Review: Forgotten Trail: A National Park Mystery by Claire Kells

Forgotten Trail: A National Park Mystery by Claire Kells is the latest in this very good series that began with Vanishing Edge: A Novel. This third book in the series takes readers to Pinnacles National Park in California. One of the newer parks, it includes a newly opened hotel, Pinnacles Grand Hotel. Only open about a week, not only is it a bit of hike from the parking lot to get to the hotel, once there, the room are not cheap. A murder is not going to help the price point or their reputation. But, that is what has happened.

At least, that is what the manager, James Dunaway, claims in a phone call to Special Agent Felicity Harland. He has bypassed the protocols in place to report the situation directly to her. Since the scene is in the park, that makes it an Investigative Services Branch case. Since she is a special agent with ISB and currently covering Pinnacles National Park, and several other parks, that makes the case hers.

Before long, Agent Harland is at the hotel, as is her partner, Investigator Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley. The deceased is Chris Mason though, according to his wife, his real last name is Denton. The same wife who was found standing over the body of her dead husband. A serial cheater, according to his wife, he checked in with another woman who is now believed to be missing.

There is also a missing hiker elsewhere in the park and a serious terrorism threat situation at San Francisco International airport. That means Harlan and Hux have to handle the case on their own without any assistance from the FBI. They are pretty much on their own with a lot to do.

What follows is a complex mystery where readers are given little more regarding the backstory of Harland and how she got to this point in her life. That further character development does not get in the way of the complex mystery at work in Forgotten Trail: A National Park Mystery. Like any really good series where each book builds on the previous ones, such is the case here. So, if this series is new to you, start in the beginning with Vanishing Edge: A Novel. That is followed by An Unforgiving Place: A National Park Mystery. The reads are well worth it.

If it is not clear already, Forgotten Trail: A National Park Mystery by Claire Kells is a mighty good read. Strongly recommend, as is the series. 

My reading copy came by way of a publisher ARC through NetGalley with no expectation of a review.

 

Kevin R. Tipple ©2023