Tonya Kappes

Jul 2022 16

Rangers, RVs & Revenge By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2022 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Mae West doesn’t even think of the pampered New York lifestyle she was forced to give up, when her, now late, ex-husband veered down easy street and was arrested for fraud. Mae was left with a small yellow camper and a much need of repairs campground in Normal, Kentucky, near where she grew up. She set to work turning Happy Trails Campground into a popular vacation spot finding herself with dear friends, a loving family, loyal fur friends, and finally on the same romantic page with local private investigator Hank Sharp.

Jun 2022 11

Blowin’ Up a Murder By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2022 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Kenni Lowry is very good at her job as Cottonwood’s sheriff investigating a variety of crimes and misdemeanors, but no wonder, it’s in her blood. Her grandfather, Poppa, had been the sheriff for a long time until his unexpected passing, and his unexpected reappearance when murders occur is just a fascinating, if not awkward, perk to the job. She has a more corporeal deputy in Scott Lee along with her boyfriend Finn Vincent and a plethora of older ladies to offer support, but it’s her Poppa, only seen by her and her bloodhound Duke, who is extremely helpful in solving crimes and making perps nervous with some of his antics. If he would just be more careful about striking up conversations when people are around, “Kenni bug” wouldn’t be worried.

May 2022 14

Four-Leaf Felony By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2022 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Violet Rhinehammer never made a secret of her desire to escape the small town confines of Normal, Kentucky, and hit the big time. Her work as the local reporter for Channel Two news included her own television newscast, “Good Day in the Park,” referring to the fact Normal was surrounded by Daniel Boone National Forest, and writing for the local newspaper, but she’d rather not be reporting on new park trails, local re-enactments, or safety tips during hunting season.

Apr 2022 2

Barista Bump-Off By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2022 Articles, Food Fun, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Roxy Bloom, now Mrs. Roxy Cane, is enjoying the success of her coffeehouse, The Bean Hive, situated on the boardwalk with a lovely vista of Lake Honey Springs. Her shop is a go-to stop for tourists and locals alike to pick up a sweet treat, a cup of her personally crafted blends, and some delicious gossip. She’s an integral member of the community partnering with Pet Palace to have on hand a few adoptable shelter animals, like Polly, a “be careful what you say” talking bird, joining in various community events, and currently allowing her young employee Birdie Bebe a place for her home economics study group to meet.

Dec 2021 11

Christmas, Tonya Kappes-Style

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

These two series by Tonya Kappes are all-time personal favorites: A Camper & Criminals Cozy introduced in 2018 and Killer Coffee Mystery in 2017. I am quite invested in the diverse characters along with their love lives, friends and family, and methods used to solve a murder. Both series are set in tourist-friendly small towns in Kentucky, but one revolves around running a campground while the other a coffeehouse. Both have strong females who have suffered personal set backs, but have successfully reimagined their personal and professional lives, made great friends, and found true love…oh, picked up a few fur buddies, too.

Oct 2021 16

Jackets, Jack o’ Lantern, & Justice By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Mae West has had quite a contrasting life: from the heights of limitless spending to the depths of a 9 to 5 budget, from the superficial cocktail crowd to true bourbon buddies, from a New York City penthouse to a Kentucky campground. After forfeiting everything to the Feds due to her now late-husband’s financial crimes, she leaves the Big Apple with only two items: a camper and ownership of Happy Trails Campground nestled in the Daniel Boone National Forest.

Aug 2021 14

Blossoms, Barbeques, & Blackmail By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

The Blossom Festival is the weekend’s big event in Normal, Kentucky, but having both Dottie Swaggert, the camp manager, and Mary Elizabeth, Mae’s adoptive mother, vying for Ms. Blossom, sixty and up category, might at best add some fun, but at worst challenge everyone’s sanity. Mae tries to be impartial, but does offer her adoptive mother some fashion advice. Nevertheless, she decides to take refuge among the tourists enjoying the festival booths set up in downtown Normal.

Jul 2021 24

Outdoors, Oars, & Oaths By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

It’s three a.m. when Mae is abruptly awakened by Dottie, the campground manager, pounded on her camper window, “There’s someone in the storage unit.” Another break-in had occurred a couple of weeks ago, so Mae wasn’t taking any chances. Racing over with an oar in hand, she sees a shape rummaging through her locker. “Whack!” The intruder falls to the ground, but as he rolls over, Mae is surprised to find Stanley Shelton, her ex-con, long dead husband’s lawyer.

Jun 2021 19

Post Mortem By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

Bernadette “Bernie” Butler is integral in the tiny mountain town of Sugar Creek Gap, Kentucky, delivering mail and packages, joining in all community events, and, as it too often happens, discovering and investigating some suspicious deaths. She lost her husband years ago in a tragic automobile accident, raised her son into a successful adult, became a grandma to grandchild Clara, and, although not without some ups and downs, has been opening her heart to Mac Tabor, once her husband’s best friend. With a whole town of friends for support, the “Front Porch Ladies” for gossip, her loyal “fur” friends for company, and her BFF Iris Peabody for the occasional “I’ve got a feeling” revelations, Bernie has life where she wants it...coming up first-class!

May 2021 22

Insects, Ivy, & Investigations By Tonya Kappes: Review/Giveaway

2021 Articles, Kathleen Costa, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Kathleen Costa

By no fault of her own and with Karma as her co-pilot, Mae West left New York City and moved to Normal, Kentucky. She had swore she’d never return to the area in which she had lived a few miles away. A terrible house fire left her orphaned and in foster care, then adopted, by Mary Elizabeth Mobley, but on her eighteenth birthday, she climbed out a window, had a friend drive her to the station, and took the first bus out of town.