Insects, Ivy and Investigations: personal turmoil and murder

Insects, Ivy and Investigations by Tonya Kappes is the seventeenth book in the Campers and Criminals Cozy Mystery series. More turmoil for Mae as Alicia Becker shows up at The Milkery door. Beaten, bruised and openly hostile toward Mae, Alicia was one of Mary Elizabeth’s foster children after Mae left town. Mae is immediately suspicious of Alicia and when she is found over the dead body of Craig Sutton, her suspicions rise even more. Craig Sutton is the ex-boyfriend of Alicia. Why was he in Normal? Did Alicia kill him or is Alicia being set up? Despite her misgivings, Mae and the Laundry Ladies set out to solve this case. 

Wow! Mae is dealing with a lot in this story. First, the open hostility from Alicia and her questionable motives for being in Normal. And second, her relationship with Hank is at a crossroads. She is unsure where they’ll end up. Then add a murder investigations which will affect them all. At the beginning, I was irritated with Mae’s attitude but by the end of the book, my heart was breaking for her. I’m looking forward to seeing how her relationship with Hank plays out and their future in Normal. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I recommend Insects, Ivy and Investigations and the rest of the Camper and Criminals series. 

Insects, Ivy and Investigations is available in paperback, eBook and audiobook