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Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival
Not yet published
Expected 25 Aug 26For 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 . . .
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 . . .
304 pages, Paperback
Expected publication August 25, 2026
About the author
Traci Hall
111 books418 followersalso writing as Traci Wilton and Ellie 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 sixty 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. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it's her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.
Traci wants to hear from you!
Traci@TraciHall.com
Facebook.com/BytheSeaSeries
Twitter.com/Tracihallauthor
From cozy mysteries to seaside romance, USA Today bestselling author Traci Hall writes stories that captivate her readers. As a hybrid author with over sixty 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. Her latest project is an Irish Castle cozy as Ellie Brannigan. Whether it's her ever-popular By the Sea romances, an Appletree Cove sweet romance, or a fun who-done-it, Traci finds her inspiration in sunny South Florida, living right near the ocean.
Traci wants to hear from you!
Traci@TraciHall.com
Facebook.com/BytheSeaSeries
Twitter.com/Tracihallauthor
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
#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.
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.
April 1, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival by Traci Hall is such a wonderful cozy mystery I absolutely LOVED.
Such great fall vibes!
In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Autumn Festival is starting.
The Smith Family Orchard is getting ready. Macki has come home reluctantly after a break up. When her sister talks her into entering the backing competition, things take a bad turn.
A fantastic mystery with no shortage of subjects. I absolutely loved the Fall vibes and the Festival.
Characters are well written and developed.
Looking forward to the next book!
Such great fall vibes!
In the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Autumn Festival is starting.
The Smith Family Orchard is getting ready. Macki has come home reluctantly after a break up. When her sister talks her into entering the backing competition, things take a bad turn.
A fantastic mystery with no shortage of subjects. I absolutely loved the Fall vibes and the Festival.
Characters are well written and developed.
Looking forward to the next book!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
When I read the blurb for this book, I knew it was for me! Small town, mystery, cozy, and fall? Sign me up! And this book did not disappoint! I loved it from beginning to end! I was smiling the entire time I was reading it. If you are looking for a cozy mystery with a small town feel with a fall twist this one is it! I can't wait for the next installment of the series! This book set up the series beautifully! I read Traci Halls other series, Scottish Murder Mysteries and know her writing style and love it! The pacing is excellent and never lulls. Highly recommend this book! Thank you to NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for my honest review!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Cute, fun, well written cozy mystery with some impeccable vibes and an effective twist. 5 stars. tysm for the E-ARC.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
"Apple Pies and Poisoned Lies at the Cider Falls Festival” the first instalment in Mystery series by Traci Hall. What a great start to a new series, I loved the setting in the foothills of Washington’s Cascade mountains, the Smith family and the whole orchard theme.
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 . . .
Overall I just loved how the story made me feel and by the end I was smiling, cheering for Mackie and wondering what life had in store for her next.
The mystery was more a sub plot to us learning about the characters which I found well developed. To me it was a story about loyalty, community and friendship with a murder to solve. Book one has set us up perfectly for book 2 and I can’t wait.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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 . . .
Overall I just loved how the story made me feel and by the end I was smiling, cheering for Mackie and wondering what life had in store for her next.
The mystery was more a sub plot to us learning about the characters which I found well developed. To me it was a story about loyalty, community and friendship with a murder to solve. Book one has set us up perfectly for book 2 and I can’t wait.
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy lover friends.
I requested and received an advance readers copy from Crooked Lane and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews