Kickbacks, Kayaks, & Kidnapping

Camper & Criminals #12

by Tonya Kappes

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal. A Campers and Criminal Mystery Series is another brainchild of USA Today Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. If you love her quirky southern characters and small town charm with a mystery to solve, you're going to love her new cozy mystery series!

Deep in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Mae West has spent the last few years bringing the rundown Happy Trails Campground and the small southern and cozy town of Normal, Kentucky back to a thriving economic community.

Mae's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Not only is Happy Trails Campground in the running to be named Campground Hospitality of the Daniel Boone National Park, but she landed the coveted Paddle Fest kayak competition that secures the winner a spot on the Olympic team.

When champion and Olympian kayaker Bryce Anderson turns over in his kayak dead...there's more than paddling going on and his death has been ruled a homicide. News of Bryce's death spreads fast and Happy Trails becomes the center of bad publicity.

Come camping with Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies as they put their sleuthing, well nosy, caps on and put their skills to the test so they can figure out who killed the Olympian and save Happy Trails from financial ruin.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Audiobook, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Humor

198 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 3, 2020

About the author

Beloved cozy mystery author Tonya Kappes is bringing her charming world to the screen!

The Hallmark Channel is thrilled to announce a television series in development based on Tonya’s wildly popular 40-book series, A Camper & Criminals Mystery.

A celebrated Amazon All-Star and USA Today bestselling author, Tonya has written over 180 southern cozy mysteries filled with heart, humor, and unforgettable small-town characters. Her novels, known for their southern charm and rich emotional storytelling, have been praised by readers and critics alike, earning her a coveted spot as a Woman's World Book Club Pick six times.

Writing full-time from her camper, Tonya crafts worlds where mystery, friendship, and a little mischief collide — and now, her stories will come to life for cozy mystery lovers everywhere.

Visit Tonya:
Facebook at Author Tonya Kappes,
https://www.facebook.com/authortonyak...

Webpage
tonyakappes.com

Goodreads
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...

Twitter
https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

Pinterest
https://www.pinterest.com/tonyakappes/

For weekly updates and contests, sign up for Tonya's newsletter Kappes Krew Weekly via her website or Facebook.For years,

Reviews

[Madison Warner Fairbanks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks, & Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes
Campers & Criminals book 12 (of 26 as of this date). Cozy mystery. Best read as part of the series in order but can be read as a stand-alone.
The coveted Paddle Fest Kayak competition is held in Normal, OK due to Mae West’s revitalization of the town. Unfortunately, bodies are more her thing and the Olympic kayak hopeful champion is the body found. Mae and her helpful Laundry club ask enough questions to figure out the killer.

Seems boyfriend detective Hank is used to Mae’s snooping now as long as he can keep an eye on her and keep her safe. She’s a handful though she always puts the right pieces together.
Entertaining but stay out of this town or you’ll probably end up dead.

🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who has done the full series to-date. She does a fantastic job with the southern drawl and different character voices. I listened to this at 1.5 which is faster than my preferred because it upped the drawl to a more reasonable talking speed.

[Elle G. Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

▪▪ 𝟰 𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗥𝗦 ▪▪

I love the Camper & Criminals series by Tonya Kappes! I'm so glad it's a long series too because I know I'll always have something to go back to when I get bored of other genres. Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping is book 12 in the series and brings readers back to Normal, Kentucky where a Kayak competition is taking place! When one of the competitors is found dead it's up to Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies to crack the case!

My only complain to this book in particular is that it ends way too abruptly. It goes from searching for clues, finding the killer, and then it's over. It would have been nice to have a little bit of a prologue of sorts instead of just ending at the arrest. It made it feel like the author forgot to add the rest. Other than that, this is another solid addition to one of my favorite cozy series!

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes is the 12th A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone as the author provides all the background information needed on Mae, the town, and the campground. I always enjoy visiting Normal, Kentucky with its friendly residents and Southern hospitality. Mae West turns out to be quite the entrepreneur. She has added water activities (canoeing, white water rafting, fishing, kayaking) to the services offered at Happy Trails Campground. Mae also dreamed up Paddle Fest to launch her latest brainchild. She coordinated with campgrounds around the Daniel Boone National Forest so there will be water happenings throughout the event. In addition, there is a kayak competition where the winner hopes to get a coveted spot on the United State Olympic kayak team. Bryce Anderson is the leading competitor and he is staying at Happy Trails with his agent. When Bryce turns up dead after the opening ceremony, Mae must work quickly to solve the case. Mae and the ladies from the Laundry Club get out the notebook and commandeer the write on/wipe off board in the Happy Trails office. There are a variety of suspects, misdirection, and some good clues. I like how Mae works with her friends to gather intel and question suspects. Dottie Swaggert is a hoot. She is recovering from hip surgery and is cranky. Dottie made some humorous remarks that had me chuckling. I enjoy Tonya Kappes’ conversational writing style. Tonya provides an amusing Southern cozy mystery with quirky characters and small town charm. It is wonderful what Mae has created at Happy Trails. She has given the place a cozy, family feel. Thanks to the authors word imagery, I can envision what the campground looks like with the trailers, cabins, the fires, the trees, and the lake. I love what Mae has done to her cozy camper home. It makes me want a small trailer that I can turn into a she shed. A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series has friendship, family, small town charm, sweet dogs, romance, humor, and, of course, murder victims. I look forward to Mae’s next adventure in Gear, Grills, and Guns. Kickbacks, Kayaks, and Kidnapping is an entertaining cozy mystery with tempting trails, committee conundrum, walker woes, naughty “nekkidness”, and killer kayaks.

[Wulfwyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy the writing of Tonya Kappes. She has several cozy mystery and romance books under her belt. The Campers & Criminals Series has been an entertaining series. It has romance, friendship, dogs, campground, small town Kentucky, humor and dead bodies. There are even camping hacks, hints and recipes at the end of each book.
This book just didn’t have the same feel for me. The friendships and romance are still there. As are the dead bodies. But this book felt like her heart wasn’t in it. Considering it was written during the quarantine, when much of the country was losing heart, it didn’t really surprise me. I did still enjoy reading it.
What worked for me? The campground has the lovable Mae West, Dottie and Henry. We even see a bit of Ty. The town has the fabulously hilarious laundry ladies. It has storylines with Mae possibly becoming a board member for the local natural parks committee, with Happy Trails getting a prestigious hospitality award and the campground is hosting a kayak event. In the midst of all that, dead bodies turn up and if Mae wants to pull of even one of those things she will need to solve it. Hank is back as is his grandma. We see and learn more about Alvin Deters who owns the Feed N Seed store. We also get more story time with Dottie. I really enjoy getting to know more of the people around Mae.
What didn’t work for me there was a feeling that the author was going over a lot of things that regular series readers already knew. I know that it is a difficult balancing act between old readers and new ones who may be starting the series with this book. Ms Kappes has handled that effectively in all of her series, except this one. The suspect list was short leaving it open to being easily solved. I don’t normally solve the mysteries when reading a mystery. I like seeing it all unfold. I enjoy the story. I knew who it was going to be fairly easily. These two things, both of which the author is usually on spot with, being off led me to think her heart just wasn’t in this one or that she was rushing through it.
Do I recommend you read it? Yes. If you are new to the series, this book will give you a lot of background. If you have already been reading the series, you will enjoy it. It will just be an easy solve. There is a lot going on and some absolute laugh out loud moments that you don’t want to miss.

[Sandy Bartles · Rating 5 out of 5]

A kayak competition is going to be held at the Happy Trails Campground and Mae West is very excited about it and what it can do for her business. Until someone is murdered and reservations start being cancelled. It is up to her and the Laundry Club ladies to help Hank find the murderer. This is a wonderfully descriptive book and I couldn’t stop reading it until I finished it. I love how the relationship between Mae and Hank is growing. The relationship between the Laundry Club ladies makes me wish I had such good friends.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks & Kidnapping is the 12th instalment in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series. I love Mae and the laundry Club ladies, I must say I think this is my favorite series by Tonya Kappes but i seem to say that about all of them.

I really enjoyed this instalment in the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. I adore Mae and the laundry Club ladies, and the whole concept of living in a RV Park in the woods.

In this instalment Mae and Happy Trails Campground are hosting the Paddle Fest Competition and the winner will go on to the Olympic Kayaking team. Star kayaker Bryce is Found murdered at the opening ceremony and Mae must figure out who did it before all her hard work is undone.

This mystery had a lot of suspects and I didn’t figure it out till just before Mae! I was yelling at the book saying no don’t trust him/her!

One of my favourite characters is Dottie and in this story she is hilarious with her unfiltered comments, especially about the victim and his shenangins...

If your looking for a fun, hillarous southern mystery then this is your book!

I requested and recieved and Advance Readers Copy from the author/publisher. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Tammy Hudson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love being back in Normal KY where nothing is normal is my escape I love this world, Mae West and all the other wonderful characters. This is another great installment I am never disappointed in Tanya's books
I highly recommend

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping
A Camper & Criminals Cozy, Book #12
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal. A Campers and Criminal Mystery Series is another brainchild of USA Today Bestselling Author Tonya Kappes. If you love her quirky southern characters and small town charm with a mystery to solve, you're going to love her new cozy mystery series!

Deep in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest, Mae West has spent the last few years bringing the rundown Happy Trails Campground and the small southern and cozy town of Normal, Kentucky back to a thriving economic community.

Mae's efforts haven't gone unnoticed. Not only is Happy Trails Campground in the running to be named Campground Hospitality of the Daniel Boone National Park, but she landed the coveted Paddle Fest kayak competition that secures the winner a spot on the Olympic team.

When champion and Olympian kayaker Bryce Anderson turns over in his kayak dead...there's more than paddling going on and his death has been ruled a homicide. News of Bryce's death spreads fast and Happy Trails becomes the center of bad publicity.

Come camping with Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies as they put their sleuthing, well nosy, caps on and put their skills to the test so they can figure out who killed the Olympian and save Happy Trails from financial ruin. (Goodreads)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. The Laundry Club girls are back to help Mae figure out who killed an Olympic quality kayaker. The killer could be any number of people at the campsite and it will not be easy to nab the killer.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I really felt like I was right there with Mae, trying to solve the murder. And she is also very talented in portraying southern life and beliefs. The mystery was well plotted and kept me guessing until the very end.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I enjoyed spending time with Mae and all of her friends, and I am sure you will too.

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

[Emmalynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ughhh I swear Mae can be so dumb!! She keeps accusing the wrong people, she keeps spilling all the clues to the murderer and getting herself kidnapped and in trouble over and over 🙄🙄🙄🙄 and yet she thinks she can do a better job investigating than her police detective boyfriend, Hank.
The mysteries are good, but for goodness sake. Pleassssse make Mae smarter v

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the perfect Southern cozy mystery I needed to escape from life for a little while! It is a delightful smorgasbord of favorite characters, laugh out loud humor, camaraderie resulting from being part of a campground, and of course, a mystery that is a challenge to solve. This time, we get the added value of a unique race that will help rocket a skilled kayaker to the Olympic team. It is twelfth in its series and can be read as a standalone. Be prepared, though, as you will want to go back and binge-read the rest of the series. One of the best parts is you don’t even have to be a camper, as Mae’s place already has everything, including bungalows.

Mae West, owner of the Happy Trails Campground in the Daniel Boone National Forest, planned Paddle Fest with other campgrounds in the National Forest that are on or near the river. It is a weeklong festival that includes many activities, the primary feature being a kayak race. Paddle Fest was a regular event in Normal, Kentucky, years ago, and one of Mae’s friends was a state champion back in the day. She hopes to offer kayak lessons to festival attendees.

Many people coming to watch or participate are there to gawk at Bryce, a current state champ who is trying out for the Olympic team. He is handsome, and many of the girls there would do anything to garner his attention. One boy is so excited to see his hero that he spends much of the first couple days following him around. Fortunately, the night that he and current heart throb Angela had a little too much partying around the campfire, the boy was asleep, but Dottie, well, she saw it all. And told all!

Mae hosts the opening ceremony on the first day of Paddle Fest. She then hurries to the board meeting of the national forest, where she has been invited to consider joining the 15-person group that is currently made up of 14 men. They are barely getting comfortable when Dottie calls in a panic – a murder has taken place at Happy Trails, sending her racing back to the campground to find out what happened to Bryce.

Mae’s boyfriend Hank is a detective for the sheriff’s office, and he has grown to tolerate her involvement in helping solve murders. This time it effects Happy Trails Campground, the national forest, and her and Dottie’s future! She wants this solved as fast as possible, whatever it takes.

I like Mae and Dottie best. Dottie was the manager there before Mae became the owner, and I adore her seasoned, acerbic, attitude. The best thing about this 60+ woman is that everybody knows where they stand with her. Mae is young, energetic, with creativity and business smarts that have benefited most everyone in Normal. Even bullies have their value. I found Violet, the obnoxious reporter, to be an instant stress reliever when I considered appropriate ways to get back at her that just wouldn’t be fitting in real life.

There are so many suspects! It seems that several of the men in the campground have something against the kayaker. Even a couple of the ladies had a bone to pick with him. I thought it was a tough murder to solve, and it was! I had it narrowed down to two, possibly three suspects, and while I didn’t have the motive down, was partially right with whodunit. The end was satisfying to me, without any loose ends. For those of you who are campers for real, this includes camping hacks and recipes.

From a thankful heart: I received an ARC of this novel; a positive review was not required.

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

Mae West decided to add more activities as a way to bring in more money for the campground. Mae is all excited to be hosting a week long summer festival called Paddle Fest, that is featuring a kayak competition.

The festival has Happy Trails Campground filling up fast, and Mae has high hopes of winning the Campground Hospitality Award, so is going the extra mile for the guests. Also, Mae was nominated to be on the Daniel Boone National Park Board that Mae was still thinking on until the magic word was said: entrepreneur.

Everyone is excited to have a state kayak champion,Bryce Anderson, staying at Happy Trails, who has plans to try out for the Olympic team. Mae hears that a major network journalist will be at the campground to do interviews and that will be good for publicity!

Mae and Alli Shelton, Bryce's agent are dismayed to hear about Bryce's shenanigans witnessed by a guest and backed up by Dottie. Dottie's lack of filter repeating what she witnessed nearly scared a family away by divulging too much information to a young starry eyed fan.

When Bryce is found dead, Mae had the Campground Hospitality Award and the board nomination yanked from her on the grounds that Happy Trails is not a safe campground. After seeing the headlines in the newspaper by Violet Rhinehammer, it spurred Mae into action. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies start investigating.

I, just loved Dottie in this book. There was so much humor from her lacking a filter and her orneriness. I found it quite comical how Dottie was having way too much fun after witnessing Bryce's shenanigans by bringing it up at inopportune times. It had me laughing out loud.

I received an ARC and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book, Mae is bringing back Paddle Fest kayak competition to Normal, KY, and surrounding towns. This event brings a lot of tourists to the area in the form of fans and competitors. When the body of one of the competitors is found, there is an abundance of suspects. The mystery moved at a quick pace with lots of twists and turns. I never suspected the person who was actually the murderer. The characters are fun and entertaining in this series. Although a few of the Laundry Club ladies were absent in this book, Dottie had a standout role in this one. Dottie is hilarious, she is recovering nicely and is back to her loud and unfiltered self. Dottie has a big personality and really adds to the storyline. This one is a must-read for fans of the series, but can be enjoyed by new readers as well.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks, & Kidnapping earns 5/5 Bon Jovi Tunes...Entertaining Fun!

A Gold Medal for Tonya Kappes’s book twelve in her A Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery. The drama is often a challenge to unravel as Tonya deftly combines multiple suspects and motives, plausible accusations and misdirection, and a bit of “Oh, no!” peril. Since the local company that she counted on was forced to close down, Mae West has added a variety of water sports to the “things to do” to make Happy Trails a full-service campground. With little personal experience with kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting, and fishing, she’s just “going for it” by having Paddle Fest, a weeklong summer festival, and reintroducing the kayak competition. Contestants are arriving from all over the country including future Olympian Bryce Anderson. However, his agent, a disagreement, and his “divo (male diva)” attitude are just some of the queries when he ends up dead...“shot through the heart.” Murder, of course, is tragic, but it also puts in jeopardy the campground’s success, Mae’s efforts to win the “Campground Hospitality” award, and her desire to be on the Daniel Boone National Park Board. Lots of motivation to uncover the truth, so Mae and her Laundry Club gals immediately start up an investigation

Tonya Kappes’s writing style shares her personal southern flair along with bits of knowledge about small Kentucky communities and the environment in and around the Daniel Boone National Forest. Along with an engaging story, descriptive language, and clever banter, there’s a plethora of characters that I personally enjoy following: ladies of all ages, family, friends, and a variety of park visitors. Mae is a delight, a good friend, and truly holds her new community close to her heart; she’s found her niche embracing life as the owner of the Happy Trails Campground, romancing the local detective, and cherishing her friendships even when challenged by the aggressively ambitious local reporter Violet Rhinehammer. All around fun!

Bonus! Adding to the delightful experience with this series is the “Recipes and RV Hacks Advice from Mae West, Owner of Happy Trails Campground” for you culinary and lifestyle needs. The three hacks offer advice on storage, phones, and dealing with “stinky” things. The three recipes are great even if you’re just a backyard camper: Campfire Donuts, Campfire Hand Pies, and Insta Pot Lemon Butter Whole Chicken.

Disclosure: I received an ARC from the author. My review is voluntary with honest insights and comments.

[Mari Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great

I always enjoy going camping with Mae and the girls. This time around Mae has got a kayak event going on to rejuvenating the town of Normal. But with anything that happens in Normal nothing goes as planned. One of the main kayakers is murdered.Now Mae is out to solve the murder , try to gain the hospitality campground award and get on a committee to help her town grow.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another good mystery in the series. Mae is hosting a kayak competition. Everything is going good until the star ends up dead. Now it's up to her and her friends to figure out who did it. Luckily in the end the mystery is solved and everything is fine for now.

[zari ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honestly I loved this one way better than the first one I read. I actually felt myself in the characters shoes of finding out the mystery and I loved it. Only thing I didn’t like was the abrupt end but I’ll be reading more from this series.

[Helen Drake · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the premise of this book involving a Kayak Competition in the National Park area involving numerous campgrounds and vendors. The most famous Kayaker with the most endorsements is murdered. This also affects Mae’s campground as she was hoping to win a campground award and her appointment to the park board. In order to save the reputation of her campground she and the Laundry Club work together to try to solve the murder.

Unlike most of the books in this wonderful series, there is less involvement from most of the members of the Laundry Club. Although the plot develops well throughout most of the book, the conclusion is rather abrupt. Even though there are some clues that lead to the unexpected reveal, it was not as satisfying as the rest of the books in this series.

I was fortunate to read an advanced copy.

[Gina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mae is up to her eyeballs with another murder on her property. So much for being campsite of the year or being part ofvvthe town committee. She must solve this mystery to save the reputation of the campground. I would have liked for more of the laundry club girls included in the mystery solving. Though the author will have you stumped as to who dunnit. Overall an enjoyable story. I received a complimentary copy and I am voluntarily reviewing.

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Kickbacks, Kayaks, & Kidnapping (Camper & Criminals #12)" by Tonya Kappes has the Kayaks and the Kidnapping, but I'm not totally sure what was considered the Kickbacks. Mae's campground is hosting a big kayaking race that draws in some major competition between some of the competitors/their representatives.

One of the competitors' kayaks is found floating upside down in the lake with him still inside. There's an angry ex-sort-of-girlfriend and her disapproving family. His agent wasn't currently very happy with him for multiple reasons. Then there's the competition and their family. It all worked out about how I was expecting it to.

[Michelle Webb · Rating 5 out of 5]

What can I say????? Another home run!!! I love how easy it is to relate to all of the characters. They are so down to earth, realistic, funny and lovable. Mae and Dottie are gearing up for Happy Trails to host their first kayaking event. People from all over converge on Normal to witness the event with possible Olympic team possibilities. An wouldn’t you know it....another murder. The Laundry Club ladies jump into snooping full force. It’s a race to try and solve the murder before the race is cancelled and everyone leaves Normal. With clues and suspicions abound the suspects slowly are cleared leaving Mae stumped. One of the best yet. I can hear Mae taking in Tonya’s lovely accent through the chapters. Don’t miss any of the books in this great series!!!!

[Natasha · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this one as much as the others. The Laundry Club is not good at solving mysteries. The actual killer wasn't even on their radar. He was on mine though. Early on I thought "It would suck if this guy was the murderer, and since they dont suspect him it probably is him." Even up until the very end Mae was wrong. She's not as good at this as she and the rest of Normal thinks she is. Also the ending of this one was weird. It was sudden with no wrap up.

Also the add ons after seemed to be making up for the lack of them on the previous books. There were so many "tips and tricks" and recipes lol

[Jeannie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mae vying for the Campground Hospitality Award and contemplating a board nomination has it all go awry when someone is murdered during the Kayak competition (Paddle Fest) that Mae had been working so hard on. The Laundry ladies and Mae start investigating to save the day. Dottie is such a star in this one, she has no filter, vivacious and a total hoot. I just love the characters in this series. Can't wait for the next one!

[Kandice · Rating 3 out of 5]

I mentioned in my tiny review of #11 that these are getting more and more outlandish, and they are, but I don't care. I enjoy my time spent in Normal Kentucky and look forward to getting #13. And #14. I'm not sure how many there are, but I will read them all!

I want to be a member of the Laundry Club!

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I always enjoy seeing what’s new at the campground. I enjoyed this story and felt like Mae didn’t step on Hank’s investigative toes as much. This was the first one I listened to and I don’t know it was because of that but I definitely noticed an overuse of the words entrepreneur and kayak.

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mae West is always looking for ways to improve the Happy Trails Campground and most recently, she has added more outdoor activities, including kayaking, canoeing, white-water rafting and fishing. And to kick off these activities she has decided to host a weeklong summer festival called Paddle Fest. She hopes that all this effort will help Happy Trails win the Campground Hospitality Award. She also needs to decide whether or not to complete the committee membership application for the Daniel Boone National Park Board. But the she is faced with another murder that may destroy all of her plans, and even endanger her own life. Can she solve this one and quickly? This is a fun series, filled with delightful characters. Mae West is a character in herself, but she also has the help of her Laundry Club gals to keep her up-to-date on all the latest gossip and potential murder clues. And then there is her relationship with Hank, the local police authority. And not only has the author provided an enjoyable mystery to read, but there are also recipes and some RV Hacks at the end of the story. I am looking forward to more Mae West adventures. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this book and all opinions are strictly my own.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kickbacks, Kayaks and Kidnapping by Tonya Kappes once again takes you on a wild ride through twists and turns ending with a great cozy mystery. Her books make you want to sit right down and escape to their world.

Bryce is an Olympic Kayaker but also a spoiled person use to getting his way has come the Happy Trails for the Kayak competition Mae has organized but when he ends up murdered things end up not Normal for Normal Kentucky. Mae has things fun going with a contest but murder puts a damper on things. You no the saying any publicity is good but that isn't the case when a murder happens and people start canceling. Mae and the laundry ladies need to clean this mess up by finding the who what and why.

I love this series and it just keeps getting better and better. Mae is strong willed and smart while Dottie is quirky, loud and speaks her mind but together they work. I would love to spend a week or two with them drinking coffee and exploring.

This book has all the right stuff and keeps you guessing to the end. I love it and can't wait for the next one.

[Sarah Woodhouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is my first book from this series and I absolutely loved it. I thought it was completely charming and I could easily imagine it in my mind.

I've never been big on audiobooks but my hubby has encouraged me to give them a try. Through Libby I was able to sit and listen to this one through my library. Technology, am I right?!

Great world building. I loved all of the characters. May is wonderful and so thoughtful. Normal sounds just like a place I'd want to go visit and now I can.

This is my first book by Tonya Kappes and it won't be my last. I enjoyed every second of this book. I highly recommend.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Normal, Ky and the Daniel Boone National Park are hot, thanks in part to Mae West, entrepreneur. She's been elected to join the National Park Comission Board - pending interview, purchased the rafting/boating business when its owner ended up in prison (read the series for more), and has brought back the Paddle Fest festival, up for the hospitality award, and is just living her best life.

Of course there's always the flip side of that happy tapestry, one filled with what ifs, can we do its, and even a Olympic Kayaking hopeful with his no means nothing to him. Of course murder rewards is ugly face at the most unopportuned time (but is there really a right time?) and Mae is on the case. Trying to find out what happened, why, and to save her campground and reputation.

This story let's the reader watch as Mae attempts to take any set-backs in stride, but ultimately must face her main focus is not on winning the coveted hospitality award, but upon the reputation and needs of the campground and those whose lives are affected by the murder. It was truly a growing moment for Mae in this realization, but with the growth she still has a habit of meddling. I worry how others see her meddling affairs as more intune than that of her detective boyfriend Hank. It has caused friction in the past, but when other members on the force want to know her thoughts, it gives the feeling that Hank may have to make a decision in the future of their future.

I gave 4 stars due to the whiplash (in my opinion) in the story pertaining to the board position Mae is interviewing for. Fickle is the best word, but I feel when they made their initial ruling and all but physically kicked Mae out, they would not change their minds. No matter the outcome. But they are back and forth quicker than ping pong ball in the middle of a game. This is where you can really read into the fictitious part of the story. It was also the part that bothered me most in what is otherwise a interesting spin on a cozy mystery.

This story is best read as part of the series and would not recommend as a standalone.

This is my honest opinion of this story and was given a complimentary copy.

[Alexandria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Trails Campground has another dead body. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies are on the case. During the opening ceremonies of the Paddle Festival, the star kayaker is found dead.

I've enjoyed all of the books in the series. One part of the book that I enjoyed was the relationship of Mae and Hank. Their relationship has grown over time. Hank used to always tell Mae to stay out of his investigation. He's starting to accept and appreciate Mae's skills.