As a southerner, I liked the southern feel and felt it was pretty authentic. It was a creepy ride and enjoyed it very much. This should definitely be added to your TBR for sure!! I wasn't able to guess the ending easily....so it was a win for me!!

A tough military veteran turned PI returns to Appalachia to work on a case she doesn't expect to solve. Years ago, three girls were kidnapped from a small town high in the mountains. One was returned, but the other two have never been found. The brother of one of them has saved up for years to hire someone to dig deeper than the local cops did. Against her better judgement, the PI takes the case.

This is an engrossing series debut with a promising heroine and setting. The title refers to a story handed down over the years but which changes with each teller - the throughline being a witch with an enchanted orchard and two imprisoned girls. I wasn't entirely clear about the meaning of this constantly changing piece of folklore, but I enjoyed the investigation and the investigator.

It's good to have another author who knows Appalachia writing about this place. I really miss Julia Keller! But I look forward to reading more in this series.

First and foremost, thank you St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read and review this arc!

Second, I hadn’t realized this was a debut novel and I am SO impressed! The setting, characters, and plot were all so well written.

The book follows Annie, a former Air Force investigator who works as a private investigator, as she returns to a small town to dig into a cold case surrounding missing young girls. Now, Annie is hired to uncover the truth, but the town would rather leave the past buried.

The touches of folk stories, witchy things, and the Appalachian setting was absolutely perfection. Loved this book!

This book was rather interesting and combined the perfect amount of intrigue and Appalachian folklore to keep a reader enticed and motivated.

Annie’s story as a prior military Air Force turned private investigator is one that I felt compelled to read as there were themes that alluded to her need to be a solitary woman finding her own path and way but still not fully released from her Appalachian roots.

The story begins with her being hired as a PI who takes on the uncovering of a mystery disappearance of three girls ten years ago in a small town of Quartz Creek. When she arrives she is bombarded with stories and retellings of the Quartz Creek witch and of Apple head dolls left in the girls places.

Her appearance in town brings about lots of excitement and deadly horror and bitter memories for those of this town, but ultimately she also brings about resolutions and stories of her own that will be told and remembered.

I highly recommend this book and thank NetGalley and St.Martins press/ Minotaur books for allowing me to read this book and give an honest review. And thank you to Archer Sullivan for a wonderful read!

Mystery and folklore in spooky Appalachia is a must read for everyone! This kept me on my toes the entire time

Okay, I thought this might be a bit witchy because of the title so it wasn't but .... it was great. A private investigator is hired to find a girl missing for 10 years. She travels to a mountain town in North Carolina where outsiders are looked upon with suspicion especially one that is stirring up old mysteries. The story whips along as PI Annie Gore digs into old wounds. Full of gothy vibes, mountain folklore and an intriguing mystery, I found myself unable to stop reading.

The mystery tied with folklore made for a captivating story. I truly enjoyed this book and the mystery. It honestly had me guessing the whole time.

I thoroughly enjoyed The Witch’s Orchard by Sullivan, a gripping tale set in a small mountain town brimming with complex relationships and a tangled web of local politics. The author does an excellent job of immersing readers in this close-knit community, where everyone seems to have a hidden agenda. One of the standout aspects of the book was how the author wove a captivating folktale into the narrative, adding a layer of mystery and intrigue that enhanced the overall atmosphere.

What I appreciated most about this story was how Sullivan kept me on my toes throughout. Even though I eventually figured out who the culprit was, the author did an excellent job of keeping me second-guessing myself. Just when I thought I had everything figured out, the final twist completely caught me off guard. It’s not often a book can pull off such an effective and unexpected conclusion. All in all, this book was an engaging and unpredictable ride, and I highly recommend it for anyone who enjoys a well-crafted mystery with rich storytelling.

This was a really well written, great mystery. I read it quickly because I just didn’t want to stop. The characters are interesting, deep and enjoyable. The mystery is creepy, perplexing and heartbreaking. The entire book is steeped in Appalachia, folklore and symbolism. I love that we slowly get to know the main character, Annie Gore, who is a veteran and a PI from a poor Appalachian family and domestic violence. She’s smart and real, and not depicted as too annoyingly and unrealistically perfect, beautiful and brilliant but rather as great at her job because she is tenacious, caring and strong.

I hope this is the first of a series and I will happily seek out the next book.

I read a digital ARC of this book via netgalley.

I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
I really enjoyed the flow of this book. I didn't want to stop reading! There's a little romance, humor and mystery all wrapped in a neat bow. The author does a great job in dropping hints throughout the story while keeping the twist at the end a surprise!

This book was sad, heavy and heart breaking. I usually can guess pretty early on who done it, but with this book I was guessing the whole way through. You really feel for Max and the witches story makes you think twice about rumors, myths and stories that twist and turn with every teller. The twist at the end was one I didn't see coming for sure. It was a good story and would recommend for sure.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

Annie Gore, a Private Investigator, is hired to investigate three missing girls. From the various resident's, Annie is met with resistance and help. But finding out the truth becomes more of a challenge the more questions are asked.

This was a very well written mystery and the ending was well done.

This book was a truly creepy read. The descriptiveness of the woods had me cringing but anxiously turning each page. The ending in particular creeped me out, while I thoroughly enjoyed each page! I received an ARC from NetGalley, and the opinions expressed are my own.

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! Great read! I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book! I thought it was going to be totally different going by the name but it was a fabulous book! It had great suspense, murder, kidnapping, mystery, a fantastic who done it and some wild twists and turns! The storyline was very interesting! I highly recommend reading this book! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for sharing this book with me! Can’t wait for more!

Two little girls disappear, one returns, then a third goes missing. Is there even anything to find, ten years later? PI Annie Gore figures no, but starts an investigation and stirs up all kinds of trouble. Especially enjoyed the variations of the local folklore.

This story is a mystery/suspense tale set in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains. The setting is vivid and the Appalachian folklore adds to the atmosphere. In this book, private investigator Annie Gore takes on a decades old cold case involving missing girls. She is hired by one of the girl's brother, Max, to try and find out what happened to his sister.
The characters are well drawn and likable, even the ones who might be suspects in the kidnappings. Annie's military background explains both her proficiency and gives us insight into her past. Clues are revealed throughout and the mystery kept me guessing right up to the end. There is a brief, closed door romance scene and also a potential love interest from Annie's past.
The title alludes to a folklore tale, and I especially enjoyed reading the different variations of story of the witch's orchard - as Annie interviews townspeople she hears this story several times, and each time it is a little bit changed.
The pace of the book is fast and there are enough hooks to keep you reading quickly to find out the solution to the mystery. I was satisfied with the ending, although there was a surprising twist that felt a little bit of a stretch - which is why I gave the book four stars instead of five.
Overall I enjoyed finding a new character, particularly a strong female main character, and I hope this book becomes the first in a series. If you're a fan of Sue Grafton, JA Jance, or Sara Paretsky, you'll enjoy reading this book.

Excellent debut novel. An interesting and very twisty mystery set in the mountains of North Carolina and filled with folk lore. The author developed intriguing characters and used their personalities and backgrounds to lead much of the mystery and explore how much our experiences and biases influence our thoughts and decisions. Very well done.

Annie is a former military and she is now a PI. When she is approached by a young man trying to find out about his lost sister she decided to help. Deep in the heart of Appalachia, with folklore of witches and crows, the story leads the reader along. Sad, but kept my interest throughout. Would highly recommend.

Set in the Appalachian mountains this book is filled with suspense and creepy vibes. If anything makes it to your TBR this year It needs to be this book.

I thought this book did an amazing job at depicting southernness. I read most of it with a southern accent in my head. The twist and turns kept me on my toes. And the characters were the kind you fall in love with. I hope to see more! 🩷