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A Cider House Mystery #1
Deadly to the Core
Perfect for fans of Amanda Flower and Julie Anne Lindsey, when Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.
After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although she has physically recovered, she worries her spirit never will. But when she learns that she has inherited a fruit orchard in a small town just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from her great uncle Stan, she takes this as an opportunity ripe for the picking. Kate knew immediately what to do to open a cider house. Her hopeful plans fall far from the tree when she finds the body of the orchard manager, Carl Randolph, leaving her to figure out who is at the core of this murder.
She had been in correspondence with Carl, who had agreed with her brilliant idea of opening a cider house. But not everyone is so quick to buy what she was selling—Uncle Stan’s lawyer, Robert Larabee, paints a less rosy financial outlook of the orchard’s past, present, and future.
Kate discovers that Carl had large, unexplained deposits to his bank account and it becomes clear that either he was blackmailing someone, or someone was paying him to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Kate and her neighbors receive offers to buy their property from a mysterious buyer. And there’s more than meets the eye with the neighboring orchard owner, Daniel Martinez, although Kate can’t quite put her finger on if it’s sweet or sour.
Will she be able to pick out the bad apple among the bunch before it’s too late?
After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, thirty-five-year-old Kate is left to pick up the pieces of her life alone. Although she has physically recovered, she worries her spirit never will. But when she learns that she has inherited a fruit orchard in a small town just outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, from her great uncle Stan, she takes this as an opportunity ripe for the picking. Kate knew immediately what to do to open a cider house. Her hopeful plans fall far from the tree when she finds the body of the orchard manager, Carl Randolph, leaving her to figure out who is at the core of this murder.
She had been in correspondence with Carl, who had agreed with her brilliant idea of opening a cider house. But not everyone is so quick to buy what she was selling—Uncle Stan’s lawyer, Robert Larabee, paints a less rosy financial outlook of the orchard’s past, present, and future.
Kate discovers that Carl had large, unexplained deposits to his bank account and it becomes clear that either he was blackmailing someone, or someone was paying him to keep quiet. Meanwhile, Kate and her neighbors receive offers to buy their property from a mysterious buyer. And there’s more than meets the eye with the neighboring orchard owner, Daniel Martinez, although Kate can’t quite put her finger on if it’s sweet or sour.
Will she be able to pick out the bad apple among the bunch before it’s too late?
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 16, 2024
24 people are currently reading
595 people want to read
About the author
Joyce Tremel
5 books379 followersThis author also writes under the pen name Joyce St. Anthony
Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail.
Her debut novel, TO BREW OR NOT TO BREW was nominated for a 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award for best amateur sleuth by RT Book Reviews.
The second book in the series TANGLED UP IN BREW, was released 10.4.2016. It was chosen as a "Best Book of 2016" by Kings River Life magazine. It was the winner of the 2016 Reviewers' Choice Award for best amateur sleuth.
A ROOM WITH A BREW, the third book in the series was released in October 2017.
Under the pseudonym Joyce St. Anthony, she is the author of the upcoming Homefront News Mysteries. The first in the series, FRONT PAGE MURDER, will be released on March 8, 2022.
Joyce Tremel was a police secretary for ten years and more than once envisioned the demise of certain co-workers, but settled on writing as a way to keep herself out of jail.
Her debut novel, TO BREW OR NOT TO BREW was nominated for a 2015 Reviewers’ Choice Award for best amateur sleuth by RT Book Reviews.
The second book in the series TANGLED UP IN BREW, was released 10.4.2016. It was chosen as a "Best Book of 2016" by Kings River Life magazine. It was the winner of the 2016 Reviewers' Choice Award for best amateur sleuth.
A ROOM WITH A BREW, the third book in the series was released in October 2017.
Under the pseudonym Joyce St. Anthony, she is the author of the upcoming Homefront News Mysteries. The first in the series, FRONT PAGE MURDER, will be released on March 8, 2022.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 180 reviews
January 9, 2024
The first book in a new series called A Cider House Mystery.
Kate inherits a fruit orchard and sets up a cidery. She has knowledge of the industry, employs a manager for the orchards and prospects look good. However there appear to be some financial shenanigans going on as all of the local farmers begin to receive outrageously high offers for their land. When a murder occurs close to Kate she decides to investigate and see if all the issues are linked.
The mystery worked well and I enjoyed the fact that Kate's prospective love interest was an ex cop who had a good relationship with the local police. This meant that the investigation was practical and made sense. An entertaining read and I will look out for book 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Kate inherits a fruit orchard and sets up a cidery. She has knowledge of the industry, employs a manager for the orchards and prospects look good. However there appear to be some financial shenanigans going on as all of the local farmers begin to receive outrageously high offers for their land. When a murder occurs close to Kate she decides to investigate and see if all the issues are linked.
The mystery worked well and I enjoyed the fact that Kate's prospective love interest was an ex cop who had a good relationship with the local police. This meant that the investigation was practical and made sense. An entertaining read and I will look out for book 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 18, 2024
New to me Author Joyce Tremel did not disappoint this Cozy Mystery reader. The book has a slow pace in the beginning but as the story moves forward I found that chapters ended leaving me eager to read the next one. The murder didn’t happen till a few chapters into the book giving readers a chance to become acquainted with the many characters. I was drawn into the story and kept there till the last page. I loved the way the slueth went about following her clues working along with the local sheriff to solve the murder and discover whodunit. Readers will have to wait till close to the end before the right killer is bought to justice. I will be reading more cozies by this Author!
Main character Katie Mulligan is surprised to learn that she has inherited her Uncle Stan’s house and his orchard business . She packs up and moves to Orchardville Pennsylvania and sets a goal to open a cider barn. The community welcomes her and supports her goals and decisions. Not everyone supports Katie however and it isn’t long before someone is murdered on her property. Would this have anything to do with an unknown rich investor who is intent on buying her orchard ? Money seems to be the least of his concerns? Katie wants to get answers to who killed her orchard manager and why .
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery thrillers and fans of the author. I read the book as a standalone. This book is scheduled to be released on 1/16/24.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are entirely my own.
#DeadlytotheCore #NetGalley
Main character Katie Mulligan is surprised to learn that she has inherited her Uncle Stan’s house and his orchard business . She packs up and moves to Orchardville Pennsylvania and sets a goal to open a cider barn. The community welcomes her and supports her goals and decisions. Not everyone supports Katie however and it isn’t long before someone is murdered on her property. Would this have anything to do with an unknown rich investor who is intent on buying her orchard ? Money seems to be the least of his concerns? Katie wants to get answers to who killed her orchard manager and why .
I recommend this book to readers of Cozy Mystery thrillers and fans of the author. I read the book as a standalone. This book is scheduled to be released on 1/16/24.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions shared here in this review are entirely my own.
#DeadlytotheCore #NetGalley
July 31, 2025
This is a Cozy Mystery, and this is the first book in A Cider House Mystery series. This is a great start to a new cozy mystery series, and I really enjoyed getting to know this new town and all the characters. I really cannot wait for the next book in this series. There was so much in this book, but it was done so perfectly. I loved how this story unfolded, and I enjoyed the ending of this book. This was an enjoyable read. I did listen to the audiobook of this book, and I really like the narrator. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
March 26, 2024
Deadly to the Core is book one in Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony's new series, Cider House Mysteries. After a car accident that killed her husband, Kate Mulligan decided after inheriting her great uncle's fruit orchard to open up a Cider House on the property. However, on arrival, her lawyer, Richard Larabee, tried to make her sell the farm, and her farm manager, Carl Randolph, was killed in a suspicious circumstance. With her neighbour Daniel Martinez, they started to investigate to find answers. The readers of Deadly to the Core will continue to follow Kate Mulligan and Daniel Martinez to discover what happens.
Deadly to the Core is the first book I have read by Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony, and wow, I enjoyed it. I engaged with the characters and the plot from the first page, and it continued to the end. I love Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony's portrayal of their characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Deadly to the Core was well-written and researched by Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony. The way they describe the settings of Deadly to the Core allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Deadly to the Core will learn about the role of an Orchardist and how to develop and run a cider house.
I recommend this book.
Deadly to the Core is the first book I have read by Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony, and wow, I enjoyed it. I engaged with the characters and the plot from the first page, and it continued to the end. I love Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony's portrayal of their characters and how they intertwine throughout this book. Deadly to the Core was well-written and researched by Joyce Tremel and Joyce St. Anthony. The way they describe the settings of Deadly to the Core allowed me to imagine being part of the book's plot.
The readers of Deadly to the Core will learn about the role of an Orchardist and how to develop and run a cider house.
I recommend this book.
August 29, 2023
I enjoyed this book. I liked that there was actual Investigating going on throughout the story. It felt like the story was developing as you read. I was expecting that the threat to Kate would come sooner or that something happens to the cidery. I was definitely surprised by who the bad guy is, I had no clue. I’m glad to see a romance developing. #DeadlytotheCore #NetGalley
June 18, 2023
I really wanted to enjoy this book. I thought the title was clever and I liked the cover. Reading the book’s description, I thought it’d be a light, fun, quick read. The writing, though—ugh! It was frustrating and not enjoyable.
The main character would describe her surroundings to no end. For instance, she walked into a room, she’d detail every little thing, even the color of the paint on the walls. In contrast, when she would meet a person, there’d be one or 2 lines of description that weren’t very descriptive at all. Other than hair or eye color, wasn’t there more the MC observed about the people she met?Height? Weight? Scars? Their clothes? Some type mannerism to give the character some sort of depth?
Every character in the story was just flat, including the MC.
The MC lost her husband of 12yrs in a tragic accident. She misses him so much that she has conversations with him in her mind. That’s understandable. I would expect the character to have some type of emotion but this goes into how the writer “told” instead of “showing” emotions. Here is a prime example (and it’s the point when i skipped to the end of the book to find out who the killer was so I could be done):
A character is killed. He had a cat so the main character goes into the character’s house the day after the murder to retrieve the cat’s things. The MC tries not to look at where the dead body had been found. 😕 That’s it. That’s the extent of the emotion. Never mind that it’s the day after the guy was killed…MURDERED. Never mind that she just entered a crime scene. Never mind that the MC was the one who found the body. Never mind the character had been killed with the MC’s cane or that less than a few hours before, police had her in the station questioning her as a possible suspect. Nope, no emotions, no thoughts about any of those things. All you get is, I TRY NOT TO LOOK. Unbelievably, the writer spends more time describing where the MC looks for/finds the cat’s things.
I didn’t care anything for these characters. The writer didn’t give me anything to make me want to care. And it’s such a shame because I really think this story could have been pretty good if she’d gone back through the book and eliminated some of (actually, more like A LOT) the needless descriptions and also added emotion! Don’t just say someone is sad, SHOW how sad they are with the with their facial expressions, body movements, or the changes in how someone speaks. In real life, when we meet and speak to people, we tend to pick up on so many nonverbal things and then we process those actions in our minds. The writer dropped the ball by not having the MC do any of that.
The story really dragged. The pacing was thrown off by how the writer described every single thing the MC did. If the MC was thirsty, you had to read about how she went to the cabinet. She got a cup. She went to the sink. She turned on the water. She filled the cup with water. She turned off the water. She took a drink. Okay, okay. Maybe it wasn’t THAT bad but Ugh! It wasn’t fun to read every little thing. Readers are quite capable of filling in the blanks on some things. Writers don’t have to share every detail! In this book, it was too much!
So *sigh* I finally had enough. Around the 6th or 7th chapter, I skipped straight to the end only to see who the killer was. The ending/reveal was lackluster. No longer hearing the late-husband’s voice in her head was a yawn, just as I’m sure the progression through the story to get to that point was, as well.
So disappointing. This book really could’ve used more development and I’m sure it would’ve been a decent read.
The main character would describe her surroundings to no end. For instance, she walked into a room, she’d detail every little thing, even the color of the paint on the walls. In contrast, when she would meet a person, there’d be one or 2 lines of description that weren’t very descriptive at all. Other than hair or eye color, wasn’t there more the MC observed about the people she met?Height? Weight? Scars? Their clothes? Some type mannerism to give the character some sort of depth?
Every character in the story was just flat, including the MC.
The MC lost her husband of 12yrs in a tragic accident. She misses him so much that she has conversations with him in her mind. That’s understandable. I would expect the character to have some type of emotion but this goes into how the writer “told” instead of “showing” emotions. Here is a prime example (and it’s the point when i skipped to the end of the book to find out who the killer was so I could be done):
A character is killed. He had a cat so the main character goes into the character’s house the day after the murder to retrieve the cat’s things. The MC tries not to look at where the dead body had been found. 😕 That’s it. That’s the extent of the emotion. Never mind that it’s the day after the guy was killed…MURDERED. Never mind that she just entered a crime scene. Never mind that the MC was the one who found the body. Never mind the character had been killed with the MC’s cane or that less than a few hours before, police had her in the station questioning her as a possible suspect. Nope, no emotions, no thoughts about any of those things. All you get is, I TRY NOT TO LOOK. Unbelievably, the writer spends more time describing where the MC looks for/finds the cat’s things.
I didn’t care anything for these characters. The writer didn’t give me anything to make me want to care. And it’s such a shame because I really think this story could have been pretty good if she’d gone back through the book and eliminated some of (actually, more like A LOT) the needless descriptions and also added emotion! Don’t just say someone is sad, SHOW how sad they are with the with their facial expressions, body movements, or the changes in how someone speaks. In real life, when we meet and speak to people, we tend to pick up on so many nonverbal things and then we process those actions in our minds. The writer dropped the ball by not having the MC do any of that.
The story really dragged. The pacing was thrown off by how the writer described every single thing the MC did. If the MC was thirsty, you had to read about how she went to the cabinet. She got a cup. She went to the sink. She turned on the water. She filled the cup with water. She turned off the water. She took a drink. Okay, okay. Maybe it wasn’t THAT bad but Ugh! It wasn’t fun to read every little thing. Readers are quite capable of filling in the blanks on some things. Writers don’t have to share every detail! In this book, it was too much!
So *sigh* I finally had enough. Around the 6th or 7th chapter, I skipped straight to the end only to see who the killer was. The ending/reveal was lackluster. No longer hearing the late-husband’s voice in her head was a yawn, just as I’m sure the progression through the story to get to that point was, as well.
So disappointing. This book really could’ve used more development and I’m sure it would’ve been a decent read.
June 24, 2023
#DeadlytotheCore #NetGalley is the first in a new series, and I was delighted to meet Kate and the other characters in this book.
Kate inherits a small orchard when her Uncle Stan passes away, and her immediate idea is to open a cider house.
Kate lost her husband in a tragic accident several years ago, so this change in her life came at a good time, and she is determined to make the best of it.
Not everything is as it seems for Kate, someone is trying to buy her property and others around her, but Kate refuses to sell and soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I'm looking forward to seeing this series grow, the author did a great job with this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm happy to recommend it to other readers.
Kate inherits a small orchard when her Uncle Stan passes away, and her immediate idea is to open a cider house.
Kate lost her husband in a tragic accident several years ago, so this change in her life came at a good time, and she is determined to make the best of it.
Not everything is as it seems for Kate, someone is trying to buy her property and others around her, but Kate refuses to sell and soon finds herself wrapped up in a murder investigation.
I'm looking forward to seeing this series grow, the author did a great job with this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
I'm happy to recommend it to other readers.
July 24, 2023
Having previously managed a cidery in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Kate Driscoll Mulligan has an opportunity from an inheritance to make a dream come true. Excitement is tempered to open a cider house as it was a dream by two, husband and wife, Brian and Kate. A devasting auto accident took Brian's life, and Kate has endured a long recovery. Can she do this? Is she holding onto the past or taking steps forward for a new beginning?
With the atmospheric writing, I could easily imagine the vista of the setting of Orchardville, near Gettysburg, especially as the fruit orchard vistas of Pennsylvania are familiar to me. I loved the cidery's name, Red Barn Cider Works, befitting the renovated barn exterior, and the irresistible gray feline, Apple Blossom, dubbed Blossom. Apple cider is an annual autumn delight that I've always considered synonymous with Autumn in Pennsylvania. Thoughts of enjoying cider any time during the year awakened my taste buds, especially descriptions of Kate's creative plan for new weekly offerings.
I was engrossed in the interior renovations in the barn for the cidery, especially the delight of Kate's construction knowledge that gave her independence to be an integral part of bringing planning to fruition. As Kate met various individuals on arrival at the homestead and within the town, I suspected a different character would be the crime victim. The mystery of the investigation into the loss of Carl Randolph, the orchard manager, gave Kate a vested interest and red herrings offered twists for motive, means, and opportunity.
I can't wait to read the future of Kate's Red Barn Cider Works.
Recipes are available at the end of the cozy.
Thank you to Joyce Tremel, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
With the atmospheric writing, I could easily imagine the vista of the setting of Orchardville, near Gettysburg, especially as the fruit orchard vistas of Pennsylvania are familiar to me. I loved the cidery's name, Red Barn Cider Works, befitting the renovated barn exterior, and the irresistible gray feline, Apple Blossom, dubbed Blossom. Apple cider is an annual autumn delight that I've always considered synonymous with Autumn in Pennsylvania. Thoughts of enjoying cider any time during the year awakened my taste buds, especially descriptions of Kate's creative plan for new weekly offerings.
I was engrossed in the interior renovations in the barn for the cidery, especially the delight of Kate's construction knowledge that gave her independence to be an integral part of bringing planning to fruition. As Kate met various individuals on arrival at the homestead and within the town, I suspected a different character would be the crime victim. The mystery of the investigation into the loss of Carl Randolph, the orchard manager, gave Kate a vested interest and red herrings offered twists for motive, means, and opportunity.
I can't wait to read the future of Kate's Red Barn Cider Works.
Recipes are available at the end of the cozy.
Thank you to Joyce Tremel, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an eARC of this book.
January 27, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Kate Mulligan has returned to Orchardville, Pennsylvania with a plan following the loss of her husband to an awful car accident and her inheritance of her uncle Stan’s orchard. She has mostly recovered from the physical injuries she sustained in the crash and feels she is ready to open a cider house at the orchard. She feels her uncle’s orchard manager, Carl Randolph, will help her with the orchard and get the cider house off to a great start. Their first meeting goes well and he has done everything she asked so they are ready to hit the ground running. She is stunned when she later finds him dead in his cottage.
Who would kill Carl and why? The information she received from her uncle’s lawyer conflicted with the information she received from Carl. In fact, the attorney had found her a buyer to take the orchard off her hands.
After Carl’s death, she finds irregularities in his bank account that confuses her even more. Could these issues be the reason he was killed? And why does someone want her property so badly? Can her new neighbor Daniel Martinez help her answer all her questions or is he part of the problem?
Kate may have a bushel full of trouble. Can she solve all the mysteries and open her cider house? Or will she be forced to leave her dream behind? Worse, will the killer decide she is another threat that needs to be eliminated?
I enjoyed meeting Kate Mulligan and her fire to follow her dream of having her own cider house. She is missing her husband and dealing with her own recovery but she does her best to tackle everything thrown at her including trying to find the killer of her orchard manager. I liked Carl and was sad he was the victim. We meet a variety of residents of the small town of Orchardville from Uncle Stan’s attorney to Rudy Miller of Miller’s Grocery Emporium to her old friend Marguerite Yost to her neighbor, Daniel Martinez, and more. Orchardville is a typical small town where everybody knows everybody and usually all their business. All the characters were well-crafted with room to get to know most of them better as the series continues.
The mystery held my attention. I knew early on that one character was up to something fishy but was unsure about all the elements going on behind the scenes. Those elements were all twisted and tangled together and much more involved than I had imagined. Secrets, lies, revenge, and greed played into a very intriguing mystery and set up an interesting showdown with help from an unexpected character.
I enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style. Her words brought to life all the places our protagonist visited. I especially like the details of setting up the cider house in the barn on Kate’s property and that the history of the area plays in a major way throughout the story. It is nice to get the “lay of the land” in the first book of a series so readers can build a picture of the locations in their mind’s eye.
Deadly to the Core has set the Cider House Mysteries off to a terrific start. I enjoyed this stirring mystery with a strong protagonist surrounded by a great supporting cast. I am eager to get to know these characters better and see what Ms. Tremel has planned for them next.
Kate Mulligan has returned to Orchardville, Pennsylvania with a plan following the loss of her husband to an awful car accident and her inheritance of her uncle Stan’s orchard. She has mostly recovered from the physical injuries she sustained in the crash and feels she is ready to open a cider house at the orchard. She feels her uncle’s orchard manager, Carl Randolph, will help her with the orchard and get the cider house off to a great start. Their first meeting goes well and he has done everything she asked so they are ready to hit the ground running. She is stunned when she later finds him dead in his cottage.
Who would kill Carl and why? The information she received from her uncle’s lawyer conflicted with the information she received from Carl. In fact, the attorney had found her a buyer to take the orchard off her hands.
After Carl’s death, she finds irregularities in his bank account that confuses her even more. Could these issues be the reason he was killed? And why does someone want her property so badly? Can her new neighbor Daniel Martinez help her answer all her questions or is he part of the problem?
Kate may have a bushel full of trouble. Can she solve all the mysteries and open her cider house? Or will she be forced to leave her dream behind? Worse, will the killer decide she is another threat that needs to be eliminated?
I enjoyed meeting Kate Mulligan and her fire to follow her dream of having her own cider house. She is missing her husband and dealing with her own recovery but she does her best to tackle everything thrown at her including trying to find the killer of her orchard manager. I liked Carl and was sad he was the victim. We meet a variety of residents of the small town of Orchardville from Uncle Stan’s attorney to Rudy Miller of Miller’s Grocery Emporium to her old friend Marguerite Yost to her neighbor, Daniel Martinez, and more. Orchardville is a typical small town where everybody knows everybody and usually all their business. All the characters were well-crafted with room to get to know most of them better as the series continues.
The mystery held my attention. I knew early on that one character was up to something fishy but was unsure about all the elements going on behind the scenes. Those elements were all twisted and tangled together and much more involved than I had imagined. Secrets, lies, revenge, and greed played into a very intriguing mystery and set up an interesting showdown with help from an unexpected character.
I enjoyed the author’s descriptive writing style. Her words brought to life all the places our protagonist visited. I especially like the details of setting up the cider house in the barn on Kate’s property and that the history of the area plays in a major way throughout the story. It is nice to get the “lay of the land” in the first book of a series so readers can build a picture of the locations in their mind’s eye.
Deadly to the Core has set the Cider House Mysteries off to a terrific start. I enjoyed this stirring mystery with a strong protagonist surrounded by a great supporting cast. I am eager to get to know these characters better and see what Ms. Tremel has planned for them next.
February 18, 2024
4.5 stars
I have long been a fan of Joyce Tremel’s Brewing Trouble cozy mysteries so when I learned she was writing a new series about a cider house, I could not get to a copy fast enough. Deadly to the Core was everything I hoped it would be – and then some.
What a perfect way to kick off a new series! Tremel organically introduces us to the town of Orchardville and its affable characters (or suspects, depending on how you look at them lol), setting the stage for future books and quickly establishing Kate’s supportive inner circle. I especially appreciated the fact that, even though we are meeting a lot of people all at once, it never feels like an info dump. Instead, the author immerses us in the ongoing stories of the people of Orchardville as though we are seated at the next table in Margie’s Morsels watching it all play out.
Kate’s own story will have readers solidly in her corner, both as she sets up her new cidery and as she helps investigate Carl’s murder. I also enjoyed her friendship with childhood friend Marguerite and her new friendship with helpful neighbor Daniel (who has a few interesting secrets of his own). I loved the hint of romance potential for the future but also appreciated the author taking it slowly after Kate’s still-fresh loss. The mystery is really well-plotted and kept me glued to the page as the layers are revealed one by one. I was impressed with the quality of the red herrings mixed with the legitimate clues – and how difficult it was for even this seasoned mystery reader to tell the difference.
Bottom Line: Deadly to the Core reminded me at once of everything I love about Joyce Tremel’s writing voice and the engaging characters she creates. Kate is a compelling heroine in more ways than one and her personality is winsome and relatable. I enjoyed getting to know all the fantastic characters of Orchardville – even the victim. The story flows seamlessly from start to finish, and all the different layers to the mystery feel fresh and crisp. (Yes, now I’m hungry for apples after reading this book haha!) I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here, and I had a delightful time with this first visit!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
I have long been a fan of Joyce Tremel’s Brewing Trouble cozy mysteries so when I learned she was writing a new series about a cider house, I could not get to a copy fast enough. Deadly to the Core was everything I hoped it would be – and then some.
What a perfect way to kick off a new series! Tremel organically introduces us to the town of Orchardville and its affable characters (or suspects, depending on how you look at them lol), setting the stage for future books and quickly establishing Kate’s supportive inner circle. I especially appreciated the fact that, even though we are meeting a lot of people all at once, it never feels like an info dump. Instead, the author immerses us in the ongoing stories of the people of Orchardville as though we are seated at the next table in Margie’s Morsels watching it all play out.
Kate’s own story will have readers solidly in her corner, both as she sets up her new cidery and as she helps investigate Carl’s murder. I also enjoyed her friendship with childhood friend Marguerite and her new friendship with helpful neighbor Daniel (who has a few interesting secrets of his own). I loved the hint of romance potential for the future but also appreciated the author taking it slowly after Kate’s still-fresh loss. The mystery is really well-plotted and kept me glued to the page as the layers are revealed one by one. I was impressed with the quality of the red herrings mixed with the legitimate clues – and how difficult it was for even this seasoned mystery reader to tell the difference.
Bottom Line: Deadly to the Core reminded me at once of everything I love about Joyce Tremel’s writing voice and the engaging characters she creates. Kate is a compelling heroine in more ways than one and her personality is winsome and relatable. I enjoyed getting to know all the fantastic characters of Orchardville – even the victim. The story flows seamlessly from start to finish, and all the different layers to the mystery feel fresh and crisp. (Yes, now I’m hungry for apples after reading this book haha!) I cannot wait to see where this series goes from here, and I had a delightful time with this first visit!
(I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book)
first reviewed at Reading Is My SuperPower
July 5, 2023
I received a free copy of, Deadly to the Core, by Joyce Tremel, from the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Thirty-five year old widow Kate inherits a fruit orchard. Kate is glad to have something to focus on besides her grief, when a body is found on her orchard. I really like Kate and Marguerite, they are wonderful characters, good story line, and love the recipes in the back of the book.
January 18, 2024
Widow of a year, Kate inherits an orchard from her uncle in Orchardville, PA and sees it as her fresh start. Despite pressure to sell with the Carl, the orchard manager telling her the orchard won't be profitable she wants to open as soon as possible. When Carl is murdered Kate is even more reluctant to keep the orchard and find his killer.
I wanted to love Deadly to the Core because I loved a previous series of Joyce Tremel's that was set in Pittsburgh and featured a brewpub owner. But this book just didn't work for me and if I wasn't listening to the audiobook I wouldn't have finished.
It suffered from too many details. I really didn't need to read every time the mc picked up a cup or threw something into a pot or the many times she poured herself some milk for coffee. I also didn't care for any of the characters. They were very much your run of the mill cozy mystery characters with nothing to make them standout. The mystery aspect was also very obvious and not much thought has to be put in to figuring out what happened.
I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
I wanted to love Deadly to the Core because I loved a previous series of Joyce Tremel's that was set in Pittsburgh and featured a brewpub owner. But this book just didn't work for me and if I wasn't listening to the audiobook I wouldn't have finished.
It suffered from too many details. I really didn't need to read every time the mc picked up a cup or threw something into a pot or the many times she poured herself some milk for coffee. I also didn't care for any of the characters. They were very much your run of the mill cozy mystery characters with nothing to make them standout. The mystery aspect was also very obvious and not much thought has to be put in to figuring out what happened.
I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
January 7, 2024
3.5 stars!
This was definitely a solid start for this new series. The main character Kate finds herself the new owner of a fruit orchard left to her by her great uncle. She has some baggage she is dealing with and is looking to make a new start. I really liked the cast of characters but at times had a few problems with the way Kate spoke to people. She was at times too brusque and it felt like she thought people owed her their stories. I think it might have been due to trying to build the world so quickly. Overall though the mystery was intriguing and a fun solve. I will be reading the next installment in the series as I had a great time listening to this one. The narrator was fantastic by the way! I highly recommend getting the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dreamscape Media, and Joyce Tremel for giving me the opportunity to review this advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own
July 16, 2023
Another new to me author with a new series and another hit. Thank you to #NetGalley for the introduction! I really liked Kate Driscoll, life has been hard for her lately with the death of her husband and her physical injuries, from a car accident, but when an opportunity presented itself she decided to try to live out her original dream to open a cidery. Discovering that her Uncle had left her the family orchards, she was determined to return to a place where she had spent some happy hours as a child and persue her dreams. When her farm manager is murdered and a mystery company is bound and determined to buy her family farm, Kate is determined to find out what is going on so she can begin again. An interesting mystery, an intelligent main character and a lesson in opening a cidery all make this a good read!
July 5, 2023
A good, fun read! This book felt very Stardew Valley meets murder mystery to me (like the Glass Onion movie vibes!) and I really enjoyed the overall vibes of this book! No high standing literature - but just a very nice escape from reality in a very cozy setting.
My one comment would be that the book could have done with a little more character building overall.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with and early e-copy of this book.
My one comment would be that the book could have done with a little more character building overall.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with and early e-copy of this book.
January 18, 2024
I love a good cozy mystery, but this one fell a little flat for me. The mystery itself was good but it was bogged down by pacing issues and the fact that Kate, our main character, would describe her surroundings in extreme detail every single time the setting changed. I don't usually mind a good description, but it was prevalent enough for even me to notice and be thrown off by it.
It didn't help that Kate was giving away her deceased employees belongings without having the right to. Her cidery also came together super quickly. Too quickly to be believable. It felt like it took just a couple of weeks for her to have it up and running from scratch. I can't believe that it takes such little time.
Overall, I thought this was a decent first book in this series. I would be interested to read a second book to see how things go once Kate really cranks up the cider production.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio arc of this book!
It didn't help that Kate was giving away her deceased employees belongings without having the right to. Her cidery also came together super quickly. Too quickly to be believable. It felt like it took just a couple of weeks for her to have it up and running from scratch. I can't believe that it takes such little time.
Overall, I thought this was a decent first book in this series. I would be interested to read a second book to see how things go once Kate really cranks up the cider production.
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and Netgalley for the audio arc of this book!
January 16, 2024
Just like everything I’ve read by this author, I absolutely loved this and devoured it in just a day. I couldn’t stop reading since it was really compelling and moved along just right. I really enjoyed Kate’s character and all the key players. I was worried about a triangle for a bit there for Kate but not anymore, lol. She and her new friends definitely worked great together and she single-handedly faced off with a killer who apparently didn’t know the old thing about a woman scorned, lol. What a great ending and a new celebration for all the friends! I just can’t wait to read the next in this series, it’s already a winner in my book.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book, and my opinions are my own.
April 1, 2025
What a fun start to this series! I loved Kate and how passionate she is even while moving through trauma. I think the author did such a good job walking the line of Kate being excited to try something new and keep going with her life, without just easily removing any pain from her loss just to move toward a "happy ending". The fact that Kate is treated like a friend and a local even by those who haven't met her is lovely and always makes me long for small town life. I know this area well and so it really helped set the cozy scene. The way things came together was fascinating and I was hooked until the shocking ending! I already can't wait for more of this series.
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January 8, 2024This was a fun cozy series debut by author Joyce Tremel. I loved the time she took to let us meet the characters and become invested before the murder and investigation began. The actual investigation was fun to follow and felt like it was actual going places as you read. I absolutely loved the Cider House theme in addition to the orchard. Kate, our protagonist, was very competent and endearing. I cannot wait to read more in this series!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an audio ARC in exchange for an honest review.
January 24, 2024
Kate is picking up the pieces of her broken life when she inherits her great uncle’s orchard. She decides open a cider house on the orchard and start over there.
This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series. I enjoyed the unique setting, but all the talk about the cider making process was a little much at times. There was also a lot of set up with Kate’s story and the setting, but that is to be expected with the first book in a series.
I enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
This was a good start to a new cozy mystery series. I enjoyed the unique setting, but all the talk about the cider making process was a little much at times. There was also a lot of set up with Kate’s story and the setting, but that is to be expected with the first book in a series.
I enjoyed this book and I look forward to the next one in the series.
January 16, 2024
Deadly To The Core is the first book in the A Cider House Mystery series by Joyce Tremel.
Kate Mulligan is nearly healed from injuries received in a horrible automobile accident that killed her husband. Kate has recently learned that she has inherited her uncle’s apple orchard in Orchardville, PA. Kate decides to move to the farm to live her dream–to run a cider house. Kate arrives at the farm and meets Carl, the orchard’s manager. During their conversation, Kate learns that the orchard is making money and that Carl looks forward to helping with the cider operation. But her lawyer informs her that the orchard is barely breaking even, adds that he has received a very generous offer for the orchard, and strongly suggests that she accept the offer. But Kate is determined to have her cider house.
One day, Kate took off for Carl’s cabin’s cabin to discuss the orchard further. She finds the front door open and music blaring indoors when she arrives. Kate calls out and enters the cabin, only to find Carl lying in the kitchen, dead. The sheriff will find Kate’s cane, which she had left the day before, had been used to murder Carl.
Daniel, the owner of a neighboring orchard, has been helping Kate construct her cider-making business and will also help her look for the murderer. Kate will also get help from her childhood friend Margurite. Many neighboring orchard owners have also received very generous offers for their orchards, and Kate will use the information she gets from them to solve the murder of her uncle. She will also get help from some of the Orchardville residents.
The book is a wonderful start for this new series. The book is well-written and plotted, and you feel you are right there with Kate as she investigates. The characters are all interesting, believable, and well-developed. There are enough red herrings that I kept guessing until the final reveal at the end.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this engaging series to see what her next adventure might be and if a romantic interest will be developed for Kate.
Kate Mulligan is nearly healed from injuries received in a horrible automobile accident that killed her husband. Kate has recently learned that she has inherited her uncle’s apple orchard in Orchardville, PA. Kate decides to move to the farm to live her dream–to run a cider house. Kate arrives at the farm and meets Carl, the orchard’s manager. During their conversation, Kate learns that the orchard is making money and that Carl looks forward to helping with the cider operation. But her lawyer informs her that the orchard is barely breaking even, adds that he has received a very generous offer for the orchard, and strongly suggests that she accept the offer. But Kate is determined to have her cider house.
One day, Kate took off for Carl’s cabin’s cabin to discuss the orchard further. She finds the front door open and music blaring indoors when she arrives. Kate calls out and enters the cabin, only to find Carl lying in the kitchen, dead. The sheriff will find Kate’s cane, which she had left the day before, had been used to murder Carl.
Daniel, the owner of a neighboring orchard, has been helping Kate construct her cider-making business and will also help her look for the murderer. Kate will also get help from her childhood friend Margurite. Many neighboring orchard owners have also received very generous offers for their orchards, and Kate will use the information she gets from them to solve the murder of her uncle. She will also get help from some of the Orchardville residents.
The book is a wonderful start for this new series. The book is well-written and plotted, and you feel you are right there with Kate as she investigates. The characters are all interesting, believable, and well-developed. There are enough red herrings that I kept guessing until the final reveal at the end.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this engaging series to see what her next adventure might be and if a romantic interest will be developed for Kate.
January 15, 2024
3.5 stars, rounded up
After losing her husband and suffering injuries of her own in a terrible accident, Kate attempts to get on with her life. When she learns that she has inherited her uncle’s orchard, she takes the opportunity to start her dream business in a new town, where everything – and everyone – is new. Things are going well until she discovers the body of her orchard manager, and some of her neighbors start to question her, and her plans.
This is the first book in a new series by a new-to-me author, but I couldn’t resist the title and the book summary, but what really sold me is the location. Living not far from Gettysburg, PA, the setting of this story felt very familiar to me. I like Kate, the MC, and her determination to make her business succeed. She doesn’t use her physical limitations as an excuse, nor does she feel sorry for herself, other than moments of melancholy over the loss of her husband.
The murder victim seemed to be liked, or at least respected, by the residents of the town, so there weren’t a lot of suspects to consider. Early on, it appeared that someone was determined to prevent Kate from opening her business, and I was convinced that and the murder were related. I like the way Kate worked with the local sheriff, rather than trying to figure it out entirely on her own. I became suspicious of one particular character a bit before Kate and the rest did, but I wasn’t sure until just before it was revealed in the book. Given that character, the motive made sense, and should have been more obvious to me earlier in the story.
I look forward to visiting with Kate, Daniel and Blossom (the cat) in the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
After losing her husband and suffering injuries of her own in a terrible accident, Kate attempts to get on with her life. When she learns that she has inherited her uncle’s orchard, she takes the opportunity to start her dream business in a new town, where everything – and everyone – is new. Things are going well until she discovers the body of her orchard manager, and some of her neighbors start to question her, and her plans.
This is the first book in a new series by a new-to-me author, but I couldn’t resist the title and the book summary, but what really sold me is the location. Living not far from Gettysburg, PA, the setting of this story felt very familiar to me. I like Kate, the MC, and her determination to make her business succeed. She doesn’t use her physical limitations as an excuse, nor does she feel sorry for herself, other than moments of melancholy over the loss of her husband.
The murder victim seemed to be liked, or at least respected, by the residents of the town, so there weren’t a lot of suspects to consider. Early on, it appeared that someone was determined to prevent Kate from opening her business, and I was convinced that and the murder were related. I like the way Kate worked with the local sheriff, rather than trying to figure it out entirely on her own. I became suspicious of one particular character a bit before Kate and the rest did, but I wasn’t sure until just before it was revealed in the book. Given that character, the motive made sense, and should have been more obvious to me earlier in the story.
I look forward to visiting with Kate, Daniel and Blossom (the cat) in the next book in this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
January 16, 2024
I really enjoyed this new cozy mystery based in a cider shop! I love the idea of Kate, being an older protagonist that was starting a new chapter after the unfortunate death of her husband and her being gravely injured. The character seemed extremely believable, and I fell in love with the small town of Ciderville. I am looking forward to the next installment of this series.
January 26, 2024
Kate Mulligan is still grieving the untimely death of her husband in a car crash. When her Uncle Stan dies, she inherits his fruit orchard. She jumps at the chance to take this opportunity to open a cider house. There’s already a very helpful orchard manager, Carl Randolph. Things are looking very good for her new venture.
However, her uncle's lawyer doesn’t approve of Kate’s plans and encourages her to sell the orchard. When Kate stumbles upon Carl’s dead body, she wonders what’s really going on in this small town in Pennsylvania. She discovers that a corporation has been trying to buy up the land, she wonders if that has anything to do with Carl’s murder.
I fell in love with this story from the beginning. Kate is a vulnerable, but strong character. Most of the townspeople love her and she even adopts Carl’s cat. A plus for this cat lover. LOL There’s also a hint of romance in the air for Kate and fellow orchard owner, Daniel.
The supporting cast is very likeable. They all pitch in to help Kate solve the murder.
This is the first in a new cozy mystery series and it’s off to a wonderful start. It’s so much fun to get in on the ground floor of a new series. The story is fast-paced and believable. There were many possible suspects to choose from. The adventure captivated me and kept me at the edge of my seat until the end.
I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author. I’m anxiously awaiting my next visit to Pennsylvania with Kate and her gang. A new series to add to my "must read" list.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
However, her uncle's lawyer doesn’t approve of Kate’s plans and encourages her to sell the orchard. When Kate stumbles upon Carl’s dead body, she wonders what’s really going on in this small town in Pennsylvania. She discovers that a corporation has been trying to buy up the land, she wonders if that has anything to do with Carl’s murder.
I fell in love with this story from the beginning. Kate is a vulnerable, but strong character. Most of the townspeople love her and she even adopts Carl’s cat. A plus for this cat lover. LOL There’s also a hint of romance in the air for Kate and fellow orchard owner, Daniel.
The supporting cast is very likeable. They all pitch in to help Kate solve the murder.
This is the first in a new cozy mystery series and it’s off to a wonderful start. It’s so much fun to get in on the ground floor of a new series. The story is fast-paced and believable. There were many possible suspects to choose from. The adventure captivated me and kept me at the edge of my seat until the end.
I’ll definitely be looking for more books by this author. I’m anxiously awaiting my next visit to Pennsylvania with Kate and her gang. A new series to add to my "must read" list.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed a free Advance Reader Copy of this book from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
December 18, 2023
“ Deadly to the Core” by Joyce Tremel the 1st instalment in the "A Cider House Mystery" series. I enjoyed this book and I can’t wait for book 2!
Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.
I found the story to be a promising start to a new series. I liked Kate and her childhood friends, and it
will be interesting to see how things develop in book 2.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Kate did.
I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
Kate Mulligan inherits her great uncle’s fruit orchard, she quickly realizes that apples aren’t the only thing that can have rotten cores.
I found the story to be a promising start to a new series. I liked Kate and her childhood friends, and it
will be interesting to see how things develop in book 2.
It was entertaining, full of twists and turns and I didn’t completely guess whodunnit until Kate did.
I recommend this series to all my cozy loving friends and I can’t wait for book 2 to come out!
August 20, 2024
A great start to a new series. My fingers are crossed for more. I love cozies where the main character is building something from the ground up.
Kate inherits her uncles apple farm and opens a cider shop. I love her work ethic and the way she becomes part of the community. As the murders happen and information is revealed, Kate is smart and shares what she learns with the police. I thought I knew for sure who did it, but I was wrong. Such a good story and I am already craving more.
Kate inherits her uncles apple farm and opens a cider shop. I love her work ethic and the way she becomes part of the community. As the murders happen and information is revealed, Kate is smart and shares what she learns with the police. I thought I knew for sure who did it, but I was wrong. Such a good story and I am already craving more.
July 15, 2023
If you love cozy mystery books with a tight knit community, a sprinkle of humor, and a twist of cider, you’ll want to read Joyce Tremel’s latest book, Deadly to the Core. In this review, I’ll tell you why this book is a must-read for mystery fans and apple lovers alike.
Cozy mysteries hold a place among mystery enthusiasts. It’s no wonder they have become a favorite subgenre. These delightful stories often feature a detective, set in a knit community, and carry a light and humorous tone that makes them an ideal escape. Today, we are diving into the world of “Deadly to the Core” written by Joyce Tremel, known for her Brewing Trouble Mystery series. With her experience as a police secretary, Tremel offers us a perspective on police investigations.
Transporting us to a quaint town nestled outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the narrative centers around our protagonist, Kate. As fate would have it, Kate has suffered the loss of her husband in a car accident. Finds herself inheriting a remarkable fruit orchard from her great-uncle. However, as the story unfolds, complications arise when her orchard manager is discovered lifeless, plunging Kate into a web of mystery and suspense. Adding fuel to the fire, she becomes entangled in a web of pressure from a buyer who seems determined to acquire her property at any cost.
One aspect that truly sets Joyce Tremels writing is her ability to captivate readers with descriptions and engaging prose. Through her words, the characters come alive. Her descriptive prowess allowed me almost to taste the apples, feel the cool autumn breeze, and hear the rustling of fallen leaves. Tremel’s meticulous attention to detail enriched my reading experience and immersed me completely in Kate’s world. With its unique setting and interesting characters, this novel follows the conventions of the cozy mystery genre by featuring an amateur sleuth, small town and a light tone. Tremel takes it a step further by incorporating a theme of overcoming loss and finding a new purpose.
The characters featured in the novel carried interesting personalities and made me, as a reader, care about them. We meet Kate months after a car accident that claimed her husband of several years and she is still suffering the physical effects of the accident. I enjoyed her journey from healing to a brave orchard owner. There is also a hint of a budding romance, loyal friends, and an adorable cat named Blossom who round out the story. Since this is the first in a new series, we’ll get to know these characters more as the series progresses.
Kate’s story tugged at my heartstrings. I was intrigued by the mystery of who killed her orchard manager and why someone would want to buy her property so bad. In the novel, Kate has “conversations” with her deceased husband as she struggles to move forward in her life. We see that Kate is someone who is brave, resilient, and kind. The theme of the story is about finding new beginnings after a loss and embracing change. The pacing of the story was good, though the beginning seemed long. The novel picks up towards the middle and I care more about why things are happening. The ending was abrupt, but satisfying. I would love to read more books in this series.
I would also love to explore Tremel’s Brewing Trouble Mysteries after this read. I believe “Deadly to the Core” would be a great addition to any cozy mystery lover’s book collection. It combines a heartwarming narrative with a puzzling mystery and delightful characters. The delicious recipes included at the end are also a great bonus!
Cozy mysteries hold a place among mystery enthusiasts. It’s no wonder they have become a favorite subgenre. These delightful stories often feature a detective, set in a knit community, and carry a light and humorous tone that makes them an ideal escape. Today, we are diving into the world of “Deadly to the Core” written by Joyce Tremel, known for her Brewing Trouble Mystery series. With her experience as a police secretary, Tremel offers us a perspective on police investigations.
Transporting us to a quaint town nestled outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the narrative centers around our protagonist, Kate. As fate would have it, Kate has suffered the loss of her husband in a car accident. Finds herself inheriting a remarkable fruit orchard from her great-uncle. However, as the story unfolds, complications arise when her orchard manager is discovered lifeless, plunging Kate into a web of mystery and suspense. Adding fuel to the fire, she becomes entangled in a web of pressure from a buyer who seems determined to acquire her property at any cost.
One aspect that truly sets Joyce Tremels writing is her ability to captivate readers with descriptions and engaging prose. Through her words, the characters come alive. Her descriptive prowess allowed me almost to taste the apples, feel the cool autumn breeze, and hear the rustling of fallen leaves. Tremel’s meticulous attention to detail enriched my reading experience and immersed me completely in Kate’s world. With its unique setting and interesting characters, this novel follows the conventions of the cozy mystery genre by featuring an amateur sleuth, small town and a light tone. Tremel takes it a step further by incorporating a theme of overcoming loss and finding a new purpose.
The characters featured in the novel carried interesting personalities and made me, as a reader, care about them. We meet Kate months after a car accident that claimed her husband of several years and she is still suffering the physical effects of the accident. I enjoyed her journey from healing to a brave orchard owner. There is also a hint of a budding romance, loyal friends, and an adorable cat named Blossom who round out the story. Since this is the first in a new series, we’ll get to know these characters more as the series progresses.
Kate’s story tugged at my heartstrings. I was intrigued by the mystery of who killed her orchard manager and why someone would want to buy her property so bad. In the novel, Kate has “conversations” with her deceased husband as she struggles to move forward in her life. We see that Kate is someone who is brave, resilient, and kind. The theme of the story is about finding new beginnings after a loss and embracing change. The pacing of the story was good, though the beginning seemed long. The novel picks up towards the middle and I care more about why things are happening. The ending was abrupt, but satisfying. I would love to read more books in this series.
I would also love to explore Tremel’s Brewing Trouble Mysteries after this read. I believe “Deadly to the Core” would be a great addition to any cozy mystery lover’s book collection. It combines a heartwarming narrative with a puzzling mystery and delightful characters. The delicious recipes included at the end are also a great bonus!
January 15, 2024
This is the good start of a new cozy series as there's an interesting setting: relatable and interesting characters, a solid and fast paced plot.
I enjoyed this story that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
I enjoyed this story that kept me guessing.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
July 2, 2023
Katie went home after losing the love of her life in an accident that almost killed her too. She needed to focus her attention on the legacy willed to her by her uncle. The death of one of the locals brought to the forefront some sneaky scheming surrounding her property. It was imperative to find out who did it, for she wasn’t about to allow anyone to stop the launch of her dream business. It was an enjoyable, captivating, and intriguing read.
December 18, 2023
When Kate Mulligan inherits her great-uncle's apple orchard in Pennsylvania, she's hoping for a new start. The loss of her beloved husband in the same accident that greatly damaged her makes her long for a new start. She and her husband had dreamed of opening a cidery and now the chance has become possible.
She has been in correspondence with her orchard manager Carl and with Robert Larabee who is the lawyer managing her great-uncle's estate. When she arrives, she is pleased to reconnect with old friends from her childhood of happy summers spent at the farm until her mother and grandmother had a falling out which ended the visits.
Her lawyer is trying to convince her to sell the property to a mysterious buyer who is offering more than the property is worth. Her stubbornness and her dreams of her cider house keep her from taking the very attractive offer as some of her neighbors have. When Carl is found beaten to death with the cane she left at his cottage after one of their meetings, she briefly becomes the chief suspect in his murder. When her alibi stands, she decides to look into the crime herself along with neighboring orchard owner Daniel Martinez who is a former state police officer.
Her childhood best friend Marguerite who now runs the local diner is trying to do a little matchmaking between Kate and Daniel but Kate isn't ready for a new relationship and Daniel is moving slow too. However, the two are quick to from a partnership to determine who killed Carl and who later killed Robert Larabee.
I enjoyed the setting of this cozy mystery and enjoyed the information about making apple cider. I also liked Kate who is slowly moving on after a heartbreaking loss. The other characters - Daniel, Marguerite, and various new local acquaintances - were all interesting people too. I look forward to more mysteries even though Kate would be most content if she could just concentrate on making her cider.
The story also includes some recipes of dishes mentioned in the story with the Tomato Bisque being the most interesting to me.
She has been in correspondence with her orchard manager Carl and with Robert Larabee who is the lawyer managing her great-uncle's estate. When she arrives, she is pleased to reconnect with old friends from her childhood of happy summers spent at the farm until her mother and grandmother had a falling out which ended the visits.
Her lawyer is trying to convince her to sell the property to a mysterious buyer who is offering more than the property is worth. Her stubbornness and her dreams of her cider house keep her from taking the very attractive offer as some of her neighbors have. When Carl is found beaten to death with the cane she left at his cottage after one of their meetings, she briefly becomes the chief suspect in his murder. When her alibi stands, she decides to look into the crime herself along with neighboring orchard owner Daniel Martinez who is a former state police officer.
Her childhood best friend Marguerite who now runs the local diner is trying to do a little matchmaking between Kate and Daniel but Kate isn't ready for a new relationship and Daniel is moving slow too. However, the two are quick to from a partnership to determine who killed Carl and who later killed Robert Larabee.
I enjoyed the setting of this cozy mystery and enjoyed the information about making apple cider. I also liked Kate who is slowly moving on after a heartbreaking loss. The other characters - Daniel, Marguerite, and various new local acquaintances - were all interesting people too. I look forward to more mysteries even though Kate would be most content if she could just concentrate on making her cider.
The story also includes some recipes of dishes mentioned in the story with the Tomato Bisque being the most interesting to me.
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