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themahtin's review against another edition
4.0
I really like these farmy books. As much as Meg does ruminate a bit too much, I like the stories. I like seeing Meg become more and more a part of her community in each of these books, and I like hearing about her farm. This one had a nice twist at the end.
librarianlinda82's review against another edition
4.0
This series is starting to hit its stride. Like able characters, great location, looking forward to the next one.
git_r_read's review against another edition
4.0
This one was the most delicate of cozies. There was a murder, but it wasn't mentioned as much nor did the main character, Meg Corey, spend as much time trying to figure out who the killer was as much as concentrate on her orchard and helping out the new restaurant trying to get established. I found that I enjoyed this kind of cozy and look forward to reading more in the series.
Living in a small town and what it takes to have an agricultural business and the behind the scenes of the startup of a restaurant, especially one that is using straight from the farm produce for its menu was eye opening and note taking worthy. Excellent research done by Sheila Connolly. Well done!
Living in a small town and what it takes to have an agricultural business and the behind the scenes of the startup of a restaurant, especially one that is using straight from the farm produce for its menu was eye opening and note taking worthy. Excellent research done by Sheila Connolly. Well done!
dnemec's review against another edition
3.0
The whole story and mystery were fairly interesting, but the reveal was a bit anti-climatic. I hate that. I will say that after reading the first of the series, I wasn't sure if I wanted to read the other 2 on my shelf. Despite the ending, I plan on reading the remaining Orchard series book on my shelf. It really drew me in and I didn't want to put it down!
nursenell's review against another edition
5.0
This is the 3rd in Sheila Connolly's Orchard Mystery series. 3 new culinary school graduates move to town with big dreams of opening a slow food restaurant. The slow food movement involves using only products grown locally. The three consists of a newly married couple and their gay classmate/friend. When the young gay man is found dead in a pigsty at a local farm the question is who killed him and why. Was he killed because he was gay?
Meanwhile Meg's venture in learning to run an apple orchard continues as the first crop ripens.
Good characters, a good story. I didn't guess the killer until the end of the story.
Meanwhile Meg's venture in learning to run an apple orchard continues as the first crop ripens.
Good characters, a good story. I didn't guess the killer until the end of the story.
asanford's review
3.0
Deliciously delightful
Each book of the series I have enjoyed more than the one before. And to think, after the first one, I almost quit the series. Sheila has a relaxing writing style that pulls you in.
Each book of the series I have enjoyed more than the one before. And to think, after the first one, I almost quit the series. Sheila has a relaxing writing style that pulls you in.
bfth23's review against another edition
3.0
Not that much mystery, but more story. I find the town interesting so it didn't bother me that the mystery really wasn't the focus (or didn't seem like it.) Makes you want to move to a small town in New England
setaian's review against another edition
3.0
"They're all dead."
"What?" Meg Corey dragged her gaze from the orderly rows of apple trees that marched over the hill. Almost all were in bloom now, and some of them had what even a novice farmer like Meg could identify as apples. Small, maybe, but it was a start. She turned her attention to Carl Fredrickson, her beekeeper. Until this morning, Meg hadn't even known she had a beekeeper, but it seemed like every day since she'd inherited the orchard, something - or someone - new she hadn't known about turned up. "Who's dead?"
"The entire hive."
So begins Red Delicious Death.
I'm thinking to myself, awesome! This book is going to deal with the problem of bee colony collapse disorder which when you consider that much of the food we eat relies on honey bees as pollinators is quite a serious threat to our food security. I have to admit I was a little giddy that an author had finally decided to go into bat for the humble honey bee.
Sad to say after the first few paragraphs bees hardly get a mention. What is left is a fairly conventional cozy mystery. It's pretty good, quite entertaining, but I wanted bees!
jenneb_readingjournal's review against another edition
4.0
Part of my March Madness 2022 to work on my physical TBR pile (which is multiplying every time I turn around, I swear).
Another winner from Sheila Connolly! This series is like a favorite fuzzy blanket or a cup of tea with a scone: warm and welcoming. The characters continue to be well-rounded and written as if they could step off the page and hang out with you, chatting in the living room.
Our protagonist Meg Corey is eagerly awaiting her first apple crop, and becomes involved with newlyweds who are planning to open a restaurant in Granford with champagne dreams and a beer budget, so to speak. It was starting to look as if one of the newlyweds was really starting to depend on Meg for all her issues regarding the restaurant and expecting Meg to solve them.
Anyway, I really enjoy this series for the slice-of-life being presented: small town and all that comes with it, issues with renovating an old home (not featured as much in this book), what smaller farms face as they grow their crops and tend to their animals. Really good information woven into the narrative regarding the locavore movement.
Looking forward to reading additional entries into this series.
Another winner from Sheila Connolly! This series is like a favorite fuzzy blanket or a cup of tea with a scone: warm and welcoming. The characters continue to be well-rounded and written as if they could step off the page and hang out with you, chatting in the living room.
Our protagonist Meg Corey is eagerly awaiting her first apple crop, and becomes involved with newlyweds who are planning to open a restaurant in Granford with champagne dreams and a beer budget, so to speak. It was starting to look as if one of the newlyweds was really starting to depend on Meg for all her issues regarding the restaurant and expecting Meg to solve them.
Anyway, I really enjoy this series for the slice-of-life being presented: small town and all that comes with it, issues with renovating an old home (not featured as much in this book), what smaller farms face as they grow their crops and tend to their animals. Really good information woven into the narrative regarding the locavore movement.
Looking forward to reading additional entries into this series.
lafontain's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25