Sour Apples

Orchard Mystery #6

by Sheila Connolly

Apple orchard owner Meg Corey is finally feeling settled into her new life in Granford—she's made friends, and her relationship with Seth Chapin is heating up—when her old Boston coworker Lauren Converse comes barreling into town, running the Congressional campaign for a former hometown football hero. But Meg doesn’t have time to worry about why Seth seems reluctant to back Lauren’s campaign when her neighbor, local dairy farmer Joyce Truesdell, is found dead from an apparent kick to the head from one of her cows.

When an autopsy shows that the fatal blow actually came from a weapon, Meg is even more troubled. Popular opinion points to Joyce’s husband as the culprit, but Meg can’t help wondering if someone wanted the outspoken dairy farmer out of the way … but why? She’ll have to find out who had a beef with the victim, before she’s the next one to get creamed …

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Audiobook, Romance, Adult

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 7, 2012

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

[Lain · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not my favorite in the series, and a few plot blips, but otherwise a decent story. But I have to say will Bree please lose the snotty attitude? She's a big downer in an otherwise sweet series. I almost wish she'd get arrested for murder so we wouldn't have to deal with the big chip on her shoulder any longer.

[❂ Murder by Death · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was really just all right. It's hard for me to really like the characters or care about them and the mystery itself was sort of flat, although it had an interesting premise. The murderer isn't obvious, buy why the murders were committed is, so the 'reveal' just wasn't all the surprising.

I like reading about the orchard and her struggles as she becomes a 'farmer', but I think the author struggles with the dialogue - characters come across as surly and unpleasant, when it's obvious we're supposed to like them (I am thinking of Bree most of all). The dialogue between Meg and her romantic interest, Seth, has zero spark - so it's a bit hard to care about that relationship either. The book picks up at the end, and there's enough to like about it that I'll probably go on to the next book in the series - but these will never sit near the top of the TBR pile.

[Deb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sheila Connolly delivers another winner with Sour Apples. I love small town mysteries, vibrant characters, and visiting with old friends from past books. Mix in a bit of political intrigue and I'm totally hooked. Way to go, Connolly!

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

Things are going well for Meg, her first year was a success (with a slight profit!) and she and her manager Bree are thinking of expanding (with Seth being prepared to lease some land that isn't being used).  Things are not going so well for one of the other local farmers though, a newish Dairy Farm leased some land from the township and the cows started to get sick, and then one of the Dairy owners ends up dead, was it due to an accident with a skittish young cow or something more sinister.

Whilst all this is happening Meg's friend and ex-colleague arrives back in town, she has thrown in her job in the financial sector and is helping a local man made good run for congress.  The problem is the local man has links to the farmland that made the cattle ill, and as well as that Seth who normally likes everyone is very standoffish, Meg has a lot to think about and a lit to sort out (not least planting 1,000 new trees!)

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to this book, but unfortunately it was very slow. I like the characters and setting, but I felt like all Meg did was make coffee! I figured out the connection early, but liked the way it was revealed.

[Nicholas George · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a cozy done right. The apple-growing milieu is well-researched and interesting; the main character, Meg, is nicely drawn and likable, and the other characters show depth and believability. The murder is entwined well with the other circumstances of the story. Some cozy writers could learn a lot from Connolly.

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

Ms. Connolly always gives me a good solid mystery cloaked in a warm apple pie pastry. Seriously, I sit down with either a large cold glass of apple juice or a slice of pie when I begin the newest 'Orchard Mystery.'

'Sour Apples' was so much more than apples that were spoiled. A neighbor dairy farmer, Joyce Truesdale is killed by her cow's misplaced kick to her head. The town is in shock. Her husband bravely strives to keep the farm afloat. Meg Corey (apple farmer,) and Seth Chapin, (Selectman and boyfriend,) are further shocked when they learn that Joyce's husband is found dead under suspicious circumstances. What is going on? Why are some cow's dying?

Meg's friend from her days in Banking, Lauren comes to Granford under her new job as Public Relations for an upcoming politician. Seth wants nothing to do with his former school acquaintance. Meg is determined to find out what is causing all this trouble in her adopted town.

The book has several mysteries and the way they eventually tie in was surprising. It might seem too cozy but believe me when I say the complexity of the crimes are anything but.

A great read.

[Kait Carson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Connolly has done it again. This book delves into local politics and a murder. It's a different type of story from the others, more hard edged, and in some ways, more human. A perfect mix. I'm looking forward to more, and to watching Meg and Seth's relationship grow.

[Ian · Rating 3 out of 5]

A politician comes to town.
An organic farmer is murdered.
Old friendships are tested.
Old animosities are rekindled.
Meg and Seth plant a new orchard.
...no, not a metaphor.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

#6 in the orchard series and a good installment. I have to admit, I do not strictly adhere to reading in order, so I had read some later in the series prior to this one. Didn't make any difference in my enjoyment.

In this on, politics reign. There's an accident that turns out not to be an accident, some land that looks like it had chemicals in it, and a suicide that isn't. The orchard gets new trees, and Meg's friend Lauren is handling a local political campaign; for a candidate that Seth cannot get behind. There's lots going on with seemingly separate story lines. Trust me, they all come together in the end.

I enjoy the writing style and the adult relationship between Seth and Meg. To be honest, Bree gets a bit annoying at times (she's a younger character, so I guess it goes with the territory), but I hope that in future installments that Meg learns a bit more about orchard farming and is able to stand more on her own two feet.

There's a light complexity to this series that I like. It isn't mindless reading, but the series certainly holds my interest and is one I like to go back to from time to time. I know I'll be rewarded with a good solid read.

There are a couple of recipes at the end; not that they were mentioned in the book. But one looks interesting and I may make it.

[Crazy for Books (Stephanie) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm assuming the author doesn't know any black people or Jamaican people. She's written it twice, this being the second time, that Bree has walked into a room with wet hair. Unless Bree is mixed and has a different type of hair, we don't walk around with wet hair. Not only due to styling, because it would be incredibly difficult to style the hair after it freely dries, but also because it takes forever to dry naturally and a sure way to catch a cold walking around with wet hair.

I applaud her for using other ethnicities in her books. Though it's a truth about the Jamaican people who pick seasonally. Many authors use only white people in their books, like its a Doris Day movie and no other ethnicities exist. But ask someone questions to make sure you are making real statements about them, if you don't know for sure.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read as part of my March Madness readathon to work on my TBR pile.

Another enjoyable entry in the Orchard series. Topics used as plot points: land contamination and remediation, the involvement of a potential candidate for Congress, coverup of the inadequate land remediation. Not as much mention of the orchard except for an expansion of three acres, and nothing regarding the renovation/restoration of Meg’s Colonial-era home.

[Dez Nemec · Rating 2 out of 5]

I'm done with this series. Another interesting book with a lackluster ending. Life is too short!

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series.

[Nora-adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg gets involved in another mystery and drags Seth and the crew right along with her as she discovers the events of the past that led up to this tragic murder. This sixth book in the Orchard Mystery series takes on so many facets that need looking into, and with the expansion of the Orchard Med it burning her candle at both ends.

I'm in love with Sheila Connolly's characters and hope that she and Meg have a long and continued successful run.

FTC Full Disclosure: I won this book in an author giveaway.

[Cris · Rating 2 out of 5]

I found the conclusion unsatisfactory at best. The plot seemed unnecessarily convoluted, and the motivation for the crime(s) weak.

I enjoyed the little bits of orchard info Connolly included, so I might try the next book in the series. But unless Connolly can pull the focus back onto Meg and the orchard I don't think I'll continue with the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

Least interesting of the series unfortunately. Reading about a environmental cover up was a little boring and I just wanted to finish it rather than looked forward to the ending. I still enjoy reading about Meg, Seth and Granfield though

[Jonathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Starting to build up a little bit of steam; each book I read is taking me less and less time to read it. After a year break in this series I picked it back up, and the last three I've read have all been outstanding. Can't wait for the next one.

[Susan Parks · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars. Lots of interesting drama, a bit of environmental skullduggery, expansion of both the orchard and Meg & Seth's relationship. I think the mystery rapped up a bit to quickly & easily, but I did like it better than the last book, so onward and upward to book 7.

[Stephen Howell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my second attempt to read this book, and I succeeded this time! I have been re-reading the series up to this point, and I was much more interested this time around.
I won't go into details about the plot, but more into the characters and what they've become. Every main recurring character seems to have some crazy character flaw, which of course makes it more interesting, and I'm amazed at how much of this that I've picked up on this the second time around. We all know at this point that Meg has relationship issues, and I'm glad that she's finally giving Seth a chance. But on the other hand, I've really caught onto Seth really being a jerk at times, something I didn't really see at first! I used to find him to be such a likeable character, but the last two books have really shown me a darker image of him. I'm hoping that Seth gets out of his funk in the next books, and won't be such a Debbie Downer!
I've read a few reviews for this book, saying that Bree is very negative, and hopefully she will be more positive. I felt this way when I read the series the first time, but now I feel that I know Bree much better on this run, and I really think she is a strong character in the series. She is moody, perhaps, but she's also in her early 20's, which is a more excusable age for that, compared to Seth in his mid 30's. At the end of the day, deep down, I really like all of the characters, and this is one of the elements that I love about Sheila Connolly's books. Except...
I'm not, and I don't think I'll ever be a fan of Lauren. She's very wishy-washy, and not a very good friend to Meg. I feel such an arrogant attitude from her, and it's all about her, all the time. I'm hoping to see less of her in future books, but I understand that she's there to keep a connection with Meg's past in Boston.
Overall, I absolutely love this series! I feel as though the characters are people within my own life, and that I get to know them better with each book! I love to see the progress that Meg is making, between her house, orchard, and relationships with others. I'm fairly new to the city that I live in, so I can relate to Meg when she makes new connections to make her feel that she's a part of the community.
Another element that I enjoy is how each book is a changing season, and it brings an extra added layer to that book. If you've never read any books from this series, I highly recommend checking them out, and also the Museum series! Sheila is a great author!

[Madison Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, Orchard Mysteries, how complicated our love is.

This series is predictable, often flat, and very, very slow. And something about that is comforting. I guessed from the first few chapters what the outcome of this book would be; granted, not to a T, but close enough. There were only a few moments of any real surprise or suspense. Then again, these are called “cozy mysteries” for a reason. I’m not expecting Gillian Flynn.

I usually rate these books on a different scale than I rate others, since their standards and my expectations are lower for them. I haven’t even left a review for one until now, because this installment was one of my least favorite so far. I love the cover art, and the set-up was promising. But the characters...oy vey. Meg has always been wishy-washy and impossible to relate to since she’s about as colorful as cardboard, but she was testing my patience here. All she does is make coffee, verbalize the same theory over and over, make coffee again, flip-flop on her commitment to Seth, make coffee, occasionally tend to her orchard, and make coffee. She also jokingly accuses Seth of being sexist anytime he asks her to do something traditionally feminine, which wasn’t funny the first time and really wasn’t funny the third time.

Speaking of Seth, yeah, no longer a fan of him. He was always boring too, but he was a wholesome paramour for the more modest women who read these books (no shade: I’ve read 6 of these books). But he was so petty and pouty in this one that I just wanted Meg to dump his ass. He was so weird and secretive about his dislike for Rick, overprotective of his own completely autonomous mother, and he often undermined Meg’s ideas. I wish they both spent less time talking about dating and more time actually dating, because it’s getting so old.

Bree is another bland character, though I like her for some inexplicable reason. And Lauren is a major pain, though I think that was on purpose. Either way, I didn’t care for her when she was on the page.

So why am I giving it 3 stars? Because I have grown comfortable in Meg’s Granford home, and I like the bucolic mundane nature of her life (aside from the murders, of course). These are goofy comfort reads that are fun to tease and criticize but also fun to immerse yourself in. It almost makes me want to leave the city and plant an orchard. Almost.

Oh, and these books come with recipes in the back. I approve.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is another of the "Orchard Mystery" series involving the Meg character that my mom says feels like a friend. The series originally came from my mother-in-law. Since both of them enjoyed the series so much, I gave it another try, and was glad I had. It does improve as it goes along, at least for the last several.

In this book, a dairy farm owner is murdered. The mystery wasn't as mysterious as in most of the series. I knew what the theives were looking for as soon as we heard about the break-in, and there seems to be only one train of thought in the mystery's resolution.

Having said that, I don't think we had enough clues to positively identify the murderer. I was glad the author didn't make it ~.

Much of this book involved digging through paperwork, and the rest involved planting a baby orchard. The baby orchard was the more interesting of the two.

As in most of this genre, the sleuths don't always give the appropriate police information as they find it, but at least they did keep Art in the loop, and to a lesser extent, Marcus.

I was glad Christopher's back in the picture, and was sorry to see what's become of the Lauren character in regards to her dedication to a significantly flawed political candidate.

Lauren mentioned that the situation had become "lewd and lascivious," which is something I've been trying my best to ignore, as it's not explicitly described. I just get tired of that in books, and get tired of listing that as a concern for potential readers. But, yes, now that Lauren mentioned it, those words apply.

I understand that both Seth and Meg have relationship issues from the past, but they just need to decide whether or not to commit. Another reviewer described their romance as lack-luster and I can see why. They don't really know whether they "are into" each other, which makes us not root for them to be a couple, either.

Other reviewers pointed out Bree's negative attitudes. Actually, I give her a pass on that because she's faced a lot, particularly discrimination, both for her race and for her gender. I'd be cranky, too! I am hoping, though, that as things improve for her, eventually, her outlook improves, too.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well done series and this particular entry is excceptional. Most cozy/amateur sleuth mysteries dive right into the suspicious death/s and it is all encompassing. Here there's more going on with relationships, hidden secrets, contamination, expansion, politics.
I'm so glad I had a relatively quiet weekend to pretty much just get in a bunch of reading time with this. I've read the books in the series in no particular order and I'm glad this was on Mt Git'r'Read and I was in the just the right mood for it.
I like that Meg has made the best of what life handed her, her apple orchard is coming along nicely, she likes the hard work even if it means not much of a personal life. What little time she has for one she spends with her neighbor, Seth, and they are happy to take things slowly.
I like that I'm not trying to figure out how she gets everything done. There are some books in other series that have me wondering where the main character has the time to have all of these fabulous meals ready in the freezer, where they keep all of the decorations they are pulling out at the drop of a hat, who is taking care of the kids or the pets...Here Meg admits she is behind on grocery shopping and laundry but the apple trees are are taken care of. The equipment is older but keeps working thanks to help from neighbors.
I love this book and series and can highly recommend the author too. She is greatly missed.

[Jennifer Robb · Rating 3 out of 5]

A friend (AC) gifted me a number of books from this series.

I wonder if we will find out if the would-be-politician's change of heart (since the high school incident witnessed by Seth) is true or just a political ploy. He says he will let the constituents decide if he should run--if he sticks by it, that might be a first.

What I liked:
*Christopher Ramsdell returning as a character--in the early books of the series, I thought he'd be a more regular character, but he seems to have been largely marginalized. Do his students no longer help out at or visit the orchard? I thought Meg was still going to let the school be involved--but we haven't heard about students coming to the orchard in quite a few books--or did they only come during pruning and spraying times?

What I didn't like:
*Lauren--I guess we don't know Lauren well enough as a character to know whether her enthusiasm about the candidate is because of what he seems to be or just her own way of throwing herself into a new venture or something else entirely. I almost feel like she's in the "blind devotion" stage of love rather than running a political campaign for a candidate she believes in.
*Bree sometimes rubbed me the wrong way.

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I knew this book was part of a series, but in reading it I honestly thought it #2 not #6. There was very little reference to things that came before. I was looking for a relaxing read that was a good story but not too complicated. I wanted nice people with just enough mystery to make it interesting. I didn’t want to be challenged, but I did want to be engaged with the story. This fit the bill perfectly. Meg, a former banker who was forced out of her job, was finding that she really loved being on the family land and revitalizing the old apple orchard. Thank heavens she had Bree, a trained orchard manager and housemate to help her learn about the orchard. Having Seth, a carpenter focusing on remodels as well as being on the town council as a boyfriend also helped. When a former high school football hero now the owner of a large company decided to run for the US House of Representatives things got complicated. His campaign manager was a friend of Megs who had worked with her in the bank in Boston. – but then a neighbor who ran a dairy was killed and things got a bit complicated. Of course Meg helps solve the crime

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg's neighbor Joyce, a dairy farmer, has sick cows who have been pastured on land leased from the city. Seth has promised to find the records relating to the pasture land, because the city may be liable. When Joyce is murdered, of course Meg wants to know why, plus she is curious - is the pasture land poisoned? Then Meg's friend Lauren shows up as the campaign manager for a politician, Rick Sainsbury, who used to play high school football with Meg's boyfriend Seth. Seth appears to dislike Rick, but he won't tell Meg why, and their relationship begins to suffer a little bit. When it turns out that a company owned by Rick supposedly cleaned up the pasture land many years ago, the plot thickens. This one seemed to take a little longer to get to the denouement, because both Lauren and Seth are holding out on Meg instead of telling her the truth of what's going on. Still a very good read.

[Dawn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spring is peeking around the corner in Granford, Massachusetts and Meg Corey is enjoying what little downtime she has left before work in the orchard is back in full swing. When she least expects it her former coworker from Boston, Lauren Converse, arrives in town in her new position. She is now running a political campaign for a former Grandford football star. The man is a former classmate of Seth’s and his opinion of the candidate is not a positive one.
Tragedy strikes Granford at the same time as the campaign enters town. Local dairy farmer, Joyce Truesdell, is found dead in her milking parlor. The death appears to be from an apparent kick to her head from a young mother cow. When the autopsy results come in the cause of death is suddenly homicide. While Joyce’s grieving husband is the most likely suspect, Meg can’t help but wonder if someone else wanted to silence Joyce.
I enjoy this series very much and recommend this book. It can stand alone, but would be more enjoyable to read the series from the beginning. The characters are well written and realistic. The setting is idyllic and makes me want to live in a similar small town. The plot in this book moves along at a good pace. There were no lulls in the story. I have the next book ready to read. I hope it is as good as the last few have been.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Meg is starting her second year on the apple orchard and ready to make progress. Meg decided to make some improvements on the farm and add to the orchard. When a local dairy farmer is killed by a cow Meg has concerns. When it's discovered it wasn't an cow accident Meg is off investigating. A former member of the Granford football team comes home to run for public office.

This was a littler harder read for me. The mystery was interesting and I had a idea of who did it but not the actual person. Would recommend this if you've been reading the series. This is not the one to read first or you will be really confused.

[Groucho42 · Rating 5 out of 5]

The library had it on hold for almost half a year, so as everything shut down because of the virus, I finally ordered it from Abebooks. The next day, the library bought the ebook. Timing is everything…

This is a very good edition to the series. This time, a dairy farmer complains about her cows being poisoned and then she ends up dead. At the same time, a former, local High School jock comes back to the area to run for a House seat. Seth doesn't like him and Meg's friend Lauren works for his campaign. Some nice tension and a number of plots move forward apace. An enjoyable read I ripped through.

Now to donate the paperback whenever it shows up and the library is again open.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another in the Orchard Mystery series featuring Meg and her friend Seth, this story deals with the themes of ground pollution, politics, and of course, murder. When animals are getting sick and their owner is suddenly murdered, Meg and Seth suspect that a new political candidate may be connected. Their investigation takes some interesting turns, including a second murder, but eventually they find the killer and work with the police to bring that person to justice. This is a satisfying read in a good series.