Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions

Camper & Criminals #23

by Tonya Kappes

Let me be the first person to welcome you to Normal, Kentucky located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I'm Mae West the owner of Happy Trails Campground.

Around here we say BLESS HER HEART and sometimes it's just not in a good way.

Take Neva Hudson for instance, bless her heart, she's the town gossip, not to mention someone who likes to toot her own horn.

Two toots too many 'cause bless her heart, someone has strangled Neva and left her for dead in of all places...the church's Christmas play.

Trust me when I say there's no shortage of suspects since her tongue lashed a few too many lies about people.

More importantly, my dear friend Dottie Swaggert has been on the tall tale end of Neva's lies and she's got the most motive. Thank goodness me, Mae West, and our group of friends, the Laundry Club Ladies have traded our Christmas play elf hats into sleuthing caps because Santa's bringing Dottie a big ole present of FREEDOM when we find the real killer.

’Tis the season for murder in the small town of Normal, Kentucky. When the town gossip is found strangled to death in a church, there’s no shortage of suspects.

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Christmas, Audiobook, Fiction, Holiday, Cozy

190 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 16, 2021

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...

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https://twitter.com/tonyakappes11

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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

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

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -Audiobook

This series just keeps getting better and better!

“She’s full of more crap than a constipated elephant.”

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is Christmas-time in Normal, Kentucky, Betts has recruited Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies to sing in the choir during the Christmas Story Play. However nothing is ever normal in Normal. The ladies stumble over the body of the town gossip and the play’s soloist, Neva. During their investigation Mae and the ladies found out just how much Neva told half truths about others and how many people didn’t like her be for this.

As usual Author Tonya Kappes wrote a funny cozy mystery that allowed me to escape into Normal with her beloved characters. With every book in this series I get to return to my friends and see what shenanigans they get into this time. One of my favorite characters is Dottie, when she’s in the book you know you are in for a good laugh with her Dottie-isms. One of my favorites in this book is “There ain’t enough makeup to hide crazy. Not even a Christmas star perched up on top of her head is gonna work.” The mystery is well crafted with plenty of twists and turns and red herrings to keep you engaged in solving the murder. I am looking forward to the next one in the series.

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

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

You never know who may be murdered or why. Mae is fully into the winter season with Christmas quickly approaching.

Neva, the towns liar and soloist for that year's Christmas pageant, find herself immersed in the music when she's killed by a hymnal and then strangled. Did her lies finally catch up to her?

Mae and the laundry club ladies are on the case when Neva's daughter Hazel Lynn asks for them to look into it. They find Nevas lies run deep and there were many who were hurt by them.

The story is good, but felt like it was dragging along at times. Entertainment came in the form of Hank trying to find a missing cat. I pity the poor guy as he's beginning to look more and more incompetent when Mae gets involved in things. In this book, it felt like the characters were a bit off of their normal selves in how they interact with one another.

Not my favorite of the series, but a decent read. Be sure to read it for yourself so you can form your own conclusions and review!

[Trisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

“There ain’t enough makeup to hide crazy."

Another silly murder mystery in this little town of Normal, Kentucky. Mae is still plodding along, keeping her campground going, the town happy - and the murder solving rolling. It's another Christmas one and I liked that the murdered guest was the town gossip and lie-spreader.

The usual ladies are still here - Dottie, Queenie - along with the love interest and some new boyfriends of the girls. This one had me chuckling a few times at the silly sayings and quips. I've liked this one the most so far.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Santa, Sunrises, and Suspicions by Tonya Kappes takes us back to Normal, Kentucky where gossipmonger, Neva Hudson is found dead inside the Normal Baptist Church (let’s just say the poinsettia tree display is not going to be the same). Neva’s daughter asks the Laundry Club ladies to investigate, and Dottie Swaggert is quick to agree. Dottie is afraid is she at the top of the suspect list since it was well-known, she was not a fan of the victims. Mae exchanges her Santa hat for her sleuthing cap and digs into the case. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies with help from Hank work to solve the case before Santa rides into town on his sleigh. Santa, Sunrises, and Suspicions is twenty-third A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series, but you will be missing out on Mae and the gangs’ antics. I like the author’s writing style. The best way to describe it is that it is like talking to a friend. There is plenty of Southern charm and colloquialisms. Some of Dottie’s phrases had me chuckling. Christmas is approaching and the Winter Festival is taking place in Normal, Kentucky. It is Mae West’s favorite time of year. Weather in Kentucky is mercurial. Mae and the ladies begin their day in warm weather gear and end it shivering when snow starts rapidly falling. The death of Neva Hudson provides a multitude of suspects for Mae and the Laundry Club ladies to question. There are good clues to help readers solve the crime before the reveal. Mae must also negotiate Christmas dinner plans with Mary Elizabeth. Hank’s parents invited Hank and Mae to their home but that would put Mary Elizabeth in a tizzy. This should be an interesting Christmas for Mae and Hank. Santa, Sunrises, and Suspicions is merry Southern tale with a choir calamity, poinsettia pandemonium, frosty snow, a Santa snag, a comfy fire, and hopefully a Happy Holiday!

[Mary Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions
Campers And Criminals, Book #23
Tonya Kappes
5 Stars

Synopsis:

Around here we say BLESS HER HEART and sometimes it's just not in a good way.

Take Neva Hudson for instance, bless her heart, she's the town gossip, not to mention someone who likes to toot her own horn.

Two toots too many 'cause bless her heart, someone has strangled Neva and left her for dead in of all places...the church's Christmas play.

Trust me when I say there's no shortage of suspects since her tongue lashed a few too many lies about people.

More importantly, my dear friend Dottie Swaggert has been on the tall tale end of Neva's lies and she's got the most motive. Thank goodness me, Mae West, and our group of friends, the Laundry Club Ladies have traded our Christmas play elf hats into sleuthing caps because Santa's bringing Dottie a big ole present of FREEDOM when we find the real killer.

’Tis the season for murder in the small town of Normal, Kentucky. When the town gossip is found strangled to death in a church, there’s no shortage of suspects. (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Once again the Laundry Club Ladies have a murder to solve. This time they have to figure out who killed the town’s biggest gossip, and at Christmas time, no less. Mae, Dottie and the rest of her friends have to figure out the killer so that the holiday is not ruined.

The writing flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and I felt like I was at the campsite and the town, watching all the action take place and listening to the Laundry Club carry on. The mystery was well plotted and it took me by surprise when the killer was revealed.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. Mae and her gang get into many crazy things and we get to read all about them.

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

[Linda Galella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Welcome to a simple, southern, country, cozy, mystery that happens to take place during the Christmas season rather than being a Christmas themed book.

Since SANTA, SUNRISES & SURPRISES is book 23 in a series, it’s safe to say that Normal, Kentucky, and its extremely quirky residents, are well established. Dialogue, some of which is rather countrified, flows smoothly and advances the story at a nice pace. Author, Tonya Kappes, is herself from small town Kentucky and clearly knows the language. Descriptive prose is minimal but does the job for this novella length story.

If you’re looking for a clean cozy that’s free from foul language, sexual content and gratuitous violence, this book is a good contender, sure to bring a laugh or two while confounding the “who done it” for a little while. Oh, hey y’all, there’s a few winter camping tips and recipes thrown in just for southern hospitality📚

Have yourself a Merry Little Christmas in July 2024, book 3

[Monica Haak · Rating 3 out of 5]

Deze mensen zijn met elkaar echt hilarisch XD! Maar verder niet iets wat me lang bijblijft

[Jeanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

“We hug around here.” Abby, now Mae’s dear friend and sister-in-law, said these words to her when Mae first came to Normal. It’s been said that normal is just a setting on your dryer, and that is certainly true about Normal, Kentucky, in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. Even the Winter Festival and Christmas are not what one might consider normal as murder won’t take a vacation, even for Christmas. We get to spend the holiday with Mae, Hank, her family, and the Laundry Club Ladies. If you haven’t been to Normal yet, feel free to jump in with both feet! Any of the cozies in the series can be read as standalones with enough background for you to feel right at home.

Mae is a genuinely happy young woman who finds joy in things that her former Manhattan acquaintances wouldn’t comprehend. The descriptions of the snowy winter wonderland show how much Mae – and the author – love it, bringing joy to readers who love the beauty and activities of winter. With a strong sense of justice and an itch to solve puzzles, Mae and her friends have successfully “snooped” out several murderers since she came here a few years ago.

Hazel Lynn came home to visit her parents for Christmas and attend the class reunion that Abby has helped plan for the New Year. Her mother, Neva, has a very mixed reputation around town. Neva lies to everyone, tales that usually start with a tiny speck of truth. Trouble is, she forgets which speck is true, so much does she believe what she tells. Yet if anyone needs help, she’s ready. She did do some fancy fabricating to get the closing solo for the Christmas pageant at the church from Evelyn. And her husband has been seen accompanying Evelyn at the diner.

A fast-moving snowstorm forced cancellation of a rehearsal, and Neva is the only one they couldn’t contact. The only person whose phone number they didn’t have, the Laundry Club Ladies stop at church to send Neva home, but she wouldn’t be going home again. Dottie found Neva lying amidst the poinsettias, dead. Hazel Lee asked Mae and her friends to investigate the murder to find whodunit, and she insists that her father is innocent.

After gathering much information, Mae is ready to do something for the very first time since being in Normal – admit defeat and present everything they learned to the sheriff’s department and let them untangle the many strands. In the meantime, Hank, who has been working at the PI firm of friend and former sheriff, Jerry, has one case to handle. A lost cat.

This mystery kept me guessing throughout. At one time or another, the victim had upset most of the folks in town, but not badly enough to kill for. Everybody was saddened at Neva’s death, especially for the sake of her husband and daughter. I was stunned when Mae was ready to give up the case. If Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies don’t solve it, who will? I highly recommend this to anyone who loves well-written Southern cozy mysteries with lots of humor, Christmas celebrations, and enough hugs for all.

From a thankful heart: I received an eARC of this novel, and this is my honest review.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions Earns 5/5 Ho, Ho, Ho-s…Entertaining Fun!

Mae West owns Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky, and although the weather may keep some away from hiking and water activities, many flock to town for the Winter Festival. The whole town goes overboard decorating in garland and holly along with having a tree decorating contest, Christmas pageant, and lots of fun and food, but as usual disruptions throw a bit of discontent into the festivities. The dead body of Neva Hudson is discovered among the poinsettia display, and despite good friend and Laundry Club lady Dottie having more than a casual motive, the victim’s journal provides insights into several people who may have taken “murderous” exception to the victim’s blatant and damaging tall tales…ok, she’s a master at lying. But, if the childhood rhyme about “sticks and stones not words that hurt you,” is it Neva’s words that provoked a killer?

Tonya Kappes again creates a marvelously inviting world for cozy fans with sensory-laden descriptions, multiple generations, a bit of romance, and a “smidgen” of murder, but for fans of the holidays, she’s added the sparkle of the holiday season with a snow storm to make it white and good tidings with friends. The “off key” tone among the victim’s family and friends might lead Mae and her nosy Laundry Club ladies to the killer and personal peril making this drama hard to put down. However, it’s the characters that I enjoy the most: from Mae’s strength and cleverness to Dottie’s snarky retorts and quirky southernisms, from the closeness of family to the “I got your back” friends. Excellent and more with Kappes’s signature Recipes and Camping Hacks from Mae West and the Laundry Club Ladies included at the end. Three easy-to-follow recipes for Instant Beef Stew, Graham Cracker Brownies, and No-Bake Chocolate Chip Cookie Pie and Camping Hacks for the winter top off an exciting story!

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

[Meg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christmas time in Normal, Kentucky, sounds like a wonderful place to celebrate the magic of the season, with all their decorations and twinkling lights. Betts has talked the Laundry Club Ladies (LCL) into singing in the choir as part of the church’s Christmas Story. When they arrive, Neva Hudson is practicing her solo and Dottie goes on a tirade about her. Queenie is interviewing Santas at the last minute and things begin to get chaotic. The peace and magic of the season won’t last long at this point, and sure enough, later that day Dottie finds Neva’s body under the Poinsettia tree display. Neva was not well-liked in the town of Normal, she was actually considered the “town liar.” She made up stories with just enough truth mingled in to leave everyone questioning the situation. With Neva, there more suspects than not! When Neva’s daughter, Hazel Lynn, a friend of Abby’s, asks the LCL to take on the case they waste no time!

Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions is another entertaining sequel to the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery collection. With no shortage of suspects, I found myself engrossed in the story and the way Tonya brings to life the town and residents of Normal. I enjoyed this holiday edition of the series, Mae and the LCL always bring a smile to my face with some laugh-out-loud moments from Dottie. I requested and received an advanced copy from the author. All opinions are my own.

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

The town of Normal, Kentucky is preparing for the Winter Festival and Betts is in charge of the Christmas Pageant. Since the Bible thumpers are upset about the choice of a new preacher, they go on strike leaving the Laundry Club ladies to fill in and Betts is left with Neva Hudson to perform the solo. Neva is causing everyone to plug their ears! The show must go on!

A weather update has Betts canceling rehearsal but she is unable to contact Neva leaving the Laundry Club ladies to pile into Betts van and head to the church where they all go their separate ways to locate Neva. Dottie finds her body among the poinsettia plants.

Neva's daughter, Hazel Lynn, wants the Laundry Club ladies to look into her mother's murder. Solving this case is proving to be complicated since the victim wasn't known to be truthful leaving a whole town having something negative to say about her and perhaps a reason to want her dead.

Mae and the gals start to shift through the facts, while Hank tries to wrap up a case he's working on so he can help because everyone thinks Al Hemmer is a useless sheriff.

Another wonderful addition to the series where you will be kept wondering if Mae & Hank will survive the Christmas holidays between their families, laugh at Dottie's lack of filter on what comes out of her mouth and keep trying to guess who the murderer is! There's quite a lot of potential candidates and I was surprised in the end!

I received a complimentary copy and I have voluntarily reviewed this book

[Theresa A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ho! Ho! Ho! It’s Christmas time in Normal, Kentucky and instead of presents, there’s a murder in the church. Someone has murdered Neva Hudson. There are tons of suspects because Neva was a notorious liar in the town and quick to tell stories about so many people. Her husband seems to be the best suspect right away, but Neva definitely made many people angry with her lies. It’s up to Mae and her Laundry ladies to figure it out! Neva’s daughter knows her dad is not capable of murder and definitely wants Mae and the ladies to get to the bottom of this one.
On top of the murder, there is some family drama brewing with the holidays. Will Mae and Hank be able to work it out and spend the holidays together? I laughed so much through this book. Dottie was in rare form for this one! I enjoyed the twists and turns and the lists of suspects to think through. This is such a great series! You’ll fall in the love with the zany characters awesome mysteries that come Mae’s way! I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book and I am not required to leave a review. The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.

[Karen Stallman · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions ” the 23rd instalment in the "Camper & Criminals “ Mystery series by Tonya Kappes. I absolutely love this series, and can’t get enough of the Laundry Club Ladies and Happy Trails Campground.

Around here we say BLESS HER HEART and sometimes it's just not in a good way.

In this instalment we have holiday drama with where to have Christmas dinner to family stuff. But the best bits are the dottisms lol she cracks me up. I highlighted quite a few this time, but my favourite was “there ain’t enough makeup to hide crazy”

The mystery was good, with lots of suspects and a few red herrings.

I’m full of anticipation/excitement for Book 24 as I want to know more about what’s in store for Normal KY!

I highly recommend you read this series from the beginning and enjoy the escapism as much as I do.

[Emmalynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun adventure with Mae and the gang. I’m not sure how I feel about the new Hank, he seems to have lost his spark, but maybe things will improve. Overall it’s pretty much the same though Mae does not take as many chances or have as many TSTL moments.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great cozy

I love Mae and Dottie and all the wonderful characters in this series by Tonya Kappes. If you love cozies then this series is a must read.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 23 in the "Camper & Criminals" series. All Mae and the laundry club ladies wanted to do is get through the winter festival before the holidays. Betts, Queenie and Neva Hudson were co-host to get the festival going with all the activities and the end have a song with the small version of the Christmas story in Normal Baptist Church for the town and tourists. When Neva starts throwing her weight around on what activities are going to be and what is not, she has rubbed someone the wrong way, with all her lies on everyone she knows she goes too far and ends up dead. This was a good addiction to this series I figured out who the killers. I love the secondary characters in this book they are cooky and funny. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling I also listened to this book on audio and loved the narration. I am looking forward to reading and listening to the next book in this series.

[ThundaBunz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wowza! This was quite the mystery! It was Cozy and full of mystery! Mae West and the Laundry club must solve the murder of the town gossip. This murder happens during Christmas of all the times. Honestly Normal, Kentucky is turning to the murder capital of the United States. Mae is just coming across way more bodies and has a higher solve rate than most places. lol. But it's a fun book and series.

Mystery Wise: The mystery was good! I felt that the who done it was not bad, I had my suspicions but the clues werent there until the towards the end.

Relationship Wise: Hank is more down to earth from the previous books. he is working as the new detective for Jerry. Him and Mae are getting way better in the relationships. Dottie is more into the sleuthing which I love. She's such a character.

All in all, it was a good read!

[kathy keith · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great Christmas murder mystery! The quaint town of Normal, Kentucky is all decked out for Christmas in this novel. The decorations are so wonderfully described that the town full of Christmas spirit comes to life. The reader can even smell the Christmas Blend coffee and taste the S’more Caramel Apple.
Of course there is a murder. This murder is in the middle of what seems like a beautiful Poinsettia display in the church of all places. Of course there is whole list of suspects and it takes the whole book to figure out who committed murder and why.
My favorite Dottieism of this book is “there ain’t enough makeup to hide crazy.” I just love her sayings and the depth they add to the books in this series.

[Miki · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was cute and sweet ! I loved the christmas setting i could visualize everything since it was so well written and with the cold weather it felt perfect!

Mae is in christmas mode and a murder at the time of the year when everyone should be kind was not what she imagined....The victim can be someone she did not like a lot she can't let that unpunished so the laundry club is investigating with Hank benedition....oh hank he sure changed, he is attentive to Mae without being overprotective which is great.

Now the investigation is well written but the culprit is no surprise still i enjoyed the story a lot ....and the missing cat investigation was too funny i would have loved to see what happen after.

a good book to read with a hot tea or cocoa to be immersed in a great setting and good investigation

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Camper & Criminal series by Tonya Kappes! "Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions" was a fun, sluethy, holiday themed story. This cozy mystery is full of sleuthing shenanigans and southern sass. As much as I love Mae, I absolutely adore Hank! His southern charm, gentlemanly manners, and adoration for Mae just leaves my heart with all the feels. I'm looking forward to the next installment of the Camper Series.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this little mystery set in a small town, Normal, Kentucky; however, there wasn't a lot that was "normal" in it. Or maybe there was. I loved the Laundry Club Ladies who set out to solve a murder. For some reason, as silly as some of these (usually elderly) female detective groups (in different books) are, I seem to still always love them. Maybe because some of the old lady in them resonates with me. I found the town gossip to be over the top for sure but very stereotypical of some busybodies. I would definitely read more in this series but next time I'll start with book #1.

[Tamia M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cozy mystery in the small town of Normal, Kentucky.

We follow the ladies of the Laundry Club on their next mystery in solving the murder that took place in the church a few days before the big holiday show.

I enjoy this series and will continue to read more. This book felt like the women were quick to point the finger, a lot of times incorrectly. That got old quickly but, I didn't anticipate who the killer was.

3 ⭐️

[Sue Ross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Winter camping can be murder

Even during the Christmas season when everyone should be happy there has to be one bad egg. This time its during the Christmas pagent rehersal. Tiny a Kappes writes her books so that you can be part of the action and mystery. This is one of my go to series and I can't wait for the next one to come out.

[Allisa DeRungs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series

I love these as “in-between” reads for longer books and series. They’re fun, lighthearted, and cozy mysteries set in a gorgeous small town near a national park. The characters are fun and the dynamic of the friendship is enjoyable

[Carol Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Poor Nieva has gossiped for the last time. She has been strangled and unfortunately become a part of the Christmas play, just not the part she intended.

Dottie becomes the main suspect since she got into it with Nieva and now it is up to Mae and the rest of her posse to help her out. They are again hot on the trail of who really did it and hopefully will solve it just in time to spring Dottie in time for Christmas.

[Judy Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun story

This one really kept me guessing as the laundry club ladies took on another case... and isn't it interesting how smug these murderers seem to be?

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a good read. It's Christmas time and everything is going well until a dead body is found. Now Mae and her crew are trying to figure out who did it. Of course they solve it and all is well for now.

[Chad James · Rating 4 out of 5]

#LibraryLoveChallenge & Bookish Books Reading Challenge

[Cozy Reader Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Santas, Sunrises, & Suspicions (Camper & Criminals #23)" by Tonya Kappes has Mae and most of Normal getting ready for the church Christmas pageant. Unfortunately, it seems to be the B squad performing this year with tensions high about the potential new pastor. So, it comes as no surprise to many of the characters when the unpleasant a soloist is found in the church during a snowstorm.

The victim's daughter is in town and ask's the Laundry Club Ladies to find out what happened to her mother. Mae wants Hank to take on the case too, but he's stuck investigating a lost cat. Mae is also trying to find a compromise between Hank's parents wanting to host a Christmas meal the same time as Mary Elizabeth.