Murder in the Orchard: Ozarks Cozy Mystery Series

Book 18: The Ozarks Cozy Mystery Series

by Dianne Harman

Genres: Mystery; Craft & Hobby Cozy Mysteries

Synopsis

When Apple Days turns deadly, vintage store owner Della Fox must peel back layers of secrets to catch a killer before the harvest claims another victim.

Della Fox is finally enjoying a peaceful autumn in Clover, Missouri. Business at her vintage store is thriving, her relationship with Bryce is flourishing, and she's even found time to relax—until Apple Days at the Broomfield Orchard shatters the small town's seasonal serenity.

When renowned orchard owner Claudine Broomfield is found murdered behind the barn during the festival's opening day, the entire community is left reeling. The shocking discovery sends ripples through Clover, especially when witnesses realize they initially mistook the victim for someone else. Was Claudine the intended target, or did the killer strike the wrong person?

As Della investigates alongside Sheriff Jared Metcalf and Chief Raelyn Dalton, she uncovers a tangled web of old grudges, unpaid debts, and buried secrets. The list of suspects grows with each interview: Claudine's own son who argued with her that morning, a disgruntled volunteer with a grudge, a mechanic owed money, and an equipment manager with a suspicious timeline. Even more troubling, an older woman in gloves keeps appearing in witness accounts—but no one can identify her.

Just when Della thinks she's found the truth about Claudine's murder, a shocking connection emerges to the decades-old disappearance of Lydia Bland—a mystery Della hasn't been able to let go. A surprise visit from a woman with ties to both cases reveals that powerful forces in Clover have been pulling strings for years, and some people will do anything to keep the past buried.

With Bryce at her side and danger closing in, Della must navigate a maze of deception where the town's most respected citizens may be its most dangerous. Can she expose the truth before the killer strikes again? And will finally solving one mystery only lead her deeper into another?

Release date: December 15, 2025

Print pages: 218