“Nipped in the Bud” by Sheila Connelly is an absolute triumph, deserving of a glowing 5-star review. Connelly’s Impeccable storytelling weeds together mystery, intrigue, and a captivating small-town setting, delivering an unforgettable reading experience. The characters are wonderfully flushed out and relatable, effortlessly drawing readers into their lives and making them feel like part of the community. The plot is brilliantly crafted, with twists and turns that keep you guessing until the very end. Connelly’s Attention to detail and vivid descriptions bring the charming town and its inhabitants to life, immersing you in a world that feels both familiar and enchanting. With its seamless blend of suspense, engaging characters, and are richly developed setting, “Nipped in the Bud” it's a true gem that will leave you eagerly anticipating the next installment in this captivating series.

I wasn’t able to finish this book. Because of this, it is my policy not to review the book on my site or on Goodreads/Amazon. I also didn’t mark it DNF.

The Bad Apple…
The twelfth Orchard Mystery finds Meg with a dead body on her hands. Why are the police covering up and urging silence? Who is the bad apple? Meg is not one to take this quietly and sets off once again on her own investigation. Enjoyable cosy mystery with a quirky and entertaining cast.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, and I was a bit disappointed in it. I didn't feel too lost in who all the characters were and their backstory, but I did feel that there were some details that I was probably missing about the recurring characters leading up to this book. Also, there were only a small handful of people even in the book (less than 10?). There was a lot of repetition of details, the same information presented over and over again. The author made a joke of how much Meg served coffee -- another thing that happened repeatedly. The ending was extremely abrupt with no real satisfying wrap-up to tie everything together, especially as this appears to be the last book the author has written in this series. Looking through some other reviews on this book, it appears that readers of this series were disappointed in this book too, that previous books in the series were better. There's a lot of drawn-out dialogue used throughout the book as well, sometimes overly used, I think. Also, with the very detailed and repeated food descriptions throughout the book, I expected it to be a culinary mystery with recipes included -- none are included, a bit of a bummer, especially since several dishes mentioned sounded really yummy! Just an okay cozy mystery, for me.

Newly married Meg and Seth are trying to find things to do as they await spring and all the season brings for the orchard. After finding the body of a woman who has been shot, Meg finds herself investigating despite being warned to stay out of the police investigation. However, since the woman was killed on her property there is no way she sitting this investigation out.

This is the twelfth book in the series but my first. The mystery can be enjoyed as a stand-alone although the characters’ backstories can be better understood by reading previous books. The characters are fun and relatable. The mystery is well-plotted and moves at a steady pace. This book will keep you guessing until the end.

I voluntarily agreed to read a copy of this book supplied by Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

This is a series that I've read from Book 1 and I am enjoying each new book in the series. It's a well-written book that reads easily. Just enough twists and turns to keep my turning pages late into the night.

The characters are now old friends and I love visiting with them. And I've found it very interesting to learn more about the 'apple' business. I'm already looking forward to the next one in the series.

This is the 12th book in the Orchard Mystery series. Newly married Meg and Seth are anxiously awaiting the arrival of spring in the orchard. They are taking a walk and hear a gunshot and find a dead woman on their land, which leads them to take an interest in the murder.

I didn't like this book as much as I have enjoyed other books in the series, This one felt slower to me, and I had trouble getting through it. I do recommend reading the series, however.

Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My rating: 2 of 5 stars, it was okay.

Book 12 in the series.

I am sincerely happy that this series got picked up by a new publisher, but this book is not my favorite in the series. In fact, since Seth and Meg got married, something has been a bit off for me. Part of it is that Meg and Seth are still in the slow season and still bored, just like they were in the previous book and Meg comes off as very whiney.

I will continue to read the series, but I sure hope things get a bit more lively in Granford soon and Meg and Seth are less bored.

This is the first book in this series that I have read, but I will pick up others to see what has already happened. I know that I have missed a lot of character development along the way and they may have diminished my enjoyment of the story somewhat. The main characters, Seth and Meg are newly married and trying to keep busy waiting for Spring to come. They have a new orchard manager, Larry, and he and Seth are building a tiny house for him to live in. He is currently renting a room in Seth's house along with several college students. When Seth and Meg are out for a walk with their dog Max one night, they hear a gunshot and Max takes off to investigate. What they find is a dead woman on their property. Of course, Meg is warned to stay out of the investigation, but because it occurred on her property, she doesn't listen.This cozy was easy to read (less than a day) and enjoyable. The story was perfectly paced. One thing I liked is that the story is set in the offseason for the orchard. It gave Meg plenty of time to snoop, which is always something I wonder about when reading a cozy with a protagonist who owns their own business. Meg does not put herself in danger, nor does she interfere in the investigation, but asks good questions, finds people to talk to and is able to tell when someone is hiding something, all great traits for an amateur sleuth. The mystery is well plotted and the story interesting. Sheila Connolly does a great job weaving in concerns about drug dealing in small towns, yet still penning an interesting and engaging mystery.

Another outstanding story in the Orchard Mystery series. This is book 12 and Meg and Seth have married and are living in the farmhouse at the apple orchard. When they find a dead body in their yard it leads to the discovery that the drug epidemic has found its way to Granford. A good mystery to solve with lots of help from the locals you have met in previous books. This can be read as a stand alone, the theme is certainly current and in the news. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I seriously need to make sure what book in the series I am requesting because I think it got me in trouble with this one. Typically it isn't so hard for me to catch up when reading the 3rd or 4th book in the series but not this time. I had a very hard time connecting.

Lovely cover on this book that drew me to it to begin with. Great book with a great storyline. Not what I was expecting at all so was a nice surprise. Easy to read and good characters in there too.

Nipped in the Bud by Sheila Connolly is the twelfth An Orchard Mystery. Meg Chapin is adjusting to married life with her new husband, Seth. Winter is their down time which allows them to take care of miscellaneous chores around the apple orchard. Larry Bennett is their new orchard manager who is living in Sean’s old home along with other renters. He is going to build a tiny home on the site of the old chicken coop. While out walking on the property, they hear a gunshot. Seth takes off running and finds a woman dead on the ground with no identification. They later learn she is freelance reporter, Jenn Chambers who is researching the drug problem in Pioneer Valley for an article she hoped to write. Meg is shocked to learn that illegal drugs have become a problem in Granford. The police are chalking Jenn’s death up to a hunting accident, but Meg has her doubts. Meg is not one to sit idly by when a killing occurred on her land especially when it she is warned not to by the State Police. She starts asking questions which leads to someone taking a pot shot. What did Jenn uncover that led to her death? Someone knows the truth and Meg just needs to get that person to talk to her. Join Meg on her latest case in Nipped in the Bud.

Nipped in the Bud is part of the delightful An Orchard Mystery series. I was happy to see the series find a new publisher so it could continue. However, Nipped in the Bud is not on the same level as the other books in An Orchard Mystery (lots of fluff). Granford is a charming small town with a variety of residents (many of whom were not in the book). I am happy to see Seth and Meg settling into married life (plenty of internal dialogue from Meg on this point). But I did not like how Meg came across in Nipped in the Bud. She is bored and whiney. Their new orchard manager is introduced, and I like that he will be building a tiny home. It is great that they are using the old chicken coop foundation for his new abode (though, their estimate on how long it will take to build seemed off). I must admit that I miss Bree, the old orchard manager, with her friendly demeanor. There are some cozy moments with chatting, eating, having coffee, talking about pruning and the building of the tiny home. The mystery was straightforward, but it was light. There was more discussion than sleuthing (lack of action too). The case details are rehashed along with oodles of speculation. The resolution was incomplete. When a crime is solved, I want to know the facts instead of supposition. Detective Marcus comes across as the cliché nasty detective and warns Meg to not investigate (of course). I did not like that Meg kept putting him down (seemed unlike her). I was surprised that Seth rented rooms out of his house without getting references or doing background checks. There were also inconsistencies in character details especially with Meg’s friend, Lauren. The characters seem to be behind the times when it comes to using modern technology (cell phones, tablets) which was puzzling (there were some odd comments). While Nipped in the Bud can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading the series in order. I have enjoyed An Orchard Mystery series until Nipped in the Bud. I am giving Nipped in the Bud 3 out of 5 stars. I hope the author is back on her game with the next An Orchard Mystery.

I just didn't click with this, I tried failed and tried again but no such luck. It felt like I had come in part way of a series but it was to far on to catch up with who was who and previous history. Maybe if I had read others I would have got on better

Dollycas’s Thoughts

It is always good to catch up with Meg and Seth. The newly married couple is trying to fill their days as they anxiously await Spring to come to Granford, Massachusetts. Meg has a new orchard manager and he and Seth are building him a “tiny house” to give him and the couple their privacy.

Seth and Meg are out for a walk with their dog Max when they hear a gunshot and Max takes off to investigate. Seth is not far behind. He is stunned when he finds Max standing near a woman’s body. He notifies police, and they first decide it must have been a hunting accident. The warn Meg to stay out of their investigation, but with all the free time on her hands and the fact that the woman was killed on her property, there is no way she is going to sit this one out. She is going to nip this death in the bud come hell or high water.

I am thrilled this series has found a new home!

This is such a comfortable cozy. The characters are friendly, believable, and genuine. Meg and Seth going about their lives, still sorting things out now that they are married and dealing with the downtime of winter. They are still getting to know Larry the new orchard manager. He does not live in their house as Bree did. He is renting a room in Seth’s house along with a few other guys until his tiny house is built. I love that they are using the foundation of the old chicken coop to build the house on.

Not so cozy is finding another dead body. Ms. Connolly has produced a delightful mystery for her readers to enjoy. With this one happening so close to Meg and Seth’s home, it keeps the characters and us readers on high alert. The state police add to the intrigue by trying to keep the murder under wraps but Meg is keen to follow each twist and turn herself. What she finds opens several sets of eyes about things happening in the sweet little town of Granford. The story is so well-written and thought-provoking too.

The story was perfectly paced. I liked that it took place in the offseason for the orchard. It gave Meg plenty of time to snoop, but with Bree gone and Larry being so quiet, she worried a lot about things that needed to get done.

Strong characters and a great mystery. A grand addition to this series. Fill up your bushel basket and enjoy them all!

I loved this story so much that after I finished it I immediately started looking for others in the series. It was such a fun mystery to read and the setting itself was so picturesque. The writing is well-done and there are so many details added in. My only issue is that it does get kind of dragging at some points and you have to push through and keep reading to get to a good part. I read this over my winter holiday break, even though it isn't a holiday read. I still enjoyed it and look forward to finding more in the series.

Meg and Seth's peaceful morning was shattered by a single gunshot, unbeknownst to them it will be a long while before they enjoy such peace again. Meg,
Seth and the other residents of Glandor found themselves embroiled in a murder mystery which involved drugs, drug dealers, an undercover journalist trying to make it big and greed. An intriguing and somewhat captivating cozy with memorable characters, like Larry I like him, his circumstances drove the interest level up a notch for me. I like this simple yet puzzling read.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Other than a case of Cabin Fever, life is idyllic for newlyweds Meg and Seth. While they are are looking for something to keep them busy during the “off” time, solving a murder was not high on their list of desirable activities. The discovery of a woman shot in the back on their property shakes them up. Even if it is a careless hunter, it shatters their sense of peace. But as they learn more about the victim and what she was doing in the small community, they begin to wonder how safe they are.
The victim is an investigative reporter who is looking into the burgeoning drug trade in their sleepy rural community. Information from the authorities is scarce as different police departments jockey for position and power. Less knowledge does not make them feel better. In fact, while trying not to step on any toes, they feel obliged to look into things especially as the crimes seem to be getting closer and closer to home. They begin to suspect it is all happening right under their noses.
It was an interesting story. Meg and Seth attempt to keep the local constabulary informed of their discoveries and they are the ones who put the pieces together. There were not a few life lessons they learn in the process.
Four purrs and two paws up.

Meg Chapin is anxious to get at pre spring activities on her farm, hears a shot fired, and finds a dead body. Before she can find out anything the State Police "Nipped in the Bud" her investigating. She and Seth her husband continue to meddle and more shots are fired. Sheila Connolly has set the stage for a good cozy with drugs, interfering boyfriends and suspicious characters. The goats also give the story good color. Enjoy.

Newlyweds Meg and Seth are having trouble staying busy during their slow season. Well, that is until finding a dead body behind their house. When things start getting secretive between the different police departments involved both Meg and Seth can't stay out of the investigation.

This is the first book in the series that I have read. I have several to read but have not done so. The reviews for this series are exceptional up until this one. The reviews range from "meh" to "love". I am in the middle. There was a lot of talking and not much action. I am used to more action in my cozy mysteries. I felt like a was reading a book that had to be written.

Based on reviews for earlier books in the series I do plan on reading the series from the beginning. I hope I am not disappointed.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.