A Trip with Trouble: A Mountain Lodge Mystery
By Diane Kelly
St. Martin’s Paperbacks
October 2022

Review by Cynthia Chow

Autumn is setting in at Beech Mountain, North Carolina, and the Mountaintop Lodge is fully booked for the tourist, leaf-watching season. Owner Misty Murphy is expecting a rather unique group of guests, as the all-women Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club has reserved all of the rooms while they tour through the mountains and enjoy the lodge’s fire pits and nearby Greasy Griddle Diner. Purchasing the lodge was the first step in Misty’s new post-divorce, empty-nest new life, so she can’t help but admire the independent spirit of the motorcycle riders as they roar in wearing leathers and helmets. Ranging in ages and on cruisers and sportbikes, their inclusivity is only limited to members who follow their safety rules. Unabashedly breaking these is Erika Hursey, who not only pops a wheelie but seems to have no respect for the group’s leader. Misty’s radar also detects that something is not right with statuesque Katie Martin, who hides her true hair color and uses a misleading bike cover to disguise her type of motorcycle.

The first of the speedbumps to hit Dangerous Curves is the theft of one of the member’s bikes, which is seemingly part of a string of local robberies. When Erika fails to keep track of the sweeper on her ride and abandons Gerri Burnham, Erika is ostracized and blamed when the last-rider roadguard is found dead on the side of the ride. Misty is less willing to jump to conclusions when she learns that Gerri’s stepdaughter’s family was in town before the accident, demanding that Gerri release funds from her late husband’s estate. When evidence quickly appears that Gerri’s accident was intentional, Misty finds herself suspecting her guests, a guest’s stalker, and even an inebriated, selfie-stick wielding college student. Chapters narrated by Misty’s fluffy white feline Yeti provide extremely catty observations, while the burgeoning romance for Misty with the handyman adds banter and levity as they engage in a mature, very fun string of dates full of adequate food but great conversation.

Full disclosure, I was completely sold on this second of the series at the first mention of Dangerous Curves. Having first joined Dangerous Curves Honolulu in 2002, the all-women’s motorcycle riding club not only taught me how to ride safely, it bonded me with women who shared a love of motorcycle riding. Diane Kelly gets all of the details right here, from the emphasis on safety (although we did ride staggered and not always single lane) to the extremely diverse collection of women who varied in age, race, education, and choice of bikes. As much of a pleasure it was to read about this celebration of female companionship, the mystery here is just as compelling as it focuses on motives that involve stalking, robbery, and inheritances. A heroine hitting the mid-century mark is refreshing as well, especially as it has Misty starting over with a new career and even a new romance. Incorporating all of the humor from her Tara Holloway mysteries and the unique pet-centric viewpoints of her Paw Enforcement and House-Flipper series, this latest of her many novels delights with a compelling plot, well-developed characters, and an extraordinarily intelligent and engaging protagonist. While I will miss Dangerous Curves as they ride off for their next long group ride, I look forward to the next appearance by Misty, Yeti, and the rest of the Beech Mountain residents.

It was fun visiting the Mountaintop Lodge again and for some reason it just seemed like forever since I'd read that first book, but the characters were so memorable there was absolutely no problem getting settled back in with Misty, Rocky and Brynn, and of course Yeti kitty and Molasses aka Mo, Rocky's dog. I always like those short scenes from Yeti's viewpoint since she sometimes sees stuff before the humans do or observes it differently. Too bad she can't tell the humans, lol.

Misty hosted a lively but orderly group and I was honestly sad when one of their own was who was murdered this time. Misty and Rocky's sleuthing together is always lots of fun, but she got with Brynn for part of it too. Was it one of the motorcycle club members who'd had too much of the lady or was a family member? Or some random stranger? Misty had all kinds of questions in her mind and worked closely with Deputy Gillespie to flush out their killer.

There were a couple side mysteries which could've easily been connected to the murder...were they or weren't they? You'll have to read for yourselves and find out in a couple days when this book releases on October 25. I can't wait for the next one!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by St. Martin's Paperbacks via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Misty and her mountain lodge are hosting a women's motorcycle club for a week. All the women come with their own bikes and quirks, but it seems to be going okay, until one of the women is murdered on one of their rides. Misty, Brynn and Rocky are helping to solve the case. A great read with fun characters and a good plot. It makes me long to head to the lodge and see the fall colors and eat some good food.

A Trip With Trouble is a fun fall read. It’s the second book in the Mountain Lodge mystery series set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Misty owns a mountain lodge where she likes to host groups. This time is a female motorcycle group called Dangerous Curves. The group is fun and take Misty and Brynn along for the ride one day.
I was really sad about the woman who dies suspiciously on one of the rides. I liked her personality and her backstory.
The author weaves a intricate tale with a number of possible suspects and motives.
Misty, Rocky and Patty are some of my favorite new cozy mystery characters and I love the setting in the mountains.
I happily recommend you pick up A Trip With Trouble. It is delightful.
Thanks to Netgalley and and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to review this book.

When I read and reviewed the first book in this series I said I'd read the next one without even thinking about it. I do not regret that statement at all! The next book in the series is great, an awesome mystery and again I didn't realize who the murderer was until right before it was revealed. I like that Misty and Rocky are starting to act on their feelings for each other, maybe in the next book we'll see more of their relationship emerging. Can't wait for more of Misty and the crew.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. This review is based on an ARC from NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.

Pub date: 10/25/22
Genre: cozy mystery
Series: Mountain Lodge Mysteries, book 2
Do I need to read book 1 first? I think this one works well as a standalone BUT I also really enjoyed book 1, so I think you should read both!
One sentence summary: When the Mountaintop Lodge hosts female motorcycle club Dangerous Curves, hotel owner Misty will have to help solve the murder of one of their members.

This is becoming one of my fave cozy series! I live in NC and vacationed near Beech Mountain as a kid, and it's a great setting for a mystery. Dangerous Curves was full of fun characters, and I loved taking an armchair motorcycle ride with them along the Blue Ridge Parkway. The mystery was compelling, with some good red herrings and a satisfying conclusion. I love when cozies include some comedy, and there were two scenes that had me LOLing (turns out throwing hot apple cider at a burglar is very effective at stopping a crime.)

If you like cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this series. I'm looking forward to book 3 and more adventures with Misty, Brynn, Rocky, Patty, and Yeti (Misty's cat)!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In the latest addition to the Mountaintop Lodge series by Diane Kelly Misty is settling into her life after divorce and being the new owner of the Mountaintop Lodge in beautiful Beech Mountain. An all female motorcycle group has checked into the lodge to explore the local roads and enjoy the changing of the leaves when one of their group dies on a ride. With the help of her friends Brynn, Patty and Rocky she helps uncover what really happened. Fast paced, great characters and beautiful scenery - looking forward to more in this series!

A Trip with Trouble is a delightful vacation for the mind. The author takes you on a delicious autumnal leaf peeping tour of the Blue Ridge Mountains and mixes in a bit of mystery along the way. I thoroughly enjoyed this getaway.

Misty Murphy is recently divorced, has moved to the mountains, and now runs her own lodge. That’s a lot of change for one woman to handle, but she’s happy in her new life. It’s peaceful…at least it was until a guest staying at her lodge (a member of the Dangerous Curves motorcycle club) ends up dead. Now she’s determined to find justice for the poor woman. I have to say A Trip with Trouble, which I enjoyed quite a bit is unlike most cozy mysteries I’ve read. Usually there is a brief intro of characters and within the first few chapters a body turns up. That’s not the case here. In fact a body doesn’t turn up until a little over a third of the way into the book. That may sound odd, but in a way it was also quite cool. In fact it was like there were two mysteries to be puzzled out, with the first one being trying to figure out who was going to end up being killed. (I guessed wrong on that one, lol) A Trip with Trouble features a great set of characters and an engaging mystery with plenty of twists and misdirection. This is the second book in Diane Kelly’s Mountain Lodge Mystery series, and it’s a series I look forward to returning to again and again in the future. I’d like to thank St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an eARC of A Trip with Trouble.

A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries and it continues to impress me! First, there’s the gorgeous location and the welcoming lodge. The way that Kelly describes it would make any reader want to vacation there. We also have a restaurant next door that caters breakfasts in the morning, and the descriptions are another reason I really enjoyed this book.

Not only do you have stunning descriptions of the lodge and food, but then there’s the well developed characters. I appreciate that Misty is 50 and the love interest is 47, and by the end of the book we get more growth in their very positive relationship. The two animals Yeti, the cat, and Molasses, the dog are adorable and add a fun element to the story… especially Yeti, since we get to see a bit into her thoughts as she watches the world outside her bedroom window.

The mystery was very well done too, but Kelly left enough clues that if you are paying attention you may be able to solve it before Misty and the gang. And in regards to the mystery I really liked that the love interest didn’t continually try to dissuade Misty from asking questions, and even helped her along the way.

Another fun book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries, and I’m looking forward to book three in the series.

Diane Kelly combines the beauty of the outdoors, a cozy and comfortable lodge, and a good heaping of mystery to keep you entertained with A Trip with Trouble.


Returning to the Mountaintop Lodge is going to be a wild ride. Misty is sold out for the week. Dangerous Curves, a lady’s motorcycle group, has reserved every room in the lodge for a week. Misty can’t be more excited. Upon checking in the group of ladies seems to be nice, charismatic and genuinely a good bunch of people looking to have some fun. Misty and her assistant Brynn even get asked to accompany the group on a ride, which to my delight they did indulge in. However, things go south when one of the members does not show up at an overlook where everyone has stopped. Misty helps the ladies look for their friend and unfortunately find her dead. Was it an accident or was it foul play? Misty with the help of Brynn and her handyman Rocky, try to get to the bottom of what’s going on with this mystery

I love when I’m reading a book and a place that pops up in the story. The tail of the dragon is a fun and beautiful ride although I have never done it on a motorcycle, I understand the thrill behind it. Now, with that being said, Diane Kelly knows how to bring the loveliness of the outdoors into the story. I love the fact that the majority of the story does take place outside. From fires and roasting marshmallows to fun motorcycle rides there is atmosphere all over this book. Now, there is kind of a twofold mystery within the story, and I enjoyed both of them. At one point I wondered if they were connected and was surprised when I realized the answer. The story told primarily from Misty's point of view, but those few chapters that we get from Yeti make me laugh every single time. and I love every single one of them. Diane Kelly knows how to draw the reader into the story, keep them entertained all the while, making them laugh and enjoy the experience all in one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an ARC of this entertaining cozy. It's the second in a series, but although I didn't read the first book, I was easily able to catch up with the characters, and the story worked for me as a stand-alone.
Protagonist Misty Murphy, age fifty and divorced, owns a lodge on the beautiful Blue Ridge Parkway. A female motorcycle club, the Dangerous Curves, books the lodge as their base for a few days of rides and hikes to enjoy the fall foliage. One day, they invite Misty and her assistant, Brynn, to join them on a ride. All goes well until Gerri, one of the group's leaders, disappears. When they retrace their route in search of her, they find she has had a terrible accident and did not survive. But was it really an accident? There's some tension among some of the group members, and one of them isn't who she says she is. Several of them carry baggage in the form of vengeful exes and/or greedy family members.
Misty and her handyman/potential love interest, Rocky, do some sleuthing to help the local police investigate. Suspects abound, but Misty eventually puts the pieces together.
Most of the story is told from Misty's point of view, in first person. Interspersed are short chapters from the point of view of her cat, Yeti. Although I love cats, I didn't think Yeti's perspective added much to the plot.
The writing is good, with vivid descriptions of the mountain scenery. It made me want to stay at Misty's lodge. Overall, a well-done mystery. I would read more of this author and this series.

“A Trip with Trouble” the 2nd instalment in the The Mountain Lodge Mysteries series by Diane Kelly. What a great follow up to book one. A Trip with Trouble proves that in the Blue Ridge Mountains, life in the fast lane could end in a crash.

I enjoyed the protagonist Misty Murphy, and her staff Brynn and handyman Rocky. I liked How the author gave both Misty and her cat Yeti, a voice throughout the story. I also enjoyed the fall cozy vibes as the biker chicks are leaf peeping in the Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina. I look forward to seeing how Misty's relationships grow in book 3.

The mystery is interesting and had lots of twists which kept me guessing. I had no idea who the killer was till Misty did.

I highly recommend this book to all my cozy friends. Can’t wait to read the next instalment.

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from St.Martin Press and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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.

I read and enjoyed the first book in the series, so I had high hopes for this one. It didn't disappoint. Kelly does a great job of creating engaging characters and a solid mystery that pulls the reader in. Misty is a fun, relatable character. The pacing was just right to keep the reader sleuthing along. There's a bit of romance, but it's not overpowering, thankfully.

Lovely descriptions make this a perfect fall read! I look forward to future books in the series.

This is the second book in this series, and I am loving it. I love the main characters, Misty, Rocky, Molasses, Yeti, Brynn and Patty. They just go so well together. A group of biker chicks, what could go wrong? Just like the bikers I know, these are really good folks, just out to enjoy life. It was fun meeting them. I enjoyed the story, the scenery and being with my Beech Mountain friends again. I can’t wait to go back for another visit. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.

First book I've read in this series and I found it entertaining. I liked the characters and the mystery was interesting. I really liked the Motorcycle Club folks. The fact that there were 3 people to try and figure out who was going to be murdered was fun.

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

A Trip with Trouble is the second book in Diane Kelly's Mountain Lodge Mystery series. And I loved it!

It's Fall in the North Carolina Blue Ridge Mountain town of Beach Mountain. Misty Murphy, 50, has started a new life for herself after her divorce and her sons going off to college, and now runs a mountain retreat lodge. She is hosting a women's motorcycle club, and almost immediately after the club's arrival, strange things happen, like odd phone calls, a strange van driving by, etc. When a terrible accident occurs, Misty helps law enforcement determine whether it was truly an accident or murder.

I like Diane Kelly's books, but I especially enjoyed this one! Descriptive and well-written, this had all the cozy seasonal Fall vibes, from the steaming cider to the falling leaves. The intriguing plot and mild suspense kept me hooked. I found the unusual murder interesting, and I liked Misty. She's relatable and grounded, and I enjoyed connecting with this warm, intelligent, mature sleuth. The secondary characters were all vividly written, and I loved reading about the all-female biker club! A solid whodunnit with a large pool of suspects, some red herrings, and a few twists, this is an excellent addition to what's become a favorite new series, though it's easily read as a stand-alone. Pick this one up for the perfect Fall cozy mystery!
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to review this ARC.

Set in a mountain lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina, Misty is continuing her life as the new proprietor by welcoming the Dangerous Curves motorcycle group for the week. What should have been a fun-filled week turns into mystery and murder. This is the second in the series and the recurring characters are developing nicely. I look forward to more in this series.

Misty Murphy welcomes the Dangerous Curves a female motorcycle club to her Mountain Top Lodge. She has a assistant Bynn O’Reilly a divorced fifty year old to help run the lodge along with her cat Yetti. Misty is friendly with her handyman Rocky who comes to help out where he can with his Bernese mountain dog Molasses. When the riders go out on a ride the next day Gerri ends up run off the road found dead in the woods. Her husband ran an RV dealership in Raleigh which she inherited from him when he recently passed away could his other family be behind her crash trying to take back the dealership. Was this an accident or manslaughter? Misty sets out to find out the truth with the help of the others staying at the inn. This was a very enjoyable story I would recommend to everyone fast paced easy reading.

Rounded up ...4.5 out of 5 stars. Delightful cozy series, this is 2nd in series, but can easily be read as a standalone.

Misty Murphy celebrated a momentous 50th birthday by signing her amicable divorce papers and purchasing her dream lodge in the mountains of North Carolina. Resilient, hard-working with a zest for life, she's looking forward to this upcoming week as a female motorcycle club has book the entire lodge. Death comes to a member of the club and Misty starts investigating with the help of her engaging new posse: Rocky, her live-on-site handyman and potential love interest. Brynn, her bohemian assistant manager and sidekick. Patty, the owner of the diner next door who provides breakfast for Misty and her guests.

Well-written with good pacing and intriguing mystery.

This is the second release in the definitive new cozy series " Mountain Lodge Mystery Series." Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinion is my own. The author has created a charming mystery series with wonderful charachters and fun sleuthing for the reader.

Its autumn in the beautiful blue ridge mountains and a ladies motorcycle club has come to stay at Misty's lodge while they travel the autumn color landscape during the day. They ask Misty to join them and she happily joins them for the first adventure. On their first trip the rider taking up the end of the group does not show up to their agreed upon stop. As the ladies and Misty investigate their missing friend clues abound, secrets come to the surface about the victim and soon Misty is involved in another murder investigation.

This next in series has a intriquing series of subjects, new charcters, some neferious and a in depth sleuth that kept me turning pages to conclusion. I enjoy this series and look forward to the next in series.

The main character of A Trip With Trouble, Misty Murphy, is hosting a woman's motorcycle-riding group at her recently opened mountain lodge. The women have come to North Carolina to enjoy riding and seeing the beautiful fall colors in the area. The group is having fun on the trip and Misty and her assistant, Brynn, are enjoying getting to know this fun group of guests better. When tragedy strikes, Misty jumps right in to investigate the death of one of the riders.

This is a very fun series with a great setting. The mystery is interesting, with a few different possible suspects. Misty declares herself to be good at solving crimes and she is good at finding clues, but I think she jumps to conclusions a little too quickly. Luckily she has Rocky, her handyman, friend, and potential boyfriend, to keep her grounded. Most of the book is narrated by Misty, but there are a couple of chapters from the point of view of Misty's cat. Yeti's observations are cute and fun and also give the reader some information that Misty isn't aware of. The confrontation with the killer is a little far-fetched, but I think the overall ending of the book is really cute. This is the second book in the Mountain Lodge series. You don't have to read the first book to enjoy this one, but it's so good, I highly recommend it.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

A women's motorcycle group arrives at the Mountaintop Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains to spend a few days enjoying the colors of the change of season, riding the mountain roads, and enjoying their time together. Trouble seems determined to ruin their time. Misty, the innkeeper, gets involved with solving the accident/murder of one of the members. This is the second book in the series, but the story reads like a stand-alone.

Misty Murphy is delighted that her Mountaintop Lodge is a success. In fact, her lodge is completely booked by a women’s motorcycle club. It’s a motley group, but they are paying customers and Misty is fascinated with them. They even invite her and her assistant to join them on a ride to see the beautiful fall colors.

Then, tragedy strikes. One of the women is found dead along the side of the road. Was it an accident or murder? Everyone is puzzled as to what happened. Misty is determined to figure it out. She wonders if a murderer could be staying under her roof. She’s more than a little shocked to discover just how many suspects there are.

This book is even better than the first one in the series. I love getting to know Misty and her friends even better. This series has everything I love about cozies. A great setting, a cast of fun, quirky characters and a mystery filled with many possible culprits. There’s even a hint of romance. It’s subtle and doesn’t overpower the mystery.

It’s one of those books I kept turning the pages and guessing "whodunit" until the very end. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series.






FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.

New adventure for a recently divorced businesswoman✔️
An all women’s riding group called Dangerous Curves ✔️
A hunky handyman named Rocky ✔️✔️
A mystery in the mountains of NC✔️✔️✔️
This was a fast read. I loved the motorcycle group of gals simce I used to belong to one as a Harley rider.
I loved the mountain setting. The main character is my age and is ready for new beginnings.
The mystery bit kept me guessing.
I’d ride back to the series for more.

Misty is enjoying owning and running Mountain Top Lodge, and is thrilled when the ladies of the Motorcycle Club book it for a week of fall foliage viewing –the ladies know how to have fun, and enjoy their time. They invite Misty and Brynn (her assistant) to take some time to ride with them. A beautiful ride turns scarry when the last rider (tail gunner) doesn’t show up – a search happens and finds her crashed in the woods at the side of the road. Accident or on purpose – Misty, without really trying is pulled in to the lives of these women, and is determined to figure out what happened.
Great 2nd installment in the series. Love how Misty is enjoying her new found life and purpose.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of "Getaway With Murder" in exchange for my honest review.

This is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mystery series and it was even better than the first book. Misty Murphy is the main character and she's running the Mountaintop Lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina.

The story is once again told from Misty's perspective and delightfully from the perspective of Yeti - her cat.

She has a staff of two - Rocky Crowder, the live-in handyman who works at the lodge in exchange for his room. Rocky has his dog molasses at the lodge with him and once again in this book his speed explains his name. Brynn - is her other staff member - her personal assistant/housekeeping manager.

This time around her guests are a ladies biker "gang". Once again Misty gets involved in murder when one of her guests is killed. There are several suspects, add in a robbery to muddy the waters and clues that lead in different directions before all the pieces fall into place.

The description of the lodge and surroundings paints a perfect picture to imagine what it might look like in real life. Hopefully there will be a book 3 soon.

High in the Blue Ridge Mountains, Misty Murphy is happily running her Mountaintop Lodge with help from her assistant Brynn, and handyman resident Rocky. This week it's a women's biker club that is coming to spend a week riding, hiking, and enjoying the beautiful fall colors. What starts off as a wonderful trip for the women, as well as for Misty and Brynn who are kindly included in a day trip, quickly turns tragic as the matriarch of the club fails to make it to the meet-up point. When the missing woman is found by Misty and Brynn, Misty vows to figure out what happened to her.

Wonderful and diverse characters abound in the collection of leaf peepers, rich tourists, residents, and of course guests at the Lodge. Detailed descriptions of people, places, animals, and even foods make the reader feel they are actually on a mountain vacation as well. Crimes and murder are plentiful, with so many red herrings that it is impossible to even guess how it will all turn out. Terrific writing by a very talented author left me wanting more!

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's press for providing me a review copy of this enjoyable book. Opinions expressed are strictly my own, and reviewing A TRIP WITH TROUBLE was completely voluntary.

Misty has all the rooms of the lodge booked to a ladies motorcycle club. Business is picking up, and even more exciting, she’s invited to ride along with the club to see the changing leaves. But when the ladies reach a stopping point, their tail gunner, the last bike in the group, doesn’t show up.

Misty offers to help the ladies find out what happened to their fellow rider. Will they figure out what happened to the rider, or will another one of them be next…maybe even Misty?

The second book in this series hits the mystery mark, just as the first one did. I love strong female characters and this book spades with the Dangerous Curves ladies. A great cozy series to add to your cozy pile…you wont regret it!

A Trip With Trouble is everything I want in a cozy mystery. Great characters in a well built backstory who all work together to solve the mysteries. It's not often you read about an all female motorcycle club, but it didn't stand out or seem different in the story. Diane Kelly did an excellent job of blending everyone's quirks to make an enjoyable whole. The Mountain Lodge Mystery series is definitely a good one for cozy mystery lovers.

Book Review: A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the opportunity to read A Trip with Trouble in exchange for an honest review. It was definitely a fun book.
Misty Murphy purchased the Mountaintop Lodge post divorce and has been having a great time managing her little hotel. In this second book in the series (although it can stand alone – so unless you wish, don’t feel you must read the first book), A group of women who are part of a motorcycle club rent out the lodge for their annual group trip and ride along the Blue Ridge Parkway.
What starts out as a perfect trip becomes questionable. First the last rider in the group doesn’t show up at the planned meeting place. Something has happened, but due to spotty phone coverage, they don’t know what. After an extensive search, they find her bike had crashed and its rider lying further down the hillside. It’s a good mystery with some twists and turns – just like the BRParkway. No spoilers here – you’ll have to read it to find out what happened!

A Trip With Trouble by Diane Kelly is the second in her new Mountain Lodge Mystery series. Misty Murphy has lived through an amicable divorce from her husband and opened this mountain lodge in Beech Mountain, North Carolina, and it has turned out to be a terrific move. She has new friends in Brynn, who works for her, and in Patty, who runs the diner across the street. She also has a romance in the offing with Rocky, her ersatz handyman. She has a loving pet in her cat, Yeti, and in Rocky’s dog, Molasses. This week there are a group of leaf “peepers” coming in the guise of a women’s motorcycle club, the Dangerous Curves. Life is looking up. Especially when on the second day they invite Misty and Brynn to ride with them. At first the duo is not certain but it looks like such fun. Sadly on the ride, tragedy strikes, and they lose their leader, Gerri, to a motorcycle accident that kills her.

All sorts of strange things are happening this week, above and beyond the death. For one thing, the sheriff names it as a murder. Secondly, two guys try to hold up Patty’s diner, but are stopped by a well aimed pot of boiling cider and another of hot gravy. One of the riders appears to be using a fake name, and one of the riders has such a chip on her shoulder they ask her to leave the group. All it all, it is a full week of activity, both good and bad. Misty seems to have a talent for investigating and the sheriff is all in. I didn’t read the first book, but in the second one she didn’t really put herself in serious danger, which is a good sign in a cozy mystery. Too often they catch the murderer by nearly getting murdered themselves. The mystery was a good one, and it made sense. The characters, permanent and visitors were well-written and interesting. I predict this will be a very popular series over time.

I was invited to read a free e-ARC of A Trip With Trouble by St. Martin’s Press, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #StMartinsPress #DianeKelly #ATripWithTrouble

I really enjoy this series! A Trip With Trouble is the second book in the The Mountain Lodge Mysteries series by Diane Kelly, which follows Misty Murphy as she tries to get her new mountain lodge to become a tourist hot spot and unfortunately stumbles on murders and mysteries along the way. In this book, a ladies motorcycle club called The Dangerous Curves, books the lodge so they can drive through the fall scenery. I really loved that we have a lot of different little mysteries and conflicts throughout, but that they all worked well with the main murder mystery and helped offer more possibilities of who done it and why. I liked getting more character development for our main cast Misty, Brynn, Patty, and Rocky. I especially enjoyed the progression of Misty and Rocky’s relationship! I like that our love interest isn’t the standard detective that happens in a lot of cozy mysteries. I also like that the author seems really knowledgeable about the setting of her series, which is a real town in North Carolina. This makes sense as I believe she is from North Carolina, but I like that she adds in little snippets of the history or landmarks; it makes it feel real.

I think if you love a good cozy mystery, you should give this series a try! Some of the chapters are from Yeti the cat’s point of view!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. A Trip with Trouble is the excellent follow-up to Getaway with Murder. The main character, Misty, and the returning characters, Brynn and Rocky, are great and make the book enjoyable to read. This time, the mystery involves a female motorcycle club with very colorful members, which helps getting the story and the mystery forward, which I loved. The setting is great and it was fun trying to find out everything that is hinted at and solving the mystery before reading it. Yeti's chapters are a humorous addition and add to the book's charm. More please!

Wow! The characters in this one were very powerful. The bad were really getting under my skin and I was really rooting for the good guys. I even shed a tear for the loss of the last rider. Misty, Brynn, Patty, and Rocky are a good core group to sleuth. I particularly loved Patty in this one.
The Mountaintop Lodge is a cozy place to relax and the Greasy Griddle has me feeling hungry. So I just love the cozy part of this series.
I picked up on one of the clues and I had solved part of the mystery, but the ultimate bad guy was a total surprise. I liked the way that Misty did a little sleuthing while she was also doing her work. She let the detective do his work as well. I thought that was a good balance for this mystery.
Ooh! This one was so much fun to read.

A Trip with Trouble is the second book in the Mountain Lodge Mysteries but I feel safe to say it could be read as a standalone. Misty Murphy, mountain lodge owner and amateur sleuth extraordinaire, is back on the case as a fun female motorcycle group visits the Mountain Lodge for an adventure filled trip. When the sassy leader turns up dead, Misty begins to unravel a twisted case with multiple suspects and leads. The book is a fun, suspense filled read as Misty’s case keeps you guessing until the end. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

Thank you NetGalley and Diane Kelly for the copy of A Trip with Trouble. This is my personal review.
This is the second book in the series The Mountain Lodge Mysteries.
The Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club has decided to stay at Mountaintop Lodge. Misty the owner of the Lodge is looking forward to their stay. The trees are turning colors and a perfect place for guests to enjoy the area.
This group of women are an odd fun and full of adventure group.
Their arrival on their motorcycles was so perfectly written by the author I could almost feel them arriving.
This book brings me back to the Blue Ridge Mountains and it is full of twists and turns and makes me wish I were there.
I am looking forward to the next in this great cozy series!

The twists and turns of the Blue Ridge Mountains are a perfect mirror for the plot twists and turns in A Trip with Trouble. The setting is a lodge in the mountains, purchased by Misty after her divorce. The story of Misty and the lodge alone is worth a novel of its own. But the story centers on the annual fall ride of a women's motorcycle club. The club includes its own cast of characters, each with a myriad of their own stories. Ms. Kelly combines all the stories into a delightful read that you won't want to put down, especially until you know who's done it. And there are several "its."

Diane Kelly brings plenty of mystery, atmosphere, and secrets to the second book in her Mountain Lodge cozy mystery series, A Trip with Trouble . It features 50 year-old Misty Murphy who has recently signed her divorce papers and purchased a mountain lodge in the Blue Ridge Mountains in northwestern North Carolina. A women’s motorcycle club, Dangerous Curves, has rented the entire lodge for the week to enjoy rides, hikes, and companionship during the fall season. However, things don’t go well when the last rider in their group fails to show up at an overlook during one of their rides. Cell phone service is spotty at best and there’s no response to the handheld radio. What has happened? Misty is determined to help them.

The story is mainly told from Misty’s point of view, but there are a few chapters interspersed with thoughts from her cat, Baroness Blizzard also known as Yeti. While Yeti’s chapters aren’t necessary, they provide some humor and I enjoyed them. Misty is independent, resourceful, organized, and good with people. She quickly starts to make friends. Rocky, the handyman, Brynn, her assistant, and diner owner Patty play pivotal roles as secondary characters and the club guests are a mixed group of personalities with secrets to lend a sense of realism.

The setting was perfect for this novel and Ms. Kelly does a great job of transporting readers to the mountains of North Carolina. The winding roads, the fall color, the scenic views, and even the southern foods were authentic. There are several plot twists along the way along with plenty of suspects. The dialogue and pacing were on target. The characters and humor enhance it with both relatable characters like Misty and Rocky along with some obnoxious ones and a bit of everything else in between. I also liked the fact that Misty worked with the police rather than hiding her sleuthing activities. However, it seemed like the deputy shared more information with her than he should.

I was immediately drawn into Misty’s life and enjoyed the unraveling of the mystery and the development of friendships. The story captivated me from the beginning with a good plot, great world-building details, and characters that are emotionally rich. The novel shines a light on death, relationships, friendship, family, life’s curveballs, and a bit of romance.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, which was suspenseful, engaging, and atmospheric. In all three of the books I have read by this author, I had a connection with the writing style that I found relatable, vivid, and irresistible. I can’t wait to find out what happens during the next book in the series. I recommend this to those that like cozy mysteries with a more mature main character.

St. Martin’s Press – St. Martin’s Paperbacks and Diane Kelly provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. This is my honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date is currently expected to be October 25, 2022. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.

The second in a series, A Trip with Trouble by Diane Kelly, is a fun cozy set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Misty, the protagonist, is an older woman running an inn with a view. The townspeople are well portrayed and the addition of a women's motorcycle group sets the scene for some mystery. This will be a series with hopefully, many more stories to come.

It’s fall in North Carolina, and Misty Murphy, owner of the Mountaintop Lodge in Beech Mountain is ready for her guest to take advantage of the beautiful weather to see the leaves changing on the trees all around them. The Dangerous Curves, a motorcycle club of 20 women, has rented all her rooms for a week, ready to ride their bikes through the mountains for hikes, shopping, and lots of fun.

Misty is happy to have attracted so much business to her small lodge in her first year, and when the women start showing up, their bikes rumbling into the parking lot, she is happy to get to meet these adventurous women and to find out more about the group. There are the sisters Dahlia and Daisy, Bessie with her terrier Shotgun riding in the sidecar, and Erika who recklessly introduced herself by doing a wheelie in the parking lot. Reyna is the leader of the group, and Gerri came up at the end, driving a GMC Yukon with a trailer that has her beloved Harley Davidson in it.

Misty thinks that most of these women are amazing, although she does have some misgivings. Erika seems reckless, and she seems to take unnecessary risks and resent the older women who try to rein her in. Katie doesn’t have an ID when she checks in, opting to pay cash up front for her week’s stay. She said she’d lost her wallet, but Misty also noticed that her hair looked like it had been recently dyed. Could she be escaping from a dangerous ex? And Lexi was running late, arriving after all the rest of the Curves. She explained to Misty by saying that she’d been in court, and Misty had been taken aback. But then she went on to say that she had gotten a divorce, and she was finally free of her husband Todd.

The first day the Dangerous Curves were there, they spent the day riding and hiking while Misty stayed back at the lodge, cleaning and taking care of the usual administrative tasks with her assistant Brynn. She enjoyed a quiet dinner with Yeti, her cat, before going to sleep. It had taken Yeti some time to recover from the loud noise of the motorcycles, and she had been awakened by some strange noises out back. But it wasn’t anything a good nap on a comfortable pillow couldn’t fix.

The next day, the Curves have some bad luck, as two of the women faced challenges on their ride. Katie had slipped on a wet rock and hurt her wrist, and Lexi’s bike had been taken, with her helmet still attached to it. It turns out that since it had been registered in her ex-husband’s name, he had told law enforcement it had been stolen, and the police had confiscated it. Meanwhile, Gerri had come back to the lodge to find her recently deceased husband’s ex-wife Andrea, along with her son Sterling and his wife Mariah, waiting for her. Gerri was the one controlling the trust fund for Sterling, Mariah, and their kids, and they are wanting to take some money from it. She’s upset with them for showing up on her vacation, and Misty ends up sending them away from her lodge.

The women were concerned that a late day storm would last until the next morning, cancelling their ride the next day. Instead, they awake to beautiful weather and even invite Misty and Brynn along on their ride for the day. They decide to play hooky and go along for the ride. But when they all get to their stop and Gerri is missing, they know something has to be wrong. Retracing their steps, Misty and Brynn finally find her. Her motorcycle had left the road, and she had slammed hard into a tree. Her helmet hadn’t been enough to save her, and when Misty sees some silver paint on Gerri’s back fender, she starts to wonder if someone had helped her.

As Misty tries to figure out who might have had a reason to hurt Gerri, she becomes suspicious of the other women in the motorcycle club as well as strangers who she had seen on the road. But with each step she gets closer to a killer, she gets closer to being the next one driven to danger.

A Trip with Trouble is the second in Diane Kelly’s engaging Mountain Lodge Mystery series. These stories set in the Appalachian Mountains combine a relaxing setting with the high stakes of solving murders. Misty and her friends all chip in to help, and to try to keep her out of danger, while Yeti tends to solve the case. Told in alternating chapters between Misty’s point of view and Yeti’s, these mysteries showcase strong characters in a beautiful setting with an intriguing plot.

I enjoyed A Trip with Trouble. I loved the story with the women’s motorcycle club, and I thought the mix of characters brought a lot of texture. There were several red herrings that kept me guessing, and plenty of fun pets to bring smiles. When I was first reading the chapters in Yeti’s point of view, I wasn’t sure that I liked it, but I have to admit it grew on me. Yeti is a good cat, and it’s fun to see what’s going on with her. This is a solid book in a solid series, and it’s fun for a fall weekend, with a nice mug of hot cider nearby.

Egalleys for A Trip with Trouble were provided by St. Martin’s Press through NetGalley, with many thanks.

Grab a warm cup of cider to pair with this story of Biker babes, the Blue Ridge Mountains, family drama, mystery and the Mountaintop Lodge. It is fall in the North Carolina mountains where the leaves are an array of autumn color and the air is as crisp as the apples used for making cider. Dangerous Curves, a Raleigh biker club for ladies is staying at Misty Murphy's lodge for a week of riding and relaxation, these ladies don't rest, they are too busy seeing the sites. At least until their group leader is found the victim of an unfortunate accident, or was it an accident. Possible culprits turn up around each turn as Misty's thoughts weave in and out with each passing day and each passing guest interaction. Was it a fellow biker with a temper, something related to the recent motorcycle thefts, or the entitled stepson who wanted access to more money from a family trust, or was it something else all together? A nice amount of mystery, romance, girl power told by Misty and enhanced by her cat, Yeti's, perspective sprinkled in.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Misty welcomes a lady bikers club for a week stay at her lodge. There is one young woman who is a challenge to all including her fellow members but she is not the biggest worry of the week. When the lady who started the club is driven off the road and killed by an unknown assailant, Misty, Rocky , Brynn, Mo and Yeti are all part of the investigation into discovering the murderer.

Amongst the other members, there is also a woman with a questionable past who may or may not have been involved. There is also some family by marriage who might have motives too. Gerri, the deceased, is the second wife of a wealthy man who died recently. The former wife and the son seem unpleasant but the daughter in law, who seemed to have a good relationship with the dead woman, has more motive than most.

There are lots of twists in the story as there are on the roads around the lodge. I do like Misty. She is smart but for the most part does not try to be super sleuth even though she does help bring the killer to justice. And I do love the chapters from the feline perspective of Yeti. It is a good series that I have enjoyed and will give four purrs and two paws up.

The second book in this newer series picks up right where we left off--freshly (amicably) divorced hotelier Misty is welcoming a group of lady bikers to her lodge for a week long retreat in the mountains. But the rumble of motorcycles also brings trouble when when one of their riders turns up dead. The death doesn't stop the strange goings-on at the lodge, so Misty and her crew (including her cat) keep their eyes peeled for clues and maybe just catch a killer...

I think this book is even better than the first, with an intriguing mystery that took me a while to sort out! I also think the women's motorcycle club is a fun touch that brings something fresh to the story. I could do without the chapters from Misty's cat's perspective, but thankfully they're few and far between.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press for my eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

5 stars - 8/10

I really enjoyed reading this book. This book grabbed me and kept me reading from start to finish and I could not get enough. It moves along at a pace that makes for and easy and enjoyable read. The characters are awesome and you cannot help but love them and you want to be there with them. This book has to be read, no doubt about it.

The Dangerous Curves Motorcycle Club is on their way to the Mountaintop Lodge and Misty Murphy is excited to host this eclectic group of women. The women all check in and it looks like it is going to be a fun week for Misty, Rocky and Brynn. When the ladies go out for a ride, they take Misty and Brynn with them but soon trouble ensues. One of the riders does not show up at the checkpoint. Soon fingers start pointing at who may have been involved and Misty quickly gets involved to help solve the crime.

I love this series by Diane Kelly and really enjoyed her first book Getaway With Murder so I was excited to start reading this one. I adore the characters, especially Misty and Rocky who are middle aged and starting a relationship. Each story brings new guests to the lodge and it is fun to follow along to see who the culprit is. Ms. Kelly does an excellent job of keeping the reader guessing until the very end. St. Martin’s Press has gifted me an advanced copy of the book, so I would like to thank them. I read and reviewed the book voluntarily. An awesome book to curl up with this fall.

This is book two of this wonderful series. Misty Murphy owner of the Mountain Top Lodge is hosting a female motorcycle club. When one of it's members is murdered Misty and her friends investigate. Good story

A Trip With Trouble
The Mountain Lodge Mystery, Book #2
Diane Kelly
5 Stars

Synopsis:

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? (Amazon)

Review:

The characters are well rounded and well developed. Misty’s guests belong to a motorcycle club and they are a lively bunch. They invite Misty and Brynn to go on a ride. Before the ride is over, a member of the club is killed. Now Misty will have to figure out who the murderer is before the ladies trip is over.

The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and these descriptions helped me stay engaged throughout the book. I felt like I was right there when the motorcycle gals came to the inn. The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery was well plotted and it was not easily solved. There were enough clues to sift through and suspects to consider.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well written cozy mystery. I really enjoyed this book and I am sure you will too.

I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.

Interesting and easy to read cozy mystery. When the Dangerous Curves Ladies MC decides to visit the Blue Ridge Mountains, and Mountaintop Lodge, they have no clue murder would be joining them. As owner of the Mountaintop Lodge, Misty feels compelled to help investigate....but can she do so safely? And what about her guest? Are they safe? Or is more going on than meets the eye?

Fast-paced and multilayered, A Trip With Trouble kept me entertained, guessing whodunit, and reading way past my bedtime. Mountaintop Lodge seems like a fun and scenic place to visit. Preferably without a murder on the itinerary.

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.