCampervanDetectives #NetGalley
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you to Maeve Haran, NetGalley, and the publisher for allowing me to listen to this audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love the idea of a campervan detective series. I love the charm and camp in that whimsical little world. However, it didn’t quite land. First of all, the whole story feels less like discovering the mystery and more just being told what’s happening next. Everything happens a bit too quickly and doesn’t feel earned. The campiness is slightly overdone, I needed a smidge more weight behind pretty much everything (plot, character development, sense of place etc). I love the idea of becoming friends with the vintage vanettes (Apologies if spelling is wrong, I listened to this book) eventually, but they meet one time and are suddenly best friends. However, they all have specific characteristics that they stick to during the story, which I appreciate, I just wanted an introduction that feels more human and less robotic.
⭐️⭐️⭐️
I love the idea of a campervan detective series. I love the charm and camp in that whimsical little world. However, it didn’t quite land. First of all, the whole story feels less like discovering the mystery and more just being told what’s happening next. Everything happens a bit too quickly and doesn’t feel earned. The campiness is slightly overdone, I needed a smidge more weight behind pretty much everything (plot, character development, sense of place etc). I love the idea of becoming friends with the vintage vanettes (Apologies if spelling is wrong, I listened to this book) eventually, but they meet one time and are suddenly best friends. However, they all have specific characteristics that they stick to during the story, which I appreciate, I just wanted an introduction that feels more human and less robotic.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cosy mystery - Small-town charm - A group of amateur sleuths in a vintage campervan. This book was such a fun, feel-good whodunnit.
Imagine Agatha Christie with a splash of Marian Keyes and plenty of wine, friendship and fresh starts, and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
After her marriage falls apart, Sadie buys a vintage orange campervan and heads to the village of Winching for a fresh start. But her peaceful new beginning is short-lived when she stumbles across a dead body in the Abbey grounds. Teaming up with her new friends Amanda, Rose and Tina, the four women decide to investigate the murder themselves.
And just like that, the Vintage Vanettes—or the Campervan Detectives—are born.
This was such a lovely, light-hearted cosy crime novel. The mystery kept me guessing, but it was the friendships, humour and warm community feel that really made this one shine. If you’re looking for an easy, entertaining read with plenty of charm, this is definitely worth picking
Imagine Agatha Christie with a splash of Marian Keyes and plenty of wine, friendship and fresh starts, and you’ll have a good idea of what to expect.
After her marriage falls apart, Sadie buys a vintage orange campervan and heads to the village of Winching for a fresh start. But her peaceful new beginning is short-lived when she stumbles across a dead body in the Abbey grounds. Teaming up with her new friends Amanda, Rose and Tina, the four women decide to investigate the murder themselves.
And just like that, the Vintage Vanettes—or the Campervan Detectives—are born.
This was such a lovely, light-hearted cosy crime novel. The mystery kept me guessing, but it was the friendships, humour and warm community feel that really made this one shine. If you’re looking for an easy, entertaining read with plenty of charm, this is definitely worth picking
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When Sadie Sutton catches her husband in bed with her best friend she quickly packs a bag, grabs the dog, and heads out of London. She trades in her car for an orange campervan and heads to Winching on the coast. Before she makes it to the camp ground, she comes across a dead body in the community gardens, and a balaclava wearing person running from the scene. She and her new friends at the camp ground decide to investigate after the local police decide that the dead woman's husband is the only suspect.
I enjoyed the friendship between Sadie and the three other Vanettes. They each bring their own personalities and strenghts to the group and allow Sadie to come out of her shell and begin learning who she is on her own. The mystery was well written and, while somewhat predictable, I was still guessing the murderer until the final reveal.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
I enjoyed the friendship between Sadie and the three other Vanettes. They each bring their own personalities and strenghts to the group and allow Sadie to come out of her shell and begin learning who she is on her own. The mystery was well written and, while somewhat predictable, I was still guessing the murderer until the final reveal.
Thank you NetGalley and Bookouture for the ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I had access to the Advance Listener Copy of this title through NetGalley.
After discovering her husband is having an affair with her best friend, Sadie sets out on her own, purchasing a vintage camper van and heads to a town she has fond memories of. Once there, she discovers a body and has to stay in town to give a report to the police. At the campground where she parks, she meets a group of other single women in vans, and together they form a friendship and set out to solve the murder, giving themselves the name the "Vintage Vanettes." This is a lovely new cozy mystery series with strong older women protagonists. It's a lovely story, and the crime solving is reasonably believable (not requiring the women to possess skills beyond what would be believable). I enjoyed this, and especially liked the campervan aspect. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
After discovering her husband is having an affair with her best friend, Sadie sets out on her own, purchasing a vintage camper van and heads to a town she has fond memories of. Once there, she discovers a body and has to stay in town to give a report to the police. At the campground where she parks, she meets a group of other single women in vans, and together they form a friendship and set out to solve the murder, giving themselves the name the "Vintage Vanettes." This is a lovely new cozy mystery series with strong older women protagonists. It's a lovely story, and the crime solving is reasonably believable (not requiring the women to possess skills beyond what would be believable). I enjoyed this, and especially liked the campervan aspect. I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
June 30, 2026
What a great beginning to a new cozy mystery series! Great for fans of “The Marlow Murder Club,” and “The Bad Girls Detective Agency.” Sadie Sutton is done with her old life, and is turning over a new leaf after a betrayal by her husband and best friend. She makes a rash decision to sell her previous car and drain her savings to buy a quaint and nostalgic camper van and makes her way to a small beach town where she spent summers and attended school. She comes upon a dead body the first day she’s there, and later finds out that it’s someone she knew years ago. She and her new found friends (who also live the camper van life) band together to find out who the murderer is and keep an innocent man out of prison. Can Sadie and her friends find the killer and stop them before something happens to threaten the new way of life that Sadie has become so fond of? Read to find out!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This book was a charming mix of cozy mystery, small-town vibes, quirky characters, and amateur sleuthing. After Sadie caught her husband cheating with her best friend, she bought a campervan and hit the road toward the small town where she spent her childhood with her dad, ending up trying to solve the mystery murder 🚐🕵️
Each of the main characters brought their own personalities to the story, and their interactions added warmth and humour.
The mystery itself unfolded at a nice pace. There were plenty of clues sprinkled throughout, enough mystery around the suspects to keep me second guessing my theories, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece everything together before the big reveal. I didn't solve it as quickly as I thought I would 😂...overall it was an enjoyable “ride” 🚐😁
PS: the narration was really good too 😊
Each of the main characters brought their own personalities to the story, and their interactions added warmth and humour.
The mystery itself unfolded at a nice pace. There were plenty of clues sprinkled throughout, enough mystery around the suspects to keep me second guessing my theories, and I genuinely enjoyed trying to piece everything together before the big reveal. I didn't solve it as quickly as I thought I would 😂...overall it was an enjoyable “ride” 🚐😁
PS: the narration was really good too 😊
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
a delightfully fresh take on middle age women solving crimes.
What do you do when you come home to find your husband in bed with your best friend ? You cash in your savings, pack a bag and buy a camper van to head out to your idyllic childhood vacation site, where you spent the happiest days with your father.... What else ?
I wasn't sure what to make of this book, but meeting Sadie and the rest of the vintage vanettes brings a smile to my lips. The story was entertaining and the characters were easy to relate to.
When a woman, ex school mistress who rubbed everyone the wrong way is murdered, the finger points to the obvious suspect the husband, but as Sadie - who discovered the body and her new friends start investigating, they realize, the whole town is suspect.
a fun and very entertaining read that will have you cheering for this wonderful group of ladies.
What do you do when you come home to find your husband in bed with your best friend ? You cash in your savings, pack a bag and buy a camper van to head out to your idyllic childhood vacation site, where you spent the happiest days with your father.... What else ?
I wasn't sure what to make of this book, but meeting Sadie and the rest of the vintage vanettes brings a smile to my lips. The story was entertaining and the characters were easy to relate to.
When a woman, ex school mistress who rubbed everyone the wrong way is murdered, the finger points to the obvious suspect the husband, but as Sadie - who discovered the body and her new friends start investigating, they realize, the whole town is suspect.
a fun and very entertaining read that will have you cheering for this wonderful group of ladies.
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