Murder at Goldenleaf Apple Farm Review: Cozy Mystery with Small-Town Charm & Clever Sleuthing

Read time: 3 minutes

Silver Springs Mysteries #2 by Jodie Morgan
📱📖 Read on Kindle
📃 290 pages
⏱ Duration: 5 hours
🏷️ Publisher: Cozy Cozies
Genre: Cozy Mystery

book Blurb:

In the second page-turning installment of the Silver Springs Mysteries, fall’s beauty hides deadly deception. Laura Evans is settling into Vermont life, managing the General Store café, and building genuine friendships with locals like Evelyn and Izzy. But when apple farmer Vernon Reed is found murdered in his garage with a bung hammer, and evidence points to Izzy. Laura knows her friend is innocent. Teaming up with Evelyn and Jasmine, she digs into Vernon’s final months, uncovering secrets that put her own safety at risk. Every clue lands perfectly, and justice arrives as satisfyingly as a crisp, sweet cider.

Let’s talk about the book:

I liked this one even more than the first book. Laura Evans has truly found her rhythm in Silver Springs, gaining confidence and a stronger connection with the community around her.

This time, she’s not the newbie; folks trust her, Inspector Ramirez gives her real leeway, and tips flow in like harvest bounty. Teaming up with Evelyn and Jasmine to save Izzy from a murder rap? Pure gold. The fall setting at Goldenleaf Apple Farm had me craving pie while piecing together clues about Vernon Reed’s bung hammer demise. It’s the kind of small-town setup that cozy mystery fans crave with the tight-knit community, seasonal charm, and just enough darkness to stir the cider.

The pacing stumbles a bit in the middle while all the clues and information are being collected, but the setup ultimately pays off. The ending is clean, realistic, and satisfying, tying together the mystery with a resolution that feels true to the characters. That ending on Laura’s personal front? A sweet, heartfelt bow that left me smiling.

Overall, this cozy mystery nails the balance of heartwarming friendships, autumnal charm, and twisty whodunit without spilling into melodrama.

would i recommend it?

Yes! If you enjoy cozy mysteries with strong community ties, likable characters, and a clever sleuth, this one’s a win. I was invested in Laura’s growth and the story’s clever unraveling of clues.

If you like this…

You might also like:

• A Murder in Time by Julie McElwain
  A historical cozy mystery with clever sleuthing and engaging twists.
• Homicide in Hardcover by Kate Carlisle
  Small-town charm meets a puzzling murder in this cozy series.
• The Crepes of Wrath by Sarah Fox
  Fall-themed cozy mystery with warm community vibes and a strong amateur detective.
• The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley
  Quirky young sleuth, intricate clues, and cozy English village charm.
• Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot) by Agatha Christie
  Classic mystery with clever deduction, perfect for fans of sleuthing in tight-knit communities.

Who’s Ready for Cider and Clues?

Spill your thoughts: Did the apple farm setting hook you, or was it Laura’s glow-up that stole the show? Drop your favorite cozy mystery recs below. Let’s chat suspects and scones!

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