This was a well done story of a woman searching for the truth in a small town, one where people are keeping secrets. I didn’t really know where this would go as there were so many characters but it was an ending I didn’t see. Well written overall with the setting being immersive and the characters feeling real.

I listened to the audiobook and I think the narrator was excellent. I felt the voice matched the character and I felt like I was on the search with her.

I love witch stories and when they’re modern it’s even better.

4 1/2 stars

There were several things that drew me to this book - - mystery/thriller, possibility of witches and it was all set in the mountains of North Carolina which is where I grew up. I was not disappointed. This book had an eerie feel to it. With each page, the reader feels as if the characters are possibly being watched and it all makes you wonder what witchcraft could be involved. I had several suspicions about who could be at fault. It seemed that just when I thought I had it figured out, something would happen to change my theory. This was a clever and entertaining read, and it kept me hooked.

AUDIOBOOK REVIEW: The narration for the audiobook was done quite well. I felt that this book lent itself well to audio and I was absorbed by the tale. 4 1/2 stars

Thank you to NetGalley for early copies of both the ebook and audiobook.

PLEASE let this be a start to a new series! The Witch’s Orchard had me completely hooked from the first chapter. I mean, how could I not get hooked when there’s buried secrets, Appalachian, folklore, creepy, atmosphere, and twists that make you feel like every chapter is ending in a cliffhanger.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

I loved how the different versions of folklore stories wove together to enhance the plot and mystery which kept me guessing right up till the end. This of course built tension that constantly kept me on edge.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Mystery
Missing Girls
Cold Case
FMC P.I. that you will root for
Eerie small town vibes
Folklore
Appalachian Atmosphere

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

Listeners will be riveted by Emily Pike Stewart’s deliciously tense narration as she amplifies the impact of this engrossing and haunting mystery.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

This was a slow burn mystery, but it reads very quickly!

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

All you folks who are already craving Pumpkin Spice season…break out your cozy blanket because you are going to want to curl up with this book! There's no shortage of eerie folklore to draw you in, and Sullivan has proven she knows exactly how to bring characters and settings to life.

I love when a book utterly captivates me and keeps me engaged to the very end.

Annie is barely scrapping by as a private investigator but she's had a knack for it since she was in the air force. However, she has a potential client meeting and is hopeful it will help her get back on her feet and cover some of her bills. When Max walks in, Annie is a bit disheartened by how young he seems, but as he talks about his sister who went missing ten years ago, and the others who also went missing around the same time, Annie is pulled in by the mystery though she isn't certain she can shed new light on the cold case. Even the FBI and local PD did not turn up anything new when they were first on the case, but Max is willing to pay her and she needs the money to at least try.

Things really start rolling once she arrives in the small Appalachian town which makes her feel a bit nostalgic for the town she grew up in but also why she left. Since she is an outsider, she is not well received by many of the inhabitants but she has a ay of talking to people which encourage them to talk to her. The more she pokes and prods, the more nuggets of information she uncovers.

The whole story was incredibly well written. the atmosphere was well developed with the small town setting and the local lore weaving with real life events. At one point I wondered if it was going to have a magical realism and paranormal aspect, but I won't share whether I was right or not. I did figure out the "who-dun-it", BUT the way everything plays out was pretty darn satisfying and heartbreaking. I hope we get more cases with Annie and other small mountain towns. Such a strong debut, I can't wait to pick up more by this author.

An Appalachian folktale about a witch that changes with each telling. Missing girls, wounded families and a new investigation 10 years later that stirs up fresh pain.

I found this an enjoyable listen, weaving varied and memorable characters, dark corners and old pain into an unfolding drama that unpacks the lives and lies of those working hard to keep their curtains drawn tight. The writing is textured and rich, painting a detailed picture of a community set in the Blue Ridge Mountains and the people who inhabit it.

Emily Pike Stewart voices the story with seamless transitions between characters and accents, enhancing the tale without ever pulling focus.

Atmospheric and layered, good for those who enjoy a slow-burn, dark tale on the kind of day you would find the smoke rising in the hollers of Appalachia.

Annie is retired from the military and she's barely making ends meet. She had to pawn some things just to pay a few bills. That's when a cold case and some cash falls into her lap. Max comes to see her to help solve a 9 year old case. Max's sister, Molly, went missing one day. The odd part is another child that was autistic was taken and returned and another child was taken in her place.

Annie agrees to give it one week to see if she can find any stones left unturned. Max sought her out because she understands the Appalachian folk and ways. She's headed to North Carolina to stay at the Crow Caw Cabin. It's very eerie that a group of crows gathers at this rock formation and their caws echo loudly. Attached to that behavior is the tale of the witch in the apple orchard. She's heard several different versions of the story and all are equally creepy. What's really odd is there is an applehead doll that is left in each place of one of the missing girls.

AJ who works for the sheriffs department is helping Annie and they have found several holes in the case so far. The pastor and his wife are giving off odd vibes, Susan the healer in the woods seems trustworthy, and Dina who lives up on a hill is fishy but comes off as an angel. When things get even more wild is when one of the missing girls is found, but another girl is taken in her place.

Just when you think you have some of the answers, more truth is revealed that spins you in the complete opposite direction. Nothing is as it seems in this small town. Annie has made friends, enemies, and learned the lengths people will really go to keep their dirtiest secrets.

If you love a good mystery, Appalachian lore, and a thriller that makes you clutch your pearls, you have found it with The Witch's Orchard!

3.25 stars ✨

The atmosphere of this book really drew me in. The Appalachian setting and local folklore were really intriguing. I loved the mystery of whether or not the local story of the witch had any truth. I truly did not see the ending coming either, which is always a fun plus!!

However, I personally didn’t like the main character so it made her investigation of the mystery a bit blah for me. A lot of the story revolves around her talking to the locals and stirring things up to see if new information comes to light, and those parts were a little bland for me. I liked the action, but as a main character, she just wasn’t for me.

The audiobook for this one was pretty well done and the narrator fit the character well! There was a while where I could hear them taking a breath before speaking that was a little annoying, but it was only for a little portion.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

4.5 stars

This was a great, gripping thriller set in a small Appalachian town. Our main character is a PI tasked with finding a girl who disappeared years ago. The characters and setting were fantastic and the story was engaging start to end. I could see this becoming a series following the main character and I would continue reading if so!

The audiobook in particular was fantastic and the narrator brought the characters to life. Highly recommend choosing the audiobook version of this work.

Book review: 4.5/5 ⭐️
Genre: mystery/thriller
Themes: missing children, witches, mountain towns
📖 Read if you like: The Bane Witch, The Return of Ellie Black, Where the Stars Go Dark

I think I am bound to love any sort of Appalachian mysteries. A sort of landscape that hides many things, including the truth and yet carries tales through the generations. It is here that a cold case of three missing girls will bring a wily PI at the behest of a desperate brother.

Annie Gore is in dire financial need when a young man enters her life with the sort of case you just can’t say no to. With a hard childhood herself and as a former Air Force investigator, Annie is a mountain girl first and foremost. As she returns to a place that almost reminds her of a home she has long since run from, she discovers that her fool’s errand may not actually be a thing of the past. As she pokes around asking uncomfortable questions and stirring up old emotions, not all in town appreciate her presence. When her investigation sparks one girl showing up and another being taken, this mystery will take on new weight.

With an eerie tone and an old folktale at the centre of this mystery, the environment certainly plays its role in this story. It was dark and atmospheric with a central character I hope gets a whole series of books. The town itself manage to have cozy and creepy elements. With a bakery to die for and a church somehow linked to the disappearances, there is an uneasiness that lingers in this small town, despite the bonds between the community. An air of desperation and those sorts of secrets that reside in every town keep the story suspenseful with multiple angles. I could guess at some of the larger plot points, but I think it was fairly well disguised. I really could not put this one down and highly recommend it!

🎧 Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for an early ARC and ALC of this gem of a book. I actually read and listened to this book throughout and I have to say that Emily Pike Stewart really is a star. Her narration gave this story so much life and each characters had their own voice and personality. I will be listening to any audiobooks her narrates from here on out! The production for this story was really memoriable.

This is an atmospheric mystery surrounding the disappearance of three girls from a small town in the Appalachian mountains. I was drawn to this book because I love the setting, the Appalachian mountains holding a special place in my heart. I enjoyed following this outsider, Annie, investigate an intriguing cold case in a tight-knit, tight-lipped community. My favorite part was all the version of the “The Witch of Quartz Creek” legend that Annie collected, piecing together how each person's version revealed something about them. Overall, this is a solid debut!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for gifting me both a digital and audio ARC of this atmospheric debut novel by Archer Sullivan, perfectly narrated by Emily Pike Stewart. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 4.5 stars!

Former AF special investigator Annie Gore joined the military after graduation to escape her home life. Now working as a private investigator, her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler similar to where she grew up. Ten years ago, three little girls went missing. One was returned and the others were never seen again. The brother of one of the girls wants an outsider to look into the case and hires Annie. But not everyone in town welcomes Annie stirring up old secrets.

What a wonderful debut - this story was so well written, full of creepiness without gore, with lots of folk stories of witches and crows, passed down through generations, that took on a life of their own. And creepy apple faced dolls! I wasn't sure what was going on and who to trust, but Annie was a fabulous character, full of grit and passion, and I can foresee more to come with her investigating cases (that's a pretty please out to the publication universe). The audiobook was perfectly narrated, amping up the creep factor. Perfect book as we head into spooky season!

This was an excellent debut novel in a wonderfully atmospheric setting. l loved hearing the various fairytale recountings of the witch and her apple orchard. While I had my suspicions about whodunnit, there were several brilliant twists that completely surprised me.

PI Annie Gore was likeable, clever and dedicated, able to turn her own pain and trauma into a way to help others. I look forward to following Annie's story as the series continues.

Emily Pike Stewart did a wonderful job of narrating the audiobook.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for a complimentary copy of the audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

This is one book you don't want to miss. If you love a good edge of your seat thriller. A mystery to hold your interest from start to finish. If you love a good story that keeps you guessing. I loved this one. It is definitely in my top ten of the year.

I listened to the audio and I am blown away at how good the narrator, Emily Pike Stewart, did. She made each character her own. The realistic voices were spot on perfection. I'll definitely listen to more by this narrator.

Three girls went missing. One was returned. What happened to these little girls? Who would do this? And why was one returned? When PI Annie Gore takes a job from a young man looking for his missing sister, she has no idea what she's in for. The girl has been missing ten years. Most likely she is never returning. Most likely she is dead. Annie took this job because Max Andrews was so persistent. He had saved so much to hire her. He had heard she was the best. The best at finding missing people. She could not say no.

This book takes you to the Appalachian mountains. To a small town where everyone knows everyone. But there are a lot of secrets. A lot of things that are well hidden. And there are missing children. Two still missing after ten years. Can Annie find them and if she does will they be alive.

Some of the people in this town help without blinking an eye while others want it to go away. Want it forgotten. But it can't be forgotten. Not by ones mother and by one brother.

This book is so well written. It's writing it almost lyrical. The descriptions make you feel like you are there. In the cabin. In the bakery. In the mountains. In the woods. It's so realistic and haunting. It's filled with so much hope and a whole lot of sadness. You want Annie to find these two girls as much as their family does. Then another child goes missing. Was it the same person or a copycat? Will Annie be able to save this child too.

I'm telling all my friends who love a good thriller/mystery to grab this one. From what I can tell this is a debut and so beautifully written. It's not about witches. It's not magical realism. It's just a story about stories told. Told about a witch and her two beautiful daughters. A story of a town where three children went missing and one was returned....

Thank you #stmartinspress, #macmillianaudio, for this ARC.

I was provided an ALC and an ARC of this book via Netgalley, all opinions are my own.

This was a unique and atmospheric thriller set in the Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Private Investigator Annie Gore has been hired to investigate the long cold case of three missing girls from a small town. Max, her latest employer, has never given up hope that his missing sister could be found and is determined to get closure on her whereabouts. Having grown up in Appalachia herself Annie knows how private and protective people can be of their own and she is well aware of how her investigations can stir up a town. Annie has a track record of solving cases, and while hesitant to take this one she is willing to see what she can find even if it brings up her own painful memories and angers the townsfolk.

I'm not usually a fan of thrillers that involve children, but this is captivating and the focus is more on the investigation. Annie having spent time in the military as a special investigator is tough and she knows how to draw out information and follow a lead. She also has great instincts and knows when her bias is possibly leading her astray. This book kept me interested from the first minute to the last. There are so many people that Annie interviews that could be the kidnapper, but the twist at the end really surprised me. I also loved the addition of the tale of the "Witch of Quartz Creek", the folklore and various retellings of the tale play a key role in the investigation and the lives of the people that live in town. I always love when folklore plays a part in a novel and story of the Witch and it's variations was a wonderful addition to the novel.

This was a fantastic debut, and I look forward to seeing what the author writes in the future. If we follow Annie on further investigations or if there are more thrillers to come I would be happy to read them if they are all as gripping as this one.

I really hope this becomes a series because I would 100% read more stories featuring Annie Gore, PI. This was atmospheric, and tense, and kept you on your toes the whole time. The twists and turns were careful & clever and it just kept surprising me. I loved the inclusion of everyone’s version of the witch story. I definitely recommend for those looking for an atmospheric mystery.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio and Archer Sullivan for the ALC Pub Date: 08/12/26 
 
Summary:  
 
Former Air Force special investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school. 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.  
 
In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track down 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 forgotten, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action. 
 
What I liked:  
 
The Appalachian setting steeped in superstitions and folklore helped create an eerie and a mysterious atmosphere.  
I liked how the book was not a dual timeline and instead we learn about the past through Annie's investigation and interviews. It's soon apparent everyone in town has a different story of what they think happened.  
 
Annie is a character that you instantly root for. She's a resilient, tenacious with a difficult upbringing which allows her to connect to the people and town. Hopefully this character is the beginning of a detective Annie Gore series.  
 
The story has a nice pace holding your interest and weaving elements of suspense throughout. The writing is authentic, heartfelt with a deep sense of place. I think this is a very successful debut and hopefully we will get to read more of this author's work.  
 
Narration:  
 
Emily Pike Stewart did a fantastic job bringing the character of Annie and the townspeople to life. I think she will soon join my top favorite narrators along with Julia Whelan, Leslie Howard and Saskia Maarleveld  
 
I would rate this 4/5 stars the perfect book to read on a moody fall day

This review was originally posted on Books of My Heart


Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I wasn't sure what to expect but I really enjoyed The Witch's Orchard. The author is new to me and I was impressed with the small town tale with abducted girls tied into a folk tale. The paranormal aspect was very limited. I wouldn't mind this being the start of a series.

Ten years ago, three little girls were abducted, all around church events. The second one though, Olivia, was returned a few days later. The first, Jessica and the third, Molly are still missing. In their place was left an old apple head doll.

Molly's brother, Max, has saved for years and is determined to find his sister. He has kept a scrapbook of information. He hires Annie Gore, a private investigator to search. Annie has warned him that after 10 years it is unlikely she will find anything.

Annie is from the Appalachian area where she lived mostly with her grandmother due to unreliable parents. She went into the Air Force, into special investigations unit. She worked for Leo who also became her closest friend. Her grandmother has passed but she also has an aunt. After the Air Force, she has been using her skills to be a PI.

Annie, as she expects, stirs things up and brings many long held secrets into the light. It's dangerous and plenty are angry, including the sheriff, whose niece, Olivia was the returned girl. Olivia has never spoken since her ordeal. But his deputy AJ is helpful to Annie, especially after a new little girl is taken.

Annie is good at her work, which is terrifying as she puts herself at risk to learn the truth. The story is steadily paced and easy to read. The old legend about the witch has many versions, all of which could be the story of what happened to the girls.


Narration:
I don't believe I have heard this narrator previously but really enjoyed her voice for the characters and regional accents. Her performance definitely added to my enjoyment. I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.

This is Archer Sullivan’s debut novel, but I wouldn’t have guessed that reading it. I really enjoyed the vivid writing, and Sullivan makes good use of the small-town setting in the North Carolina mountains. I enjoyed the Southern Gothic vibes and the incorporation of Appalachian folklore, as well as private investigator Annie Gore’s interactions with the town’s residents. I liked Annie, and I look forward to reading about her next case.

The mystery was disturbing and creepy, and the plot incorporated some difficult subject matter, including poverty, drugs and alcohol, domestic abuse, child abuse, and death of family members. Nothing felt gratuitous though, or described in gory detail. The tension, violence, and suspense ratchet up toward the end, as the story reaches an unexpected conclusion.

The audiobook production was excellent, and I enjoyed the narration by Emily Pike Stewart. Her pacing is appropriate, her pronunciation is clear, she creates voices and speech patterns to suit each character, and she’s able to convey mood and emotion effectively.

Recommended for fans of Southern Gothic mysteries.

I received free advanced review copies of the ebook and audiobook through NetGalley. I volunteered to provide an honest review.

THE WITCH’S ORCHARD
By Archer Sullivan
Narrated by Emily Pike Stewart

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

“At first glance, the orchard looked abandoned—but if you listened long enough, you’d hear it breathing.”

A compelling, suspenseful debut steeped in Appalachian folklore and set in the misty mountains of North Carolina. We’re introduced to private investigator Annie Gore, a former military investigator now taking on a cold case in a remote Appalachian holler, where three young girls went missing ten years ago. One returned. The others were never seen again.

As Annie digs deeper, her own painful past resurfaces. She begins to uncover a web of decades-old secrets, eerie local legends of witches and crows, and a tight-knit community that would rather bury the truth than confront it. The atmosphere is rich, and the tension builds steadily throughout.

The writing is confident and immersive—crafted with the skill of a seasoned storyteller. I was engaged from beginning to end. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and hope it opens the door to a series featuring Annie Gore, a character with depth and resilience.

Emily Pike Stewart’s narration elevates the experience. Her performance captures the local vernacular beautifully, and she brings each character to life with nuance and authenticity. A truly enjoyable listen.

In The Witch’s Orchard, private investigator Annie Gore returns to an Appalachian holler to solve a decade-old kidnapping of three young girls—one was found, two remain missing. As Annie delves into the case, she confronts her own troubled past and navigates a community steeped in folklore of witches and crows. The narrative weaves suspense with the rugged beauty and secrets of the Blue Ridge Mountains, creating an immersive crime thriller that honors Appalachian culture and its resilient people.


Emily Pike Stewart’s narration brings Annie Gore’s world vividly to life. Her voice captures the tension of late-night stakeouts, the hush of ancient forests, and the emotional undercurrents of Annie’s personal journey. Stewart modulates her tone seamlessly between urgent investigative moments and quieter, introspective scenes, enhancing both atmosphere and character depth.


Rich Atmosphere: Detailed descriptions transport you straight into the misty hollows and creaking farmhouse porches of western North Carolina.
Folklore Integration: Local legends of witches and crows serve as more than window dressing—they reflect community fears, grief, and unspoken history. Compelling Protagonist: Annie Gore’s combination of toughness, intelligence, and vulnerability makes her an engaging guide through a labyrinth of secrets. Narration Quality: Emily Pike Stewart’s nuanced performance heightens suspense and emotional resonance.

The Witch’s Orchard is a must-listen for fans of atmospheric crime thrillers who appreciate strong sense of place and folkloric undercurrents. Emily Pike Stewart’s narration turns a well-crafted mystery into an engrossing audio experience. Despite its leisurely pace, the story’s emotional stakes and distinctive Appalachian setting make it memorable.