Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
The Witch's Orchard by Archer Sullivan Narrator: Emily Pike Stewart
Series: Annie Gore #1
Published by MacMillan Audio on August 12, 2025
Genres: Mystery, Thriller, Paranormal
Length: 9 hours, 27 minutes
Format: Audiobook
Source: NetGalley
Goodreads
Amazon,Ā Audible,Ā Libro.fm,Ā Barnes & Noble,Ā Apple
ormer Air Force Special Investigator Annie Gore joined the military right after high school to escape the fraught home life of her childhood. Now, sheās getting by as a private investigator and her latest case takes her to an Appalachian holler not unlike the one where she grew up.
Ten years ago, three little girls went missing from their tiny mountain town. While one was returned, the others were never seen again. After all this time without answers, the brother of one of the girls wants to hire an outsider, and he wants Annie. While she may not be from his town, she gets mountain towns. Mountain people. Driving back into the hills for a case this oldāit might be a foolās errand. But Annie needs to put money in the bank and she canāt turn down a case. Not even one that dredges up her own painful past.
In the shadow of the Blue Ridge, Annie begins to track the truth, navigating a decadeās worth of secrets, folklore of witches and crows, and a whole town that prefers to forget. But while the case may have been buried, echoes of the past linger. And Annieās arrival stirs someone into action.
I wasn’t sure what to expect but I really enjoyed The Witch’s Orchard. The author is new to me and I was impressed with the small town tale with abducted girls tied into a folk tale. The paranormal aspect was very limited. I wouldn’t mind this being the start of a series.
Ten years ago, three little girls were abducted, all around church events.Ā The second one though, Olivia, was returned a few days later.Ā The first, Jessica and the third, Molly are still missing.Ā In their place was left an old apple head doll.
Molly’s brother, Max, has saved for years and is determined to find his sister.Ā He has kept a scrapbook of information. He hires Annie Gore, a private investigator to search.Ā Annie has warned him that after 10 years it is unlikely she will find anything.
Annie is from the Appalachian area where she lived mostly with her grandmother due to unreliable parents.Ā She went into the Air Force, into special investigations unit.Ā She worked for Leo who also became her closest friend.Ā Her grandmother has passed but she also has an aunt.Ā After the Air Force, she has been using her skills to be a PI.
Annie, as she expects, stirs things up and brings many long held secrets into the light. It’s dangerous and plenty are angry, including the sheriff, whose niece, Olivia was the returned girl.Ā Olivia has never spoken since her ordeal.Ā But his deputy AJ is helpful to Annie, especially after a new little girl is taken.
Annie is good at her work, which is terrifying as she puts herself at risk to learn the truth.Ā The story is steadily paced and easy to read.Ā The old legend about the witch has many versions, all of which could be the story of what happened to the girls.
Narration:
I don’t believe I have heard this narrator previously but really enjoyed her voice for the characters and regional accents.Ā Her performance definitely added to my enjoyment.Ā Ā I listened at my usual 1.5x speed.
Listen to a clip:Ā HERE
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I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-Audio
- 25-COYER
I have a copy of this too, and I hope I can find time to read it. I didn’t realize one of the characters was a PI. That makes it even more appealing.š
It has a lot of appealing aspects and some interesting flawed characters.
Iād kinda ignored this one but now you have me rethinking it. Excellent review, Anneš
Thank you Jonetta. I liked it and it caught my eye initially because North Carolina.
I thought this was really good, too! Had a spooky fall vibe!
yes I really liked it and I hope it is the start of a series. I’d like more with Annie.
I loved this one and I’m glad the audio was good too!
yes I enjoyed the audio and I hope it’s going to be a series.
Great review:)). It’s always a win when you find another author to enjoy and this sounds like a gripping read.
I really enjoyed it, the setting and a private investigator. Annie is an interesting character.
This is the second really good review that I’ve seen on this one and you’ve convinced me! I haven’t read anything by this author before but I want to pick this one up.
Thanks Katherine. I hope you enjoy it. It’s unique. I haven’t read this author before. It could become a series but I don’t know if it will. I enjoy the North Carolina setting. The PI is ex military and working on herself, meaning character growth but her morality is first class. I mean she really cares about her clients and others in the community. She does have a fling while she is there. I don’t know how or if that would play into a series because she does have a best friend / ex-commanding officer who could become a romantic interest.
Adding it to my TBR. I think this would be a good book club book.
It could be. I really liked a lot of things about it. It’s good for fall and spooky times too.