While I Pondered Crime and Cider

by Deanne Marcus-Rupert

It’s springtime in Raven Hollow, Pennsylvania, and the entire town is abuzz about the new barn coming to the Beauregard Orchard that will sell apple based pastries and hot apple cider. But when Cori Kerrigan goes out to the orchard to interview Jacoby Beauregard about the new project, they stumble upon the dead body of the construction foreman. The same man Jacoby very publicly argued with just days prior. But dead bodies aren’t the only thing hiding in plain sight at the orchard. An underground hideout, thought to go back to the days of Prohibition, is also uncovered which leads to even more questions, and even more deaths. In order to solve the mysteries Cori, with the help of her librarian best friend, Maggie McBride, and boyfriend, Ray Dresden, will have to unravel the growing list of clues and suspects before they find themselves underground for good.

242 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 18, 2023

Reviews

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought that first book, Once Upon a Midnight Murder, was so great that it couldn't be topped. Rupert definitely accepted that challenge. While I Ponder Crime and Cider takes place in the beautiful Raven Hollow and follows our favorite group of friends as they fall into another murder investigation. There are so many twists and turns that I had whiplash (the good kind). While interviewing Jacoby Beauregard about a new project at his family's orchard, he and Cori stumble on a dead body that puts Jacoby in the center of a murder investigation.

But that's not the only investigation going on. In the mix, and a possible motive for the murder, is an underground speakeasy that might've belonged to one of the most popular Prohibition traffickers in history (at least Raven Hollow's). Yet again caught up in the murder investigation, someone has it in for Cori for getting too close to the truth. Ray (having successfully won Cori's heart) and Maggie (along with Maggie's new cop girlfriend, Jen) refuse to let Cori deal with the investigation (and the consequences of it) on her own. Bodies drop left and right, forcing the group to dig even deeper, putting their lives on the line for the truth.

I'm in love with the characters that Rupert has built with these two novels and can only hope we continue to read about their adventures. A little mayhem, a little murder with just a twinge of romance is enough to whet this mystery lover's appetite.

[Kacie Marcus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another solid Raven Hollow Mystery

Just like the first one, the story kept me engrossed page after page. I didn't want to put it down. I loved reading/learning about the secondary characters and the dynamics between all of them almost as much as I loved seeing the mystery unravel. Can't wait to see what they all get up to in the next one!!

[Jan Mullady · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Deanne’s characters! Can’t wait for her 3rd book!