Off the Page with Mae West
Welcome, my dear Spine Sparrows, to another “Off the Page” adventure! ✨📚
The sun is high, the iced tea is steeping, and I hope your TBR pile is just as delightfully overwhelming as mine. Summer is the perfect time to sneak in a few extra chapters, discover new favorite characters, and bask in the bookish bliss that only a well-told story can bring. Whether you're flipping pages by the pool or curling up in a shaded nook with a mystery in hand, I’m so glad you’re here.
Today’s “Off the Page” feature is brimming with the kind of cozy chaos and literary mischief we love around here. So fluff your pillows, grab your current read, and settle in. And most importantly, may your summer be filled with sunshine, stories, and the kind of happy reading that makes you lose track of time.
Yours in fiction and friendship,
The Wren 🐦💌
My character guest today is Mae West from the Camper & Criminals Cozy Mysteries. Mae, thanks so much for being “Off the Page” with me. I can’t wait for my readers to learn more about your life and your many mystery adventures!
Thank you for having me. I never thought my life would be something people wanted to read about, but I’m honored just the same.
After all the mysteries you’ve solved, Mae, you’ve earned that recognition! But I’m getting ahead of myself. Let’s start at the beginning. What made you fall in love with Happy Trails Campground and decide to stay there?
When I first arrived, it wasn’t love at first sight. The campground was in rough shape, and I was still reeling from my past. But as I cleaned it up and got to know the people of Normal, something shifted. Happy Trails gave me a fresh start, and before I knew it, it became home. It was the first place I ever truly felt like I belonged.
That sense of belonging is so important! What's your favorite campsite or spot in Happy Trails, and why?
That would be my fifth-wheel camper by the lake. From there, I can watch the water, see families enjoy their vacations, and let my dogs, Fifi and Chester, roam a bit. It’s peaceful and reminds me how far I’ve come.
That sounds heavenly and the perfect place to cuddle up with a book. What’s one thing readers might not yet know about Normal, Kentucky? And, goodness, what a fun name… It sounds anything but, LOL!
Exactly! Normal is anything but normal. It’s full of characters—people with big hearts and even bigger opinions. But what makes it special is how everyone comes together when it matters. It may be small, but this town has more charm and love than any big city I’ve ever seen.
How do you manage to balance running the campground with solving mysteries?
It’s a juggling act, for sure. I’ve learned to rely on the people around me. Dottie helps run the office—though she’s got a lot to say about everything. And Betts is one of my closest friends who not only owns the local laundromat, but she also cleans so I pay her to clean our rentable campers and cabins. I don’t go looking for trouble, but when it shows up, I handle it the best way I know how… usually with coffee in hand.
With so many cases under your belt, do you have a favorite adventure? What makes a case stand out in your mind?
They all stand out for different reasons, but the one involving the Olympic skier and the ski sabotage still makes me shake my head. I tried to help out with the event and ended up tumbling down the bunny slope in front of a bunch of kids. It was chaotic, hilarious, and—of course—turned deadly. But it brought our town together in the end, and I’ll always remember that.
Wow. That does sound memorable! When you’re on a case, are you a solo investigator, or do you have a team to help you?
I always think I’m going to handle things on my own, but that never lasts long. Between Dottie, Betts, and Hank, I’ve got plenty of people jumping in—whether I ask for help or not. Abby the librarian’s got a nose for research, and let’s not forget the Laundry Club ladies. They may claim to be folding towels and sorting socks, but they manage to sort out suspects just as well. Somehow, we’ve all fallen into this rhythm where everyone brings their own kind of help, even if it’s just a hot cup of coffee and a little gossip at the right time.
What advice would you give to someone new to camping who wants to make the most of their experience?
Keep your expectations realistic, and don’t sweat the small stuff. Bring layers, snacks, and a good attitude. Talk to your neighbors, enjoy the quiet, and try the s’mores—even if you burn them. And if something goes wrong? Well, it usually makes for a great story later.
Are there more adventures in store for you and your author, Tonya Kappes?
Absolutely. As long as people keep coming to Normal and Happy Trails Campground, there will be more stories to tell—some cozy, some chaotic, and most likely… a little criminal.
Spine Sparrows, you can catch Mae West in her latest mystery, Cliffs, Clues, & Conspiracies (A Camper & Criminals Cozy Mystery Series Book 40), with more fun on the way!
