Tamarack: The Beekeeper's Daughter

by Peggy Poe Stern

The Beekeeper’s Daughter, 55,748 wordsA gripping story about the dark side of a mountain a legacy of abuse that leads to murder. Told from an authentic mountain perspective, the reader experiences the family’s desperation as well as their strength and determination. The author’s simple unabashed voice completely absorbs the reader. So many emotions are evoked that the story echoes long after the last page is read. He kneeled down beside the woman.“What’s your name?” Big Red’s voice was compassionate.“Mary.”“Mary what?”“Tate.”“Mary Tate. Who’s he?”“Pa.”“What’s his name?”“Jay Press.”“You’re Mary Press Tate?”Her head nodded slightly. She had never looked at any of them. Her eyes remained on the face of her pa.“Who shot him?” Big Red asked with a gentle voice.“Me.”“You shot your father?” Big Red lifted his brows and watched her closely.Her head nodded again.“Why?”“He aimed to kill me.”“Why did he want to kill you?”She didn’t answer.“Your throat?” Big Red saw the purple-red of broken capillaries and knew what had happened.“He choked me. Said after he kilt me he aimed to cut me up with the axe and feed me to the dogs.”“Why?”“They’re hungry.”Big Red frowned. “Can I help you stand up?”She shook her head.“Can you get up on your own?”“No.”“Why not?”“I’m watchin’ him.”“Why?”“He ain’t dead,” she whispered the words.“Yes he is.”She shook her head again. “You can’t kill poison ivy.”Big Red and the first deputy exchanged glances. Big Red stood up. The second deputy didn’t move. He was busy taking down notes on a notepad.

273 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2003

About the author

Peggy grew up on small farm in the Appalachians near Jefferson, NC; married young; finished school; made handcrafted folk toys; established her own farm on Grandfather Mountain near Boone; raised six children in a single-wide while growing burley tobacco, Christmas trees, and small fruits; built a house; raised small animals – all – while helping her husband do land surveying. Still farming, she enjoys her grand and great-grandchildren while creating novels sprinkled with the flavor of her mountain heritage. Since 2003 she has been writing about three books a year.

Reviews

[henry smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

Crazy. Time period from 1911 to 1991 a family of cruelty incest rape abuse physical and verbal. Sexual abuse in a family. Ends up in murder. Poverty stricken because of drinking and laziness. Women are treated with the utmost cruelty from male family members and siblings. A family of hate that grows and a lifestyle of poverty and abuse that is accepted from birth. Wicked husbands and selfish lack of love from all family members.never saw so much hatred that just overwhelming to think about passed down and depressing live especially in the women A horrible family with no future of getting better.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful book by Peggy Poe Stern!

[Wendy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!! I'm not sure how I feel about the book. I'm sad, shocked and glad it's over. But at the same time I really enjoyed the story. It shows how people can overcome such awful beginnings. The main thing I liked it the honesty in the story. Most of the characters are likable and understandable while some of them are terrible and even some of them are understandable. This book is definitely worth the read!

[Teresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was the first Peggy Poe Stern book I have read. Don't know if I'll read any of her other books. As a native of Applachia, she should be ashamed to perpetuate those old stereotypes. The writing was a little rough around the edges also.

[Yuvonne · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very sad story that could be all too real!

[Meg Foglietti · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't keep my attention very well throughout!

[karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Beekeepers Daughter

I rated this with 5 stars. It kept me on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down. It is very good reading.

[Terrie Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Oh to have so many stories in my head such as this author. I 've almost completed reading all her novels now and have yet to be disappointed.