Due to a passing in the family a few years ago and my subsequent health issues stemming from that, I was unable to download this book in time to review it before it was archived as I did not visit this site for years after the bereavement. Thank you for the opportunity.

Thankyou to NetGalley and K.P. Cecala for the opportunity to read a digital copy of Hard Cider Abbey in exchange for an honest, unbiased opinion.
I have to say, I loved reading this book. It was a quirky, fun read with memorable characters. The setting was very descriptive. This is an author I would definitely read again.

A very unique setting for a non traditional mystery. A cider brewery in Appalachian West Virginia by monks. A senior monk is found dead. His death has the appearance of a suicide. In a very non democratic setting, the lowest ranking monks decide the monk's death was murder and set out to investigate. They must look outside the Abbey where all evidence points to someone inside the Abbey. The book was enjoyable in it's uniqueness. You don't find cursing in the Abbey and you would not expect to find violence. In today's societies, it was very unusual to find and enjoy a non traditional story line that could keep your interest to the end. It will be interesting to see the author's next book in the series.

An absolutely wonderful book with an engaging, if somewhat unusual sleuth. The abbey of the title is in the mountains of West Virginia. Brother Emmerick is a local boy relatively new to the abbey. Brother Odo, a mute Quebequois orphan has been sent to the abbey when his abbey closes.

When Emmerick spies Odo on the side of the road, the4 two discover the dead body of the abbey's librarian. While everyone else thinks it's a suicide, Emmerick thinks it's murder. Assisted by Odo, he sets out to solve the case.

The author does a fantastic job of conveying the wildly different atmospheres of the abbey and rural Appalachia accurately.

I loved the twisty plot, the author's affection for the area and his characters. I look forward to more volumes in the series.

"Hard Cider Abbey" is the first in a mystery series that feature Brother Emerick and Brother Odo as the amateur sleuths at the Holy Face Monastery in West Virginia. When they discover the body of a fellow monk, Brother Lucian, in the local "death forest" they do not believe that his death was self-inflicted and setout uncover the truth. Overall, the story was enjoyable and a good setup for a new mystery series that brings components of Inspector Gamache, rural Appalachia and cozy mysteries into this ailing monastery with a cast of quirky characters.

Free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book was released on August 15th and is now available.

A very well written and enjoyable mystery. I loved the cast of characters and the setting.
I’m curious about the next instalment.
Recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this Arc

Brother Odo has arrived from Quebec, the last of his order, to join the Holy Face Monastery in West Virginia. Near to the monastery he meets Brother Emerick and shows him the body he has discovered of a monk, Brother Lucian. Emerick is convinced that Lucian has been murdered and is determined to prove it.
Although well-written, and an enjoyable mystery I didn't find myself totally engaged by the story. Still a good solid start to a new series