Goodness. Gracious.

This book was almost too much for me.
First of all, I read a lot of witchy books as well as a lot of thriller/suspense…. So to anyone who reads this review. This is NOT a witchy book. This is 100% a full on suspense/crime/thriller.

And TW: kidnapping

The way Sullivan writes is truly captivating and holds your attention all the way through. Retrospectively speaking, I don’t really know how the story is so long, I could sum it up and spoil it in less than a paragraph. However Sullivan truly makes each moment feel important. Like you need to take stock in what you’ve just read.

And overall, I would say that’s a theme in this book. It game me “criminal mind” vibes, but instead of an FBI team you’re seeing through the lens of a PI. The PI is the main character, Annie, and she is the absolute best. She’s tiny, not overly strong, but resilient. Nothing stops her.

The alignment of this entire novel is just hauntingly beautiful. I would recommend this book for sure, however, I would recommend it with caution. This is not for everyone. I almost stopped reading several times. I’m glad I didn’t. For some reason the end made the middle not so…. Traumatic? Sullivan truly wrapped a brutal story in bright pretty packaging.

The Witch’s Orchard, first in the new Annie Gore PI series by debut author Archer Sullivan, is an exciting 5-star mystery featuring missing children, a mountain town with secrets, and plenty of folklore surrounding witches and crows.

The arrival of Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore in an Appalachian holler stirs the town and dredges up her own painful past. She’s been hired by a young boy whose sister was abducted and soon finds that she’s investigating all three missing children cases from a decade earlier. The thing is, the closer she gets to uncovering what happened, the harder someone goes to make sure the past stays buried.

What a fantastic setting. It’s obvious that Archer has written about what she knows best. She’s ninth generation Appalachian and she’s brought that unique connection into the story in a way that integrates it into her characters’ experience. The soul of the mountain town is in her characters’ hearts and all of them grapple with it as they try to understand the evil that’s pervaded their existence. Not only that, the town highlights what’s happened. For example, the gifts the abductor leaves and the character the townspeople point fingers at could only happen here, not in a big city.

Annie Gore is more than just a solver of mysteries; she’s a multi-layered, compelling character whose uniqueness engages readers, and yet she’s familiar enough that we instantly form a connection. The story was as much a piece of detective work for me as it was for Annie. I enjoyed collecting clues about her personality and how she approached a task by watching her dialogue and interaction with the mountain people. She isn’t an annoying ‘in your face’ detective like some famous sleuths and she doesn’t seem to enjoy drama. I like that! This series has so much to offer, I’m going to stick with it. I’m looking forward to getting to know Annie better.

I can’t believe this stellar story, an extremely compelling mystery, is written by a debut author! Congratulations. You have a gift. I love how you bring a fresh setting and unique characters to crime fiction.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

This was a mystery/thrillers that sneaks up on you. Quiet, solid storytelling, with believable characters. An intriguing premise and just the right amount of action. This was a nice introduction to a lead character I look forward to reading much more about.

Thank you Netgalley and St Martins Press for the advance copy of this book.

Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school to escape the fraught homelife of her childhood. Now, she’s getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.

Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. After all this time without answers, the brother of one of the girls wants to hire an outsider, and he wants Annie. While she may not be from his town, she gets mountain towns. Mountain people. Driving back into the hills for a case this old—it might be a fool’s errand. But Annie needs to put money in the bank and she can’t turn down a case. Not even one that dredges up her own painful past.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track the truth, navigating a decade’s worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been buried, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action.
This book was captivating from page one! Really good character development. Good storyline as well. I would definitely recommend this book to others! 4 out of 5 ⭐️

This book had me at the first page, and I could not put it down.

First off crows ♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️♥️

Second off ..honey IYKYK

3rd..I didn't see the ending coming which is great

What twist 😳

This book will be released in August 2025. And I highly recommend checking it out

I'd like to thank net galley and saint Martin's press for letting me read this story it did not disappoint

Such a great book. Couldn't stop reading it. Thank you for my advance reader copy. Can't wait to look up other books from this author.

Initially the description piqued my interest, I always love a good suspense book, and this one did not disappoint! When I read a suspense book, I have my guesses on the suspect, but I usually know it is going to come from left field. The Witch's Orchard definitely had me second guessing my choices and I did not see the outcome at the end. It also highlights a really good point that people aren't always what they seem, especially in a small town.

I would definitely recommend this book to others!

I want to thank Archer Sullivan, the publisher, and NetGalley for the eARC and the ability to review before the release date!

This was a good, solid suspense book. The characters were well developed, and you truly didn't know until the end what had happened with the missing girls. Definitely recommend!

Thank you to Net Galley and St Martin's Press for allowing me to read this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When I requested the arc for The Witches Orchard by Archer Sullivan, I was really excited about what this story would have in store. Set against the eerie Appalachian Mountains backdrop, this story weaves together elements of folklore, suspense, and personal struggle, creating a truly captivating read.

I think the way Annie Gore was written allows the reader to relate to her compelling and deeply flawed character. A private investigator haunted by her own troubled past, Annie is drawn back to her childhood home to investigate a decade-old missing persons case. As she dives deeper into the mystery, she uncovers long-buried secrets and confronts the dark legends that shroud the town.

Overall, The Witches Orchard is well-written and I loved reading it! Big thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this Advanced Reader’s Copy of The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan due to be published August 12, 2025.

Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. Max Andrews hires Air Force Special Investigator, Annie Gore, to find his sister, one of the still missing girls. Annie knows all about the folklore from the area, so she is the perfect one to help find the two missing girls. Will she survive her own investigation?
I loved the “folksy” characters in this book – they were truly brought to life. There were enough twists and turns to keep me interested until the end. I enjoyed the folklore and how different people in the town remembered the disappearances. Annie was an interesting person to get to know – she had a great backstory, and I hope this will be the first in a series featuring her as the main character!

#NetGalley #ArcherSullivan #StMartinsPress #TheWitchsOrchard

A medium-paced, dark mystery of missing girls in a small Appalachian town. Plot-driven with strong character building. An unforseen twist ending.

On my seat the entire time I read this book. I felt like I was with Annie as she tried to solve the disappearance of the towns young girls. The addition of the witch and applehead dolls only added to the suspense. At times I found myself questioning characters and their motives, even though I knew they hadn’t done it. Great job!

I liked the folklore and different people's retellings of it. I felt like one aspect of the ending was a bit far-fetched, but I liked it overall. I hope there's going to be more Annie Gore books coming, she's an interesting character and there's more in her background to be explored still.

Kindly received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Max Andrews wants to hire private investigator Annie Gore. His sister Molly, along with two other young girls vanished 10 years ago. Annie is pulled and pushed away by his location. She grew up in a similar small town and still holds on to unpleasant memories.
Annie takes the case, uncertain if she can actually find new evidence. Her presence and her questions seem to stir something up though. Soon, her life is in danger as the kidnapper(s) feel she is getting too close for comfort.
I really liked Annie. She has an interesting backstory that this book only scratches the surface. Could this become a series? IDK, but I’m all in for discovering more about Annie and tagging along with her on her next case.

The title, cover, and description drew me in for this ARC. I enjoyed the book a lot. The main character is lovable enough that I'd even enjoy a series of books focused around her varying PI jobs, and also exploring more of her history with Leo.

I enjoyed the lore that came with the Appalachian town, the diverse characters really helped the story and mystery, and the side stories kept me engaged rather than distracted.

Good story, good plot, good ending.

“Every Apple has a little poison in it” 🍏

I was pleasantly surprised by this mystery thriller.

Annie Gore, a private investigator, takes on the case of Max's younger sister, who disappeared a decade ago in a small Appalachian town where three young girls went missing. Annie's connection to the town is deepened by her childhood memories of Appalachian folklore stories told by her grandmother.

The narrative skillfully incorporates mystical Appalachian folklore, creating a haunting and eerie atmosphere.

The story's twists and turns kept me guessing, and the ending was both unexpected and fulfilling, providing answers to most of the questions raised throughout the narrative.

I appreciate NetGalley for providing an advance review copy. I highly recommend this book to friends and family, as it proved to be a quick and engaging read!

*I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of this book through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.*
The Witches Orchard is an absolute page-turner that had me hooked from the very first chapter. Archer Sullivan’s writing is immersive and captivating, making it nearly impossible to put this book down. When I wasn’t reading, I found myself constantly thinking about the story—trying to unravel the mystery and figure out who (or what) was behind the disappearance of these girls.
One of the things I loved most about this book was its unpredictability. I was convinced I had the culprit pegged for most of the novel, only to realize later that I had been completely misled. However, there was one key conversation that suddenly put everything into perspective for me, and I managed to piece it together just before the big reveal. Even then, the execution of the twist was so well done that it still left me in awe.
If you love a gripping mystery with eerie undertones and masterful storytelling, The Witches Orchard is a must-read. Don’t think twice about picking up a copy—you won’t regret it!

Great story. A contemporary thriller backdropped against the ancient Appalachian mountains of North Carolina, Sullivan weaves a tale of folklore mixing with the mysterious cases of missing girls. Highly recommend! #thewitchesorchard #archersullivan #netgalley #goodreads

𝐓𝐢𝐭𝐥𝐞: The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan
𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: Mystery/Thriller
𝐏𝐮𝐛 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞: August 12, 2025

"𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘺 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘵𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘰𝘪𝘴𝘰𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘪𝘵."

🍏 Struggling Private Investigator
✨️ Decades Old Cold Cases
🍎 Missing Young Girls
✨️ Atmospheric Mystery
🍏 Appalachian Folklore
✨️ "The Witch of Quartz Creek"

I really love the inclusion of the Appalachian folklore with the atmospheric feel of the mountain setting. I found the ever-evolving tale of the Witch of Quartz Creek fascinating, with each retelling subtly reflecting the teller's personal struggles. The Witch's Orchard is a must-read for anyone looking for an atmospheric and suspenseful thriller.

Thank you so much Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the digital review copy

I really enjoyed this story full of twisted local lore turned real life nightmare. Descriptions made it easy to visualize characters and sympathize with them. Just enough flashbacks to make the main character feel known while still mysterious enough to hope for a sequel. I love mysteries of all sorts, but sometimes feel they're a little predictable. This one kept me guessing up till the end. I do wish that the ending hadn't felt so abrupt, I could've used another couple chapters to get a little more expansion and closure on what happened after the big reveal. But otherwise really enjoyable thriller!