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cattpurrson's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
nanmarchi's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
marilynw's review
3.0
The Honeybee Emeralds by Amy Tector
Narrated by Lameece Issaq
In present day Paris, shy, naïve Alice stumbles upon a famed diamond and emerald necklace. The magazine she works for, Bonjour Paris, is about to fold but the discovery of this necklace could be the big break they need by featuring this necklace as the cover story an upcoming issue. On the heels of finding the necklace, a rival magazine appears to be doing a story on it, also. Turns out there must be a leak among those connected to Bonjour Paris so the “Fellowship of the Necklace” must work fast to dig up everything they can about the origins of the necklace, where it's been since it's creation, and how it wound up in the basement of the magazine's building.
We go back in time to a mistress of one of the Napoleons, then to a famous spy, then to Josephine Baker. All those people and timelines are intertwined with the present day search and struggles of those who are trying to put together the story for Bonjour Paris. Making up the fellowship with Alice, is Luc, the owner of the magazine, Lily, the editor, wealthy Daphne, Lily's friend, Alexander, the man who was there when Alice discovered the necklace, and Jacob, a successful writer and college friend of Lily's. But there is distrust among them as they each wonder who could have told the competing magazine about the necklace.
The story is interesting but it does get bogged down with too many characters and too many transitions to different times and people. Alice is twenty three but her voice is so young, like a child's voice. Daphne is so selfish and immature its hard to see why anyone could stand to be around her. It was nice to know that the other characters agree with me about Daphne and some of them let her know their thoughts. A few characters seemed to whisper when they talk so I had to raise the volume for their dialogue. Plus there is a lot of "telling" in the story, especially when one character is reading a letter for us, at the end of the book.
Do read other reviews since so many people loved the story and got more from it than I did. I do think I'd have enjoyed spending more time in the past with the former owners of the necklace than in the present time, with all the childish squabbles among the fellowship and those associated with them. In the afterword, it's very interesting to learn what parts of the story are factual and what parts of the story are fictional.
Published March 29th 2022
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
Narrated by Lameece Issaq
In present day Paris, shy, naïve Alice stumbles upon a famed diamond and emerald necklace. The magazine she works for, Bonjour Paris, is about to fold but the discovery of this necklace could be the big break they need by featuring this necklace as the cover story an upcoming issue. On the heels of finding the necklace, a rival magazine appears to be doing a story on it, also. Turns out there must be a leak among those connected to Bonjour Paris so the “Fellowship of the Necklace” must work fast to dig up everything they can about the origins of the necklace, where it's been since it's creation, and how it wound up in the basement of the magazine's building.
We go back in time to a mistress of one of the Napoleons, then to a famous spy, then to Josephine Baker. All those people and timelines are intertwined with the present day search and struggles of those who are trying to put together the story for Bonjour Paris. Making up the fellowship with Alice, is Luc, the owner of the magazine, Lily, the editor, wealthy Daphne, Lily's friend, Alexander, the man who was there when Alice discovered the necklace, and Jacob, a successful writer and college friend of Lily's. But there is distrust among them as they each wonder who could have told the competing magazine about the necklace.
The story is interesting but it does get bogged down with too many characters and too many transitions to different times and people. Alice is twenty three but her voice is so young, like a child's voice. Daphne is so selfish and immature its hard to see why anyone could stand to be around her. It was nice to know that the other characters agree with me about Daphne and some of them let her know their thoughts. A few characters seemed to whisper when they talk so I had to raise the volume for their dialogue. Plus there is a lot of "telling" in the story, especially when one character is reading a letter for us, at the end of the book.
Do read other reviews since so many people loved the story and got more from it than I did. I do think I'd have enjoyed spending more time in the past with the former owners of the necklace than in the present time, with all the childish squabbles among the fellowship and those associated with them. In the afterword, it's very interesting to learn what parts of the story are factual and what parts of the story are fictional.
Published March 29th 2022
Thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for this ARC.
themaritimereader14's review
5.0
I had not heard of this book or author at all, and was quite interested in the synopsis of the book when the publisher reached out to ask if I wanted to read and review it. Fortunately, I was also able to acquire the audio copy via Netgalley so I alternated between formats while reading this book. I loved this!! I would classify this as dual-timeline historical fiction, though it is primarily based in the present day with some flashbacks and stories from the past when describing the history of the honeybee emeralds necklace. It feels like a bit of a historical treasure hunt to find out the mystery of a necklace found in a green jacket in the basement of a expat magazine office in Paris.
There is a large and vast cast of characters in this novel but I didn't find it too difficult to keep track of who everyone was once I got into the story. A few of them are friends, but a few others aren't known to each other and yet they all come together to find out more about the necklace and write a dazzling magazine article about its history. It was fun hearing the different accents on the audiobook (well performed, in my opinion!) and learning more about each member's background and past relationships and how that related to their approach to the mystery unfolding.
By the end of this novel, I couldn't quite turn the pages fast enough as past secrets were revealed and there were a few bonus star-inducing tender moments near the end that I absolutely loved.
I don't know if this book will be for absolutely everyone, but if you enjoy that whole treasure-hunt-for-an-item-from-the-past idea of comaraderie, honestly, I can't recommend this story enough. So fascinating and enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much to Turner Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
There is a large and vast cast of characters in this novel but I didn't find it too difficult to keep track of who everyone was once I got into the story. A few of them are friends, but a few others aren't known to each other and yet they all come together to find out more about the necklace and write a dazzling magazine article about its history. It was fun hearing the different accents on the audiobook (well performed, in my opinion!) and learning more about each member's background and past relationships and how that related to their approach to the mystery unfolding.
By the end of this novel, I couldn't quite turn the pages fast enough as past secrets were revealed and there were a few bonus star-inducing tender moments near the end that I absolutely loved.
I don't know if this book will be for absolutely everyone, but if you enjoy that whole treasure-hunt-for-an-item-from-the-past idea of comaraderie, honestly, I can't recommend this story enough. So fascinating and enjoyable to read.
Thank you so much to Turner Publishing and Netgalley for the ARC and ALC in exchange for an honest review.
portybelle's review
4.0
Imagine finding a long forgotten room full of beautiful costumes and then finding an incredible diamond and emerald necklace in the pocket of one of the jackets. That is what happens to Alice, a young intern at at Bonjour Paris, a magazine for ex-pats. Well of course, you’d be curious to find out more as was Alice and so she sets out to find out the history of this amazing necklace with the help of her friends.
There are quite a lot of characters in the book, all bringing their own strengths, weaknesses and insecurities to the story. To mention a few, there is Alexander, a perfumier from Iceland, Daphne struggling a bit with her marriage, Jacob, an American writer and Elise who has quite a few secrets of her own. I enjoyed getting to know them all. I also enjoyed the chapters set in the past where we hear from some of the rather famous previous owners of the necklace and how it passed from one owner to another.
I had expected The Honeybee Emeralds to have more of a historical slant than it did but found instead that it was more of an contemporary adventure story. I started off thinking it was a bit like Enid Blyton for grown-ups with Alice and her friends uncovering clues to find out more about the necklace. Towards the end though it put me in mind of an Agatha Christie with a mystery to solve rather than a murder, and suspicion falling on the actions of many of the characters.
With intrigue, glamour, friendship and danger, The Honeybee Emeralds is a really fun and enjoyable read!
There are quite a lot of characters in the book, all bringing their own strengths, weaknesses and insecurities to the story. To mention a few, there is Alexander, a perfumier from Iceland, Daphne struggling a bit with her marriage, Jacob, an American writer and Elise who has quite a few secrets of her own. I enjoyed getting to know them all. I also enjoyed the chapters set in the past where we hear from some of the rather famous previous owners of the necklace and how it passed from one owner to another.
I had expected The Honeybee Emeralds to have more of a historical slant than it did but found instead that it was more of an contemporary adventure story. I started off thinking it was a bit like Enid Blyton for grown-ups with Alice and her friends uncovering clues to find out more about the necklace. Towards the end though it put me in mind of an Agatha Christie with a mystery to solve rather than a murder, and suspicion falling on the actions of many of the characters.
With intrigue, glamour, friendship and danger, The Honeybee Emeralds is a really fun and enjoyable read!
anarag's review
5.0
Part mystery, part historical novel, part romance, and completely entertaining, The Honeybee Emeralds was a delight to read. The discovery of a fantastic necklace kicks off a search to uncover its true history. Along the way, unlikely friendships are formed among a magazine editor and her shy assistant, an Icelandic perfumier, a brittle art authenticator, and a macho writer. Together, they are determined find out the truth behind the jewels, not knowing that they will also learn truths about themselves. I love books set in Paris and this one brings wonderful authenticity to the setting. Three historical women also get their chance to speak. Throw in a deliciously wicked adversary and you will keep turning the pages to this novel’s satisfying conclusion.
lareinadehades's review
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
olivesnook's review
adventurous
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
booksnbrains's review
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0