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
Includes Recipes!
Visit us at www.kensingtonbooks.com
more
Pulp Friction is the 2nd book in the wonderful Cider Shop series from author Julie Anne Lindsey. I tried to read this book a bit slower than usual because I didn’t want to have to leave Winnie and Granny. I have loved my visits to Blossom Valley. In this one, Winnie finds herself wrapped up in yet another murder mystery after a wedding goes awry at Smythe Orchards in her new cider shop.
One of my favorite things about this story is that I was wondering whodunit right up until the end when it finally hit me. I was totally wrapped up in the story and felt like there were enough red herrings to keep me guessing. I really like all of the characters. I live in eastern Ohio close to the West Virginia border, so the setting of Blossom Valley feels very familiar and relatable.
I honestly cannot wait until book 3 releases – while book 2 wrapped up nicely, the last few lines have me going crazy wanting to read the next book right now! If book 3 was out, I would have immediately purchased it the second I finished this one. It was phenomenal and I would give this way more than 5 stars if I could. I can’t wait to see what develops with Colton and Winnie.
I received an ARC of this book and I am voluntarily sharing my honest review.
What a great setting for a wedding! Too bad someone had to ruin the night. Have you ever had that boyfriend that wouldn’t go away? Come along with Winnie, Dot, Granny Smythe, Delilah, and Colton as they try to figure out all the happenings going on in Blossom Valley. It’s enough to keep them busy, let me tell you. I enjoyed the story line and love these characters. I can’t wait to see how they handle the next adventure. Y’all also get some yummy recipes in this book. I received this book from NetGalley, but my opinion is my own.
Winnie is busy keeping her family’s apple orchard and cider bar running and the last thing she needs is another murder on the grounds. Unfortunately, that’s exactly what she got, so she sets to investigating for the sake of her home and business, and for the sake of her ex, who is a person of interest and on the run from the police. This is such a well-written mystery, I kept guessing and suspecting characters through the whole story. I also enjoyed the interactions between Winnie and Sheriff Colton Wise, though the tension caused by Winnie’s investigating and Colton’s disapproval made it hard to imagine a relationship growing between them. I love the West Virginia setting of this story and the tasty ciders Winnie comes up with. The characters are great, too, especially Winnie’s Granny and Winnie’s best friend Dot.
Though this is only the second book in the series, I’m really liking it and hope it continues for many more books!
I received an advance copy of this book. This review contains my honest thoughts and opinions.
Family and friends are important to Winnie Montgomery, our protagonist. When asked at the last minute to host her cousin’s wedding in her Granny’s orchard, with the reception in her Cider Barn, she readily agrees creating the perfect ambiance. When the groom ends up murdered at the reception and her ex-boyfriend Hank, comes under suspicion, Winnie takes it upon herself to find the killer.
Cozy mystery fans will enjoy this well-crafted cozy, situated in the small-town of Blossom Valley, nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains of West Virginia. After reading the first book in this series, I waited anxiously for this one to be released. Just like the first, I was not disappointed! The descriptions of the scenery, the well-written plot with twists and turns, pulled me in and kept me turning the pages. Although I usually try to guess the killer, this one had me waffling back and forth between several suspects. Once again Julie Ann created an exciting cozy with the characters we love and a mystery to be enjoyed. I received this advanced copy as a gift from the author. The thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.
Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey is book two in the A Cider Shop Mystery series. I have been waiting for book two since I loved book one. I was not disappointed.
We are back in Blossom Valley, West Virginia and the recently opened Smythe Orchard Cider Shop is hosting it’s first wedding. and everything is going smoothly until Winnie spots her ex having a heated exchange with the groom, She knows this can’t be good, and before the rice can be tossed, the groom is found dead, Hank has taken off, and Winnie knows she is going to be investigating another murder. Of course, Sheriff Colton is not happy about her involvement.
Luckily for Winnie she has a great group to help her out with the investigation including her Granny. All the main characters are likeable and a couple are a bit quirky. I also enjoy the setting as Lindsey has you feeling you are in Blossom Valley.
You have plenty of twists and turns that keep you guessing to the end. There is humor, a bit of romance, adorable critters, and recipes.
I was given an ARC by NetGalley and Kensington Books for an honest review.
This is a fun read. The characters are wonderful. Although I like Winnie, my favorite character is Granny Smythe. She is full of spunk and personality. The mystery is well-written with well place red-herrings and plenty of suspects. I was surprised by the killer. I am looking forward to more in this series.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and in no way, I have been influenced by anyone.
small-business, small-town, family, family-dynamics, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, murder, rural, cozy-mystery, friendship
I never read anything by this author before but now I’m hooked! Terrific characters and sleuthing in a plot full of twists, misdirections, and red herrings. Everything seems so real and not contrived which is a real plus. The publisher’s blurb is a good hook, and spoilers won’t do, so I’ll just say that I absolutely LOVED it!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!
More Murder in a Small West Virginia Town
This book is the second in the series. I think it stands alone well, but I have read the first episode and highly recommend it, too. The story background takes place in a West Virginia Apple Orchard. It includes rescued animals, a good looking Sheriff who is a former marine and a lovely small-town community. While is includes crafts and food, it is definitively not a book that over-describes anything. It is a well-written, well-rounded cozy mystery that keeps the reader guessing until the end. I received this ARC for free from Net Galley and this is my honest review.
This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. This is the second book in the Cider Shop Mysteries. I like getting to know Winnie, Granny, and their many friends. I really love the setting of the cider shop/apple orchard. I;m really excited to see what Winnie and her friends are up to next.
I received an ARC of the book in exchange of my honest review. Thank you Netgalley, Julie Anne Lindsey, and Kensington Books for this opportunity.
Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey is the second book in Ms. Lindsey’s Cider Shop cozy mystery series and was an engaging story.
Winnie’s Cider Shop has become a popular destination for residents of Blossom Valley. Tourists who come for Smythe Orchards tours also enjoy the cider and sweet treats which has helped Winnie and her grandmother to become financially solvent. I like all of the characters that have been introduced in this series and find them to be relatable. I really appreciated the insight that Ms. Lindsey gave us into Sheriff Wise’s past in this book. He intrigued me in the first book because of his stoic demeanor.
The plot moves swiftly with few suspects, plenty of red herrings and several twists that kept me turning the pages until the heart pounding reveal. Oh, and the end has me hooked for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
Pulp Friction by Julie Anne Lindsey is the second book in the excellent Cider Shop Mystery series based in rural West Virginia. I absolutely loved the first book, Apple Cider Slaying, so I was so excited to be able to read the second. Being from WV, I love to read about cities and areas that I know so well. It really connects me to the characters.
I love all of the characters on Blossom Valley, WV. Winnie is an awesome female protagonist. She is smart, independent, loyal, and just a good person. Somehow she continues to be thrust into scenarios beyond her control, however she does a great job at getting to the bottom of it all. I love the secondary characters, the chemistry with Colton, and the array of animals that make their appearances.
I liked the murder/mystery plot and did not figure out the culprit until the end. The final ending left for a nice continuation for the next book. Yay!
5/5 stars
An excellent series, and I hope to continue to read more from this amazing author and series in the future.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.