Murder in the Orchard: Ozarks Cozy Mystery Series (The Ozarks Cozy Mystery Series Book 19)

Della Fox, owner of a vintage store in Clover, Missouri, is enjoying a peaceful autumn when Apple Days at the Broomfield Orchard turns deadly. Renowned orchard owner Claudine Broomfield is found murdered behind the barn on the festival's opening day, shocking the small community. Witnesses initially mistook the victim for someone else, raising the question of whether Claudine was the intended target or if the killer struck the wrong person. As Della investigates alongside Sheriff Jared Metcalf and Chief Raelyn Dalton, she uncovers old grudges, unpaid debts, and buried secrets. Suspects include Claudine's son, a disgruntled volunteer, a mechanic owed money, and an equipment manager with a suspicious timeline. An older woman in gloves keeps appearing in witness accounts but remains unidentified. During her investigation, Della discovers a shocking connection to the decades-old disappearance of Lydia Bland, a mystery she has been unable to let go. A surprise visit from a woman with ties to both cases reveals that powerful forces in Clover have been controlling events for years. Della must navigate a maze of deception where the town's most respected citizens may be its most dangerous, while danger closes in around her.