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

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.

Very well written story of missing persons, and the person trying to find them. Unusual plot and ending. I highly recommend this book to everyone.

A gripping mystery set in the hills of North Carolina, steeped in Appalachian folklore, The Witch's Orchard will keep you guessing and turning pages late into the night.

This book was a fantastic read! A great mystery/thriller that immerses you in a small town in Appalachia told through the eyes of someone who grew up in the region. Archer Sullivan does a beautiful job of writing a strong relatable female protagonist. I would read more books with Annie as the investigator. The Witch's Orchard does a great job of mixing the gothic country imagery of the region with a mystery that keeps you engaged. I highly recommend The Witch's Orchard!

"The Witch's Orchard" is a twisted story. The story utilizes a lot of stereotypes about the residents of Appalachia, and many of the stereotypes, at least in the story, are accurate. However, the motive behind the kidnapping of the three little girls could be placed in any setting and be fitting, as it is universal in nature. The story will keep you guessing. I thought for sure that I had figured out the kidnapper and motive halfway through the book, and I was waiting for private investigator Annie to figure it out as well. I was only half right -- the motive; the killer was not who I suspected. And even then, the author threw in more surprises that really took the story in an unexpected direction. The author has created an eclectic cast of characters. I really enjoyed the different stories about the witch, the magic apples, her daughters, and the birds and how everyone "knew" the story but slightly different versions.

I loved this book and the characters and especially the Appalachian Mountain setting. Annie is a private investigator hired to find a missing girl in Quartz Creek. This book is immersed in folklore of the area as Annie digs into the case of the missing girl. It’s beautifully written and hard to put down. I highly recommend this wonderful novel by Archer Sullivan!

What an interesting mystery/thriller! I was hooked immediately! Annie is a PI who gets asked to work a 10-year-old cold case about two missing girls in a small mountain town. As she works the case, we also learn bits and pieces about Annie's past. Overall, I'd recommend this book to anyone who loves a good mystery/thriller! Oh, and the pacing of the story was perfect, in my opinion!

Absolutely amazing, a true page-turner! A suspenseful story centered around the disappearance of two young girls. The brother of one of them hires a private detective—who is also an Air Force veteran—to help him find his sister. It’s incredible!

I loved the main character, a brave and determined woman. The story is incredibly well written. This book deserves more than five stars. It captivated me from the very first chapter!

Great pacing and very moody, atmospheric. You are drawn in right away into the mystery and suspense. I really liked the characters.

LOVED this book!!! I hadn't heard of the author Archer Sullivan and was given the opportunity to read the book from NetGalley. The book has former military Annie Gore heading to the Appalachian Mountains to help find her newest clients sister. Annie is from a rural area of the Blue Ridge and had joined the military to leave that world behind. The sister she is hired to find has been missing for over a decade but her client is the missing women's brother and he needs answers. Annie has little hope for the case but needs the money and decides to give it a go. She is back in a small town where people don't want strangers especially ones digging up the past. I truly loved this book and it was one where I fell in love with the characters. I truly hope that Annie Gore becomes a series.

Excellent new series starter, can’t wait for more character development in the one. A lot happened that could have been framed better to move the story along but a solid start.