A Killer Crop (Orchard Mysteries) [Mass Market Paperback]

This series features Meg Corey who moves to the small town of Granville, Massachusetts to renovate and sell a home her mother has inherited from some very distant relatives. The house needs much more work than Meg ever expected but it has one wonderful surprise, an apple orchard. Meg decides to stick around in Granville to see if she can make the orchard prosper and finds she really enjoys the town, the residents and the house with all it has to offer.

In "A Killer Crop", Meg's mother shows up in Granville very unexpectedly and at the busiest time for Meg, it is time to harvest her first crop of apples. It turns out Meg's mom, Elizabeth, came to the area at the request of an old friend. Sadly the old friend ends up dead shortly after meeting with Elizabeth which makes her the likely one to have last seen him alive and may even be his killer. Meg is sure her mother is keeping secrets but she is definitely not a murderer and vows to "pick" out the true killer. Not to mention a very famous poet may be involved in this case more than anyone can believe.

I LOVED IT!!!!!

I read this whole series this past week and this is a perfect series to read that way because each book picks up right where the last one leaves off. Also while this series fits the definition of a cozy mystery, "no graphic violence, no profanity, explicit sex, amateur sleuth, eccentric supporting characters, etc." this series is so much more. I have found this series to be very educational. I now know more about apple orchards, pest control and Emily Dickinson and learned them in a very fun way through this fictional series. The second book in the series got a little bound up in the education so that was my least favorite book of the series, but I still would say "I LIKED IT****"

This book "A Killer Crop" was by far the best, but that usually is the case with series, each book evolves into the next, you get to know the characters, the setting, the author's writing style and each book is better than the last. It also left me wanting to learn more about the poet that called Amherst, Massachusetts her home. Details were woven into the story that left me wanting more. I also want more Meg Corey, more Granville, more apples!!! "Bitter Harvest" the next Orchard Mystery comes out in August 2011 and I can't wait!!!

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received these books free from Berkley Prime Crime, a Division of Penguin Publishing. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."

This is book #4 of this series that is about apples, their orchards, history and old houses. I eagerly awaited this newest "chapter" in the series I reacently read, and was not disappointed.

Ms. Connolly continues to entertain and tell a good story, while letting you in on some of the more strenuous work involved in growing and harvesting apples. Bringing in local landscapes, the people, and a little Emily Dickinson really added to this latest book and was very entertaining and well written, as they've all been.

I don't ncessarily read these for the murders, mystery and sleuthing, but more for local flair, flavor, scenery, people, customs, etc., but the story was good just the same. Being a native Californian, my only "travels" are in books, so visiting the area of New England that the orchard series takes place in, and the way they're written, really makes me "see" what the area is like and what other people are like.

All of these books so far have been very well written, with a believable and likely heroine, if you will, who inherited an extremely old and decrepit home, along with 15 acres of apple orchard that she's learning to grow, cultivate, harvest and sell. Throw in local people, her friends, family and a "who done it," really appeals to my reading and this book didn't let me down.

I'm anxious to start Ms. Connolly's newest series, of which I've already purchased the first book from, but do hate to wait for subsequent books to follow, so I just might wait until the second one comes out next year. I'd started this Orchard series when the first three (3) were available and read them each, in order, and really enjoyed the locale, the storyline and the writing of this author, that when this latest installment came out just week ago, I grabbed it and did thoroughly enjoy this one as well.

I like her writing style, because if I can see in my mind's eye, with clarity and a degree of believability, what is being described, then it makes the storyline and everything in the book that much more believable. Ms. Connolly does a great job of doing that in this series, so for that reason alone, I truly enjoyed this book. Again, the storyline of a who done it just adds more fun to the book, and does in fact keep you guessing as to the culprit up to the end, and that's an added bonus.

This book, by far, was the best in the series yet. And, that is truly saying something. I've enjoyed learning about apple growing and restaurant openings, but, when the added dimension of genealogy was introduced the book picked up and ran with it.

I could not help but be involved with the plot and eagerly reading to see how the generations of Ms. Emily was relative to the case. I enjoyed learning more about Ms. Dickinson and the fact that the Author, Ms. Connolly is of the family in real life was an added layer that made the book even more attractive to me.

I wish Meg and Seth's relationship wasn't quite so stilted but in a way, I guess it fits with the stern stereotype of the New Englander.

The recipes were a treat also. I can barely wait for the next episode. What treats will be in store for us readers?