Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival

Cider Falls Orchard Mystery #1

by Traci Hall

For lovers of everything cozy and fall time, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall brings all the autumn vibes to a brand new series featuring a family of Washington State apple orchard owners who become entangled in a murder investigation…

In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard is at its busiest amid the bustling autumn season—but when murder enters the mix, one bad apple may have spoiled the whole barrel . . .

If you care for the land, the land will care for you.

 

For generations, that’s been the Smith family’s motto. Between hayrides, apple picking, bonfires, and tasty apple treats, their Cider Falls Orchard provides an autumn bounty that draws locals and tourists alike. And now, Mcintosh “Macki” Smith—named after an apple variety, just like her siblings—is home too, after a bad breakup.

 

Macki is glad to be on hand when her parents are sidelined by an accident, and she’s even been persuaded to enter the Cider Falls Festival’s prestigious baking competition with her famous double crust apple pie. But someone has taken the contest to deadly serious levels . . .

 

It seems there are plenty of surprising motives for murder, especially after Macki learns that a crooked developer wants to buy and demolish the orchard—which makes her parents’ accident increasingly suspicious. But serving up the real killer will put her in unexpected danger, because someone in this picture-perfect town finds murder as easy as pie . . .

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Autumn, Fiction

321 pages, Paperback

First published August 25, 2026

About the author

also writing as Traci Wilton, Ellie Brannigan and Tara Brannigan

From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over seventy-five published works, Ms. Hall has a favorite tale for everyone.

Mystery lovers, check out her Scottish Shire series, set in the seaside town of Nairn, or the Salem B&B Mystery series, co-written as Traci Wilton, or the Irish Castle mysteries as Ellie Brannigan, or the new Aran Island mysteries as Tara Brannigan. Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.

Traci wants to hear from you!

Traci@TraciHall.com
https://www.facebook.com/tracie.hall.35/
https://www.instagram.com/tracihallau...

Reviews

[Cozybooklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

#ApplePiesandPoisonedLiesattheCiderFallsFestival#NetGalley

In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard is preparing for their Autumn festival. Macki is back home after a breakup, her sister convinces her to participate in the local baking competition, where things go from bad to worse quickly.

This was a very good story that I enjoyed reading.

[Alyssa Maxwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

You'll feel like part of the large Smith family as fall settles over their apple orchards in beautiful Cedar Falls, and be swept up in autumn colors and flavors, until a murderer strikes and Macki, the eldest sibling, becomes the prime suspect. Clever twists, deceptive red herrings, and a touch of romance make this a mystery to get cozy with on a chilly fall day.

[Amy Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! If you love autumnal, family-centric mysteries with a strong theme, I think you'll enjoy this cozy. The apple orchard is absolutely picturesque and I loved the baking details.

Thank you to the publisher for a copy of the book!

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Traci Hall’s Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival had me sitting outside with my coffee pretending Northern California wasn’t still firmly in summer mode. A huge thank you to Kensington Cozies for the gifted copy. Tell me I’m not the only one who will happily read about crisp leaves, apple cider, and cozy sweaters while it’s still hot enough outside for flip-flops. 😂

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Macki Smith has come home to her family’s apple orchard in Cider Falls after a breakup left her needing a fresh start, and honestly, I liked her almost immediately. Her real name is McIntosh, because the Smith siblings are named after apple varieties, which is either completely adorable or proof this family takes apples VERY seriously. 🍎

Then her parents are injured in a kayaking accident, Macki gets pulled back into the festival’s apple pie competition, and suddenly there are questions about whether that accident was really an accident. Oh, and then someone turns up dead. Because apparently baking a pie in Cider Falls comes with considerably higher stakes than winning a blue ribbon.

What really worked for me was the Smith family. They’re big, involved in each other’s lives, occasionally chaotic, and when something happens, everybody shows up. I loved that. There are quite a few people to meet at first between the siblings, townspeople, orchard employees, and possible suspects, but once I figured out who belonged where, I settled right into Cider Falls.

And then there’s Logan, Macki’s PI friend from Seattle who comes to help investigate. 👀 I’m just saying…I noticed things. There may be a little something simmering there, and I am absolutely willing to stick around and see what happens.

The mystery gave me plenty of people to side-eye, but I think my favorite part was watching Macki slowly reclaim pieces of herself that her former relationship had chipped away. Seeing her return to baking—and begin believing in herself again—gave this cozy a little extra heart.

By the end, I wanted another visit to the orchard, more Macki and Logan, and a warm slice of double-crust apple pie. This was such a charming beginning to a new series.

Which fictional small town would convince you to pack your bags and move there?

#ApplePiesAndPoisonedLies #TraciHall #CozyMystery #CozyMysteryBooks #FallReads #MysteryBooks #Bookstagram #KensingtonCozies #BooksCoffeeBrews

[Amy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted fall vibes and Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival delivered them in full. This book is autumn everywhere, from the orchard setting to the cider festival, baking, crisp seasonal atmosphere, and picture perfect small town backdrop. It has that cozy fall feeling I was specifically craving, and Traci Hall does a wonderful job making Cider Falls feel like a place I could happily spend an entire season.

I also really enjoyed how much was happening throughout the story. There are essentially two mysteries unfolding alongside each other: the actual murder investigation and the questions surrounding the accident involving Macki’s parents. Add in the financial problems facing the orchard and the developer who wants the property, and there are plenty of moving pieces. Somehow, though, it never felt like too much. Each storyline gave the plot another layer and kept me curious about what would happen next.

Macki was another highlight for me. Coming home gives her a chance to reconnect with her family and reignite her passion for baking, which I especially loved as a foodie reader. I always enjoy when a cozy mystery gives its protagonist something meaningful happening outside of the murder, and Macki’s journey makes this feel like the beginning of a larger story for both her and the orchard.

There is a fairly large cast of characters, but I found it surprisingly easy to keep everyone straight, and I enjoyed getting to know the people surrounding Macki and her family. The ending also left me with some very specific questions about where the series is headed—particularly when it comes to Macki’s romantic life. 👀 If that ending is hinting at the beginnings of a love triangle, I am going to need book two sooner rather than later.

Overall, this was a fantastic fall cozy read and a promising start to what I hope becomes a full series. Between the orchard setting, baking, family dynamics, layered mysteries, and autumn atmosphere, Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival gave me exactly the cozy experience I was looking for.

Perfect for Readers Who Love

* Fall themed cozy mysteries
* Apple orchards and cider festivals
* Culinary mysteries and baking
* Small town settings
* Family owned businesses
* Multiple mysteries unfolding at once
* A hint of romantic

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it! I was interested right from the start and didnt want to put it down. Thank goodness for audio because I listened ALL day. This book starts in September,  perfect timing, and it takes place on an apple orchard. Macki comes home after a bad break up and jumps right in. I love how the siblings rally together when their parents get hurt. This book was definitely a cozy, but there were times I felt I was on the edge of my seat. I also really liked that Macki was helped by her PI friend. No tstl moments. I am looking forward to more in this series!

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival by Traci Hall is a fun culinary cozy mystery that is hopefully the first in a new series.

I have enjoyed Ms. Hall’s other series, Scottish Shire Mystery, so I was excited to try this one out. I will say I was biased from the beginning:
-I love cozy mysteries
-Apples are actually my favorite food ever, seriously I eat one every day,
-Fall and Halloween are by far my favorite parts of the year

but this book definitely lived up my expectations.

I loved that it was set in a small town, with an apple orchard and business, outside of Seattle, Washington. Not many series are out on the west coast.

I enjoyed the Smith family, the mysteries taking place, and the second-chance/coming home again main character, Macki.

Definitely looking forward to seeing where this goes.

4.5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington Books for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 8/25/26.

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

If you care for the land, the land will care for you.

You’ll find the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains. It’s the kind of place people go for apple picking, warm apple pies, apple butter, apple cider, hayrides, bonfires, and plenty of family fun. The Smith children are all named for apple varieties, and after spending three years in Seattle with a man she thought she loved, McIntosh “Macki” Smith has joined almost all of her siblings back home, working at the orchard. As for that guy? He turned out to be a real jerk.

Macki has an impressive baking résumé, including several first-place ribbons from the Cider Falls Festival’s baking competition. She really doesn’t want to enter this year, but her sister has other ideas. Then, just as the judging is about to begin, Macki finds one of the other contestants dead, and she quickly becomes the prime suspect.

Macki and her siblings are also reeling from their parents’ horrific kayak accident. Both are in the ICU, and their father is in a coma, so the last thing the family needs is a murder investigation. Macki was already trying to fill her mother’s shoes at the orchard and the festival, and now everyone has more than enough on their plates. Still, Macki needs to find the right recipe to put the true killer behind bars.

Welcome to Cider Falls, where the leaves are starting to show their fall colors, the air has a little bite, and the apples are ready for picking. The whole town of just 1,000 opens its shops, fields, and orchards to the many visitors who travel from far and wide for the Cider Falls Festival, including Smith’s Cider Falls Orchard. Granny Honeybee is the exuberant matriarch of the family. Her son, Harrison, manages the 300-acre property, while his wife, Darla, handles the finances and serves as the main organizer of the annual festival. The Smiths have five children. Macki is the oldest; her sisters are Jazz, a champion horsewoman who manages the orchard’s stable, and Ambrosia, a marketing guru full of positive energy. Her brothers are Cortland, who works with his father at the orchard and makes the family’s hard cider, and Crispin, the youngest, who lives in Los Angeles and works as a screenwriter with no desire to do anything with apples. I truly appreciated that Ms. Hall took the time to introduce these characters and their connections in the community. With all that happens in this book, it is important to see how genuine they are and to get invested in their lives.

Readers are also introduced to many members of the community, including Hunter, who owns the Cosmic Café. Macki also reconnects with Logan Foster, whom she met in Seattle, after her parents’ accident. He is now working as a private investigator, and he offers to help Macki and her family any way he can. The supporting cast evolves nicely throughout the story.

There are two mysteries to solve within these pages. Was the kayak accident really an accident, or was the kayak tampered with? Could it be connected to the festival contestant’s death? Macki searches everywhere for answers while Logan reaches out to the company that made the tandem kayak. Harrison and Darla were no novices; they were training for a huge event. Pie baker Penny Ackerson had her share of issues, but who could have wanted her dead? I really enjoyed how Ms. Hall twisted the mysteries together while showing how hard the Smith family worked to keep the orchard running while their parents recovered. A key piece of evidence sends the kayak investigation in a surprising direction and opens up a whole can of worms. The murder mystery takes a crazy turn, too. I had such a good time following along with each twist and turn.

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival gets this series off to a grand start. It has a loving family, a charming small town, terrific whodunits, and apples, apples, and more apples. I can’t wait to get my hands on book two!

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to Kensington and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Michaela | bumblebeeslibrary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies, a new cozy mystery series

This story takes place in the small town of Cider Falls, on an apple orchard, which gives all the fall cozy vibes! FMC Macki (short for McIntosh) is back home after trying to make it in Seattle. Macki gets coerced into joining the Cider Falls Festival baking competition, even though she hasn't successfully baked in a while. Her parents are in a horrible accident, so all Smith children have to step up their game, including Macki taking over the finances. As Macki has to navigate her family's business, the busy apple season, possible sabotage that caused her parents accident, and making pie for the contest, she somehow also ends up in the middle of a murder mystery! Will her and MMC Logan be able to find the culprit?

I thought the character names in this story are super creative, with all the Smith siblings being named after a type of apple. And we get not just one, but two mysteries! As Macki is put in charge of the finances on the orchard, she starts to find things that don't exactly add up, along with a mysterious letter from a land developer. The more she uncovers, the more she is concerned that their parents accident was perhaps nefarious. She also has an unexpected friend along to help her solve the mystery, Logan, a PI, who she knew from Seattle. After a murder takes place, right in the middle of the Cider Falls Festival, it seems that the Smith family may be getting targeted, but why?

Macki's character goes through a lot of growth in this story, I feel like she re-finds herself, and her passion in baking. When Logan gives her some information about her ex, it really re-invigorates Macki to try out her passion again.

With so many characters in the story, any one of them could be the murderer, and it seems quite a few even had a motive! I was kept guessing right up until the reveal!

The smith parent's accident though is still a mystery, and I look forward to reading the next book to see how that one turns out! I loved McDuff, the family golden retriever, he is a frequent character in the story! All of the baking in this story will have you craving a warm apple pie, and there is even some recipes at the end!

There are a lot of character's to keep track of, while Macki was the main character, all 4 of her siblings played a part in the story, as well as Granny Honeybee, the many townsfolk, Logan, and the workers on the Orchard. The first few chapters I did get a little confused with all of the people, but I did feel it was easier to follow as the story goes on.

Thank you so much to Kensington, the author, and Netgalley for a copy of this book!

[Cozy Champagne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival is the first book in the Cider Falls Orchard Mystery Series by Traci Hall. The amateur sleuth, McIntosh "Macki" Smith (named after an apple variety, just like her siblings), has come home to the family orchard in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade Mountains after a bad breakup.

The Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard is bustling with autumn season business, so Macki lends a hand. She also enters a baking contest, which turns up a really bad apple.

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival is a really fun fall mystery with a super cozy setting, a tight-knit family, and lots of festival shenanigans. I loved the delightfully chaotic Smith family and Macki as the main character.

With lots of characters and a double mystery, this story has something happening from start to finish. Traci Hall's writing is always a pleasure to read.

I'm looking forward to the next book in this series.

Thanks to NetGalley and Goodreads for the ARC.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Disclosure: I received a copy of APPLE PIES and POISONED LIES at the CIDER FALLS FESTIVAL by Traci Hall in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to Kensington Cozies and everyone involved in this Goodreads giveaway.

I love a fall cozy set in the PNW and to read a prolific author (60+ books!) originally from the PNW lends credibility to the story, and I'm here for it!

Bring on the bonfires, autumn leaves, cider, spices, harvest, and apple orchards because fall is in the air!

Pairing a charming autumn apple pie cozy with a cover Golden retriever (Carrie May illustration, Lou Malcangi design), a baking competition, and an apple hand pie recipe will have readers hooked and wanting to add Traci Hall's back catalog to their TBR.

After I finish reading I'm off to perfect my double-crust that's as easy as pie...

#pnw #bookreview #cozymystery

[Richard Bankey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Goodreads, the author and publisher for the book. Enjoyed the story, well written and easy to read.

5 stars
Stacey Bankey

[Becky]

I really wanted to like this one because the cider festival setting sounded perfect for a cozy mystery, but it just didn't hold my attention. The small-town fall atmosphere was cute, and there were plenty of cozy details, but the story moved so slowly that I found myself getting bored.

A lot of the book focused on festival events and conversations that didn't seem to move the mystery forward very much. The characters were fine, but none of them stood out enough for me to get invested in what happened to them. The mystery itself wasn't particularly suspenseful, and I never felt that urge to keep turning pages to find out who did it.

If you enjoy very gentle, low-key cozy mysteries, you might have a better experience than I did. Unfortunately, this one just felt a little too slow and uneventful for my taste.

[Marcia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Macki Smith is my kind of main character, a woman who has been mentally abused, yet finds a way to remember who she really is and fights her way back! MacIntosh (Macki) Smith is the oldest of the five Smith offspring of Harrison and Darla Smith, the current owners of the Smith Family Cider Falls Apple Orchard. It has been in the family since the 1870s and they are rightfully proud of what they have built. When Harrison and Darla are seriously injured in an accident, Macki and her siblings, Cortland, Ambrosia, Jazz and Crispin, along with Granny, Honeybee Smith take over. Along with the orchard and all of it's business, Darla also ran the Cider Falls Festival, which fell to Macki by default. Somewhere along the way Macki was also talked into entering the apple pie baking contest at the fair She'd won it 5 years running before she moved to Seattle. It was there that she was convinced by her now ex-fiance, Gary, that she'd lost her mojo for baking. Needless to say, she worked to find it again. When a fellow contestant is found dead next to Macki's pastry knife, by Macki, she is the prime suspect. As the family and new friend, Logan Foster, private investigator jump into action to clear her name, they are also trying to keep the business running and have one of them at the hospital keeping up with what is happening with their parents.
Whew! This book has lots of threads and subplots that the author handles masterfully. Nothing is left hanging, except the storyline that is meant to overarch multiple books. Their is a large cast of characters and their introduction is handled very well. I never felt confused about who was who or how they fit into the story. Their are several interesting possibilities on the relationship front, not just for Macki, but for a couple of the other characters as well. Excited to see what develops.
The primary mystery in this book was full of twists that kept me guessing. I never did figure out who the culprit was and was pretty surprised at the reveal, yet it all made complete sense. The groundwork for the overarching storyline is there and should be easy to pick up in book 2 for anyone jumping into the series there, but I would recommend starting with book one. It is totally worth the read. I can hardly wait to get my hands on the next book in the series!

[Gina · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the whole premise of an apple orchard business and how each of the siblings was named after an apple. Mackie returns home after a break up. Her parents are in a terrible kayaking accident and suddenly Mackie is in charge. She is trying to get her baking groove back and is signed up for the apple pie contest of the festival she is trying to run. A murder puts a kink in the festival especially when Mackie is the one who finds the body. She has her family and friend Logan, a PI to help. It all flows smoothly and comes to a satisfying conclusion.

[Carmen Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this cozy mystery. There's a likeable main character with a big family. The Smiths own a large apple orchard business and all have apple related names. Macki short for Macintosh has dual mysteries to solve. I highly recommend for readers who love seasonal vibes. There's vivid descriptions of things associated with fall. I would like to continue this series and see more of the Smith family.

[Autumn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival sounded very cozy and exciting, but unfortunately it fell flat for me. The apple names got on my nerves after a minute and there were a lot of characters to keep up with, none that I really cared about though. But the fall vibes were fun!

I read a copy from NetGalley in exchange for a review and opinions are my own.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traci Hall has once again delivered an outstanding new cozy mystery that is as good as apple pie fresh from the oven. Mackintosh "Macki" Smith, has returned home to Cider Falls to recover from a horrid break up with a horrid person named Gary. Macki was once a five-time blue ribbon winning pie maker who went to Seattle with big plans to start her own pop-up apple hand pie booth. Macki comes from a family with an apple orchard legacy and a close family. In fact, family is a big theme for this story, family and knowing self-worth. Macki had allowed Gary to determine hers for her and that never ends well, and while Gary would make for a perfect victim, he is not the one who dies.

Returning to Cider Falls was always the plan for Macki but she was wanting to do it on her own terms. She never expected to go home only to be goaded into entering the annual festival apple pie contest, or to have to solve a murder to clear her own name while trying to lead the family in the midst of a family crisis involving a kayaking outing that turned almost deadly for the Smith parents. This is a wonderfully diverse family with diverse characters who are as interesting as their names. Grandma is nicknamed Honeybee and the kids are all named after apple varieties, but don't call Crispin by his first name, he prefers Cris.

In the midst of the chaos of both parents being in the hospital in serious condition, people who have known Macki her whole life actually believe the rumors that she stabbed and killed the victim because she didn’t want to lose the pie contest. The idea is absolutely crazy, but it seems that the police are keeping Macki on the top of the suspect list. Thankfully Macki has a friend from Seattle, actually the only friend she made while away from home, who has recently returned to being a private investigator. Logan Foster is the perfect friend, confidante, and gentleman. He is Macki's biggest cheerleader next to her siblings and is in it for the long haul from hunting down clues with Macki to pitching in at the orchard by picking apples.

There isn't just one mystery involved and it isn't until almost the end when I learned whether or not the two were related. There are plenty of suspects since the victim, Penny Ackerson, was not a pleasant person and had a tendency to not take her meds for her bipolar condition. So, who did away with Penny and chose to set Macki up to take the fall? There is also the mystery of the missing money but that will need to wait until the next book. This story had me hooked from the first chapter to the last and the cherry on the top is a recipe for Macki’s apple hand pies, which I cannot wait to make and enjoy.

[Rachaelbookhunter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Macki Smith has returned to the family farm in Cider Falls, Washington after a bad breakup and a career fail. The Smith family has grown apples for years. It's a family business. Macki is happy to help while she's figuring things out. It's the beginning of fall and the annual Cider Falls Festival is about to begin. Macki is roped into competing in the apple pie contest. Many people are anxious for the competition to see if her pies are still legendary. Just before the festival Macki's parents are in a kayaking accident. Then the festival kicks off with the dead body of one the competitors. As if that wasn't enough Macki's knife is found at the scene.

I really wanted to like this book. The family business is a great idea and I loved all the talk about apples. The characters are always busy and I like how everyone works together. We are introduced to a lot of characters though and it is a little hard to keep everyone straight. Some of them aren't very distinct, making it even harder.

The pacing is pretty slow although it does fit in with the orchard vibe. Things pick up a little after the murder. Another mystery to solve is what exactly happened to the parents. There isn't a lot to go on at first but I was interested in the story of whether/when they would recover.

There is, at times, an overwhelming amount of detail in scenes for ordinary things like exactly where someone is sitting, what and when they left things in the car, and in what order people entered a room. I found other details lacking especially in the Autumn vibes area.

You have to suspend belief for a lot of things that occur with some characters' behaviors including in the showdown with the killer. No one's reactions seemed normal especially one of them. A line of dialogue from that person was especially crazy considering what was happening. The killer is pretty unexpected and I like who it turned out to be though.

Things leave off with plenty to lead into the next book in the series including hints of romance which could head in a direction I don't like but other readers might. While this book didn't quite work for me many readers will be charmed with the Smith family and the town of Cider Falls.

Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read!

[Deborah Almada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this first book in a new series by author Traci Hall, I have read other books by this author but this was the chance to get in on the ground floor of a new series. Set on the northern west coast of the United States, the wonderful location adds another layer to our story. Macki has returned home to her family orchard in Cider Falls with an MBA in agricultural management, a broken heart, and a shattered dream. She has come to help with the harvest and to reconsider her options in life. Getting persuaded to participate in the best pie contest, a contest she has five blue ribbons in, was not on the agenda, everyone wants to beat her because she has won so often plus she feels she has lost her mojo! That is more than enough pressure until her parents are seriously injured in a kayaking accident while they were practicing for a white water rapids competition. With their parents' air lifted to a Seattle hospital having life-threatening injuries, Macki feels she must rally her siblings, grandmother, and employees together to keep the farm going. Unfortunately, things get even more dire when another contestant in the pie contest is killed with Macki's knife, a PI friend of Macki's discovers her parents kayak was tampered with and there are funds missing from the farm's account. Can Macki and her siblings keep the farm afloat while their parents recover? Can Macki with her PI friend discover who set her up for Penny's murder? Can they figure out who is trying to sabotage the farm? This is a great cozy mystery, with a wonderful family, in a gorgeous setting. This book was a great setup for an ongoing series as while we get an answer to the murder mystery, other questions are definitely left for the next adventure. I can hardly wait for book two! Many thanks to #Netgally, #KensingtonCozies, and the author for an opportunity to discover! #ApplePiesandPoisonLiesattheCiderFallFestival #CiderFallsOrchardMysteries #TraciHall #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

[Nicole Whiteaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this book in the heat of summer, and I didn’t know if I was going to be ready for a book about fall. A few pages in I was ready and even more ready to move to the small town of Cider Falls. Traci captivated me with the small-town charm, the scenery, the shops and the apples. Oh, the delicious apple pies they talked about in the book. I might have gained 5 pounds just thinking about eating those apple pies.

Macki is the main female character, and she moves back to her family’s orchard after a terrible breakup with Gary. Side note - I am glad we never actually get to meet Gary “in person” because if we would have, he without doubt would have been the murder victim.

Macki used to be a phenomenal baker and would always win the blue ribbon during the harvest festival apple pie contest. A falling out happened when she was a teen and she never entered the contest again. Fast forward to adulthood and good ol’ Gary convinced her that she was a terrible baker and would never amount to anything in the baking world. Reason 2,564 of why she ended things.

Macki and her sister are out to breakfast at the local café where Hunky Hunter works and like all small town charm a blast from the past sidles up to the table and persuades Macki to enter the contest even though she does not want too. She did not know that baking an apple pie could turn deadly…

While all this is going on her parents end up in a terrible Kayaking accident, or is it an accident? Logan, the main male character, is a friend of Macki’s from Seattle that comes to help solve the mystery accident. Do I see sparks happening between Macki and Logan?

I can not wait for the next book in this series which I know there is going to be one with how the first one ended. If there isn’t I will very much be let down. Traci, please don’t let me down!!

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an ARC of this delicious book! All opinions are my own.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not only does Traci Hall write one of my favorite cozy series, A Scottish Shire Mystery, but she just published a brand new one that is delivering so many wonderful Autumn vibes.

This book takes place in Washington at the Smith family’s Cider Falls Orchard. I loved watching the family, plus their crew of hard workers, harvest the apples, create delicious treats and manage a gift shop. I would definitely want to visit to pick my own fruit, savor one of Macki’s talked about hand pies and perhaps take a moment to pet the local farm hound, McDuff.

Macki was a fantastic protagonist. I enjoyed watching her confidence return even while she was dealing with so much unexpected stress throughout this story. The side characters were so well developed! I liked seeing the many Smith siblings come together in the face of emergency to keep their family farm thriving. I like that they are all adults with various interests. Granny was a sweetie too. She was busy keeping everyone fed after a full day of manual labor and calm during the investigations. I’m not sure how I feel about a potential love triangle. I think it’s pretty obvious who Macki is interested in, but that final kiss was unexpected.

There were a few mysteries to unravel and attempt to solve in this book. The main murder kept me on my toes. The suspect list was long to work through and everyone had a bit of suspicion cast over them. I honestly didn’t pinpoint the culprit until it was all playing out during the reveal and it left me shocked. We also had to work through the shady actions of Macki’s ex - I did figure that one out. Another main storyline that had me absolutely captivated, was a major kayaking accident that Macki’s parents were involved in. This was left unsolved so I look forward to picking up on the discovered leads in the sequel!!

[Trish · Rating 4 out of 5]

After a bad breakup in Seattle, Macki Smith goes back to her family's apple orchard to help with their Fall business. When her parents are both injured in a frightening kayak accident, she takes on business operations at the orchard. Then, at an apple festival bake-off, one of her competitors is discovered dead ... killed by a knife that looks like Macki's. Macki juggles the orchard business, concern for her parents, and amateur sleuthing - with the help of Logan, a handsome friend from Seattle who just happens to be a private investigator.

I wanted to read Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival because I love cozy mysteries. The Fall apple orchard setting sounded very appealing!

This is the first book in a new series, and I am definitely in for the series! The author did a great job at setting the scene with an apple orchard in small town Washington. It was so picturesque and charming, and I enjoyed spending some reading hours in this cozy little town.

The first few chapters are leisurely paced, and introduce Macki's very large family. Then her parents are in an unexpected accident, and after that there is a murder at the town bake off ... and things just take off like a rollercoaster, up and down with lots of turns in quick succession.

The mystery aspect of this book is well done, with some strong suspects. The murderer took me by surprise! I enjoyed Macki's sleuthing and the big reveal.

I recommend Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival for other cozy mystery fans, and especially for readers who like an Autumn small town setting.

[Lexi Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival was exactly the kind of cozy mystery I wanted for fall. The apple orchard setting, small town charm, harvest season, baking, and constant talk of delicious treats made the atmosphere incredibly inviting. Macki was easy to root for as she returned home and found herself unexpectedly responsible for helping keep the family orchard running after her parents’ accident. I really enjoyed watching her reconnect with her family and rediscover her love of baking along the way. Her family added so much personality to the story, and I especially loved Granny Honeybee and McDuff, the family dog. There are quite a few characters introduced early on, but once everyone settled into their roles, they became much easier to follow.

The mystery itself gave the story plenty of momentum, especially with so many possible suspects and motives surrounding the murder at the festival. I did not figure out the killer before the reveal, which made the conclusion especially satisfying. What really kept me interested, though, was the second mystery involving Macki’s parents and the possibility that their accident was not actually an accident. Between the orchard’s financial troubles, a developer trying to acquire the property, Macki’s complicated past, and her investigation with Logan, there was always something new to uncover. The ending left some questions unresolved, particularly regarding Macki’s romantic life and her parents’ accident, so I am definitely curious to see what happens next. With its charming setting, family dynamics, baking, multiple mysteries, and strong autumn atmosphere, this was a delightful start to the series.

[April · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival for it’s fall vibes, family ties and small town atmosphere. I would be delighted to visit this type of family apple farm. The author gives a good sense of how much effort goes into keeping a family farm going.
There were a few things that have me a little on the fence with this cozy mystery read.
1. The title of the book was too long. Most reviewers shortened it to end at the lies.
2. I get that Macki had a bad break up with Gary, but she sure spent a lot of time sticking her head in the proverbial sand to escape the idea of a relationship with a good guy. Logan or Hunter make good options, and Macki is kidding herself that she isn’t already involved.
3. The mystery surrounding the parents, the kayak, the farm and the past is way too big for this book. It completely overshadowed the death at the festival. I think it may have been meant to be part of the arc in the series, but it takes over the whole book (as it should since family is important). It’s a little disappointing that the reader is left hanging with this huge piece of the story unfinished.
Penny’s death gets solved, but it’s almost too neatly wrapped up.
I really like the book and hope it will be a series because I love the Smith family, and that their names are all apple varieties. I am also a little ambivalent because there is yet so much unanswered. I like there to be fewer looming big questions between books in cozy mysteries.
Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington for the opportunity to read a pre-release copy of the book.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies is exactly the kind of fall‑themed comfort read that makes you want to curl up with a blanket, a mug of cider, and maybe even a slice of pie. Traci Hall captures the essence of small‑town Washington in autumn so vividly that you can practically smell the crisp air and hear the crunch of leaves underfoot.

Macki Smith is an immediately likable heroine—warm, determined, and trying to find her footing after returning home to Cider Falls Orchard. The family dynamics are charming, the orchard setting is irresistible, and the festival atmosphere brings all the cozy vibes you’d hope for in a fall mystery. I loved the blend of community spirit, generational pride in the land, and the gentle humour woven through the story.

The mystery itself has just the right amount of intrigue without ever losing the comforting tone of a cozy. Between the baking competition, the suspicious accident, and a developer with questionable motives, there are plenty of twists to keep the pages turning. Hall balances sweetness and suspense beautifully, making the “poisoned lies” feel believable without ever tipping the story out of its cozy lane.

This is a delightful start to a new series—full of heart, autumn charm, and a heroine you’ll happily follow into future books. Perfect for readers who love orchard settings, family‑centered cozies, and anything that celebrates the magic of fall.

With thanks to Traci Hall, the publisher and netgalley for the ARC

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm somewhere between a 3 and a 4 rating. A cozy mystery set in present day, in the foothills of Washington State's Cascade Mountains. Macki Smith is back home following a breakup with her fella. She's always had her baking to carry her through but the baking mojo seems to have left her. She isn't sure where or if she fits back at home. But there is a fall festival, an apple orchard full of apples and she has no time to worry about little things.

Then her mom and dad are severely injured in a very strange kayak accident. Macki and her siblings are left in charge. Macki discovers there is a developer lurking around, who wants to buy the land and the orchard and then demolish the orchard. Will this be a good move for the family or a disastrous one?

Encouraged to enter her apple pie in the fall festival's pie contest, Macki practices daily and gradually starts to see that she can still bake. Then a real tragedy befalls another baker at the festival and Macki realizes that her life may be in danger as well.

This is Book One in the Cider Falls Orchard Mystery series. There were a lot of characters in Book One; these will probably all show up in subsequent additions to the series.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Publishing/Kensington Kozies, in exchange for a review.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is the first in a new series by Traci Hall. I love her Scottish Shire mysteries, so I was looking forward to reading this book. I was not disappointed. This is a charming mystery set in a small town Washington setting with all the usual mystery elements. There are quirky characters, small businesses and a murder with lots of suspects. What I really enjoyed about this mystery was the setting and the teamwork between Macki and Logan, her PI friend who comes to help out. I also liked that there were several mysteries going on at the same time and that the characters actually seemed to work for a living and not just run around solving crimes. Stories feel so much more realistic that way. The one thing that was a little hard for me was the sheer amount of characters. The main character has a big family, it’s a small town where they know everyone and there were lots of suspects to keep track of. It just felt like a lot of people to meet at once, but I am sure by the time there are a few books in this series we will know all the characters and enjoy their lives in Cider Falls. I am looking forward to more books in this series. This book definitely made me want to read more about Macki and Logan and Cider Falls.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Suzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traci Hall is writing a new series starting with the delightful, Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies, Cider Falls Orchard Mystery #1. I have enjoyed Ms. Hall's other books and was excited to read this cozy small-town mystery. The story is set in a family-owned orchard in Washington.

Macki, the oldest sibling, comes back to the family business after a failed relationship and business, not intending to make the move permanent. A series of unfortunate events changes things, including an accident her parents are involved in. The mystery portions were woven into the story so well; I could not wait to discover clues that would unmask the culprits. Having more than one mystery to solve is the mark of a good plot for my tastes. Though not fast-paced, the story does roll along at a good pace as we get to know the family, orchard workers, frenemies, and townspeople. An interesting cast that I look forward to knowing more about as the series continues.
I would recommend this book to others who enjoy cozy small-town mystery/thrillers.

My thanks to #NetGalley #KensingtonCozies #KensingtonPublishing #TraciHall for an ARC to read. All thoughts and opinions are my own---I always review books that I loved so that others can find them, too. #ApplePiesandPoisonedPiesattheCiderFallsFestival #NetGalley.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

This cozy mystery set in an apple orchard in Washington state provides a taste of autumn. The Smith Orchard in Cider Falls is the family business and all of the children are named for an apple variety. Macki (McIntosh) is back after her life and relationship in Seattle fell apart. She is trying to regain her confidence, figure out her future, and how it fits with the family and the orchard. What she doesn’t expect is that she would be in charge of the orchard after her parents are in a suspicious kayak accident. Logan, a friend from Seattle and a PI, offers his assistance solving the kayak incident and help at the orchard. They are friends but is there potential for more between them? After a death during the Apple Pie contest she is glad for Logan’s help clearing her name and solving the two mysteries.

The characters are interesting and I enjoyed watching the family dynamics and how Logan fit in. The town of Cider Falls has all the things I like in a small town, quirky characters, seasonal festivals, and a sense of community. The mysteries kept me turning the pages to the very end. I look forward to reading more in the Cider Falls Mystery series.

I recommend this book to readers that enjoy cozy mysteries set in small towns.

Thanks to Kensington Books for the free, gifted copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.