✨Stop what you’re doing, and go Google “apple head doll” then look at the images. Did you go look? Good. Now you have an idea of the eerie tone of this book. While I would not call it a paranormal or supernatural story, there is definitely a chilling thread of that unsettling superstition so often associated with Appalachia. Hushed warnings of witches and crows are woven into an authentic and weighty mystery with a strong and striking female main character at the helm. I couldn’t get enough.

✨This read to me like an opening to a series, and I would definitely be interested in more Annie Gore stories. Such a bewitching debut!

🎧I listened to this book on audio and quite enjoyed the narration by Emily Pike Stewart. Too often regional dialects are overdone and unbearable to listen to, but she absolutely nailed the accent and voices of these characters. One of the best narration performances I’ve heard in a while. So well done.

🌿Read if you like:
✨Appalachian settings
✨Witchy lore and legends
✨Small town dynamics
✨Cold case narratives
✨Female private eye stories
✨Atmospheric suspense
✨Debut authors

4.5 stars.

This was a really well done thriller, atmospheric, intense, lyrical, with interesting characters and a pace so good that I read it all in one day.

What is it about southern Appalachia, the hills, the drawl, the cabins in the woods, the fog, where you can almost feel the air, hear the bugs and birds just from the tone of the book. So, evocative. It makes for such palpable setting. I really love it.

The Witch’s Orchard
By Archer Sullivan
Macmillan Audio
(08/12/25)
5⭐️

Annie Gore, P.I. (ex military-Air Force) takes on a case hired by a young man looking for his younger sister, now missing for 10 years. The story unravels and we learn all about the small town of Quartz Creek and their tale of the Witch. Each character has their own version of the tale, making it even more interesting!

Archer’s character development in this book is great! I actually feel like I know them all by the end of the book. The mystery lies in who is the perpetrator and where did these girls disappear to. This story is mesmerizing, thrilling and full of folklore. I love Annie’s character and I hope the author will continue this as a series with her! Terrific debut novel!

Thank you to Net Galley, Archer Sullivan and Macmillan Audio for this free ALC audiobook in exchange for my candid review.

🔘Thriller/Suspense
🔘Mystery
🔘Paranormal Thriller

I am shocked this is a debut novel!  The Witch's Orchard is well written, super engaging and filled with suspense and intrigue.  Private Investigator Annie Gore has been hired to find a girl who disappeared 10 years ago.  At the time, 3 young girls disappeared, and one was returned.  When Annie begins her investigation - things shake loose unraveling new hurts, answering some questions and creating more.
I was pulled into this story from the first few lines. Emily Pike Stewart brought this tale to life with fantastic pacing, changes in pitch/tone bringing each character their own voice.  The sound quality and editing were top notch.
If you enjoy a good small town mystery and a likeable main character, this book is a fantastic pick.  Excited to have a new author and I look forward to more in the future!
Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio and author Archer Sullivan for access to an advanced listener copy of this audiobook.  All opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 stars!

I love when a thriller book is a little bit creepy and this one did it for me. I enjoyed how Sullivan wove together the threads of this story and mislead readers without giving too much away. I’ll be on the lookout for more books by Archer Sullivan for sure!

Thank you to the author and Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

Set deep in the Appalachian mountains, this novel is dripping with atmosphere—equal parts eerie, immersive, and utterly gripping. The folklore, the chilling small-town secrets, and the slow-burn intensity create the perfect storm of suspense.
At the heart of the story is Annie Gore, a brilliantly written protagonist. A former Air Force Special Investigator turned private investigator, Annie is drawn back to the kind of mountain town she once left behind. Hired by Max, the older brother of a girl who vanished a decade ago, Annie takes on a case that proves far more dangerous than she ever anticipated. She needs the money, but what she uncovers is something far more haunting than just an unsolved disappearance.

The pacing is spot-on—every chapter pulls you in deeper, and just when you think you have a handle on what’s happening, Sullivan hits you with a twist you never saw coming. As a die-hard mystery/thriller junkie, I pride myself on figuring things out early, but this one? It kept me guessing until the very end. And that ending? Absolutely satisfying. No loose ends, no unnecessary frustrations—just a perfectly executed conclusion.

Spooky. Lyrical. Unforgettable

I listened to the ARC audiobook (thank you NetGalley!) and was instantly hooked. The atmosphere is rich and haunting. The narration was excellent, the mystery layered and unsettling. This isn’t just a spooky witch story (though it definitely delivers on the spooky) it’s also about grief, memory, and the stories we pass down.
I love a good mystery and this one just scratched that itch in exactly the right spot. If you love witchy vibes, eerie small-town mysteries, and folklore that feels too real, The Witch’s Orchard is a must.

A Folklore Whodunit That’ll Keep You Guessing Until the Final Page!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC of this gem!

The Witches’ Orchard by Archer Sullivan is an atmospheric, twisty folklore whodunit that completely pulled me in. Set deep in the hauntingly beautiful Appalachian Mountains where secrets run as wild as the forest this story follows Annie Gore, a private investigator and ex-military badass who doesn’t miss a thing or so she thinks.

Annie is hired to find out what happened to a missing girl the sister of her haunted client and what starts as a simple missing persons case quickly unravels into something much darker and more tangled in local legend than she ever expected. The townsfolk? Suspicious and tight-lipped. The woods? Creepy as hell. And the deeper Annie digs, the more the lines blur between myth and reality.

The twists? Whew. Just when I thought I had it all figured out, Sullivan threw in a curveball that left me stunned. The final reveal was wild, and I sat there in disbelief, rethinking everything that came before.

This book delivers:
🌲 Appalachian folklore and eerie mountain vibes
🕵️‍♀️ A tough but layered female lead
👁️ A mystery that unravels slowly and explosively
📖 That perfect blend of thriller and folk horror

If you like mysteries rooted in place, where the land is just as much a character as the people, The Witches’ Orchard is for you. I really hope this is the beginning of a series because Annie Gore is a character I need more of smart, fearless, and unshakable… almost.

Add this to your TBR, and don’t be surprised if you’re still thinking about it long after the last page.

This book had me hooked from the start. I loved the small town feel as Annie was investigating the disappearances. I grew up in a town like that, where everyone knew everyone and the rumor mill was churning out information more than any local papers. Then when she dives even deeper at the end to solve the mystery. I did not expect that ending, which made it that much more amazing. Though I don't think you can find a better romance than the one here between Annie and Honey. I really loved this, and plan on enjoying this story again at the beach in North Carolina in a few months. This was a great debut, and I can't wait to see what this author writes next (hopefully more with Annie since she's a strong character that's easy to love).

Ten years ago, three little girls were taken and now private PI Annie Gore has been hired to find her client’s sister, one of the kidnapped children. To make things even more creepy, an apple head doll had been left at the scene of each kidnapping and a supposed witch lives in the woods nearby. If an eerie small town mystery, a strong female detective, Appalachian folklore, and buried secrets sound intriguing then this thriller is a must!

What I loved: I loved the FMC, Annie Gore, she’s a character that I would love to see as a part of a series. And the audiobook narrator was *amazing*! The setting was immaculate, with the Appalachian mountains as the backdrop and a run-down small town that’s been hit hard by the closing of the only job source, a huge toy factory, as the centerpiece. The cast of characters was not too big that I couldn’t keep track but varied enough to provide several suspects, which had m guessing the whole time. The folklore about witches and crows and old mountain magic was such a fresh addition that really set this thriller apart from so many others I’ve read lately. And of course, we love a mystery about missing children with creepy dolls left in their place! Like, what? Scary! (Not even joking- I got seriously spooked listening to parts of this in the dark at night!)

What I didn’t love: There wasn’t really anything I didn’t like, but if I had my way the solution to the mystery would have been a bit more twisty. I’m a sucker for any book that gives a jaw-dropping reveal and this book didn’t quite have that for me. But even so, I still throughly enjoyed the ride.

I hope we get to see more Annie Gore in the future because this was a truly creepy and atmospheric book that I couldn’t put down!

*This is a review of the audiobook

Former Air Force Special Ops, Annie Gore is now a PI. She is approached by the brother of a young girl who disappeared from her small mountain town a decade ago. She is willing to take the case and heads to North Carolina. She will stay on the case even when things start to spiral out of control!

PROS:
*Descriptions of the Appalachians were wonderful. I could almost see the mountain peaks in all of their glory. Then there was blinding fog which felt menacing at times.

*The characters - all very well described. I loved the mixture of different personalities and their relationships to one another

*The plot is very intricately layered. More and more is revealed along the way - there were lots of twists and turns to hold my interest.

*I loved the folklore about The Witch on the Mountain and the crows who cawed relentlessly at times. Several POV’s were described and it was interesting to see how each family seemed to tell the story in a different way

*Annie Gore is definitely a force to be reckoned with. She is intelligent, insightful, caring, humorous and not afraid to dig into dangerous places.

CONS:
Really none except a bit of a believability factor - but this is fiction and I was all in for it!

After finishing the audiobook I keep hoping that this is just the first in what may be a series with Annie Gore working different cases!!

I can highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a great mystery - a love of North Carolina is a bonus!

The author is a ninth generation Appalachian herself and that explains how well she describes the area - wonderful! The narrator, Emily Pike Stewart, was excellent!

I received the audiobook from MacMillan audio through NetGalley. It was my pleasure to listen to and review this novel.

I would like to thank netgalley and the publisher for an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. When ex Airforce turned private eye Annie starts to investigate what happened to missing girls a decade ago at the behest of one of the little girl's brother, a small Appalachian mountain town is turned upside down again. People don't want to talk to Annie but she is persistent. Is the lore really true? Is a witch responsible for these crimes? Is trudging up all these old memories a good idea? An interesting read from start to finish.

Audiobook/Book Review 🍎📖🎧
Thank you so much partner @minotaur_books @macmillan.audio and for the gifted ARC and ALC!

The Witch's Orchard
by Archer Sullivan
Narrated by Emily Pike Stewart

About the book 👇🏽

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. 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.

🍎 My thoughts:

Five stars from me!! This was a hybrid read split between physical read and audiobook listen. The best part was the transition between the two was seamless and the narrator had my attention the entire time. The setting and people made this story a true experience. While the local folklore and mystery had me entirely invested. I just really loved this story and if this turns into a series, I am definitely going to continue on! So so good, I can’t wait to read whatever Archer Sullivan writes next. If you enjoy folklore and mystery you have got to give this one a read/listen. The Witch’s Orchard hits shelves 8/12/25!


Happy reading 📖🎧🍎

First and foremost, I wanna give a big thank you to the author and the publisher for the opportunity to read this ARC! I’m new to the reviewing space, so I appreciate the chance.

I really liked this book, which surprised me a little because I tend to struggle with finding satisfying mystery/thriller novels. However, I really liked this.

What stood out to me the most was the setting. From the characters, to the dialogue, to the descriptions, it all felt fleshed out and real. I liked some of the nuanced topics the book brought up as well, such as military recruitment and domestic violence.

Annie Gore also stood out to me as a highlight of this book. Sometimes I struggle to like MCs, but Annie was amazing. I was able to relate to her personality, which made it a great reading experience.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot, and I look forward to future novels!

I got so close to figuring out who it was.... and then Archer threw another curve ball at me. This story was honestly fantastic. The plot, the lore, the atmosphere, the narration... absolute perfection. The lore behind the witch and the variations of the legend were easily my favorite part.

If you enjoy audiobooks I highly recommend checking this one out. The narrator did a great job with the various characters and their voices. It's hard to believe this is a debut. The vivid descriptions coupled with the narration....I could just close my eyes and drift into the story.

I received a copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, The Witch’s Orchard surprised me in the absolute best way! This gripping mystery-suspense novel follows Annie Gore, a former military investigator turned private eye. Born and raised in Appalachia, Annie left her small mountain town behind when she joined the Air Force. Now, years later, she finds herself in the North Carolina mountains to take on a chilling cold case involving three girls who went missing ten years ago. One girl was returned after a few days, but two have never been found and the case has been cold for years. From the very first page I was hooked.

I had never read or listened to anything by Archer Sullivan before, so I wasn’t sure what to expect, but by the end of the first chapter, I knew I had found a story I’d devour. Sullivan masterfully weaves together suspense, tension, and atmosphere, delivering a story full of well-placed twists and turns that kept me guessing the whole way through.

I sincerely hope this becomes the start of a series—Annie Gore is a compelling, layered character, and I’d love to follow her through future investigations. I also want to shout out the phenomenal audiobook narration by Emily Pike Stewart. She brings every character to life with so much depth and emotion. Five huge stars!

This story had me staying up late to finish. I don’t want to give it away, but I seriously thought the kidnapper was someone else.
There were some cheesy moments but overall I enjoyed this story.

Oh I really liked this one, very creepy up until you realize just how incredibly creepy it really truly is! Absolutely amazing and super props to the narrator, her voice was mesmerizing in the best ways.

The Witch's Orchard is a surprisingly enchanting and tense mystery that thoroughly entranced me. I really loved the setting of the Appalachian mountains; it just made for such a fantastic atmosphere and an eerie feeling. I loved all the folklore and legends it completely sucked me in. “The Witch of Quartz Creek” legend was on the forefront and told from multiple perspectives and I really enjoyed that. I loved the whole feel of the book and how it was laid out. How it slowly unveiled gives us just the perfect amount of details at the right times.

I absolutely loved Annie, she was such a fierce and strong character. Her background was great being an Air Force Special Investigator, it just made her so much more credible in her investigation. I absolutely loved how it went, the roads it took and the speed at which it unfolded. Her interactions with all the other characters made me question them, but I could've never guessed the final outcome and that's what makes for a great read!

Overall, this was a very well written debut, a great mystery, an enchanting storyline and an ending you won't see coming. I highly enjoyed this one especially if you're into atmospheric reds and folklore! Looking forward to more from this author.

✨ ️ Thank you to @netgalley, @macmillanaudio & @archersullivan for my gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

If I have to hear about the car one more time…

Annie is a former military investigator turned PI who seems to be barely scraping by. When a young man shows up asking for help finding his sister, who vanished ten years earlier, Annie takes the case.

On her way to the small town in the Appalachian mountains, we meet the real star of this book… her car. I honestly thought I misheard at first and she was talking about a dog. But no, it’s definitely the car, and we hear about it more than enough times.

Despite Annie’s obsession with her vehicle, I was invested. It’s your classic small-town mystery where everyone’s a suspect, but with some good twists along the way. Annie’s backstory is just as intriguing, and if this becomes a series, I’ll definitely check out the next one, hopefully with a little less car talk.

I listened to the audio, and the narrator did a solid job. There’s also some witchy folklore woven in, but nothing over the top. Overall, I’d recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the early listen.