Mae and her friends are headed back to Mae’s hometown, to find some answers to the fire that led to her family’s deaths years ago. With some scattered memories that are slowly returning, Mae is starting to really believe that the fire wasn’t accidental. And there are some facts that support that theory. But just as she is starting to get closer to some answers, she is almost run down in the street. Her life, as well as the lives of those people who have information for her, are at risk. This novel will tie up some long anticipated storylines with some interesting answers. It’s alway fun to see Mae and Laundry Club ladies in action. This novel, as usual, was well narrated by Johanna Parker. ( )

Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies by Tonya Kappes has Mae West heading to her hometown of Perrysburg, Kentucky to get answers regarding the fire that killed her family. The fire was ruled an accident, but Mae’s recently regained memories suggest foul play may have been at work. The Laundry Club ladies are going with Mae to provide support and help with the investigation. Mae works to piece together the snippets of recovered memories along with information the ladies gather to arrive at the truth. Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies can be read as a standalone for those new to A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery series. Everything a new reader needs to know is included. We are finally finding out what happened the night a fire destroyed Mae’s life. She lost her mother, father, and two younger sisters. This Southern cozy mystery contains Tonya Kappes’ trademark writing. Her stories have great characters along with a good flow and humor. We depart from Normal, Kentucky for this tale and head to Mae’s hometown where she is determined to get answers. Mae and the Laundry Club ladies head out in a blue camper (road trip). It is wonderful how these ladies have become Mae’s family along with Hank Sharp, Dawn, and Mary Elizabeth. We get to see a different side of Mary Elizabeth in Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies. The “mama bear” in her comes out (she is still about Southern manners, but we get to see her protective side). Mae reconnects with an old beau which brings out Hank’s jealousy (just a bit). We get to learn more about Mae and her childhood. I did feel the humor was missing in this story. There is some, but it is not on par with the other stories in this series. Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies is a heavier story that the previous installments. I was curious about this whodunit. I wanted to know what happened the night of the fire, and I was eager to meet the suspects. I liked the added suspense. I could have done, though, without the repetition of information (I got it the first time). The ending left me smiling. Ropes, Riddles, and Robberies is a character driven cozy mystery with a cold case, tricky riddles, a fierce fire, missing memories plus faithful family and friends. ( )

This would have been my favorite book in this series except I would have liked a little more of Hank in the story. I loved that Mae finally was able to go to her hometown and see if she could solve how and why her parents and sisters died. We got all of the Laundry Club ladies in the story along with learning about old friendships. This had some twists and turns and I shed a few tears. I hope there will be more in this series. I received a copy of this book from the author for a fair and honest opinion that I gave of my own free will. ( )