Book Review: Poison Apples

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Poison Apples     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Nancy Means Wright
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Series: Ruth Willmarth # 3
Dunne, Jul 2000, $24.95, 336 pp.

Three years ago in Connecticut their daughter Carol died. Needing a change to start over, high school biology teacher Stan Earthrowl and his wife Moira buy a Vermont apple orchard. Moira has since come to grips with her child's death, but her spouse still suffers from his devastating loss.

The hope for an idyll life has not been smooth as someone wants to destroy the Earthrowls efforts to succeed. Last year, someone allegedly using the wrong herbicide poisoned a fifth of the trees. Now, some one is cutting down mature trees. Finally one of the Jamaican pickers dies form a poisoned apple. With her spouse accused of the crime and suddenly ailing from a stroke, a desperate Moira asks her neighbor Ruth Willmarth for help. However, unbeknownst to Ruth, her land is also coveted and the people who want it could be her ex-spouse, local religious fanatics, or just some land grabbers.

POISON APPLES is an intriguing regional mystery that vividly brings Vermont's personality to the audience especially through Ruth, a wonderful character. The story line will remind readers of a roller coaster as it slowly works its way up to the first peak before taking off at a rapid pace. However, the numerous extemporaneous subplots clutter the fine main tale but fans of this New England mystery series will still enjoy this work.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner