In Granford, Massachusetts, the wedding of Meg Corey and Seth Chapin promises to be A GALA EVENT. Hopefully coming soon, the event is in dire need of some firm decisions. Meg has been busy harvesting apples from her orchard. Seth is no help. He is more interested in installing the new bathroom that is to be his wedding gift to Meg. The whole town will be attending as the Chapins' founded the town centuries ago.

Meg decides to start with the venue. She loves Gran's, a lovely Victorian restaurant sitting atop a hill facing the green. The owners, Nicky and Brian, are good friends and eager to help. It did not take long for Nicky to create a menu, suggest drinks, and even plan the music. That was easy. Now to find Gail and ask her to be her attendant.

Meg goes to the renovated Historical Society building to look for Gail, who might be there setting up new exhibits and relocating files. When Meg steps into the building, she finds Gail leaning against a table, making strange noises and she is covered in blood. When the police arrive, Gail explains she was attacked by a man, but she defended herself by cutting him with an antique vegetable slicer. The blood is his. The search begins. The next morning Gail and Meg find him in the storage shed next to the Society. The police arrive and take the man, Aaron Eastman, to the hospital.

Later discharged from the hospital, Aaron Eastman rings the door bell at Meg's home. He has come to thank her for saving his life. Aaron was recently released from prison after serving a 25-year term for killing his father, mother and grandmother in a fire that destroyed his home. He has no recollection of the fire but was convicted when he was 17-years-old. The judge offered no sympathy for a teen on drugs who seemingly showed no remorse for the death of his family. Meg and Seth listen to his story. Not only do they believe him, they promise to investigate this cold case. Hopefully, they can find some answers to the questions he has had for a long time.

Sheila Connolly writes a warm, cozy mystery with a cast of characters that you would enjoy having for friends and neighbors. Nice read!

Book Summary

Wedding bells are ringing for Meg and Seth in the latest Orchard Mystery from the New York Times bestselling author of Picked to Die…

The fall harvest may be just about over, but orchard owner Meg Corey is busier than ever planning her wedding to Seth Chapin. Who knew picking apples would be less work than picking out rings and a dress? And even though the happy couple has invited most of Granford, Massachusetts, to the ceremony, they might have to make room for one more guest…

Ex-con Aaron Eastman has unexpectedly reappeared in his hometown, searching for answers to the tragic fire in his family’s past that put him behind bars twenty-five years ago. Moved by his sincerity, Meg vows to do everything she can to help him solve the cold case. As she cobbles together the clues, it becomes increasingly clear that Aaron may have been considered the bad seed of the family, but someone else was one bad apple…

Includes Delicious Recipes!