Sophia Rose is here today with a review of the crime fiction audiobook, Murder on the Trail: Mysteries, Deaths, and Disappearances in National Parks written by Michelle Kaminsky and narrated by Linda Jones. Come see what she enjoyed about this dark exploration of murder in our national parks.
by Michelle Kaminsky
Narrator: Linda Jones
Length: 8 hours and 42 minutes
Genres: True Crime
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon | Audible *affiliate
Narration: 5 cups
Discover the fascinating true crime stories that lay within the majestic landscapes of the United States' national parks, including the National Forest Serial Killer Gary Michael Hilton, the vanlife tragedy of Gabby Petito, murders in Yosemite, and more.
From the depths of the Grand Canyon to the towering peaks of Yosemite, Murder on the Trail delves into chilling stories of killers, mysterious disappearances, and other harrowing crimes that have occurred in U.S. national parks, including those
Cary Stayner, Yosemite Park Killer Gary Hilton, National Forest Killer The tragic story of vanlifer Gabby Petito Toni and Harold Henthorn And more.Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, best-selling true crime author Michelle Kaminsky guides readers through the hidden dangers, sinister secrets, and terrifying realities that lurk in America's most treasured natural wonders. For lovers of true crime and the great outdoors, this gripping book is a must-read for anyone drawn to the dark side of nature’s most breathtaking, remote, and (mostly) serene landscapes.
Sophia Rose’s Review
Places of majestic beauty or fascinating history, National Parks are not typically settings associated with brutal death or great mystery. However, new-to-me author, Michelle Kaminsky chose to explore just these locales in her True Crime book, Murder on the Trail.
Murder on the Trail was written to combine the fascinating wonder of the parks themselves while showing a darker side of human nature or the danger of some of the remotest landscapes in the United States.
Each chapter or two introduces one of the US National Parks to the listener, delivers a tantalizing opening summary of events, and then delves into the known details before wrapping up with how the incident left positive consequences for the future.
Beginning with an old missing persons’ case in the Grand Canyon where, to this day, no one knows if it was humanity vs. nature or humanity vs humanity resulting in a honeymooning couple disappearing from their river exploration boat over a hundred years ago. Then, another mysterious disappearance of a child lost in the Smokies. A pair of women murdered on the Appalachian Trail, disappearance and death of a park ranger in the High Sierras of Sequoia Park, a tragic disappearance and death in Death Valley, a serial killer in Yosemite, another serial killer stalking the southeastern National Park trails, a murder in the Rockies, and a most recent social media followed disappearance and murder tracked across several National Parks of Utah and Wyoming.
Organized in chronological order, each story included known facts and the accounts of people around at the time with a follow up of thoughts about how the National Parks and other agencies have improved their techniques of Search and Rescue, Disappearance hunts, and crime investigation with what they learned from each case. There was also a learning curve on awareness and changes related to the social and cultural side involved with each of these stories whether it was to make parks more inclusive and friendly to all or buck against biases.
There was respect and feeling with each story and not simply dry facts. These were real people, suffering and lost. This was felt by me, the listener. I don’t often reach for True Crime category, but the combo of setting and mystery drew me in. Linda Jones was a compelling narrator and I liked how she told these true stories. While some circumstances were gruesome, I never felt it was sensationalized. I really appreciated the balanced amount of detail and the organized story-style. It left me with a healthier respect for nature and the darker side of life. Thriller lovers might want to give a crossover into true crime a go and true crime lovers are indeed the target audience for Murder on the Trail.
About Michelle Kaminsky
Michelle’s true crime writing is driven by a lifelong fascination with criminal minds, motivations, and MOs. Her books include Murder on the Trail (2025), The Big Book of 1980s Serial Killers (2024), Serial Killer Trivia: Cold Cases (2021), Serial Killer Trivia (2019). Michelle is the mom of a human kid and a rescued hound, and she is probably listening to a true crime podcast right now.
About Linda Jones
Linda Jones is an award-winning narrator and NYC actor with a penchant for dark edges and curious truths. Weaned on du Maurier and Hitchcock, Kafka and Poe—tales of mystery, adventure, and intrigue spawned a decades-long career with writers in new work, development, and narration. She has narrated for Penguin Random House, Recorded Books, Audible Studios, and Dreamscape, as well as a variety of independent authors and publishers. She has a BFA from Ithaca College. She lives in Brooklyn with writer John C. Foster and their dog, Coraline, in an apartment filled-to-bursting, floor-to-ceiling, corner-to-absolute-corner with books.
Stay Caffeinated!
Never miss a post by adding Caffeinated to your Inbox
About Sophia Rose
Sophia is a quiet though curious gal who dabbles in cooking, book reviewing, and gardening. Encouraged and supported by an incredible man and loving family. A Northern Californian transplant to the Great Lakes Region of the US. Lover of Jane Austen, Baseball, Cats, Scooby Doo, and Chocolate.
About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. BlueSky | Facebook | Instagram
Mary Kirkland
I have read a couple of True Crime stories. I like stories based on a real crime.
Sophia Rose
They sure are fascinating, especially with that sense of knowing its all real. Whew!