16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Buzz Off! a Pistil of a Tale, September 9, 2010
This review is from: Buzz Off (A Queen Bee Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)
This is the first in a welcome new series "Queen Bee Mysteries" by author Hannah Reed. Story Fischer is learning the craft of beekeeping from her good friend Manny until he is found dead, stung to death. Story is heartbroken but knows immediately that he had to have been killed by yellowjackets rather than his own bees. His journal is missing and a suspicious man is out to take all of Manny's hives.
In addition to learning beekeeping, Story runs a grocery store in an old church. I loved the way local farmers sold their goods at her store, making it seem like a natural hub for activity and gossip.
Many mysteries set in small towns thrive on gossip as one of the main ways of revealing plot elements and motivations. Move over, gossip mongers, Pity-Party Patti has got you in her sights. Generally referred to as P.P. Patti, this telescope wielding snoop sees everything and she makes sure everyone knows her version of what she's got to share.
There is plenty of romance as Story keeps the town buzzing about her relationships with sleazy ex-husband Clay, old flame Hunter, grudge bearing police chief Johnny Jay and rumors that she was more than an apprentice to her mentor Manny.
Toss in a disapproving mother and a rockin' grandma and we're off to a great start!
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11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
BUZZ BUZZZ BUZZZZZZ, September 10, 2010
This review is from: Buzz Off (A Queen Bee Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)
A Queen Bee Mystery
FIRST IN A NEW SERIES
Release Date September 7, 2010
Berkley Prime Crime
Set in the fictional town of Moraine, Wisconsin, Story Fischer is gearing up for National Honey Month (September). Her messy divorce is final. Her store, The Wild Clover, is very successful and is the only local grocery. It is a truly unique mercantile, as the building was formerly a church, complete with stained glass windows. She also works with her friend and mentor, Manny, who is teaching her all he knows about the honey business. They have harvested their honey and stock various honey products on The Wild Clover's shelves and on shelves in stores throughout the county. Everything seems pretty sunny in Story's life.
But it doesn't take long before things start to get sticky.
Her mentor is found dead, in front of his beehives, totally covered in bees and honey. The police and the entire town believes Manny was killed by his bees. Story tries to explain the difference between honeybee stings and wasp or yellow jacket stings, but no one will listen. The local Realtor, a crazy woman named Lori, wants all the bees killed including Story's bees.
While Story is working hard to save all the bees, another body is found in the Oconomowoc River, and this time the evidence points directly at Story's ex-husband. Yes, he is a jerk, thinks he's God's gift to women, and a "buzzkill," but not a murderer. Story shifts into high gear to save her bees, her business and even her ex. Honey may be sweet, but this mystery is anything but sweet. Story will be busy as a bee to untangle this mess and trying to keep herself from getting stung in the process.
I loved this book for so many reasons:
* The subject matter is truly unique. I have never read a mystery with bees as the theme.
* The characters are a hoot, or should I say a buzz since we are dealing will bees. Their humorous quips can be a sharp as a sting, and P.P. Patty will have you laughing out loud. You will come to love the entire hive.
* The mystery is solidly written, many twists and turns and will keep you guessing until the very end.
* This book is set in Wisconsin, my home territory. If Moraine was a real town, I could be shopping in Story's store or canoeing on the Oconomowoc River in about 45 minutes.
* Included in the book are some wonderful recipes.
* Why is my review written using bullet points, you will have to read the book to find out.
Seriously though Hannah Reed has written a truly extraordinary debut to start this brand new series. It is one guilty pleasure I am honored to have. I love to read what she writes and cannot wait to the next installment to this honey of a series.
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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Royal Honey of a Mystery, September 20, 2010
This review is from: Buzz Off (A Queen Bee Mystery) (Mass Market Paperback)
Hannah Reed may have surpassed her efforts of a past incarnation with BUZZ OFF, the first of a brand new series from Berkley. With characters you not only can believe in, but want to get to know, she weaves a small town mystery to challenge a current day Miss Marple, who just happens to be a bee keeper. As if an ex moving in next door isn't enough of a problem, half the town thinks she did in her mentor. Wacky relatives and neighbors lighten the load as she works to exonerate herself by seeking out the real culprit.
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