Tonya Kappes’ Camper & Criminals Books in Order: A Fun Guide to Mae West’s Cozy Mysteries
Last Updated on April 14, 2026
Let’s talk about Tonya Kappes, shall we? If you’re a fan of cozy mysteries—those delightful little books that pair murder with small-town charm—you’ve probably heard her name.
And if you haven’t, buckle up (or hitch up your camper) because you’re about to enter the quirky, crime-solving world of Mae West and the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series.
Tonya Kappes is like the fairy godmother of cozy mysteries. She’s written over 180 books, most of them dripping with southern charm, humor, and enough twists to keep your brain doing cartwheels.
Before she became a full-time author, Tonya worked as a child therapist—so yes, she knows how to get inside people’s heads (and maybe yours, too).
Her books are filled with relatable characters, laugh-out-loud moments, and just enough drama to keep you flipping pages faster than Mae West running from a killer.
Now, Mae West – no relation to the Hollywood bombshell – is the star of Tonya’s biggest series, Camper & Criminals.
Mae’s life is flipped upside down when her husband’s Ponzi scheme leaves her broke and owning nothing but a rundown campground in Normal, Kentucky.
What follows is part murder mystery, part reinvention story, and all-around fun. Think of it as “How to Solve Crimes and Start Over While Living in an RV.”
Intrigued? Let’s get into the series – and yes, I’ll tell you whether you need to read them in order (spoiler: it helps).
Who Is Mae West?
Mae West is the kind of gal you want as your best friend—or maybe your partner-in-crime-solving.
She starts out as a New York socialite but quickly learns that life in Normal, Kentucky is anything but normal!
When she inherits Happy Trails Campground (a fixer-upper if there ever was one), she discovers that small-town life comes with its own set of challenges: nosy neighbors, quirky traditions, and oh yeah… murders.
Mae isn’t alone in her sleuthing adventures. There’s Dottie Swaggert, who runs the campground with a no-nonsense attitude; Hank Sharp, the local detective who might just be more than a friend; and the Laundry Club Ladies – a group of gossip-loving locals who are basically the town’s unofficial detectives.
Together, they make Normal feel anything but boring.
The Camper & Criminals Books in Order
Okay, here’s the part where I tell you about all 41 books (yes, forty-one!) in this series. Don’t worry…I’ll keep it fun.
1. Beaches, Bungalows & Burglaries
The one that started it all! Mae moves to Normal after losing everything and immediately finds herself tangled in a murder mystery at Happy Trails Campground.
It’s a perfect introduction to Mae’s world, and trust me, you’ll be hooked by page five.
2. Deserts, Driving & Derelicts
Mae takes her sleuthing skills on the road when a body turns up during a desert excursion. Who knew camping could be so deadly?
3. Forests, Fishing & Forgery
A fishing tournament goes from relaxing to terrifying when someone ends up dead—and Mae has to reel in the truth (pun intended).
4. Christmas, Criminals & Campers
Murder during the holidays? Say it isn’t so! This festive installment is perfect for curling up with hot cocoa and solving crimes alongside Mae.
5–41: The Rest of the Series
Each book has its own unique mystery—sometimes tied to holidays (Hitches, Hideouts & Homicides), sometimes tied to camping life (Motorhomes, Maps & Murder), and sometimes tied to quirky town events (Valleys, Vehicles & Victims).
While each story stands alone as its own whodunit, reading them in order lets you follow Mae’s personal growth and relationships (especially her budding romance with Detective Hank Sharp).
Here’s The Full List
- 1. Beaches, Bungalows, & Burglaries
- 2. Deserts, Driving, & Derelicts
- 3. Forests, Fishing, & Forgery
- 4. Christmas, Criminals, & Campers
- 5. Motorhomes, Maps, & Murder
- 6. Canyons, Caravans, & Cadavers
- 7. Hitches, Hideouts, & Homicide
- 8. Assailants, Asphalt, & Alibis
- 9. Valleys, Vehicles, & Victims
- 10. Sunsets, Sabbatical, & Scandal
- 11. Tents, Trails, & Turmoil
- 12. Kickbacks, Kayaks, & Kidnapping
- 13. Gear, Grills, & Guns
- 14. Eggnog, Extortion, & Evergreen
- 15. Ropes, Riddles, & Robberies
- 16. Paddlers, Promises, & Poison
- 17. Insects, Ivy, & Investigations
- 18. Outdoors, Oars, & Oath
- 19. Wildlife, Warrants, & Weapons
- 20. Blossoms, BBQ, & Blackmail
- 21. Lanterns, Lakes, & Larceny
- 22. Jackets, Jack-O-Lanterns, & Justice
- 23. Santa, Sunrises, & Suspicions
- 24. Vistas, Vices, & Valentines
- 25. Adventure, Abduction, & Arrest
- 26. Rangers, RVs, & Revenge
- 27. Campfires, Courage, & Convicts
- 28. Trapping, Turkeys, & Thanksgiving
- 29. Gifts, Glamping, & Glocks
- 30. Zoning, Zealots, & Ziplines
- 31. Hammocks, Handguns, & Hearsay
- 32. Questions, Quarrels, & Quandary
- 33. Witnesses, Woods, & Wedding
- 34. Elves, Evergreens, & Evidence
- 35. Moonlight, Marshmallows & Manslaughter
- 36. Bonfires, Backpacks & Brawls
- 37. Fireworks, Freedom & Felonies
- 38. Autumns, Awnings & Arson
- 39. Snowcaps, Skiing & Sabotage
- 40. Cliffs, Clues & Conspiracies
- 41. Brides Bribes & Binoculars
Why People Love This Series
So why has Camper & Criminals become such a hit? For starters:
Mae West Is Relatable:
Who hasn’t felt like their life was falling apart at some point?
Mae’s journey from socialite to campground owner is inspiring—and hilarious at times.
The Characters Are Quirky:
From Fifi (Mae’s loyal dog) to the Laundry Club Ladies (think Golden Girls meets Sherlock Holmes), every character feels like someone you’d want to hang out with.
It’s Cozy Without Being Cheesy: Sure, there are murders—but there’s also humor, heartwarming moments, and southern charm that make these books feel like comfort food for your brain.
Plus, Tonya Kappes is amazing at connecting with her readers. She hosts events like “Two Dames on a Mystery Train” where fans can meet her in person—and she’s super active on social media if you want to say hi!
Do You Need to Read The Books in Order?
Technically no—but I’d recommend it. Each book has its own self-contained mystery, but reading them in order lets you follow Mae’s personal journey (and trust me, it’s worth it).
You’ll get more out of the series if you see how her relationships evolve—especially with Hank Sharp (hint: sparks fly).
Has The Series Been Adapted for TV?
Yes! Hallmark Media announced in March 2025 that Camper & Criminals is being turned into a weekly TV show.
Imagine all the southern charm and quirky characters coming to life on screen—it’s going to be amazing!
Fans are already buzzing about who will play Mae West (fingers crossed for someone fabulous). And, as soon as I have more details, I will let you know!
Why This Series Stands Out
With 41 books under its belt (and counting), Camper & Criminals has managed to stay fresh by mixing things up.
Some books are holiday-themed (Christmas, Criminals & Campers), while others explore unique aspects of camping life (Gear, Grills & Guns).
The mysteries themselves range from lighthearted puzzles to more suspenseful whodunits, but always stay cozy enough for bedtime reading.
Tonya Kappes knows how to keep readers coming back for more, and she shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon!
Final Thoughts
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery series that feels like catching up with old friends (plus solving murders), Camper & Criminals is your ticket to Normal—and trust me when I say Normal is anything but normal.
Tonya Kappes has created a world that feels warm and welcoming, even when there’s a killer on the loose, and Mae West is the kind of heroine who makes you believe you can tackle anything life throws at you (even if it involves dead bodies).
So grab your favorite blanket, pour yourself some sweet tea (or wine—I don’t judge), and dive into this delightful series.
Whether you’re new to cozy mysteries or already love them like pie at a potluck dinner, Mae West’s adventures are sure to leave you smiling—and maybe even guessing “whodunit.”
