Full review to come on Goodreads and Amazon. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a review copy.

The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan finds our main character, P.I. Annie Gore, back in an Appalachian mountain town much like the one she grew up in. She’s been tasked with finding a young girl who went missing along with two other kidnappings several years ago.
The milieu is perfect: the surface friendliness but wariness of outsiders, the natural beauty, the despair from a long depressed economy, the rural setting, the resilience, independence and hope, mixed in with local religion, folktales, and a touch of the paranormal. There is an eeriness beyond just the missing girls that hangs palpably over the story.
Annie is a strong character. She’s smart, experienced, and able to defend herself but she also relates to the people around her. She has her own demons to fight from her childhood and recognizes that others likely do, too. Quite a bit of her background is left unexplored. Hopefully there will be more to come in potential sequels.
The mystery itself was not the best nor the worst. It had twists and red herrings but was not overly complicated. This is a more of a slow burn; there is enough going on that it did not seem slow or dragged down, but it is not a thriller that races from one thing to the next.
This was a captivating and well-written novel. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC.
4 stars

This was a good mystery set in a run small mountain town in North Carolina. I really liked the protagonist, great character. It moved a bit slow at times, but overall I was very surprised at the end.

If a book can get me through the anxiety of flying—a tall order—I have to recommend it. The Witch’s Orchard is a twisty, satisfying read with an excellent main character and wonderfully sketched secondary characters and setting. I read it in two giant gulps while on a plane and am immensely satisfied.

Annie is a great lead—she’s imperfect, but smart and tough. I really enjoyed how Sullivan pulled back the layers of her throughout the story. I also really enjoyed how the author described Quartz Creek and its residents. Her clear-eyed observations but also clear affection for Appalachia come through in her story, and the direct sense of purpose and place kept me reading. Not that that was an issue, given the well-paced and tautly woven plot.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books
for the ebook ARC. All opinions are mine alone.


cool and suprising thriller filled to the brim with all sorts of twists. would definitely recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan is a beautifully written and atmospheric read that draws you into its eerie world. It captured my attention right from the beginning but then the pacing got too slow for my attention. I found myself skimming in the middle and there were moments when I wished the plot would pick up a bit faster. But once I got into the rhythm of it, I found myself pulled in by the mystery and the creeping sense of dread that builds with each chapter.

If you’re someone who enjoys a slow burn with folklore inspired vibe, this book is definitely worth your time. Just be patient, it will reward you in the end.

Thank you Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book.

There is nothing I love more than a book that grabs me from the start. The Witch’s Orchard is a solid debut thriller that took right off and kept me engaged throughout. Ten years ago, three little girls went missing in a small Appalachian town in North Carolina. Ex-military turned private investigator Annie Gore is hired by the brother of one of the missing girls to try to break the cold case. The story is fast-paced and weaves in a bit of folklore and witchcraft, adding some creepy vibes that reminded me of books I read as a child.

Fans of atmospheric mysteries will enjoy this story and there are a few good twists. I did find some aspects of the story to be a bit far-fetched, and without giving too much away, I felt that ten years for a long time to have passed with no one having any suspicions as to what happened to the girls. I also found Annie’s personification and obsession with her old, beat-up car to be odd and kind of annoying as it added nothing to the story.

If you like mystery/thrillers with creepy, witchy vibes you will enjoy this book. The Witch’s Orchard kept my attention throughout, which for me, is the best way to judge a book.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I highly recommend The Witch’s Orchard. Archer Sullivan has created an interesting and twisted plot, well-rounded characters, and a very believable protagonist. I hope this is only the first of a long series.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me an early copy of this book.
These opinions are solely my own, and not that of the publisher.

I could NOT put this book down! I was hooked from the first page. I finished it within 24 hours.

Private Investigator Annie Gore travels to North Carolina, in the heart of Appalachia, to help with a cold case. Ten years prior, three little girls were kidnapped. One was returned, but the other two have never been found. Annie assumes that the case will be a waste of her time, but the client, the brother of one of the girls who had been taken, is offering an amount of money that Annie cannot refuse.

Annie is sucked into the drama of the small town right away. The town is filled with interesting characters: a local "witch," drug dealers, an abusive husband, a (still) grieving dad, a former high society widow, a helpful cop, a suspicious cop, the local preacher and his wife, a brother who put his life on hold, a baker, and several others. Throughout the book is the local legend of the witch and her two daughters. It threads through the story as various characters tell their version of the legend. Annie comes to realize that this story will help her find the girls (dead or alive) and identify their kidnapper.

It is obvious that Archer Sullivan is planning on turning this into a series. This story comes to a satisfying conclusion, but there are still some unanswered questions about Annie herself. For example: What actually happened to her parents? I also wanted to know more about her Aunt Tina, as well as her close friend, Leo, who was obviously something more than just a friend at one time in Annie's life. Overall, Sullivan creates a terrific Southern Gothic atmosphere in this book, and I look forward to reading more.

Ten years ago, three young girls vanished in a secluded Appalachian holler (valley). In their place, applehead dolls were left behind. One child was eventually returned, but the fate of the others remains an enigma. When the brother of one of the missing girls approaches Annie Gore, a former US Air Force investigator turned independent private eye, she can’t resist the opportunity, especially considering her financial situation. Annie’s upbringing in Appalachia proves invaluable in understanding the townspeople and the pervasive influence of the local legend, “The Witch of Quartz Creek.”

This is a great debut novel. I couldn’t resist reading it in one day; it was captivating and well-written. The atmosphere is immersive, and there are plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. Annie stands out as a unique female PI character with her mountain and military background. I like that she maintains her composure even when dealing with insults or rebuffs when approaching individuals of interest. While some elements may seem a bit implausible, the overall experience is engaging and entertaining. As a debut novel, The Witch’s Orchard deserves five stars.

Anne Gore is ex-military and now a PI very much in debt. She is approached by 18 year old Max. He wants to hire her to solve the mystery of his sister’s abduction 10 years ago. Turns out 3 girls had over time been abducted from the small Appalachian town. Anne has lots of suspects but no evidence except applehead dolls left inthe girls place. The setting of Appalachia and folklore adds to the mystery. I enjoyed this story.

Thank you @minotaur_books for the complimentary DRC.

The Witch’s Orchard is an eerie mystery based in the hills of Appalachia. Perfect for fans of slower paced, atmospheric stories, filled with tension and a creeping sense of dread.

I found the pace a little too slow. It starts off well, but once Annie begins her investigations it began to feel repetitive as she seemed to question the same people over and over again without any new insight. There was also folklore about a witch that she kept asking people about, so it was told repeatedly, though with variations. I didn’t get the point. I kept thinking it would someone circle back to the actual story but if it did I totally missed the connection.

I also guessed the baddie early in the book but not the how. When that was explained it seemed a little far-fetched.

Having said that, I did like Annie’s character. I would have preferred a little more character development and further explanation of her back story. However, I’m still intrigued enough that If Sullivan writes another Annie Gore novel I will pick it up.

How great was it to luck into an arc for a story with a female PI that's not done comedically (nothing wrong with that but I am tired of it). Annie Gore is an interesting character, ex military, coming from an abusive household which is relevant later on. She drives a 50 year old Datsun named Honey (who is practically her own character in this) and is always hocking stuff to survive. She gets a job offer by an 18 year old boy, Max, who wants information on his sister's disappearance.

10 years ago three girls went missing in North Carolina's appalachian region and Max's sister was one of them. He wants Annie because she was raised in Appalachia too and feels she'd understand the area, the people. She reluctantly agrees and drives to NC. Ten years ago one little girl went missing but since she was the daughter of an abusive man and his wife, 'trailer trash' no one did anything. But then another girl is taken, Olivia, who is returned because she's a nonverbal autistic child (and the niece of the now sheriff) and a third child is taken. In place of each of them an apple-headed doll is left (non-relevant fact, those things creeped the hell out of me as a kid)

Annie has no shortage of subjects, the preacher and his wife, the abusive dad and his criminal cousins, the wealthy piano teacher, and the witch in the woods (i.e. old mountain woman who reads tarot and makes herbal remedies who I rather identified with).

What I really liked was the folklore aspect of this. There isn't any real witches but rather the story of her. And like oral storytelling traditions go, the story changes with the storyteller. This witch and her crows and her story is important to the story and I loved that.

I am very much looking forward to Annie, especially since we finally get a mystery in which the investigator doesn't do something idiotic to get in danger for the big exciting climax. It's great to see that because so many of them lean so heavy on the crutch of making them do something dumb to get into trouble. This didn't Annie is competent and empathetic. I liked her very much.

Annie Gore is a private investigator who works for herself. She has a consultation with a young man wanting her services. He lives in a rural Appalachian town and wants Annie to locate his sister. He has been saving his money for years to hire a PI. Annie knows the disappearance has been investigated, maybe a new look at the case could bring a break. The townspeople want this mystery solved, but are wary of Annie since she's an outsider. Annie grew up in a small mountain town much like this town, she isn't concerned. As she begins learning the facts of the case and looking around town, strange things begin happening. Annie is intrigued and determined to follow this case to the end.

One of the strengths of this book is the author's obvious love for North Carolina. The descriptions of scenery are lyrical and crafted by someone who cares for the area. Another strength is Annie, the main character. Annie escaped her extremely difficult childhood by enlisting in the military. Her service taught her to be organized and methodical, skills that serve her well as a private investigator. Annie is a character who carries the story; she is essential. There is an obvious choice as to who the abductor is. Twists in the storyline will reveal the true criminal, and Annie does solve the case. Readers will enjoy this captivating tale set in the beauty of small-town North Carolina.

Thank you, NetGalley, Minotaur Books, and Archer Sullivan for the early review copy.

I really enjoyed this! I kept reworking my theory and couldn't quite figure this out before the end. each character brought something to the story. it was well paced.
I really hope this becomes a series, Annie was intriguing and we were told just enough about her to make her likeable and make us want to know more.

The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan is gritty, atmospheric, and full of Appalachian grit. Set in the Blue Ridge Mountains, it follows former Air Force investigator Annie Gore as she returns to her roots and digs into a decade-old mystery of three missing girls. What begins as a cold‑case PI assignment quickly turns into a tangled web of folklore, small-town loyalty, and hidden danger.

Sullivan's writing crackles with local color—witch stories, crow omens, apple orchards steeped in legend—all brought to life by a heroine who's tough, flawed, and fiercely determined. This isn't just a mystery; it's a journey into the heart of community secrets and the lengths we'll go to uncover them. I'll be thinking about Annie and those mountain shadows for days.

Ex-military PI Annie desperately needs cash, so she heads to an Appalachian holler in North Carolina to search for a little girl who went missing a decade earlier. Her client, the girl’s brother fills Annie in on the details of the case including the two other girls who went missing, one of whom was returned, and the creepy relics left in their places. The case brings back memories of Annie’s childhood in a similar town and the investigation depends she discovers that other lives, including her own, are at risk.

Annie makes a fantastic protagonist. The book provides tiny glimpses into her intriguing backstory as the list of suspects increases. I’m hoping THE WITCH’S ORCHARD is a series starter, because I can’t get enough of Annie.

The secondary characters are also outstanding. Her client, teenaged Max, has experienced tremendous loss and can’t move forward in his life until he makes this last ditch effort to find the truth. The surly Sheriff has a personal connection to the case. Max’s baker friend Shiloh feeds the soul as well as the body.

The plot offers plenty of twists as the cold case heats up, and the folklore, the down-on-its-luck town, and the murder of crows hanging around Max’s property add to the ominous atmosphere. The story and the characters kept me riveted and I found the ending to be supremely satisfying.

I’m a big fan of Archer Sullivan’s short fiction, so I had high expectations of her novel, and she exceeded them with her magnificent debut.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thanks to Minotaur Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, for providing an Advance Reader Copy via NetGalley.

I don’t always love mysteries or thrillers, but this book was pretty great. I loved the author’s writing and that the book was set in the Appalachian mountains. Private eye Annie was a badass FMC. Thank you NetGalley and Minotaur for the eARC

4.5 stars!! -- This book swept me into its misty Appalachian hollows with Murder, She Wrote charm and a haunting depth I didn’t expect. I went in blind, not knowing it was a mystery—but from page one, I was pulled into the shadows of Quartz Creek and never looked back.

Ten years ago, three girls vanished without a trace in the small Appalachian town of Quartz Creek. One returned quickly, but Max Andrews’s sister was never found. Haunted by her disappearance, Max has been saving every penny to hire a PI. That’s when he finds Annie Gore—ex-Air Force, battling her own past, and deeply familiar with the folklore of these mountains, especially the chilling legend of the Witch’s Orchard. Despite needing the money, Annie can’t turn her back on this case—or these missing girls.

The prose was clean, the pace steady, and the tension like a low hum under your skin. And the ending? A twist I never saw coming, a revelation that knocked the breath from my lungs.

I’ll be keeping my eye on Archer Sullivan—this debut delivered.

Thank you to Archer Sullivan, NetGalley, and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the eARC.

The Witches Orchard- ARC Review. Thank you NG & Archer Sullivan!

Set the mood of your space before reading!

🪄Light an incense, dim the lights, and get cozy 🪄

As a practicing witch I of course was drawn to the title, the description & the small town vibes.

This book is a fantastic debut. Atmospheric, dark, fog circling into a smoke fire of twists, turns, and thrill.

“Who leaves their front door unlocked these days? I mutter. Anyone could just walk right in.
And then I push the door fully open and walk over the threshold”

PAGE TURNER!!!

A haunting story and one hell of a book!

Good reads -https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/7625233376