Wednesday, October 26, 2022

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly

A Trip with Trouble
Book Summary

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?

My Thoughts

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly is the second A Mountain Lodge Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  I like Diane Kelly’s writing style.  It is casual and friendly.  I was quickly drawn into A Trip with Trouble.  I enjoyed the picturesque descriptions of the Mountaintop Lodge and the Blue Ridge Mountains in North Carolina.  It sounds like a beautiful place to visit in the fall.  Evidently, the Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club thought so as well.  They bought out the Mountaintop Lodge for the week to enjoy rides on the mountain roads and hikes on the trails.  Unfortunately, one of the group ends up dead and Misty suspects foul play.  Misty likes the motorcycle ladies and is determined to get justice for their fallen leader. 

I like Misty, Brynn, Rocky, Patty, and Yeti (Misty’s cat).  It is a good cast of characters.  I am glad that the author gave us an older protagonist.  Misty is fifty and recently divorced.  She has two sons in college.  Misty is smart, independent, resourceful, and good with people.  This makes her a great innkeeper.    I enjoy the chapters told from Yeti’s point of view (I laugh often while reading them).  Diane Kelly really captures a cat personality and antics. The mystery had several suspects which included a member or two of the Dangerous Curves and members of the victim’s “family.”  I joined Misty as she set out to unravel the clues and find the victim’s killer.  I like that she worked with the police.  A helpful deputy may have overshared just a touch.  While I had a clue as to who was behind the murder, I still had fun following Misty.  The author has provided developed, realistic characters that you want to get to know better.  I felt transported to North Carolina in the autumn.  There is a touch of romance.  Misty likes Rocky, but she is not ready to start dating.  They have casual dinners at home, chats, walks, and evenings in front of the fire.  I was sorry for A Trip with Trouble to come to an end.  I am looking forward to Misty’s next adventure.  A Trip with Trouble transports readers to the Blue Ridge Mountains with motorcycle mavens, falling leaves, greedy relatives, a hunky handyman, a scaredy cat, a fallen friend, a firebrand rider, and an indomitable innkeeper.

A Trip with Trouble is available from Amazon*.  Getaway with Murder is the first novel A Mountain Lodge Mystery series.  Diane Kelly has Primer and Punishment coming out February 21, 2023.  It is the fifth A House Flipper Mystery.  You can follow Diane Kelly on Amazon and receive an email when she has a new book release.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will be sharing my thoughts on The Amish Quiltmaker's Unconventional Niece by Jennifer Beckstrand.  It is the third book in The Amish Quiltmaker series.  I hope that you have an uneventful day (drama is so stressful). Take care and Happy Reading!


Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

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