I was very surprised at how much I enjoyed this novel. I do not usually read “who done it” type of books. This book was exceptional in character development, prose and storyline. I normally get bored about halfway through a book, but this story kept me engaged. I, literally, could not put it down, because I needed to know what happened next.

This book is the introduction in a series of books about a PI who will be a great main character for the series. I can hardly wait to find out more about her backstory and relationships she has or has developed with other characters. Loved her inner dialogue, as well.

I highly recommend this novel. Thank you to Minotaur Books and St. Martin’s Publishing for this ARC to review.

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan

With this debut mystery/thriller, we get a real sense of former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore's past. She's in close touch with a military mentor who took her under his wing and who respects her ability to do her job in the military and now that she is out of the military. In fact, this man would like her work with him again, at jobs that will make her much more money than she pulls in as an often out of work PI. But no, Annie has a case, brought to her by a young man, and that case draws her because it will take her back to the Appalachians of her youth, that of her ancestors, the mountains of North Carolina.

Ten years ago three girls were kidnapped although one was returned quickly. Max Andrews's sister was the third girl taken and she's never been found. Now it's time for him to leave for college but he's been saving to hire a PI since his sister went missing and he's not leaving Witch's Orchard until he knows what happened to his sister. Despite the need for (more) money, Annie accepts his case because she knows these mountain people and their ways. She can't turn her back on this young man.

Nothing against her but I didn't get too attached to Annie. She can take care of herself, she knows what she wants, and she doesn't need me worrying over her. She's been to war, she's been in the heat of battle, she's seen death and dying, almost been there herself in the past. Annie is also extremely attached to her old car and often talks out loud to her. She may get lonely but she can handle being alone.

Annie likes to ask the same question(s) over and over again, knowing that each time she gets an answer, the way the question is answered might point her where she needs to go. In this case, she continually asks others to tell her their version of “The Witch of Quartz Creek” story. Each telling has differences, maybe pointing at what makes up the teller of the tale. Annie is an outsider in Witch's Orchard and very few are happy to have her disrupting their present with questions of the past. In fact, things happen that cause many of the town's folk to blame Annie for digging things up, bringing back the misfortune of the past. There are seedy, sordid things being hidden in this place, sometimes not even hidden very well but still allowed to fester and rot. Too many have secrets to hide to be happy with Annie sticking her nose into everything.

I look forward to seeing more of Annie and also to knowing more about her past and hoping she doesn't let what is important to her slip through her fingers. She may think she doesn't want or need what others can give her but it's clear she has at least one very good person on her side. Annie is capable of being on her own although it's clear she doesn't really want to always be a loner.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book. When I started this, wasn’t sure what to expect. All I can say is WOW! Great story line and I loved the main character, Annie, who is a PI on a cold case in an Appalachian setting.. lots of Color and characters to love, including her car!I highly recommend this book for readers of Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent series. Finished this in one day it was so great, Awesome ready

#TheWitchsOrchard #NetGalley thank you for the arc!!!!

This was a fantastic whodunnit! I loved Annie from the moment I met her it was an engaging read that had me hooked. This was a nice break to what I typically read, I enjoyed being thrown into the mystery of the story and enjoyed the small town folklore. Growing up my town had similar stories that freaked kids out, always involving woods with a creepy factor! This book was well paced and kept me turning the page.

This atmospheric mystery delivers a compelling blend of crime, memory, and Appalachian lore. Annie Gore is a tough, emotionally complex investigator whose return to the hollers of her childhood feels as dangerous as the case she’s trying to solve. The novel excels in its setting—rich, haunting, and steeped in folklore—and builds tension slowly but steadily as secrets unravel. While the pacing lags slightly in places, the story’s emotional undercurrents and gritty realism keep the pages turning. A strong, character-driven mystery with a deep sense of place and a quiet, lingering power.

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and the publisher for the chance to read this early

This is going to be a perfect book to cozy up with this fall! I received an advanced copy and just finished in 2 days, would have been less if I had more time. Anyways, I love that it was set in Appalachia and included some of their folklore. The story was entertaining and I liked the characters for the most part, even the ones meant to be disliked. The main characters car was brought up waaaay too much for seemingly no reason. Maybe it will be touched on in later books, i don’t know, but it’s seemed over the top. The first half is a little slower but it really set the scene and I actually really enjoyed that aspect, although as a result the ending felt a touch rushed. Overall, it’s good and I’d recommend it.

This novel was amazing. I read it in one day. The drama and suspense was gripping. I found myself on the edge of my chair, wondering what would happen next. The story is rich with words and depth. Annie makes a great P.I. Hope Annie will have a series. I think it would be great.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Witch’s Orchard. The setting in Appalachia, steeped in local folklore, was incredibly captivating and added a rich layer of atmosphere to the story. The characters were complex and well-developed, drawing me in from the very beginning. The pacing kept me hooked, and I loved the mystery that unfolded throughout the book.

However, the ending didn’t quite hit the mark for me. It felt a bit rushed and melodramatic, and the twist was more ridiculous than I’d hoped. I found myself imagining a different conclusion that might have felt more satisfying. Despite this, I really enjoyed the journey and would still give it 4 out of 5 stars. It’s definitely worth the read for anyone who loves a good, folklore-infused mystery.

Thank you for letting me read this book! This is one of my favorites now I was hooked from the beginning and I couldn't put it down! A thousand stars 🤩

I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to others. Plot is interesting and I did not figure out the guilty part. Has a twist at the end. Good characters bb

ten years ago, three little girls went missing, one was returned but the others were not. the brother of one of the girls hires a private detective to try to solve the case.

4 strong Private Investigator stars
The Witch’s Orchard takes place in an Appalachian mountain town where three girls had gone missing ten years ago. The captivating plot is fast paced and has interesting characters. I’m an avid reader and reviewer and felt it got a bit confusing with so many minor characters who were often related or the names were too similar - Jessica, Molly, Mandy. If the author would have used a simple clarifying phrase for a character who we hadn’t heard of in chapters, things would have been clearer. (For example, Cole Jacobs, THE SHERIFF,…)

I enjoyed the occasional smatterings of subtle humor from our sassy P.I. “…peanut butter, bread, bananas, and beer. The four main food groups.” “The first qualification of a good PI is a lifelong habit of unmitigated snooping. Anyone who tells you different is lying through their teeth. And probably going through your stuff.” I liked astute, tenacious Annie and wanted to learn more about her backstory.

Archer Sullivan has created an intriguing investigator with Annie Gore, and I want to meet her on the pages again. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I did like this debut novel - yes, it dragged on a bit towards the end, but for a first effort -- well done. What sold me the most was the inclusion of the Appalachian folklore -- the variations of the witch's tale as related by the residents. This grounded the book and made it relatable. It gave it a sense of place and identity, much of which is lacking from many current novels.

Annie herself was pretty relatable, as well, and I appreciated that she was able to relate her present situation to her youthful years in the holler.

All in all, this was pretty good.

Would I read the author again? Yes.

I received a complimentary copy of the novel from the publisher and NetGalley, and my review is being left freely.

I really enjoyed this book. The writing was exceptional and kept me gripped from page one. Would recommend for anyone that loves a good mystery/whodunit.

On the whole I enjoyed this book especially the dramatic Appalachian setting which the author clearly knows well. Annie is a PI hired by the tormented brother of one of 3 young girls who went missing a decade earlier, one of which was later returned but there has never been any trace of the other two girls. Annie has her work cut out because most of the people in the small town don’t want the past dredged up and her questions stir up even more trouble. This was a fascinating story with its overtones of dark folk stories that may or may not have any basis in fact. I was totally drawn into the story until the last few chapters when the resolution came – to me it was so unrealistic and impossible to believe that it somewhat spoiled the book for me.

Oh my gosh, what a good book. I couldn't put it down and looked forward to reading it everyday. I loved all of the characters...good and bad! The character development was really well done. They mystery of those girls and who killed them kept me reading till late hours of the night. I enjoyed the story, the history of the area and just all of it.

What a debut!

Loved the Appalachian setting and the lore. It was so refreshing to have something "new," especially in a genre where pretty much everything has been done. I thought the pacing was well done & I honestly had no clue how the story was going to turn out until things unfolded, which I loved. At some point or another in the book, I was suspicious of basically everyone in town except the narrator.

I would have liked more background on Annie. Most of her background was only half revealed, but I still thought she was interesting & I wanted to know more. It sounds like the author is making this the first novel in the Annie Gore PI series & plans to delve more into character's backgrounds each book? I would definitely read more! I also did not feel as if the romance was necessary - it's okay for men & women to be platonic friends!

Overall, this was a good, quick read that I would definitely recommend!

Thank you to Archer Sullivan, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the eARC!

The story kept my interest. It was an intriguing mystery with diverse characters. Small town, Appalachian mountains. The pace moved but the ending seemed rushed and convoluted. Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for granting this book to review. All opinions are my own. #goodreads, #StMartinsPress, #Netgalley. .

Love it when you discover a debut author with a new series that catches your attention.

Annie Gore PI is a former Air Force Special Investigator. She’s taken on a case that sends her back to her Appalachian roots.
Of course, the setting is right down the author’s alley—she knows those mountains and those people. The soul of the people pervades the background as another character, subtle, but ever present.

‘”Too proud to whitewash, too poor to paint”….’

Annie is a great protagonist, strong, smart, capable. She has an ingratiating nature that gives the reader a connection. She’s no bully, but she can get what she needs.

Entertaining, compelling, providing an atmosphere with an engaging main character, it’s a winner. I’m in and looking for Book 2. 4.5 stars

BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of The Witch’s Orchard, by Archer Sullivan, from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.

When oh when will Goodreads ever give us the option to give partial stars? Because I’d give this book 3.7 if I could…..I’m closer to really liking it than just liking it, but have some nits to pick….

That said, I’m going to get over myself this time and give this debut novel/first in a series 4 stars because first and foremost this author did right by her mountains and her people, of which I’m one—almost (grew up in the foothills of the Appalachians). Second, I was ready when I finished it to binge my way through the entire series. (Archer Sullivan, if you’re reading this, I’m available as a beta reader for the next books……) Third, I didn’t figure out the solution to the primary mystery (trying not to give anything away here) even though our author did a clever job of dropping enough clues that, in retrospect, I was like, “Oh, of COURSE I should’ve figured that out!!”

The nits, I pick: Way too much about the main protagonist’s car. Way, WAY too much. Also something felt just a little off about said protagonist’s primary romantic entanglement, or lack thereof. Her financial situation didn’t ring completely true, either.

Can’t wait for the next one!

DESCRIPTION
A ninth generation Appalachian herself, Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, a wonderfully atmospheric novel that introduces private investigator Annie Gore.

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.