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_nicolemariereads_'s review
4.0
This cozy mystery was lovely. The perfect mix of fall/winter cozy vibes with a well drawn mystery. I was left guessing at the end and my predictions were off so that was a fun surprise! I did this as a mix of print and audio and I really enjoyed the narration.
theavidreaderandbibliophile's review
3.0
Apple Cider Slaying by Julie Anne Lindsey is the debut of A Cider Shop Mystery series. Winnie Montgomery and her Granny Smythe run Smythe Orchards in Blossom Valley, West Virginia. Winnie wants to add a cider shop in the Mail Pouch barn, but she needs a loan from the local bank. Winnie is showing around Mr. Sherman, the local loan manager, around the property when they discover Nadine Cooper, Granny’s longtime neighbor and nemesis, dead on the cider press. Sheriff Colton Wise quickly sets his sights on Granny which sends Winnie on the hunt for the real culprit. Apple Cider Slaying is a cute new cozy mystery that gets off to a solid start. We are introduced to Winona Mae Montgomery and her grandmother, Granny Smythe. They have a close relationship that I admired (so sweet together). I like that the author took the time to establish the main characters and introduce readers to their orchard. The descriptions of the orchard, Blossom Valley and the Blue Ridge Mountains were wonderful. It was interesting to learn about the different apple varieties and how cider is made. The mystery had a couple of suspects and there was plenty of action. While it is a snap to identify the killer, I enjoyed following the investigation. I was curious as to why Mrs. Cooper was killed which took longer come to light. I enjoyed the author’s conversational writing style which made Apple Cider Slaying a breeze to read. There are also two adorable kittens in the story. I could tell the author has experience with kittens from the scenes she wrote. Kittens sharp little claws and how it feels is accurately described (they love to climb up a person’s legs). Winnie also dreams up a Christmas festival for the orchard and spends time getting it organized. She has clever ideas and is a Martha Stewart wannabe. There is romance in the air for Winnie as well. I will definitely be reading Pulp Friction when it comes out next spring. Apple Cider Slaying is a charming new cozy mystery with a strong minded sheriff, cinnamon cider, classic cars, cute kittens, a polluted press and Christmas cheer.
ketutar's review
3.0
Well... it wasn't bad, except it had the three things I hate about cozies.
1) the MC gets upset when the police DARES to suspect her or her relatives or friends of the murder
2) the MC decides to solve the crime herself
3) at some point something bad happens and the MC is all mea culpa
In this book, she was also lying all the time, even though everyone knew she was lying, and telling the truth would not have made anything worse, on the contrary. *sigh*
I really wish the cozy writers would skip these tropes. I know #2 is kind of necessary, but it could be done in a better way. Like, the MC just happens to stumble over clues. She just happens to overhear something important, maybe not even understanding its importance herself, and happens to tell the detective who is her boyfriend. Or something like that.
Nevertheless, it wasn't bad.
1) the MC gets upset when the police DARES to suspect her or her relatives or friends of the murder
2) the MC decides to solve the crime herself
3) at some point something bad happens and the MC is all mea culpa
In this book, she was also lying all the time, even though everyone knew she was lying, and telling the truth would not have made anything worse, on the contrary. *sigh*
I really wish the cozy writers would skip these tropes. I know #2 is kind of necessary, but it could be done in a better way. Like, the MC just happens to stumble over clues. She just happens to overhear something important, maybe not even understanding its importance herself, and happens to tell the detective who is her boyfriend. Or something like that.
Nevertheless, it wasn't bad.
kimdavishb's review
5.0
APPLE CIDER SLAYING, the first book in the brand new Apple Cider Shop Mystery series by Julie Anne Lindsey, is as cozy as books come. I was instantly transported to the orchards as protagonist, Winnie Mae Montgomery, helps her Granny Smythe prepare for the first Annual Christmas at the Orchard. Winnie is determine to save the orchard from financial ruin and uses all her marketing savvy to bring in customers year round. I couldn’t help but become invested in seeing how she was going to accomplish it nor could I help becoming anxious when it seemed they would lose everything.
Ms. Lindsey does a commendable job creating lovable characters and adorable felines. Who can resist the rescue kittens named Kenny and Dolly? Or the handsome new Sheriff in town? Winnie is especially admirable. She is kind and loving, and her work ethic should be a standard to hold in high regard. Not only did she attend community college to finish her marketing degree, she works as a waitress at the Sip N Sup, plus works at the orchard to help her granny. Winnie also dreams of opening her own cider shop at the orchard, which takes planning and tenacious determination to find a way to make it happen.
The author’s descriptive voice captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of not only the orchard, but the locals who live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. She peppers the pages with humor while creating a tightknit community of folk in Blossom Valley. They epitomize what a community should be. The story had a good pace with lots of action and the murder mystery held twists and turns that kept my attention. I didn’t even have the villain on my suspects list but the clues are there and it was fun to go back and see how I missed it. A suspenseful reveal had me turning pages faster and faster until I read the very last page. A well-done first in a new series that is one of my new favorites this year!
I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Ms. Lindsey does a commendable job creating lovable characters and adorable felines. Who can resist the rescue kittens named Kenny and Dolly? Or the handsome new Sheriff in town? Winnie is especially admirable. She is kind and loving, and her work ethic should be a standard to hold in high regard. Not only did she attend community college to finish her marketing degree, she works as a waitress at the Sip N Sup, plus works at the orchard to help her granny. Winnie also dreams of opening her own cider shop at the orchard, which takes planning and tenacious determination to find a way to make it happen.
The author’s descriptive voice captures the sights, sounds, and flavors of not only the orchard, but the locals who live in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. She peppers the pages with humor while creating a tightknit community of folk in Blossom Valley. They epitomize what a community should be. The story had a good pace with lots of action and the murder mystery held twists and turns that kept my attention. I didn’t even have the villain on my suspects list but the clues are there and it was fun to go back and see how I missed it. A suspenseful reveal had me turning pages faster and faster until I read the very last page. A well-done first in a new series that is one of my new favorites this year!
I was provided an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
ardentsilver's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
After reading a run of low effort mysteries this book feels like a breath of fresh air. Multiple well written characters, multiple lines of interest that feel slightly more researched than pulling up a Wikipedia page, and a setting that makes the mystery make sense.
mangobdc19's review
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
bookish_smorgasbord's review
3.0
This apple cozy combines all of the elements of the genre and bakes them into a warm, satisfying mystery. Winona "Winnie" Mae Montgomery is a hard-working, all in kind of woman who wants to use her new business degree to save the family orchard. When her beloved Granny (and yes, she is Granny Smythe lol) is investigated by law enforcement for the murder of her antagonistic neighbor, it threatens all of their plans for the orchard. Julie Anne Lindsey draws up relatable characters, builds believable chemistry, and includes plenty of red herrings to trip up amateur sleuths. I look forward to reading the rest of the series!
Reading a food cozy mystery is like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach. This series comes with a few recipes at the end, if you want to make something to go along with your reading.
Reading a food cozy mystery is like going to the grocery store on an empty stomach. This series comes with a few recipes at the end, if you want to make something to go along with your reading.