BUZZ OFF by Hannah Reed (ARC)

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.

Be sure to visit the Official Website for the Queen Bee Mystery Series.

You can also pre-order your own copy today here or at any online or brick and mortar book store of your choice.  There will continue to be a lot of BUZZ about this book now and long time after it's actual release date of September 7th.  It is the perfect book to celebrate National Honey Month, which is right around the corner.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the Author.. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”