Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries (by Tonya Kappes)
A new bookstore in town has opened its doors, specializing in Kentucky authors and books set in the state. The owner is doing an excellent job of getting this small bookshop up and running. She also carries adorable book-themed t-shirts, mugs, and other gifts for book lovers.
One of the authors featured in the bookstore is Tonya Kappes, who writes a cozy mystery series titled “Camper and Criminals.” The series is set in the fictional town of Normal, Kentucky, and several of her books are available in the bookstore.
I read two of the books in the series and, to be honest, I thought they were just average. I hadn’t planned on revisiting the series, but seeing them in the bookstore and the bookshop staff talking about how much they liked the series made me curious. I wondered if I started the series from the beginning, which I generally prefer, would I have a different experience.
Then, I noticed on Libby that my local library offered unlimited copies of the audiobook for the first book in the series, “Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries.” Intrigued, I decided to give it a try. I have nostalgic memories of traveling with my family on vacations in a camper, and I also enjoy the comforting feeling of cozy mysteries.
“Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries” begins in New York City, where Mae West meets her attorney. He explains that Mae has lost everything due to her husband’s Ponzi scheme. Paul West is now in federal prison, and the FBI has seized all of their property except for Happy Trails, a family-friendly campground in Normal, Kentucky. Mae decides to travel to Normal and spend some time at the picturesque campground while she sorts out her next steps in life.
Upon arriving at the campground, Mae finds it poorly maintained and discovers that many people in Normal are victims of her husband’s scheme. She has a lot of work to do to separate herself from Paul’s reputation and make amends with the community. Before she can settle in, Paul West is found dead in the lake at the campground. This discovery motivates Mae to find her husband’s killer and put her life with him behind her.
I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, which exceeded my expectations. I believe it’s beneficial to start a series from the beginning, as it enhances my understanding of the character development. While the other books in the series provide adequate background information, allowing readers to join in the series, I find that it offers a more enriching reading experience. Additionally, I particularly enjoyed the local settings she incorporated into the story. For instance, she referenced the prison I retired from. While her description wasn’t entirely accurate, it aligns with the local community’s perception.
I understand that the book’s title conforms to the typical cozy mystery genre. However, I don’t believe it accurately reflects the story’s narrative. After reading the book, I comprehend the rationale behind using such descriptors, but I don’t think they resonate as well with a story set in Kentucky.
As mentioned earlier, I listened to the audiobook of “Beaches, Bungalows, and Burglaries” using Libby. I thoroughly enjoyed the narration provided by Johanna Parker. I also appreciate the short length of the book, which makes it a quick and palate-cleansing read, taking about five hours to listen to.
Before establishing my blog, I had read “Christmas, Criminals, and Campers.” Subsequently, I delved into “Eggnog, Extortion, and Evergreens,” which you can find in my review linked below. At the time, I was seeking holiday-themed reads.
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