Audiobook review: Forests, Fishing, & Forgery
Author: Tonya Kappes
Narrator: Johanna Parker
Audio Speed: 1.25x
Series: Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery #3
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Source: Tantor Audio
It’s Labor Day weekend and the folks of Normal, KY, are a happy bunch. The long weekend has brought in many visitors to the Happy Trails Campground, including a wild bachelor party. Everyone seems to be having a good time until news of a drought might close the Daniel Boone National Park, the groom-to-be goes missing, and a park ranger turns up dead.
Overall, I continue to enjoy my time spent in Normal, Kentucky. The books are quick, fun, and I really like Mae. This time around, the mystery was a bit more complex, with multiple murders that may or may not be connected. Mae comes up with some interesting theories, and in the end, she usually figures out most of the details, therefore helping the local police.
The Ty-Mae-Hank love triangle continues to play a roll in the books. I am not a fan of triangles, and it was a bigger part of this book than the previous two titles. Although I felt this side story took a bit of a detour during Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, by the end of the book, it appears the author has set the course for future titles. I’m not entirely sure how I feel about the direction Ms. Kappes selected, but if the triangle ends and we only witness one blossoming romance in the fourth title, I’ll be happy.
Once again, I found a few inconsistencies that alone aren’t a big deal, but after happening a couple times in each book, it is starting to bug me a little bit. Additionally, I am beginning to wonder about the number of deaths and murders in this small town. I get that there needs to be a murder for a cozy to work, but at some point I’ll have to suspend reality and not question why the town isn’t getting bad press! It’s also the fact that Mae is always the one to stumble across the dead bodies… it’s getting to be a bit too often. I hope the author finds a new way to establish the mystery in subsequent titles.
Narration: I’ve come to appreciate-nearly LOVE-Ms. Parker’s southern drawl and how it adds ambiance to a story. The series is shared from Mae’s first person narrative, and Ms. Parker’s voice fits Mae’s personality: friendly, courageous, and determined. Overall, Ms. Parker fits the southern, small-town feel and pacing of the narrative. Each character has a slightly different voice fitting his/her age and gender, with her male and older women characters having deeper voices.
In the end, I enjoyed listening to Forests, Fishing, & Forgery, but I do hope things change up a bit in future titles.
My Ratings:
Story: B
Narration: A-
Review copy provided by Tantor Audio
Jen
About the Book:
Welcome to Normal, Kentucky~ where nothing is normal.
It’s Labor Day weekend in Normal, and if you know anything about camping and RVing, you know it’s one of the busiest times of the year. Unfortunately, Daniel Boone National Park is in danger of being closed due to a drought and local businesses are scrambling for ideas to survive a possible shutdown.
Happy Trails Campground is at the center of a murder in which campers as well locals are suspects. It looks likely that a local resident is responsible for the dastardly deed since the victim is the one person who had the power to shut down the national park, which would be devastating to Normal’s small businesses.
Follow Mae West as she searches for clues to get to the bottom of this Labor Day campground caper!