The Cider Shop Rules

The Blurb

The Fall Festival is in full swing. Civil War reenactors from three counties are partaking in Blossom Valley’s tribute to John Brown. Blue Ridge Mountain foliage is in full bloom, and the cider is flowing. And best of all is Jacob Potter’s pumpkin farm, where his hayrides, piglet races, pumpkin picking, and corn maze are time-honored draws for locals and tourists alike. That’s why it’s such a shock when Mr. Potter is found dead, hidden under a tarp in the back of Winnie’s pickup truck. This certainly betrays Potter’s reputation as one of the town’s most popular citizens. Fortunately, when it comes to solving a murder, no one has a patch on Winnie. Now, all eyes are on her to do it. Unfortunately, that includes those of the killer who’ll do anything to keep an orchard full of secrets buried.

The Details
Series: A Cider Shop Mystery – Book #3
Author: Julie Anne Lindsey
Genre/Category: Cozy – Amateur Sleuth/Culinary
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 1496723511
PageCount: 320
Rating:

The Review
It’s the fall festival in Blossom Valley, and Winnie is set to enjoy the season until she finds the body of a neighbor and friend in the back of her truck. The Cider Shop Rules is the third book in the “A Cider Shop Mystery” series. Each book in the series is always better than the last, and this one is no exception.

The cast of characters in this series are wonderfully realistic; they each have personality and charm, assuring readers enjoy learning about their lives, woes, and joys. This time the addition of Colton’s brother and parents add a new dimension to the series that gives Colton greater substance. I hope they stick around for more books in the future. The murder of a local farmer has everyone up in arms, and though there are few suspects, those that there are, have excellent motives with alibi’s that are open to interpretation. Locations, such as the festival and the cider shop, are a perfect backdrop for a murder investigation.

The victim in The Cider Shop Rules is likable and beloved by most residents of the small town, but as in real life, he has his secrets. Winnie’s investigation takes her down roads she wouldn’t expect and places her in danger, even when she minds her own business. Even though the victim wasn’t killed at Winnie’s shop, he was killed on his farm, in the middle of the festival with tons of people around, and hidden in Winnie’s truck, which makes it personal. The evidence is hidden almost as good as the victim’s body, but with enough digging and questioning, readers and Winnie will find the lead needed to figure out the killer’s identity. A showdown comes to a head; readers will be anxious to find out how far the killer will go to keep Winnie closing this investigation.

This is a well-written, extremely enjoyable book and a great addition to the series. It’s a page-turner that will keep readers happy and eager for the next book, and they will crave hot cider, delicious food, maybe some apple fritters or fries, and the fall holiday season to begin. I am thrilled with this series and highly recommend it to all cozy readers.

The Author
Julie Anne Lindsey is an award-winning and bestselling author of mystery and romantic suspense. She’s published more than thirty novels since her debut in 2013 and currently writes series as herself, as well as under multiple pen names, for Harlequin, Kensington, Sourcebooks, and Crooked Lane Books. When she’s not writing the stories that keep her up at night, Julie stays busy in Ohio with her husband and three amazing kids. Today she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world.