Nothing’s sweeter than a fruitful family business, and for Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe, that means Smythe Orchards in Blossom Valley, Virginia. But this year’s apple crop is especially juicy—with scandal . . . SEEDS OF DANGER Thanks to Winnie’s new cider shop, Smythe Orchards is out of the red and folks can get their fix of the produce and other delectable products they love all … delectable products they love all year round. The locals are even booking the shop for events, including a June wedding! Winnie couldn’t be happier to see the barn filled to the rafters for the big bash—until her doting ex, Hank, is caught in a heated argument with the groom. Winnie plans to scold Hank after the party, but spots him running off instead. And when the groom turns up dead, apparently hit by the honeymoon getaway car, Hank is the main suspect. Now Hank is on the lam, and it’s up to Winnie to get to the core of the truth—before the real killer puts the squeeze on her . . .
“The characters are delightful . . . Plenty of action and suspense.”
—RT Book Reviews on Murder in Real Time
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Pulp Friction is the second book in the Cider Shop Mystery series written by Julie Anne Lindsey. I’ve read a few other books by this author (published under pseudonyms) as well as the first in this series. When this one became available via NetGalley, I requested it because I enjoyed the characters and wanted to revisit them. Lindsey delivers a great story in the follow-up book, and today I’m sharing my thoughts on it.
In Pulp Friction, Winona Mae, our mid-20s heroine, runs an apple orchard and cider shop with her grandma in Virginia. They’re beginning to turn the family business around, but another murder happens on their property. This time, it’s someone at the wedding they’re holding for the town. And to make matters worse, the one person seen arguing with the groom before he’s murdered is Winona Mae’s ex-boyfriend, Hank. Her new love interest, though not much has happened, is the sheriff. How complicated can it get!?!?!
Lindsey’s writing style is easy and fun. Her characters are memorable, especially Grannie, Winona Mae, and Sheriff Colton. I do like some of the supporting characters, but this is the kinda book where you really grow attached to the core characters and like to focus on them. The mystery has several red herrings and clues. We get to know the bride, the best man, a few friends, and some interconnected folks who make the story more intriguing. The side stories keep us entertained while the blossoming romance is a nice arc to keep us wanting more each book.
Overall, it’s a good series. It’s still early on, and I’d like to see a little more character development in the suspects. In this one, I didn’t really feel attached to them, so I was okay with whoever ended up being the killer. It was still fun to try to figure it out tho! I look forward to the third book whenever that comes out. If not, she’s got plenty of other series I can turn to in the meantime. So should you.
Wow! This book was amazing. You will not regret starting this series. This book left me mind blown and wishing I had the next Cider Shop book. I’m just so impressed with Julie Anne Lindsey I feel speechless.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We are back in Blossom Valley just in time for a wedding at Smythe Orchards. Winnie’s is so excited to have her new cider shop used for weddings and local events. She knows this is the way to make the orchard fruitful and helps keep the place open year-round. But this time, the wedding ends on a sour note, and Winnie’s ex Hank right in the middle of it. He had a dust-up earlier with the groom and now that groom is dead. Winnie knows she should stay out of it but finds herself slicing through the clues to juice the real killer before Hank winds up behind bars.
I loved the first book in this series, Apple Cider Slaying, and couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book. The author exceeded my expectations.
I find Winona Mae Montgomery to be an excellent protagonist. She is smart, and for the most part, thinks things through but like all amateur sleuths just sometimes finds herself in the thick of things she never imagined could happen when she leaps into something. Her friend Dot is a reliable sidekick and a strong character in her own right. Winnie is close to her grandmother and they make a great team running the orchard. We learn some new things about Sheriff Colton Wise as he and Winnie grow closer. Hank is still hanging around and is sometimes his own worst enemy. They are also several animal characters that have their own unique personalities. What I love is all the characters are engaging and realistic in their own ways. They continue to grow and become more endearing.
The mystery was very intriguing and unfolded at a perfect pace throughout the book. There were plenty of suspects and twists and turns and a real edge of your seat moment to grab my attention and hold on tight. I wasn’t totally surprised when the killer was revealed but I had discarded this person earlier.
I love the apple orchard theme. I love visiting local orchards and we can never have enough apples in the house.
A well-plotted mystery, wonderful characters, and a terrific setting make Pulp Friction a must-read.
I do encourage you to read Apple Cider Slaying too so you can get to know these characters from the beginning.
Pulp Friction
A Cider Shop Mystery, Book #2
Julie Anne Lindsey
5 Stars
Synopsis:
Nothing’s sweeter than a fruitful family business, and for Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe, that means Smythe Orchards in Blossom Valley, Virginia. But this year’s apple crop is especially juicy—with scandal . . .
SEEDS OF DANGER
Thanks to Winnie’s new cider shop, Smythe Orchards is out of the red and folks can get their fix of the produce and other delectable products they love all year round. The locals are even booking the shop for events, including a June wedding! Winnie couldn’t be happier to see the barn filled to the rafters for the big bash—until her doting ex, Hank, is caught in a heated argument with the groom. Winnie plans to scold Hank after the party, but spots him running off instead. And when the groom turns up dead, apparently hit by the honeymoon getaway car, Hank is the main suspect. Now Hank is on the lam, and it’s up to Winnie to get to the core of the truth—before the real killer puts the squeeze on her . . . (Goodreads)
Review:
The characters are well rounded, well developed and three dimensional. I love the relationship between Winnie and Granny Smythe , you can tell how much they love each other. Even though Hank is her ex- Winnie wants to help him clear his name, because she knows he could not be guilty. Colton, the sheriff, and Winnie are getting closer and I am looking forward to seeing what happens between them.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. I thought the descriptions were very good in this book and they brought vivid images into my mind while I was reading. The mystery was well plotted and I did not know who the killer was until it was revealed at the end. I had an idea who the culprit was but I was not certain.
I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I am looking forward to the next book in this series.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher, Kensington Books, and NetGalley, which I greatly appreciate.
Pulp Friction” by Julie Anne Lindsey Is the 2nd instalment in the Cider Shop Mystery series. Julie Anne Lindsey is one of my favorite cozy authors and this is because of the Tea Shop Mystery series she writes as Bree Baker and now the Cider Shop Mystery series.
I enjoyed visiting Blossom Valley, Virginia and the Smythe Orchards again. It sounds like such an idilic setting. I grew up surrounded by orchards so I could easily picture it in my mind. Winnie Montgomery is relate-able, smart and very likeable and I like how she lives on by her grandmother (Granny Smythe) on Smythe Orchard. I loved the assortment of characters like Granny, Dot her bff , Granny’s bff Delilah and who can resist a couple of orange rescue kittens and now a fainting goat! I also loved the chemistry between Winnie and Colton. I have always been on team Colton but now I really want to know what happens next…
The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and there are plenty of twists and turns in this story. Kept me guessing till the very end. We find out some things from Coltons past that brings us to the cliffhanger! Now I am anxiously waiting for book 3 to come out!
I highly recommend this book to all my cozy mystery loving friends!
I requested and received an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Books, the Author and NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When I’m reading a cozy mystery, there are several elements that draw me in. An appealing setting, characters that I can root for, and a mystery that keeps me guessing. But what keeps me coming back to a series is a strong and compelling story about the lives of the main character. This book has all of that and then some. Winnie is a delight and her story pulled me in so far there is no way I cannot be back for future books. If there would have been a “next book” in the series out in stores, I would have bought it and started reading immediately after I finished this one.
4.5 Stars
In this second installment in Julie Anne Lindsey’s A Cider Shop Mystery series, Winnie has successfully saved her family’s business, Smythe Orchards, from going into major debt and is enjoying the success of her newly opened cider shop, which has quickly become a popular destination for locals and tourists to enjoy her ciders and her grandmother’s delectable baked goods. She is delighted to be hosting their first event, a wedding for one of the wealthiest families in Blossom Valley. Unfortunately, what should have been a wonderful day turns into a nightmare when the groom is murdered at the wedding, and her ex-boyfriend Hank, who was seen arguing with the groom, becomes the main suspect. Winnie decides to investigate to clear his name.
This is a wonderful and engaging read, with a well-written cast of characters, a picturesque setting, and a clever mystery. Winnie is a character that readers will find relatable and likable. She’s hardworking, determined, and loyal to her friends and family. I thought she was a very good sleuth. She acted responsibly and didn’t make rash decisions, however, trouble seems to find her even when she’s not looking for it. Her relationship with her grandmother and Dot is very enjoyable and adds another wonderful layer to the story. The relationship between Winnie and Colton is progressing at a good pace. We learn new details about Colton’s past, and I can’t wait to see what the author does with that storyline. The murder mystery had enough suspects and clues to keep me on the edge of my seat. I did manage to figure out who the culprit was about halfway through the story but wasn’t sure of their motive.
I think this is a great addition to the series, and I eagerly await the third book.
Pulp Friction is the second installment in the highly entertaining Cider Shop Mystery series by author Julie Anne Lindsey. I thoroughly enjoyed the first book in the series, so I was excited to dive into the next book. Ms. Lindsey did not disappoint. She has a terrific writing style that allows the story to flow. The pace is spot on and kept me turning pages to see what would happen next in the story. The characters are very enjoyable. Winnie is the type of protagonist that I enjoy in my cozy mysteries. She is curious, but she is smart in her sleuthing. She is not reckless and does rush into dangerous situations. That’s not to say danger does sometimes find her, but she is level headed and not rash. I love the relationship with her Granny and her friend Dot. I look forward to seeing what new animals Dot can get Winnie and her Granny to foster. The relationship between Winnie and Sheriff Wise is progressing. I like the pace that the author has set for them. If feels natural, while the potential romance does not overpower the mystery.
Speaking of the mystery, I thought this one was particularly well done. Ms. Lindsey does a wonderful job of unfolding the mystery throughout the entire story. In addition, in my opinion, she doesn’t make it easy for her readers to guess the identity of the killer. There were plenty of twists and false clues weaved into this story and I was surprised by the identity of the killer when it was revealed.
As I said in my review of the first book in the series, this cozy mystery hits all the areas I look for in a series – it has well-written characters, a charming small-town setting, a strong plot, and a solid mystery. I am looking forward to many more books in this series and following the adventures of Winnie and the rest of Blossom Valley.
I voluntarily read a digital advanced reader copy, which was provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Netgalley.
I enjoyed this second book in the Cider Shop Mystery. Winnie’s Cider Shop is now open and she is hosting a wedding. When a murder occurs and a friend is considered the main suspect she sets out to solve the crime. Dot, her grandmother and the sheriff are also helping. I really enjoy the Orchard/Cider Shop setting. The characters are a lot of fun. The mystery was good and there were enough suspects to make it interesting. I am looking for word to reading the next book in the series. Enjoy
Pulp Friction is book two in the Cider Shop cozy mystery series.
Winnie’s cider shop is doing well and is now hosting weddings, which is exactly where this book starts. The unexpected happens at a wedding reception when the groom dies under suspicious circumstances no one can seem to figure out. This leads to Winnie being back on her sleuthing to figure out what happens, all while staying out of Sherriff Colton’s way to a certain extent.
With the help of Granny, Dot, and Hank, Winnie starts investigating and gets dragged into the entire case farther than she ever expected to which almost has dire consequences for some of them.
Overall I liked this book. This series is so fun to read and it’s just nice and not too violent or anything else. It’s helping me break up all the other stuff I’m reading and helping me stay out of another reading slump.
Winnie is just as likable in this one as she was in the first one and I loved the other cast of side characters that we’ve continued to have. Her best friend dot is such a good friend and I love their friendship and how they are always there for each other and willing to help even if it does mean that Winnie gest another animal to take care of for a while.
Hank and Winnie working on this one together was a little weird partially because Hank is just way too comfortable at times in Winnie’s space, but also because he’s hiding from Sherriff Colton due to being falsely accused after he was seen arguing with the groom at the wedding. However, they did make a good team when it came to coming up with theories and finding ways to figure out who the actual killer was along with another character that Hank knew.
Granny and her friends were just as delightful as they were in the first one. Now they even have a cross-stitching group that is selling projects and is in a rivalry of sorts with another local group.
As for the Cider shop, it was just as successful as in the first one as is the whole orchard and that entire enterprise is growing fast. I can’t wait to see what happens in the next one as well as what the characters do as we already kind of know what the mystery will be at the end of this one.
I already have the last book in this trilogy and I’m going to start it soon!
This series continues to excel at both the suspense and family aspect of the series. Winnie and her grandmother are finally seeing their hard work pay off in their renovations of the family orchard. An onsite wedding is a good moneymaker and good for spreading the word about the Cider Shop. Winnie’s ex is the number one suspect after the groom is found dead shortly after the wedding. There is a lot of action and plenty of misdirection as Winnie gets to the bottom of the murder.
A fun and intriguing mystery! I love Winnie and Granny Smythe and their orchard. I think it’s fun how Winnie creates all of her various varieties of ciders and it would certainly be nice to try them! In this latest book, the orchard is hosting a wedding and all seems to be going well until the groom is found murdered, hit by the getaway honeymoon truck, and Winnie’s ex, Hank, is the prime suspect. Hank disappears and now Winnie is trying to prove his innocence. After another man is found dead, it leaves the question as to if the two deaths are connected or not. I never would have guessed the killer or the reason for the murder. Kept me guessing throughout!! Colton and Winnie grow a little closer in this book as he opens up to her about his past and what brought him to Blossom Valley. A secondary story begins in this book as we find out that a man Colton helped put away for murder escaped a prison transfer and has been on the run. Colton believes the man is out for revenge and will hunt him down and possibly hurt Winnie. I loved this book and I truly hope there are more books to come in this series so we can find out how the fugitive story plays out and hopefully finally see a romance develop between Colton and Winnie! Highly recommend this author and this terrific series!
Pulp Friction is a wonderful second book in the Cider Shop Mysteries. The mystery was solid, exciting, and kept me on my toes. I enjoyed the small-town setting with the main character living with her granny on an apple orchard.
Winnie is a fantastic, down-to-earth heroine who wants the wedding being held at the orchard to go off without a hitch. Unfortunately, when Winnie’s ex, Hank, is noticed arguing with the groom, who is later found dead outside the reception, he becomes suspect number one. Knowing he would never arbitrarily take another person’s life, Winnie begins looking into the bride, the groom, and anyone who would want the groom dead.
I loved Pulp Friction as much as I loved book 1, Apple Cider Slaying. The murder isn’t the only theme in the book, giving the book a lot of realism. Winnie’s granny and granny’s friend Delilah are a hoot, and everyone should have a friendship like theirs, regardless of what stage in life you happen to be in. Friends are priceless. The romance build-up between Winnie and the sheriff is slow and exciting. I love the chemistry and the ease in which the author is developing their potential relationship. We were also provided excellent imagery, character development, and a great story.
The author’s writing style is fluid, the pacing is perfect, and the story is so easy to read that I couldn’t believe I was almost done already. I found myself engaged and completely captivated in the story from the very beginning. I really enjoyed Pulp Friction and can’t wait for the next book.
Out now from Kensington Books https://www.kensingtonbooks.com is the highly anticipated second book in the “A Cider Shop Mystery” series by Julie Anne Lindsey, Pulp Friction. Apples have a whole new taste and murder at its core.
Winnie is just one of those characters that you cheer for. She always finds herself in the worst possible situation and finds a way out. She is thoroughly fun and charming, with enough sass to keep readers smiling. Grannie Smythe is extraordinary; everyone wishes they had a grannie like her. She is strong, determined, compassionate, and fiercely loves her granddaughter. Winnie ex, Hank may be attractive and confident, but he is a pain in the behind, and this time he causes all sorts of trouble for Winnie and the orchard. Colton is just plain adorable, and readers will get a better sense of who he is. The setting is perfect, I don’t even like apples unless they are in a pie, but after reading the descriptions of the orchard and town, all I want to do is buy some apples and cider and make all sorts of goodies.
The murder is a good mystery. The red herrings, like the apple cider, is plentiful, the suspects are easy to believe. When the killer is revealed, it wasn’t a huge surprise, but there was enough doubt to convince me to keep reading to find out why. The motive is believable without being over the top, with a twist that has readers going to their computers and doing a little research.
I enjoyed Pulp Friction and revisiting the cider shop. I look forward to the next book in this series. I encourage readers to get a good drink, perhaps some hot apple cider, a comfy seat, and let these characters take you away from the troubles of the world for a little while.
I loved this cozy mystery! It has everything that I enjoy in a great cozy, including likable, believable characters, wonderful setting, cats, and hard-to-solve mystery. Blossom Valley, in western Virginia sounds gorgeous, including the country roads, folks who are like family, and a family orchard. There was an orchard I went to when growing up in Michigan, Winnie reminds me of those fond memories of seeing the seasons through apples. And the goats sound adorable!
Winnie opened her cider shop at Smythe Orchards when they were in danger of shutting down last year. Granny couldn’t lose the orchard started by her and Grampy many years ago. He passed away a few years ago, and she and Winnie have been working hard to do all that Grampy had done even as Winnie goes to school and, at that time, waitressed full time too. The cider shop is getting a following now in this close-knit community, despite the murder that was discovered last fall.
A wedding has just taken place on the grounds. It is the first time Winnie has had an event there, and she hopes for many more. Except this one has a bad apple in the bushel. Partway into the reception, the bride finds the groom dead, run over by the old farm truck that was to have been their getaway vehicle. Can things get worse? Oh, yes. Her ex-boyfriend Hank is the prime suspect in the murder. Someone broke into her house, and she can feel someone watching her.
This cozy is full of strong women who persist and get through the hard times. Granny and Winnie are as close as mother and daughter, and Dot is as close as two best friends can be. The sheriff is driven to do a good job, and especially to protect Winnie. He is dealing with a past that he doesn’t want brought into his present, especially since he seems to feel connected with Winnie.
The mystery is deliciously suspenseful! Amidst the goats, the cider and running the shop, and trying to find a bad guy, Winnie is busier than ever, even before her next college class begins. A murder is the last thing she has time to “investigate”, but she doesn’t want the pall over her family’s business. I could have guessed for years and never come up with the motive for the killing! This is a complex, challenging mystery, full of surprises and red herrings. Despite the cliff hanger at the end, I highly recommend it to those who love well-written cozy mysteries with pets, good friends and family, and the delectable orchard fruits and fruit products.
From a thankful heart: I received a complimentary copy of this novel; a review was not required.
I liked this book much more than I did the first one. I was not a fan, but decided to try the second one, because often the first book in a series is problematic and those things get worked out in the second book. And for the most part, they did here. I knew who the killer was, but not the why and the whole backstory and there were enough red herrings to keep me from trusting my gut on who the killer was and so overall, it was a decent book. Good enough for me to read #3. Though I kinda have to, but that isn’t something that can be discussed here.
All that said, there are still some problems [and some spelling and grammar errors that I hope some editor found and corrected] – maybe minor, but there are still there and it needs to be said.
1. Winnie needs to respect Colton more. I know they have the hots for each other, but her continued blatant disregard for his job and her [also] blatant disrespect of him as an officer of the law and as a person will end that real quick like. It is already borderline unbelievable and will continue to be so, to the detriment of the story because of it. I don’t care if Winnie is nosy [most MC in cozies are], but she seriously needs to respect Colton and the position he holds WAY more than she does.
2. “She wet her lips”, “She licked her lips”, and “she gnawed the delicate flesh of her nail” ALL. NEED. TO. GO. Please stop using these [over and over and over again].
3. We need more of the cider shop and all that Winnie does there. There is too much running around, and not enough of her actually running the business that supposedly “saved the farm”. The farm isn’t going to be saved for long if she doesn’t stay and actually, you know, RUN THE FARM.
There are a couple more things that could go on that list, but then we are veering into spoiler territory and I don’t do those. I will say that the things that bugged me were way less than last time, so I take that as a very good thing.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Winona Mae Montgomery should be enjoying a quiet peaceful life running her cider shop in her grandmother’s orchard with her cats Kenny Rogers and Dolly. However, she decided to use her barn as a wedding venue and her first wedding was going great until someone was murdered. Since her ex-boyfriend is the top suspect she now finds herself involved in a murder investigation.
This story is a great mixture of friendship, mystery, unsuspected twists and romantic tension. Thanks to Kensington and NetGalley for an ARC. The opinions expressed are my own.
This is my first time reading Ms. Lindsey and I’m hooked! This was a very entertaining cozy with lots of delightful characters. The mystery was good with lots of twists and turns. There’s even some romance! I’m really looking forward to spending more time in Blossom Valley.
I received a free copy of this book from Netgalley and the publisher and voluntarily chose to review it.
Winona Mae Montgomery (Winnie to family and friends) thinks she has put trouble behind her. She managed to solve a murder, get her Granny off of the police suspect list for it and now the family orchard is financially in the black. On top of that the orchard, Smythe Orchards, is becoming known far and wide for its yummy offerings and now as a venue for local events. Winnie is looking forward to a wedding being held on their property. Great for business, right? Wrong. Winnie’s ex-boyfriend, Hank, shows up and, at the wedding, has a harsh exchange with the groom. When Hank storms off, that should have been the end of it. Instead it turns out to be the end of the groom and the police (the sheriff is Winnie’s current boyfriend) are laser focused on arresting Hank for murder. Winnie may not love Hank the way she used to but that isn’t any reason to sit back and let him take the rap so she sets out to track down the real killer.
The mystery kept me engaged from beginning to end and I was happy with the various twists and turns plus the red herrings that kept me from guessing the killers identity. Winnie, her granny, Delilah, Colton, all are well developed characters. I’m already looking forward to another visit to Blossom Valley and the Smythe Orchards.
My thanks to the publisher, Kensington and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Winnie’s new cider shop is doing well, so well that she has her first big event planned and can’t wait to.see how.It turns out. She has a wedding being held on the farm and the reception will be in the cider shop. The big day comes and everything is going off without a hitch until the reception. At the reception Winnie sees her ex boyfriend Hank there and he gets into a fight with the groom, why is Hank there and now does he know the groom? When the argument is taken outside she hopes that it will be handled quickly and that it won’t ruin the evening. Later Winnie goes outside and sees Hank rushing off, a few minutes later the body of the groom is found dead. It looks like he was runover, but who would have wanted to kill him and why? The police immediately look at Hank as their main suspect and even though she isn’t in love with him anymore Winnie doesn’t believe for a minute that he killed anyone. She knows that she must figure what happened that evening and who was responsible for killing the unlucky groom. Hank is on the run making him look even more guilty but Winnie can’t let that stop her from finding the truth. Follow along as she digs deep for clues, there are so many questions that need to be answered but not everything is not adding up. Will Winnie be able to find a killer before she herself becomes a victim or will the killer win in the end.