I totally picked this book up based on the title, and that it was the first in a new series. I wasn't disappointed with what I got. There was a solid mystery, which actually surprised me in the end even though so many clues were pointed right at the murderer (in hindsight). I loved the setting and really liked the characters. There was good world building and character development. All the things that make a good mystery. I can't wait to revisit this series in the future to see what trouble Winnie gets into next.

If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, Apple Cider Slaying, it's an absolute gem that deserves every one of its five stars. With its charming small-town setting, and during characters, and intriguing whodunit, this book is the perfect blend of suspense and comfort. The author’s storytelling prowess shines through as they skillfully weave together clues, red herrings, and surprising twists, keeping readers engaged and guessing until the satisfying reveal period from the delightful amateur sleuth to the quirky supporting cast, each character feels like a beloved friend, adding depth and warmth to the narrative. With its cozy atmosphere clever plot and satisfying resolution, Apple Cider Slaying, is a must-read for anyone seeking A delightful escape into the world of cozy mysteries.

I found Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey to be an enjoyable read. The mystery was good and I enjoyed trying to figure out the whodunit before Winnie.

This is a fun beginning of a cozy mystery series. I read this in the fall so felt it was the perfect time and will definitely continue on in the series!

This is part of my backlist reads, and I am really late in getting around to it. There have been two additions to the series since then, neither of which I had the opportunity to pick up, but from the ratings online, they seem to have built up on the first in a positive manner.
This review may not mean much coming at this time, but I think anyone on the lookout for a new cozy mystery may enjoy the nuances of an apple farm with recipes of cider.
The lead protagonist is a likeable character who dotes on her grandmother, her surviving parent. She is hardworking, intelligent and has tons of ideas for her farm and how to grow the income, but things are not going her way.
It begins with a body that is found on their farm, followed by either her or her grandmother being the focus of the following investigation. Unwilling to put her trust in a new guy who did not know them enough to even consider putting them on the list, she starts to investigate on her own. It is a straightforward investigation, introduction to a possible love interest and the rallying support of the townsfolk that makes this an entertaining read. I was not so absorbed by the mystery itself, but it worked overall.
I would recommend this series to anyone on the lookout for something in this genre to read.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.

This is the first book by this author that I've read. This was a great book and I'm really glad I found this author. The style of writing is great, and funny. I really enjoyed the mystery and the characters are interesting. The scene where Winnie is backing out of the vet's parking lot and the Sheriff is asking her questions was hysterical. I'm looking forward to future books from this author.

My rating: 3.5 stars
For me, cozy mysteries tend to be very hit or miss with recently more of them being misses. This one however seems to have broken that streak for me. Apple Cider Slaying was a refreshing read to me that dealt with real-life problems and didn't make everything sickeningly sweet nor did it rush into a romance.
Winnie wants to expand her grandparent's farm and make it more sustainable to the changing times and to make sure it has a solid income all year long. She's been taking business classes slowly and she knows convincing the bank that she can do this won't be easy but she decides to do it anyway and pulls out all the stops. That is until she ends up finding the body of her grandma's neighbor who she's not on the best of terms with. With a murder suspect on the loose, a potentially failing farm, and her dream possibly not becoming a reality Winnie has a lot to deal with. Add in a new sheriff in town who believes her grandma is the killer and her deciding to take solving the mystery into her own hands we have a fast-paced book.

Overall I liked and enjoyed this book. I liked Winnie as a character as well as her best friend and grandma and the relationship they had throughout the entire thing. The sheriff is someone who fascinated me slightly because of his background and curious as to why he had decided to move to this small town. The mystery itself was one that I didn't rush to try and figure out on my own and just went with the book and the suspects that we were being shown. The town itself was one that I enjoyed as well especially with how they all did end up coming together to help each other despite differences that they had when someone was falling on hard times.

I am interested in reading the second book to hopefully learn a little bit more about the sheriff as he is a character that confuses me slightly.

Oh this was fun! Poor Winnie can just not catch a break between money troubles at the orchard and straight up sabotage wreaking havoc and putting her financial situation even more in jeopardy. While Winnie's nosiness can be a bit over the top I really liked her and the rest of the residents of Blossom Valley. It's a fun community and Smythe Orchard sounds like a delightful place to visit. I really enjoyed the mystery on this one and actually didn't guess the bad guy until right before Winnie did. I'm so sad I missed this one when it came out but so glad I finally read it. I can't wait to dive into the next book. If you're looking for a fun Christmas-y cozy you can't go wrong with this one.

The holiday theme is what attracted me to this book and I tried several times to give it a go. The writing style was fine but the characters seemed a bit flat overall. Plus, the apple orchard setting just didn't work for me. It never grabbed my attention enough to continue. I think I'll try her Geek Girl Mysteries and see if those are a better fit.

**I received an e-ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review**

There is a very specific reason why I read cozy mysteries so it's rare that one disappoints me. With that in mind, I liked this. It does a good shop at setting up the premise and introducing the characters and community. It did feel a little bit long so I wish it had a been edited down a little bit, but I think it does exactly what the first book in a series should do. I will be checking out the second book and will make sure I have some cider on to drink while reading it.

I loved the concept behind this book. An apple-themed Christmas festival? Yes please! I just found parts of it struggled to hold my attention

This is such a charming book! The depiction of the small town and the orchard during Christmastime is so well done that you feel like you’re right there alongside the lovely cast of characters. And the descriptions of the tasty treats and drinks offered by Smythe Orchard made my mouth water, so thankfully there are recipes included in the back of the book! The mystery itself keeps you guessing, with just enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat. Winnie and Granny are easy to root for, and I cannot wait to read more about their adventures at the orchard.

This was a solid, cute start to a new cozy mystery series, Cozies are one of my favorite genres, and I'm always on the lookout for a new series. The premise was promising, the setting delightful, and the characters, for the most part, likable.

The setting absolutely drew me in from the start! Winona Mae (Winnie) Montgomery and her grandmother Granny...wait for it...Smythe (adorable!) run Smythe Orchards in Blossom Valley, West Virginia. I could positively taste those crisp, sweet apples! The family business is struggling, so Winnie is doing everything she can to increase business at the orchard, including putting on an old-fashioned holiday festival with apple picking and delicious homemade apple cider. Winnie is pouring her heart and soul into the business, but when she discovers the body of Granny's long-time nemesis in the apple press, and she just happens to be giving a local banker a tour in an effort to secure a much-needed loan, she's sure the whole endeavor is sunk. But when Granny becomes suspect number one, Winnie will do anything to prove her innocence - and save the orchard! I loved the storyline and especially the ending! I wish I could visit Smythe Orchards!

There were a few inconsistencies in the story that stood out enough to bother me, but not enough to detract from my overall enjoyment, Things that an editor really should have picked up on (I'm not just talking typos, but actual story issues). But like I said: I enjoyed it overall - the delightful setting most of all - and found the characters likable. I will absolutely keep going in this series!

This was a fun read. The characters were real and relatable. The story was full and fleshed out. It kept me guessing until the end. I truly enjoyed the plot and the struggles the main character faced. I can’t wait to read the next book in the series. This was a winner for me.

Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey is an exquisite cozy mystery that goes on my “best of the best” list. The narrative is well written, characters are rich and appealing, and the vivid setting becomes an integral part of the story. I was caught up from the first page and never wanted to put it down.

West Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountain town of Blossom Valley in the fall, home of the Smythe family orchard, provides a setting rich in atmosphere. Winnie, having returned home to help her beloved Granny Smythe run the struggling family business, has some creative ideas of her own when it comes to apple cider recipes. There’s even some recipes included that I’m eager to try.

Enjoyable subplots add to the complexity and richness of this story. Granny feels bad for letting the business slide after her husband’s death, but Winnie’s dreams of using their historic Mail Pouch barn for a future apple cider store promises some good storytelling in this series. Subplots include trying to secure a bank loan from Mr. Sherman, taking in two rescue kittens who aren’t weaned yet, the sudden appearance of an ex-boyfriend, and a delightful romantic interest between Winnie and Sheriff Colton Wise. There a great need for people willing to foster kittens in need, so this was a theme that I loved – and the two orange kittens – Kenny (Rogers) and Dolly – stole my heart.

When Granny is suspected of involvement in the murder of a neighbor that she had difficulty with over the years, Winnie starts listening to gossip and asking questions, seeking to find another viable suspect. I enjoy this type of investigation, but always miss clues that would reveal the murderer’s identity. It’s so much fun just to go along for the ride, however.

Apple Cider Slaying is thoroughly entertaining and I’m eager to spend more time with these characters. The story is clean, with no profanity at all. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book through Great Escapes Tours. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Great cover. Lots of coziness and interesting things going on - the apple orchard, tasty treats, the relationship between Winnie and her granny, kitties, Christmastime - but the story seemed too bogged down with trivial details. And Winnie didn't do a whole lot of investigating. I did like getting to know more about the victim/granny's nemesis, Nadine Cooper. Overall it was enjoyable and I would give the second book a shot, but it's not overly high on my to-read list.

This is book 1 in the Cider Shop Mystery series. Winona Mae has returned to Blossom Valley, West Virginia to help her Granny Smyth run the apple orchard that has been in the family for almost 50 years. It's going to be a hard road to save the orchard from developers. Now murder is keeping the tourist away from their money making tours. Some good apple recipes and a satisfying mystery to solve. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey is the first book in the Cider Shop Mystery series. Winnie is working hard to save her grandmother's orchard and open her own cider shop. It seems like someone has it out for the orchard when a dead body is discovered followed by a series of threats. This was a wonderful start to a new series. I enjoyed the small town setting. The characters were easy to relate to as the story progressed. It was also the strongest mystery I have read recently. I was stumped up until the end. I look forward to many more from this series!

I liked the setting. Kenny and Dolly the kittens are my favorite characters. I didn't know who the killer was. This is a great start to a new series.

I received an ARC from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

This was a quick, fun read. I truly enjoyed it and it checked off all of the boxes I look for in a cozy mystery. I look forward to many more books in this series and by this author.