Review – Off the Beaten Path by Eloise Corvo
Synopsis
Stone’s Throw State Park Ranger Maudy Lorso spends her days playing cards and sipping drinks with her millennial gal pals, hiking steep sand dunes with her scruffy dog, Martin Short, and trying to ignore the pain of a recent, devastating breakup. After building a quiet life in the Lake Michigan coastal village of Stone’s Throw, Maudy’s emotional safety net is turned inside out when her boss informs her of looming budget cuts that threaten to permanently close the park—and eliminate her job. Determined to prove the park’s value, Maudy throws herself into organizing a successful campground opening weekend, just one week away. But when the body of a missing tourist is discovered in the park, her hope of saving Stone’s Throw State Park quickly begins to fade. In order to save her dream job and maintain her quirky, quiet life, Maudy jumps in to solve the murder of the dead man.
Amazon * B&N * Bookshop
Review
I think this is the first time I have read a cozy that includes a park ranger as the protagonist. It was a unique twist!
Maudy is brought in as a consultant, but as is with most cozies, she puts herself in harms way one too many times. It could have resulted in a bad scene for her. But she manages to pull out by the skin of her teeth. She does foolish things, as is typical, but it does help move the case closer to being solved.
I enjoyed the mystery aspect. I didn’t really figure it out until closer to the end when a few more clues were dropped. And the ending? What a twist! I wonder what is in store for the second book.
The last chapter did confuse me a little bit, because I thought she had one love interest, but another guy is acting possessive of her. So I’m not sure where that is going, but I am sure I will find out soon as I dive into book two.
I enjoyed the start to this new series, and we give it 4 paws up.
About the Author
Author Eloise Corvo finds inspiration and peace of mind while wandering in the woods. Her work draws upon her time living in Northern Michigan where she’s also active in environmental advocacy. When she isn’t writing, she spends much of her time putzing around her home library which her husband affectionately (?) says embodies an “Edgar Allan Poe meets Applebee’s” aesthetic. Her debut novel is set to release in March of 2025 through Level Best Books.
