4.5 / 5 stars

Annie Gore is a private investigator scraping by, often pawning her watch to cover bills, and driving an antique Datsun named Honey. When Max - the determined older brother of one of three girls who vanished from the Appalachian town of Quartz Creek a decade ago - hires her to reopen the cold case, Annie heads back into the holler she both understands and escaped.

Not everyone in Quartz Creek welcomes her. The town holds tight to its secrets - from the no-good father of one missing girl, to the pastor with suspicious ties, to the enigmatic “witch” rumored to live in the woods. Each disappearance was marked by the eerie leaving of a poppet, a handmade apple-head doll, at the scene.

Annie has her work cut out for her as she navigates a community that doesn’t want to be disturbed - and confronts her own painful past along the way.

If Archer Sullivan writes more books with Annie Gore at the center, I’m already in line. A tough but deeply human private investigator, Annie is a woman shaped by her past - a childhood in an Appalachian holler, a military career built on escaping it, and now a case that forces her to confront everything she left behind.

What I loved most about The Witch’s Orchard is its sense of place. Sullivan brings the Blue Ridge mountains to life with a quiet, eerie intimacy - small-town secrets, tangled family loyalties, and folklore that feels half-whispered in the dark. When the tale of the witch’s orchard does finally arrive (past the halfway mark), it becomes a haunting throughline. The way the story shifts depending on who tells it mirrors the whole novel’s focus on subjectivity - on choices made with love, fear, or guilt, and the way those choices ripple outward.

The mystery itself is layered and unpredictable. I’m still not sure how I feel about the ending - but it was executed with confidence and care. Annie isn’t an overpowered genius; she makes mistakes, takes hits (literal and emotional), and keeps going because she believes she owes these girls, and this town, the truth.

And can we talk about the audiobook for a second? Emily Pike Stewart delivers one of the best performances I’ve heard this year - right up there with Therese Plummer in Penitence. Her narration has this perfect Southern lilt, but what really stood out to me was the acting. It’s not just reading - it’s inhabiting. She brings Annie to life, as well as the complicated, wounded, often-untrustworthy residents of Quartz Creek. If you’re an audiobook listener, this one is absolutely worth your time.

I'd recommend this one for readers who enjoy hard-boiled yet soft-hearted PIs, cold cases in small towns, and Appalachian Gothic vibes.

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Aug. 12, 2025
Ten years ago, three girls went missing from an Appalachian Mountain town. One was returned, seemingly unharmed, while the others were never seen or heard from again. The brother of one of the missing, Max, hires former Air Force Special Investigator, now Private Investigator, Annie Gore, to look into what happened to his sister, Maggie, all those years ago. Although Annie isn’t hopeful, especially since ten years have passed, shortly after she starts her investigation, Max’s missing sister turns up dead. What’s strange is that Maggie’s body is one of an adult, not the child she was when she went missing. Was Maggie being kept hostage all this time? Does that mean that the other missing girls are alive somewhere, too?
Archer Sullivan’s debut novel, “The Witch’s Orchard”, is a creative combination of mountain lore and mystery. The community in the Appalachian Mountains have a folklore legend about a mountain witch, who took two children years ago from their parents and turned them into birds when the witch became jealous of the beauty and some members of the community still believe it was the witch who took Maggie and the other missing girls. Then, Maggie’s adult body shows up, dressed like the doll that was left in her place after her kidnapping and the mystery grows more intense.
Annie is the protagonist, a former Air Force Investigator who also came from a small mountain town. Fiery and always underestimated, Annie is the kind of woman that won’t stop until she gets answers. Annie has a close relationship with a former military comrade, Leo, who readers hear from and about, and it is easy to assume that Annie and Leo are a couple, until Annie hooks up with the local officer helping the investigation. Although I enjoyed Annie and wanted her to succeed, I was confused as to why Leo was featured, since he seemed to be part of Annie’s military past, only providing some sporadic information to her current investigation. There were a lot of characters in the story, and it was hard to differentiate sometimes, however in such a small community, it would have been an easy deduction on who the suspect was if we didn’t meet nearly every community member.
I enjoyed the missing girls’ mystery, especially the component where apple dolls were left in place of the kidnapped victims, and the women turning up in handmade dolls clothes. It had a “Criminal Minds” element to it that I found fascinating. I liked Annie, and the small-town vibe that this novel brought but I struggled to remain engaged in certain parts. I felt that the paranormal/folklore vibe would play a more central role but again, it was something that seemed thrown together to add more suspicion to the missing girls’ plot. “Orchard” was well-written and the premise was intriguing, and I think further tweaking would make Sullivan a name to keep an eye out for.

The Witch’s Orchard, the debut novel from Archer Sullivan, is the story, told by the first person POV of Annie Gore, a private investigator, hired by a desperate 18 year old young man, to look into the disappearance of his sister along with two other young girls, one of whom was returned, which occurred 10 years prior. Annie is ex military and a former mountain person; she takes the case as she needs the money but lets him know it is likely that she won’t solve it. Annie’s investigation leads to a series of events that turn the small town upside down.

Annie is a bad a** character with bold moves and a big gun. Smart and pretty much fearless but also empathetic. I wanted to know more about her childhood as well as her relationship with her military friend. My hope is that this novel is the first in a series! I look forward to reading more from this author.

Thanks to the author, NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read and review this digital ARC.

This is a mystery that includes an interesting folklore story.
It centers on the disappearance of three little girls ten years ago, a magical orchard and the secrets within it. The characters are well-developed with an intriguing plot.
The narration was outstanding and enhanced the overall experience for me.
Thank you to the publisher/author for the opportunity to listen to this complimentary advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A dynamic new PI in Annie, who is in economic straits and so takes on a the case of Molly, a young girl who went missing in Quartz Creek, a North Carolina mountain town much like the one where she grew up. Molly was one of three little girls who disappeared and her brother Max has been looking for her for years but the police stopped. There's a weird vibe with witches, magic, and deep distrust that Annie must overcome. And then there's the meth. It's an atmospheric and well crafted mystery with fine storytelling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A very good read.

Max was just 8 years old when his sister went missing, taken from their home. With no leads from the sheriff and FBI, the case goes cold. Still, Max needs answers and has been saving up for years to hire a private investigator.

Annie is an ex-military PI who’s barely scraping by. When she meets with Max and realizes he’s just a young kid she agrees to come for one week and give it her best shot, despite knowing she may not find anything with a case this old. As Annie starts asking around town, secrets get revealed and someone will do anything to keep the past buried.

Right away I knew this would be a book I loved. It is written fantastically with great character depth and development. I love that the lore of The Witch of Quartz Creek was told with different character’s interpretations as the book went on.

The beginning sucks you right in and doesn’t let you go. The Witch’s Orchard is a captivating debut that is atmospheric and suspenseful. The folklore that intertwines the mystery will have you reading this in one sitting. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for this ARC opportunity. This is an honest and voluntary review.

Just the book I needed! A PI investigating a cold case in the Appalachian Mountains while there’s a eerie witchy vibe about it all. I was hooked! It’s had everything I needed to be a page turner and the book never felt to gimmicky or like it tried to pull out a shoehorned gatcha moment. Will definitely be recommending to my friends looking for a nice thriller mystery.

A very interesting and mysterious cold case is taken on by PI, Annie, in the Appalachian Mountains. The atmosphere of this book is a little creepy, especially with the repetition of a folktale about witches, and the isolated setting of the cabin where Annie stays.

Brought back to the Appalachian Mountains, to a town very similar to her own, Annie agrees to investigate a cold case that she believes will lead nowhere. Until she starts ruffling some feathers, and stumbles upon a very gruesome scene.

The case is very interesting in that three girls were taken, but one was returned. Additionally, the two that were taken were never found. Some people think it was the work of a witch, due to the popular folktale about a witch and her two daughters, and the creepy applehead dolls that were left behind. While others think it was the work of a serial killer. No matter the case, Annie is determined to find answers.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest and unbiased review.

This was such a fantastic page turner! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book, from the characters to the plot I thought it was so well thought out and had me continuously turning pages to see where it was going to go. I loved that there was some backstory to the main character but overall it was very plot oriented which I love. I rate it five stars.

Loved reading this book!! Had me hooked early and didn't want to put it down. Well developed characters that kept you trying to figure out who took the girls. Annie finds more than she bargained for with this PI assignment she took and there is no quitting until the girls are found.

The Witch’s Orchard is a haunting, atmospheric debut that blends the grit of a cold case mystery with the chilling whispers of Appalachian folklore. Archer Sullivan introduces readers to Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator turned struggling private eye, whose latest case sends her deep into the Appalachian hills, territory she knows all too well from her own troubled past.

Hired by a determined young man named Max, Annie is tasked with uncovering the truth behind the disappearance of his sister, Molly, who vanished ten years ago along with two other young girls. Only one returned, traumatized and unable to speak, communicating only through eerie drawings. The only clue left behind in each disappearance? An unsettling apple-head doll.

Reluctant but needing the paycheck, Annie takes the case, fully expecting a dead end. But as she begins asking questions, the sleepy mountain town of Quartz Creek starts to stir, and not just in anger at an outsider poking around. Long-buried secrets rise to the surface, and when another girl goes missing and someone ends up dead, it becomes clear this is no cold case. The threat is still very much alive.

What sets this novel apart is the rich, immersive atmosphere. Sullivan paints Appalachia with both reverence and raw honesty, capturing the complexity of small-town life, the generational trauma, and the deep-rooted superstitions passed down like heirlooms. The folklore of the mysterious witch who once lived among the apple trees, rumored to have stolen children of her own, lingers like a ghost over the entire town. As Annie digs deeper, suspicion circles around a reclusive woman named Susan, and the line between legend and reality begins to blur.

Annie herself is a standout protagonist, tough, unapologetic, and refreshingly grounded. This isn’t a story about finding love in a small town; it’s about reckoning with the past, both personal and collective, and about finding justice when the truth is buried under decades of fear and silence.

Sullivan’s writing is tightly paced and emotionally layered, weaving together mystery, suspense, and just a touch of the supernatural. The plot twists are clever, the characters feel authentic and lived-in, and the ending delivers both high-stakes drama and satisfying closure.

The Witch’s Orchard is perfect for readers who love mysteries tinged with folklore, richly drawn settings, and fierce female leads. It’s the kind of story that grabs you early and doesn’t let go, and when it’s over, you’ll be desperate for the next installment. A stellar debut.

A mystery witch-y novel that takes place in Appalachia.

Annie receives a request from a young man to come to his small town and try to figure out what happened to his sister, who disappeared...10 years ago. Annie knows it is a long shot, and tries to dissuade Max from spending his money when the likelihood of anything coming from her investigation is so low, but he has been saving for a while and cannot move on with his life until he gets some closure.

So Annie goes to this small town and starts asking questions. As it turns out, ten years ago, three girls were kidnapped, and apple head dolls left in their places. One was returned a few days later. The other two haven’t been seen since. With Annie asking questions, something is stirred up in the small town, and it’s not just an offended police chief or angry parents. When another girl goes missing and someone ends up dead, it becomes clear to everyone that this is no cold case, and there may still be a kidnapper among them.

Incredible book. Annie was a unique female MC, and you’ll see what I mean when you read the book. Do not expect a sappy “let me stop my life and live in this small town with you forever” romance. This was an interesting take on the Appalachian mystery novels that have come out over the last few years. This one is not magical realism.

🍎ARC REVIEW🍎

“The warrior. You are governed by what you feel is right in your heart and you use your sharp tongue like a weapon though it opens no doors for you. You are not big or strong and, sometimes, you are reckless. But you will fight like a dog for the truth.”

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I absolutely LOVED this debut. I became immersed in the Appalachian setting and its witchy lore. PI Annie Gore is such a dynamic FMC and I would love to see her have a continued series. This was mysterious, emotional, nostalgic, humorous and I would HIGHLY recommend it. I had also never heard of an applehead doll before😱🍎

Thank you @netgalley @stmartinspress @minotaur_books

#gifted #netgalley #thewitchsorchard #thrillerbooks #thrillerbooksaddict #thrillerbookstagram #thrillerreads

Annie is scratching out a living as a private investigator after her time as an Air Force Special Investigator. When her newest case takes her to a small Appalachian town similar to the one she grew up in, Annie's investigation of a ten-year-old cold case involving missing girls stirs up long-buried secrets. Sullivan brings small-town Appalachia to life in this atmospheric and haunting debut. The characters and environment are richly drawn, and I was fascinated with the direction Sullivan took the story. I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for a digital review copy.

Unexpected delight. Really enjoyed this story and couldn’t put it down. Read all night. Strongly recommend and will read the author again. Great characters and wonderful writing.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books  in order to read and give an honest review.

..." I loved this book. I am a sucker for mysteries and folklore so I hit the jackpot with this one.  This is a well written, suspenseful, atmospheric read with authentic, quirky, characters, unique setting and clever twists that culminate in a very dramatic but satisfying conclusion.  I highly recommend"

In this debut novel by Archer Sullivan, we meet Annie Gore, a former Military Investigator turned private investigator in order to make ends meet. She is hired by Max to solve the mystery of his sister Molly’s disappearance ten years ago, marked by the eerie presence of a creepy apple-head doll left behind. Molly was one of three girls who vanished under the same circumstances, with only one returning alive, sparking hope for the others. For a decade, the town has been gripped by fear, as Appalachian folklore and legends connect the disappearances to an old tale of witches.   

As soon as Annie arrives, she does what she does best... she hunts down the answers she needs despite whose toes she steps on.  She soldiers on, questioning people about the missing girls but something about the town doesn't sit right. One of the girls was returned but is unable to tell anyone what happened to her, just drawing strange drawings.  The more Annie digs the more the investigation unearths old rumors and grudges, and draws unwanted attention, from those who want her to be silent. Soon, she becomes a target for someone who wants the past to stay buried. For years th Quartz Creek legend of a witch and her apple trees, with the witch said to have stolen the daughters of a poor woman, adds an unsettling layer to the story, with each person sharing their own version of the tale all pointing to a real-life woman Susan who has become the object of everyone’s suspicion.  As Annie gets closer to the truth, she realizes that some townsfolk are hiding secrets, secrets that have put her in the crosshairs.

All in all, I loved this book. I am a sucker for mysteries and folklore so I hit the jackpot with this one.  This is a well written, suspenseful, atmospheric read with authentic, quirky, characters, unique setting and  clever twists that culminate in a very dramatic but satisfying conclusion.  I highly recommend for anyone who loves lore, mystery and authentic feeling characters.  I can't wait to read more from this author!

Super predictable, felt like I had read this story 10 times before. Underwhelming, plus the scattered info about the main character was not relevant and could have benefited from being edited down.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for the free e-book in exchange for my honest review.

Private investigator Annie Gore is ex-military and a native Appalachia girl who is hired to look into the the disappearance of Max's sister 10 years earlier. In fact a total of 3 girls went missing with one being returned. The cases are very cold with the FBI having looked into all 3 with no results. Annie navigates Appalachia secrets and legends as she tries to find out what happened 10 years earlier.

This is a fast paced, well written story that really surprised me! I did not expect to like this one as much as I really did! The story is full of myths and legends of witches and secrecy. Go into this one as blind as you can. This is by far one of my favorite reads this month! Highly recommend!!

I received a copy of this from NetGalley in return for an honest review.

I have always been intrigued by Appalachian settings and it's folklore. This book didn't disappoint. It was equal parts eerie and compelling. I really liked Annie Gore as a character. While I can see how some may find her stereotypical ex-military, it didn't bug me in the least. I have to admit, I love a character that doesn't follow rules and she fit the bill.

Another thing that far exceeding my expectations was the actual mystery. Often times, I find myself figuring out the big twist far in advance, however, this one somewhat surprised me. In a town where everyone seemed like they could be a suspect, and while I did have my eye on the eventual person, the way the mystery unraveled was perfect. This was a very quick read and almost felt like a movie, or an episode of Criminal Minds. Overall, fantastic debut and I will definitely be reading more from the author.

I could not put this book down. Annie Gore is hired to investigate the disappearance of a little girl ten years ago from a mountain community in Appalachia. Her brother has saved for years to make this happen. Two other little girls disappeared near the same time but one was returned. Annie pokes the hornets' nest as she reopens old wounds and checks alibis. That poking provides unexpected results. I sure hope there are more Annie Gore stories coming!