Phewwww did I love this book! Annie is one of the best protagonists I've read in a while. She's smart, witty, driven, and actually knows how to watch her own back (aka, she's an investigator who actually knows what she's doing). Loved the story's nuance and twists - I could see where we were headed, but the ending still surprised me. I'll be keeping an eye out for future books in this series, that's for sure!

Thanks x a million to NetGalley and Archer Sullivan for the arc. This was a real treat!

Annie Gore is a former USAF investigator turned PI living about four hours away from the place she needs to go to investigate a 10-year-old missing persons' cold case. The client is a young man whose younger sister was one of those who disappeared. Her own personal history impacts the investigation which is incredibly convoluted. There is the most amazing plot twist at the end!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Pub Date Aug 12, 2025
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I was so excited to read The Witch's Orchard. The book has a great premise - a female PI, Annie Gore, who came from a dysfunctional Appalacian family, returns to an Appalacian holler to help solve the 10-year-old mystery of two missing girls. The Witch's Orchard was full of twists, turns, and misdirections. I found myself second guessing who the kidnapper was throughout the book. I really enjoyed the book's creativity through the intertwining of the mystery with the folklore story of the Witch of Quartz Creek. The main character, Annie Gore, was complex and relatable, and I liked that her entire backstory was not divulged. It gave me hope that Annie Gore may become a series. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for providing a review copy of this book. The book was so well written and fast-paced that I was able to get fully immersed in the story. I definitely recommend this book!

5-Star Review: The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan

The Witch's Orchard is an absolute gem! Archer Sullivan's talent for weaving a captivating tale is undeniable. The way she sets the scene in the North Carolina mountains is so vivid that you feel like you're right there alongside private investigator Annie Gore.

I was hooked from the very beginning, drawn into the mystery and suspense of the story. The characters are complex and intriguing, and the author expertly weaves folklore and secrets into the plot, keeping you guessing until the very end.

If you're a fan of atmospheric mysteries with a strong sense of place and unforgettable characters, do yourself a favor and pick up The Witch's Orchard. You won't regret it!

The Witch’s Orchard is a very promising debut, with all the elements of the greatest crime and mystery novels, but I almost got the sense that Sullivan is holding back.

Let’s start with the atmosphere: I love a great setting and an atmospheric vibe. The Witch’s Orchard delivered that, but not as strongly as I would like, which is what I meant by saying that the author is holding back. And I don’t mean that comment as a criticism, it was nicely done. It was just very subtle.

The characters: I am very intrigued by our lead PI, Annie. The story alluded to some skeletons in Annie’s closet, but they never really come out in this novel. Again, I get the feeling the author is holding back, which makes me think this is the start of a series. It definitely could be and I would definitely read the next book. I want to know Annie’s backstory for sure. I want more development of her character! Again, my comments are not meant as a criticism, I greatly enjoyed Annie in this novel, but I feel as if there’s more to come, in the best way possible. And Leo! I want to properly meet Leo!

The plot: the plot really stole the show in this novel, the pacing was very well done. No lulls or redundancy. While I wouldn’t describe this novel as fast paced, I also wouldn’t describe it as a slow burn, it is somewhere in between the two. Add in the local lore twist, and a truly engrossing mystery is born!

Overall, I really enjoyed this one, I definitely recommend it for any mystery lover! I will be looking forward to a sequel if there is one !

I received a free digital copy of The Witch’s Orchard from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.

This was a perfectly paced small mountain town mystery. It's not so fast that it feels like a whirlwind but not so slow that the feelings of suspense fizzle.

Annie Gore is a PI that takes a job in a town that is similar to the one she grew up in. As she attempts to unravel the mystery of three kidnapped girls, her memories are triggered and we learn a lot about why she is the way that she is. She's unrelenting and undeterred when she sets her mind on something and that's something I appreciate in characters and is certainly necessary for someone that takes the job of a PI if they ever wish to be successful.

There are a good support cast of side characters but I'm left with so many questions about Leo, this steady support character for Annie. I truly hope this is to become a series.

Appalachian folklore is mixed into the story. Multiple variations of the same story about a witch. I thought that was a unique touch that added depth.

This is a debut novel for Archer Sullivan and I think it's reasonable to expect more good things from her.

I am grateful for the advanced copy from NetGalley to read this and share my opinions.

Finally, a mystery where I went back and forth on who-dun-it and couldn't quite figure it out until the end! Most of the time it's so obvious you don't even need to keep reading, but this one was well crafted and thought out. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Annie is a PI who is good at what she does, but a little down of her luck and low on funds. She finds herself in the middle of a cold case in a mountain town similar to where she grew up unraveling a ten year old cold case of two missing girls. She promises a week of her time not expecting much, but pulls at the strings of the town and unravels more than anyone could have anticipated.

I liked this one a lot! It ticks all the boxes of a good mystery thriller without being too cliche. The characters are interesting and have depth as does the setting. I enjoyed the folklore aspects of it too. There were a few parts that seemed random when they popped up but were tied in nicely by the end. I do think we could have learned more about Leo or could have done without him, but all in all I liked this one and would recommend.

Thank you St Martins Press via NetGalley for the eARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Witch’s Orchard by Arthur Sullivan is an easy and entertaining read that kept me engaged from start to finish. The storyline was well-paced, and I especially enjoyed the way the witch’s story unfolded throughout the book. The blend of mystery and folklore made for an intriguing read that was both atmospheric and immersive.

One of the highlights for me was the character development. Each character felt well-crafted, and their growth over the course of the novel added depth to the story. The witch’s backstory, in particular, was fascinating and brought an extra layer of complexity that made the book even more compelling.

It’s a great pick for those who love a mix of magic, mystery, and strong character arcs.

The Witch’s Orchard completely captivated me! Annie Gore - female PI- is a total badass. The Appalachian folklore and small-town setting is so vividly described that I was drawn into the story completely. The mystery itself was gripping, and I was guessing until the very end 🕵️‍♀️. The reveal was surprising yet satisfying, making for a truly compelling read 🤯📚.

I also loved the characters, from the hunky cop 👮‍♂️ to the witchy mountain lady 🧙‍♀️ and the southern belle 💁‍♀️—they each brought so much personality to the story. I can’t wait to dive into more of this series and uncover more about Annie’s life and solve more mysteries with her.

I enjoyed The Witch's Orchard, it was an interesting mix of mystery and Appalachian lore. I was unsurprised by who the culprit was but I was kept guessing just enough that I never fully committed to that character. I would definitely recommend this book to others

A wonderfully told story by Archer Sullivan! What made it so wonderful was the quality of the writing and the story as it unfolded. Annie, A PI, is hired by Max to find his sister who was kidnapped when she was about 6. And she wasn’t the only little girl to disappear at that time. When Annie arrives in the small hick town and begins her investigation people become upset. How do we know this? Things begin to happen to try and sabotage Annie’s work, another little girl disappears and another applehead doll is left in her place. What is with the story of the witch in the orchard and the crows? It’s beautifully tied throughout the novel and the resolution at the end was very satisfying. Well done, please write another Archer!

This was really an exciting and gripping novel. The ending, your jaw will drop! I don't think this will be a series but if the author is reading this, please..... we need more Annie Gore!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to Archer Sullivan and to Minotaur Books for the eARC.
Having lived in North Carolina for over five years and being fascinated by the mountains I was very excited to read this one. Right away we're introduced to Annie who is a strong female lead. She is hired to find a young man's missing sister in their small town that's full of secrets, blackmail longing and heartache. It's haunting and eerie. With every page you read it feels like there's something lurking around the corner. It's well written and I thoroughly enjoyed how the imagery was built along with elements of small town folklore that were weaved into the story. Each chapter provides more anticipation and longing to find the answers than the last and kept me hanging on a cliff edge. The ending was very unexpected I really had no idea what to expect or how this could possibly end. One of the best mysteries I've read in a while, that kept me guessing and guessing again.

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Archer Sullivan, and Minotaur Books for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review. I truly enjoyed this read and can't wait for more! 📖💕

I had the opportunity to dive into The Witch's Orchard, the debut mystery thriller by Archer Sullivan. Let me just say, it did not disappoint! 😍
From the moment I opened the pages, I was drawn into the life of Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator turned private investigator. Her journey back to her Appalachian roots, where echoes of a tragic past linger, is as compelling as it is haunting. 🌄💔

Ten years have passed since three little girls went missing from a close-knit mountain town, with only one ever returning. The weight of the unsolved mystery looms over the town like a dense fog, and Annie is hired by the brother of one of the missing girls to discover the truth. As she navigates the secrets, folklore, and the eerie vibes of the Appalachian holler, we see Annie confront her own demons too. Can she piece together the puzzle without becoming engulfed by the darkness of her past? 🌌🦉

While there are moments that felt a bit predictable, the storytelling kept me thoroughly engaged. Sullivan’s ability to weave suspense with rich descriptions of the Appalachian landscape compelled me to soak in every line. It’s clear this author has a remarkable talent for crafting captivating narratives.

🌟 Why I Loved It:
+Engaging Protagonist: Annie is incredibly relatable and complex. Her history adds depth to the story, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.
+Atmospheric Setting: The Appalachian holler painted a vivid backdrop that enhanced the eerie and suspenseful elements of the plot. You can practically feel the chill in the air! ❄️🌲
+Mystery and Intrigue: The intertwining of local folklore with the mystery kept me guessing, and I appreciated the layers that kept unfolding as Annie dug deeper.

With such a strong debut, I am excited to see where Archer Sullivan takes us next! I hope to see more of PI Annie Gore in future thrillers, as her character hints at so much more to explore. The abrupt ending left me craving resolution and more insight into her past with Leo. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of a thrilling series that readers will absolutely adore! 🕵️‍♂️❤️

If you’re a lover of mysteries, thrillers, or even just a good story with a hint of the supernatural, I highly recommend The Witch's Orchard—eagerly anticipating its release on August 12, 2025, just in time for Halloween! 🎃🍂

Loved this book. With a feisty female protagonist at its center it was engaging hand hard to pout down. Missing children always tug at the heartstrings and when coupled with them being cold cases the story was riveting. The book was well written with an intricately woven, mystery plot that had a zinger at the end. Can’t recommend this highly enough and hope to see more from this author in the future.

I received an arc of this book and voluntarily provided a review.

The Witch's Orchard gives us a refreshing heroine in the form of Annie. We learn about her as she weaves thru the mystery of 3 girls disappearances a decade before.
The author doesn't take us on lengthy flashbacks, just little peeks into her past that form a relevant theme to the story.
I very much hope this is the first in a series. Annie is someone that I would like to learn more about.

This was super atmospheric, fresh, and twisty - I never knew what was going to happen next. I really liked Annie's voice and the way we jump into her own story and slowly get bits of her backstory revealed. This was mostly a 4 star story for me until the 80% mark, when we rapidly started to move to the culmination of the story, and I was completely hooked.

I received this ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review!

Goodness. Gracious.

This book was almost too much for me.
First of all, I read a lot of witchy books as well as a lot of thriller/suspense…. So to anyone who reads this review. This is NOT a witchy book. This is 100% a full on suspense/crime/thriller.

And TW: kidnapping

The way Sullivan writes is truly captivating and holds your attention all the way through. Retrospectively speaking, I don’t really know how the story is so long, I could sum it up and spoil it in less than a paragraph. However Sullivan truly makes each moment feel important. Like you need to take stock in what you’ve just read.

And overall, I would say that’s a theme in this book. It game me “criminal mind” vibes, but instead of an FBI team you’re seeing through the lens of a PI. The PI is the main character, Annie, and she is the absolute best. She’s tiny, not overly strong, but resilient. Nothing stops her.

The alignment of this entire novel is just hauntingly beautiful. I would recommend this book for sure, however, I would recommend it with caution. This is not for everyone. I almost stopped reading several times. I’m glad I didn’t. For some reason the end made the middle not so…. Traumatic? Sullivan truly wrapped a brutal story in bright pretty packaging.

The Witch’s Orchard, first in the new Annie Gore PI series by debut author Archer Sullivan, is an exciting 5-star mystery featuring missing children, a mountain town with secrets, and plenty of folklore surrounding witches and crows.

The arrival of Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore in an Appalachian holler stirs the town and dredges up her own painful past. She’s been hired by a young boy whose sister was abducted and soon finds that she’s investigating all three missing children cases from a decade earlier. The thing is, the closer she gets to uncovering what happened, the harder someone goes to make sure the past stays buried.

What a fantastic setting. It’s obvious that Archer has written about what she knows best. She’s ninth generation Appalachian and she’s brought that unique connection into the story in a way that integrates it into her characters’ experience. The soul of the mountain town is in her characters’ hearts and all of them grapple with it as they try to understand the evil that’s pervaded their existence. Not only that, the town highlights what’s happened. For example, the gifts the abductor leaves and the character the townspeople point fingers at could only happen here, not in a big city.

Annie Gore is more than just a solver of mysteries; she’s a multi-layered, compelling character whose uniqueness engages readers, and yet she’s familiar enough that we instantly form a connection. The story was as much a piece of detective work for me as it was for Annie. I enjoyed collecting clues about her personality and how she approached a task by watching her dialogue and interaction with the mountain people. She isn’t an annoying ‘in your face’ detective like some famous sleuths and she doesn’t seem to enjoy drama. I like that! This series has so much to offer, I’m going to stick with it. I’m looking forward to getting to know Annie better.

I can’t believe this stellar story, an extremely compelling mystery, is written by a debut author! Congratulations. You have a gift. I love how you bring a fresh setting and unique characters to crime fiction.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.