Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery Series: Box Set One

Apple Orchard #1-3

by Chelsea Thomas

This box set contains the first three books in the apple orchard cozy mystery series.

APPLIE DIE (BOOK 1)
COOKING THE BOOKS (BOOK 2)
CANDY APPLE KILLER (BOOK 3)

You'll love this series because everyone loves a down on her luck sleuth who finds strength through solving murders!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Ebooks, Cozy, Fiction, Collections, Mystery Thriller

639 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 15, 2019

About the author

Everyone loves a secret.

So here's a good one...

...Chelsea Thomas is technically two people, married writing team Chelsea and Matthew Thomas.

Matt and Chelsea write cozy mysteries set on an apple orchard in upstate New York. They also write television and film. As screenwriters, they have worked with several studios, including Nickelodeon, SONY and CBS.

Chelsea and Matt are graduates of Duke University and they are members of the Writers Guild of America. And they are USA Today Bestselling authors.

Chelsea enjoys spending time with animals and practicing yoga. Matt loves playing music. They both enjoy spending time near the water.

Want a free novella PLUS a free cozy mystery cookbook?

Join the Chelsea Thomas Reader Club at www.chelseathomasauthor.com.

Reviews

[Renee Collins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic series and throughly entertaining!

I previously read book 1 of this series....but started over with this set since it had been a while. I love Miss May, Teeny, and Chelsea. It feels like I know these people personally. I've throughly enjoyed the development of Chelsea's sleuthing skills as well as seeing her develop from identifying as a victim to someone more confident and secure in her choices.

So many mysteries waiting to be resolved! Why did Miss May think that Chelsea's parent's death might not have been an accident? Why is Mike trying to reach Chelsea? How will the relationship develop between Wayne and Chelsea? Will Grandma's ever be the same? Will KP enjoy his holiday?

What will happen next? What will be the next mystery to solve? I'm sure I will find out the answers to some of these questions as soon as I open the next boxed series in the morning.

This combined writing team does a great job developing believable characters and the suspense. Knowing they are screen writers as well may cause me to watch television again...I. the meantime. I read!

[Alonza · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead bodies everywhere!

Captivating, cozy, homey, and hunger causing! Chelsea, Miss ?May and Tiny keep finding bodies, clues, innocents and the guilty! Pine Grove sounds reminiscent of small town America. I would love to stay at the Dragonfly Inn, have lunch at Grandma’s, the go apple picking at Miss May’s. Character are well developed, plot thickens, then is crazily solved. There is even a good looking detective that has a romance with Chelsea! Fun read, kept me involved in the stories.

[Darlene Riggs · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful clean cozy mystery series!

Book 1: Apple Die
A trio of amateur investigators.
What does a lawyer, a restaurateur, and a jilted bride have in common? They all (some more than others) want to play amateur detective to solve a local murder. This was a cute cozy mystery.
It was an entertaining, well-written, fun, and easy read. What a great way to start off a new series.

Book 2: Cooking the Books
A girl has to do what a girl has to do.
The sleazy town ‘wealth manager’ turns up dead at the annual Pine Grove Winter Festival. Named as the chief suspect in the murder is a close friend of Chelsea and Aunt May. The local police force doesn’t seem to be capable of conducting a proper investigation. Aunt May and Chelsea feel they must conduct their own amateur investigation to prove the innocence of their friend. Teeny, the zany third wheel of the group, adds a bit of humor to the story with her outlandish antics.
This was a well-written, fun, entertaining, and easy read providing an enjoyable evening of reading.

Book 3: Candy Apple Killer
This murder is a little too close to home.
Another murder on Aunt May’s farm? Poisoned with one of Aunt May’s candy apples? Aunt May’s farmhand, KP, accused of murder? The hunky detective, Wayne Hudson, giving Chelsea the cold shoulder? Is there something in the water or what?
Aunt May and Chelsea, along with their zany third wheel Teeny, are going to have to solve this murder mystery on their own. What is up with the detective these days? I thought there was romance in the air. That is another mystery to itself.
This was a particularly good whodunit with plenty of red herrings along the way. A good, clean, cozy mystery that I recommend for a nice evening read.

I have been binge reading this series the past few days. I just love Chelsea and her Aunt May. Teeny is even growing on me even though her antics are sometimes a little over the top. I highly recommend to those who enjoy reading good cozy mysteries.

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

I just started the second book in this box set and I don't think I can take it any more. I have so many problems with these books.

The first book begins with the main character (Chels) being left at the altar. Her groom runs out during the vows and NO ONE GOES AFTER HIM! The main character's aunt tries to call him, but he doesn't answer. Does he not have any family or friends at this wedding? A best man, perhaps? I realize the author is trying to introduce Miss May (the aunt), but it just felt clunky. And then Miss May is the only one who comforts Chels. Does she not have a maid of honor?

Miss May convinces Chels to move back to Pine Grove and work at her apple orchard (as an interior decorator, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense, but whatever). Chels's cousin, Maggie, is marrying loud-mouthed, slicked-back-hair Vinny, but they lost their wedding venue, so Miss May lets them have the wedding at the apple orchard (and Chels gets to decorate!).

At the rehearsal dinner, Vinny is missing so Chels goes to find him. Not a family member or friend or his best man, which would make sense. Chels stumbles on his dead body face down in a creek with a flask in his hand. (I feel like the author missed an opportunity to integrate the apple orchard theme into the story. If you call your book Apple Die, an obvious pun on apple pie, shouldn't that have something to do with the murder?)

So the police show up and the hot, hunky detective interviews Chels who is so obsessed with how hot and hunky the detective is and who cares about the dead body of my cousin's fiancé because this detective is so hot and hunky. And then a female officer shows up and oh no! This officers looks like a supermodel! I'm so jealous! Hot, hunky detective probably likes supermodel police officer and isn't interested in little old me! Oh yeah, my cousin's fiancé just died. But look at hot, hunky detective!

Anyway, I realize cozy mysteries require some suspension of disbelief (an amateur detective solves a crime by gossiping and having a hunch!), but you can't completely neglect physical evidence and police procedures. The detective rules Vinny's death an accident without an autopsy or toxicology report or collecting any forensic evidence. He just interviews some people and calls it a day!

But wait! Miss May and Chels are convinced it's murder! Which makes no sense. Neither liked Vinny, he's dead, it's ruled an accident, let it go and let Maggie move on with her life. And there's nothing at the crime scene that would make someone think it's murder.

And how cruel and heartless was it for them to tell Maggie that Rita was pregnant with Vinny's baby! Like, what was the point?! She's reeling from the death of her fiancé, who dies THE NIGHT BEFORE THEIR WEDDING! And you decide it's a good idea to throw this bombshell in her lap so you move on with your amateur investigating? And then Maggie gets arrested because Rita blabbed to the police, which, again, makes no sense. A random pregnant chick shows up at the police station claiming she's carrying Vinny's baby and Vinny was going to leave Maggie the night of the rehearsal dinner so obviously Maggie killed Vinny so arrest Maggie. There's zero evidence of any of this, but okay. This police department doesn't need evidence to arrest someone!

Miss May and Chels solve the murder by driving around in a yellow VW bus (here's a drinking game: take a shot each time the author mentions the yellow VW bus!) and randomly accusing people of murder. They don't really find any clues. They just talk and make baseless accusations and somehow figure it out.

It was so obvious that Lance was the murderer. I realize the author was trying to "make it a surprise" by portraying Lance as so sweet and kind, but it was a little too heavy-handed. And Miss May and Chels just happen to intercept Lance as he is attempting to frame Rita by placing the murder weapon at her house, which might have made sense if the murder weapon wasn't a ROCK! Where was he going to put this rock so that the police would find it and arrest Rita? The police department has "technology from the seventies" and doesn't collect DNA evidence, apparently, so how was that plan going to work? And of course, they convince Lance to blab his confession just as the police show up.

And then Maggie and Rita become friends! I'm sorry, what?! No, just no.

And then book two begins. Everyone in town has left their money with Charles and want to make withdrawals but the withdrawals are taking too long! Let's convene a secret meeting at the dam! Who called the meeting? We don't know because it was a secret text message! But everyone shows up!

And then the detective shows up because he's been conducting surveillance on Liz. Why? Because Charles complained that she was stalking him! The proof? She showed up at the same places he did, which can't possibly happen in a small town! There are only so many places to go, and Liz is the town reporter, so of course she's going to be showing up everywhere. But that's enough evidence for the detective (you know, the one who ruled Vinny's death an accident in the first book, with--that's right!-- no evidence!).

Then, we're introduced to Jennifer Paul, who is the only hairdresser in town. That's right, in a town of several thousand people, there is only ONE person cutting EVERYONE'S hair! And she is pissed that Chels went to Manhattan to get a haircut. How dare she? The woman who only a few months earlier moved from Manhattan and was presumably getting all her haircuts there returned to--gasp!--get a haircut! The audacity! And then Chels feels like she has to explain herself and says she just happened to be in the city and decided to get a haircut, but Jennifer Paul is NOT HAVING IT. City salons don't accept walk-ins so Chels must have had an appointment! How do you explain that?!

...and that was the point I stopped reading because I just couldn't even.

[Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozies are my jam, apple or otherwise and this box set including Thomas' first three books arrives just in time for a cozy fall read. Set in an apple orchard farm that has hoedowns, famous candy apples, and even an event space that fits more into Chelsea's former NY lifestyle, she, her Aunt May and aunt's friend Teeny are quite the sleuth in these 3 mysteries as they exercise their power of deduction and "help" unmask the killer(s) in their own version of Sherlock and Watson.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Suspenseful with a bit of humour. A down on luck sleuth that is fabulous at the job. Loved all three of the books. Ready for more.

[Celia Buell (semi hiatus) · Rating 3 out of 5]

First three books here were pretty meh. I won't be continuing with the series.

- ⭐️⭐️
Basically, a lot of things about this novel seemed a lot more like a first draft than something that should have been published as is. Full review here.

- ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I'm not going to say Cooking the Books made me decide that this series is the best cozy mystery since Agatha Christie, but it was better than the first one by a lot. Full review here.

- ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Candy Apple Killer was my last free book in the series, and I don't plan on purchasing any of the books, so I'm pretty sure I'm done with this series unless I decide to go back and read A Knead to Kill at some point, which I don't want to do because I'll definitely conflate timelines. But overall it wasn't terrible. Full review here.

✅ - Over-the-top puns
✅ - Underwhelming characters
✅ - Mysteries that are predictable, but confusing.

[Christine Goodnough · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's not so fair to say I read this series because I read the first book a year ago and now came back and read the third. Chelsea's character as we first see her, comes across as spineless and whiny, vegetating in a cheap NY apartment for months ordering Chinese food delivered. Thankfully Miss May comes to her rescue and drags her back to the apple orchard, gives her a job as the events planner for the business, ad Chelsea starts getting a grip on life again.

The mysteries are low-suspense; the stories are built more on comedy than on realistic crimes. Mostly we observe three women running around confronting their suspects, breaking into houses to search for evidence, interacting with each other. Police are portrayed as dimwits, though Detective Wayne stars as the handsome hunk who does figure things out and show up on time.

Miss May is the smart one of the trio; her senior friend Teeny is there for moral support, wise cracks and silly suggestions. "Let's break a window." Chelsea, the main character who's telling these stories in first person, is a Barney Fife-type, clumsy, rather tactless and self-critical. In the third book she's getting a handle on life, starting to move on from her own personal disaster, but remains jealous of the attractive female cop who has it all together, and perfect hair.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

A collection of cozy as well as quirky. Three adult women who know they can solve more crimes than the local P.D. take on strange cases as they also stumble upon murders. Eating their way througfh crime, this mystery solving trio defy death and seperate the clues from the red herrings as they take on crime.

Miss May and her best friend Teeny are fascinating, in a horrible train wreck sort of way. You can not stop watching to see what they will get up to next or whose lives they will tamper with.
This book has all the elements cozy mystery readers adore quirky characters, nosy neighbors, an interfering amateur sleuth, handsome law man, and plenty of persons with motive and opportunity. In this case, the means was conveniently right at hand.

The authors of this series, yes, plural, have experience writing screenplays. That means they are well versed in show not tell. A cozy mystery, especially a character driven story, depends upon dialogue. In my opinion they have done an excellent job not only using dialogue to move the story forward but to give depth to characters and increase the readers` curiosity and experience.

[Robyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a new series for me, so I wasn’t sure what to expect. At first I wasn’t sure if I was going to like the main character, Chelsea. At the beginning she’s so negative about herself and timid. As the books progressed she grew and became very likeable with a great sense of humor and better self-confidence. It’s been fun to watch her grow. As she, Aunt May, and Teeny try their hardest to solve each mystery, her potential romance with the local detective also grows. The mysteries are fun, with twists and turns. I’m looking forward to reading more in the series to see how Chelsea becomes stronger and to see how her romance with Wayne continues. I really am enjoying this series and am looking forward to the author’s new series about a dog groomer. I’m a fan!

[Doreen · Rating 3 out of 5]

In the third book, Chelsea and Aunt May meet the Turtles, an obnoxious couple who moved ro Pine Grove after losing their fortune to a bad investment. In short order, they have alienated most of the residents of Pine Grove. Linda Turtle was found dead as the Candy Apple Hoedown ends. Aunt May's farmhand, KP, is arrested for her murder. As Aunt May and Chelsea set out to find the real murderer, they find Reginald Turtle hanged in an apparent suicide. Neither Aunt May or Chelsea believe he committed suicide and continue investigating the deaths. Will they be able to clear KP's name, or will they find themselves in deep trouble. Is their romance in Chelsea's future after she had been left at the altar?

[Ellen White · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Pie
Good flowing plot and I like the characters. Miss May came to the rescue for Chelsea and had some good ideas of how to get her active and out among people again. Teeny was a delight with her British ways. Murder and Miss
May is all for finding who. A delightful story.
Cooking The Books
Murder once again and they want these three to solve. The guy was dishonest in his dealings and people didn’t like him, but who did the dirty deed, a lot of mayhem as they try to figure this one out. Good characters
Candy Apples
The mayhem this trio find, and now more murder. A snooty couple and poisoned apples make a delightful plot .
Good characters, Series is enjoyable.

[Sandi Tinker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable, easy read

The books are fun cozies. The characters are entertaining and the plot lines are interesting.

So many of the free books have a lot of grammatical errors. It’s nice that these have far fewer than most—mostly the lack of past tense and adverbs where needed. I wonder if it’s intentionally ironic when a character who is always correcting others’ idioms uses a mistake herself, which occurs in the last book of the set. Knowing that the authors are screenwriters, I understand the way some of the books are written with unusual punctuation. I see that in a lot of scripts when authors want a particular reading by actors.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

If this is an author or series that is new to you, this is a great place to start. Fun, well-developed story and characters in a wonderful setting in upstate NY with stories that keep you interested and swiping away at your Kindle! The best thing about these books is that you can read them in any order, but they are best read in the order written if only to give you a little more backstory. However, if you get one before the other (rather than this set) you can start anywhere and not miss a beat! No spoilers in my reviews, just know that you won't be disappointed, there is a recurring trio that appears in all the books, and the stories (as well as characters) are likable, with twists and turns to keep you guessing. Humorous situations keep you laughing out loud and finally, you can obtain some of the recipes from the author (there is cookbook available, detail in the books! Slick, huh?) So, go ahead and dive into this fun mystery series, then, when you finish this box set, you'll be ready for the next one. Lastly, although I've read other books by this author and enjoyed them, in this case, I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[James Stalnaker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Apple Orchard Cozy Mysteries

Like most series , parts were repeated in the 2nd and 3rd books. I was surprised and pleased with the way this issue was handled. The author changed the repetitive parts enough not to sound too samey. The characters were humorous and very likeable. The stories twisted and turned so that the actual endings were surprising. All in all, the books were fun to read.

[M M · Rating 3 out of 5]

I did enjoy these three stories. I couldn’t give it a four or five star review because of the poor editing (rose for nose). Also, in book two, they referred to a mystery that was not in book one and sounds like it will be in books four through six. By the third book the characters were fun to read, more like old friends.

[Evette Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many murders in such a small town!

Pine Grove with its quirky residents is an interesting setting for the apple orchard mysteries. I enjoyed following along as the murders were investigated. I enjoy the cozy mystery style where there are clues to the puzzle without focusing on pain and blood. Thanks for entertainment without profanity or sex scenes.

[Rosemary Bender · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books made me think.

I loved these quaint stories about small town living and strange things that happen. Chelsea is so cute and quirky but smart just like Aunt May. You just have to read to the end to finally figure out who dunnit. Love, love , love these stories and can't wait to read the next ones.

[Elizabeth B. Baxter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pine Grove Mysteries

This box set of the Apple Orchard Mysteries has been a pave turner for me. I really like how they end up at the same place as the Police Detective from a different approach and end up just ahead of the Police. I have gone on to read the next set. Worth the adventure. EBB

[Paula Clouser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Satisfying reads

I liked these books but the description of the cop was odd....chest like a keg..tree trunk physique?? Also thought the police were portrayed as dim and less than helpful. Those things being said...l thought the books were cute, the heroines spunky and they were quick, enjoyable reads.

[linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are new to cosy mysteries. Then this is a good set to get. The three books are all set in pinewood but the murders are all completely different. The would be sleuths are Mrs May, Charlie and Tweeny. All are great characters and think they are better at solving crimes than the local police. If you want a life heated, sometimes funny story then I recommend these three books to read.

[Jules · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small town living.

I loved the first three books in this series. I look forward to reading the next books in this series. Chelsea and the detective are getting closer and I want to see where it takes them. I love all of the characters and how they are interacting with each other. I would definitely recommend these books to anyone who loves to read.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Apple Orchard Series Hit The Spot

Apple Orchard, a light hearted cozy mystery, kept you guessing as to the who & the why. Miss May, Chelsea and Wayne were all defined characters, others not so much. It was light enough that you could put it down to come back at a convenient time. I will read more of the Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery.

[Susan Tietjen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny and cute

Cute characters, a mystery that wasn't easy to solve, and a funny little romance that teased its way thru the story. I got it as a set and have no idea where book 1 ended and book 3 began, so I think I would have been disappointed if I read them one at a time. Otherwise it was a nice, light break in my more serious reading.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This set of three mysteries are really a fun read. The characters are from a small town in upstate New York. They seem to get into trouble but always end up solving the murders and finding the culprit before I have a clue. Delightful collection.

[Lynne Alexander Hollingsworth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am enjoying the 3rd book in the series and loving it! Light, funny reading with the whodunit as well as intriguing characters that remind me of some I know! In addition i have the cookbook and a novella which I look forward to reading! especially that HBL! thanks for these lovely books

[Joan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sea saw

This was a good cosy mystery and I liked the characters! Loved the setting on the apple farm. I wish I could have some of miss may apple pie and the great cookies she makes. I am looking forward to reading another book in this series

[Lynda · Rating 5 out of 5]

An apple a day

A 3 book series of fun. An aunt and niece set of sleuths that are wrapped in a apple orchard and a bunch of murders. Lots of work looking for the murderers and lots of just plain fun.

[Elizabeth Goforth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun in apple land

The best part of these first books was the development of the major characters. The stories were good and appropriately set in and around the orchard. I will certainly recommend them to my friends and family.

[Peggy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I couldn't stop reading! Finished in a day! Highly recommend it! A great book from a great author. Enjoyed every book I have read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.