Death By The Orchard

A Quiet Town Mystery

🍏 Murder, Jam, and Apple Pie: A Killer Festival in Julian 🍏

Public health inspector Emily Greene expected Apple Day to be all about pie judging and jam-tasting—not murder.

But when Margaret Harlow, the sharp-tongued director of Julian’s retirement home, drops dead from poisoned custard apple jelly, Emily’s inner sleuth kicks into high gear.

With a knack for pie charts and pie crusts, Emily can’t resist the mystery—despite grumpy Detective Rachel Harris warning her off. Luckily, she’s got her sarcastic tabby Whiskers and a too-charming ghost named Kaius tagging along for clues and chaos.

The charming, enigmatic fruit vendor Michael Evans stirs more than just cider—and his thorny past with Margaret puts him right in the hot seat.

Then there’s Pauline Grant, local historian and secret rival of Margaret, who conveniently turns up dead next. Could it be bitter jam rivalries? Or something rooted deeper in Julian’s tangled past?

As visions, vendettas, and village gossip collide, Emily must unearth the truth before another slice of murder is served—this time, with her name on the recipe card.

Good cozy mystery

Great cozy mystery. Both the author and the narrator kept me invested from the first chapter. With a number of twists and turns and a result I didn’t see coming, I was hooked.