Purchase the book here: Camping with a Killer
Long Review
Camping With a Killer (The Sisters, Texas Mystery Series, Book 19) drops Madison deCordova and her tight-knit orbit into a getaway that refuses to stay relaxing. What begins as an RV trip—meant to deliver small-town fun, food, laughter, and a change of scenery—turns combustible the moment something feels off at the campground: a late-night disturbance, signs of trouble that don’t fit the “family vacation” vibe, and a creeping suspicion that someone nearby is carrying more than a cooler and a folding chair.
Madison remains the steady center of the novel—sharp-eyed, stubbornly compassionate, and constitutionally unable to ignore a wrong. Her husband, Brash, adds an anchoring presence that keeps the story from tipping into melodrama: protective without being overbearing, practical without being dull, and game enough to follow Madison into yet another situation that normal people would flee. Around them, the supporting cast is large and lively, built for readers who enjoy ensemble cozies where the relationships are as much the point as the puzzle. The banter is constant, often funny, and the group dynamics—affectionate ribbing, bickering that never quite turns cruel, and the kind of loyalty that shows up with snacks and backup—create a warm baseline that makes the menace stand out.
The core mystery is structured like a tightening net. Early warning signs don’t arrive as a single clean “body on the ground” moment; instead, the book leans into uneasy fragments—odd behavior, conflicting stories, hints of an argument, a thread of danger that keeps reappearing in new places. The setting supports that design well: campgrounds, vendors, show booths, and public spaces where strangers intersect and where it’s easy for bad intentions to hide in plain sight. As Madison and Brash start asking questions, the book stacks complications quickly, widening from one alarming incident into multiple concerns that feel connected—even when the exact “how” isn’t yet clear.
Tonally, the novel sits in a sweet spot for cozy readers who like their suspense tempered by humor and heart. The violence exists and matters, but the experience is not grimdark; it’s a community story where fear is real, yet the prevailing atmosphere is resilient rather than despairing. The emotional stakes are often personal—protecting loved ones, defending a sense of safety, preserving the idea that a good day can stay good—rather than purely procedural. That focus makes the momentum feel intimate, even as the plot grows more elaborate.
A notable strength is pacing. The narrative moves with purpose, offering frequent scene changes, active sleuthing, and steady escalation. There’s always “one more thing” pulling the group deeper: a new clue, a fresh worry, a sudden shift in the situation that forces decisions instead of speculation. The prose is clean and accessible, favoring clarity and forward motion over decorative flourishes. Dialogue does heavy lifting, which fits the series’ personality: these characters are talkers, processors, storytellers, and truth-finders who work problems out loud.
Where some readers may struggle is the density of returning characters and history. As a Book 19 entry, Camping With a Killer carries the comfortable assumption that the audience already knows the family tree, the friendships, the in-jokes, and the rhythm of Madison’s world. Newcomers can still follow the main line, but the experience is richest for readers who enjoy ongoing series continuity and who like feeling dropped into a community mid-conversation. The plot also embraces the classic cozy tendency toward coincidence and convergence—multiple threads snapping together in ways that are satisfying, if occasionally a bit neat.
Ultimately, Camping With a Killer delivers what its title promises: a brisk, twisty vacation-gone-wrong mystery with an endearing ensemble, steady momentum, and a tone that balances danger with warmth. It’s a solid series installment for cozy mystery readers who want their thrills readable, their sleuthing active, and their small-town world full of personality—even when that world includes someone willing to turn a campground into a hunting ground.
Short Review
Camping With a Killer turns an RV getaway into a fast-moving cozy mystery where danger arrives in uneasy fragments—late-night disturbances, suspicious behavior, and clues that refuse to stay isolated. Madison deCordova once again anchors the story as a determined, community-minded sleuth who can’t leave trouble alone, while her husband Brash provides steady support and practical grounding as the situation escalates.
The novel’s biggest pleasure is its ensemble energy: family, friends, and familiar series regulars fill the pages with banter, loyalty, and the kind of lived-in rapport that makes the town—and Madison’s orbit—feel real. The pacing is brisk, with frequent scene shifts and an accumulating sense that multiple problems are connected, even before the full shape of the threat comes into focus. The tone stays firmly in cozy territory: suspense and violence exist, but the reading experience leans more toward resilient warmth than bleakness.
Series readers will likely enjoy the continuity and character interplay most, while newcomers may find the cast and backstory references dense at times. Still, for readers who like character-forward mysteries with humor, heart, and a steady escalation of stakes, Camping With a Killer delivers an entertaining vacation that’s anything but restful.
One-Sentence Review (Primary)
A brisk, character-driven cozy mystery where an RV getaway curdles into danger, and Madison deCordova’s sharp instincts and loyal circle keep the suspense moving without losing warmth.
Alternate One-Sentence Reviews
• A vacation-set whodunit packed with small-town charm, quick escalation, and an ensemble that’s as entertaining as the mystery—right up until the campground becomes a crime scene.
• Cozy in tone but urgent in pace, this series installment blends humor, heart, and mounting peril as Madison follows scattered clues toward a threat hiding in plain sight.
Book Rating
📘📘📘📘 – Strongly Recommended: A lively, well-paced cozy mystery with a likable recurring cast, steady escalation, and a satisfying blend of suspense and community warmth—especially rewarding for series readers.
Pull Quotes (3–5)
- "A vacation-gone-wrong mystery that tightens its suspense in layers, turning small unease into real stakes with impressive momentum."
- "The ensemble chemistry is the book’s secret engine—funny, loyal, and lived-in, even when the danger spikes."
- "Brisk pacing and active sleuthing keep the story moving, while the cozy tone prevents the darkness from overwhelming the read."
- "A twisty installment that feels most at home with returning fans, but still offers a clear, compelling central mystery."
Market Positioning Snapshot
Ideal for cozy mystery readers who enjoy recurring small-town casts, relationship-forward storytelling, and suspense that escalates without turning grim. This sits comfortably alongside contemporary “cozy-with-bite” series entries—humorous, briskly plotted, and best appreciated by readers who like ongoing continuity.
Content Notes
• Language: Mild; occasional mild profanity.
• Violence: Moderate; murder and threats, blood evidence, and physical assaults; generally not lingered on graphically.
• Sexual Content: Minimal; brief romantic affection, non-explicit.
• Drugs/Alcohol: Mild to moderate; references to drinking and intoxication.
• Sensitive Topics: Murder, fear/terror, criminal violence, injury.
ReadSafe Rating
• Rating: PG-13
• Labels: V, ST, DA
• Explanation: The book includes recurring crime-and-murder content, threats, and some physical violence with blood evidence, though the narration generally avoids extended graphic detail. Language and sexual content remain mild, but alcohol use and intoxication are referenced. Themes include danger, injury, and criminal acts that raise the overall intensity above PG.