Called Home

Orchard Mystery #0.5

by Sheila Connolly

The national bestselling author of the Orchard Mysteries presents this short prequel that started Meg Corey's mysterious adventures on the apple orchard in the small town of Granford, Massachusetts.Out of a job and living alone in a drafty Colonial house, Meg Corey is supposed to be fixing the house up to sell, but now she's got the flu and she's freezing and she feels very sorry for herself. Then Deborah Warren shows up to distract her—but is Deborah a ghost, or just the product of Meg's feverish imagination?Choosing to believe that Deborah really is a ghost, Meg sets out to discover the truth of why she's been around for 200 years when all she wants is to go home.About the collecting too many degrees and exploring careers ranging from art historian to investment banker to professional genealogist, Sheila Connolly began writing mysteries in 2001, and is now a full-time writer. She wrote her first mystery series for Berkley Prime Crime under the name Sarah Atwell, and the first book, Through a Glass, Deadly (March 2008), was nominated for an Agatha Award for Best First Novel; Pane of Death followed in November 2008, and Snake in the Glass in September 2009. Under her own name, her Orchard Mystery Series (Berkley Prime Crime) debuted in 2008 with One Bad Apple, followed by Rotten to the Core in July 2009, Red Delicious Death in March 2010, A Killer Crop in December 2010, and Bitter Harvest in August 2011.Her new series, the Museum Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), set in the Philadelphia museum community, opened with Fundraising the Dead in October 2010, followed by Let's Play Dead in July 2011.She is currently planning a new series set in Ireland, which will debut in 2012/13.Her first short story, "Size Matters," was published by Level Best Books in 2011, and was nominated for an Agatha Award.Sheila is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of American and Romance Writers of America. She is currently President of Sisters in Crime New England, and cochair for the 2011 New England Crime Bake conference.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Adult, Paranormal, Mystery Thriller

24 pages, Kindle Edition

First published June 22, 2011

About the author

Sheila Connolly taught art history, structured and marketed municipal bonds for major cities, worked as a staff member on two statewide political campaigns, and served as a fundraiser for several non-profit organizations. She also managed her own consulting company providing genealogical research services.

She was a member of Sisters in Crime-New England (president 2011), the national Sisters in Crime, and the fabulous on-line SinC chapter, the Guppies. She also belonged to Romance Writers of America and Mystery Writers of America.

Sheila was Regent of her local DAR chapter, and a member of the Society of Mayflower Descendants. She was also the grandchild of Irish immigrants. In addition to genealogy, Sheila loved restoring old houses, visiting cemeteries, and traveling.

Reviews

[Tari · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a sweet little prequel but don't worry, you're not crazy if you read the first book and noticed that it isn't referred to. It was written as a prequel in 2011, not before the series started. While sick with the flu, Meg got to talk to an ancestor named Deborah. Fever-induced ghost or real? You decide. I like to think that Deborah was real and Meg helped her.

[Annu · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a short story of Meg seeing a ghost, who appears to her when she was feeling sick. She doesn't know if Deborah is real or a piece of her imagination. However, Deborah was a pleasant ghost who remembers dying suddenly but not the cause of it. And Meg couldnt stop herself from solving the mystery.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

cute short story

This was super short but a fun little story. I don’t think I would recommend this as your first introduction to Meg but it’s fun to see her when she first moved in. #readforkimberly

[Andria Potter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short, yet good and I always enjoy a good little ghost story. I'm definitely interested in the rest of the series! 4 ⭐

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a delightful and quick little read. A sweet little mystery that is a prequel to the Orchard mysteries by Sheila Connolly.

I am just beginning to explore this author and so far, I really love her writing style, characters, gentle plot lines, and storytelling.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the shortest short story I've ever read. Because it took less than twenty minutes to read, it was very much to the point and the mystery was clear. But I like Meg Corey's character and the way she talks to herself. And I like ghost stories so this was a pleasant surprise. I've already started reading this series and I am looking forward to the next story.

[Kim Ehrenhaft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun little back story

This is a cute addition to the Meg Corey Orchard Mystery series. A fun aside that helped to describe Meg’s early days at the Warren House.

[Madison Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

I spent last autumn reading the first few books of the Orchard Mysteries, since they were quaint and cozy and felt just right for the season, so I decided to read this prequel short story as this autumn began. It was alright, on par with the writing level of the others, which is simple but entertaining. I had hoped it’d be more spooky, being a ghost story, but for a quick afternoon read, it wasn’t bad. I think the next book in the series for me is “Bitter Harvest”, which I’ll likely start soon. Sometimes my brain needs a break from the heavier books I read, and the Orchard Mysteries are a nice detour!

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was directed to this author sadly when I was made aware of her recent passing by an author that I enjoy and respect. I decided to check Ms. Connolly out on Goodreads and found this quirky little prequel which was just the perfect thing to whet my appetite. After quickly finishing it I have added several of this author's books to my TBR list. I am particularly interested in the orchard series. Also a thank you to Susan Albert Wittag for the heads up.

[Susan Crabtree · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting prequel to the Orchard Mysteries

Introduction to Meg and her house with a little ghost story about an earlier relative. None of the other characters in the series appear at all.

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't usually read these little in between books. Honestly, if the author doesn't have enough to make it a full novel, then why bother. This was to put a little paranormal in a non-paranormal series. It was short, it was kinda pointless, but it wasn't the worst story I've read.

[Chetana · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was an Ok read. I thought I would give this cozy mystery a try and thought I would read it chronologically. But I am not sure this book is a good representation of the sries and if I am going to continue on with it.

[Hilary (A Wytch's Book Review) · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent taster for the Orchard books to come! If these are anything like Sheila Connolly's other series I have some wonderful reading ahead of me!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this story, was disappointed to find it wasn't a whole novel. I don't recall Meg having any more ghostly encounters later in the series.

[Amanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun short novella with Meg solving the puzzle of a resident ghost. This takes place during the early days of Meg’s arrival before her first adventure in sleuthing.

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Weird for the series

[Brandi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can't wait to start reading this series of it's anything like this novella.

[Nann Tucker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very sweet introduction. I am going to read the entire series.

[Miriam · Rating 3 out of 5]

Barely a short story and too simplistic.

[Paulette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short but interesting story, easy read.

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though it was a very short story and wished it would've been longer. It was a good read and want to read more of her books.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story, wish it had been a full book.

[Amber H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A cute short story that I read to see if I’d like to read one of her full length novels. I will definitely give them a try!

[Kim]

That was anticlimactic. This isn't a novel, it's a short story. A very short story and not very good.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a very short prequel novella, but the premise and character (the only one you meet so far) seem good. It's made me interested in the series.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a short story, only about 20 pages. It takes place early in the series, and is a cute little story of Meg meeting a 200-year-old ghost in her house and trying to figure out why the ghost has not left.

[KyBunnies · Rating 3 out of 5]

Review to come

[Genevieve · Rating 3 out of 5]

A quick prequel which doesn't really make sense or reason for it but it was an okay read. Short and sweet.

[Brooke Blogs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Called Home by Sheila Connolly is a prequel novella in the Orchard Myseries series. I borrowed this short eBook story from the library to read on my Kindle. This is the first I have read in this series.

The story starts with Meg working in the drafty house she inherited. She hears something, and at first thinks it is her own thoughts. But when she turns, she sees the ghostly apparition of Deborah Warren. Meg figures that she is seeing things due to fever and stress. But when she wakes up the next morning, and sees Deborah again, she thinks what she is seeing must be real.

This short story serves as a good 'jumping off' point for the series. I felt like I had a little introduction to Meg and the type of person she is, and also why she is in the house. I enjoyed the character of Meg and look forward to reading more. I feel like I know what to expect in upcoming books in this series. This is one I am glad I borrowed from the library. The story did feel a bit rushed, and I felt that it was because the author was trying to keep the story very short.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a prequel to the series that I have grown to love. I only found one complaint...I loved the story and wished it was a full-length novel.

Meg Corey, is fixing up a house her mother had inherited. It is an old house and attached to an Apple orchard. Meg begins as we all would...painting.

While painting, Meg catches a cold. She keeps going though as time is precious on this project. She hears a voice and realizes it isn't in her head. There is a voice in the house. There is also a ghost of Deborah Warren from 1823. Deborah tells Meg she died 'quickly.'

Meg senses there is more to Deborah's life and death and that is why Deborah is still in the house. Meg goes searching for answers.

This was a great short story. I was interested in the two main characters and was interested in the ending.

Hope there will be more short tales.