Forests, Fishing Forgery (Camper Criminals, #3) by Tonya Kappes

Forests, Fishing Forgery (Camper Criminals, #3) Reviews

• 
  Madison Warner Fairbanks

  Forests, Fishing, & Forgery by Tonya Kappes
  Campers & Criminals book 3. Cozy mystery.
  Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky is booked solid for the Labor Day weekend though a drought threatens the area. A renter disappears and Mae West almost pees on a dead body. She is again in the middle of “helping” investigate.
  
  🎧 I listened to the audio version narrated by Johanna Parker who speaks with an appropriate southern accent for Mae West. I had to speed it up to 1.4 instead of my usual 1.2 to offset the drawl and get to a comfortable speaking speed. I prefer listening over reading for this author because most of the editing errors in print form are hidden.
  
  Fast moving, plenty of twists and a dog about to give birth make this an amusing episode to the series.
• 
  Elle G. Reads

  Release Date: July 31, 2018
  Genre: Cozy Mystery
  Actual Rating: 5 stars
  
  I love this series so much!!! The books covers, the characters, the sleuthing, the setting, the banter, and everything in between is perfect. Tonya Kappes has a knack for cozy mysteries and I have recently become a huge fan of her books. In fact, I loved this series so much that I grabbed the first book in each of her series. They are honestly that good. Every time she releases a new book I **squee** because I am so excited to see what will happen with her characters next. Sigh, too bad I am all caught up in the series. I simply don't want to wait for the next installment!
  
  Forests, Fishing, & Forgery is the third book in the Camper & Criminal Cozy mystery series. I recommend reading all the books in order as the books progress in terms of relationships and such as the series gets new books. The story takes place in the fictional town of Normal Kentucky which is as far from normal as one can get! The characters are wacky (in a good way) and the crime is low (if you don't count the three murders that recently occurred). Most of the plot takes place at the Happy Trails Campground where the owner is not only good at keeping the residents busy and happy, but solving crimes as well! Mae West is one of my favorite sleuthing heroes and her sidekicks follow closely behind.
  
  If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I strongly recommend this series! These books are quick, fun, witty, and downright hilarious! Even better? You can read these books for free with a kindle unlimited subscription!
• 
  Erica Chaillot

  Nice and fun read. I’m really enjoying this series and characters. I didn’t know the culprit to the end. Highly recommend.
• 
  Peter Monn

  I’m obsessed with this series! Love it. Soooo good!
• 
  Heidi Prockish

  This series is so fun!
• 
  Kristina

  Forests, Fishing and Forgery by Tonya Kappes is the third installment in A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Mae West owns the Happy Trails Campground in Normal, Kentucky. With it being Labor Day weekend, the campground is full plus they are hosting their monthly party. Mae gets the honor of checking in a rowdy bachelor party group who will be staying for the weekend. Willian Hinson and his groomsmen have been overindulging in alcoholic beverages. William ends up in an argument with Ranger Corbin Ashbrook and a warning from Mae to settle down or they will be tossed out. The next morning, William is missing, but they are hopeful that he just passed out in the forest and will soon return to the camp. Mae is enjoying a hike with Ty when she has to tinkle. She nips behind a tree and encounters a dead Ranger Ashbrook (at least she looked down before she did her business). Did William kill him and take off? Mae does not need another murder associated with Happy Trails, so she begins fishing for information. She is hoping William’s distraught fiancé can provide some helpful intel. Mae is also dealing with the potential closing of Daniel Boone National Park due to drought conditions, rivalry between Hank and Ty, a pregnant Fifi and finding a way to get out of her hair appointment. Come along to Normal, Kentucky to join Mae as she casts a line to reel in the killer in Forests, Fishing and Forgery.
  
  Forests, Fishing and Forgery is a light-hearted, humorous cozy mystery. The book is well-written and has a steady pace which makes it easy to read. Mae West is a fun main character with her mass of curls, her humor, compassion, curiosity, and desire to help others. There are several quirky characters which make up The Laundry Club. They are in the book, but the ladies are not prevalent this time around. I thought Forests, Fishing and Forgery was toned down compared to the first two books in the series (I liked it). There is still plenty of wit along with small town Southern charm. I just love the description of downtown Normal, Kentucky (such a quaint and welcoming city). The mystery was not complicated and identifying the guilty party is duck soup. I like the direction Mae’s love life is headed. I believe this individual is suited to Mae’s personality (if I told you who it would spoil it for you). Little Fifi is having a rough time of it as she nears her due date. Mae will soon have the patter of little paws in her small trailer (I can just imagine the trouble they will cause). It is lovely to see Mae thriving in her new home and to see Happy Trails Campground flourishing. There are recipes and RV hacks included at the end of the book. I wonder what mischief Mae will get up to in the next A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery!
• 
  Taryn

  In this third book of the series it is Labor Day in Normal, Kentucky and things are going wonderfully for Mae at the Happy Trails Campground. They are booked solid and Mae has become comfortable in the new life she has made for herself. Her dog is pregnant and should be having puppies soon, she has two men who are both interested in her, and friendships are strong. When a bachelor party group arrives and starts to become rowdy Mae hopes that she can keep them under control, hopefully keeping them from running off other guests. When the groom ends up going missing Mae knows that she has to look into his disappearance and quickly find out where he is otherwise it could hurt the campgrounds. While out looking for the man she ends up finding the dead body of a local forest ranger who had been out searching earlier in the day. Was the forest ranger murder and if so why and where is the missing groom? These are the answers that Mae is searching for. When the groom is found dead and another person connected to the ranger dies Mae becomes intent on finding the answers that she so desperately needs. Follow along as Mae runs her business, tries to go out on a couple of dates, and delves into the deaths happening around her. This is such a readable series filled with a cast of fun characters and a location that I wouldn't mind visiting. I look forward to seeing what Mae gets into next.
• 
  Patrizia

  3 stelle e mezza
  Di questa serie mi piacciono un sacco le copertine, ma quando leggo i libri non sono mai convinta del tutto. In questo caso ho trovato che a volte la storia era confusa e alla fine non sono stata sodisfatta della motivazione per uno degli omicidi (e non dico di più per non fare troppi spoiler).
• 
  Tari

  I think this is my favorite in the series so far! Mae's heart has finally come to a decision on her love life, her adopted poodle had some puppies, not to mention another great mystery was solved.
  
  Mae had her hands full on Labor Day weekend. There was possibly a drought going on, and if the park was closed, that meant financial trouble for her and all her fellow small businesses. One of her campers, the groom from a rowdy bachelor party group, went missing, then someone was murdered, or was it accidental? As the bodies continued to pile up, Mae was wondering how these cases were all connected, but in the end the case was solved and life was good again.
  
  I just love the Laundry Club member Queenie! She's a longtime member of Normal and seems to know just about everyone and all their business too. I loved the outcome of the whole story, as well as the birth of the puppies, so sweet! After you finish the books, there are three RV hacks/tips and three campground recipes to enjoy. We don't camp, but I'm sure we can figure out a way to enjoy the recipes anyway.
• 
  Jen (That's What I'm Talking About)

  It’s Labor Day weekend and the folks of Normal, KY, are a happy bunch. The long weekend has brought in many visitors to the Happy Trails Campground, including a wild bachelor party. Everyone seems to be having a good time until news of a drought might close the Daniel Boone National Park, the groom-to-be goes missing, and a park ranger turns up dead.
  
  Overall, I continue to enjoy my time spent in Normal, Kentucky. The books are quick, fun, and I really like Mae. This time around, the mystery was a bit more complex, with multiple murders that may or may not be connected. Mae comes up with some interesting theories, and in the end, she usually figures out most of the details, therefore helping the local police.
  
  The Ty-Mae-Hank love triangle continues to play a roll in the books. I am not a fan of triangles, and it was a bigger part of this book than the previous two titles. Although I felt this side story took a bit of a detour during Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, by the end of the book, it appears the author has set the course for future titles. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the direction Ms. Kappes selected, but if the triangle ends and we only witness one blossoming romance in the fourth title, I’ll be happy.
  
  Once again, I found a few inconsistencies that alone aren’t a big deal, but after happening a couple times in each book, it is starting to bug me a little bit. Additionally, I am beginning to wonder about the number of deaths and murders in this small town. I get that there needs to be a murder for a cozy to work, but at some point I’ll have to suspend reality and not question why the town isn’t getting bad press! It’s also the fact that Mae is always the one to stumble across the dead bodies… it’s getting to be a bit too often. I hope the author finds a new way to establish the mystery in subsequent titles.
  
  Narration: I’ve come to appreciate-nearly LOVE-Ms. Parker’s southern drawl and how it adds ambiance to a story. The series is shared from Mae’s first person narrative, and Ms. Parker’s voice fits Mae’s personality: friendly, courageous, and determined. Overall, Ms. Parker fits the southern, small-town feel and pacing of the narrative. Each character has a slightly different voice fitting his/her age and gender, with her male and older women characters having deeper voices.
  In the end, I enjoyed listening to Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, but I do hope things change up a bit in future titles.
  
  My Ratings:

  Story: B/B-
  Narration: A-
  Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
  ​
• 
  JoAn

  Ms. Kappes brought me back to Normal, KY with sassy southern humor and a twisted mystery set at Happy Trails Campground during Labor Day weekend. Mae once again gets involved as one of her visitors turns up missing, a suspicious death of a Park Ranger and a friend is murdered. There's rumors flying about drought that may close the Daniel Boone National Park that could hurt all of Normal's tourist business, too. Being the third book in the series all of The Laundry Club ladies are back and I do love every one of them. They are kind, quirky and sassy; and Mae's newest acquisition, a miniature poodle is pregnant and ready to give birth at any minute. A fast paced plot, twists that kept me guessing, rumors that could be fact or fiction and a the romance triangle finally settled. The reveal came as a shock to me as it just happened without Mae really contributing much to the case this time. I'm eagerly awaiting the next book.
• 
  Kelly Young

  The tale is excellent, the characters are gaining depth and the book is overall entertaining.
  The mistakes, both grammatical and structural, continue to take me out of the story. This time I highlighted only 15, which is an improvement, but the book would be so much better if the author got a decent editor, a proof reader and some Beta readers. She is seriously doing herself and her readers a disservice.
• 
  Jacqueline Kuntz

  The editing in this series is definitely lacking, and at times the timeline doesn’t fully add up. However, the characters are cute, quirky, and likable, and the books are great beach reads!
• 
  Rebecca

  Still loving this cozy camper criminal series! Mae ends up with a pregnant dog in this one which just makes the story more realistic. Most camp owners do have dogs! ;) It's Labor Day Weekend and while Mae is out on what's supposed to be a sweet walk, she almost pees on a dead body! All these dead bodies just keep finding their way to Mae. Can't wait to keep reading this series to find out if it's going to be Hank or Ty in the end! We learn more and more about the little town of Normal KY and the residents who live there. I can't get enough!
• 
  Sandy Bartles

  This is Book 3 of the Camper and Criminals Cozy Mystery. With murder, friendships, more than enough guy friends and Mae West’s dog about to give birth any second, the excitement never lets up. I loved this book so much and hope the next one in the series isn’t too far behind.
  
  I voluntarily reviewed an Advanced Reader Copy of this book.
• 
  Breanna Nater

  3.5 ⭐️
• 
  Crystal P

  I am greatly enjoying this series. This would have been a 5-star read for me if the end hadn’t seemed rushed. I enjoyed the characters and the mystery but thought the final solution was anticlimactic.
  
  A friend commented that they no longer want to visit the park/town due to the large amount of dead bodies and I can say I see why they said this with the bodies piling up by book 3. Additionally, with as often as Mar West finds dead bodies, I’m surprised people aren’t expecting their impending death when they invite her to drop by!
  
  I am intrigued by the relationship and hoping the next books has lots of puppies!
• 
  Wendy Heuvel

  This book had a few twists and turns I didn’t expect. A good mystery with fun characters. I will read more in this series.
• 
  Connie Anne Kikta

  Another 5 stars for Tonya Kappes. I really enjoy her writing. This is the third book in this series I read and loved them all.
  
  Very quick read with interesting characters and storylines.
• 
  Brooke

  This is just such a fun and funny series. I really like all the characters. I’m a Ty fan so I’m not happy about this ending.
• 
  Mary Brown

  Forests, Fishing and Forgery
  A Camper & Criminals Cozy, Book #3
  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! (Goodreads)
  
  Review:
  
  The characters are well rounded and well developed. Mae’s group of friends have plenty of southern charm and an overabundance of southern grit. I know that I would not to have any of them as enemies. The Laundry Club girls would be a group that I would like to visit and spend time with. Mae is a good person and really has a heart of gold. But she can be strong as steel if she needs to be. Having to find a killer is one of those times and she feels that she is up to the job.
  
  The mystery is well plotted and moves along at a great pace. There were plenty of suspects to consider and clues to sift through. Throw in some red herrings and twists and turns and it is not an easy mystery to solve.
  
  The writing style flows smoothly and allowed me to get a better insight into all of the characters. The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and her settings creation and I felt like I was right there watching all of the action taking place and listening in on conversations. I was really pulled into the story from the very beginning.
  
  I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. If you like great characters, an engaging setting and a baffling mystery, you will love this book and series.
  
  
  
• 
  Nicole

  I have fallen head over heels with this series from book 1. I love the storylines, the characters, the way the book is written and you just want to continue reading. In this third book it's Labor Day weekend in Normal, Kentucky. One of the busiest times for Happy Trails Campground. But there is a problem. There is a danger of a drought which means the Daniel Boone National Park is at danger of being shut down, which would result in local businesses to close and lose money.
  
  Mae West and her Happy Trails Campground are busy as well. There's a group who are celebrating a bachelor party and one of them goes missing after he had a fight with the ranger. A ranger who shows up dead later on..... who had the means to shut down the park! Then Mae also finds a local reporter dead. What does everything have to do with each other? Mae goes on the hunt for clues, as her dog is due to have puppies any moment and while juggling her love life.
  
  I had no idea who did it or why. I was thrown into so many possibilities! Again, I love this series and if you haven't read it yet, please do! Each book can be read as stand alone, but it is more fun to read the whole series!!
• 
  Bobbi Radford

  I will start off saying my review will have spoilers, this review is mainly for me to remember what the book was about. It’s Labor Day Weekend and there is a shutdown about to happen. A bachelor party shows up and is drunk and rowdy. Fifi is about to bust- she’s pregnant with 3 babies. I agree with everyone else here, the editing needs work. There are a few inconsistencies and a few holes. With a good arc team these books could be so much better. Anyways, Mae goes on a date with Ty, they went on a hike and of course Mae finds a dead body when she tries to go pee. It is getting old that she is the one who finds most of the dead people. It’s the ranger Corbin, I think that’s his name. He apparently died of anaphylaxis shock. Which is weird, because he knew not to eat peanut butter and why if you are going out on a search would you leave your phone and epi pen behind. Makes no sense and then we find out that his dead body means nothing and had no reason to be in the book. Then the fiancé William goes missing and after that is when Mae finds the journalist murdered and the missing camper/fiancé from the rowdy bachelor party washes up in the river. Apparently his fiancée and best friend were having an affair and he saw them kissing in town. Jameson was the best friend who murdered both William and the journalist. William being the missing fiancé. I really like Tonya Kappes as a person and I love where she is going with these books however, they just need to be tightened up.
• 
  Pam

  AUTHOR Kappes, Tonya
  TITLE Forests, Fishing & Forgery
  DATE READ 12/14/20
  RATING 4/B
  FIRST SENTENCE
  GENRE/ PUB DATE/FORMAT/LENGTH Cozy Mystery/2019/Hoopla Audio/4 hr 35min
  SERIES/STAND-ALONE #3 Camper & Criminals
  CHALLENGE Good Reads 2020 Reading Goal/190/120
  GROUP READ
  TIME/PLACE 2018/Normal KY
  CHARACTERS Mae West/campground owner
  COMMENTS If you like small southern towns, friendly characters and then some that aren't… with a fun mystery story Campers & Criminals series is just the ticket. #3 and looking forward to the next one.
  
• 
  Amy

  When a rowdy group of young men, planning to enjoy their bachelor party weekend show up at the campground, Mae already senses trouble. Especially when the groom to be goes missing!
  Along with rumors of a possible drought, a very pregnant dog and a love triangle, can Mae deal with it all? Quirky characters along with southern charm in Normal, Kentucky at Happy Trails Campground will take you along on a fast paced read while enjoying some camping fun!
• 
  Karen Hollins-Stallman

  Loved it!
  
  With each new installment in this series I fall in love with the characters and Normal even more. Tonya has a way of bringing her words to life in your imagination and drawing you into the story. I didn't figure out the murderer until the end, lots of twists and turns to keep you guessing. I highly recommend this series to all my cozy reader friends