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.

The Witch’s Orchard is an intriguing, sad mystery set in Appalachia. A young man hires Annie Gore to search for his sister who disappeared 10 years earlier. Annie is from a small Appalachian town so understands the dynamics. Annie stirs up the community and soon a body is found.
The characters are intriguing and well-drawn. I really like Annie - she is caring and sincere.
Would definitely read more from this author.

Review for The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan.

Annie Gore leaves behind an abused alcoholic mother who refuses help to join the Air Force and ends up a special investigator. Six years ago, after leaving the military, Annie becomes a PI in Louisville, Kentucky.
A young man insists on hiring Annie to find his sister who was one of three young girls taken from their hometown of Quartz Creek, North Carolina, ten years ago (one of whom was returned). Annie takes the obviously cold case and drives Honey, her battered Datsun 260Z to North Carolina to poke the hornet’s nest in hopes of finding fresh clues. Mountain people do not trust easily and poke she does. The story leans heavily on an old folk legend known as, “the witch of Quartz Creek”, but Annie discovers there are numerous versions of the legend, all dependent on the teller.
As the story moves on, we learn about:
stone circles and crows,
Olivia, the non-verbal autistic child who was returned who repeatedly draws spirals when questioned about what she remembers,
Apple head dolls and prophetic dreams,
and a defunct toy company now home to meth cookers.

The list of possible suspects includes:
Tommy Hoyle, wife abuser,
Deanna Drake, beautiful but aloof widow and piano teacher,
Susan McKinney, herbalist or witch,
Brother Bob, Baptist minister with a checkered past.

You can’t help but fall down the rabbit hole as I did as you navigate events. The character/suspects ripen and clash. Really enjoyed everything about this book and look forward to reading more from this author. I wanted to learn more about the mysterious Leo who Annie talks to every night, no matter where he is in the world or what he is doing (is this maybe the beginning of a series? I do so hope).

Read and reviewed with my thanks to Net Galley and St Martin’s Press for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Max Andrews cannot forget his sister Molly who vanished 10 years ago. He cannot move on with his life without answers. He works to save enough money to hire private investigator, Annie Gore, in the hopes of finding Molly alive.

But it seems that all Annie has brought to the Quartz Creek town of Appalachia is trouble. From the moment she gets there, things begin to go very badly. But once she learns that Molly is not the only girl to go missing, she is hooked on finding out what happened.

The Witch’s Orchard is a very fast paced, page-turner. I could not put it down until I found out “who done it“. I thought I knew, but I was totally off base. Author Archer Sullivan had led me down the wrong path in very subtle ways.

Exactly what you want from a mystery. Well done!!!!

This was an interesting story, but it was emotionally flat for me. In the first half of the book, something completely shocking happens, and the characters seem to have ZERO reaction. As in, no one seems to be shocked AT ALL. They just take this development in stride and keep going. I’m all for action that drives the plot, but none of this rang true. My other issue with the narrative is that many times, characters assume facts not in evidence and they’re apparently correct, but nothing materializes to back up their suppositions. Where the story shines though, is in the many iterations of the folktale central to the plot. I found those to be quite interesting. I would read other books from this author, but I would like to see more character development all around and more attention to plot nuances in the future.

This book took me a little while to get into. The opening chapters present a lot of characters and information to commit to memory in order to keep future storylines straight, and at the time I was reading, I think my brain was just a little too congested to maintain it. Once I got the characters straight and could differentiate between the girls who were missing, their parents, loved ones, and townsfolk, I was off to the races. I really enjoyed reading from our main character’s POV. Annie is practical, and she feels very real in terms of her decision making and her motivations. This book isn’t necessarily scary, but it does have an air of creepiness to it that horror fans will enjoy. Mystery and thriller lovers will eat up the plot lines and the twist that I, truly, did not see coming.

Keeping track of the characters on the periphery of the kidnappings was one of reasons this book was just a little bit less than perfect, but I still really, really enjoyed it!

Sullivan's split time period tale immerses you in Ireland -- past and present. AS a former folklorist, I was delighted by the accuracy of of the methodology employed by this novel's early 19th century story collector as he attempts to gather first hand and anecdotal accounts of the Good People at work and play from residents of various Celtic regions. The present day story of a grieving young woman attempting to recover from too many losses in her life is deftly woven around the account of the story collector's visit to the same village as told in the discovered diary of the young woman you assisted him. Ireland, in all its richness and contradictions, is as much a character in this novel as any of the humans. or fairy folk. A delightful read.

The Witch's Orchard was a completely absorbing whodunnit, in which a grieving brother springs to have a Private Investigator look into the cold case of his sisters disappearance. The way Sullivan writes Annie the PI makes the reader trust her immediately. She is warm without sacrificing cool professionalism, she is full of personality on a deep level without the kinds of idiosyncrasies that sometimes exist only to endear the MC to the reader. Annie arrives in this small Appalachian town to turn over every stone in order to solve her case. This story is nuanced and well crafted, and kept me on the edge of my seat.

The Witch's Orchard, by Archer Sullivan
Under the imposing the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Annie finds herself caught up in a new case. 3 girls are missing. Will she be able to overcome her past to solve the mysteries?
The first sentence says, “This is going to be a good book!” I did get a little slow at times, but overall it is a great read.

4.5 ⭐️ I came for the folklore… and found a haunting Appalachian mystery, a long-buried cold case, and a heroine I couldn’t stop rooting for.

Chilling secrets, eerie stillness, and fierce resolve!

THE WITCH’S ORCHARD by ARCHER SULLIVAN is a quietly gripping and atmospheric mystery set deep in the Appalachian Mountains, where the past clings and folklore runs deep. Former Air Force investigator Annie Gore is hired to look into the decade-old disappearance of three young girls, and the case takes her right back into the kind of isolated mountain town she tried to leave behind.

Archer Sullivan captures the setting with striking authenticity. The misty holler, the wary locals, the weight of the past pressing down on every page—it all feels lived in and layered. The inclusion of Appalachian folklore, especially the whispers of witches and crows, adds an eerie edge without overshadowing the grounded mystery. There’s a creepy-good undercurrent running through it all, quiet but constant, like something watching just out of sight.

Annie is the kind of character I love: resilient, sharp, and emotionally complex. Her connection to the setting gives the story real heart, and her voice felt honest and compelling throughout. The pacing leans steady, but the tension never fades, building a quiet unease that made it hard to step away.

This is a mystery with weight: emotionally, atmospherically, and narratively. It’s about the past that holds its secrets tight, and how the truth waits for someone brave enough to bring it to light.

A standout debut that gave me everything I look for in a mystery—buried secrets, mountain lore, and a heroine I’d love to follow again. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the digital ARC—I most definitely recommend this one!

Gripping, atmospheric, tense and mysterious! The Witch's Orchard is a captivating debut by Archer Sullivan. I was instantly drawn into the plot, intrigued by the characters, the creepy apple dolls and the local folklore. I loved the setting in Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator, now private investigator has been hired by Max, a man whose sister was taken years ago and was never seen again. When Annie arrives in town, she notices the militaries of this town to the Appalachian town in which she grew up. She is informed that ten years ago three girls went missing with only one girl being returned.

As Annie begins her investigation, she asks those she talks to the same question and is giving differing answers regarding local folklore about a witch. This never gets old or feels repetitive. I was intrigued by the differing version of the same story. It brought to mind the say that "no two people see the same crime" Apparently no two people in town tell the same story of the witch of Quartz Creek!

I enjoyed the investigative work that Annie did. I enjoyed Annie's character and her interactions with those in the mountain town. I always try to do my own super sleuthing but never guessed whodunit. I love it what that happens. Archer Sullivan kept me guessing and turning those pages!

Such a wonderful debut novel! I loved the writing, the vivid descriptions, the pacing and the intriguing mysterious plot! Archer Sullivan has won me over and I hope to read more of her books in the future! Plus, I am keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps there will be more books featuring Annie.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping and atmospheric!

This is a debut novel following Annie, a former investigator, who grew up in Appalachia. She was approached to try to find the remains two girls from a disappearance in the valley. I read this in one sitting because I just could not put it down. Annie is a unique, strong character, and I really enjoyed her perspective throughout the mystery. The setting was well developed, and I felt I was immersed in the Appalachian valley while I was reading.

Archer Sullivan captures the hills and hollers of western North Carolina in The Witch’s Orchard. Ten years ago, three little girls were snatched from their homes. One was returned, the other two were never found. Now, the brother of one of the girls has hired Annie Gore to try and find answers. Annie is also a product of the mountains, albeit Kentucky. She entered the Air Force right out of high school and is now barely scraping by as a PI.
I loved the atmosphere - the crows, the stone circle, the flora. I was especially interested in the story of the witch and how each person had a different version and understanding. It reminded me of how folk songs often have different iterations.
Annie was a well developed main character. I got a real kick out of her relationship with Honey, her fifty year old Datsun Z260. But Sullivan did an equally good job fleshing out secondary characters like AJ, Susan and Max.
I was totally engrossed in the story. I could not put the book down. I was anxious to figure out who was behind the kidnappings. The climax got a little OTT, but that seems to be the norm.
My thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advance copy of this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the advance reader copy.

Set against the haunting beauty of rural Appalachia, The Witch’s Orchard begins with a chilling mystery. Three little girls disappear without a trace, and applehead dolls are left in their place. Ten years later, private investigator Annie Gore arrives in town to reexamine the case. Her presence stirs up old tensions and brings long-buried secrets to the surface. It feels like watching someone poke a hornet’s nest, knowing something is bound to erupt.

The pacing was a little slow at first, but I found myself hooked surprisingly quickly. Annie is a strong and interesting lead, and I became genuinely invested in the unraveling of the mystery. Early on, I expected the story to take a more supernatural turn. The title and atmosphere suggest something magical or otherworldly. Without giving too much away, I will just say that there is no fantasy magic here. While the book is not particularly scary, there are a few eerie and unsettling moments that added to the tension.

One of my favorite aspects of the novel was the setting. The Appalachian backdrop is rendered with such care and authenticity. It gave the story a nostalgic, almost timeless feeling that reminded me of my own childhood in a way that felt both personal and emotional.

While it did not go in the direction I expected, I still really enjoyed this story. It is a quiet, atmospheric mystery that unfolds slowly but meaningfully. I would absolutely read more from Archer Sullivan in the future.

Wow! This book was even better than I hoped it would be. Stupendous debut mystery/thriller that kept me reading late into the night. Annie Gore is an interesting, complicated protagonist and I look forward to (hopefully)be reading many more books featuring her in the future. Please, Archer Sullivan, continue on with the journey of Annie. 🙏🏼

The author conveys all the nuance of the Appalachian setting. From the folklore, people, botany and the weather the author does an excellent job of building an atmosphere that lends itself well to the expertly crafted story. I couldn’t put this book down.

4.5 out of 5 ⭐️

Highly recommend to fans of Tana French. Yes, it’s that good!

This book was not what I expected, but it turned out much more interesting and enjoyable. I like female protagonists with a past and I like atmospheric mysteries. While this story is develops slower than my usual thrillers, I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I am a SUCKER for these types of books. Blew through half of it before I even realized it. Some expectations were not met, but we don’t live in a perfect world so I’m okay with that! Definitely want my hands on the next book already.

Thanks for the opportunity!! It is much appreciated!

3.5 stars, rounded up

This debut novel from Archer Sullivan was really promising, and though I wasn't entirely satisfied with the way things ended up playing out, I am still looking forward to picking up the next book (as I hear this will become a series featuring private investigator Annie Gore).

The atmosphere was written very well - I have to admit that I am a total sucker for a well-done Appalachian setting, and The Witch's Orchard delivered on that front. Where it suffered a bit, I think, was in the repetition of facts and stories, particularly when it came to the tale of the Witch of Quartz Creek. I understand what Sullivan was trying to do with the storytelling from different perspectives, but it fell a little flat, and by the third and fourth telling of the story, it became rather tiresome.

I also had some trouble connecting with Annie, and I felt like her character sometimes read as though she was 25, and sometimes she felt 45, even though she stated to be "in her early thirties." Her deep connection with her friend, Leo, was a plot point that I expected to have deeper significance to the storyline than it actually did in the end, but I'm hoping that we'll get to explore their relationship further in the next book.

Overall, The Witch's Orchard certainly kept my attention, and I'm looking forward to seeing what Sullivan writes next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

DANG - I could NOT put this down. Landing in an insular Appalachian town with so much history - lots of turns and twists. I even heard myself say "NO WAY!" Here's hoping there's a series coming...

A surprising amount of folklore in this book made this book outstanding in its presentation. Set in the Appalachian Mountains it is seeped in the story of the Witch of Quartz Creek, asked several times and each time repeated with a bit of a different story. I loved how Annie the PI asked this question to so many people and received a bit of a different response each time.

Three girls go missing, one is returned. Is she deemed "damaged?" Why was she returned and where are the other two? I loved the grit and determination of Annie in trying to solve this mystery for her 18-year old client, the brother of one of the missing girls. Hard to believe this is a debut author. The only drawback for me on this was the ending - which was told so quickly and almost unbelievably that it took away from a bit of the dark, foggy, mystery a bit.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press / Minotaur Books and Archer Sullivan for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.