From the oven it came… body was found face-down in the orchard.
Chelsea’s not sure crime-fighting is her strong suit. She’s up at her Aunt May’s farm recovering from heartbreak, after all, trying to forget the guy who left her at the altar. But when cousin Maggie’s fiancé is murdered, Chelsea’s own botched wedding seems like less of a big deal.
Who would have killed him?
The handsome and charming Detective Wayne thinks it’s Maggie.
Miss May and Chelsea know he’s wrong, but they don’t have proof. There’s a killer on the loose in their little town and they’re determined to find the culprit.
Who had motive?
You’ll adore this clean cozy mystery because everyone loves small-town mysteries with comedy, suspense and yummy food.
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This is the first of a new series, Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery. Our sleuthing team is: Auntie May, a former lawyer; Teeny, a restaurant owner, and Chelsea Thomas. Yes, the character is named after the author. It is written by a husband and wife team.
After some time, Chelsea Thomas has moved home to live on the family orchard with her aunt, Miss May. They are planning a wedding for Chelsea’s cousin, Maggie. There is a death that is deemed an accident but Chelsea and Miss May are not buying into that theory. They investigate.
I thought it was well-written and was reminiscent of a TV show by the way it was laid out. I could visualize each scene. The main characters are developed – Thank-you. There are twists and turns, humor and the dialog isn’t bad. I could feel for Chelsea in the first few chapters of the book. Being left at the altar can never be a pleasant experience. I am looking forward to more installments in this series.
I was given an advanced copy of the e-book from Booksprout. These are my own opinions.
Chelsea Thomas was left at the altar and taken for her business by the runaway groom. Her dear aunt, Miss May, travels to New Jersey to help Chelsea pull herself together and move forward. That includes moving the young woman home to live on the family orchard and become the special events planner.
Her first event unexpectedly is her cousin’s wedding. When the original venue cancels Miss May offers the farm to host the all of the wedding festivities. Chelsea soon wishes she had stayed in Jersey after finding a dead body. When her cousin becomes a murder suspect Chelsea discovers herself investigating the death.
This this is a first book in a new series by the husband and wife writing team of Matthew and Chelsea Thomas. The protagonist, Chelsea, is well developed. Miss May, her aunt and former guardian is also developed in such a way that we feel we know her. The setting is is quiet small town that is easy to picture. The family farm is the perfect backdrop for this story. The plot moves at a steady pace and made it hard to put the book down.
I enjoyed this book very much and recommend it to cozy mystery lovers. I look forward to reading the second book. I was provided a review copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
I think this is a really nice start to the apple orchard series, I can’t wait for the next one, the characters are great. A review copy of this book was sent to me by the author. All of the above opinions are my own.
Chelsea is definitely a character I can relate to. She’s come off a humiliating breakup and feels she has nothing, not even cutlery. Her aunt, Miss May (a character I wish I had in my life) has an offer she cannot refuse because Miss May won’t let her. However, along with her moving back home, she finds a dead body. To quote drool worthy Detective Wayne Hudson, “…sorry to say it, but the individual who ‘finds the body’ is often the guilty party.” Gulp! Apple Die is the first in a series of many more (I hope) enjoyable and original mysteries. I especially liked the chapter titles. I recommend your reading this series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
You have to have a certain sense of humor to laugh at your own tragedies – and maybe a little Schadenfreude to laugh at troubles that belong to someone else.
I have only respect for a young woman who describes her own wedding tragedy – literally left at the altar, while the groom said he needed something from his hotel room and went AWOL – Chelsea describes her own wedding trauma as unfortunately not the worst wedding disaster in the family.
Funny, poignant, and full of crazies who make the jilted brides look oh so sane!
Great Auntie Miss May is you know what on wheels – in heels! – sweet as pie, pie included – and she also happens to be a top Wall street lawyer.
Restaurant diva, and tiny terror, Teeny is a small but mighty force.
When these ladies make up an unwitting sleuthing team, you know you are in for a crazy amount of laughs and mayhem!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
“Apple Die” earns 5/5 Apple Pies Sprinkled with…Murderous Karma!
“An Apple a Day…” right, the doctor may stay away, but the dead body proves murder is not amused. Chelsea Thomas is a “left at the altar” bride having gotten to the “Do you…?” and then the “I don’t” sent her world reeling out of control…single, kicked out of “his” apartment, her interior design business taken, and living on Chinese delivery, Aunt May decides to take charge. Her “big idea” suggests Chelsea come work at her apple orchard, help out at the bake shop, and use her design talents when needed. First assignment…help with her cousin’s wedding. But at the wedding rehearsal Chelsea overhears a terrible fight between the bride and groom, she fears the wedding might end with someone else left at the altar like her. But, in this case? It’s a dead body “left” face down in the river. It’s official Chelsea’s wedding disaster has been surpassed!
I am a big fan! At first I was a bit confused seeing that the author and lead character shared the same name. It is made clear in the “Notes From the Authors,” and the quirky issue didn’t effect my enjoyment. Although the story follows a traditional cozy formula (drama sends girl back home, fresh start ensues, Karma delivers a dead body), but the writing duo kept me engaged adding a fun first-person narrative sharing Chelsea’s inner thoughts, vivid descriptions, and laying out the investigation with its secrets and back door intrigue. The characters have lots of room to grow, and I’m eager to follow Chelsea’s plans to grow “at least a little, every single day.” Karma sure took a big enjoyable bite in this one.
“I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review. My insights and comments are honest.”
I absolutely loved this cozy mystery! The characters were a hoot and the suspense to find out “who dunnit” was excellent. Highly recommend.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Apple Die is a short, fun, first in series mystery. The characters were very interesting. The plot includes too many suspects and more than none twist. I enjoyed the story.
Apple Orchard Cozy Mystery
This is the first book in what should be a very good series. The plot was well planned and well done. There is humor and sorrow and real family type relationships. The description of a 6000 person town is just about right on the money. The characters also seem quite real. From panic attacks to narcissism, all comes across in a realistic manner. I really enjoyed the book and plan on reading the rest of the series. I received this Arc book for free and this is my honest review.
Chelsea Thomas is left at the alter by Michael Gherkin during their wedding ceremony. She then lives in her run down apartment eating Chinese take out until her Aunt May comes and asks her to move back on the Apple Farm with her. Aunt May raised Chelsea after her parents were killed. She wants Chelsea to be the decorator for all the farm’s events. The first one is a wedding between Maggie and Vinny. After the rehearsal, Vinny is no where to be found. Chelsea goes looking for him and finds his body in the creek, face down. Who would want to kill Vinny? He is a very successful contractor with his friend Sudeer. Chelsea and Miss May can’t believe the police ruled it an accident, but then later arrested Maggie for murder! Can Chelsea and Miss May find the real killer? The more they look into it, the more suspects they come up with. But which one is the killer? You will have to read the book to find out. I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book from Booksprout. This is my honest opinion of it.
Allow most of a day for this PG-13 (little ones will find it too confusing) story of bumbling amateur detectives.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
An easy to read story of a young lady who is left standing at the altar. Her Aunt comes to her rescue when Chelsea is at her lowest. Traveling back to her small home town she finally begins to feel better. Then she discovered a dead body. Chelsea and her Aunt start to hunt for the killer. You will have to read the book for yourself to see how it ends. Take my word for it. It’s great.
I really enjoyed “Apple Die”! The characters were believable, the story line compelling with a real twist! I never saw that coming!