Today Sophia Rose is here taking readers to the scenic Blue Ridge Mountains as she reviews Diane Kelly's A Trip With Trouble #2 in her Mountain Lodger Cozy Mystery series.
Enjoy!
A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly
#2 Mountain Lodge Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Published: 10.25.22
ASIN: B09NKB6M6L
Pages: 304
Rating: 4 stars
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Sellers: Amazon
ADD TO: GoodReads
GoodReads Blurb:
The second in a charming and engrossing cozy series from Diane Kelly, A Trip
with Trouble proves that in the Blue Ridge Mountains, life in the fast lane
could end in a crash.
When the ladies of the Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club take over the
Mountaintop Lodge for their annual autumn ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway,
Misty Murphy couldn’t be more thrilled. Every room is full and the adventurous
women even invite Misty and her assistant Brynn to join them on a ride to
admire the colorful fall foliage. Hotel handyman Rocky Crowder is happy to keep
an eye on the lodge for the day, and the ladies set out for a fun ride on the
scenic road.
The skies are clear, the air is crisp, and the leaves are gorgeous. But what
starts as a perfect ride turns worrisome when the tail gunner – the last rider
in their group – fails to show up at the Craggy Gardens overlook. Cell phone
service is spotty in the remote, mountainous area, and the group is unable to
connect with their friend. Might the missing woman have simply run out of gas?
Or is something far more sinister afoot?
The ladies are determined to locate their ride or die, and Misty is equally
determined to help them. But will they be able to solve the mystery when the
scenic route seems intent on hiding its secrets?
Sophia Rose's Review:
Fall is upon us and I was in the mood for a mystery with a seasonal
feel and gorgeous setting. It was
serendipity when I spotted a new to me cozy mystery author I’ve been meaning to
try for ages and this was only the second in a newer series.
A Trip With Trouble is the second standalone cozy mystery in
the Mountain Lodge mystery series set in a small mountain North Carolina town
with a middle-aged newly divorced woman lodge keeper stumbling over mysteries
via her guests.
Misty Murphy is content and happy these days with her lodge
renovated and getting the business, good help, developing good friendships and
a potential love interest in town, and the joy of being exactly where she
always wanted to be after raising her kids and parting amicably from her
husband when their paths in life started deviating. She’s all set to welcome a new group of
guests in the form of a women’s motorcycle club for the fall season of
leaf-peeping, hot cider, scarecrows and pumpkins, and murder. Okay, perhaps that last wasn’t a welcome
addition and Misty finds herself with an inside track to help the police since
the victim was one of her guests and she saw a few odd things that held more
significance afterward.
A Trip With Trouble was as cozy as cozy mystery gets with
its detailed set up of backdrop, characters, fun side interests, and then
eventually, the mystery to solve.
Sometimes this can get drawn out and tedious, but not here. The author keeps a good flow of interesting
clues dropping and leading to the moment and heightens curiosity and the mild
suspense.
Misty is also a level-headed, observant lead character. She’s fascinated by the mystery and wants to
help, but in a way that works for her situation. She does her regular work about the lodge and
visits with her guests- getting to know the women who enjoy riding their own bikes
and tackling scenic and difficult routes together- which is how she arrives at
facts and evidence ahead of the police.
She is smart though and doesn’t try to one up the law enforcement. She gives over her evidence to the police,
talks it over with Rocky and her woman friends, and she doesn’t butt into the police
investigation even when satisfying her own curiosity about certain people’s odd
behavior or lies.
The romance with Rocky is a friendly slow build and in this
installment they are contemplating a first date and a first kiss. Rocky is more friend and handyman around the
lodge at this point and the pace felt good.
The mystery made sense and the clues, including the
distracting ones, were solid. The plot
steadily led to the finish. I wasn’t distracted
by a few side mysteries and the mystery led where I thought it would, but I
enjoyed the journey along the way.
I had an awesome time for this Autumn mystery read and would
definitely read more from the author and the series. Those in the mood for a fall seasonal cozy
mystery should definitely grab a mug of cider and cozy up to this one.
Author Bio:
A former tax advisor, Diane Kelly inadvertently worked with white-collar criminals. Lest she end up in an orange jumpsuit, Diane decided self-employment would be a good idea. Her fingers hit the keyboard and thus began her “Death and Taxes” romantic mystery series. A graduate of her hometown’s Citizen Police Academy, Diane Kelly also writes the hilarious K-9 cop “Paw Enforcement” and House Flipper series. She has published many romantic comedies.
Diane’s books have been awarded the
prestigious Romance Writers of America Golden Heart® Award and a Reviewers
Choice Award.
Be the first to receive book news by
signing up for Diane’s newsletter at www.dianekelly.com. “Like” Diane on
Facebook at www.facebook.com/dianekellybooks, and follow her on Twitter @dianekellybooks
Sophia’s Bio:
Sophia is a quiet though
curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged
and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian
transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball,
Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
Sophia’s Social Media
Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sophia.rose.7587
Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiarose1816
GoodReads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13418187.Sophia_Rose
One day I shall try more cozies
ReplyDeleteI definitely have to be in the mood. :) Hope you find a series you like when you do, B. :)
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