Book Review: Deadly to the Core by Joyce Tremel

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Joyce Tremel’s first entry in a brand new series, Deadly to the Core, is a satisfactory cozy with a tangy-tarty bite. After losing her husband in a terrible car crash, Kate learns she has inherited her maternal family’s orchard in a small town outside Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. It would be a fresh start for Kate, leading her not only to move in but also to open a cider house.

Her late uncle’s lawyer, Robert, had presented a dull picture of the orchard, encouraging Kate to sell it. However, when Kate reaches the farm, she finds the orchard’s manager, Carl, has nearly completed renovating the barn. All that remains is to bring in the equipment needed for cider production.

Unfortunately for Kate, Carl’s involvement in her cider house plans is cut short when he’s discovered murdered in his home. As the story unfolds, Kate learns that the victim had sizable, unexplained cash deposits in his bank account, sparking suspicions of potential blackmail.

I enjoyed the theme of this deliciously cider-ish mystery. The setting of an apple orchard, a woman in her mid-thirties (re)starting her life, a friendly neighborhood, and of course, a murder mystery provides a delightful backdrop.

The narrative unfolds with an exciting note and when sparks fly (unfortunately,not the right kind) the readers are given a forewarning of what’s to come next – a murder. Kate, our protagonist, had overheard the victim and the plumber engaged in a heated argument just days before the crime occurred.

What I found less appealing was Kate’s excessive interference and exaggerated curiosity in getting to the bottom of the things. Her motivations for playing detective seemed somewhat forced. She expressed a desire to explore the victim’s bank accounts, citing his prepayments for the barn renovations as an excuse. This led her to enter his home, where she took it upon herself to clean the kitchen and empty the fridge, only to discover substantial cash deposits in his account.

Further, she approached the local police department with an eagerness to delve into the victim’s finances. Posing as a concerned employer, she inquired about the victim’s next of kin and funeral arrangements, painting a picture that didn’t entirely align with her actual connection to the victim. (She had never met the man in person before arriving at the farm.)

Then we have the small town scenario where everyone is familiar with each other’s business, leaving little room for secrets. Kate’s every move, from her shopping habits to her interactions with the detective on case, becomes common knowledge.

Kate’s neighbor and orchardist, Daniel, is initially painted as a potentially suspicious character. When Kate discovers Carl’s body, she contacts Daniel after alerting the police. Daniel appears to possess additional information about the case, including the time of the victim’s death, leading Kate to question his involvement in the murder.

Throughout the story, doubts arise about Daniel’s intentions—whether he is feigning friendliness to gather information on her investigation or genuinely assisting her. Despite these suspicions, Kate chooses to place her trust in him, albeit blindly.

The latter part of the book takes an interesting turn, focusing on a mysterious developer determined to acquire both Kate’s and her neighbor’s farms. Surprisingly, her lawyer seems to play a role in this situation.

While I found the second half of the book more engaging than the first, the ending fell short of my expectations, leaving me dissatisfied. This book appears to suffer from what I term “first book syndrome,” prioritizing series-plot development and character introduction over the mystery itself. Nevertheless, I anticipate the next installment, drawn in by the characters, storytelling, and the charming setting.

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I received an ARC from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley in exchange for an honest and unbiased opinion.

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