The Girls in Cabin Number Three

The Guest Book Trilogy #2

by Chrysteen Braun

In book two of the Guest Book Trilogy, eighty-one-year-old Annie Parker recounts taking on, against the wishes of her new love Noah, an out-of-town design project that leads her down a path that is more than she bargained for.

Back in Lake Arrowhead, California, a long-awaited mystery is buried in Cabin Number Three. Annie meets Carrie Davis who wants to update her childhood home on the lake and feels a tie to Annie’s cabins. Apparently, Carrie’s parents stayed here during the Roaring ‘20s when Bugsy Siegel ran an underground speakeasy and distillery. Unconvinced, Annie decides to investigate and finds their names in the old guest books—Elizabeth Davis and Thomas Meyer. As exciting as that sounds, it’s only the start of a winding tale that Carrie and the new man in her life uncover. The pair unravel a family history filled with gangsters, working girls, and a surprising twist to a family tree.

The Girls in Cabin Number Three combines women’s fiction with romance, cozy noir mystery, and suspense—all wrapped up in the majestic environs of this lovely lakeside haven.

276 pages, Paperback

Published November 29, 2022

Reviews

[N.N. Heaven · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, the first few pages hooked me, not letting go until the last page. This book is a dual-timeline story with interesting characters, a mystery to unravel, and a beautiful lake setting. You’ll want to curl up with this book.

The story opens and we meet two women, both telling their side of the story in their prospective time periods. I really like the way it was written. I dove into the story, connecting with the two women with ease.

The descriptive narration is filled with tons of detail and emotion. Through the narration, I got to experience life in a small town by a lake. I hear Lake Arrowhead was famous back in the day. Reading this book brought that feeling of community to life.

The characters are what drove this plot. I connected with Annie the most. Her determination and moxie pulled her through some sticky situations. The other characters fascinated me and held my attention.

The mystery behind cabin number three is something right out of a gangster movie. It made reading this book so exciting! I couldn’t read fast enough.

While this book isn’t going to change your life, it is one that will make you think about the past. Some family skeletons are best left buried. The Girls in Cabin Number Three is a wonderfully written book. I’ve recommended it to all my family and friends…and now you.

My Rating: 5 stars

Reviewed by: Sam

This review first appeared: https://www.nnlightsbookheaven.com/po...

[Ferne (Enthusiastic Reader) · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the spring of 1981, Annie was enjoying her new ownership of 7 cabins as a bed and breakfast in Arrowhead, California. Annie had purchased the property from Sam Jackson, a widower that once owned the property with his wife. Grayson Underwood, one of Annie's interior design clients, had a new project to pitch and tested Annie's relationship with Noah Chambers.

I love the literary atmosphere of the author's storytelling. Narration in the past and present become meaningful as a woman's reflections in the present are sometimes quite different when the thoughts are past reminisces. I enjoyed Book 2 even more than Book 1 as the author blended history with her creativity to instill a fascinating account of occupants that once stayed in Cabin Number 3. Have you ever heard of Bugsy Siegel? I'm so glad that Sam has continued to be a vital part of welcoming guests and serving as the property historian, as he adds to the interest during Annie's investigation of earlier guests in the cabins. Jezebel and Socks, one of Jezebel's kittens, add the adorable factor.

Drawings at the end of the novel complement the reader's experience. The Author's Note provides an interesting background to the inspiration for Book 2 and more. I encourage readers to visit the author's beautiful website to read about the author's professional and living experiences and the exquisite gallery of photographs, all of which authenticate Annie's profession and the trilogy setting.

[Jan Sikes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a wonderful character-driven dual-timeline story that I thoroughly enjoyed.

Annie has recently purchased seven cabins from widower, Sam, and she uses her design skills to make them attractive yet fully functional. The setting for this story is absolutely beautiful and the author put me there. A small mountain town is the perfect setting for the story to unfold. The first part of the book is mostly about Annie and Carrie. They have no idea the ties they have to Cabin Number Three until history reveals itself. I loved both of these characters and the men in their lives. Annie is freshly divorced and in a solid relationship with Noah. That is until wealthy Grayson hires her to redecorate his large cabin in Montana. I wanted Annie to stay strong, but that is the human aspect of the story. It doesn't take long for the man to show his true colors.

Carrie is a successful author, taking care of her aging mother whose health is declining. Before her mother dies, she tells Carrie she will find out some things she didn't know about her and Carrie's father. The secret she discovers shakes her to the core. It's that secret that leads directly into the last segment of the book with her mother, Elizabeth's story.

I love the friendship that develops when Carrie hires Annie to redecorate the house.

I honestly enjoyed Elizabeth's story the most. I am a sucker for stories set in the prohibition period, when the mob controlled the liquor business. The love story between Elizabeth and Thomas is both uplifting and heart wrenching. Elizabeth proved her value in all aspects of her job and interaction with movie stars as well as mob bosses.

The stories all tie in together with a common connection to Cabin Number Three. Now that I've finished this one, I want to go back and catch the first and third books in the series. The writing is immersive. The author puts you in the scenes with these strong, successful women and the obstacles they face.

[Valerie Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book. I have chosen to write this honest review voluntarily and it reflects my personal opinion.
I have not read the first book in this trilogy but it seems that each 'cabin story' is standalone and I didn't feel as though I'd missed anything as previous events in Annie's life were made clear.
I loved the descriptions of the homes and how Annie was decorating them, I thought it created the atmosphere of the area very well. Annie's story was interesting although I didn't think she was a strong female character, although her behaviour around the men in the story could be due, in part, to her age. The story surrounding Carrie's background was fascinating, mixing fiction and fact to create an image of life in the early to mid 1900s. I enjoyed the way the tales are interwoven, making an interesting and absorbing novel. I'd definitely read more in this series.

[Sherrill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book number two in the trilogy telling the story of Annie Parker moving to Lake Arrowhead, Ca. to start a new life after her divorce from cheating husband David. Annie is now in a new relationship with Noah Chambers. And she has another business helping people to redecorate their homes. Annie and Noah’s relationship hits a snag when Noah doesn’t want Annie to go to Montana to redecorate another home for her wealthy client Grayson Underwood.
We also learn about the girls that stayed in cabin number three. More so we learn more about Carrie Davis’s mother Elizabeth.
I am really enjoying these books and can’t wait to read book number three in this trilogy! 😁

[Kathleen Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining novel. The characters are well-drawn and believable. I found Annie particularly easy to relate to; she’s sympathetic and likeable but she makes mistakes like most people. The author described her interior voice quite well, especially the guilt she experiences after a disastrous fling with a wealthy client.

The author’s description of the cabins in the mountains was vivid; I felt like I was there. Her meticulous historical research, along with the lovely drawings at the end, help bring the stories in this book to life.

[Nicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book in the series. Annie is looking back at the ups and downs of her life. Her interior design business is causing tension and Noah goes off in a snit. Why can't she see Grayson is a bad choice. Ya just have to shake your head is dismay. Carrie is interesting and Cabin 3 has lots of stories to tell. I like the easy pace of the book. The mountain town setting is a good background. I was pleased to read this book.

[Kim Ligon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mobsters and mountains

The story isn't exactly what I expected since we don't get to the girls in cabin three until halfway through the book. The beginning though is a well written love story of Annie exploring who she really wants to be and who she will be with. As usual Braun has wonderfully descriptive writing where you are drawn into the remodeling project and the scenery. I enjoyed this and will recommend it to my friends.

[Bev · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was rather disappointed with this story. The last chapter was what I thought the whole story would be like, but it wasn't. It is basically a love story, so if you like those, this book is for you. If you're looking for a mystery, this book isn't for you...or me. I voluntarily reviewed a copy of this book.

[Michelle Castaneda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Girls in Cabin Number Three by Chrysteen Braun is a really interesting read. With intertwining stories, spanning generations but all lined to the same cabin, this book will keep your attention. Some elements were very surprising to me. Overall it was a solid read. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher with no obligations. These opinions are entirely my own.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eagerly waiting for book #3

Amazing storyline that pulls you into the characters life in a way that makes them feel like old friends. I am looking forward to reading book #3 in the trilogy.

[Gabrielle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Totally enjoyed this - maybe even more than the first. I really enjoy the journey of Annie and she moves through her post-divorce life and makes friends and establish her business. And, the story of Carrie’s Mom was so interesting and honest. Can’t wait to read number three!

[Vesta Tobin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters

And homes. The romances though inevitable were also intriguing. It's a solid book holding my attention throughout. I want to live in those beautiful mountains

[Lady · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was fantastic. Right from the start, I just knew I was going to love it. It was so close to getting that 5th star as it was extremely difficult to put down. It just had to be reading one sitting. I love how the stories were all interwoven. The characters were easy to like, and I connected well with them. They had great depth and were realistic. Even though thos book is the second in the series, it works great as a standalone as the connections between the stories are weak and they are not dependent on reading in order. I loved the pace of the story. There was never a dull moment. I just live books like these that keep your mind ticking over. I definitely recommend reading this book and series. This book is really well written, keeping the reader involved in the story.
So much praise goes out to the author and publishing team for creating yet another brilliant and interesting story. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series.

[Michelle Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

This second book in the series is fabulous. I am excited to read the third book. I love the character development of Annie, the main character. My favorite part of each book is the last chapter where Ms. Braun develops the history of the particular cabin. I just love how the stories unfold. Living on the mountain it is fun to see local places highlighted and included in the story.

[Riley K. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it