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Carrows Family Chronicles #7
Road Trip: Book 7 of the Carrows Family Chronicles
Privileged. Hunted. Broken.
Twelve-year-old Petunia Carrows Macchi, beloved daughter of Charlotte and Alex, convinces the family to take a cross country vacation! Ready for some fun, trouble finds them in Minnesota lake country when Petunia overhears an incriminating conversation about the disappearance of a young mother.
The desperate circumstances put the safety of both Petunia and the young mother’s daughter, Violet, in jeopardy. As the criminals work to cover their tracks, the Carrows-Macchi family is forced to help the investigation and save their daughter and young Violet from the dangerous people out to destroy them.
Twelve-year-old Petunia Carrows Macchi, beloved daughter of Charlotte and Alex, convinces the family to take a cross country vacation! Ready for some fun, trouble finds them in Minnesota lake country when Petunia overhears an incriminating conversation about the disappearance of a young mother.
The desperate circumstances put the safety of both Petunia and the young mother’s daughter, Violet, in jeopardy. As the criminals work to cover their tracks, the Carrows-Macchi family is forced to help the investigation and save their daughter and young Violet from the dangerous people out to destroy them.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 2, 2022
19 people want to read
About the author
Annabelle Lewis
16 books122 followersAnnabelle Lewis, a pseudonym for the author, lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Regrettably? Perhaps. She still believes she’s a Texan even though the math no longer supports that. Nor her birthplace. Nor her residence. No offense, Minnesota. You’ve got your good points too, but only about six months of the year.
In her youth, Annabelle was a complete failure. Ask anyone who knew her. Any of her teachers and family would tell you this. High school graduation was a sad day for all when Annabelle walked proudly off the high school stage, her thoughts consumed with boys, beer, and after-parties, and later into the arms of her parents. Her father’s laughter and singular remark? “I didn’t think you’d make it. Get a job at the post office, they have a good retirement plan.”
A high bar and words to live by, but Annabelle wanted more. She needed to flunk out of college too. But damn, she sure did have a good time. Trivial arrest records not-withstanding, it was a growth period for our girl. And if you look closely, you’ll see a bit of what was to come when she majored in criminal justice. Her lifelong aspiration was to become a judge. Hmm.
For better or worse, Annabelle didn’t graduate from college but did find gainful employment and a fulfilling career. This path ended when she became a mom. Married to her wonderful George, who to this day can hardly remember an actual proposal, Annabelle finally became a mother. She didn’t have a clue how hard she would need to work to keep those self-imposed requirements of Downey-fresh, iron-pressed sheets, home-baked meals, and mom-of-the-year awards arriving. She composed a small self-affirmation song and made her children sing it to her for money. She was a very good mom.
After clearing the largest hurdles of motherhood and regrettably, begrudgingly, and not-without-tears, launching her children onto the world, she looked around and realized she had a lot to say. Picking up a laptop, she got to work.
Annabelle spends her days continuing to tackle the challenges of motherhood, for both her humans and canines. She also writes. And reads. And cleans. And cooks. And bakes. And cleans again. She also supports her husband, George, in an administrative capacity for their small business. She’s in charge of payroll and cuts George’s checks. This leads to no marital acrimony.
In the beginning, with the blank page staring at her and possibly in a hostile mood after being literally mauled by a dog and by the world in general, she had an idea. What if she could wield a force of good upon unsuspecting evil-doers? What if she had the resources to get the job done without dealing with committee and anyone else’s whiney-ass opinions?
It was gold. It took off. Annabelle sat down and began to write and couldn’t stop. To date, having written over a million words in the Carrows Family Chronicles and her second series on the Boston Clairvoyants, several items have become quite clear. Annabelle had a lot to say. Annabelle really enjoys writing. And although she hates all things technology, she begrudgingly pounds her head on her desk daily as obstacles are thrown in her path. Almost a hero.
Since entering her world of make-believe, she has rebelled against all intrusion of real-world responsibilities. Her house is a mess, but she tries. Her family is fed, but more often than not, on takeout. She vows to shower every day, but no, it’s a vow she’ll never keep. Her friends are neglected, but not in her heart.
Read her mordacious blog!
Read her books! Follow her on social platforms! Sign up for her newsletter! These are all good things. What are you waiting for? Jump into bed with Annabelle. She’s having a swell time. You should join her.
In her youth, Annabelle was a complete failure. Ask anyone who knew her. Any of her teachers and family would tell you this. High school graduation was a sad day for all when Annabelle walked proudly off the high school stage, her thoughts consumed with boys, beer, and after-parties, and later into the arms of her parents. Her father’s laughter and singular remark? “I didn’t think you’d make it. Get a job at the post office, they have a good retirement plan.”
A high bar and words to live by, but Annabelle wanted more. She needed to flunk out of college too. But damn, she sure did have a good time. Trivial arrest records not-withstanding, it was a growth period for our girl. And if you look closely, you’ll see a bit of what was to come when she majored in criminal justice. Her lifelong aspiration was to become a judge. Hmm.
For better or worse, Annabelle didn’t graduate from college but did find gainful employment and a fulfilling career. This path ended when she became a mom. Married to her wonderful George, who to this day can hardly remember an actual proposal, Annabelle finally became a mother. She didn’t have a clue how hard she would need to work to keep those self-imposed requirements of Downey-fresh, iron-pressed sheets, home-baked meals, and mom-of-the-year awards arriving. She composed a small self-affirmation song and made her children sing it to her for money. She was a very good mom.
After clearing the largest hurdles of motherhood and regrettably, begrudgingly, and not-without-tears, launching her children onto the world, she looked around and realized she had a lot to say. Picking up a laptop, she got to work.
Annabelle spends her days continuing to tackle the challenges of motherhood, for both her humans and canines. She also writes. And reads. And cleans. And cooks. And bakes. And cleans again. She also supports her husband, George, in an administrative capacity for their small business. She’s in charge of payroll and cuts George’s checks. This leads to no marital acrimony.
In the beginning, with the blank page staring at her and possibly in a hostile mood after being literally mauled by a dog and by the world in general, she had an idea. What if she could wield a force of good upon unsuspecting evil-doers? What if she had the resources to get the job done without dealing with committee and anyone else’s whiney-ass opinions?
It was gold. It took off. Annabelle sat down and began to write and couldn’t stop. To date, having written over a million words in the Carrows Family Chronicles and her second series on the Boston Clairvoyants, several items have become quite clear. Annabelle had a lot to say. Annabelle really enjoys writing. And although she hates all things technology, she begrudgingly pounds her head on her desk daily as obstacles are thrown in her path. Almost a hero.
Since entering her world of make-believe, she has rebelled against all intrusion of real-world responsibilities. Her house is a mess, but she tries. Her family is fed, but more often than not, on takeout. She vows to shower every day, but no, it’s a vow she’ll never keep. Her friends are neglected, but not in her heart.
Read her mordacious blog!
Read her books! Follow her on social platforms! Sign up for her newsletter! These are all good things. What are you waiting for? Jump into bed with Annabelle. She’s having a swell time. You should join her.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 20, 2022
Another fun, energetic, suspenseful journey with the Carrows! This one is hard to put down - definitely a page turner.
April 4, 2022
A real page-turner! I couldn’t put it down. Those twists had me on the edge of my seat.
By the way, northern Minnesota does have the best cinnamon rolls. Just a fact.
By the way, northern Minnesota does have the best cinnamon rolls. Just a fact.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 4, 2023
This was a great book! It was not an Amish though!
It was a story about the very rich Carrows family. They are many stories about this family, but this is just one of them.
It starts out that Petunia Carrows wanting to take a road trip with her family across the Country to see the sites and do dome things with her parents and little sister, like swimming, and playing tennis, and site seeing different states in the U.S.
But they ran into trouble when they stopped in Minnesota, they were there for a few days and got friendly with some of the locals in the community. But they got caught in the middle of a murder and Petunia heard a man and woman talking about Violet's Mom. Penny. That they wanted her dead so they could get the Insurance Money. And get their family Diner and Convenience Store running on safe ground again.
The only problem was that the police could not find a body. But someone in the small town had a good coonhound dog and he was able to find the body in a shallow grave not far from her home.
Once the police found a body they arrested Violet's father for murder. They only needed his lady friend and they were set to find her!
The only witness they had was Petunia Carrows and they lived in New York. She was ready to talk to the police so her and her parents went back to Minnesota.
The weather was very bad in the winter, but you have to read the book to find out how bad and the rest of the story!
It was a story about the very rich Carrows family. They are many stories about this family, but this is just one of them.
It starts out that Petunia Carrows wanting to take a road trip with her family across the Country to see the sites and do dome things with her parents and little sister, like swimming, and playing tennis, and site seeing different states in the U.S.
But they ran into trouble when they stopped in Minnesota, they were there for a few days and got friendly with some of the locals in the community. But they got caught in the middle of a murder and Petunia heard a man and woman talking about Violet's Mom. Penny. That they wanted her dead so they could get the Insurance Money. And get their family Diner and Convenience Store running on safe ground again.
The only problem was that the police could not find a body. But someone in the small town had a good coonhound dog and he was able to find the body in a shallow grave not far from her home.
Once the police found a body they arrested Violet's father for murder. They only needed his lady friend and they were set to find her!
The only witness they had was Petunia Carrows and they lived in New York. She was ready to talk to the police so her and her parents went back to Minnesota.
The weather was very bad in the winter, but you have to read the book to find out how bad and the rest of the story!
March 11, 2022
In this latest episode of the Carrows Family Chronicles, a family road trip vacation turns into a murder mystery on the shores of beautiful Cross Lake in Minnesota. Twelve-year-old Violet Krueger helps her mother run the Backwoods Café, a struggling enterprise that keeps the Krueger family barely above the poverty line. Violet forms an improbably friendship with another twelve-year-old, Petunia Carrows, when the unbelievably rich Carrows family stops at the lake to spend part of their summer vacation. At the end of the Carrows vacation, just before they leave, Petunia overhears a strange conversation that has little meaning for her at the time. When the family gets back to New York, she learns that Violet’s mother was murdered, and the overheard conversation points to the number one suspect.
I won’t spoil things for the reader by identifying that suspect here or describing how the mystery develops. But suffice it to say that the reader is in for a great story filled with intriguing characters, plot twists, humor, danger for the two girls, and escalating tension that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Especially endearing is the enduring tender friendship between the two girls in the face of a situation that threatens to tear them apart.
I won’t spoil things for the reader by identifying that suspect here or describing how the mystery develops. But suffice it to say that the reader is in for a great story filled with intriguing characters, plot twists, humor, danger for the two girls, and escalating tension that will keep you turning pages late into the night. Especially endearing is the enduring tender friendship between the two girls in the face of a situation that threatens to tear them apart.
April 20, 2024
"Minnesota Nice" meets north woods nefarious in this witty, mischievous, and ultimately touching thriller. Twelve-year-old Violet toils with her mother Penny in a small-town cafe while dreaming of a better life. Penny, too, dreams of more and contemplates leaving Clayton, her husband and Violet's father. Meanwhile, the wealthy Carrows family decides to take an RV road trip, a new experience for all of them, and twelve-year-old Petunia Carrows befriends Violet, beginning a relationship that will forge the bonds between the two families. But as Penny begins to see a way out of this rural small town and the drudgery of the cafe, Clayton starts down his own dark path, involving his conniving second cousin Ginger in his secret plans.
You don't need to have read the other Carrows books to enjoy this. It's a great standalone story offering one of the most intriguing, infuriating, and hilarous villains to date. Violet's sad coming-of-age tale exists side-by-side with the suspense and the humor, giving this novel an emotional depth that many thriller lack. This is a both a nail-biter and a human drama, a solidly well-rounded novel that will make you laugh even when you think you shouldn't, while bringing out your empathy and compassion.
You don't need to have read the other Carrows books to enjoy this. It's a great standalone story offering one of the most intriguing, infuriating, and hilarous villains to date. Violet's sad coming-of-age tale exists side-by-side with the suspense and the humor, giving this novel an emotional depth that many thriller lack. This is a both a nail-biter and a human drama, a solidly well-rounded novel that will make you laugh even when you think you shouldn't, while bringing out your empathy and compassion.
December 19, 2025
Road Trip is a gripping and emotionally resonant installment in the Carrows Family Chronicles, proving once again Annabelle Lewis’s exceptional ability to blend family dynamics with high-stakes suspense.
What begins as an innocent, heartwarming family vacation quickly transforms into a tense and unsettling mystery when twelve-year-old Petunia Carrows Macchi overhears a conversation that changes everything. Petunia is written with remarkable depth intelligent, compassionate, and brave beyond her years making her both relatable and unforgettable. The danger feels immediate and real, especially as the safety of both Petunia and young Violet hangs in the balance.
Lewis excels at weaving emotional stakes with escalating suspense. The love, loyalty, and resilience of the Carrows-Macchi family shine through every page, grounding the thriller elements in authentic human connection. Road Trip is fast-paced, emotionally rich, and deeply satisfying a powerful story about courage, family, and doing the right thing when it matters most.
What begins as an innocent, heartwarming family vacation quickly transforms into a tense and unsettling mystery when twelve-year-old Petunia Carrows Macchi overhears a conversation that changes everything. Petunia is written with remarkable depth intelligent, compassionate, and brave beyond her years making her both relatable and unforgettable. The danger feels immediate and real, especially as the safety of both Petunia and young Violet hangs in the balance.
Lewis excels at weaving emotional stakes with escalating suspense. The love, loyalty, and resilience of the Carrows-Macchi family shine through every page, grounding the thriller elements in authentic human connection. Road Trip is fast-paced, emotionally rich, and deeply satisfying a powerful story about courage, family, and doing the right thing when it matters most.
August 21, 2022
Road Trip is a perfectly paced good vs. evil book written expertly by Annabelle Lewis. The Carrows Family are characters you will want to follow as Annabelle Lewis weaves her magic with their adventures.
Glenn Hayen
Glenn Hayen
February 17, 2023
Another great read in this series
This was the best book so far in this series. The Macchi’s go on a RV vacation to try and act like a normal family. Petunia overhears a plot to hurt someone but doesn’t understand the implications until later. Fast paced. An enjoyable read.
This was the best book so far in this series. The Macchi’s go on a RV vacation to try and act like a normal family. Petunia overhears a plot to hurt someone but doesn’t understand the implications until later. Fast paced. An enjoyable read.
April 18, 2022
The Carrows finally came to MN! And there's a murder this time, so Lewis is upping the stakes with her mystery capers.
Another fun ride.
Another fun ride.
May 7, 2022
Yes, I'm the author, but Goodreads lets me do this, so hey. I cried at the end of this book, tears running down my face. Just saying. But then again, this cast of characters is family. :)
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews