Helpful Score: 4
Very slow to start out with-about in the middle of the book things really get going. I will look forward to the next in the series!
Helpful Score: 4
Great info on apples and truly beginner info on genealogy (I may list this for trade but only after copying the delicious-sounding apple recipes appended to the story).
I really enjoy the characters and the location. Some of the writing is a bit repetitive but I can't quite tell if it is lack of tight editing or a part of the characterization of the heroine who seems to stew almost endlessly over the same facts. I am looking forward to at least the next volume in the series as I did fall in love with the setting. If the story flow improves, Sheila Connolly may become one of my new favorite cozy authors.
I really enjoy the characters and the location. Some of the writing is a bit repetitive but I can't quite tell if it is lack of tight editing or a part of the characterization of the heroine who seems to stew almost endlessly over the same facts. I am looking forward to at least the next volume in the series as I did fall in love with the setting. If the story flow improves, Sheila Connolly may become one of my new favorite cozy authors.
Richard M. (algernon99) -
Helpful Score: 3
This was a fun book to read. The thing I enjoyed the most was the relationships between the characters. I have the rest of the series sitting here waiting to be read. My general policy is to read series books about six months apart, but I'm really tempted to just pick up #2 right now to see what happens with Meg and Seth and Rachel and... well, you get the idea. I like the characters and the town and the old house and the apple orchard... The mystery part is just OK, but that's all right with all the other interesting stuff going on.
Helpful Score: 2
I just finished this book, it held my interest, but not "gee I can't put it down" type of read. It was repetitive in the story line, same plot explanation over and over.
Three stars for me!!!
Three stars for me!!!
Even though I was able to figure out "who dun it", I enjoyed this book very much....looking forward to the next one in the series...Characters are believable ...Lots of interesting information on apples and orchards....
Good quick read. There is no redefining the murder mystery genre here. And toward the end--as if to appease those looking for a sappy romantic novel-- it does get a little "out of character" but for the most part it was worht my time and I was entertained.
Well written. Great characters. I can not wait to read the 2nd book in this series.
Meg Corey has moved to small town Massachusetts to renovate a house for her mother not realizing the amount of time, energy, and money that is going to be put into the project. Her first problem occurs when her septic system goes bad, and she has to replace it. (The good thing that comes out of that is she meets the plumber, Seth Chapin.) The second problem is that her several month ago manipulative ex-boyfriend shows up on her doorstep trying to purchase the property for a commercial development. The third problem happens when the ex shows up in dead in her newly dug system. The fourth problem is the detective on the case who knows that Meg just has to be the murderer, so it's up to Meg to determine the killer before the detective on the case puts her in jail.
This book is somewhat predictable, but that is okay. By the middle of the book, the reader knows that Meg is going to try to do something with her orchard and that she will not be leaving town, but again, that is okay. There is a bit of romance, no gore, some humor, and interesting characters which makes a good lead into the next book.
This book is somewhat predictable, but that is okay. By the middle of the book, the reader knows that Meg is going to try to do something with her orchard and that she will not be leaving town, but again, that is okay. There is a bit of romance, no gore, some humor, and interesting characters which makes a good lead into the next book.
This was an easy read book. I liked it a lot. I plan on reading the next one.
I found myself liking the characters in this book. It was nice to read a new author and challenging to figure out the clues. I did have a hankering that I knew "who dunnit it" and I was right. A few of the characters needed more fleshing out but I think as I read the series and get to know them they will become more real to me.
Jeanette M. (rhonda517) -
easy read, very quaint I like this series and will read the next one too!!
A nice series...just a little different and the characters are interesting.
This is an excellent first book in this new series. The author had me within the first two paragraphs, and I had a hard time putting it down! The characters are great, the main character isn't one of these "I know it's really dark down cellar, and I think I hear a noise, so I'd better investigate" type heroines. The mystery was good, although I pretty much knew 3/4 of the way through who did it, but sure not why. I'm reading the second book in the series and can't wait for the third book to come out later this year. Recommend it highly as a gentle cozy.
Warning for some: Not the usual "cozy" mystery that I've previously encountered because the book does contain some swear words, including the "b" word, here and there, but not often.
A bit too wordy at times. Most worrisome is that a couple of times the main character says/does a couple of things completely out of character a.k.a. unbelievable. I did like the ending.
A bit too wordy at times. Most worrisome is that a couple of times the main character says/does a couple of things completely out of character a.k.a. unbelievable. I did like the ending.
A fun good read
It was an easy read book with very likable characters. I enjoyed the book and am reading the rest of the series.
A good read!
I don't think this book qualifies as a mystery since the heroine doesn't figure out who the murderer is until the person comes for her. It was an enjoyable read anyway.
There's a killer in the orchardâ" and he's rotten to the core.
Meg Corey has come to the quaint New England town of Granford, Massachusetts, to sell her mother's old colonial home and apple orchard. Instead, she becomes embroiled in development plans that include her landâ"and her former flame from Boston. When he's found dead in the new septic tank on her property, the police immediately suspect Meg, whose only ally in town is the plumber Seth Chapin. Together, they'll have to peel back the layers of secrecy that surround the deal in order to find the real murdererâ"and save the orchard.
(An Orchard Mystery #1)
Berkley (Prime Crime), August 2008
272 pages ISBN: 0425223043
Meg Corey has come to the quaint New England town of Granford, Massachusetts, to sell her mother's old colonial home and apple orchard. Instead, she becomes embroiled in development plans that include her landâ"and her former flame from Boston. When he's found dead in the new septic tank on her property, the police immediately suspect Meg, whose only ally in town is the plumber Seth Chapin. Together, they'll have to peel back the layers of secrecy that surround the deal in order to find the real murdererâ"and save the orchard.
(An Orchard Mystery #1)
Berkley (Prime Crime), August 2008
272 pages ISBN: 0425223043
