Meg has recently been made redundant from her banking job in Boston. Her mother thinks that her century home in Granford would be the perfect setting for Meg to gather her thoughts and plan her future. Meg's mission: to renovate the old farmhouse to get it ready to sell.

Meg's inexperience in home repair and remodeling coupled with her naivety in all things rural make for a challenge, but Meg soldiers on. When her plumbing backs up and a foul odor permeates her home, Meg calls on local plumber Seth Chapin. Smart, and easy on the eyes, Meg finds Seth intriguing. Just when her life seems to be getting on track, Chandler Hale, her old boyfriend from Boston comes calling. He is also a banker and is working with property developers hoping to take over some of Granford's prime real estate including the apple orchard on Meg's land. A few days after their brief reunion, Meg's new plumber friend discovers Chandler's body on Meg's property.

Police suspect Meg because of her past history with Chandler and her vested interest in stopping the property development project. She and Seth work to find the true murderer (a.k.a. bad apple) while trying to not alienate her new neighbors and acquaintances. Meanwhile, Meg is growing attached to the old house and to Grandford's attractions and is becoming less and less certain that she wants to sell.

True to the genre One Bad Apple combines all the elements one would expect of a true cozy mystery. A strong and feisty heroine, a perplexing murder, a personal dilemma, and a picturesque New England setting. It also includes the added bonus of some appetizing apple recipes.

Meg Corey is a very likeable protagonist and her future in Granford hopefully guarantees some further titles in this delightful new series.