Absolutely loved this cozy mystery set in a small, Appalachian mountain town. I appreciate the authenticity the author brought especially with the setting. As an Appalachian-grown person, too many write about the area without much accuracy but that was not the case here. With slow burn suspense and a fantastic FMC, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of three young girls will keep you engaged start to finish.

Thank you for producing such a wonderful story bringing Appalachia to life!

I received an advance reader copy thanks to NetGalley but the review is my own opinion.

Things I loved:

I loved the atmosphere. I was raised in the southern U.S. and love getting to read about how authors describe the vibrant life in the area. It set for a good mystery where people are secretive, suspicious, and tight knit to the point of not trusting any kind of an outsider. It gave an “us vs them” tension to the sorry that didn’t single any one resident out as the perpetrator(s).

The FMC Annie Gore was relentless and strong willed. I liked seeing things through her eyes and how she was not afraid to call out anyone on their hypocrisy.

Things I did not like:

The twist: I feel like anytime there are children missing in a mystery story there are 2 different outcomes. As such it made the twist very predictable as what I would consider the more common one was present in the story. The story wasn’t overly original but entertaining enough to get through.

The pacing: the pacing in general was a bit slow at times. It felt like every time it was starting to take a nose dive we’d get the same story of the witch with a slightly different ending. It was entertaining the first couple times, but after reading 5 different iterations of the story, it got too repetitive. I’m not sure why the author felt the need to have the FMC ask nearly every character the version of the story they had heard but it was highly redundant.

Rating 2.5/5

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for a DRC of this book. It was a very good read. Very steady pacing. I felt like anxiousness was sprinkled throughout the book so that it would keep your interest, and continue the story build up without dragging on. I didn't have to push myself to get to the more exciting parts.

My only complaint is the tying up portion at the end was a little rushed. Felt like within the epilogue it switched gears quickly, Specifically with the relationships of the characters. Her feelings shift very quickly and seemed disconnected. She explained how things ended with one relationship that seemed amicable and then quickly shifted to her feelings about another character. Just feel like the flow was off and needed something two connects the thoughts in my opinion. Can't explain too much without spoilers.

However, this book was a good read and very easy to follow and entertaining throughout. Love the characters, love the buildup, and having it all come together. If you love crime fiction thrillers, this book is a good choice.

The Witch's Orchard is such a strong debut by Archer Sullivan, a ninth generation native of the Appalachian Mountains. As a resident of WNC this book struck some very tender and realistic chords, and I loved the way Sullivan brought together Southern folklore and the private detective genre. The result was a very readable story with suspense, a good twist, and a look at what life is like in many economically depressed small towns.

Annie Gore joined the military right out of high school to get out of her small town. Now she's back as a civilian and working as a PI when a young man reaches out for help. Ten years ago three little girls went missing in the same summer and one of them was his sister. Annie promises one week of hard work to turn up any answers she can, but she also promises that her work will stir up the small community.

Interwoven with a folktale of a witch and her delicious apples, we get the oral retelling that different residents heard growing up and their different perceptions of what happened ten years ago. When bad things start happening again, Annie must work her hardest to find answers before more tragedy strikes.

This is just a solid mystery with well established setting that I would recommend to reader's of the genre. I found Annie's character a bit underdeveloped and this isn't one that I'll remember well, but I had a great time.

This is a great introduction to Annie Gore, a private investigator of Appalachian descent. It's set in North Carolina where she assists a young man in the search for his sister who was kidnapped 10 years ago. The character development was excellent, from the main to supporting characters. The settings were described in vivid detail to imagine how the characters fit into the locales. Finally, the twists and turns it took kept me guessing until the end. Surprisingly, it was NOT who I thought it was! I hope there is more Annie Gore in the future.

The Witches Orchard is my first book by Archer Sullivan and it will definitely not be my last. Because the book takes place in the Appalachian mountain region which just happens to be where myself and all my past generations of family are from,the book was especially intriguing to me. Sullivan perfectly captured the folklore and superstitions of the area. Some reviews I have read said the book felt rushed at the end but I personally did not think so. There are enough plot twists and red herrings throughout the story to keep a reader interested but also curious to know what actually happened to the three little girls. I never like to give reviews that repeat what the book is about. I feel like the reader knows what the book is about if they read the blurb. This book is not full of romance and soft sweet storylines. The main character, Annie, is as rough and tough as they come. And, yes, I would like to know more about her. I feel like there are a lot of stories that could be told about her adventures and her past. The Witches Orchard is just entertaining enough but also creepy enough to make it one of those books that you can't put down. It is a perfect read for a dark dreary day under a warm blanket. And if there happened to be a storm brewing up outside it would be even better!
I voluntarily received a copy of the book from NetGalley.

As someone who has lived around the Appalachian area for the last 15+ years, it's clear the author intimately knows the region, culture, and people.

I loved Annie as the FMC, especially because she's a bit of a mess. I wish her story was a little more in focus and detailed. You only get a scrap here and there. If there are future books maybe she can spill the tea.

The twist at the end seemed a bit rushed, but it was a shocker. Overall, a good mystery especially for a rainy day.

Excellent lead character

I loved the setting and the folklore peppered throughout this story. There was a nice amount of red herrings and twists, mostly surprising for me. The pacing was steady thought the conclusion felt a bit rushed but still satisfying.

I would recommend and read more by this author.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

I could not put this one down!! Mysterious, mystical, with a lot of small town suspects in the kidnapping of 3 little girls. Everything about this was perfect. 5/5. Highly recommend, would read again.

The Witch’s Orchard was a decent read, but I don’t really think it stood out to me in any special way. I expected it to be a bit creepier and full of lore but it was just very repetitive and a bit transparent. Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced copy to review.

This is the story of three young girls who disappeared ten years earlier. The brother of one missing girl wants answers and hires PI Annie Gore. Annie has to sort out the truth from folklore, witchcraft, and rumors. The more Annie investigates, the more stirred up someone (or something) becomes.
This is a tragic story of kidnapping, murder, and mystery. It is a fun read, and I recommend this book.
My only critique is that there is too much mention of Annie’s car. The car doesn’t need to be a character. This story is interesting enough without Honey.

The Witch's Orchard is a dark and captivating tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats with its twists and turns. Set in the Appalachian mountains, the story blends mystery, folklore, and a sense of eerie suspense that lingers long after you’ve turned the final page.

At the heart of the novel is the kidnapping of three young girls, an event that drives the entire plot. While the story taps into several familiar stereotypes about Appalachian life, the way these elements are woven into the narrative feels authentic to the setting. More importantly, the core motive behind the kidnappings is one that transcends location and culture, offering a universally resonant theme of human nature, obsession, and hidden desires.

The suspense is palpable, and the mystery unfolds in ways that will keep you guessing. Midway through, I thought I had figured out both the identity of the kidnapper and their motivations—anticipating the moment when private investigator Annie would uncover the truth. But the author skillfully kept me on my toes, revealing that I was only half-right about the motive, while the true villain was someone entirely different. The narrative takes several unexpected turns, throwing in more surprises that not only change the course of the story but also deepen its emotional impact.

The author excels at creating a diverse and fascinating cast of characters, each with their own secrets and perspectives. I particularly enjoyed the layers of mythology and folklore that surround the witch, her enchanted orchard, and the magic apples. The various versions of the tale, passed down through the community, add richness and depth to the narrative, giving readers a sense of both the power and the fragility of the stories that shape our lives.

Ultimately, The Witch's Orchard is a compelling read filled with mystery, magic, and a deep exploration of the human condition. While I would have liked to see a bit more development in some aspects of the setting, the unexpected twists and intriguing characters make it a thoroughly enjoyable and satisfying read.

Very much enjoyed this book. Annie Gore is a very likeable, quirky protagonist who is bound and determined to get to what happened to the 2 girls who have been missing for 10 years. Lots of interesting characters throughout with twists and turns that will keep you guessing throughout the book. I thought it was quite interesting that the author made all the stories/legends about the witch different.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The setting was my favorite as I have not read many books sets in a small mountain town. The setting alone took a common theme of girls going missing in a small town and gave it a unique twist. I loved learned about Appalachia culture.

I this the pacing of this book was a little slow, but it’s more of a mystery than a thriller. I think this book would almost be described as a cozy mystery. Something about the setting, once again, gave me comfort vibes. This would absolutely be a perfect book to relax to in the fall while drinking apple cider.

I would definitely read more books by this author in the future, and I would absolutely love to read more books set in the mountains as well. I definitely recommend!

I loved The Witch’s Orchard! It’s the story of little girls who were taken years ago when they were around five years ago. Max, the brother of one of the girls, pays Annie, a private detective, to find his sister. The cold case story is about Annie figuring that out.

The writing is excellent, the pace ensures a page-turner, the characters are believable, and the ending is terrific.

It becomes a bit annoying to hear so much about Honey, her car, but not enough to take away from the story.

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book. I enjoyed it immensely.

“The Witch’s Orchard” is a must-read mystery/thriller! Set in a small Appalachian town, we meet Annie Gore – a Private Investigator – hired to find out to three girls who went missing a decade ago. Annie uncovers years of dark secrets and finds herself in a precarious situation. I loved the pacing of this book, the characters, ties to folklore, and unexpected ending. I couldn’t put this book down and love that it wasn’t predictable. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC!

I might as well confess that I really enjoyed reading The Witch's Orchard. This Archer Sullivan novel is the first in a new series, featuring an extraordinary woman P.I. named Annie. Annie needs the money and so takes on a case about a stolen child, who has been missing for 10 years. I loved the setting in Appalachia, where everyone knows their neighbors and everyone knows their neighbor's business. The plotting in The Witch's Orchard is tight, the writing well done, and the characters believable and with depth. There is a bit of folklore and folk medicine. The mystery holds up well As is always the case in any mystery, there is love and pain..

I do absolutely recommend The Witch's Orchard. Thank you to St. Martin's Press Minotaur and NetGalley for providing me with this ARC in exchange for my honest review. The comments above truly reflect my honest opinions. I am recommending The Witch's Orchard to my book club group to read in September.

5 stars

The Witches Orchard is a complex puzzle of young girls disappearing and the old tales of North Carolina mountain lore that mix with the truth and keep the sheriff from finding the truth. Now in comes a female PI to try to figure out what no man could do before, stirring up all kinds of trouble as she goes turning up dead ends.
Welcome to Quartz Creek, where children disappeared from the church playground and only one was returned. Until now.
The truth is stranger than you could ever imagine.
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This was a good read. It had moments of being a bit slow and repetitive, but overall I enjoyed it. I want to read now from this author.

I loved The Witch's Orchard the world was lush, the writing was beautiful and it was so dark and yet fun to read.