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Search and Rescue Mystery #2
Murder Off the Beaten Path
As a member of a mountain search and rescue team, Gracie Kinkaid routinely volunteers to put her life on the line. But it’s at her new day job at a residential camp in the mountains of southern California where she finds her life is really in danger…
As a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue, Gracie responds to a call out for a car that’s gone over the side of a treacherous mountain road. The crash, which Gracie quickly suspects is no accident, proves to be one in an escalating and deadly series of events that lead her right back to Camp Ponderosa, a church-owned camp where she works as Program Director. As Gracie probes more deeply into the dark secrets at the camp, she unearths a hidden world of illegal activities, including murder…and finds herself going head-to-head with desperate perpetrators who will do anything to silence her forever.
As a volunteer for Timber Creek Search and Rescue, Gracie responds to a call out for a car that’s gone over the side of a treacherous mountain road. The crash, which Gracie quickly suspects is no accident, proves to be one in an escalating and deadly series of events that lead her right back to Camp Ponderosa, a church-owned camp where she works as Program Director. As Gracie probes more deeply into the dark secrets at the camp, she unearths a hidden world of illegal activities, including murder…and finds herself going head-to-head with desperate perpetrators who will do anything to silence her forever.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 7, 2014
About the author
M.L. Rowland
6 books32 followersHow far would you go to save the life of a stranger? Jump out of a helicopter into four feet of snow? Sleep outside in the winter? Dangle on a rope over the edge of a cliff?
M.L. Rowland has done all of these things and more, all in the line of service as a mountain Search and Rescue volunteer. During her twelve years on Search and Rescue, Rowland participated in hundreds of search and rescue missions and trainings, including technical ropes rescues, helicopter insertions and evacuations, and searches for lost children, hikers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and criminal evidence, in alpine, desert and urban environments. She served as the team’s Training Officer and participated in community events and public speaking engagements. Trained in land navigation, and desert and winter survival, including avalanche awareness and self-arrest, she holds a certification in tracking from the State of California. Rowland also served as a member and on the Board of a Colorado County Sheriff’s Department All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) which manages local search and rescue operations, brush and wildfires, planned community events and other critical incidents.
Rowland is an avid political activist, naturalist and environmentalist. She lives with her husband, Mark, and their chocolate lab, Molly, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado.
M.L. Rowland has done all of these things and more, all in the line of service as a mountain Search and Rescue volunteer. During her twelve years on Search and Rescue, Rowland participated in hundreds of search and rescue missions and trainings, including technical ropes rescues, helicopter insertions and evacuations, and searches for lost children, hikers, snowboarders, mountain bikers and criminal evidence, in alpine, desert and urban environments. She served as the team’s Training Officer and participated in community events and public speaking engagements. Trained in land navigation, and desert and winter survival, including avalanche awareness and self-arrest, she holds a certification in tracking from the State of California. Rowland also served as a member and on the Board of a Colorado County Sheriff’s Department All-Hazards Incident Management Team (IMT) which manages local search and rescue operations, brush and wildfires, planned community events and other critical incidents.
Rowland is an avid political activist, naturalist and environmentalist. She lives with her husband, Mark, and their chocolate lab, Molly, at the foot of the Sangre de Cristo Mountains in south-central Colorado.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
October 16, 2014
Dollycas’s Thoughts
This second installment is even better than the first. This time the recovered body is that of a friend and co-worker at Camp Ponderosa and Gracie can’t help but get involved. When she does she finds all the clues lead right back to the camp and even when she becomes a target she just can’t give up.
Just like Zero-Degree Murder the suspense starts from page 1 and Gracie has no idea who she can trust. Gracie is a strong sleuth and her SAR skills help her in so many ways. Her confidence has grown since the first book and she seems physically stronger too. She does get into some dangerous situations and even gets hurt and she just keeps plugging until the last clue falls into place. At times it was like watching a scary movie and I wanted to yell, “don’t go there!” but of course she does and we suffer together through those white knuckle moments.
I recommend reading the books in order. You can read my review of Zero-Degree Murder here. The author’s Search and Rescue experience shines in both books. She also describes the settings so well. On and off the paths seem to be absolutely beautiful.
The mysteries are fantastic and the hints of romance continue to build. I am anxious to see how things play out after all that has happened in Murder Off the Beaten Path. It should be very interesting!
August 15, 2022
I loved the first in this series, loved Gracie and learning more about SAR. This one -- I was disappoined even irritated. This one is less about SAR, although an abandonned search for a missing teenager then a SAR car off a cliff have an important role in the story. This is more about misbehavior and questionnable shenanigans in a church operated camp where Gracie works that lead to murder. The plot was fine but Gracie herself is so messed up, so determined to push everyone away for no explained reason, that I just wanted to slap her and tell her to grow up. However, she does rescue and adopt a wonderful dog named Minnie. I'll read the 3rd and final in the series just to see if maybe Minnie has a starring role.
December 2, 2014
This is another one of those book that starts really well, and then takes a long tumble into the Well of Disappointment. It really could have been titled "Gracie Saves the Day". Gracie works at an outdoor adventure camp, and is also a member of the local Search and Rescue group. Her SAR team is called out to recover a body from an over-the-cliff auto accident, and she is horrified when she recognizes the body as that of a close friend. So far, so good, but that's the last of the good parts. (I apologize in advance for all the CAPS!)
SPOILERS......SPOILERS......SPOILERS......SPOILERS.............................................
Gracie is one of a wide-spread and rapidly-growing set of characters who is impulsive, a social misfit, can't make a commitment, and would rather die than take anyone's advice, even when it makes sense. I fail to see the attraction of such people - they are exasperating rather than interesting. But I digress......
To continue - Gracie is one busy woman. She begins to suspect that her friend's death was murder, and she resolves to solve it. Does she talk to the police and share her thoughts? Or anyone? Why,no! With no experience in investigation, she decides that only she can find the killer and sets out on her own quest for justice. To liven things up, Gracie also brings down her neighbors who are drug dealers and who shoot her dog, she discovers that the director of the church camp where she works is embezzling money, and that his brother is having sex with a minor and dealing drugs to the church kids. During all this she alienates (twice!)her best friend who loves her, and runs away from the man that she loves because they are from different worlds and can never fit together. AND, just to keep things interesting, Gracie's mother keeps calling her to help with Gracie's step-father, who tortured Gracie and her half-sibs. Literally TORTURED, as in burning with lit cigarettes, beatings, etc. "Why is this man not in jail?" you may ask? Beats me, I reply. But, let us carry on....the best BEST part (and I'm being just a little sarcastic here), is toward the end when Gracie finds evidence that her dead friend had gathered about the church camp and what was going on there.
At this point Gracie has a broken ankle from falling from a climbing cable that was mysteriously loosened, and she is on crutches and in pain. She's been fired from her job at the camp, and has returned to her office to collect her belongings. There she finds a thumb drive left by her dead friend, that probably contains information pertaining to her death. Any other person with half a brain would GO HOME and look at the drive. Does Gracie? Again, oh heck, no! She can't wait to see what's on the drive, and goes to the DIRECTOR'S OFFICE to look at it! Where - gasp! - she GETS CAUGHT! And beaten up again. Then she is involved in the drug bust at the camp, where - wait for it - she gets BEATEN UP! After the bust, she is just sitting by the side of the road (never did figure that one out)and FORGETS that the bad guy still on the loose, so SHE GETS CAUGHT! AND beaten up!
To my astonishment, I actually finished this book. I think I was afraid to jump off the train.
SPOILERS......SPOILERS......SPOILERS......SPOILERS.............................................
Gracie is one of a wide-spread and rapidly-growing set of characters who is impulsive, a social misfit, can't make a commitment, and would rather die than take anyone's advice, even when it makes sense. I fail to see the attraction of such people - they are exasperating rather than interesting. But I digress......
To continue - Gracie is one busy woman. She begins to suspect that her friend's death was murder, and she resolves to solve it. Does she talk to the police and share her thoughts? Or anyone? Why,no! With no experience in investigation, she decides that only she can find the killer and sets out on her own quest for justice. To liven things up, Gracie also brings down her neighbors who are drug dealers and who shoot her dog, she discovers that the director of the church camp where she works is embezzling money, and that his brother is having sex with a minor and dealing drugs to the church kids. During all this she alienates (twice!)her best friend who loves her, and runs away from the man that she loves because they are from different worlds and can never fit together. AND, just to keep things interesting, Gracie's mother keeps calling her to help with Gracie's step-father, who tortured Gracie and her half-sibs. Literally TORTURED, as in burning with lit cigarettes, beatings, etc. "Why is this man not in jail?" you may ask? Beats me, I reply. But, let us carry on....the best BEST part (and I'm being just a little sarcastic here), is toward the end when Gracie finds evidence that her dead friend had gathered about the church camp and what was going on there.
At this point Gracie has a broken ankle from falling from a climbing cable that was mysteriously loosened, and she is on crutches and in pain. She's been fired from her job at the camp, and has returned to her office to collect her belongings. There she finds a thumb drive left by her dead friend, that probably contains information pertaining to her death. Any other person with half a brain would GO HOME and look at the drive. Does Gracie? Again, oh heck, no! She can't wait to see what's on the drive, and goes to the DIRECTOR'S OFFICE to look at it! Where - gasp! - she GETS CAUGHT! And beaten up again. Then she is involved in the drug bust at the camp, where - wait for it - she gets BEATEN UP! After the bust, she is just sitting by the side of the road (never did figure that one out)and FORGETS that the bad guy still on the loose, so SHE GETS CAUGHT! AND beaten up!
To my astonishment, I actually finished this book. I think I was afraid to jump off the train.
October 3, 2023
There was a lot going on in this book, the resolution to a lot of it sad. It was an interesting story to read even though a lot of the ropes talk went over my head. The characters are interesting too and I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.
October 30, 2014
Murder Off the Beaten Path is M.L. Rowland's second book in her Search and Rescue mystery series. Rowland has a great eye for detail. Her descriptions of the scenery, the search and rescue missions and daily life at Camp Ponderosa were spot on and very detail oriented. Readers who are looking for a little adventure in their cozies with appreciate Rowland's vast experience with SAR and her way of writing a good whodunit. A great second book in the series!
What I liked:
In M.L. Rowland's first book in the Search and Rescue mystery series, Zero-Degree Murder, I questioned whether or not the book truly fit into the parameters of the cozy sub-genre. It leaned quite heavily toward being a thriller, but in Murder Off the Beaten Path, Rowland has settled into a more common cozy pattern. The balance between adventure and amateur sleuthing is much better in this one, but it still gives the reader a good dose of heart pumping action.
Rowland's experience as a form mountain search and rescue operative is essential to giving this series it's authenticity. It is obvious that this author knows exactly what's she's talking about when it comes to this subject. It gives her main character Gracie Kincaid a lot of credibility and makes the story so much more believable. The powers that be often tell new writers to write about what they know. Rowland has certainly taken that to heart and provided readers with a very well written portrayal of what a woman faces working in the search and rescue arena.
Gracie impressed me in this book. In the first book she was a bit more complacent. She didn't quite have the confidence I thought she needed in the beginning of that book, but throughout the course of the read she earned that confidence and became a much better heroine. In Murder Off the Beaten Path, Gracie already has a handle on who she is and where she fits. I liked her spunk and her zest for life. I appreciated her need to be of service and help people not only in her search and rescue efforts but also in her work at Camp Ponderosa. She is coming into her own as a heroine and Rowland continues to develop her character until the final page of the book.
The search and rescue missions are important in the book but Gracie's search for answers is central to the theme of this one. When her friend is killed in an accident under suspicious circumstances, Gracie begins to question her work with Camp Ponderosa a church supported camp in the area. As things start to come together in her amateur search for clues, Gracie becomes more determined than ever to find out what is going on behind the scenes at the Camp. It was a very well written mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It was a true cozy mystery and Rowland excelled at bringing it all together.
Bottom Line:
I liked this one even better than the first book in the series. Gracie is becoming just as much a sleuth as she is a search and rescue worker. Rowland's balance between adventure and sleuthing was much better in this one and readers will appreciate her attention to detail in every aspect of the book. This book really rings true and feels real and believable. A great second book in the series!
What I liked:
In M.L. Rowland's first book in the Search and Rescue mystery series, Zero-Degree Murder, I questioned whether or not the book truly fit into the parameters of the cozy sub-genre. It leaned quite heavily toward being a thriller, but in Murder Off the Beaten Path, Rowland has settled into a more common cozy pattern. The balance between adventure and amateur sleuthing is much better in this one, but it still gives the reader a good dose of heart pumping action.
Rowland's experience as a form mountain search and rescue operative is essential to giving this series it's authenticity. It is obvious that this author knows exactly what's she's talking about when it comes to this subject. It gives her main character Gracie Kincaid a lot of credibility and makes the story so much more believable. The powers that be often tell new writers to write about what they know. Rowland has certainly taken that to heart and provided readers with a very well written portrayal of what a woman faces working in the search and rescue arena.
Gracie impressed me in this book. In the first book she was a bit more complacent. She didn't quite have the confidence I thought she needed in the beginning of that book, but throughout the course of the read she earned that confidence and became a much better heroine. In Murder Off the Beaten Path, Gracie already has a handle on who she is and where she fits. I liked her spunk and her zest for life. I appreciated her need to be of service and help people not only in her search and rescue efforts but also in her work at Camp Ponderosa. She is coming into her own as a heroine and Rowland continues to develop her character until the final page of the book.
The search and rescue missions are important in the book but Gracie's search for answers is central to the theme of this one. When her friend is killed in an accident under suspicious circumstances, Gracie begins to question her work with Camp Ponderosa a church supported camp in the area. As things start to come together in her amateur search for clues, Gracie becomes more determined than ever to find out what is going on behind the scenes at the Camp. It was a very well written mystery that kept me guessing all the way through. It was a true cozy mystery and Rowland excelled at bringing it all together.
Bottom Line:
I liked this one even better than the first book in the series. Gracie is becoming just as much a sleuth as she is a search and rescue worker. Rowland's balance between adventure and sleuthing was much better in this one and readers will appreciate her attention to detail in every aspect of the book. This book really rings true and feels real and believable. A great second book in the series!
October 19, 2014
I was so impressed with the first book in this Search and Rescue series, Zero-Degree Murder, that I knew I'd be reading the next one as soon as I possibly could. With Murder Off the Beaten Path, M.L. Rowland's mysteries are now quickly moving towards the top of my favorite series list.
Rowland's search and rescue scenes not only give readers a better understanding of what these brave men and women do for us every single day, they add tension to the story, place us right in the middle of the action, and help define Gracie as a character. They are definitely one of the things that make this series (and this book) so special.
Speaking of Gracie, she's evolving in this second book. Her job situation-- which at first appears to be much more stable-- has landed her right in the center of a snake pit, and we get to see how she deals with it. To be honest, she does much better with that than she does her love life. There's romantic tension aplenty in Murder Off the Beaten Path. Gracie has attracted the affections of two outstanding men, and even I don't know which one she should choose.
Gracie's waffling never detracts from the main focus of the story however. With all the various nefarious characters coming in and out of focus here, I'm beginning to think I'm better off not knowing what really goes on in the more remote sections of this country. (Yes, I do realize that what I don't know can hurt me!)
With enough action, danger, and romance for any reader, as well as a main character who's smart and incredibly brave, who's growing and changing with each book, I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series. Write faster, please!
Rowland's search and rescue scenes not only give readers a better understanding of what these brave men and women do for us every single day, they add tension to the story, place us right in the middle of the action, and help define Gracie as a character. They are definitely one of the things that make this series (and this book) so special.
Speaking of Gracie, she's evolving in this second book. Her job situation-- which at first appears to be much more stable-- has landed her right in the center of a snake pit, and we get to see how she deals with it. To be honest, she does much better with that than she does her love life. There's romantic tension aplenty in Murder Off the Beaten Path. Gracie has attracted the affections of two outstanding men, and even I don't know which one she should choose.
Gracie's waffling never detracts from the main focus of the story however. With all the various nefarious characters coming in and out of focus here, I'm beginning to think I'm better off not knowing what really goes on in the more remote sections of this country. (Yes, I do realize that what I don't know can hurt me!)
With enough action, danger, and romance for any reader, as well as a main character who's smart and incredibly brave, who's growing and changing with each book, I'm really looking forward to the next book in this series. Write faster, please!
October 9, 2014
Murder Off the Beaten Path is the second book in the Search and Rescue Mystery series. Gracie Kincaid is a volunteer member of a mountain search and rescue team. The first book Zero Degree Murder was a mountain search for missing hikers. Most of that book was devoted to the search and rescue of the hikers and overcoming dangers that ensued.
This book is somewhat different as it does contain a scene where Gracie is doing a Rescue or Recovery with the S&R team on a mountain where a vehicle went over the edge but most of the rest of book is about Gracie sleuthing on her own at the church camp where she works.
The opening scene of the vehicle over the edge starts the action or mystery. All is not what it seems at the church camp where Gracie works. Gracie does use her S&R skills to get out of life threatening situations and also at her job working with the ropes.
Gracie is a strong brave female protagonist who is very curious and wants to get to the bottom of what and why it happened with the drive off of the mountain. She finds herself in quite a few dangerous situations. There is a love triangle where two men are interested in her but she doesn't want to commit at this point in her life. I am looking forward to reading about Gracie Kincaid in the next book. This book held my attention and read fast. .
This book is somewhat different as it does contain a scene where Gracie is doing a Rescue or Recovery with the S&R team on a mountain where a vehicle went over the edge but most of the rest of book is about Gracie sleuthing on her own at the church camp where she works.
The opening scene of the vehicle over the edge starts the action or mystery. All is not what it seems at the church camp where Gracie works. Gracie does use her S&R skills to get out of life threatening situations and also at her job working with the ropes.
Gracie is a strong brave female protagonist who is very curious and wants to get to the bottom of what and why it happened with the drive off of the mountain. She finds herself in quite a few dangerous situations. There is a love triangle where two men are interested in her but she doesn't want to commit at this point in her life. I am looking forward to reading about Gracie Kincaid in the next book. This book held my attention and read fast. .
January 2, 2015
This book is a great follow-up to Zero-Degree Murder. The author is a search and rescue volunteer as is heroine Gracie Kinkaid. For real money she is working at Camp Ponderosa. Her boss, Jett McKenna, in her car, goes over the side of a mountain. Gracie is part of the team that brings the body up and details the process. She is bothered about the scene and site of the crash. Later she listens to her calls and finds out that Jett had called yelling about them being evil. Gracie has no idea what Jett is talking about. Who is evil? Jett also says everything is in her diary.
Jay Wilson is the church camp director, and his brother Eddie is just as smarmy, a real touchy-feely guy that Gracie tries to avoid. She looks for Jett McKenna’s satchel near the scene and finds it. But no diary. She tries the computer at work, but no diary. Later she finds a clue as to where and what it is.
In her personal life, she’s also in a running battle with a drug house down the road from her and they keep parking their cars in the road so she can’t get past. They try to get even with her but she does a one-up on them. However, there’s more conflict in her life as she’s juggling two men, both of whom want to be with her, but she’s not into commitment. Fascinating story, fast read. Berkley Prime Crime 2014
Jay Wilson is the church camp director, and his brother Eddie is just as smarmy, a real touchy-feely guy that Gracie tries to avoid. She looks for Jett McKenna’s satchel near the scene and finds it. But no diary. She tries the computer at work, but no diary. Later she finds a clue as to where and what it is.
In her personal life, she’s also in a running battle with a drug house down the road from her and they keep parking their cars in the road so she can’t get past. They try to get even with her but she does a one-up on them. However, there’s more conflict in her life as she’s juggling two men, both of whom want to be with her, but she’s not into commitment. Fascinating story, fast read. Berkley Prime Crime 2014
August 11, 2018
#2 in the Search and Rescue Mystery series
This turned out to be a very exciting and interesting cozy, starting with the search for a young girl in the mountains and ending with a surprising ring of crimes at the end. Gracie is a pleasant young woman who is very skilled in search and rescue, and I found that part of the book to be very interesting. The author is a former S&R person, so she's knowledgeable and provides a lot of description in an easy-to-understand way. Throughout the rest of the book, however, I found Gracie to take way too many chances. She uses the computer in a suspect's office, she gathers information and takes photos at great risk to herself. I found her frustratingly careless with her own safety in her investigation while she touted super-safety with ropes and other rescue equipment. In addition, she's very confused about her love life. She continues to see Rob (the actor from Book #1) while holding on to Ralph's friendship (even when he wants more). She settles for a fairly low-level job when she is obviously capable of more. But all that being said, she's pleasant and friendly and very intelligent. I enjoyed the setting for this book (at a camp in the mountains) and found it to be a little different from the usual cozy mystery. I'll definitely finish up the series with the next book.
This turned out to be a very exciting and interesting cozy, starting with the search for a young girl in the mountains and ending with a surprising ring of crimes at the end. Gracie is a pleasant young woman who is very skilled in search and rescue, and I found that part of the book to be very interesting. The author is a former S&R person, so she's knowledgeable and provides a lot of description in an easy-to-understand way. Throughout the rest of the book, however, I found Gracie to take way too many chances. She uses the computer in a suspect's office, she gathers information and takes photos at great risk to herself. I found her frustratingly careless with her own safety in her investigation while she touted super-safety with ropes and other rescue equipment. In addition, she's very confused about her love life. She continues to see Rob (the actor from Book #1) while holding on to Ralph's friendship (even when he wants more). She settles for a fairly low-level job when she is obviously capable of more. But all that being said, she's pleasant and friendly and very intelligent. I enjoyed the setting for this book (at a camp in the mountains) and found it to be a little different from the usual cozy mystery. I'll definitely finish up the series with the next book.
October 12, 2014
The new book in this series is as good as the first. Maybe even better. Super scary page turner. Stayed up late to finish reading because I couldn't put it down.
June 2, 2018
Gracie Kinkade is a volunteer with the Timber Creek Search and Rescue team. She is an expert climber and rough terrain worker. She also works at a church camp as a leader in the rope climbing and other activities. The staff at the camp is rather unusual. The Camp Director is a self-proclaimed preacher who delivers long sermons on the evils of the flesh and who keeps his wife and daughters in servitude. The Director’s brother is a womanizer who Gracie suspects is also a drug dealer. The camp cook is sullen and has a rather wild daughter; Gracie’s best friend Jill is a former prostitute who still somewhat dresses the part. It is Jill’s death in a car accident that sets Gracie to investigating what is going on at the camp. Jill’s car goes over the cliff from a road always avoids.. She was not wearing her seat belt, and her ever-present large handbag and bible are missing. Gracie returns home after helping to retrieve Jill’s body to find that Jill had left a frightened message on Gracie’s phone, saying that she “had it all written down.” . … What’s going on? ….. It is an exciting story .. until the end. Not that it isn’t exciting at the end, it is just that all sorts of things get wrapped up very quickly… A bit too neatly and quickly for my taste. There were a few loose ends that probably are intended to be the beginnings of a next book.
March 10, 2019
I really had a hard time getting into this book! The main character was really whiny and when she has two gorgeous men both trying to marry her and sweep her off her feet she runs away. It was just unrealistic. They both adored her and fawned over her and helped her and treated her with respect. I think the author did that just so we would read the next book in the series to see if Gracie picks one of them. When it describes how upset and traumatized Gracie gets about the death of Jett going over the cliff, I actually had to go back to the first couple chapters and try to glean out some information about how they were so close. It wasn’t understandable from the front chapters, it is only reasonably explained with flashbacks towards the end of the book. Very strange because it was hard to understand how Gracie and Jett were so close throughout a majority of the book. Also there were parts thrown in that didn’t mesh with the story very well. Like Jay the Pastor’s daughter ending up pregnant, giving birth in her room and dying. That really didn’t mesh very well with the rest of the story. Maybe if the author had thrown in some clues about it along the way? Also who the father was just came out of left field. We already knew Jay was an oppressive father so it didn’t really add a lot to the whole storyline.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 20, 2021
3.5
I bumped this book up to 4 stars as it was much better than the first book in the series, "Zero-degree Murder". I think improvement should be rewarded. The writing is much clearer and more concise and it feels more like an adult book. I feel like it was written more for women, but being a man I still found it interesting. Unfortunately, one part that was not interesting was the Search & Rescue scene where a car goes over a cliff. The author spent a lot of time on the how and why the team did what they did, but it was too detail ridden and just not interesting.
The actual murders and Gracie's actions were more suspenseful and intense. These murders take place at a church camp. It was hard to believe that the church didn't have better oversight over possible liabilities even when this was written in 2014. Except for that point, if you like mysteries in the outdoor setting and have a little patience with the character, you'll probably like this novel. Because this book was a step up from the first, I have decided to read the last in the series.
I bumped this book up to 4 stars as it was much better than the first book in the series, "Zero-degree Murder". I think improvement should be rewarded. The writing is much clearer and more concise and it feels more like an adult book. I feel like it was written more for women, but being a man I still found it interesting. Unfortunately, one part that was not interesting was the Search & Rescue scene where a car goes over a cliff. The author spent a lot of time on the how and why the team did what they did, but it was too detail ridden and just not interesting.
The actual murders and Gracie's actions were more suspenseful and intense. These murders take place at a church camp. It was hard to believe that the church didn't have better oversight over possible liabilities even when this was written in 2014. Except for that point, if you like mysteries in the outdoor setting and have a little patience with the character, you'll probably like this novel. Because this book was a step up from the first, I have decided to read the last in the series.
May 23, 2020
"They're evil! What they're doing is evil! I have it all down! In my journal! Goddam jackpot! You have to help me. I don't know who else to trust. I'll call you when I get home." That is the message left on Grace Kincaid's answering machine by Jett McKenna, a co-worker at Camp Ponderosa, whose body Grace had just helped to recover from a suspicious auto accident site.
Grace is working part-time at the year-round residential camp, as the director of a new summer program, thanks to British megastar Rob Christian, whose life she had saved several months previously. But after hearing Jett's message, Grace starts to investigate what is actually going on at the camp ... and what she finds is more than she ever suspected.
Grace is working part-time at the year-round residential camp, as the director of a new summer program, thanks to British megastar Rob Christian, whose life she had saved several months previously. But after hearing Jett's message, Grace starts to investigate what is actually going on at the camp ... and what she finds is more than she ever suspected.
October 12, 2017
Starts off with search for a missing girl, then a rescue of a driver who drove over a cliff, then settles into Gracie's adjustment to a new job as rope course coordinator at a wilderness camp, but degrades into part-romance, part-mystery, as Gracie uncovers drug smugglers and an embezzler at the camp while juggling boyfriends, both of whom end up disliking her. She also rescues a dog who ends up sleeping most of the time. Not as good as the first book in the series, Zero-Degree Murder.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 24, 2020
Generally fine mystery story featuring a rescue crew. I struggled with the sexism and some of the descriptions which made me realize this wasn’t going to be a good book for me. Nice twists - just didn’t appeal.
April 7, 2019
I really enjoyed this book!
June 29, 2021
Good
a book that's part of a series that's about a young woman who works with a volunteer search and rescue unit.
a book that's part of a series that's about a young woman who works with a volunteer search and rescue unit.
June 16, 2024
The writing wasn’t bad but the whole story kept getting more and more ridiculous.
August 18, 2024
Murder Off the Beaten Path had me unable to put it down from the beginning to the end.
June 9, 2022
fun book ..interesting characters. one problem, would not call this stand alone book. several references to other people and events that makes reading #2 first more difficult. would recommend that you read her books in order.
April 21, 2014
Murder Off The Beaten Path is the second book in the A Search And Rescue Mystery series by M. L. Rowland. It is a well written well plotted mystery.
Gracie Kinkaid is a member of a search and rescue team. She is called out for a treacherous rescue of the driver of a car that that went over the side of a mountain. When she finally reaches the crash site, she realizes it is a recovery mission, not a rescue. And it is a recovery of someone she knows, which leaves her totally devastated. At least her job as Program Director at a church-owned camp will help her keep her mind of the death. But when things start to go downhill at the camp, Gracie realizes that the camp is not a squeaky clean as they may appear.
Now she has two mysteries to solve, was the death of her friend really an accident and what is really happening at camp?
Gracie is tough-as-nails, as least on the outside. But deep down she has a soft spot and she worries about her friends and their safety. And when she rescues a four-legged friend and names her Minnie, her heart is lost to the dog. She is very confused in her love life and does not know what would be best for her. She does not want anyone to see her vulnerable side and will go to great extremes to keep that side hidden. Sometimes I think she made some stupid decisions that kept putting her in harms way. Every once in awhile I found myself think “what is wrong with you, don’t you know any better”. She frustrated me at times. But as a character in a book, Gracie is well rounded, well developed and three dimensional.
The mystery and suspense kept building from the beginning of the book to the very end. The plot is very well thought out and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. Although it is part of the Search And Rescue series, this book did not concentrate on that aspect as much as the first book, Zero-Degree Murder. I love reading Search And Rescue fiction and I thought book one was one of the best books I have read this year, even maybe ever. I am a little disappointed that book two did not have more of the Search And Rescue aspect. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book but just not as much as book one. That being said, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted mystery and I am very glad I read it. And I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully there is a book three.
Gracie Kinkaid is a member of a search and rescue team. She is called out for a treacherous rescue of the driver of a car that that went over the side of a mountain. When she finally reaches the crash site, she realizes it is a recovery mission, not a rescue. And it is a recovery of someone she knows, which leaves her totally devastated. At least her job as Program Director at a church-owned camp will help her keep her mind of the death. But when things start to go downhill at the camp, Gracie realizes that the camp is not a squeaky clean as they may appear.
Now she has two mysteries to solve, was the death of her friend really an accident and what is really happening at camp?
Gracie is tough-as-nails, as least on the outside. But deep down she has a soft spot and she worries about her friends and their safety. And when she rescues a four-legged friend and names her Minnie, her heart is lost to the dog. She is very confused in her love life and does not know what would be best for her. She does not want anyone to see her vulnerable side and will go to great extremes to keep that side hidden. Sometimes I think she made some stupid decisions that kept putting her in harms way. Every once in awhile I found myself think “what is wrong with you, don’t you know any better”. She frustrated me at times. But as a character in a book, Gracie is well rounded, well developed and three dimensional.
The mystery and suspense kept building from the beginning of the book to the very end. The plot is very well thought out and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next. Although it is part of the Search And Rescue series, this book did not concentrate on that aspect as much as the first book, Zero-Degree Murder. I love reading Search And Rescue fiction and I thought book one was one of the best books I have read this year, even maybe ever. I am a little disappointed that book two did not have more of the Search And Rescue aspect. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book but just not as much as book one. That being said, I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted mystery and I am very glad I read it. And I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series. Hopefully there is a book three.
August 7, 2015
Solid mystery, easy weekend read, fun setting, liked the search and rescue aspect. I scanned through other Goodreads reviews and have to admit that I'm surprised at all the 5 stars. Am I the only one who is frustrated by a female lead who has a complicated personal life in which she behaves badly due to her fear of commitment? Does every female detective have to be torn between two lovers? Honestly, the way she treats them both is despicable. If this was real life, it would be very hard to forgive her.
It's also hard for me to understand why Gracie shares so little. She never tells anyone where she's going or what she's thinking. There's no back-up plan. Frankly, she's kind of stupid in that way. I've read a lot of mysteries and can't remember many male detectives behaving this way. Is there some reason for this particular kind of sexism?
I think I'm taking out some frustration on this book and it probably doesn't deserve it, but rather than read more of the "Search and Rescue Mystery" series, I think I'll look for a mystery that has a confident female detective. Maybe someone with a supportive partner - if such a thing exists.
It's also hard for me to understand why Gracie shares so little. She never tells anyone where she's going or what she's thinking. There's no back-up plan. Frankly, she's kind of stupid in that way. I've read a lot of mysteries and can't remember many male detectives behaving this way. Is there some reason for this particular kind of sexism?
I think I'm taking out some frustration on this book and it probably doesn't deserve it, but rather than read more of the "Search and Rescue Mystery" series, I think I'll look for a mystery that has a confident female detective. Maybe someone with a supportive partner - if such a thing exists.
April 13, 2016
A book from A Search and Rescue Mystery series written by M. L. Rowland. This story contains language that does not need to be spelled out to enhance the story. A setting in California, characters that add a twist to the tale, and an ending that leaves the reader questioning the outcome of the book. A series to lure the reader into one more to see if the plot continues or if new characters add zest to the books. copy right 2016
January 2, 2015
The second book in this mystery series is as good as the first. I like the returning characters--Gracie, Ralph and Rob. Ms. Rowland also writes truly evil villains. The mystery was a good one with a few side issues going on. I look forward to reading more of this author and finding out what happens to the main characters. Recommended if you like cozies with an edge.
January 24, 2016
I love the idea of this series and the first book was good, but I want to read the book for the mystery and for the Search and Rescue aspect. I don't care who she sleeps with and how many boyfriends she has. But, how unrealistic, how many of these mysteries end up with the heroine having to choose between to men? And how many real women have two men to choose between?
February 2, 2016
Love the setting, especially the descriptions of the physical camp. Could do without the romance. And the climax went on too long, over multiple chapters. Hard to believe all that could happen in the space of a few hours. I wouldn't call this a cozy, exactly--it's a bit darker than what I think of as cozies.
October 2, 2014
Very readable, but I must admit that I enjoyed the first in this series Zero-Degree Murder much more Still, recommended.
December 29, 2014
Don't go into these thinking they are cozies .... they really aren't
January 6, 2015
Good 2nd book in a series
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