*This book was received as an Advanced Reader's Copy from NetGalley.

This was a really compelling read for me. In fact, I read it in one night because I really wanted to understand the mystery. Eerie, moderately paced, set in the hollers of Appalachia, it was really atmospheric.

Annie Gore is a PI. When she is hired to do an investigation in a decade old kidnapping, she know she can't turn it down. She needs the money, and the kid seems like he could really use some help finding his sister. But her arrival spurs into motion several events in the small town and the people are not as forthcoming. Everyone has a story about a witch in the area too, a witch that steals young girls and while sensible, Annie can't help but wonder if there's an element of truth to the story.

While at times I could find the characters a little too overdone, I thought that the general attitudes and expressions were very reminiscent of Appalachia. While I can't claim heritage there myself, I spent some time living and visiting nearby and the small rural setting is definitely a vibe. Really, the setting is what carries this book. As mentioned before its haunting, in a good way. And it's easy to get invested in the mystery.

Definitely worth a read if you're a mystery fan.

Review by M. Reynard 2025

In The Witch's Orchard, Archer Sullivan masterfully weaves an eerie, atmospheric mystery rooted in Appalachian folklore, delivering a thriller that lingers like the whisper of a ghost through the mountains.

Private investigator Annie Gore has spent her life running-from the pain of her childhood, from the dark memories of the past, and from the secrets that refuse to stay buried. But when a desperate young man hires her to investigate a decade-old case of missing girls, Annie is forced to return to a world she thought she'd left behind. A world of tight-lipped mountain folk, whispered superstitions, and the ever-present legend of the Witch of Quartz Creek.

Sullivan's storytelling is hauntingly immersive, painting the Blue Ridge Mountains with vivid, melancholic beauty. The folklore isn't just background color-it's woven into the very bones of the story, shaping both the people and the mysteries they try to forget. The myth of the Witch of Quartz Creek morphs with every retelling, a chilling reflection of the town's hidden fears and Annie's own unresolved past.

Annie is a protagonist who feels real-worn down but sharp, haunted but unyielding. Her struggles are palpable, her emotional wounds as raw as the case she's chasing. As she digs deeper into the truth, the line between folklore and reality begins to blur, and the past creeps closer than she ever anticipated.

The Witch's Orchard is a must-read for fans of atmospheric mysteries, slow-burning suspense, and folklore-infused thrillers. It's a story that seeps into your bones, leaving you breathless as Annie Gore unearths the ghosts of a town that would rather let them sleep.

Verdict: A gripping, beautifully written mystery that perfectly balances folklore and suspense. Sullivan is a storyteller to watch.

I really enjoyed this read. I loved all of the variations of the same folk tale weaved into the storyline. This one really hit the spot!

I enjoyed this story. It was fast-paced and interesting. I do think there were some lose ends like the scarecrow/person in black. I want to know more about that!