Review: Murder At Goldenleaf Apple Farm by Jodie Morgan

 

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Description:

“Laura Evans has finally found her rhythm in the charming Vermont town of Silver Springs. Managing the General Store café feels like a world away from her high-pressure Boston restaurant career, and she's building genuine friendships with locals like Evelyn, her wise neighbor, and Izzy, the enthusiastic young man who works at Goldenleaf Apple Farm and lights up every room he enters.

But Laura's peaceful new life shatters when Vernon Reed, an apple farmer, is found murdered in his garage with a bung hammer—a tool used in cider production. And the weapon turns up covered in Izzy's fingerprints along with one of his distinctive handmade bracelets at the crime scene. But Laura knows the gentle soul who welcomed her to town could never commit murder.

Determined to clear Izzy's name, Laura teams up with Evelyn and her café colleague Jasmine to investigate Vernon's final months.

But the killer will stop at nothing to protect their carefully constructed lies...”

Author:

Jodie Morgan writes cozy mysteries. She has two novels available in this series (this is the first) plus a couple short stories that take place in the same small Vermont town.

For more, check out Ms Morgan’s website.

Appraisal:

In the first book of this series the protagonist, Laura Evans, was new to the small town of Silver Springs, Maryland. In her position as the manager of the General Store, she got to know a lot of people in town and ends up solving a murder that happened not long after moving there. In the short time since she’s continued to fall in love with her life in Silver Springs, continues to get involved with the community, both as a volunteer and by participating in various local groups. Then another murder happens and she can’t resist trying to figure things out.

Given her history in town thus far she has people trying to discourage her from getting involved and others wanting to clue her in on things they think might be pertinent in finding the culprit. This makes for a lot of clues, multiple possibilities for suspects and motive, and a fun read as the reader goes along for the ride, trying to figure out what the answer might be along with Laura. If you enjoy the cozy mystery genre joining Laura for her adventures is a fun time.

Buy now from:            Amazon US        Amazon UK

Format/Typo Issues:

No significant issues.

Rating: **** Four Stars

Reviewed by: BigAl

Approximate word count: 65-70,000 words