Beaches, Bungalows \u0026 Burglaries (Camper \u0026 Criminals, #1) by Tonya Kappes

Beaches, Bungalows \u0026 Burglaries (Camper \u0026 Criminals, #1) Reviews

• 
  Kay ☼

  It took me so long to try this series. I've seen the cute camper covers for quite some time but saw that the ratings have been pretty average. I decided to give it a go after my library acquired the earlier audiobooks and I'm so happy I borrowed this first one in the series.
  
  Mae West lost it all when her Ponzi schemer jerk of a now ex-husband, Paul was sent to prison. The FBI seized almost every asset they owned. With the house in the Hamptons and the apartment in NYC gone, all that's left for "home" is a small RV and a campground in Normal, Kentucky.
  
  This is a light-hearted and funny story. I don't think you can take it too seriously, Mae seems clueless at times, but somehow I click with her. Some folks in Normal welcomed Mae relatively well even though they too are Paul's victims. Some still hold grudges after all it's their life savings not to be seen again. Two bodies are the heart of the mystery and of course, Mae found them. Mae doesn't plan to live at the campground but to fix it up and sell it. Will she change her mind?
  
  This is tough, but I'm going to be good and not jump to book 4 which has a Christmassy cover. 🤩🎄On to book #2 soon. A quick listen 5H 22M. Also on Hoopla/KU for ebook.
  
• 
  Tina

  This is a cozy mystery, and this is the first book in A Camper and Criminals Cozy series. Mae West is a city good use to the finer things in life, but she lost everything excepted happy trail camp ground after her husband, Paul West, was arrests for a Ponzi scheme that rips people out of millions of dollars. She show up at Happy Trails and found a dump that needs to be fixes up. Right after she shows up at Happy Trails Paul West escapes out of jail and is found dead in a lake on Happy Trails. So, while she is raising money to fixed up Happy Trails she as to find out who killed her husband. I loved this book so much. It was cute and fun and quick cozy mystery. If you love cozy mysteries then you should give this book chance. I read it for a cozy online book club I am apart of. I have read and hear reviews of the second book not being good, so I decided not to read any more books in this series.
• 
  Noah

  I don’t know if there’s a lot of overlap between people who like video games and people who read cozy mysteries other than me, but this reminded me a lot of games like Stardew Valley. Mostly in that it follows a protagonist, Mae West, who finds out that she’s the new owner of a dilapidated camp ground, and has to be the one to fix it up. Yay! Oh yeah, and she also has to solve the murder of her ex-husband who wronged almost all of Mae’s new neighbors. Boo! I can’t lie, I did really enjoy the “side-plot” of her restoring the camp ground, because it was just a nice little feel-good moment. It reminded me of that one Matt Damon movie, We Bought a Zoo (Is that what that movie’s about? I’ve never seen it). Anyway, I think this book delivered on the “cozy’ aspect but fell short when it came to the lackluster mystery. The whole book almost seemed like it was holding its mystery at arms-length, like it was uninterested in its own premise.
  
  This actually taps into a much larger issue I had with this book, there seemed to be a rather large disconnect between the character’s descriptions and the way they acted. For example, we have Detective “green-eyes-black-hair-sexy-manly-man” Hank, who is supposed to be this incredibly charming gentleman, but then every one of his interactions with Mae is just him being infuriatingly rude and suspicious towards her. Don’t tell me he’s charming!!!!! Show. It. On. The. Page. Even after it was proven that she wasn’t the killer, he still thought she was involved for some dumbass reason and wouldn’t leave her alone!!! And then we have Mae West, who was barely interested in solving the crime, even though the dead person was her ex-husband and she was the main suspect. And other than some half-assed questioning of the townsfolk, she doesn’t really learn anything on her own. I mean (small spoilers), but she isn’t even the one who figured out who the killer was!? It was a side character who solved the whole thing!? Why? WHY!? She just stood there completely dumbfounded and clueless to the whole thing!!! THIS IS A MYSTERY BOOK; THE MAIN CHARACTER IS SUPPOSED TO SOLVE THE CRIME!!!!
  
  Um… also, this book is a redemption story where the main character doesn’t need redeeming. I was so irritated because she was so intent on righting wrongs that she didn’t even commit. Most of Mae’s time is spent dealing with the unpleasant and rude townspeople who all have beef with her by proxy because they hated her ex-husband, Paul. And this probably wouldn’t be such an issue if she stood her ground a little against these people, but instead she feels the need to take on all of Paul’s sins as her own!? She was just as much of a victim as the rest of them, so I think at least a little righteous indignation is justified. Where's your rage?! I don’t know, it’s weird because I liked all of the rebuilding-the-campsite plot line, which took up the majority of the book, but as a mystery this did not work for me… at all. Though I thought Mae West as a character was really interesting, which was the most frustrating part because she became a bystander in her own story.
• 
  Charles van Buren

  I almost stopped reading at 19% with this passage, “I’m Detective Hank Sharp with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and when I’m not doing that, I’m a park ranger.” He pulled his fancy suit coat open and pulled out a badge. “This is my partner, Detective Elmo Burke.”
  
  Does the author know little or nothing about law enforcement agencies or is this a misguided attempt to make Normal, Kentucky similar to GREEN ACRES of tv fame? I don't know and I don't really care. And his partner is a badge named Elmo?
  
  I didn't stop reading, I persevered all the way to 23% where I found this gem, "The husband shows up after escaping jail, thinking his wife is going to take him back with open arms, and he’s actually met with an angry wife and the hole of a gun that puts a blow to his chest after a big fight between them. The wife got her revenge and how sweet it is,” he spoke with light bitterness."
  
  A couple of paragraphs on there is this, "I stood behind him and looked across the lake, where there were a few men in scuba gear. “See those men?” He pointed to them. “And that backhoe?” I nodded like I even knew what a backhoe was, but it was big and was dragging the front of its crane into the water. “While we’ve been in here talking and having coffee, those men got in and looked around. Now that they are finished, the backhoe will pull up anything and everything. Like a gun,” he said with a coolly impersonal tone."
  
  And just how does a backhoe get to the middle of the lake? How did the divers see anything in that murky water? Enough! Enjoy it if you can. I can't.
• 
  Madison Warner Fairbanks

  Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries by Tonya Kappes
  1st book in the Camper and Criminal series. Cozy mystery style with southern influences and laced in humor.
  Mae West, not the actress, moves to Normal, Kentucky after her ex-husband is caught and jailed for swindling people of their life savings. Mae is left with only a camper and a mostly bankrupt camp ground. Mae hopes to sell and get back to her previous plush lifestyle but soon realizes that the neglected residents of the camp ground were also victims of her ex. Its going to take more money than she has to clean it up and their stories break her heart. When her ex bobs up dead from under the dock on the little lake, everyone is a suspect.
  
  The first part of the book is a lot of world building. The mystery, aka body, doesn’t show up until quite a ways in.
  Delightfully campy and entertaining. Easy to read and I look forward to more from Normal, Kentucky.
  
  I alternated between an ebook and audiobook. I much preferred the audiobook because of the need for better editing in the text version. The narrator was pleasant to listen to.
• 
  Gloria

  Mae West is living a life of luxury with Paul, her older husband, whom she dearly loves, until he is arrested by the FBI for a Ponzi scheme. She has lost her money, nice car, and home, her husband is in prison, and her lawyer gives her the keys to a camper and set her on the road to a campground in Normal, Kentucky. The campground is in her name so it can't be taken by the FBI. What a shock when she arrived to find the place in ruins, nothing like the brochure her attorney gave her. But she is determined to turn it around and try to help out some of the people Paul ruined. Then Paul escapes from prison and shows up among the pond scum of the nasty pond...dead. Now she decides to find his killer. Mae makes some new friends in the campground and small town of Normal.
  This is a funny and heartwarming story with likable, down to earth small town characters that pull together when they see Mae's dedication to making the Happy Trails Campground like it was in its glory days when it drew tourists. I was surprised with how the murder was solved. Fun start to the series and I look forward to reading more.
• 
  Vanessa

  I am really surprised by all the four- and five-star reviews of this book. I wanted to like this SO much. It started with such promise and humor and I loved the premise but I just could not get past the poor grammar. I should have flown through this quick read, but I found myself constantly rereading passages, trying to decipher run-on sentences, dangling modifiers, incorrect verb tense, and subject-verb disgreements. Then I started highlighting them all on my Kindle! For as prolific as Tonya Kappes is, I would hope not all her books suffer in this way. The grammar got worse as the book went on, as if she was in a hurry to get it finished.
  
  In addition, this really wasn't much of a mystery. Just the MC constantly telling herself and others how she is going to 'make things right.' Not sure if she is trying to convince herself or the reader.
• 
  Sabine

  My first book by Tonya Kappes and a brand new series. I loved it. Camping and murder! - One of my most favourite combinations.
  
  Mae West loses almost everything she has when her husband Paul is arrested for scamming people out of their savings. Her lawyer is able to prove that she is innocent but she has to leave her house in New York, give up her fancy sports car and all luxuries she has been used to in the past years. The only thing that is left is an old RV and a run down campground in Kentucky.
  When her husband escapes prison and is found dead on the campground she becomes the main suspect. She is going to clear her name and rebuild the campground to its old glory.
  
  The lovely inhabitants of Normal, Kentucky and the Happy Grounds campground make this a very cozy and lovely mystery that leaves me wanting more.
  
  I can't wait for the next book in the series to be released....so much fun!!!
• 
  Elle G. Reads

  Release Date: May 25, 2018
  Genre: Cozy Mystery
  Actual Rating: 5 stars
  
  Highly Recommended
  
  After reading a couple of Tonya Kappes cozy mysteries I can officially say that she is now a TOP FAVORITE author. I need to buy all the books! Seriously though, Tonya brings these characters to life. She makes them become a part of you and makes you miss them when the book is finished. The way she describes the setting, in vivid detail, makes you feel like you are actually a part of the scenery. I now want to buy a camper and go to Happy Trails. Finally, the way she describes the people of this small town? Absolutely PERFECT. I not only want to visit Happy Trails in Kentucky myself (so sad it's only a fictional world), but I also want to make friends with people like Dottie and and the others. Simply put, I adored this book and am so excited to get further into the series. If you are a cozy mystery lover, this is a must have book! You can read it for free if you are a kindle unlimited subscriber like myself.
  
  A little bit about this endearing cozy mystery: Mae has gone from riches to rags. After her home is raided by the FBI because her husband was a part of some ponzi schemes, she is left divorced and poor. She has no home, no money, and no family to fall back to. Thankfully, her lawyer gives her some news about a place that she owns in Kentucky called Happy Trails RV park. Though she had never heard of the place, she decides to take the "vacation" and go see what this place is all about. She may even be able to sell because she has noting else.
  
  When Mae gets to Happy Trails, her thoughts on a glorious vacation turn into a nightmare. This is not the place she pictured and it's certainly not what the brochure shows. But she meets some fabulous people, some who had even been affected by her (ex)husbands money schemes, and decides to turn the park around. She feels guilty about everything her ex did and wants to give back to those who had been wronged.
  
  Unfortunately, not to long into her stay, her husband is found dead in the lake! And she needs to find out who the killer is before she is hauled off to jail by sheriff Hank! Will Mae be able to turn this run down park into something bright and beautiful again? Or will she find herself behind bars for murder? You'll have to read to find out!
  
  Overall, I am so excited about this book and the series as a whole because I loved this one so much! I think any fan of cozies is going to want to pick up a copy. If you are new to the genre but want to try it out, Tanya's book are an excellent place to start!
  
  Highly Recommended
• 
  Sarah

  The ratings for this book are extremely kind. It badly needs an editor and a fact checker. The grammar/punctuation issues create confused sentences. Silly phrases like "nice to meet your acquaintance" appear periodically. Characters become insta-friends and don't act like real people. The coincidences are eye-rolling. For instance, an FBI agent happens to have a trailer at the park she owns and immediately upon his arrival *something* big and pertinent to his investigation happens.
  
  As for fact checking, here's a few incorrect things I've already noticed:
  -The FBI doesn't use the title "Detective."
  -Not everything in a house needs "electric," gas and batteries are also common sources of power. (I put "electric" in quotes because she used it as a noun when it is an adjective. What she meant was "electricity.")
  -There are probably technicalities to do with her legal and financial situation that are wrong as well, but I know little of such things.
  
  (This is just 20% into the book.)
  
  I hate to be so negative in a review but I honestly felt like zero effort was made in writing this book and that's just insulting. If the author doesn't bother, why should you? Other reviewers have said it gets worse later on. Heaven forbid. I'm out.
• 
  Chatting About Cozies

  I love Southern storytelling and this cozy mystery was great! Many funny moments, fresh air and sunshine setting, compassionate characters, and a small town atmosphere with typical small town gossips. I had no clue who the killer was until the reveal. Great debut!
• 
  Mark Baker

  Mae West’s life has turned upside down. Unbeknownst to her, her husband Paul was running a Ponzi scheme. When the dust from the FBI raid settles, Mae is left with no money, no home, and no friends. All she has is an RV and a campground in Kentucky. She heads there, hoping to figure out what she wants to do next with her life while she sells the place. However, when she arrives, she finds the place has been neglected and needs a lot of work. Then Paul escapes from prison and turns up dead in the campground’s lake. With Mae a logical prime suspect, she begins to work to clear her name. Can she do it?
  
  I grew up camping, and I wanted to love this series set at a campground. Unfortunately, the flaws were just too many. The plot was good, including a logical killer and motive. However, there is a major plot hole in the final quarter of the book – one big enough to drive an RV through. Then there’s the law enforcement character who is supposed to be FBI but acts more like the local sheriff. The characters are pushing the edges of quirky, but they definitely grew on me. There are multiple issues with the grammar, something I am usually able to ignore pretty well, but here they were pretty bad. I think most of the flaws could have been fixed with a good, solid edit, but instead the book feels like it was rushed out. It is a quick read, and includes three delicious recipes and some household tips at the end. I really wanted to like this book, but unfortunately, I will have to keep driving until I find a better campground cozy series.
  
  Read my full review at
  Carstairs Considers.
• 
  Betty

  The cover is attractive and invites you to read the book but it is more about Mae West and the wrongs her ex-husband did. I got tired of reading Mae's feeling guilty about the actions of her ex-husband. Tonya Kappes quirky characters are present and the town of Normal is friendly and heartwarming. It needs a good editor. There seems to be a love triangle forming. I do plan on reading the next two books.
  Mae West has been living a life of pleasure. The bubble burst when a
  FBI raid and size everything because her husband was running a Ponzi scene. She has only a campground and an RV left. Arriving at the campground she finds it is rundown and her ex-husband floats up in the lake. She meets with some friendly folks and others that are not so friendly. The ending has a great twist. Will Mae succeed do the restoration of the RV park? I will recommend this book.
  Recipes and a couple of camping tips are included.
• 
  Peter Monn

  Omg sooooooo good! One of my new favorite series. Loving it so far!
• 
  Laurie • The Baking Bookworm

  2.5 STARS - eAudiobooks make my drive to work (and my occasional insomnia) a lot easier to take. I usually prefer lighter fare (with the occasional memoir thrown in) because my mind wanders so cozy mysteries and light romances are typically what I listen to.
  
  I found this book in my public library's digital library and it appealed to me because of its cute, bright and sassy cover. But as the story progressed, I thought it was an odd title choice since there is a brief mention of a small beach, there are no bungalows to speak of and one burglary. Hmm.
  
  This first book in the Camper and Criminals Cozy series began with a good premise, but the mystery never got going and it honestly felt like an afterthought. Instead, we follow Mae West who is not strong and sassy like her namesake. She is unbelievably naïve and repeatedly explains how she's trying to make up for her ex-husband's failings while feigning poverty even though she has $100k in cash stashed away. But what really buttered my buns was how Mae's backstory didn't mesh with some of the things she did and said in current day. She was raised in Kentucky but doesn't understand basic southern idioms? I get that she was supposed to be a fish out of water, but I had a hard time believing that Mae, who was not raised with a silver spoon in her mouth, had to be shown how to do a load of laundry and despite being a flight attendant before meeting her husband, couldn't brew a cup of coffee? Say wha?!
  
  This was an easy listen on my commute, but I was disappointed that it didn't live up to its potential. The narrator was okay, but the story was choppy, the mystery was weak and with its underdeveloped characters and a main character who was too ridiculous to get behind, needless to say, I won't be continuing with this cozy mystery series.
  
• 
  Tari

  This was such a fun start to a brand new series! I honestly couldn't put it down and pretty much read it straight through. I knew that a book by Tonya Kappes would be awesome since I've read others of hers and this book did not disappoint!
  
  Mae West, a 30-year-old wife to a 61-year-old businessman thought life was pretty good until he was found running a Ponzi scheme and the FBI took everything away that she owned, lived in or drove. The only thing she now owned was a camper and a campground which was in Normal, KY. Telling that to a girl who may have been born in KY but spent the last 12 years in the lap of luxury in NY was sort of like a death sentence. Mae was still determined to make a go of her new life at the campground. She quickly made friends but soon after she arrived, her ex-husband's body was found floating in the campgrounds lake.
  
  I loved how a former fairly spoiled princess of a person was able to transform into a very caring person who only wanted to make things right with the people that her ex had wronged. Mae made the transition pretty well and while clueless at times, she was still smart and determined to get that campground back on its feet and make it popular again.
  
  I really liked all her new friends, especially Dottie, who might be a little rough around the edges but she was really an ol' softie. I thought the ladies were all so nice to welcome her, a total stranger, and help her get back on her feet by giving her food, cleaning supplies, a job and even a temporary car donated by the local church.
  
  There were plenty of possible suspects but only a few made sense although I did guess who did it. But I'm pretty sure I picked up on some clues along the way to help me. The take down was epic and now it appeared that Mae's only dilemma was two handsome guys who have started to like her. It'll be interesting to see who the lucky man is as the series progresses. I have the next book pre-ordered and can't wait till it releases!
• 
  Taryn

  In this new series we are introduced to Mae West whose life goes from lavish to lacking over night. You see Mae's husband, now ex, had a huge Ponzi scheme going on until he got caught. Not only did he bilk a bunch of their friends but he also took Mae for everything. When Mae meets with their lawyer she soon learns that the only thing she has left is an RV and a Campground located in Normal, Kentucky. She decides to go to the campground and reevaluate her life before deciding on what she is going to do. When she gets there and learns that it's nothing like the brochure that her lawyer gave her she realizes she'll have to put some work in it to sell it. Along the way she finds out that her ex-husband took money from most of the people in the town of Normal too. Mae wants to do her best to help everyone because of all the pain and suffering that her husband caused. When he escapes from prison and is then found dead in Normal there is no shortage of suspects to be had. Follow along as Mae tries to make a go of it in Normal and figure out who wanted her ex dead the most. This was such a fun and endearing read. If you've never been to the south you'll get a huge dose of it from this book and it's truly worth the time to read. I loved the characters and the feeling that you got from the town of Normal, it just felt like home. I look forward to seeing what happens with Mae and her campground next.
• 
  Karen

  I bought Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries by Tonya Kappes, actually I pre ordered it from Amazon.ca and I was so excited for it to show up on my ipad to read this past weekend. A great first in what I am excitedly anticipating being a long running series. Based in Normal, Kentucky with a wonderful bunch of down to earth characters and a setting that was not seemingly to cozy to begin with but then as the story transforms so does the setting. I loved the grit, the comedy, the personalities and the predicaments that main character Mae West, finds herself in throughout this mystery and story. Loved everything about this one and especially the cover! I have even preorder the next one from Amazon.ca!
  
• 
  LORI CASWELL

  Dollycas’s Thoughts
  
  Mae West has had her life turned inside out. You see her husband was scum, scamming hard-working people and senior citizens out of their hard-earned cash and the FBI has finally caught up with him. Sadly Mae had no clue what he was up to and is now broke and homeless and without a motor vehicle. Then she meets with her lawyer where she finds herself the new owner of a used RV and a campground in Normal, Kentucky that was somehow in her name only. Seeing the brochure she immediately sees dollar signs, thinking how much can she sell it for. In the meantime, a little beach vacay sounds pretty good.
  
  When she arrives at the Happy Trails Campground she thinks there must be some kind of mistake. The place looks nothing like the brochure. The sights are rundown, the lake is full of green slime and algae, and the beach is far from blissful. She learns her husband has struck here as well. Not taking care of upkeep and maintenance, not paying his manager, and worst of all he scammed the people here as well. She is not totally surprised to find his body in the slimy lake following his escape from prison. As the scorned wife she becomes the prime suspect. Sadly she needs to build a little trust with the people of Normal while she proves she did not murder anyone and had nothing to do with his schemes. Maybe then she will be able to get her life back on track.
  
  I really enjoyed my first visit to Normal, Kentucky. The residents are some really quirky characters but most of them have huge hearts and are full of Southern hospitality. Mae is just 30 years old, Paul was 61, she thought she had a good life and never imagined things would turn out this way. I did come to admire the way she handled herself after her little pity party. She makes a real transformation over the course of these pages. I enjoyed the development of all the characters although I did have a few issues with the behavior of a certain FBI agent. It just felt off for that position. He seemed more a folksy small-town sheriff instead of a serious Special Agent for the FBI.
  
  The mystery was pretty straight forward and I ferreted out the guilty party quite quickly but I continued to read the story all in one sitting and was very entertained. I did enjoy how the killer was revealed, it had an exciting few moments.
  
  For me, Beaches, Bungalows, & Burglaries was a fresh, light read and a great way to spend a couple of hours.
  
  Tonya Kappes is a writing machine. I have wanted to read this story/series since it was released but got discouraged as more and more books came out and I kept getting further behind. It will probably take me forever to catch up but I was very excited when a mini reading challenge gave me the opportunity to read this book and get started. Now I want to keep reading them all but with my reading commitments that is going to take time. I really want to delve deeper into the craziness of Normal so I am going to squeeze them in when I can.
• 
  Cathy

  I had high hopes for this one but it just didn’t pan out, unfortunately. In the beginning the main character mused to herself how her husband left her 100k in cash in the drawer but the running theme was how broke she is. If you run through 100k in day or even months, you need an intervention. The entire thing was just implausible. It was kinda cute but I’m not seeking out more in this series!
• 
  Leane

  Really great start to a series.
• 
  ChrissiesPurpleLibrary

  I had a decent time reading this book. It was charming, funny and cozy. However, I would have preferred a different setting rather than a campground. I think while reading this book I discovered a cozy mystery preference for cozy mysteries settings around food restaurants. Overall, this was a decent pallet cleanser.
• 
  Carlymor

  This is a charming start to the Campers and Criminals series. Mae West is stunned by her husband's illegal activity, resulting in the swindling of many people. When she realizes that the campground in Normal, Kentucky is her only possession left, she decides to travel there for a vacation, but finds the campground neglected and rundown. It seems her husband has also cheated some of the residents out of their hard earned savings, resulting in a lot of resentment towards her. She works hard to both restore the campground and convince the citizens that she wasn't aware of her husband's shady dealings. The mystery is good and there are plenty of suspects. The main appeal of this is the characterizations of the people in Normal and the sweet personality of Mae. I'll definitely try the next one in the series.
• 
  Harmony

  If I had to describe this book in a word, it would be confused.
  
  It felt as if the author wasn't sure what direction she wanted to take the FMC, Mae West *MASSIVE EYE ROLL*, in. In the beginning, Mae is a rich socialite who was a complete moron. She didn't even know how to do laundry, she is that much of a failure in life. Can you tell that I didn't like her? Not even a little bit? Then as the story progresses, we find out that Mae started life out in Kentucky and her family died. She then bounced from foster home to foster home before getting a degree in economics because she's "smart". The book tells us she's smart while also telling us that she's a complete idiot who can't manage the simplest things in life. Then we also find out that she was a flight attendant when she met her much older husband.
  
  So, we are to believe that this former foster home child who worked as a flight attendant didn't even know how to do laundry? That she had no clue about anything?
  
  

  “What?” Queenie shrugged. “First off, she didn’t separate out her clothes between darks and whites. She mixed linen with cotton. Then she didn’t put detergent in. She pushed the first button she saw.”

  
  
  She doesn't know what spark plugs are, she's too stupid to read a manual to figure out how to use a Keurig. Right, so which is it? Is she an idiot or is she some genius with an economic degree? What did she do while in college? While working as a flight attendant? Surely, she had to do laundry during that time and take care of herself? She was only married for 5 years. So unless she had a lobotomy, it makes no sense that she's this much of a clueless imbecile.
  
  As if that's not bad enough then we have the FBI agent/ local detective/ camper owner (RIIIGHT didn't realize you could be in the FBI and also a local detective at the same time) who pegs her as the killer. Never mind that she doesn't own a gun, never mind that she wasn't even in the state when the murder happened. Nope, she's the suspect and bumbling rude jerk is going to prove it! BY GUM!
  
  The book runs through a lame list of improbable red herrings while carefully hiding the real culprit so he can be sprung at the last second. SURPRISE! There's the culprit! I hate when books do this.
  
  Ok so we have a FMC who the author is confused about, red herrings that make no sense, a last minute surprise culprit but that's not even all the things wrong with this book. The biggest for me (other than the love triangle between Mae, Hank, and Ty that did NOT WORK!) is Mae's grossness about loving men with silver hair. Yep, she's got some serious daddy fetish thing going on. She's 30 and her husband was 61. She's attracted to Ty because his dad is hot with all that "yummy" silver hair that gave her a tingle.
  
  UGH.
  
  I can't believe I actually managed to finish this book. Kappes is one of those authors who I either love her work or I don't. She's hit or miss. This book is a massive miss. I just plain did not like it, I didn't like Mae, I didn't like the small minded town, I didn't like the side characters. Perhaps if Mae was better developed and not so confused, I would have liked it more. Maybe.
• 
  Kristina

  Beaches, Bungalows and Burglaries by Tonya Kappes is the first tale in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae West’s (not the actress) life has been turned upside down. Her husband, Paul duped people into investing in his Ponzi scheme and Mae did not know until the FBI showed up at their house. She has lost her home, car and possessions. Her attorney, after he takes her car keys, states that there are two items that she owns and one of them could help her earn a living. For some reason, Paul put an RV and the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky in Mae’s name. With no other options, Mae hops into her new home on wheels and heads for Normal. The brochure shows a beautiful campground on a lake and Mae could use a vacation before making plans for her future. Mae arrives at Happy Trails and discovers that the brochure was printed twenty years ago. Mae is surprised to find out that the residents of Happy Trails and Normal were also victims of Paul’s nefarious schemes. Mae does not think life can get worse, but then she is approached by Detective Hank Sharp (local FBI agent and park ranger). Paul has escaped from prison and his body has been found floating in Happy Trails gunky lake (covered in green slime). Mae, of course, is at the top of the suspect list, but there is a town full of alternatives. She sets out to find the Paul’s killer as well as revitalize Happy Trails. She will need help and the ladies of The Laundry Club are happy to assist. Come along to Normal, Kentucky where life is happily never normal.
  
  Beaches, Bungalows and Burglaries was a delight to read. I found it well-written and entertaining. It has a nice steady pace throughout the whole book. Mae West is an interesting and likeable main character. She would rather wallow in her new home, but she is lacking in clean laundry. That is how Mae meets the Laundry Club ladies whose stories make Mae wants to help those taken advantage of by Paul. Mae, though, is lacking in the life skills department (laundry, cleaning, cooking, how to use a Keurig). It is a good thing she met Dottie and the other ladies of The Laundry Club are willing to help Mae. The ladies warm up to Mae and set out to help her fix up Happy Trails. The town has a group of diverse characters and shops. I loved Happy Trails and the residents. I like how they come together for dinner and I had not heard of iron skillet smores before this book. There is a hint of romance in the story (a little flirting or interest expressed). I am happy the author did not rush Mae into a relationship. The mystery was straightforward, and I thought the killer stood out like a dog sitting in the middle of a group of cats. Beaches, Bungalows and Burglaries is an amusing story and I am keen to read Deserts, Driving, and Derelicts.
  
• 
  Kathleen

  “Beaches, Bungalows, & Burglaries” earns 5/5 Ponzi Predicaments…Clever!
  
  Serious Life Changes… Maybelline “Mae” Grant West, has found herself without means along with no New York condo, no Maserati, no Hampton’s escape, and no husband of two-years. Her now ex-husband’s busted Ponzi scheme and going-to-jail future also impacted her future, and although exonerated of any wrong doing since her signature was proven a forgery, she did enjoy the benefits of his ill-gotten gains with shopping, spa visits, and a leisurely lifestyle. In the hard-fought final settlement, she did receive, free and clear, a flamingo keychain to a small bright-yellow camper and...“A campground?” Although Mae’s new life challenges the idea of “normal,” she heads off to Normal, Kentucky, to take possession of the not-so-Happy Trails Campground, the only thing not forfeited to the government. Despite a hidden “sock drawer” surprise from her ex-husband, this new life is going to be a challenge with much needed renovations and dealing with a town full of her husband’s victims. But worse yet comes when, after escaping from jail, her ex is found floating in the lake…dead. Ooooh, Karma is always there when you need him, but not smoothly! Mae is deemed the prime suspect by local law enforcement...woman scorned and all.
  
  “Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries” is the first in a six-book series with the most delightful covers…always some version of a colorful RV to grab your attention! However, open up or swipe the screen and discover it's Tonya Kappes’s story that is the true star: a clever mystery giving Karma free reign, relatable (some quirky) characters illustrating a fun Southern nature, a bit of “maybe” romance, and a satisfying ending with just the right amount of peril. Written with a first-person narrative, it's Mae’s perspective, inner thoughts, fears, and frustrations that are the focus. She didn't start the mess her husband got in and in a way is a victim, but she does try to make amends with those who lost everything, too. The healing and beginning relationships add to the engaging drama. This is definitely a candidate for Top Ten series of 2019!
  
  Tonya regularly includes some extra treat for her readers, so what’s better than ideas and recipes for the wannabe or passionate RVer than “Recipes and Cleaning Hacks From Mae West and Women From Normal, Kentucky, and Happy Trails. Campground.” In this book she has three RV Hacks (Keep Away the Critters, Duct Tape According to Queenie, and Ty Randal’s Secret Grout Cleaner). Also enjoy the following recipes that are not just for camping: Preacher’s Wife Pineapple Casserole, Henry’s Buttermilk Garlic and Cheddar Biscuits, and Campfire S’more Dip Using a Cast Iron Skillet.
• 
  Shannon

  This book (and I suspect this author) was not for me. The whiplash changes in each character's behavior and motivations were just so unrealistic. I guess spoilers ahead.
  
  First off, Mae. She goes from being an absolutely unlikable spoiled brat in the first chapter to suddenly being Mother Theresa, depositing what little money she has into the account of someone she knew for, what, a day? And making it her life's mission to right the wrongs done to countless people by her husband. Hmmm, yeah, that just doesn't fit - nobody is that saintly. And her amateur detective skills - which basically just consisted of accusing the people who are being so nice to her for no good reason - were cringeworthy at best.
  
  Then we have Hank, who just can't stop being an ass to Mae because he suspects her of murder. And since when to FBI agents have a summer trailer at a campground (which sounds rundown enough to basically be a trailer park?). Then he supposedly cares about her at the end. Yeah, okay.
  
  Onto Ty - who is legitimately an ass to Mae because his life and the life of his father and brothers was demolished by her husband, and her first introduction to him was coming around demanding back rent. So that one I "got" and felt relatively natural. So of course he's going to be a love interest in next books because again, whiplash! He goes from hating her to lusting after her!
  
  We have this small southern town of people who were swindled out of their savings but within literally MINUTES, Dottie declares Mae "One of us" and she is roundly accepted by a circle of the town's female friends. She somehow magically gets everyone to donate (ahem, wasn't this town like completely destitute a few minutes ago?) to her campground cleanup effort in order to hold an charity event/auction - who is coming to this exactly? How did it raise a bunch of money? And is it charity to keep the proceeds in order to fix up your own property (in the name of "helping the town")? And who on earth is willing to buy this campground for a million dollars?!?!?!?
  
  Nope. The mystery was besides the point and wrapped up quickly and without fanfare.
• 
  Barbara Hackel

  I think this is a great idea for a book. So many chances to poke fun at Mae West, Normal and it's citizens. So many opportunities for laughter. So many missed opportunities.
  
  I have been a fan of this author for years, and am used to a much higher quality of book. This series...well let me make a list of things for you to consider before you decide to spend time and money on the book.
  1, The title has nothing to do with the story-although it is nice alliteration.
  2. The characters in the story go from hateful to bending backwards with
  kindness and even romantic as you turn the page. Some actions are explained and some are not.
  3. Work that would take us mere mortals weeks to achieve happens practically overnight and everything is free. (I didn't realize it was a fairy tale.)
  4. We don't get a satisfying explanation of how the murder was carried out-especially without anyone observing!
  5. Grammar. Sentence structure. Misused words. Wrong tense used. The book had as many errors as a bad freshman English paper.
  
  I do like the premise of the book, love the book cover, and feel there are some great supportive characters in the story. I am going to give it another shot and read the next book in the series. However, I will be reading reviews and thinking carefully before I decide to spend any more time and money on this author's books. And I used to be a huge fan.😕
• 
  Chautona Havig

  Have you ever finished a book and decided that you liked it more than it "deserves"? I don't know how else to put it. Beaches, Bungalows, and & Burglaries Is a nice book. It was a fun mystery that I didn't even guess right the first time. I'd made it until the entrance of the killer into the story before it clicked.
  
  And that's where something just clicked for me. That's why this book is a four-star read. The culprit isn't one of the original cast of characters in the first... we'll just say third to half (to prevent spoilers) of the book. Usually, having someone come in late in the game and be the one with so few clues would turn me off--kind of like cheating.
  
  But it wasn't. This person came in at exactly the right time for this story and actually served to make several others look even more guilty. That's why this is a four-star read for me.
  
  Yes, there are minor flaws, nothing too horrible, and I decided I was okay with that.
  
  Because Tonya Kappes took a book that feels like just an "okay" (glad I read it but wouldn't reread) book and makes it an, "Actually, that's pretty clever right there" book. Not only that, but she really did create some excellent characters and a setting that's too cute for words.
  
  So yeah... I'm going to read the next.