The Blue Coyote (The Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries Book 2) (18 page)

A little later, as Frannie
and Jane Ann were returning from the showers, they spotted Mrs. Trats and
Taylor headed toward them, Taylor pushing her bike.

After greetings, asking about
Taylor and filling Mrs. Trats in on Mickey’s health, Frannie noticed Taylor’s
bike.

“What happened to your
training wheels?” she said to Taylor.

The little girl smiled shyly.
“My mom took them off. The Blue Coyote said he would help me learn to ride
without them.”

****************

Happy Camper Tip #17

Bluffs State Park is loosely
based on the beautiful Ledges State Park in central Iowa. It was designated one
of Iowa’s first state parks in 1924, but archeological evidence shows that
humans have used this area for at least 4000 years.
At the
time of European settlement, the Ledges area was inhabited by the Sauk, Fox
(now the Mesqwakie) and Sioux
. The park is graced by several of the
stone and timber structures built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation
Corps (CCC) including stone steps, an arched stone bridge and shelters. A
91 mile
bike route, the Central State Park Bike Route,
connects Ledges, Big Creek State Park and Springbrook State Park. There is also
an interpretive trail featuring lichens (small plant-like organisms growing on
trees and rocks).

For taking
your time to share Frannie and Larry's adventures.
Just as the sound of a tree falling in
the forest depends on hearers, a book only matters if it has readers. Please
consider sharing your thoughts with other readers in a review or emailing me at
[email protected]. My website at www.karenmussernortman.com
provides updates on my books, my blog, and photos of our for-real camping
trips.

If you enjoyed
The Blue
Coyote
,
you may want to try
the other Frannie Shoemaker Campground Mysteries:

Bats and Bones:
a B.R.A.G
Medallion Honoree. Frannie and Larry Shoemaker are retirees who enjoy weekend
camping with their friends in state parks in this new cozy mystery series. They
anticipate the usual hiking, campfires, good food, and interesting side trips
among the bluffs of beautiful Bat Cave State Park for the long Fourth of July
weekend—until a dead body turns up. Confined in the campground and
surrounded by strangers, Frannie is drawn into the investigation. Frannie’s
persistence and curiosity helps authorities sort through the possible suspects
and motives, but almost ends her new sleuth career—and her life—for
good. As a bonus, each chapter ends with a camping tip or recipe—some
useful, some not so much.

Peete and Repeat
: A biking and camping trip to
southeastern Minnesota turns into double trouble for Frannie Shoemaker and her
friends as she deals with a canoeing mishap and a couple of bodies. Strange
happenings in the campground, the nearby nature learning center, and an old
power plant complicate the suspect pool and Frannie tries to stay out of
it--really--but what can she do? After all, she is only curious, but sometimes
it isn't just cats who have trouble with that!

Finally, don't miss the
wonderful outdoor opportunities in our beautiful state and national parks.

Once
again, I owe a great deal to my first readers, Marcia, Ginge, brother Jim, and my
husband Butch. The wonderful cover is a collaboration of my sister Gretchen,
who did the artwork, and my sister Libby who did the formatting and design.
Thanks, also, to Carly for the best photo taken of me in the last twenty years.
And my family and friends have provided incredible encouragement and support.

Karen Musser Nortman, after
previous incarnations as a secondary social studies teacher (22 years) and a
test developer (18 years), returned to her childhood dream of writing a novel
.
Bats
and Bones,
a cozy mystery, came out of numerous ‘round the campfire’
discussions, making up answers to questions raised by the peephole glimpses one
gets into the lives of fellow campers. Where did those people disappear to for
the last two days? What kinds of bones are in this fire pit? Why is that woman
wearing heels to the shower house?

Karen and her husband Butch
originally tent camped when their children were young and switched to a travel
trailer when sleeping on the ground lost its romantic adventure. They take
frequent weekend jaunts with friends to parks in Iowa and surrounding states,
plus occasional longer trips. Entertainment on these trips has ranged from
geocaching and hiking/biking to barbecue contests, balloon fests, and buck skinners’
rendezvous. Frannie and Larry will no doubt check out some of these options on
their future adventures.