Canyons, Caravans, & Cadavers

Title: Canyons, Caravans, & Cadavers
Author: Tonya Kappes
Published: December 1, 2023 by Tonya Kappes Books
Format: Audiobook, 182 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Camper & Criminals #6

Blurb: When the principal of Normal High School asks Mae West to teach a semester on small town economics, since she helped bring the thriving economy in Normal, Kentucky when she used her brilliant ideas to bring the Happy Trails Campground back to life, Mae is thrilled and happy to teach the young people. But when a fellow teacher and archery Coach Roger Carlson, is found stone-cold dead, facedown in one of Happy Trails Campground campers with an arrow sticking out of his back, it puts a damper on the thriving campground when tourists cancel their reservations and Mae's excitement to teach.

Mae's hankering to snoop into the coach's private life and find out exactly why he was renting a camper in Happy Trails and not living at home with his young wife. Her efforts don't leave her short on suspects. Especially, since Mae uncovered many unhappy parents who had relied on an archery scholarship as their child's ticket to get out of Normal and go to college. Mae has to be careful or she just might find an arrow with her name written on it.

My Opinion: Tonya Kappes delivers yet another adventure with the ever-popular Camper & Criminals Mystery series. With small-town charm, a tight-knit community, and, of course, a murder that shakes up the campsite, what’s not to love?

Right from the start, the book sets the scene with that signature Kappes touch: a mix of humor, intrigue, and just enough chaos to keep things lively. The oddball cast of characters feels like old friends, and the dynamics between them make for plenty of entertaining moments. And let’s not forget the mystery itself, which was layered with unexpected twists and turns that keep the pages turning.

The plot uses all the classic elements of a cozy mystery, including eccentric suspects, charming local gossip, and an amateur sleuth determined to uncover the truth. However, Kappes adds her unique touch, making the story feel fresh instead of predictable. The pacing maintains momentum, creating an atmosphere of suspense while preserving a lighthearted tone, which is perfect for a relaxing summer day.

The Amalfi Curse

Title: The Amalfi Curse
Author: Sarah Penner
Published: April 29, 2025 by Park Row
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
Genre: Literary Fiction

Blurb: Haven Ambrose, a trailblazing nautical archaeologist, has come to the sun-soaked village of Positano to investigate the mysterious shipwrecks along the Amalfi Coast. But Haven is hoping to find more than old artifacts beneath the azure waters; she is secretly on a quest to locate a trove of priceless gemstones her late father spotted on his final dive. Upon Haven’s arrival, strange maelstroms and misfortunes start plaguing the town. Is it nature or something more sinister at work?

As Haven searches for her father’s sunken treasure, she begins to unearth a centuries-old tale of ancient sorcery and one woman’s quest to save her lover and her village by using the legendary art of stregheria, a magical ability to harness the ocean. Could this magic be behind Positano’s latest calamities? Haven must unravel the Amalfi Curse before the region is destroyed forever…

Against the dazzling backdrop of the Amalfi Coast, this bewitching novel shimmers with mystery, romance and the untamed magic of the sea.

My Opinion: At first glance, The Amalfi Curse had me debating whether I should even give it a shot. The opening pages weren’t promising. Filled with endorsements from BookTok influencers rather than established authors. It made me wonder: Are publishers shifting their priorities entirely, banking on influencers to sell books instead of engaging directly with readers? If so, what does that mean for the future of book publishing? That uneasy thought lingered as I turned the pages.

The first third of the novel left me feeling detached and uncertain if it would turn out to be another disappointment like The London Séance Society. I was hoping it would compare to the writing in The Lost Apothecary, which pulled me in from the start. It landed somewhere in the middle.

This time, I found myself waiting and wondering when the story would finally click. And then, around the 100-page mark, something shifted. The tangled threads of dual timelines and three distinct perspectives started to tighten into something more compelling. Sea witches, pirates, and fortune hunters are elements that should have been exciting from the start, but the book took its time, making me work for the payoff. It wasn’t until the latter half that I truly appreciated how Penner laid out the story, dropping clues rather than spoon-feeding the reader. That trust in her audience, allowing us to make connections without excess hand-holding, was refreshing.

By the end, I was surprised at how much I had come to care about the characters and the world Penner had built. What started as an uncertain read evolved into something unexpectedly satisfying. She redeemed herself here, crafting a novel that, despite its slow burn, ultimately rewarded patience. In hindsight, maybe that’s part of its charm.

FDR Drive

Title: FDR Drive
Author: James Comey
Published: May 20, 2025 by Mysterious Press
Format: Kindle, 336 Pages
Genre: Thriller
Source: My thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.
Series: Nora Carleton #3

Blurb: A threat is building in the city, with far right extremism powered by internet demagogues and funded by shadowy organizations. Together with legendary investigator Benny Dugan and aided by colleagues at the FBI, Nora builds a case against the key players in this burgeoning movement, arguing before a jury that some speech is actually a deadly crime. But the menace taking root is far bigger than any courtroom, and as the militants target an upcoming United Nations rally, Nora and her team must race to disrupt the plans and minimize casualties.

My Opinion: FDR Drive is not a book you pick up for light, casual reading. It’s the kind you settle in for with a cup of coffee, ready to navigate the corridors of legal and political intrigue. And yes, I understand why some readers may balk at his work; the author himself carries enough baggage to trigger strong reactions. But setting that aside, if you’ve been following the Nora Carleton series, this one pulls you in from the first chapters. The tension is immediate, the stakes high, and before you know it, you’re flipping pages deep into the night.

Some criticize the book for being too complicated and too dense. That, I don’t understand. If you pick up a political-legal thriller from someone who’s been a power insider, it’s fair to expect complexity. Comey doesn’t spoon-feed; he expects the reader to keep up. And while I may not be a lawyer, I’ve watched enough Law & Order to hold my own and this book certainly tests that focus.

The real heart of FDR Drive, though, is the dilemma it presents: Where does free speech end, and culpability begin? The novel threads together real-world concerns about podcasters being charged with incitement, existential threats, and online radicalization. It forces the reader to ask tough questions: should a podcaster be held responsible for the actions of their audience? If someone names a name, drops an address, or expresses outrage, does that implicate them in the act that follows? And what about the puppet masters behind the scenes, the people who feed the information -- are they just as guilty? These are questions with no easy answers, ones that could spark heated discussions in a book club, assuming you’re all still on speaking terms by the end.

By the third book in the series, Nora Carleton, and the characters around her feel like people you want to see make it to the next day. This isn’t a simple read. It demands patience, attention, and a willingness to wade through moral complexity. But if you’re up for the challenge, FDR Drive delivers a thought-provoking, layered narrative that sticks with you long after the final page.

Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder

Title: Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder
Author: Tonya Kappes
Published: December 1, 2023 by Tonya Kappes Books
Format: Kindle, Audiobook, 210 Pages
Genre: Amateur Sleuth
Series: Camper & Criminals #5

Blurb: Mae West, owner of Happy Trails Campground, never thought she would become an actress like her namesake. Calling herself an actress might be far stretch as she plays a minor role in the local Civil War reenactment BATTLE AT CAMP WILDCAT.

When the reenactment doesn't go as planned, not one but two of the town's folks aren't playing dead. . .they were MURDERED! Come to find out there was a prison break and the serial killer is believed to be in Normal and someone has stolen a motorhome from Happy Trails Campground.

Are these connected?

Mae lets boyfriend and hunky detective, Hank Sharp, follow all the leads about the murders and on the trail of the serial killer because she's got bigger s'mores in the fire.

The motorhome owners have filed a lawsuit and suing her for the deed to Happy Trails Campground. Mae has embraced Normal and there's nothing or no one going to take her campground. She's determined to find the motorhome and return it to the owners before she hands over any deed to anyone.

Mae just might find out that tapping into her namesake just might come in handy when coming face to face with a serial killer.

My Opinion: Tonya Kappes delivers suspense and small-town charm in Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder, packing a surprising amount into its 210 pages (5 hours of audio). From the very first chapter, chaos unfolds in Normal, Kentucky, as the town prepares for a Civil War reenactment, only for real battles to emerge when townsfolk turn up dead. The lingering question looms: Is the infamous serial killer to blame? Is he hunting down the jurors who sealed his fate? Or is there something more sinister lurking beneath the surface?

Against this backdrop of chaos, Mae West faces her own crisis, not just fighting for justice but for the very livelihood as well. Happy Trails Campground, her pride and joy, is suddenly at risk when an RV vanishes, threatening everything she’s worked for. This time, the stakes feel higher than ever.

But Kappes knows how to balance suspense with levity. Mae, her boyfriend, and the endearing residents of Normal infuse the narrative with humor and warmth, ensuring that the mystery never overshadows the novel’s lighthearted charm. The result is an engaging, page-turning blend of high tension and cozy camaraderie that is perfect for readers who love small-town drama served with a side of fun.