Book Review: Trouble at Diablo Canyon by Minnie Crockwell

Posted November 23, 2020 by lomeraniel in Audiobooks, Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Review / 0 Comments

Book Review: Trouble at Diablo Canyon by Minnie CrockwellTrouble in Diablo Canyon (Will Travel for Trouble Book 15) by Minnie Crockwell
Narrator: Michelle Babb
Series: Will Travel for Trouble #15
Published by Bess McBride on 10-29-20
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery
Length: 5 hrs and 20 mins
Format: Audiobook
Source: Narrator
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Overal Rating: five-stars

Minnie and Ben are back for more murder and mayhem!

Minnie Crockwell, recreational vehicle enthusiast and traveler, and her ghost companion, Ben, are heading north toward Colorado with a side trip to the Diablo Canyon Guest Ranch in northwest New Mexico. Beautiful scenery, private cabins, picnics and cookouts, guided horseback trail rides...what’s not to like?

One victim will tell you...if they were still speaking. Minnie wanted a vacation, but murder and mayhem take no vacations.

Minnie was looking forward to a peaceful stay at the Diablo Canyon Guest Ranch, sleeping in a tent, and enjoy a horse ride. Ben, who was becoming more solid in previous books, has gotten back to his previous invisible ghost form. Minnie’s relaxing plans are quickly interrupted by the sudden death of one of the ranch’s guests.

I absolutely love this series, but I have to say that this is one of the books I like the most. It was fun from beginning to end, with everybody knowing everybody, and they all keeping secrets from the rest. Again, Minnie seemed to be the one having the most pieces of the puzzle.

The death takes place quite at the beginning of the story, so we quickly get into the middle of things, which I found satisfying.

I think the rhythm in previous books was a bit hampered by the fact that Minnie and Ben could not have silent conversations due to his changing nature. At the beginning of this book, Ben returns to his old self, which is distressing for both characters, but offers more options for the author to transmit information, and it is also more dynamic and pleasant to the reader. I am not sure whether the author made the change because of this, but while it was exciting to see Ben becoming more tangible, his ghostly form suits the stories better in my opinion.

I had a great time and often laughed at the ludicrous situations they are thrown into, Minnie always ready with a snarky comment that I wish I had the courage to speak up myself sometimes. It was a hoot!

Michelle Bab delivered, as always, a wonderful narration, not only not disturbing the story, but adding lightness to it thanks to great character interpretations and the exact amount of sass on Minnie’s comments. I can’t recommend this series in audio format enough!

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Story (Plot)
five-stars
Narration
five-stars
Overall: five-stars