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National Parks Mystery #3
Forgotten Trail
In this third installment of Claire Kells’s thrilling National Park mystery series, Investigative Services Branch agent Felicity Harland ventures through volcanic wilderness to investigate a murder at a new hike-in lodge at Pinnacles National Park.
When a guest turns up dead at the newly opened Pinnacles Grand Hotel, ISB agent Felicity Harland finds herself summoned to a peculiar scene. A gentle breeze blows in from the balcony window, belying the violence of a man stabbed to death in his hotel room. It’s clear to Harland that this murder was personal, especially when the victim’s wife admits that she wanted him dead.
But Harland isn’t so sure that this was a domestic dispute gone bad. When she hears about the Park Service searching for a missing person out on the trails, she sets out with her partner, Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley, to see if the two cases are connected.
As Harland and Hux take on the rocky, exposed terrain of California’s ancient volcanic wonderland, they soon realize that the mystery at the Pinnacles Grand is not at all what it seems—and that a predator may be closing in.
When a guest turns up dead at the newly opened Pinnacles Grand Hotel, ISB agent Felicity Harland finds herself summoned to a peculiar scene. A gentle breeze blows in from the balcony window, belying the violence of a man stabbed to death in his hotel room. It’s clear to Harland that this murder was personal, especially when the victim’s wife admits that she wanted him dead.
But Harland isn’t so sure that this was a domestic dispute gone bad. When she hears about the Park Service searching for a missing person out on the trails, she sets out with her partner, Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley, to see if the two cases are connected.
As Harland and Hux take on the rocky, exposed terrain of California’s ancient volcanic wonderland, they soon realize that the mystery at the Pinnacles Grand is not at all what it seems—and that a predator may be closing in.
272 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 7, 2023
64 people are currently reading
499 people want to read
About the author
Claire Kells
5 books455 followersClaire Kells is an author, a physician, and an avid open-water swimmer. She's rather obsessed with the great outdoors, even though she's scared to walk in the woods at night. Aside from wilderness adventures, her favorite things to write about are twisty plots, flawed characters, and romantic tension. She lives in New Jersey with her family.
Book #4 in the National Park series will be available in early 2027.
Book #4 in the National Park series will be available in early 2027.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 161 reviews
June 6, 2023
Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review. IYKYK, my reviews are always honest.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
ISB agents Felicity Harland and "Hux" Huxley are called in to solve a murder at the Pinnacles Grand Hotel, a new luxury, hike-in hot spot.
MY OPINION
This cover reminds me of Fire of Valley State Park in Nevada. I've never experienced heat like that... at some points it was over 120F... nah brutha!! Cool experience though. Anyways... Le sigh. It hurts to write this review because I was a big fan of the cozy and cute vibes of An Unforgiving Place (book #2 in this series), so I was really looking forward to picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one was missing the magic of book #2.
Let me be clear: this is NOT a bad book. Just in the scheme of the series, it's certainly weaker than #2. I did enjoy 'hiking' with Hux and Harland. As with the previous book, Kells does a fabulous job setting the scene. The pace was much slower; I think if she had cut down on some of the rehashing of the crime, it would've been more on par with #2. There are a lot of juicy couture elements, but there's too much time between each reveal which renders them stale.
By 85% I was wondering how she was gonna wrap this story up because it seemed not enough breadcrumbs had been left behind. It all does come together rather quickly — fyi yeetage of disbelief is required — and the one twist did catch me off guard. Plus, the cliffhanger was FAB and I will definitely pick up #4 despite this one being like room temperature water: it's not disgusting and will do the job, but it's clearly inferior to the mini-electrocution you experience from chilled water.
Also, I put down #2 chomping at the bit for more Huxland (Harland + Hux), and was excited to see how the author would pick back up their storyline in #3. Unfortunately, the chemistry between them was nonexistent. The banter was missing and even when Harland was thinking 'I wanna climb him like a tree' it felt unauthentic. I'm hoping we get a lil more tension and bants in the next book.
I think my senior kweens who love a cozy but maybe want something with a lil more edge will appreciate this one. Again, there's not BAD about this book, it was just missing a lil pizzaz. I still encourage cozy mystery lovers to give this series a whirl. Freida and CoHo fans and domestic thrillerheads can steer clear. Thanks.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting case, one twist caught me unawares, AWESOME cliffhanger — excited for the potential resolution of this storyline in book #4, unique setting for a police procedural, wholesome vibez
Cons: slow pace, chemistry between Hux and Harland was lacking compared to book #2, too much filler text
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
Writing: 3/5 | Plot: 3/5 | Ending: 4/5
SYNOPSIS
ISB agents Felicity Harland and "Hux" Huxley are called in to solve a murder at the Pinnacles Grand Hotel, a new luxury, hike-in hot spot.
MY OPINION
This cover reminds me of Fire of Valley State Park in Nevada. I've never experienced heat like that... at some points it was over 120F... nah brutha!! Cool experience though. Anyways... Le sigh. It hurts to write this review because I was a big fan of the cozy and cute vibes of An Unforgiving Place (book #2 in this series), so I was really looking forward to picking this one up. Unfortunately, this one was missing the magic of book #2.
Let me be clear: this is NOT a bad book. Just in the scheme of the series, it's certainly weaker than #2. I did enjoy 'hiking' with Hux and Harland. As with the previous book, Kells does a fabulous job setting the scene. The pace was much slower; I think if she had cut down on some of the rehashing of the crime, it would've been more on par with #2. There are a lot of juicy couture elements, but there's too much time between each reveal which renders them stale.
By 85% I was wondering how she was gonna wrap this story up because it seemed not enough breadcrumbs had been left behind. It all does come together rather quickly — fyi yeetage of disbelief is required — and the one twist did catch me off guard. Plus, the cliffhanger was FAB and I will definitely pick up #4 despite this one being like room temperature water: it's not disgusting and will do the job, but it's clearly inferior to the mini-electrocution you experience from chilled water.
Also, I put down #2 chomping at the bit for more Huxland (Harland + Hux), and was excited to see how the author would pick back up their storyline in #3. Unfortunately, the chemistry between them was nonexistent. The banter was missing and even when Harland was thinking 'I wanna climb him like a tree' it felt unauthentic. I'm hoping we get a lil more tension and bants in the next book.
I think my senior kweens who love a cozy but maybe want something with a lil more edge will appreciate this one. Again, there's not BAD about this book, it was just missing a lil pizzaz. I still encourage cozy mystery lovers to give this series a whirl. Freida and CoHo fans and domestic thrillerheads can steer clear. Thanks.
PROS AND CONS
Pros: interesting case, one twist caught me unawares, AWESOME cliffhanger — excited for the potential resolution of this storyline in book #4, unique setting for a police procedural, wholesome vibez
Cons: slow pace, chemistry between Hux and Harland was lacking compared to book #2, too much filler text
____________________________
For some sick reason, do you want to hear more of my nonsense? Check out my podcast: Novels & Nonsense streaming everywhere.
July 8, 2023
I so, so hope that Claire Kells is busy writing the next book in this National Parks thriller series! (Hux is BAAAACK!!!)
Hux and Felicity are still my favourite back country ISB sleuths!
Gotta love a former Navy Seal and his foster tracking dog - not to mention a pint-sized former FBI agent who battles to the weary end - always!
The mystery of who killed Chris Denton – as it slowly unraveled – seemed pretty obvious… or did it? There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that the jealous wife, found standing over the deceased’s body, had done him in.
Everybody - from the FBI to the National Park rangers who were also there searching for a missing hiker - kept telling Felicity and Hux as much: of course the enraged wife did it: case closed.
But our dynamic duo were determined to do a thorough job – something did not seem quite right.
And as for the unspoken vibe between Felicity and Hux - arrrgh!!!
Claire Kells keeps masterfully stoking those embers: I kept wanting to nudge Felicity and push her directly into Hux’s arms. The slow burn attraction between them is undeniable, and I am loving every tantalizing, long drawn out second of it!
But never fear, Felicity and Hux are professionals – the job comes first. To make things even more difficult, the “do they or don’t they” wires get seriously crossed when Felicity’s old FBI comrade, Brodie, joins the team at the Pinnacles National Park investigation. Hux is definitely NOT happy when Brodie shows up on the scene: do Brodie and Felicity have more than their past work with the FBI in common? You will have to find out as the plot thickens and all paths in and out of the park lead to misdirection and confusion.
This was yet another winner for Claire Kells in this addictive series. I was over the moon with joy when I saw the ARC available on NetGalley. I don’t know how I can manage to wait for the NEXT gripping installment! 5 out of 5 well-deserved stars. My thanks to the author, Claire Kells, the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an Arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review. (Please keep them coming!!! I would love to read one set in Yosemite or Yellowknife! Hint, hint!)
Hux and Felicity are still my favourite back country ISB sleuths!
Gotta love a former Navy Seal and his foster tracking dog - not to mention a pint-sized former FBI agent who battles to the weary end - always!
The mystery of who killed Chris Denton – as it slowly unraveled – seemed pretty obvious… or did it? There wasn’t a doubt in anyone’s mind that the jealous wife, found standing over the deceased’s body, had done him in.
Everybody - from the FBI to the National Park rangers who were also there searching for a missing hiker - kept telling Felicity and Hux as much: of course the enraged wife did it: case closed.
But our dynamic duo were determined to do a thorough job – something did not seem quite right.
And as for the unspoken vibe between Felicity and Hux - arrrgh!!!
Claire Kells keeps masterfully stoking those embers: I kept wanting to nudge Felicity and push her directly into Hux’s arms. The slow burn attraction between them is undeniable, and I am loving every tantalizing, long drawn out second of it!
But never fear, Felicity and Hux are professionals – the job comes first. To make things even more difficult, the “do they or don’t they” wires get seriously crossed when Felicity’s old FBI comrade, Brodie, joins the team at the Pinnacles National Park investigation. Hux is definitely NOT happy when Brodie shows up on the scene: do Brodie and Felicity have more than their past work with the FBI in common? You will have to find out as the plot thickens and all paths in and out of the park lead to misdirection and confusion.
This was yet another winner for Claire Kells in this addictive series. I was over the moon with joy when I saw the ARC available on NetGalley. I don’t know how I can manage to wait for the NEXT gripping installment! 5 out of 5 well-deserved stars. My thanks to the author, Claire Kells, the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for an Arc of this novel in exchange for an honest review. (Please keep them coming!!! I would love to read one set in Yosemite or Yellowknife! Hint, hint!)
July 27, 2023
Felicity is an investigative officer for the national parks, and she and her partner Hux are called to look into a murder at the new Pinnacle Hotel. The victim checked into the hotel with his girlfriend, but he wasn't aware that his wife, who had him followed, had also arrived. She was fed up with his cheating, but was she also a murderer? Everything changes as Felicity finds a shocking connection to a cold case she is working. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
January 17, 2024
This is probably the best mystery that I ever read so I will read it again. Toward the end I got somewhat confused so read carefully as you approach the end. Probably because I am so tired. 6 Stars and highly recommended.
October 30, 2023
It's a new case for Harland and Hux—this time they're heading into Pinnacles National Park to investigate a definitely dead hotel guest and a possibly missing woman.
I'm loving this series—you can't go wrong with an excuse to send your lead characters out into the wild in every single book. I'd never even heard of Pinnacles National Park, but I'm fascinated by the idea of a (fictional) hike-in hotel. That's one way to cut yourself off from the outside world for a few days...
Forgotten Trail feels more balanced to me than An Unforgiving Place (book two in the series) did in terms of consistency of backstory—in book one, the heroine had chronic pain that was manageable but a major factor throughout the book; in book two, it barely existed; in book three, it's something that she still has to be mindful of but is settling. I'm also delighted to see that we have only a slooooow progression of romance (why delighted, you ask? One, because I'm in it for the mysteries and the national parks rather than for the romance; two, because slooooow romance means hopefully many books in the series)—and that the hints that Harland will eventually make it to Australia in the series are getting stronger.
The mystery gets a little convoluted at times (I'm still confused by the shoe), but it was nice to see a cold case worked in—as soon as Harland mentioned working on some cold cases, I perked up. I'm not sure why—I think there's something satisfying in the chance to firmly close a box that has long been hanging open. I read an ARC and am hoping that the book will go through a last read for consistency and loose ends before the publication date, but I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
I'm loving this series—you can't go wrong with an excuse to send your lead characters out into the wild in every single book. I'd never even heard of Pinnacles National Park, but I'm fascinated by the idea of a (fictional) hike-in hotel. That's one way to cut yourself off from the outside world for a few days...
Forgotten Trail feels more balanced to me than An Unforgiving Place (book two in the series) did in terms of consistency of backstory—in book one, the heroine had chronic pain that was manageable but a major factor throughout the book; in book two, it barely existed; in book three, it's something that she still has to be mindful of but is settling. I'm also delighted to see that we have only a slooooow progression of romance (why delighted, you ask? One, because I'm in it for the mysteries and the national parks rather than for the romance; two, because slooooow romance means hopefully many books in the series)—and that the hints that Harland will eventually make it to Australia in the series are getting stronger.
The mystery gets a little convoluted at times (I'm still confused by the shoe), but it was nice to see a cold case worked in—as soon as Harland mentioned working on some cold cases, I perked up. I'm not sure why—I think there's something satisfying in the chance to firmly close a box that has long been hanging open. I read an ARC and am hoping that the book will go through a last read for consistency and loose ends before the publication date, but I'm looking forward to reading more in the series.
Thanks to the author and publisher for providing a review copy through NetGalley.
July 29, 2025
I still like the national park setting with the mix of mystery and romance but this felt slower than the first two in the series with similar issues that could be better edited.
November 4, 2023
I used to enjoy reading the earlier books in Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon series so I was excited to find this series. The main character in this new series is Special Agent Felicity Harland who is an investigator with jurisdiction in U.S. National Parks. In this book, she teams up with Ferdinand "Hux" Huxley, a park ranger who is in training to be an investigator. They're called to the scene of a murder at a brand new hotel at a park in California that requires guests to make a 4 1/2 mile hike to get there.
I like how well Felicity and Hux work together and don't let politics pressure them to rush to a quick solution to the case. Their investigation becomes more complex than it first appears and has an unexpected resolution.There is some chemistry between them personally as well, but Felicity comes across as immature in that area. However by the end of the book, things seem to be looking up. Felicity makes an intriguing comment at the end of the book so I'm interested to see what happens next for her in future books. I would rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
I like how well Felicity and Hux work together and don't let politics pressure them to rush to a quick solution to the case. Their investigation becomes more complex than it first appears and has an unexpected resolution.There is some chemistry between them personally as well, but Felicity comes across as immature in that area. However by the end of the book, things seem to be looking up. Felicity makes an intriguing comment at the end of the book so I'm interested to see what happens next for her in future books. I would rate this book 4.5 stars.
I received an advance copy of this ebook from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.
September 28, 2023
4.5 stars
I absolutely loved this new instalment in this series. And I love, love, love this series!!! It's so good, and refreshing and the perpetual game of "will they, won't they" is very entertaining.
In this book we have the story of a brand new hotel opened in the heart of mountains, wilderness and, as luck would have it, there is an unfortunate incident in the opening days. What initially seems to be a cut and dry domestic dispute gone wrong, it escalates to be way more than that and what better team to investigate and uncover it all than Felicity Harland former SEAL Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley.
This was a good, fun, fast, action packed book. It has a lot of thrilling moments. The writing is great, the beauty of National Parks gets a front page in a positive way and the whole atmosphere is different yet tense.
I am sooo looking forward to the next one!!!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fun, awesome book!
I absolutely loved this new instalment in this series. And I love, love, love this series!!! It's so good, and refreshing and the perpetual game of "will they, won't they" is very entertaining.
In this book we have the story of a brand new hotel opened in the heart of mountains, wilderness and, as luck would have it, there is an unfortunate incident in the opening days. What initially seems to be a cut and dry domestic dispute gone wrong, it escalates to be way more than that and what better team to investigate and uncover it all than Felicity Harland former SEAL Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley.
This was a good, fun, fast, action packed book. It has a lot of thrilling moments. The writing is great, the beauty of National Parks gets a front page in a positive way and the whole atmosphere is different yet tense.
I am sooo looking forward to the next one!!!
Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this fun, awesome book!
November 6, 2023
This is the third book in the National Parks Mystery series. The mysteries are stand alone, but I do recommend that you start at the beginning for more personal insights into the recurring characters of Felicity Harland, her partner, Hux, and canine companion, Ollie. I think the series gets better with each book.
This mystery involves the murder of a guest at a hike-in luxury hotel in the Pinnacles National Park. I admit to being a bit baffled by the idea of a hike-in “luxury” hotel since it seems to me that the type of people that would stay in such places (like me) would come with the type of luggage that’s not conducive to “hiking in”.😂 I would expect most hike-in hotels would cater to more rustic accommodations without guests that have room in their packs for unnecessary weight like dress shoes or even a dress, so this is an interesting idea, but I’m not sure it’s a sound business plan.
I really enjoyed the setting and the mystery in this one. A murder in one of the guest suites, a possible missing person on the hiking trails that might be connected and a new hotel that’s had a soft opening and a staff that’s worried about bad press before they even get started. The end took me by surprise, which is always a plus that I didn’t figure it out. There were a few chapters with the point of view of the injured missing hiker and I enjoyed how they were juxtaposed with flashes of memory from Harland’s fateful excursion to Australia. I enjoyed learning more about it and wow, wouldn’t that be something if Hux’s inquisitive nature eventually figures out what happened to Kevin, the ultimate cold case for Harland.
I recommend this series to anyone that enjoys mysteries in a natural setting or National Parks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
This mystery involves the murder of a guest at a hike-in luxury hotel in the Pinnacles National Park. I admit to being a bit baffled by the idea of a hike-in “luxury” hotel since it seems to me that the type of people that would stay in such places (like me) would come with the type of luggage that’s not conducive to “hiking in”.😂 I would expect most hike-in hotels would cater to more rustic accommodations without guests that have room in their packs for unnecessary weight like dress shoes or even a dress, so this is an interesting idea, but I’m not sure it’s a sound business plan.
I really enjoyed the setting and the mystery in this one. A murder in one of the guest suites, a possible missing person on the hiking trails that might be connected and a new hotel that’s had a soft opening and a staff that’s worried about bad press before they even get started. The end took me by surprise, which is always a plus that I didn’t figure it out. There were a few chapters with the point of view of the injured missing hiker and I enjoyed how they were juxtaposed with flashes of memory from Harland’s fateful excursion to Australia. I enjoyed learning more about it and wow, wouldn’t that be something if Hux’s inquisitive nature eventually figures out what happened to Kevin, the ultimate cold case for Harland.
I recommend this series to anyone that enjoys mysteries in a natural setting or National Parks.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for a copy provided for an honest review.
October 1, 2023
I have been enjoying this newish series from Kells, and was excited to get an opportunity to read this third installment. Hux and Harland head to the Pinnacles to solve a murder and possible missing persons case. This was lagged a bit more than the first two, but it still kept my interest and definitely hints at the plot of a fourth book. All in all, entertaining! Thanks to NetGalley for the chance ti read and review this book!
July 3, 2023
Quick Review: This book and series is a fun, easy, read, but I'd enjoy it more with a little more time spent on character development and a little less objectification of Hux.
I got this one free from Netgalley. I had not read this author before but I have read a lot of books about crimes in National Parks and I really enjoy this subgenre of books so I had high hopes! Also, before digging in to this one, I went back and read the first two books in the series.
All three have enjoyable and complex crimes/plots and none of the books disappoint in that area. I did guess the bad guy in this one but I still enjoyed the overall story.
I really like the two main characters working as partners to investigate these outdoorsy crimes. What I really don't like is the possible romance angle between these two. There really is no romantic chemistry between them at all. It clear that Harland really, really finds Hux attractive (he's maybe too perfect in her eyes?) but we get absolutely nothing from him to make me think that he is interested in her in that way. No fun banter, no sweet displays of protectiveness, no flirtation. I LOVE a romance but in this case I think we are probably better off without it.
It's funny that in most action stories we have a well rounded main guy character and a one dimensional, hottie, female, sidekick but these books flip that dynamic. Guess what? I still don't like it!
Forgotten Trail ends with two juicy cliffhangers. If I started the series here I'd be excited about both of them but since I read the first two books in the series, I am a little irritated that the backstory of Harland's husband changed quite a lot for Book 3 to set up one of the cliffhangers. (This might be a problem specific to me because I read all the books in quick succession. People who space out their reading might not remember those little details and in the scheme of things.)
I got this one free from Netgalley. I had not read this author before but I have read a lot of books about crimes in National Parks and I really enjoy this subgenre of books so I had high hopes! Also, before digging in to this one, I went back and read the first two books in the series.
All three have enjoyable and complex crimes/plots and none of the books disappoint in that area. I did guess the bad guy in this one but I still enjoyed the overall story.
I really like the two main characters working as partners to investigate these outdoorsy crimes. What I really don't like is the possible romance angle between these two. There really is no romantic chemistry between them at all. It clear that Harland really, really finds Hux attractive (he's maybe too perfect in her eyes?) but we get absolutely nothing from him to make me think that he is interested in her in that way. No fun banter, no sweet displays of protectiveness, no flirtation. I LOVE a romance but in this case I think we are probably better off without it.
It's funny that in most action stories we have a well rounded main guy character and a one dimensional, hottie, female, sidekick but these books flip that dynamic. Guess what? I still don't like it!
Forgotten Trail ends with two juicy cliffhangers. If I started the series here I'd be excited about both of them but since I read the first two books in the series, I am a little irritated that the backstory of Harland's husband changed quite a lot for Book 3 to set up one of the cliffhangers. (This might be a problem specific to me because I read all the books in quick succession. People who space out their reading might not remember those little details and in the scheme of things.)
June 6, 2023
This was my first experience with this National Park mystery/thriller series. I love the concept of setting each novel in a national park and Kells' thorough descriptions of the topography at Pinnacles National Park make you feel like you are hiking alongside the investigators as they navigate the challenging terrain. Investigators Harland and Hux work to solve a murder mystery at the new lavish, secluded hotel nestled within the park.
While there is an element of mystery, as the plot primarily centers around crime solving, I found myself wishing that the story would pick up pace and unfold at a faster speed. I think this novel would be successfully marketed as a cozy mystery, as the overall pacing lacked the feeling of urgency typically found in the thriller genre.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
While there is an element of mystery, as the plot primarily centers around crime solving, I found myself wishing that the story would pick up pace and unfold at a faster speed. I think this novel would be successfully marketed as a cozy mystery, as the overall pacing lacked the feeling of urgency typically found in the thriller genre.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.
November 23, 2023
I hope the next one is about Australia
November 4, 2025
I've been reading Nevada Barr's national park mysteries with ranger Anna Pigeon for quite a while. Someone on Goodreads clued me in to Claire Kells' similar series - Forgotten Trail is the most recent (2023) of the three she's written to date. It takes place in Pinnacles National Park, a place my son and I visited in 2012, just before it went from Monument to Park status. It is a beautiful place, with gorgeous rock formations, and relatively small, so that it can be appreciated reasonably well in a short amount of time. Forgetten Trail is well-stocked with accurate descriptions of the unusual landscape. If you can, look up some images, and by all means visit this lesser known gem if you can. The other thing I remember from our trip is that we did the trip there and back from the town of Salinas in one day, and the trip back to the west in the pitch dark that evening was spooky on a narrow road ("Highway" 146) that traversed the intervening summit.
Kells' heroine is Felicity Harland, an agent of the National Park system's Investigative Services Branch. Her partner is this chapter is "Hux" Huxley. Felicity is a widow, and like Anna Pigeon, she carries physical and emotional baggage from her recent past. Here we follow the duo as they investigate a murder committed at the park's brand new (fictional) backcountry hotel. It's an engrossing story. If the plot was re-told in the 1940's with an urban setting it would be a classic noir novel. I enjoyed Kells' writing - one memorable line commented on the way a character "wore a perma-smirk on his face".
I'll mention a few weaknesses. An important witness had head trauma and amnesia, and the investigators needed to determine his identity. No wallet. Fine. But as they lamented their inability to find out who he was, they completely ignored the fact that his car would be nearby and likely lead them to the answer. Also. someone needs to clue Kells in on the fact that canvas tents haven't been a thing for a long time. Finally, and most significant, while the plot is interesting, it's too far-fetched.
Kells' heroine is Felicity Harland, an agent of the National Park system's Investigative Services Branch. Her partner is this chapter is "Hux" Huxley. Felicity is a widow, and like Anna Pigeon, she carries physical and emotional baggage from her recent past. Here we follow the duo as they investigate a murder committed at the park's brand new (fictional) backcountry hotel. It's an engrossing story. If the plot was re-told in the 1940's with an urban setting it would be a classic noir novel. I enjoyed Kells' writing - one memorable line commented on the way a character "wore a perma-smirk on his face".
I'll mention a few weaknesses. An important witness had head trauma and amnesia, and the investigators needed to determine his identity. No wallet. Fine. But as they lamented their inability to find out who he was, they completely ignored the fact that his car would be nearby and likely lead them to the answer. Also. someone needs to clue Kells in on the fact that canvas tents haven't been a thing for a long time. Finally, and most significant, while the plot is interesting, it's too far-fetched.
December 10, 2023
Still very much enjoying this series! This installment maybe a bit less, more like 3.5 stars, because while I did love the idea of a swanky high-end, high-tech hotel in the middle of a national park that you can only reach by hiking in, there was a bit too much time in that hotel rather than out on the trails. There's definitely some of the latter, just not as much as I liked.
Nor is there as much in the way of particularly sparky stuff between Felicity & Hux, despite him hinting like six times he would like to go on a date with her and her contemplating the possibility without actually encouraging it (even a visit to his cabin on explicit invitation takes some convincing).
But I will say it's a nice fast read, and the last quarter gets very exciting, very quickly, with some unrelated threads suddenly pulling together in ways I did NOT expect. I also liked getting a bit more detail about what happened when her husband went missing all those years ago (are we actually going to investigate that someday?? I am game).
tl;dr I am already excited for next year's installment and will probably once again be at my library's doors in November with my hands out, politely insisting they put the stickers & library wrap on faster this time and Give it To Me.
Nor is there as much in the way of particularly sparky stuff between Felicity & Hux, despite him hinting like six times he would like to go on a date with her and her contemplating the possibility without actually encouraging it (even a visit to his cabin on explicit invitation takes some convincing).
But I will say it's a nice fast read, and the last quarter gets very exciting, very quickly, with some unrelated threads suddenly pulling together in ways I did NOT expect. I also liked getting a bit more detail about what happened when her husband went missing all those years ago (are we actually going to investigate that someday?? I am game).
tl;dr I am already excited for next year's installment and will probably once again be at my library's doors in November with my hands out, politely insisting they put the stickers & library wrap on faster this time and Give it To Me.
January 5, 2024
I love the concept of this series, solving crimes in various National Parks. In this particular book we are taken to Pinnacles National Park where Harland has been called in to solve a murder at a remote, hike in hotel.
What I liked:
*The setting. It had a strong sense of place & challenging terrain to navigate. I wanted more scenes out on the trail and less at the hotel.
*The characters Harland & Hux. I love both of them separately but together as a slow burn romance they don’t haven much chemistry.
*Interesting case
Overall this was an intriguing, fun read. The pacing was slower and more drawn out than the first 2 books & Harlan’s relationship with Hux is the definition of slow burn but I’m
What I liked:
*The setting. It had a strong sense of place & challenging terrain to navigate. I wanted more scenes out on the trail and less at the hotel.
*The characters Harland & Hux. I love both of them separately but together as a slow burn romance they don’t haven much chemistry.
*Interesting case
Overall this was an intriguing, fun read. The pacing was slower and more drawn out than the first 2 books & Harlan’s relationship with Hux is the definition of slow burn but I’m
February 23, 2025
2.0 Too slow with too much small talk and not interesting enough. I gave it 100 pages as I wanted to know who the killer was then skimmed through the rest of the book.
September 22, 2023
3rd book in the National Parks Mystery series featuring Investigative Service Branch agent Felicity Harland and her partner, Ferdinand “Hux” Huxley. When a murdered guest is discovered at the brand new hike-in lodge in Pinnacles National Park, Felicity and Hux are called in to investigate. The crime scene does not give many clues and there is the sense that the hotel workers and suspects are not sharing all they know. In the meantime, a missing person is reported and they assist in the search as she is a possible witness or even suspect in the murder. Claire Kells consistently does a fantastic job with setting and I look forward to learning about the lesser known National Parks she highlights in her books. All of the characters are well drawn and I am completely invested in the partnership between Felicity and Hux as well as the work they do—they are dedicated and very likable characters. The plot and pacing worked well in this book even though I felt like I had to suspend disbelief a bit more in this book than her previous stories. There were some interesting aspects to this novel, like the innovative design of the Pinnacles Grand Hotel and learning about the park itself. This was a solid addition to the series and this author is one of my new favorites!
March 31, 2025
************^*+SPOILERS ************++ READ YOUR OWN BOOKS, CLAIRE!!!!!! The plot inconsistencies in this whole series make me want to pull my hair out. They are absolutely crazy-making.
This is the biggest inconsistency of all: earlier in the series, Harland tells the reader that after her accident in Australia, when her husband went to find help, she was found about a day later along a roadside by a boy who spotted her lying there. She specifically says that the worst thing about this is that if only Kevin had stayed, he would have lived, because they would have been found together.
In this book, she goes into detail about how after her husband left her to find help, she actually crawled her way out of the gorge she'd fallen into and followed a set of tracks south, where she was rescued by an old guy driving a Jeep. Turns out she wasn't actually paralyzed that whole time, but just in excruciating pain, but she could crawl and sometimes walk.
Listening to this story play out in the audiobook of the third installment, I kept waiting for the moment when the stories would somehow sync up. They didn't. They're just two completely different sets of events.
Felicity Harland's nearly entire identity and self perception revolve, at this point in her life, around this accident, and the way her life has turned out since. These two stories and their outcomes are SO WILDLY DIFFERENT that it completely changes not just the way the character sees herself, but the way I see her, too.
This is bonkers crazy stuff for an author to change. Just nuts. I like each of these books on their own, but this lack of integrity in the writing makes me lose respect in the author as an artist.
This is the biggest inconsistency of all: earlier in the series, Harland tells the reader that after her accident in Australia, when her husband went to find help, she was found about a day later along a roadside by a boy who spotted her lying there. She specifically says that the worst thing about this is that if only Kevin had stayed, he would have lived, because they would have been found together.
In this book, she goes into detail about how after her husband left her to find help, she actually crawled her way out of the gorge she'd fallen into and followed a set of tracks south, where she was rescued by an old guy driving a Jeep. Turns out she wasn't actually paralyzed that whole time, but just in excruciating pain, but she could crawl and sometimes walk.
Listening to this story play out in the audiobook of the third installment, I kept waiting for the moment when the stories would somehow sync up. They didn't. They're just two completely different sets of events.
Felicity Harland's nearly entire identity and self perception revolve, at this point in her life, around this accident, and the way her life has turned out since. These two stories and their outcomes are SO WILDLY DIFFERENT that it completely changes not just the way the character sees herself, but the way I see her, too.
This is bonkers crazy stuff for an author to change. Just nuts. I like each of these books on their own, but this lack of integrity in the writing makes me lose respect in the author as an artist.
September 30, 2023
ISB Agent Felicity Harland is busy working on cold cases when she is called to the new Pinnacles Grand Hotel recently opened in Pinnacles National Park. A body has been found in one of the guest suites during Grand Opening week.
It is a 4.5-mile hike to the hotel. Harland meets her partner Hux there and the two begin their investigation. The FBI should be involved but a credible terrorist threat at the airport in San Francisco is keeping every agent busy. The case looks open-and-shut. After all, the estranged wife was found standing over the body. However, nothing is as it looks at first glance.
The victim - Chris Denton - checked into the resort with a woman who was not his wife. His wife's private investigator told her about the rendezvous, and she decided to confront him. She claims that she didn't kill him but found him in his hotel room. And the woman he checked in with is missing. Nothing is left of her in the hotel room.
But the murder isn't the only case in the park. A woman's dress shoe has been found on a trail with no sign of the woman. Harland and Hux find a driver's license stuck in a tree outside the suite where the body was found. It says Aria Privar who might be the missing person in the murder and who might also be the owner of the shoe in the park.
As Harland and Hux try to unravel this complicated case, they find hints that it might be related to a suspected murder-suicide that took place in the park back in 1994.
This was an engaging mystery. It is the third in a series. I enjoyed getting to know more about Harland in this episode and am curious to know where her relationship with Hux will go.
It is a 4.5-mile hike to the hotel. Harland meets her partner Hux there and the two begin their investigation. The FBI should be involved but a credible terrorist threat at the airport in San Francisco is keeping every agent busy. The case looks open-and-shut. After all, the estranged wife was found standing over the body. However, nothing is as it looks at first glance.
The victim - Chris Denton - checked into the resort with a woman who was not his wife. His wife's private investigator told her about the rendezvous, and she decided to confront him. She claims that she didn't kill him but found him in his hotel room. And the woman he checked in with is missing. Nothing is left of her in the hotel room.
But the murder isn't the only case in the park. A woman's dress shoe has been found on a trail with no sign of the woman. Harland and Hux find a driver's license stuck in a tree outside the suite where the body was found. It says Aria Privar who might be the missing person in the murder and who might also be the owner of the shoe in the park.
As Harland and Hux try to unravel this complicated case, they find hints that it might be related to a suspected murder-suicide that took place in the park back in 1994.
This was an engaging mystery. It is the third in a series. I enjoyed getting to know more about Harland in this episode and am curious to know where her relationship with Hux will go.
August 29, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for my ARC copy.
Another Hux and Harland adventure! I loved this first two books in this series and I was super excited to read this one. I gave this one four stars because it seemed ore slow to me. I missed the long hiking and adventure of the first two books. This was mostly set at a hotel and although the mystery of it all was great. I very much missed the outdoors. I loved the cold case aspect of this as well and felt more intrigued by that than the main case. Over all Hux and Harland's dynamic was wonderful per usual. Overall wonderful third book and this series and I can't wait to read the next one!
Another Hux and Harland adventure! I loved this first two books in this series and I was super excited to read this one. I gave this one four stars because it seemed ore slow to me. I missed the long hiking and adventure of the first two books. This was mostly set at a hotel and although the mystery of it all was great. I very much missed the outdoors. I loved the cold case aspect of this as well and felt more intrigued by that than the main case. Over all Hux and Harland's dynamic was wonderful per usual. Overall wonderful third book and this series and I can't wait to read the next one!
October 1, 2025
Good addition to the National Parks Mystery Series (#3). This has been an exciting series to read, and I really like the two main characters, Felicity and Hux. They work very well together and they each seem to know what the other is thinking. This adventure takes place in a new, expensive hotel in the Pinnacle National Forest in California, a hotel you can only get to by hiking in. With Felicity’s bad back the strenuous hiking always takes it’s toll on her, but she ignores it as best she can and marches on.
The first two books always ended with closure, but in this book the ‘bad guy’ disappears in the wilderness. Hmm, seems like this may continue in the next book, which I’m hoping there will be a book 4.
The first two books always ended with closure, but in this book the ‘bad guy’ disappears in the wilderness. Hmm, seems like this may continue in the next book, which I’m hoping there will be a book 4.
May 24, 2024
Innanzitutto, spero che questa serie continuerà a lungo perché mi piace troppo. Ogni volta l'autrice ci fa visitare un parco diverso: stavolta è toccato al Pinnacles NP, che non conoscevo. Dopo aver letto alcune descrizioni nel libro sono andato a cercarlo e ne sono stata conquistata.
Oltre all'ambientazione, i due protagonisti mi sono entrati nel cuore. E i misteri non sono mai banali; anche stavolta avevo capito solo parte della soluzione. Insomma, il libro è promosso a pieni voti!
Oltre all'ambientazione, i due protagonisti mi sono entrati nel cuore. E i misteri non sono mai banali; anche stavolta avevo capito solo parte della soluzione. Insomma, il libro è promosso a pieni voti!
February 29, 2024
Just a big baby who has to snuggle her dog after being terrified by this book. 🙃🙃
October 20, 2024
Another fun adventure in a National Park!
December 2, 2025
Quick read. Makes me want to visit Pinnacles National Park.
July 19, 2025
Enjoyed the plot and reveal in this one! This is a great ongoing series. I love learning about the national parks and these very likable characters!
June 12, 2024
great book
Second book I’ve read from Claire Kells. Both have been intriguing, mysterious and a page turner! I recommend this book for those who love the outdoors and mysteries!
Second book I’ve read from Claire Kells. Both have been intriguing, mysterious and a page turner! I recommend this book for those who love the outdoors and mysteries!
April 12, 2024
This one was probably the best one in the series yet. I really like the characters that keep reappearing throughout the series and the books are always so atmospheric, this one being no different. If she decides to write another, I’ll definitely read it!
July 25, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC.
Last fall I fell in love with this series by Claire Kell. I got into them just as the second book released, and had been waiting anxiously for the third. As an avid hiker I love the setting and the active actions of the characters - Amy McCullough is the only other recent author I have found to give a more present perspective on the outdoors and adventure mystery theme.
For "Forgotten Trail" Claire brings us back to Harland and Hux in Pinnacles National Park as they attempt to solve the murder of a philandering husband and his missing affair partner. The pacing of the story is smooth, and involves a few twists that deepen the mystery and the layers around the history of the park. Harland and Hux continue to be a witty and fun team to follow the trails with.
We spend significantly more time with Harland without Hux (unlike in An Unforgiving Place) and the two are circling each other in a fashion that I do wish would have had a bit more focus or exploration.
We also spend time in Harland's Australia flashbacks as she reflects more on Kevin's fate as he searched for help after her back breaking fall. Now that she works cold cases, it would be interesting to see how that develops - especially with it being external to a USA national park - especially with Hux's search skills.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
Last fall I fell in love with this series by Claire Kell. I got into them just as the second book released, and had been waiting anxiously for the third. As an avid hiker I love the setting and the active actions of the characters - Amy McCullough is the only other recent author I have found to give a more present perspective on the outdoors and adventure mystery theme.
For "Forgotten Trail" Claire brings us back to Harland and Hux in Pinnacles National Park as they attempt to solve the murder of a philandering husband and his missing affair partner. The pacing of the story is smooth, and involves a few twists that deepen the mystery and the layers around the history of the park. Harland and Hux continue to be a witty and fun team to follow the trails with.
We spend significantly more time with Harland without Hux (unlike in An Unforgiving Place) and the two are circling each other in a fashion that I do wish would have had a bit more focus or exploration.
We also spend time in Harland's Australia flashbacks as she reflects more on Kevin's fate as he searched for help after her back breaking fall. Now that she works cold cases, it would be interesting to see how that develops - especially with it being external to a USA national park - especially with Hux's search skills.
I can't wait for the next book in this series!
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