Customer Reviews

Rotten to the Core (Wheeler Cozy Mystery)

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Sheila Connolly's Orchard Mysteries are some
of the most satisfying cozy mysteries I've read. With her first one, One Bad Apple, I said it was, "An example of everything that is right with the cozy mystery." Connolly continues to educate, charm and intrigue the reader, all at the same time, with her new book, Rotten to the Core.

After a rough start, Meg Corey is starting to settle in to her farm property in Granford, Massachusetts. And, the start of spring is the perfect time to get to know her apple orchard better. She's taking a class in orchard management, the better to tend the fifteen acres of trees, an orchard over two hundred years old. She's hired a student to work as orchard manager, and she's working with a professor at the university. It wasn't in Meg's plans to find a body in the springhouse in the middle of the orchard.

Meg didn't even know the dead man, identified as a student, Jason Miller. The young man was the front man for GreenGrow, a group of organic farming zealots. But, since he died of pesticide poisoning in her orchard, Meg's a natural suspect for the state police detective who doesn't like her anyways. It's a good thing she's made some friends in Granford, people who believe in her innocence.

There's quite a contrast between Meg and Jason. Meg even says, "Almost nobody seems to have liked Jason much, and everyone I've talked to seems relieved that he's out of the way." However, in the short time she's lived there, Meg made friends with Seth Chapin, a local selectman and plumber who is renting part of her barn, his sister, Rachel, the professor, and even the local police chief. Even so, Meg and Jason have her property in common. Why would anyone want to drag Meg into Jason's murder? It's a shame the death of a man she never even knew causes Meg to suspect her friends.

I always find cozy mysteries more satisfying when the main character is reasonable, and calls the cops, rather than taking matters into their own hands. Meg Corey might be ignorant of the reasons behind the murder, but she's not stupid. She understands it was murder, and she does call the police when she's in danger.

Cozy mysteries seem to have a specialization, whether it's a bookstore mystery, a pizzeria mystery, or, in this case, a mystery set on land with an orchard. Connolly allows the reader to learn about renovating the old farm house, and tending the orchard, right along with Meg, but she never forgets this is supposed to be an enjoyable mystery, not a lesson in country living.

Granted, it's easy to pinpoint the killer, but for most of us who read cozies, the puzzle is only part of the reason we read them. This is a mystery for those of us who enjoy getting to know the characters, watching their lives change, and relationships develop. Rotten to the Core is warm and entertaining from the first paragraph to the last. Fans will look forward to the next Orchard Mystery.

The second installment in Sheila Connolly's Orchard series was even better than the first, and I loved One Bad Apple! This book was so thoroughly enchanting and enjoyable that I hated for it to end. Meg Corey is my kind of sleuth--intelligent, kind, and introspective--not obnoxious or annoying, as so many protagonists are these days. Meg's character deepens with every touch she adds to the old farmhouse she recently moved into. I foresee a long and successful life for this delightful and highly satisfying series.

I gave this book "the old college try" but after 100 pages, I just had to give up. The writing felt stilted to me and I never really became invested in the characters. Perhaps part of the problem was that I hadn't read the first book in the series, so I didn't have any of the background information that the author often assumed her readers would have. I wanted to like it, but alas, it was a no go.

I enjoyed this mystery overall, and found the characters to be interesting an charming, but is was a bit slow sometimes. There were occasions when I felt like it had been a while since the plot had truly advanced, and that can make it tempting to put a book down.

This is a great series and I recommend all the books to mystery lovers - romance, mystery, orchards, home repair - these books have it all.

This book is the second in the Orchard Mystery series. The book started out strong but kind of lost it's umph in the middle. But this one was definitely worth reading. I love the spunk of Meg. She is a great heroine. I also look forward to seeing how this budding romance with her and Seth goes too. I will be reading more of this series and definitely can't wait to try these yummy recipes.

This is the 2nd in the Apple Orchard mysteries. I found the mystery to be lacking--the killer was pretty obvious though the motive was not. As with most cozies, it is the side stories that garner a lot of interest. In this case, Meg Corey's work-in-progress with the old house, the apple orchard, and hunky plumber, Seth. I'm hoping that, as the author becomes more comfortable with the series, the mysteries take on a bigger part. Still, it is a pleasant, light, summer read.

I did not find this Orchard mystery as good as the first. Reasons: too much pesticide info (I appreciate what the author was trying to do but...really). Not enough relationship development between Seth and Meg. Villian too easily-guessed and NO unexpected twists or turns in the mystery. And: frankly, I found the new characters introduced to be sort of boring (Bree, "Jason", Michael, Daphne).
Pluses: Loved the Meg/Lavinia interactions; Sheila has "cat language" down-pat!! Liked the addition of Large and Smaller Goat. Enjoyed the progression of Meg's orchard and house. Even liked the passages about her shopping for food, new dishes, and how she prepared for her dinner party. Guess I am just a "country girl" at heart..the way Meg fears SHE is becoming!
I will buy and read Book 3, but I sure hope it's back to being as GOOD as One Bad Apple (book One).

informative about the growing of apples plus incorporates a good story line. A nice change from all the baked goods stories. Nice series.

Where is this little New England town - I want to go there! It's almost apple-picking time and I'd like to help! Great read. All of Ms. Connolly's books are very well written. She writes really sweet stories, interesting, captivating, just all-around great writing. Can't wait for her next book in this series!