Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Halloween

4****

Blurb: Let me be the first person to welcome you to Normal, Kentucky located in the heart of the Daniel Boone National Forest. I’m Mae West the owner of Happy Trails Campground. Fall at the campground is my favorite time of the year. The bursts of orange, yellow, green, and red pop on the falling leaves, creating a colorful path along the trails for all of my guests at my campground is a real life picture that could never be captured by a camera. Days are warm and at night you need a light sweater to enjoy the campfire or snuggle up in a cozy blanket. The campground is full and the campers are excited to participate in Normal’s annual Pumpkin Carving Carnival. It’s a little spooky seeing the hundreds jack-o-lantern faces all light up with toothless or toothy smiles. It’s the dead body among them that chills me to the bone.

THOUGHTS: Combine a beautiful campground in the fall, Halloween, warm campfires, and happy campers and you have the makings of a great time. Well, except for the dead body. Mae West (no relation) owns the campground and enjoys her guests and this time of year. Except that this year, she’s not having much fun. One of her favorite people, Hank, is in a bit of trouble thanks to his sister Ellis. It’s up to Mae and the Laundry Club ladies to bring out the truth.

The characters are fun and realistic, the setting beautiful, and more than enough suspects to keep you guessing. My favorite part was the description of Mammoth Cave. I’ve been there and (from what I remember – it was a long time ago), this was spot on. The only things I had a problem with were the multiple strings left dangling and the unanswered questions – I’m assuming they will be answered in later books. Still, it was a fun read.

Recommended.