I am so excited to be back with my friends in Normal, Kentucky. I have gotten to know the characters very well and now consider them friends. There is never a dull moment as Mae and The Laundry Club Ladies are always getting into something. Seems like trouble finds them and we are off on an adventure filled with laughs, mystery and a few surprises. It’s time to get comfy as we begin our journey.

I loved that it was Bourbon festival time and how the author includes information about bourbon that I wasn’t familiar with. In the midst of the festival there were loud voices that could be described as a heated argument that caught the attention of several people. Now who is yelling at who and why? Mae is about to find out when the yelling is about someone being upset about the distillery. The first mystery is now facing Mae as T Elliot’s wife is missing and while looking at a trail a body is found. Can you guess who it is?

Now I was already starting a suspect list as Mae and the ladies were going to be involved. The author does a clever job of keeping readers on their toes as the numerous suspects begin to appear. With a murder to solve Mae also has her mother nagging her constantly about setting a wedding date. I don’t know how Mae has the patience she does with her mother. At some point Mae has to reach a breaking point and tell everyone to leave her alone about the wedding. Besides she has a murder to solve and plans for her wedding have to wait.

The author gives us twists in the story that shocked me. When the killer was revealed I gasped. I never saw the ending to the mystery coming. I loved how the author leaves us with a beautiful and meaningful scene between Mae and Hank. I can hear wedding bells happening very soon. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to be released.

I received a copy of this book from the author. The review is my own opinion. ( )

This is a wonderful story and a fantastic series. Mae and the Laundry Club Ladies again solve another murder. Mae and Hank are fantastic. I love that Hank now wants Mae to help him solve the crimes. This story is well written and it will make you laugh. Dottie is a wonderful character. I love the descriptions of the trails and the campgrounds. I received a copy of this book from the publisher for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )

Campfires, Courage, and Convicts by Tonya Kappes has Mae West being hounded by family and friends. They all want to know if Mae and Hank have set a wedding date. Mae’s adopted mother has plans for the lavish event. Mae does not know how to explain her reluctance to set a date. The Bourbon Festival is happening in Normal, Kentucky. While enjoying the festival, Mae notices an argument between three people. Mae knows two of the people involved, but she does not know the identity of the third. She gets a text from Judge Gab Hemmer, president of the National Park Committee, asking her to investigate a not yet mapped trail in the Daniel Boone National Forest. He wants her to check out the trail right away. Mae is enjoying the quiet of the forest. Her peace is soon disturbed when Mary Elizabeth, her adopted mother, and Dottie arrive (she really should have turned off her phone). When Mary Elizabeth and then Dottie scream, Mae rushes over to see a dead Anna Elliott. Anna was involved in the argument Mae witnessed at the Bourbon Festival. Hank is asked by Anna’s husband, T. Elliott to find the killer. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies help him with the investigation. Mae teams up with an unexpected individual on this case. Campfires, Courage, and Convicts is the twenty-seventh A Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. This is an easy-to-read story. I like Tonya Kappes’ conversational writing style. It is like visiting old friends. Normal, Kentucky is a southern tourist town that attracts nature lovers. There are fun, quirky characters in this series (like Dottie). The mystery is straightforward. There is a handful of suspects. There are clues that will help readers solve the crime. I like that Hank has accepted that Mae is going to sleuth, and he actually works with her (instead of telling her to keep out of the investigation). There is a touching scene with Mae and Hank that fans of the series will love. It was interesting learning how bourbon is made. The ending will surprise readers and have you eager to read Trapping, Turkeys, and Thanksgiving. Campfires, Courage, and Convicts is an amusing southern cozy mystery with bourbon barrels, a missing stepmom, wedding woes, a reporter predicament, a pictorial trail, and a distressing surprise. ( )