Book Review: One Bad Apple

Reviewed By: Caryn St. Clair

One Bad Apple     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Sheila Connolly
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Amateur Sleuth   Cozy
Series: Orchard Mysteries # 1
Berkley Prime Crime, Paperback, 262 pages, $6.99

Author Connolly has taken her family tree, a house once owned by her family and written the first book of what is hopefully a long series with an apple orchard figuring prominently in the storyline.

One Bad Apple introduces protagonist Meg Corey. Meg, recently downsized from her banking job in Boston, agrees to move to Granford, Massachusetts and renovate a two hundred year old home inherited by her mother. Although her mother has owned the home for a number of years, it has been a rental property and needs quite a bit of work before it can be sold. Almost immediately the septic tank needs replacing and while the ground is opened for the work, a dead body turns up in the tank. Unfortunately, the body turns out to be Meg's former boyfriend. Before Meg has had a chance to become acquainted with townspeople, she finds herself as the prime suspect for the murder.

If I have any quibbles with the book it would be the actions of the characters. In particular, Meg's actions at a town meeting, while moving the plot toward resolution of the crime, seemed out of character and a bit extreme. However, to more than balance that point, this book has many positive things working in it's favor. Connolly has done a very good job of a portraying a small town's quandary over development. If they allow development to generate tax dollars, the town life as they have known it disappears. On a humorous note, Meg's constant drain on her finances for ever growing house repairs is something that every homeowner can relate to on some level.

But for me, the best parts of the book relates to the apple orchard on Meg's land. Meg was not initially aware of the orchard, but when Christopher Ramsdell, researcher from a local university shows up to see if he can continue his research, Meg becomes interested in seeing that the orchard is preserved. There are all kinds of interesting apple facts woven into the story, and more information at the end of the book. There are recipes using apples included as well.

Caryn St. Clair

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Caryn St. Clair

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