Mae and the Laundry Club are here to welcome you back to Normal, Kentucky. In this book we learn more about Mae and what happened to put her into the foster care system. That was a real interesting storyline that I am hoping is continued as I felt like it left me hanging. It is a background storyline so I’m fine with it so long as it continues. For me it truly enhances this series.
Just how did we get to learn so much? Well, the mystery in this book involves a character I liked and the introduction of a some characters from Mae’s hometown. With the mystery involving a friend, you know Mae and the ladies are going to be on it. So Mae and Mary Elizabeth are off to visit the old hometown. I’m not going to lie. I loved seeing them go off together. It really encourages me to read a real feel relationship about the foster care system, (having worked in it, I’m well aware of what’s wrong with it. I’m also aware that there is a lot right, too. That part rarely gets the spotlight.). Hank is back, of course, and is along for the visit.
The first few chapters moved slow for me. I’ve read the series since the beginning so, while I understand the need for the catch up, it felt long. Once I was past that, it moved along at its usual fast pace. It is definitely another page turner! I felt a nice mix of humor with bit of poignancy. The mystery was nicely developed with a good mix of suspects. The descriptions of the Daniel Boone Forest always leave me with a yearning to return. I am already anticipating the next chapter! ( )

Well-liked waitress and baker Trudy Bull is found dead after hours in the restaurant. Detective Hank Sharp, aided by Mae West and the Laundry Ladies - whether he wants to be or not - piece together clues to solve this mystery. The charm of these stories comes from the quirky and likable characters and their interactions. There is definitely something amiss in the town of Normal, and the gals won’t rest until Trudy’s killer is caught. Romance is still blooming between the spunky and pretty Mae and her handsome boyfriend, Hank. He only hopes he can keep her safe as she forges ahead with little thought to her own safety. It seems to take up much of his free time, and then some. It’s a well written and quick tale, and nicely narrated by Johanna Parker. ( )

Welcome back to Normal, Kentucky, the home of Happy Trails Campground owner Mae West. It was fun becoming reacquainted with the town residents, especially the laundry ladies who once again join forces with Mae to help solve the murder of the well-liked owner of a popular local diner.

Tonya Kappes draws her readers into this small-town setting and at the same time allows us to get to know more about the people who live there. This time people from Mae’s past are brought in and introduced in such a way that makes them both an integral part of the story as well as allowing to know more about her background. She keeps us guessing as Mae tries to figure out not only the killer, but also who has been stealing money from the bank accounts of town residents.

The romance between Mae and Hank continues and we learn more about Mae’s foster mom, Mary Elizabeth.

Ms. Kappes has a talent for making her characters very real. The townspeople of Normal would be fun to sit and chat with while enjoying a light lunch. Before reaching the conclusion of her story, she cleverly leads her readers down what appear to be multiple very possible roads to find out who committed the crimes.

Reading the previous books will provide you a bit of extra background and insight into the characters, but is not essential to enjoying Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal. ( )

Tonya Kappes books always make you feel like you have escaped into a fun place where there are friendly unique characters, small southern town charm and interesting mysteries to solve. Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is no exception.

As always Mae West finds herself right in the middle of trouble. When the Bookclub ladies and Mae find their friend Trudy murdered they waste no time calling together the Laundry Ladies to start snooping and brainstorming to solve her murder. I like how there is also another mystery intertwined when they find out that someone is hacking and stealing some of Normal's residents money. Mae is determined to help Hank, her boyfriend who just so happens to be a detective, solve this murder even when he tells her to stay out of it. Can Mae and the ladies figure it out without getting into too much danger or trouble?

Mae is a determined, hard working, and smart but she tends to get into some pretty sticky situations. I love all the gossipy eccentric characters that make up the nucleus of Normal KY. I was glad to see that Hank and Mae are moving their romance along too. His support when Mae goes back to her hometown and has to face her past was heart warming. I cheered Mae on when she stood up to the pompous Jami who always caused her trouble in school. One of my favorite lines was when Jami was taunting Mae like she did when in school and Mae came back with "I'm old enough now to know I don't have to take this anymore" Boy howdy I was thinking go ahead give her a good slap but now that wouldn't be lady like.

I really enjoyed this book. It is the perfect mix of mystery, friends, family and southern charm while keeping you guessing about the solution to the mystery. I give this one 5 stars and looking forward to the next one. ( )

Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal by Tonya Kappes is the tenth novel in A Campers & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Each book in the series can be read on its own. It is always fun to visit Normal, Kentucky with its quirky residents. Mae West has just arrived for book club with the Laundry Club gals when she hears a woman screaming. They find Abby Fawn pointing at the Normal Diner where Trudy Bull, a beloved waitress, is dead. The motive was not robbery since her purse still has money inside, but Trudy’s cell phone (which she always had with her) is missing. Mae along with the ladies of the Laundry Club work to solve the crime despite Hank’s warning to stay out of his investigation. Mae must return to her hometown of Perrysburg to speak with the man Trudy was seen with the evening she died. There are a handful of suspects in this whodunit. Mae gets bad news from the bank. It turns out that someone has hacked her bank account and drained it. Mae and a handful of other local residents were affected. The police are working with the FBI to identify the evildoer. I was able to recognize the murderer and the hacker early in the book but that did not hinder my enjoyment of this fun cozy mystery. With Mae returning to her hometown, we get to learn more about her plus Mae learns some startling information. I like Tonya Kappes’ engaging writing style which makes the book a delight to read. There is humor sprinkled throughout the story. I enjoy the descriptions of Normal with its quaint shops and surrounded by the National Boone National Forest. There are recipes and RV hacks at the end of the book. Sunsets, Sabbatical and Scandal is a merry book with a harsh hacker, a cozy campground, out of the blue news, a pocketed phone, happy hikers and a meaningless murder. ( )