THE WITCH’S ORCHARD by Archer Sullivan introduces us to Annie, a PI working a case in the Appalachian area of rural North Carolina. Don’t let the title fool you. This story isn’t about fantasy witches. This is atmospheric, emotionally complex crime fiction that takes us deep into a culture rich in folklore, where people are good at keeping secrets.

I listened to the audiobook, which I highly recommend. Emily Pike Stewart embodied Annie’s character. I believed every word.

*Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the free audiobook download.*

In a year of strong debuts, The Witch's Orchard is the latest that caught me by surprise by just how much I loved it. Not just Private Detective Annie Gore, who is gritty, sarcastic, and someone I would like to be friends with, but the legend and folklore surrounding the disappearance of three missing girls from a small mountain town. Speaking of small mountain towns, they're some of my favorite settings, because the secrets that it seems like almost everyone is keeping are bound to be revealed eventually, and, when they are, it's oh so entertaining. I'm hoping to see much more of Annie Gore in the future.

"The Witch’s Orchard" by Archer Sullivan puts a fresh spin on a familiar genre and took me completely by surprise!

At its heart, it’s a crime thriller, which, as we all know, is a genre I’ve read countless times. Somehow, though, it never felt predictable or overdone. The writing style is crisp, immersive, and almost lyrical at times, making it a pleasure to listen to as an audiobook. And as an Alabama native, I really enjoyed the Appalachian setting.

The plot kept me engaged from start to finish, weaving the perfect amounts of both mystery and tension. The characters were also vivid, layered, and quite memorable. There were several of them, and sometimes that can make it hard to keep track of them all in a crime thriller, but not in this one.

Even when the beats felt familiar, the way Sullivan built the atmosphere and relationships made the story feel fresh and exciting.

If you enjoy thrillers but are looking for one that’s both comfortingly familiar and refreshingly original, this is it. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and would absolutely pick up another book by this author. It seems like (by looking at her (his?) Goodreads profile) that this is her (his?) first novel. I hope to see more in the future.

Annie Gore knows Appalachia and that is why she is the perfect private investigator to find what happened to three girls who were kidnapped 10 years before. One was returned a few days later but is non-verbal and cannot help with the investigation. While trying to find out where the girls are and whether they are still alive (doubtful) - Annie uncovers the secrets and lore of the small town and angers some, putting Annie, and a new little girl, in danger.

I saw a few good reviews for this one and decided it sounded interesting - but other than that I went in totally blind. I really enjoy these types of mystery/thrillers, a strong female investigator, a cold case, and a little inherited mysticism in the background. I read this quickly and didn’t fully predict the ending - it’s an atmospheric thriller that definitely kept my interest. The narrator was great for this one but I did end up reading more than listening. I’m assuming this is the first of a series for Annie Gore and I will read the next one just as quickly!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC to review

Macmillan Audio ALC
What a stellar debut! Annie was such an interesting character from the beginning. She's retired Air Force, a current PI, and living life broke, with her named car. This book explored Appalachia and what can happen in one of these communities after tragedy strikes. Annie was asked to investigate the ten year mystery of little girls disappearing from one town. She slowly and methodically worked her way through towns members to try and grasp what happened to those kids. Along the way, she was also curious about the Witch of Quartz Creek and would ask town members about this legend. I think this was an interesting way to explore the idea that memory and stories change from person to person. Annie was determined and flawed. She was easy to spend time with, and I hope we get more stories with her.
Emily Pike Stewart captured Annie so well. She was able to get all of the nuances of the different situations into her performance, and it was excellent. I couldn't imagine reading a story with Annie in any other way.

“A mother’s grief is everlasting.”

This was an atmospheric cold case murder mystery with some witchy vibes and Appalachian spiritual themes that sucked me right in. I loved it! The creep factor was high in those woods and I felt utterly transported. Although the story was tragic the character development was great and I loved Annie so much.

The narration was done so well and really placed me in those mountains. I thoroughly enjoyed the story itself and the audiobook just heightened my enjoyment.

As an aside I immediately googled “Apple head doll” 🙋🏼‍♀️ when I started this book. 10/10 DO NOT recommend. Yikes 😬. Creepy.

Thank you to Netgalley, Macmillan Audio, and Minotaur Books for the ALC and complimentary ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. It kept me reading so I could see what would happen next. The characters were all great and made you really feel what they felt. It’s definitely worth your time to read this!

My thanks for the audio ARC goes to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio. I'm voluntarily leaving a review.

Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense, Southern Fiction, Mystery Suspense
Spice Level: Fade to black
Language: Some swearing throughout
Gore Level: I thought it was low. We do see the aftermath of one murder, but it is done in one sentence. I think some readers might be disturbed that the case involves children.
Narration: Excellent narrator. I enjoyed her immensely.


THE WITCH'S ORCHARD stunned me and kept me hooked the entire time! I was in complete suspense!

Even though this book had me in its clutches, I was expecting more paranormal elements from the title, but I really did't feel like it is paranormal at all. Annie, the main character, listens to different version of the folklore surrounding the witch's orchard. There were enough suspicious characters floating around, that I really didn't know who was responsible.

I did feel like Annie's backstory that came out at the end could have been revealed sooner. It would have made the entire book more poignant.

This book is perfect for mystery suspense readers. It's not overly gritty, and is cozy adjacent because Annie's a PI on the case. It is a heartbreaking scenario for the setup.

I loved the perspective on Appalachia—the author appears to be from that area and added depth to the context of misbeliefs many might hold if not acquainted with the mountains. Each character was interesting, even the unlikeable ones. It was interesting how the girl with autism interacted. It's such a broad spectrum, it felt believable to me.

I recommend this book!

Happy reading!

Unfortunately, this title was not for me. I think it dragged in some parts and the payout was not worth it. I also was so sick of the MC talking about her car the entire book.

Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, an atmospheric and twisty debut introducing private investigator Annie Gore. Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie has traded military life for PI work, and her latest case drags her deep into an Appalachian holler much like the one she grew up in. Ten years ago, three little girls vanished—one came back, the others never did—and the brother of one of the missing hires Annie to finally dig up the truth. But as she chases old leads and navigates small-town suspicion, she finds herself tangled in local legends, buried secrets, and whispers of the supernatural.

I loved this story! It’s engaging, richly atmospheric, and full of Appalachian texture. I was instantly drawn in (knew this book was right up my alley by page 10) and stayed riveted until the final page. While I had my suspicions, there was plenty to keep me guessing until the very end. The “witch” element woven through the folklore was a fantastic touch, with The Witch of Quartz Creek front and center. I loved how each character had their own version of the legend, twisting and changing the tale until it felt like the town itself was haunted by its own history.

This was a fantastic debut! I have no complaints and the story was beautiful to read and Emily Pike Stewart did an amazing job of narrating the story. Is this the start of a series? I sure hope so because I am absolutely ready for more Annie Gore.

The Witch's Orchard comes out August 12, 2025. Huge thank you to Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio for my copy in exchange for my honest opinion. If you liked this review please let me know either by commenting below or by visiting my Instagram @speakingof.books.
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Absolutely solid debut! I loved the blend between Appalachian folklore and missing persons case. The narrator did a great job bringing together the whole story. I will def be. on the lookout for the author's next work.

The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan is a dark thriller that reads more like folklore. Set in the mountains of Appalachia, a private investigator must detangle the web of secrets surrounding the disappearance of three young girls that this small town has kept hidden for ten years.

The Witch's Orchard is my first book by Archer Sullivan and I enjoyed it. Loved the suspense and the characters. When Max, the brother of a kidnapped child, hires a PI we meet PI Annie Gore. Ten years after 3 kidnapped girls go missing, Max wants answers.

Small town lies! several twists! Such a great book. Usually I can guess most twists in books but I 100% did not guess this one!

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillian audio for a gifted copy in exchange for a honest review.

The Witch’s Orchard had everything I love about a good mystery. The setting was fabulous. I love Southern literature and the small Appalachian town along with the folklore really added to the story. I love police procedurals and detective stories. The main character, ex-air force special investigator and current PI Annie Gore had a sad background in a similar small Appalachian town which made her perfect to be the one to try to understand the people and what happened 10 years earlier when two young girls went missing. There were enough red herrings and suspects that even though I thought I knew who had taken the girls I kept changing my mind as Annie presented new possibilities. I definitely hope there will be more Annie Gore books in the future.

The Witch’s Orchard is dark, hypnotic, and brimming with that strange, ancient magic that feels like it’s been whispered from one generation to the next. Archer Sullivan has crafted a story that reads like a folk tale dug up from the roots—full of loss, transformation, and the dangerous bargains we make with the land and ourselves.
From the moment I stepped into the orchard, I felt its pull. The atmosphere is thick and heavy, the kind of setting that soaks into your skin. Sullivan’s prose is lush and deliberate, each line a step deeper into a world where grief and magic are intertwined. The supernatural elements aren’t flashy—they’re old, wild, and quietly terrifying, as though the trees themselves are keeping score.

At its heart, this is a deeply human story. The characters are flawed and vividly alive, their choices complicated by love, rage, and a yearning to reclaim what’s been lost. It’s haunting in the emotional sense just as much as in the supernatural one, and the final pages left me both unsettled and strangely satisfied.

If you love folk horror, gothic fairy tales, or stories where the past seeps into the present, The Witch’s Orchard is a must-read. It’s eerie, beautiful, and absolutely unforgettable.

The Witch's Orchard follows a special investigator to the Appalachians to research a cold case from 10 years ago. Between the setting and the folklore element, I thought this was the perfect fall read. The pacing, characters, and mystery were all well done, and I thoroughly enjoyed this novel.

The narration was very well done, and I felt like the accents were spot on.

I received an ARC and ALC from St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Title: The Witch's Orchard
Author: Archer Sullivan
Genre: Mystery
Rating: 4.25
Pub Date: August 12, 2025

I received complimentary eARC and ALCs from Minotaur Books, a division of St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own. #Gifted

T H R E E • W O R D S

Atmospheric • Immersive • Polished

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I was instantly drawn to the stunning cover of The Witch's Orchard and my attention was further captured after reading the synopsis. Both aspects made it easy to add this one to my list of most anticipated 2025 releases and I was ecstatic to receive both digital and audio copies from the publisher ahead of publication.

This debut novel took me by complete surprise! From the beginning, I was sucked into the story's atmospheric grip and the mystery kept me hooked throughout. It has the perfect balance of mystery, folklore, and small town secrets, with the tension and pacing being spot on. Annie's character is layered and her relationships are complex. Her connection to the setting gives the story even more meaning. Although, I found myself craving more of her backstory, I am hoping this is just the start of a series and more will be reveled in subsequent books.

The audiobook, narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, delivers an outstanding performance! I don't recall listening to anything read by her before, but I will definitely be seeking out more of her work in the future. She has an incredible ability of portraying emotional depth, which adds an additional layer of eeriness to some of the tenser scenes. She truly brings Annie to life with her performance.

The Witch's Orchard sucked me right in and kept me engaged until the final page. I was truly shocked to find out this was a debut novel, because the writing flowed flawlessly and was polished with great skill. It is the type of atmospheric mystery I love and reminded me of several other books I have read recently. Come year's end, this will definitely be one of my most surprising reads and I look forward to reading more from Archer Sullivan in the future.

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• Shaw Connolly Lives to Tell
• debut novels
• folklore

⚠️ CW: death, death of parent, child death, grief, murder, gun violence, kidnapping, child abuse, domestic abuse, physical abuse, confinement, infertility, mental illness, fire/fire injury, blood, suicide, alcohol

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"It, whatever it is, is a thing that women know of. A thing that we all carry - a decision, a gift, a burden, a chance, a mistake, a choice."

"You’ll never find the truth if you go around trying to catch someone who doesn’t exist."

In The Witch’s Orchard, Archer Sullivan gifts us more than just an engaging mystery. She introduces us to Annie Gore—a heroine shaped by shadows yet lit by integrity—and surrounds her with a cast whose secrets, fears, and folklore ripple with authenticity. This is a debut that promises not only gripping storytelling but character arcs that linger long after the final page. I can’t wait to follow Annie again.

It's hard to believe this is Sullivan's debut novel. This story has everything I look for in a great suspenseful read; a smart strong FMC, an atmospheric setting, a twisty storyline, and a great amount of folklore, which I absolutely loved and I believe helped enhance the novel. In addition, the narrator did a fabulous job bringing these characters to life and setting the tone. I look forward to reading more from this author. A huge thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this gifted ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

What a fantastic debut! I tore through this book in two sittings; it completely hooked from the opening chapter.

The audiobook was superb. The narrator expertly brought the many characters to life with the various accents and drawls. It's the first time I've taken note of a narrator and looked up their other work. It truly was the perfect casting.

As for the story itself, Sullivan wastes no time drawing readers into the story—a choice I always appreciate as a plot-driven reader—but that’s not to say character development takes a backseat. Despite the large cast, each character is distinct and thoughtfully rendered, which made it easy to stay oriented and emotionally invested.

Sullivan’s writing style is right up my alley: immersive, poetic without being overwrought, and filled with lush, haunting imagery. Her descriptions of the Appalachian region are vivid and atmospheric, perfectly matching the eerie tone of the story. The novel is steeped in Appalachian folklore, and its incorporation into the story felt natural, genuine, and ominous enough to keep me turning the pages. The images of applehead dolls I looked up while reading perfectly embody the atmosphere of this book.

Sullivan has completely won me over, and I hope to read more of her work in the future. I could definitely see this becoming a series, following Annie’s investigations throughout the Appalachian region—there’s absolutely no shortage of eerie folklore to draw inspiration from, and Sullivan has already proven she knows exactly how to bring it to life.