My Review
Piper Landry lives in a small town in the Blue Ridge Mountains, where she has an antique shop. An older acquaintance shares the story of a friend who disappeared 50 years ago during the Summer of 1976. When the older lady passes away, she leaves a trunk full of memories behind for Piper, who works to solve the mystery.
I wanted to read The Summer of '76 because I have loved the earlier books in the Orchard Grove mystery series. The 1976 mystery was especially appealing to me.
This was such an interesting mystery! I read the book late into the night because I enjoyed the storytelling so much that I couldn't put the book down.
The story centers around a young woman named Linda, who wanted to be a folk singer (or folk rock singer) in the 1970's. During a festival in 1976 she vanished, never to be seen again. Her father and her best friend missed her terribly and desperately tried to find her.
Piper talks to people who knew Linda and who were in Orchard Grove in the 1970's and also does archival research into old newspapers, an old festival directory, etc. I found this research to be fascinating!
One of the men Piper interviews tells her:
"Piper, I know you aren’t from here, but I’m sure by now you can understand this small town. We all went to the same school. Same church. Same festivals. Kids rode bicycles all over town. People left their keys in their cars. After Linda went missing, the whole town changed. It seemed like a cloud hung over the entire town. People were scared and wondering what happened to her. People started looking at each other differently, and everybody had a theory” (p. 118).
Piper actually works with the town sheriff on this investigation. He grew up in the area and knows the case well. At one point he tells her: "I think memories get polished over time" (p. 111). I love that line and the idea of memories getting polished with time and with retelling. That line sums up a lot of the book for me. This is a mystery not just about a missing girl but also about memories and the way they shift over time.
As always, I enjoyed the cozy Orchard Grove setting. I like Piper's detecting and her friends and found family - especially her sweet Aunt Violet, her boyfriend Mike, and her Great Pyrenees Maddie.
The Summer of '76 is my favorite book yet in the Orchard Grove series. The mystery from the past was so well crafted. I enthusiastically recommend The Summer of '76 and this book series. Five stars!
Book Synopsis
When Piper Landry sets out to fulfill one final request, she uncovers a faded photograph, long-buried secrets, and a fifty-year-old cold case that has never been solved.
As Piper searches for answers, she discovers that the summer of 1976 left behind more than memories, and some secrets refuse to stay buried.
Penni Justice McDaniel is a lifelong book lover and storyteller at heart. An Atlanta native, she now lives in the scenic North Georgia mountains with her husband in a certified wildlife sanctuary. Surrounded by nature and inspired by the charm of a nearby tourist town, Penni crafted her debut cozy mystery, Blueprint for Murder. The beauty of mountain living, along with cherished memories of traveling across the country and hearing true-life stories from family and friends, often sparks ideas for her writing.
Her love of books began early, nurtured by frequent trips to libraries in Atlanta, Decatur, and Tucker, Georgia, where her mother introduced her to the magic of reading. She fell in love with fiction after discovering Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. As the church librarian, her mother also provided a treasure trove of young adult fiction and mysteries that further fueled Penni’s passion.
An avid reader, Penni devours around 70 fiction books each year, favoring cozy mysteries, historical fiction, and spy thrillers. In May 2023, she earned her second college degree, graduating with honors from Southern New Hampshire University with a B.A. in Creative Writing and English, concentrating in fiction writing. Her coursework included numerous fiction workshops that helped her hone her narrative style and voice.
For the past 24 years, Penni has owned and operated a music entertainment agency, specializing in public relations, writing, ghostwriting, and marketing. In addition to her fiction, she is working on a historical novel set in South Georgia during the 1940s and overseas during World War II.
Penni and her husband are the proud parents of three grown children, a son-in-law, and a daughter-in-law—each inspiring her with their humor, intelligence, and love. They are, in her words, “the absolute joys of my life.”
Giveaway
One lucky winner will receive a paperback copy of The Summer of '76. Your prize will be mailed directly from the author.
You can enter the giveaway by leaving a comment below. BE SURE TO LEAVE YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS! If you prefer, it is fine to write your email out, i.e. myname (at) gmail (dot) com.
Questions for entrants: What interests you about this mystery? Do you have any questions for the author, Penni Justice?
U.S. entrants only please.
A winner will be drawn after 10/29/26 and notified by email. Winner has 48 hours to respond, or a new name will be drawn.
Thanks for reading and good luck!
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Thanks to Penni Justice for an advance reading copy of this book.
