The Witch's Orchard

Annie Gore #1

by Archer Sullivan

An Instant USA Today Bestseller

A ninth-generation Appalachian, Archer Sullivan brings the mountains of North Carolina to life in The Witch’s Orchard, a wonderfully atmospheric novel that introduces private investigator Annie Gore.

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.

In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track down the truth, navigating a decade’s worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been forgotten, echoes of the past linger. And Annie’s arrival stirs someone into action.

Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Audiobook, Witches, Fantasy

304 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 12, 2025

About the author

Archer Sullivan is a ninth generation Appalachian. She's moved thirty-seven times and has lived everywhere from Monticello, Kentucky to Manhattan, New York and from Black Mountain, North Carolina to Beverly Hills, California. Her work has appeared in Ellery Queen Mystery Magazine, Tough, Shotgun Honey, Reckon Review, Rock and a Hard Place, and The Best Mystery Stories of the Year 2024.

source: Amazon

Reviews

[Kaceey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5🌟
Don't you just love when a book surprises you and exceeds all expectations!?🤩

Annie is a private eye, barely scraping by. Ex-military, she now does things her way instead of answering to anyone.

When a young man wants her to find his missing sister, she knows this will be a difficult, if not impossible case. The girl has been missing for ten years. The case is as cold as it gets with no leads from the local sheriff, all the way up to the FBI.

But for some reason, this particular case speaks to her. Is it the location of the Appalachian Mountains? Or facing troubling, unresolved issues from her upbringing in a similar southern mountain town? Either way, she knows she must solve this case to bring justice for this man.

This book is chocked-full of legends and folklore. “The Witch of Quartz Creek” being front and center. There are multiple tellings of the story. It’s a convoluted tale that changes and morphs, as every resident of the small town recalls their own version of the story as they knew it.

What a fantastic debut! I was instantly drawn into the storyline and the book held me riveted until the final page! Bravo!

Is this the beginning of a series? I certainly hope so! I love Annie’s character and definitely want to see more of her.

Thank you to St Martin's Press via NetGalley

[Debra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping, atmospheric, tense and mysterious! The Witch's Orchard is a captivating debut by Archer Sullivan. I was instantly drawn into the plot, intrigued by the characters, the creepy apple dolls and the local folklore. I loved the setting in Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina.

Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator, now private investigator has been hired by Max, a man whose sister was taken years ago and was never seen again. When Annie arrives in town, she notices the militaries of this town to the Appalachian town in which she grew up. She is informed that ten years ago three girls went missing with only one girl being returned.

As Annie begins her investigation, she asks those she talks to the same question and is giving differing answers regarding local folklore about a witch. This never gets old or feels repetitive. I was intrigued by the differing version of the same story. It brought to mind the say that "no two people see the same crime" Apparently no two people in town tell the same story of the witch of Quartz Creek!

I enjoyed the investigative work that Annie did. I enjoyed Annie's character and her interactions with those in the mountain town. I always try to do my own super sleuthing but never guessed whodunit. I love it what that happens. Archer Sullivan kept me guessing and turning those pages!

Such a wonderful debut novel! I loved the writing, the vivid descriptions, the pacing and the intriguing mysterious plot! Archer Sullivan has won me over and I hope to read more of her books in the future! Plus, I am keeping my fingers crossed that perhaps there will be more books featuring Annie.

Wonderfully written, well thought out, gripping and atmospheric!

*This was a witches words buddy read with Mary Beth and Norma. Please read their reviews as well to see if they were as bewitched as I was by The Witch's Orchard!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.

Read more of my reviews at www.openbookposts.com 📖

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Would you believe that I hadn’t picked up a book to read or re-visit in several days? Instead, I spent my time walking, reflecting, enjoying my dogs and my sister’s visit. My sister will be here for a few weeks, but it has been really nice to spend this quality time with her. Since she lives in Idaho, this is a rare opportunity for us. Also, it has been wonderful appreciating the rain that finally came to our part of California these past few days.

And then, after those book-less days, I picked up this one.

How would I describe this story in one word?

Intense.

This is a complex and absorbing story of madness, love, and desperate acts with the Blue Ridge Mountains as a scenic backdrop. In Sullivan’s debut novel, she created a sense of Appalachian life, with its superstitions and beautifully described landscapes, along with some well-developed, life-like characters.

Especially with her lead protagonist, Annie, whose resilience shone through as she worked diligently to solve a supposedly unsolvable case.

Even if the book title doesn’t truly reflect the storyline, it still was edgy, dark, haunting, twisted, and a slow-burn with a skillful plot. And, in reference to the book title, if readers were looking for witches, they won’t find them here. Still, it is a character-driven mystery that will most likely appeal to those readers attracted to psychological thrillers.

[Norma ~ The Sisters · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch’s Orchard by Archer Sullivan
Expected Publication: August 12, 2025
Genre: Fiction / Mystery & Thrillers
Format: Digital ARC
Rating: 4.5 ⭐️

I came for the folklore… and found a haunting Appalachian mystery, a long-buried cold case, and a heroine I couldn’t stop rooting for.

Chilling secrets, eerie stillness, and fierce resolve!

THE WITCH’S ORCHARD by ARCHER SULLIVAN is a quietly gripping and atmospheric mystery set deep in the Appalachian Mountains, where the past clings and folklore runs deep. Former Air Force investigator Annie Gore is hired to look into the decade-old disappearance of three young girls, and the case takes her right back into the kind of isolated mountain town she tried to leave behind.

Archer Sullivan captures the setting with striking authenticity. The misty holler, the wary locals, the weight of the past pressing down on every page. It all felt lived in and layered. The inclusion of Appalachian folklore, especially the whispers of witches and crows, adds an eerie edge without overshadowing the grounded mystery. There’s a creepy-good undercurrent running through it all, quiet but constant, like something watching just out of sight.

Annie is the kind of character I love: resilient, sharp, and emotionally complex. Her connection to the setting gives the story real heart, and her voice felt honest and compelling throughout. The pacing leans steady, but the tension never fades, building a quiet unease that made it hard to step away.

This is a mystery with weight: emotionally, atmospherically, and narratively. It’s about the past that holds its secrets tight, and how the truth waits for someone brave enough to bring it to light.

*This was a Witches' Words read I shared with Mary Beth and Debra, and we all thoroughly enjoyed our time in this eerie Appalachian holler. Please be sure to check out their reviews. It is always such a treat to experience these haunting reads together.

A standout debut that gave me everything I look for in a mystery… buried secrets, mountain lore, and a heroine I’d love to follow again. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books for the digital ARC. I most definitely recommend this one!

[Liana Gold · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! Talk about eerie vibes and a haunting trip to the mountains. Appalachian folktale, witches and crows! This is literally the most perfect book for the autumn season, crafty, full of intrigue and mystery that will keep you second guessing until the very end.

Short but completely satisfying, had my toes curling at the end of every chapter.

RTF!

[Shelby *trains flying monkeys* · Rating 5 out of 5]

This checked soooo many boxes for my kind of dream book.

Talk of witches,
A main female character who I just loved,
Appalachian that didn't make us all look like idiots,
folktalish,
suspense,
The author even threw in a touch of the dang meth house blowing up!

All the stars!

Booksource: Netgalley in exchange for review.

[Lindsay L · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Appalachian mystery stars.

Annie Gore is a private investigator who is down on her luck. Max hires her to investigate his family’s cold case. A decade earlier, Max’s six-year-old sister disappeared, taken from her home in broad daylight. Police and multiple PI’s have exhausted their search and this will be Max’s final attempt to find answers.

I loved the setting and atmosphere of this backwoods Appalachian story. It’s what originally attracted me to this book. I’m always drawn to small town settings and cold case storylines. The author creates an engrossing atmosphere that had me feeling like I was right in the small town muddy Appalachian hills of the plot. With a touch of witchy and folklore themes this had me engrossed and intrigued right from the start.

I really liked Annie, the main character. She was someone I enjoyed rooting for and I found her grit, personality and backstory entertaining. She was a unique and memorable character. The secondary characters all worked very well for me too. I enjoyed peeling back the layers of this story through Annie’s relationships with each of them.

I loved the first half of this novel, but it somewhat lost its grip and intensity in the second half. I still really enjoyed it overall, but my connection was not as strong in the second half. I had to suspend my disbelief after the halfway point which lessened my overall connection, but I remained invested and entertained throughout.

Bottom line: I was entertained from start to finish with this novel. It was an enjoyable mystery that I recommend you try out for yourself!

Thank you to the publisher for my review copies!

[Dutchie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ten years ago, three little girls disappeared from a small Appalachia town. Desperate for some sort of resolution on his sister‘s disappearance, Max enlists the help of Annie, a private investigator. Upon her arrival Annie discovers it’s gonna be a lot harder to get answers out of this tightlipped community than she expected.

This definitely had the procedural aspect nailed down as Annie begins to investigate and question everyone who was associated with the families. There were several different red herrings throughout the way and enough clues to keep you guessing.

The one thing this book lacked for me was atmosphere . This should’ve made for a creepy read with the folklore of the Applehead dolls and the Witch of Quartz Creek, but it fell a bit flat. The investigation interwoven with the folklore just was missing cohesion. I couldn’t see the relevancy to include the folklore, but of course that is just my opinion and I may have missed an intended connection. It also felt that maybe I was missing a prequel as some of Annie’s backstory was included, but not enough to fill in all of the blanks. Maybe that is a sign we will see more of Annie in another novel?

If missing person mysteries with a pinch of folklore is your thing, this definitely is a book to check out. Would make for a good fall/spooky season read.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review

[theliterateleprechaun · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Witch’s Orchard, first in the new Annie Gore PI series by debut author Archer Sullivan, is an exciting 5-star mystery featuring missing children, a mountain town with secrets, and plenty of folklore surrounding witches and crows.

The arrival of Former Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore in an Appalachian holler stirs the town and dredges up her own painful past. She’s been hired by a young boy whose sister was abducted and soon finds that she’s investigating all three missing children cases from a decade earlier. The thing is, the closer she gets to uncovering what happened, the harder someone goes to make sure the past stays buried.

What a fantastic setting. It’s obvious that Archer has written about what she knows best. She’s ninth generation Appalachian and she’s brought that unique connection into the story in a way that integrates it into her characters’ experience. The soul of the mountain town is in her characters’ hearts and all of them grapple with it as they try to understand the evil that’s pervaded their existence. Not only that, the town highlights what’s happened. For example, the gifts the abductor leaves and the character the townspeople point fingers at could only happen here, not in a big city.

Annie Gore is more than just a solver of mysteries; she’s a multi-layered, compelling character whose uniqueness engages readers, and yet she’s familiar enough that we instantly form a connection. The story was as much a piece of detective work for me as it was for Annie. I enjoyed collecting clues about her personality and how she approached a task by watching her dialogue and interaction with the mountain people. She isn’t an annoying ‘in your face’ detective like some famous sleuths and she doesn’t seem to enjoy drama. I like that! This series has so much to offer, I’m going to stick with it. I’m looking forward to getting to know Annie better.

I can’t believe this stellar story, an extremely compelling mystery, is written by a debut author! Congratulations. You have a gift. I love how you bring a fresh setting and unique characters to crime fiction.

I was gifted this copy by St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happy Publication Day!

Ten years ago, three children went missing in an isolated town in the Appalachian Mountains. One child was returned but the other two were never found. With the case cold for several years by local police and the FBI, the brother of one of the girls is determined to find answers. He enlists the help of Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator and current Private Eye. Annie knows that finding the girls is an impossible task but is determined to help this family find answers. As Annie starts to ask questions around town, secrets are revealed, and someone is determined to keep the past buried.

This was a fantastic debut. This mystery completely sucked me in, and I loved the premise of the missing girls being connected to the story of The Witch of Quartz Creek. I enjoyed how each time the story was told, it was a different interpretation. The mystery of the missing girls was filled with so many surprises that I could have never figured out the ending.

One of my favorite parts of this book is the main character, Annie. I loved how strong she is as a Private Investigator, and I loved learning about her background in the Air Force. I am not sure if this book is a stand-alone or will be part of a series, but I would love to read more about Annie in another mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for the opportunity to review The Witch's Orchard. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Sandra Hoover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Archer Sullivan’s debut novel, The Witch’s Orchard, is a highly atmospheric, bewitching novel rich in the cultural traditions and folklore passed down through generations in the small, off-the-beaten-path towns deep in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina. Within a few pages, I was mesmerized by the picturesque narrative, with visions of early misty mornings, the sun peeking over majestic mountaintops, foggy holler bottoms, and old apple orchards with the cry of crows echoing throughout the mountains. Sullivan awakens readers’ five senses in this gripping, melodic, heartfelt mystery, with authentic scenes and characters that make The Witch’s Orchard not only impossible to put down but also unforgettable.

Former Air Force investigator Annie Gore accepts a plea to investigate the decade-old disappearance of three young girls in a small Appalachian town much like the one she escaped by joining the Air Force after graduating from high school. Annie, now working as a private investigator, is hired by Max, the brother of one of the missing girls, to find out what happened to his sister. In each kidnapping case, a young girl vanished into thin air, with an old apple-head doll left at the scene. When Annie arrives in the small, tight-knit town, the feeling of déjà vu is overwhelming—the town’s resemblance to the one she fled is undeniable. She knows how guarded mountain people can be—wary of strangers and fiercely protective of their privacy. Her job won’t be easy, and as she feared, Annie’s attempts to question locals stir up a hornet’s nest. Soon, accusations and gossip—fed by mountain superstitions and folktales—intertwine with personal recollections and conflicting versions of what may have happened to the girls, including the chilling rumor that they were taken by the “Witch of Quartz Creek.”

When another young girl suddenly disappears, the town shatters under the weight of fear, accusations, and finger-pointing. Annie must find the girls and uncover the truth behind these strange occurrences before another child is taken. Of one thing she is certain: this small Appalachian town is hiding ugly secrets, and someone is desperate to keep them buried. Driven by her own need to know—and haunted by the deafening cries of the crows—Annie’s search unearths decades-old secrets as the past threatens to repeat itself. Time is running out.

Debut author Archer Sullivan has crafted a chilling, culturally rich, immersive mystery that will have readers burning the midnight oil. The tone she maintains throughout is electric, alive with malice and a creeping sense of unease that builds page by page until the frenzied climax. The characters are authentic and well-developed, with deep, believable connections to the land, and Annie Gore is a protagonist I hope readers will see more of in the future. Sullivan brilliantly weaves the folklore and superstitions of the region into the plot in a way that engages the senses without overwhelming the central mystery—no doubt drawing on her own ninth-generation Appalachian heritage.

The Witch’s Orchard is an intense, emotionally charged, beautifully written mystery with heart. It’s a story of mountain lore, dark secrets, resilience, hope, and letting go. I highly recommend the audiobook, narrated by Emily Pike Stewart, whose performance brings the heart of these people and this region to life. Fans of thrillers and atmospheric mysteries will devour this one!

Special thanks to Minotaur Books & MacMillan Audio for complimentary arcs of this title for review. Opinions expressed in this review are my own. This review was first available at Mystery & Suspense Magazine and is now available on my blog, Cross My Heart Reviews. I highly recommend the audiobook!

[Sue · Rating 5 out of 5]

In The Witch’s Orchard, private investigator Annie Gore, from Louisville, Kentucky receives a visitor, Max Andrews, from Quartz Creek, North Carolina with a very specific job offer. His sister, Molly, was one of three young girls taken one summer from his town. No leads were ever found though one girl was returned. In each child’s place was left an applehead doll. Annie is from the hills of Appalachia herself. Got out after high school and never returned. Joined the Air Force and learned new skills from serving as a Special Investigator. Now she’s being asked to return to the type of town she used to live in to help this 18 year old kid make a final attempt to discover what happened to his sister. She can’t refuse. Her knowledge of the people, the lore, and the towns of the area will be an asset.

The story is compelling, the characters are well written and individuals, each with their own story. Annie is very real, struggling with her own demons while trying to do her best work for others. The descriptions of the hills and hollers, nature’s beauty accompanied by her wrath, are also well done. After I finished reading The Witch’s Orchard, I found I was reminded a bit of Chris Offutt’s Mick Hardin novels, a series I have enjoyed. The setting is similar and Mick, like Annie, is ex-military. But I find their characters quite different and Sullivan writes a different novel, less a procedural, more allowed to delve into ideas off the beaten path as P.I.s do wander at will.

I very much hope this is the first of many stories of Annie Gore.

Thanks to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for an early review copy of this book.

[Tiffany · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, for sending me this ARC. 🍎🧙🏻‍♀️

What to expect:

💫Atmospheric Mystery
💫Appalachian Folklore
💫Private Investigator
💫Cold Case

Gosh, this one had me hooked from the very first page. The atmosphere was perfect and set the scene for this book flawlessly. Not to mention, the intertwining of the folklore tales added the ideal layer to the plot. I was fascinated and completely captivated by it all. The characters were well developed, and most of them were very likable. The few things I didn't care for still made sense, which I appreciate. I was a little bummed by one thing, but again, it made sense by the end of the story.

Overall, this debut book is fantastic. I highly recommend it to those who enjoy captivating and atmospheric mysteries. I'd love to see Annie in more mysteries, and I can definitely envision this book becoming a series, following her PI role wherever it takes her.

4.25-4.5 stars!

Publication Date: August 12, 2025

As always, all thoughts are my own. 🖤✨

[Donne · Rating 4 out of 5]

From the get-go this story piqued my interest. I like creepy stories with a supernatural vibe to it. Throw in a returning vet, with a troubled background, trying to make a living, who finds herself in some dying, Appalachian, holler with a tragic past surrounding three missing girls (one returned) and those seriously creepy applehead dolls found where the girls disappeared and I’m hooked.

The book summary introduces the primary storyline of Annie, a former Air Force Investigator and currently a PI, being hired by Max, who is the brother to Molly, a young girl who disappeared 10yrs. Max wants Annie to find Molly. Annie lets Max know that she may not find anything after this long, but Max doesn’t care; he just needs to find out what happened to Molly because he can’t move on until he at least tries to find her. There is also a secondary storyline of something in Annie’s past that has one of her Air Force friends, AJ, calling her everyday just to see if she’s doing ok.

From the get-go, Annie is ruffling feathers all over town, asking people questions about the two missing girls, as well as the one that was returned shortly after taken. She starts digging up old rumors and grudges and attracting a lot of the wrong attention. It’s not long before she becomes a target of someone who doesn’t want her to dig up old history. Then there’s the Quartz Creek legend about an old witch and her apple trees who stole the daughters of a poor woman, and like a lot of old legends, Annie gets a different version of the legend from every person she asks about it. Then Annie meets Susan, an old woman who lives up in the hills, who is rumored to be a witch.

Most of the story revolves around Annie finding out what happened to the girls and who knows anything about it because she is certain that some of the people she has spoken with have secrets that they are hiding and that they know more about the disappearances than they are saying. It’s deep into the second half that the town’s secrets begin to surface, leaving Annie fighting for her life in an intense and scary ending.

The character development for most of the characters was well done. I wish there was more on AJ. The pacing was steady to fast and the storyline interesting; I like stories that are steeped in history and folklore; they add depth and appeal to a storyline. The writing was also well done. I flipped back and forth between the ebook and audiobook on a lazy Sunday for a perfect time to spend on a really good story. I’m looking at an overall rating of 4.2 that I will be rounding down to a 4star review. I want to thank NetGalley and St Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio for sending me this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

#NetGalley #StMartinsPress #MacmillanAudio #WitchesOrchard

[Em · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every mystery/thriller reader should pick this one up! The writing is gripping from page one, and the suspense never lets up. I rarely give five stars unless the story itself alters how I see the world or in some way changes me. But this one truly is about as perfect a representation of the genre as they come. A must read for anyone who loves this genre!

[Devin The Book Dragon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just a reminder that this wonderfully creepy book has just released today. If you're looking for a creepy mystery/thriller for fall, check this one out.

Wow, I really enjoyed this book. The setting was my favorite as I have not read many books sets in a small mountain town. The setting alone took a common theme of girls going missing in a small town and gave it a unique twist. I loved learned about Appalachia culture.

I this the pacing of this book was a little slow, but it’s more of a mystery than a thriller. I think this book would almost be described as a cozy mystery. Something about the setting, once again, gave me comfort vibes. This would absolutely be a perfect book to relax to in the fall while drinking apple cider.

I would definitely read more books by this author in the future, and I would absolutely love to read more books set in the mountains as well. I definitely recommend!

Provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ellery Adams · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Appalachian thriller, particularly because the author did such a fantastic job creating a sense of place and because his ex-military PI, Annie, was an extremely likable heroine. Missing girls, apple-head dolls, and a twisted tangle of dark secrets make for an atmospheric read. I hope we see Annie again in future novels.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

THE WITCH’S ORCHARD by Archer Sullivan is a beautifully written story that blends mystery, folklore, and nail-biting suspense into what will surely be one of my favorite novels of the year. The synopsis is compelling and that cover fantastic!! From the very first chapter, the reader is drawn into an eerily chilling landscape set against the backdrop of the Appalachian Mountains, where we are introduced to a community steeped in long-held secrets and shadowed by a very dark history.

At the heart of the story is Annie, a determined private investigator haunted by her own troubled past, who is drawn to the eerie town of Quartz Creek, North Carolina, to investigate the unsolved disappearances of three young girls from a decade ago. Annie is a wonderfully developed protagonist, so likable and relatable. If I needed to hire a PI, I’d want it to be Annie.

What begins as a cold case of inexplicable disappearances of innocent children soon develops into something far more terrifying. As Annie’s investigation intensifies, the danger escalates—she begins to uncover whispered legends of a fabled witch, two daughters, a crow, and a cursed apple orchard that seem to be at the heart of the mystery.

I absolutely loved Sullivan’s writing style. It is both poetic and immersive, with haunting imagery that plays like a movie in your mind. The eerie sense of foreboding intensifies with each new chapter. One of my favorite parts of the book included the different versions of the tale of the Quartz Creek Witch told by the residents of this small mountain town. The pacing throughout is nearly perfect, slowly shedding light on the truth behind a myth involving witches, crows, and curses.

THE WITCH’S ORCHARD should be added to your TBR list without hesitation and as soon as possible. It’s the kind of book that grabs you from the very beginning, getting under your skin in the best possible way, lingering long after the last page. Might this be only the beginning of Annie’s story? Goodness, I hope so!

I want to extend a huge thank you to NetGalley, Archer Sullivan, and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for gifting me the ARC of THE WITCH’S ORCHARD. I appreciate you trusting me with an honest review!! It was a privilege to be able to read this novel before publication in August.

[R L HERSKOWITZ · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars rounded up to 5 Stars

WOW 🤩 ‼️

Psychological thriller of the domestic type.
I love psychological thrillers, but usually tend to stay away from the domestic ones.
This book was mostly written in first person.
It flowed extremely well.
It drew me in right from the star and
I didn’t want to put the book down.
It had some interesting twists, too.

Strong & smart women rock 💪 even if they appear naive and weak to outsiders.

I highly recommend this novel!

[Bam cooks the books · Rating 4 out of 5]

**Happy Publication Day!**

A debut mystery novel featuring the private investigator, Anne Gore. She has a meeting scheduled in the diner below her office in Louisville, KY, hoping the client will foot the bill for a meal. Eighteen-year-old Max Andrews has driven up from Quartz Creek, North Carolina, to see her. He has saved most of his life to be able to afford to hire an investigator to look into the disappearance of his little sister, Molly, 10 years ago. That summer, three little girls were abducted just weeks apart. In their place, apple head dolls were left. Only one of the girls was ever seen again--the one with severe autism who cannot speak or communicate to tell them who took her or where she was held.

Max offers a cabin for Anne to stay in while she investigates and all the sweets she can eat, provided by his friend Shiloh from her bakery. Anne agrees to give the case a week and drives down that afternoon in her old car she calls Honey.

Of course the case requires a lot of conversations with local people asking them to recall what happened that summer. Many are not all that happy to have things dredged up again and some are darned right hostile and angry. Soon it becomes apparent that Anne's questioning is causing trouble and Max's father asks her to leave. but she is determined to see it through, especially when tragedy strikes.

The first third or so of the plot is a little slow as Anne and her own backstory are introduced and she meets the people of Quartz Creek while digging into how the original investigation went. She listens to their folktales and realizes most everyone knows a different version of the tale of the witch's orchard. Having grown up in the hollers of Kentucky herself, Anne understands the ways of these country people. Her own grandmother made apple head dolls after all.

I found myself puzzling over the who and why--it was very intriguing! The last chapters of the story are action packed and exciting with many surprises in store. I thought this was quite well done for a debut venture and look forward to reading more from this author.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this new novel. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

[Jessica Woodbury · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars. On paper had a lot to like, but in execution didn't do anything for me. Sometimes I like PI novels more than traditional procedurals, but this time it was very much a case of walk around and talk to people, conversation after conversation, all leading up to an ending that was not at all believable. I was bored a third of the way through, my own fault for not ditching it then.

[Andrea | andrea.c.lowry.reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

PLEASE let this be a start to a new series! The Witch’s Orchard had me completely hooked from the first chapter. I mean, how could I not get hooked when there’s buried secrets, Appalachian, folklore, creepy, atmosphere, and twists that make you feel like every chapter is ending in a cliffhanger.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗱 𝘁𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗺𝗼𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆?

I loved how the different versions of folklore stories wove together to enhance the plot and mystery which kept me guessing right up till the end. This of course built tension that constantly kept me on edge.

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁:

Mystery
Missing Girls
Cold Case
FMC P.I. that you will root for
Eerie small town vibes
Folklore
Appalachian Atmosphere

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗮𝘂𝗱𝗶𝗼𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

Listeners will be riveted by Emily Pike Stewart’s deliciously tense narration as she amplifies the impact of this engrossing and haunting mystery.

𝗛𝗼𝘄 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗲?

This was a slow burn mystery, but it reads very quickly!

𝗗𝗼 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗲𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗼𝗼𝗸?

All you folks who are already craving Pumpkin Spice season…break out your cozy blanket because you are going to want to curl up with this book! There's no shortage of eerie folklore to draw you in, and Sullivan has proven she knows exactly how to bring characters and settings to life.

[Hades ( Disney's version ) · Rating 3 out of 5]

I would first like to thank Netgalley & Macmillan Audio for an advanced copy of this book.

This was a fun read but, for me it sort of falls off at the end. I loveeeeeeeee the back drop & Appalachian Mountain. I've always been so interested in all Appalachian lore. And this definitely scratched that itch. I also found the first 3/4 of the book extremely addicting in general! I just personally wish the end was a little different. But that boils down to being just a useless opinion of mine. Overall this is a solid read

[Erin Clemence · Rating 3 out of 5]

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Aug. 12, 2025

Ten years ago, three girls went missing from an Appalachian Mountain town. One was returned, seemingly unharmed, while the others were never seen or heard from again. The brother of one of the missing, Max, hires former Air Force Special Investigator, now Private Investigator, Annie Gore, to look into what happened to his sister, Maggie, all those years ago. Although Annie isn’t hopeful, especially since ten years have passed, shortly after she starts her investigation, Max’s missing sister turns up dead. What’s strange is that Maggie’s body is one of an adult, not the child she was when she went missing. Was Maggie being kept hostage all this time? Does that mean that the other missing girls are alive somewhere, too?

Archer Sullivan’s debut novel, “The Witch's Orchard”, is a creative combination of mountain lore and mystery. The community in the Appalachian Mountains have a folklore legend about a mountain witch, who took two children years ago from their parents and turned them into birds when the witch became jealous of the beauty and some members of the community still believe it was the witch who took Maggie and the other missing girls. Then, Maggie’s adult body shows up, dressed like the doll that was left in her place after her kidnapping and the mystery grows more intense.

Annie is the protagonist, a former Air Force Investigator who also came from a small mountain town. Fiery and always underestimated, Annie is the kind of woman that won’t stop until she gets answers. Annie has a close relationship with a former military comrade, Leo, who readers hear from and about, and it is easy to assume that Annie and Leo are a couple, until Annie hooks up with the local officer helping the investigation. Although I enjoyed Annie and wanted her to succeed, I was confused as to why Leo was featured, since he seemed to be part of Annie’s military past, only providing some sporadic information to her current investigation. There were a lot of characters in the story, and it was hard to differentiate sometimes, however in such a small community, it would have been an easy deduction on who the suspect was if we didn’t meet nearly every community member.

I enjoyed the missing girls’ mystery, especially the component where apple dolls were left in place of the kidnapped victims, and the women turning up in handmade dolls clothes. It had a “Criminal Minds” element to it that I found fascinating. I liked Annie, and the small-town vibe that this novel brought but I struggled to remain engaged in certain parts. I felt that the paranormal/folklore vibe would play a more central role but again, it was something that seemed thrown together to add more suspicion to the missing girls’ plot. “Orchard” was well-written and the premise was intriguing, and I think further tweaking would make Sullivan a name to keep an eye out for.

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great new detective series - the spooky Appalachian setting is wonderful for this eerie sort about missing girls and a PI who just won’t give up.

[Jeanie ~ MyFairytaleLibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great debut! The atmosphere, the characters and the plot are all so well written. I love how Annie’s car, Honey, is also a character. This ended in a way that leaves it open to be a series. I’d love that!

Emily Pike Stewart is perfect as the narrator. She voices Annie beautifully.

[Sarah-Hope · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Witch's Orchard is one of the most satisfying mysteries I've read recently. It's beyond cozy, but not drenched in blood. There are types—the crabby sheriff, the interesting boyfriend/partner (?) at a distance, the big-hearted baker—but they're painted with enough detail that they come across as more than stock figures. Archer Sullivan balances action scenes with the PI conversing and thinking, trying to piece together connections among bits of information that are presented discrete.

The PI here is Annie Gore, who grew up in Appalachia, spent time in the military, and is now reinventing herself as an investigator. The novel is set in Appalachia, but not the part in which Gore grew up—as a result, Gore finds these surroundings both familiar and utterly new. Gore is smart, courageous, and a bit careless which complicates her investigation.

Sullivan also weaves Appalachian folklore into her novel in a way that not only develops the plot, but is interesting in its own right.

If you're looking for a solid mystery for a bit of summer reading, this title is worth checking out.

I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via Edelweiss; the opinions are my own.

[Melki · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Every apple has a little poison in it."

No, this is not the cozy tale of some cottagecore witches who run a farm stand selling bushels of Red Delicious and hand-pressed cider. Instead, it's a taut mystery set in the mountains of Appalachia.

PI Annie Gore is hired to solve the cold case of a little girl who went missing ten years earlier. Three girls were actually abducted; one was returned to her parents a short while later, though she refuses to speak of what happened.

Annie is definitely expecting the worst:
"This is a sad job. Nobody shows a PI a picture of a kid because everything is going just great."
But, the truth, when it is discovered, is far more disturbing than she could have ever predicted.

This reminded me quite a bit of Chris Offutt's Mick Hardin series, and indeed, Sullivan's character seems destined for more investigations. Annie Gore is certainly worthy of further exploits, though I kind of hope she spends a little less time talking to her car in the future.

Thanks to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the ARC, though my review is of the finished hardback.

[_blondebooknerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had the opportunity to dive into  The Witch's Orchard , the debut mystery thriller by Archer Sullivan. Let me just say, it did not disappoint! 😍

From the moment I opened the pages, I was drawn into the life of Annie Gore, a former Air Force Special Investigator turned private investigator. Her journey back to her Appalachian roots, where echoes of a tragic past linger, is as compelling as it is haunting. 🌄💔

Ten years have passed since three little girls went missing from a close-knit mountain town, with only one ever returning. The weight of the unsolved mystery looms over the town like a dense fog, and Annie is hired by the brother of one of the missing girls to discover the truth. As she navigates the secrets, folklore, and the eerie vibes of the Appalachian holler, we see Annie confront her own demons too. Can she piece together the puzzle without becoming engulfed by the darkness of her past? 🌌🦉

While there are moments that felt a bit predictable, the storytelling kept me thoroughly engaged. Sullivan’s ability to weave suspense with rich descriptions of the Appalachian landscape compelled me to soak in every line. It’s clear this author has a remarkable talent for crafting captivating narratives.

🌟 Why I Loved It:
+Engaging Protagonist: Annie is incredibly relatable and complex. Her history adds depth to the story, and I found myself rooting for her every step of the way.

+Atmospheric Setting: The Appalachian holler painted a vivid backdrop that enhanced the eerie and suspenseful elements of the plot. You can practically feel the chill in the air! ❄️🌲

+Mystery and Intrigue: The intertwining of local folklore with the mystery kept me guessing, and I appreciated the layers that kept unfolding as Annie dug deeper.

🤔 What I Hope For:

With such a strong debut, I am excited to see where Archer Sullivan takes us next! I hope to see more of PI Annie Gore in future thrillers, as her character hints at so much more to explore. The abrupt ending left me craving resolution and more insight into her past with Leo. I have a feeling this is just the beginning of a thrilling series that readers will absolutely adore! 🕵️‍♂️❤️

If you’re a lover of mysteries, thrillers, or even just a good story with a hint of the supernatural, I highly recommend The Witch's Orchard—eagerly anticipating its release on  August 12, 2025 , just in time for Halloween! 🎃🍂

A huge thank you to NetGalley, Archer Sullivan, and Minotaur Books for providing the eARC in exchange for my honest review. I truly enjoyed this read and can't wait for more! 📖💕

Have you read The Witch's Orchard yet, or are you planning to pick it up? Let me know your thoughts and any other debut novels you’re excited about! 😊✨

[Tania · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’d forgotten how much I enjoy stories set in the Appalachian mountains, and this one was no exception. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know private investigator Annie Gore, who is drawn back to her roots to investigate the disappearance of a young woman in Quartz Creek.

I thought the “abducted girls” angle might feel a little tired, as I’ve read so many mysteries with that trope, but I’m happy to say this turned out to be one of the most inventive takes I’ve come across. The focus on the local legend of the witch of Quartz Creek—how everyone interprets it differently, and how the town uses it to explain the unexplainable—added a fresh and atmospheric twist.

Best of all? The next in the series is due out next year.