Maynard Cline snagged the gem of at an estate sale- a rare book that might, might include a treasure map. It might also hold clues to Zo's bio-family history so Maynard agrees to let Zo take a look. Unfortunately, someone else wanted that book more and murdered Maynard to get it. Why did he scrawl Merrigan on a piece of paper- does it relate to the Chief of Police? I like this series, which is classic cozy in so many ways, for the setting and for the secondary plot line of Zo searching for her own back story. She's a good character and I like her friends as well. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It might be the third in the series but it will be fine as a standalone. And now, that ending......

I really liked this book. Zo is a great character, all her qualities seem true, and she makes a very likable person.
Everyone is looking for hidden treasure in Mining for Murder, and a tragic death has Zo wondering why it happened.
The ending was amazing, I had no idea, and now I'm anxious to read the next book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this.

Pre-order recommendation! The third book in the Happy Camper series by @maryangelabooks comes out on April 5, 2022. I have pre-ordered my ebook copy, but I couldn’t resist requesting an eARC on @netgalley too! Thank you to @kensingtonbooks for allowing me to read this book ahead of time.

This book is my favorite in the series! I highly recommend it, and I do recommend reading at least one of the previous books as well so that you know the characters. It helps to know how they have interacted in the past so that you can appreciate the way relationships are progressing. Zo, the protagonist, especially has so much growth in this book. Cozy readers will love seeing how Zo’s romantic relationships and friendships are doing, and they will especially enjoy Zo’s continued search for her birth parents.

Zo is one of my favorite cozy mystery characters. She was abandoned when she was a baby and spent years in the foster system. Her childhood has made her strong and independent but also cautious and unsure in relationships. I love seeing the bonds she has made in Spirit Canyon and I feel so proud of the life she has made for herself.

As for the plot, it is very well-crafted with a great pace. There was a perfect balance of fun and excitement, with clues and suspects galore. I just think this cozy worked on every level. And that isn’t even mention the stunning setting in the Black Hills of South Dakota. This is a winning series for me, and this third book made me so happy! I look forward to reading Mary Angela’s next book.

An old and mysterious book is up for auction at an estate sale at a wealthy manor, one that may hold secrets about this gold mining town's past. After the bidding war, one contender gets the book - Maynard Cline, a noted member of the Zodiac club. Our heroine Zo is curious about the book and along with her friend Hattie, a librarian, wants a chance to look at it as part of the Zodiac club as well as for personal reasons. One day when Zo and Hattie go to visit Maynard to retrieve the book, they are shocked to find his body crumpled at the bottom of a hill. The police get involved in the case and Zo investigates as well, taking her on another adventure. Mining for Murder is an investigative book with a splash of romance and a colorful slew of characters making for a delightful mystery.

I loved the imagery and the feel of this mining town. The look we get at the characters inner lives helps us see them as multidimensional and that they don't fit into a singular role. I'd recommend this to anyone who wants a different kind of mystery - not one that takes place in a busy city but rather in a tourist town where all the locals know each other. The setting is wonderful and Spirit Canyon sounds like the kind of place I'd want to visit on a long road trip.

Cozy mystery set in South Dakota's Black Hills with a cast of young characters. Lovely descriptions of the landscape and natural features of the area.

I was so excited to see this third book in the Happy Camper series show up in my TBR. Once again we join Zo(elle) and her friends in Spirit Canyon. Not much has changed from the outset, we follow Zo to an estate sale, to the astrology club, and then we stumble upon the murder of Maynard Cline. Could someone really murder over a book? It seems so as the quite expensive book that Maynard purchased from the estate sale is gone. Zo realizes that the book could hold more than once expected. Not only is it a history of Spirit Canyon, including the history of the families who settled in the area, but the book may also hold clues to long-lost gold in the hills. Zo, much to the chagrin of Brady Merrigan, the Chief of Police. But this time Zo has the help of Forest Ranger, Max Harrington (!!) as well as her friends.

This third book in the series focuses a bit more on the relationship developments of the characters and I loved it! I enjoyed the new and budding relationships, the discussions of baggage and learning to be with someone new, and more insight into Zo's mysterious past! I cannot wait until the next book is released!

5/5 Stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books, Lyrical Press for providing me with an e-arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I received this ARC via Netgalley and Kensington Books, in return for an honest review. While the third book in this series, it is easily read as a standalone. Zo Jones owns the Happy Camper shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. Have been an investigative reporter in the big city, she’s made a delighted transition. Focused on happy things for those who come for the beautiful scenery and ambience of her town, Zo loves her life with one exception. She searches for information about her biological mother and father because she was adopted. Visiting a local estate sale with her friends, Hattie the librarian, and Julia, Zo gets a box of bits for the store; Hattie gets books and Julia decides to bid on the house. While there, they overhear several people protesting the sale of a rare manuscript that details the history of Spirit Canyon. Hattie wishes the owner had donated the book to the library. Zo is interested in the book because she hopes to learn something about her mother’s history, if possible, but she knows she can’t afford the steep price. When Hattie and Zo visit the final book winner to ask about loaning the book to the library, they discover his body, dead in a fall from his backyard down the cliffside, and the book is missing. Circumstances put Zo in the middle of solving the murder while trying not to run afoul of the town police chief, Brady Merrigan, whose family are implicated in the victim’s death. There’s also George, the cranky cat, and Max, the possible romantic interest for Zo.
This is a lovely series, and the characters grow with each book. I look forward to the next iteration of Zo’s adventures and relationships with those around her.

This seems like it would be a great place to live. I like the characters and how we find out more about Zo in each book as she finds out more about her past. The murder kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. This is a good mystery I couldn't put down until I finished

Mining for Murder by Mary Angela book 3 in the “A Happy Camper Mystery” series. What a great book I thoroughly enjoyed it!
Zo Jones is enjoying the sunny season at her Happy Camper gift shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota—when a murder reminds her all that glitters isn’t gold . . .

The story pulled me in right away, I was so engrossed in it that I read way into the night. I found myself becoming invested in what happened to Zo, Jule, and Max as they are likeable characters even though they ate so different from each other they just work well together. I love grumpy “George” the Maine Coon cat and “Scout” the German Shepard.

I like how there were several stories woven into this mystery but they flowed seamlessly together. We follow along while Zo searches for more information on her mother and what she finds is a surprise.

The mystery itself was well plotted, entertaining, full of twists and turns as well as a few surprises at the end.

I cant wait for the next instalment in this series, I highly recommend this to cozy lovers.

I requested and received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my OWN.

My fave of this series so far; that ending had me in tears! The mystery ended up being more than one, and quite fun. One had me wondering why I didn’t see it sooner and the second I didn’t even guess.

In Mining for Murder by Mary Angela which is the third book in her Happy Camper Mystery series Zo Jones, owner of the Happy Camper Gift Shop, gets involved in solving the murder of a fellow Zodiac Club member, Maynard Cline. Zo believes his death is related to a book of local historical interest which Maynard Cline purchased at an auction. Following Cline's death it is discovered that the book is missing. Following along as Zo and her friend (boyfriend?) forest ranger Max Harrington search for clues and question suspects was quite fun. I loved the surprise at the end! I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

Book 3 in the Happy Camper Mysteries series. I haven't read the previous ones but will definitely now! Enjoyed this cozy! Spirit Canyon is home to some awesome characters. Great story plot. Fun reading! Thanks #netgalley and #Keningston for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.

When Zo Jones and her friends Hattie the librarian and Julia Parker go to an estate sale, they come away with more than they expected. Zo finds some items for her store, the Happy Camper, Hattie finds books she's enchanted with, and Julia...finds a house she knows must be hers. She wants this house, and nothing will stop her from purchasing it.

But the most intriguing thing of the day is that Maynard Cline, a germaphobe who is a member of the Zodiac Club, a stargazing club that Zo and her friends belong to, bids on a rare book about the beginning of Spirit Canyon, home to these residents. Unhappy with this win is Jeffrey Davis, head of the history department at the college, and others who think the book should have been given to them free of charge.

Since this is a historical document, Zo wants to see if there is information regarding her newfound own information of her mother. Since Zo was adopted, she wants to know who her biological parents were, and this might be a first step.. Hattie wants to show it at the library, and Maynard agrees to lend it to her -- for one hour, and only if she's the only one who holds it. Hattie agrees, and she and Zo head to Maynard's home for the book. But when they arrive, they can't find Maynard -- at least not at first. When they see his body at the bottom of the mountain, they know that Maynard wouldn't have jumped. But was it an accident? Zo doesn't believe so, especially when she sees one of Maynard's moccasins still on the mountain. The only clue to his murder is the name "Merrigan" written on a piece of paper. Could the police chief's family be involved? Zo intends to find out, with or without chief Brady Merrigan's help...

This is the third book in the series, and I think it might just be my very favorite. I have enjoyed all of the books thus far, but this one brings us closer to the characters, and I love every one of them. George is actually learning to become an indoor cat (I hope for his sake) and Max and Zo are progressing in their relationship (I hope for their sake) and I want this series to continue (I hope for our sake).

Zo is intelligent, thoughtful, generous, fiercely loyal to her friends, and extremely capable. She can run her own business, write a weekly column for the newspaper, and still manage to make time to relax. She doesn't ask questions invasively nor accuse people of murder, and she can put clues together quickly. I am pleased to see that what I have thought was occurring in previous books came to be, because it makes the series even more delightful than before (you will have to read this book to find out what I mean by that).

Zo knows the book contains not only the history of Spirit Canyon, but the settlers who first came to the area. Some say that it contains the map for the hidden gold mine of Ezra Kind, who also came to the area -- and whose mine has never been found. While they think this is the reason the book was stolen, would someone want it enough to kill for it? Someone did, although the reason is still unknown. There are plenty of suspects, and Zo is determined to sift through every one of them.

There is also another intrigue going on behind the scenes with Julia, and Zo's employee Harley is having her own troubles, to her consternation. There are some funny scenes as well, which gives a break in the action. But the murderer is still out there, and Brady isn't happy that Zo won't leave his investigation alone.

The book was thoroughly entertaining, and the plot was done very well. The author has made each book a pleasure to read, with each one getting better than the first. When the murderer is revealed and the motive discovered, it shows us that you can never see into the mind of another person. I look forward to the next in the series and wish I could delve into it now. Highly recommended.

Thank you Netgalley for the advance reader copy of Mining for Murder by Mary Angela in exchange for an honest review. Zo Jones owns Happy Camper gift shop in Spirit Canyon, South Dakota. Zo likes going to auctions and estate sales to buy interesting items for her shop. Zo and friend Hattie head over to Maynard's, a friend who had bought a book at auction for $16,000. They find he has fallen down the cliff in his backyard.
It was interesting to learn about the South Dakota gold rush starting in 1874. I grew up in California and learned about the one here. The Irish Apple Cake at the end of the book looks really yummy and I can't wait to try it.

This charming series continues with Zo Jones in the middle of a murder investigation. When the local historian dies and her home and its contents are auctioned off, everyone in Spirit Canyon wonders what has become of the famous book, My Journey West. Book collector and curmudgeon Maynard Cline wins the bid, but not everyone is happy with the result. The book is thought to contain a map to the legendary hidden gold of the area as well as background on the first families of the town. When Cline winds up dead from a fall off a cliff, Zo and Max wonder who wanted the book badly enough to kill someone for it. Zo is disappointed because she had hoped to find some mention of her mother in the book. Spirit Canyon and the quirky residents of the area are endearing and it's a place I would love to visit.

Zoe Jones is enjoying browsing at the estate sale, but what captures her interest the most is the bidding war for a rare book on the town’s history. Between the bidding war and the number of people who think the book should have been given to them for academic and historical purposes, it makes Zoe wonder what the book contains. She also has to wonder if it contains some information on her birth mother, maybe she’s close to finding out her ancestry.

When he winning bidder is found dead and the book missing, Zoe finds herself trying to find the book, which will likely reveal the murderer as well. Is she grasping at straws, or will she find something that will help her as well as the scholars and town? There’s only one way to find out and Zoe hopes it won’t be the end of her brunch in a missing family tree.

I really enjoy this series. From the whondunit to George the cat and right on back to the stock at the Happy Camper, it makes for a good read. Most of all, I really enjoy the ongoing story of Zo’s childhood and her search for her family. Mary Angela never disappoints.

An engaging and entertaining cozy mystery. There is a murder but so much more. Delightful characters, along with several not so pleasant. A dog and cat add to the fun. So happy the personal part of the tale was wrapped up at the end instead of being continued on into a following story.

Thank you NetGalley for a pre-release of this novel.

Overall I liked the plotline. If you didn't know, this book is part of a series. Often it's easy to jump into a series in the middle and understand the story just fine. I haven't read any of the other books in the series, and it was a real challenge to follow along with the characters. And there were alot of characters to keep track of! I recommend going back and reading the others first if you haven't already.

"We don't learn from history by burying it."

On the surface, the plot sounds simple. A man is murdered and a valuable book is missing. Zo Jones is determined to find not just the murderer but the missing book. As she admits to herself, while the first objective is simply her desire for justice, the second is more selfish in nature. Zo is adopted and the historical book might help in her search for her birth mother. She finds a treasure map, seemingly cut from the missing book, a gold nugget, and later faces down a mountain lion.

What secrets are being hidden? What role does family play? Who killed Maynard Cline? Why? Why had he been so determined to buy the book at auction? Why did so many others desire the book? What does the name Merrigan found on a note card at the murder sign signify? Can Zo learn to genuinely trust anyone? Maybe more importantly, should she? Will Max ever manage to cook a romantic meal for Zo without burning it? How accurate are Jules' psychic powers? Will Jules regret allowing Duncan to move into the carriage house of her new home? Finally, what stunning news will Zo receive at the end of the book? No, not telling.. As someone who has worked off-and-on on my own family tree, I found the combination of Zo's quest to find answers to her blank family tree and her efforts to find a killer a fascinating read. Thoroughly enjoyed this book and am already looking forward to the next.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for inviting me to visit Spirit Canyon and spend some more time with Zo and her friends, not to mention Max's dog Scout and Zo's cat George.