Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.57 AVERAGE
3.57 AVERAGE
I was given a copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Abigail Mackenzie is happy, running her farmette, providing honey to local businesses, and helping her friend plan her vow renewal. However, after the ceremony, which was interrupted by a jealous woman yelling at the groom, Abby comes across her friend and husband, shot in their car. Suffering from the after effects of seeing this violence and fearing that her friend's husband is going to go to jail for this crime, that he didn't commit, Abby uses her police background to help solve the mystery.
This is actually more of a 3.5 star than a 4 for me. For some reason, I found Abby irritating, and the mystery was convoluted. When it came out to who the killer was, it felt very contrived, just as a way to finish the story.
Abigail Mackenzie is happy, running her farmette, providing honey to local businesses, and helping her friend plan her vow renewal. However, after the ceremony, which was interrupted by a jealous woman yelling at the groom, Abby comes across her friend and husband, shot in their car. Suffering from the after effects of seeing this violence and fearing that her friend's husband is going to go to jail for this crime, that he didn't commit, Abby uses her police background to help solve the mystery.
This is actually more of a 3.5 star than a 4 for me. For some reason, I found Abby irritating, and the mystery was convoluted. When it came out to who the killer was, it felt very contrived, just as a way to finish the story.
A Hive of Homicides by Meera Lester is the third A Henny Penny Farmette Mystery. Abigail “Abby” MacKenzie runs a farmette in Las Flores, California since she left the police force. Abby is attending the vow renewal of her friend and truffle maker, Paola Varela and Jake Winston, owner of Country Schoolhouse Winery (and notorious womanizer). There is a bit of kerfuffle after the ceremony with a blonde, but then everyone is off to the reception. Abby heads off to locate Chef Emilio Varela to deliver the honey she promised as gifts for the guests. The sous chef points Abby in the direction of the alley outside the kitchen. Abby is outside looking for Emilio when she hears gunshots and then sees the shooters car. Abby finds Jake and Paola in their car with Jake dead and Paola severely wounded. A week later, Paola is in a coma and the case is going nowhere. Abby is warned to not investigate, but she can think of little else. She decides to start asking questions to see who would want to harm Jake and Paola. Jake had created a lot of buzz around town with his numerous conquests and the blonde at the renewal seemed to dislike him as well. When a second body turns up at the winery, Abby knows she needs to zero in on the killer before he strikes again.
A Hive of Homicides is nicely written and has a good pace. I appreciated the bee and honey information the author included in the book (it was very interesting and informative). The mystery is complex (I liked this part) and I think many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. My rating for A Hive of Homicides is 4 out of 5 stars. Abby was different in this book (and not in a good way). Abby’s reaction to finding Jake and Paola was very unlike her. For an ex-cop, you would expect her to be used to find dead bodies, seeing injured people, and finding herself in dangerous situations. Instead, we are subject to nausea, shaking, and she is afraid of her own shadow (not our usual strong, feisty Abby). The author did a good job at portraying PTSD as well as techniques to help Abby cope (she visits a counselor). I did not the like the direction the author took Abby’s character in A Hive of Homicides. It overshadowed the mystery. There are many delightful cozy moments in the book and a sweet, hopeful ending.
A Hive of Homicides is nicely written and has a good pace. I appreciated the bee and honey information the author included in the book (it was very interesting and informative). The mystery is complex (I liked this part) and I think many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. My rating for A Hive of Homicides is 4 out of 5 stars. Abby was different in this book (and not in a good way). Abby’s reaction to finding Jake and Paola was very unlike her. For an ex-cop, you would expect her to be used to find dead bodies, seeing injured people, and finding herself in dangerous situations. Instead, we are subject to nausea, shaking, and she is afraid of her own shadow (not our usual strong, feisty Abby). The author did a good job at portraying PTSD as well as techniques to help Abby cope (she visits a counselor). I did not the like the direction the author took Abby’s character in A Hive of Homicides. It overshadowed the mystery. There are many delightful cozy moments in the book and a sweet, hopeful ending.
Over the course of the last year or so, I’ve seen the Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series by Meera Lester and have been intrigued but just haven’t had the time to pick up a copy. When I finally had the opportunity, I grabbed the chance to sit and read the newest release, A HIVE OF HOMICIDES. With this third book in the series, I found I’ve been missing out on a delight series and now need to go back and read the first two books! A HIVE OF HOMICIDES can be read as a stand-alone and I easily felt like I got to know the characters quickly. The protagonist, Abigail “Abby” MacKenzie runs a farmette and raises bees and even though she’s an expert, she still gets stung once in a while. I love how each chapter includes either fascinating facts about honeybees (I wouldn’t want to be a male bee!), farming tips, or recipes… all which sound incredibly delicious! These “extras” add charm to the book!
When Abby’s good friend’s husband is murdered and her friend seriously injured right after their marriage renewal vows, Abby knows she needs to investigate. But this time PTSD almost gets the best of Abby dragging her down with anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. On top of that, her former colleagues at the police department seem to think that she is capable of the murder and the betrayal is deeply felt. The author effectively captures the mood of the dark abyss Abby finds herself in and I found myself cheering her on, hoping that she finds a way to overcome. And of course she does but I admire the author’s sensitivity to the matter and the way she brings it about. Despite the personal issues Abby must face, she still feels a great sense of duty towards bringing the killer to justice. The plot holds several twists and turns with enough action to keep the reader turning pages.
I received an advance copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
When Abby’s good friend’s husband is murdered and her friend seriously injured right after their marriage renewal vows, Abby knows she needs to investigate. But this time PTSD almost gets the best of Abby dragging her down with anxiety, sleeplessness, and loss of appetite. On top of that, her former colleagues at the police department seem to think that she is capable of the murder and the betrayal is deeply felt. The author effectively captures the mood of the dark abyss Abby finds herself in and I found myself cheering her on, hoping that she finds a way to overcome. And of course she does but I admire the author’s sensitivity to the matter and the way she brings it about. Despite the personal issues Abby must face, she still feels a great sense of duty towards bringing the killer to justice. The plot holds several twists and turns with enough action to keep the reader turning pages.
I received an advance copy of this book with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This is the third installment in the Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series and I have enjoyed each one more the than last. Abigail MacKenzie ("Abby") is a well written and developed protagonist. She is smart, spunky, loyal to her friends and in this story we got to see her vulnerable side. Being an ex-cop she her sleuthing abilities are fairly well honed and she tries to assist the police and not go rouge on her own. The author continues to grow and develop Abby in each new book and I think readers will like what they see in this one. The secondary cast of characters round out the story nicely and we see old and new friends. The mystery had a steady pace that unfolded throughout the entire story with plenty of twists, turns and drama leading up to a very climatic reveal. I also like how the author throws in tips about beekeeping, recipes and snippets from the Henny Penny Farm almanac. I enjoy this series and its characters and will be back for the next book in the series.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Negalley.
I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy provided to me by the publisher, Kensington, through Negalley.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I am all abuzz about this series. Former police officer Abigail Mackenzie just keeps finding dead bodies. This time she finds her friend Paola’s husband, Jake dead and Paola has been wounded too, right outside the party celebrating their marriage renewal. Jake was not her favorite person but she would never wish him dead. Was he the real target or was Paola? Was it business or personal? Abigail is having a honey of a time trying to figure everything out. When another person is killed she bee-lieves she is close to solving the case. She just needs to keep herself safe while she gathers enough evidence for her friends at the PD.
The story is well paced with real life and murder investigations in a nice balance. The suspense really builds as Abigail becomes more of a target and everything and everyone she loves falls into the killer’s sights. There are some nice twists and some really scary moments to keep readers on this toes. Again, the descriptions gave me more of watching a movie feel. The author makes visualizing everything so easy.
Ms. Lester has really taken us on a journey with Abigail over the course of the first three books in this series. We know she is a top notch investigator but she has some serious issues she is dealing with. She has been through so much and is fighting PTSD. The author handles this so well in a very true, real, and believable way. Abby still drops herself right into the middle of an investigation, because that is just who she is, but friends on the force are getting pretty used to that by now. The good thing is she reports what she finds to them and even shares her theories no matter how far-fetched. Her personal life is blooming just a bit too. I have really become invested in this character and am excited to see what happens next in her life.
The farms tips were very interesting and the recipes sound delicious.
This is a great addition to the Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series. I recommend all three books! I can’t wait to return to Las Flores, California to visit Abby and her friends!
I am all abuzz about this series. Former police officer Abigail Mackenzie just keeps finding dead bodies. This time she finds her friend Paola’s husband, Jake dead and Paola has been wounded too, right outside the party celebrating their marriage renewal. Jake was not her favorite person but she would never wish him dead. Was he the real target or was Paola? Was it business or personal? Abigail is having a honey of a time trying to figure everything out. When another person is killed she bee-lieves she is close to solving the case. She just needs to keep herself safe while she gathers enough evidence for her friends at the PD.
The story is well paced with real life and murder investigations in a nice balance. The suspense really builds as Abigail becomes more of a target and everything and everyone she loves falls into the killer’s sights. There are some nice twists and some really scary moments to keep readers on this toes. Again, the descriptions gave me more of watching a movie feel. The author makes visualizing everything so easy.
Ms. Lester has really taken us on a journey with Abigail over the course of the first three books in this series. We know she is a top notch investigator but she has some serious issues she is dealing with. She has been through so much and is fighting PTSD. The author handles this so well in a very true, real, and believable way. Abby still drops herself right into the middle of an investigation, because that is just who she is, but friends on the force are getting pretty used to that by now. The good thing is she reports what she finds to them and even shares her theories no matter how far-fetched. Her personal life is blooming just a bit too. I have really become invested in this character and am excited to see what happens next in her life.
The farms tips were very interesting and the recipes sound delicious.
This is a great addition to the Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series. I recommend all three books! I can’t wait to return to Las Flores, California to visit Abby and her friends!