Author: Julie Anne Lindsey
Genre: Mystery
Mass Market Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781496723512
Kensington Publishing
320 Pages
$8.54; $6.99 Amazon
July 27, 2021
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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 best of all is Jacob Potter's pumpkin farm where his hay rides, 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.
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Winnie Mae Montgomery helps run her grandmother's cider farm, and she's made several key improvements, including a renovated barn where she sells her specialty ciders. With the Fall Festival, they've also got plenty to do, and the farm is finally making a little money, with the Civil War reenactors in town and tourists filling the farm. One day she and her friend Dot go to the nearby Potter farm, where she's picking up an order from Mr. Potter for her grandma. But after they stop for ice cream, Winnie notices liquid coming from the back of her truck -- and when the tarp is lifted, it turns out to be the body of Mr. Potter. Now Winnie's truck is a crime scene, and she's once again in the middle of a murder, which Sheriff Colton Wise doesn't like. What's also unsettling is the attractive man she's just met who turns out to be Colton's younger brother, Blake, and it appears he's interested in her.
While trying to navigate her way out of sticky situations, and discovering there's another danger lurking around the corner, Winnie's doing all she can not to have a nervous breakdown. But when she's asked to find the killer by Mrs. Potter's best friend, she's over her head in trouble. The problem is, will she be able to figure things out before a killer slays her?...
This is the third book in the series and I've read all of them. I do like this series quite a bit. It's progressing along nicely, with Winnie's life in the turmoil it usually is, but she handles everything with aplomb, or at least tries to. She doesn't accuse people of murder, nor does she keep information from Colton, which I approve of. It shows she has common sense. Even her questioning isn't invasive, and she thinks before she asks. Smart woman.
[The one thing that bothers me is Winnie is always thinking of accusing men of being men -- she doesn't want them carrying things for her, or opening doors, or even thinking of protecting her -- things my mother and father taught us were the way men showed respect for women. It's not offensive for men to do things for women; and for the record, I worked on cars with my dad and can change parts, but I still love it when men open doors. Act like a lady and you will be treated like one. It has nothing to do with 'I can do this too, you know.'] Okay, rant over!
Anyway, there was one scene on the battlefield which I found lovely; I'm not going to name it here, although I want to, and I was surprised and delighted to read it. Also, one of the funniest situations takes place on a night that Winnie has dinner with the Wise clan - Colton, Blake, and their parents. It had me laughing and grateful I've never been in that situation! Not to mention Waddles the goose...
As for the mystery, it was a bit suspenseful, and it seemed that there was real danger around every corner. As the story wove through the pages, I could almost feel Winnie's tenseness, and her hesitation to step foot out of her home. It kept me reading throughout the book, and wanting to find out what was around the next page.
When the ending comes, the climax is both gripping and satisfying, with everything finally being resolved just as it should be. Killers have their own sense of justice, and we can never understand what makes them do the things they do.
All in all, the writing is taut, expressive, and makes the characters come to life easily. The descriptions of the farm and its people is wonderful, and the book leaves us wanting more. I would love to see more of Colton's family and, of course, the people of Blossom Valley. Highly recommended.
More on Julie Anne Lindsey's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/l/julie-anne-lindsey/
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