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Bee Conspiracy
Impulsive Detective “Duke” Wayne is stuck on admin leave from the LAPD, pushing papers across a desk. He desperately wants to rejoin Robbery-Homicide. When the Captain asks him to do a Field Investigation Report on an accidental death from bee stings, he thinks open and shut, this is my ticket back to the squad.
But he is teamed with Kelso Bagley, a methodical Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who specializes in the study of insects. Kelso is sure this bee-sting incident is pre-meditated murder. He drags Duke out of his comfort zone on a wild ride through the world of beekeeping, sadistic insect fetishists and robotized farming to prove it. Their investigation uncovers a larger conspiracy at play and endangers the lives of loved ones, not to mention Duke’s career. Can Duke navigate this underground world of weaponized insects and come out alive?
But he is teamed with Kelso Bagley, a methodical Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who specializes in the study of insects. Kelso is sure this bee-sting incident is pre-meditated murder. He drags Duke out of his comfort zone on a wild ride through the world of beekeeping, sadistic insect fetishists and robotized farming to prove it. Their investigation uncovers a larger conspiracy at play and endangers the lives of loved ones, not to mention Duke’s career. Can Duke navigate this underground world of weaponized insects and come out alive?
340 pages, ebook
Published August 18, 2023
7 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
David Boito
4 books6 followersDavid Boito has written two award-winning novels, "Valley Fliers" and "Bee Conspiracy." His third novel, "Fatal Castle," a thriller set at the Tower of London, is called "a memorable caper" by Kirkus. He has written screenplays for Revolution Studios and Warner Bros television. He studied film and creative writing at UCLA.
For more information visit:
link: Valley Fliers
link: Bee Conspiracy
link: Fatal Castle
For more information visit:
link: Valley Fliers
link: Bee Conspiracy
link: Fatal Castle
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
July 6, 2023
Wow! This will be one of my favourite books for the year. It had everything - action, laugh out loud scenes, lovable characters, great banter, fascinating facts, edge of your seat moments, heroes, suspense. The chase scenes were the best!
Everything was described so well that I could visualise it easily and was taken away in the action. The characters were quirky and original and the storyline never felt like something I had read before.
I enjoyed this so much I will be buying a physical copy once it is published. There are not many books I will read more than once, but I can see myself reading this again. I could frankly see this as a movie, or even a tv series. I really hope the author considers writing another book with these characters, with a new mystery to solve.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
Everything was described so well that I could visualise it easily and was taken away in the action. The characters were quirky and original and the storyline never felt like something I had read before.
I enjoyed this so much I will be buying a physical copy once it is published. There are not many books I will read more than once, but I can see myself reading this again. I could frankly see this as a movie, or even a tv series. I really hope the author considers writing another book with these characters, with a new mystery to solve.
I received this arc from netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
May 12, 2024
An unexpected delight. Quirky but gritty. The unlikely duo of a LAPD detective and a Fish and Wildlife agent make for an odd couple, a nerdy version of Lethal Weapon as they uncover a plot to frame bees for murder and kill all the bees in Southern California. This would be a great series!
December 27, 2023
Nice plot and action
I really enjoyed the basis for the book as it involved great current events of bee colony collapse and the loss of pollinators. I am a true science geek and love it when a shoot-em-up uses a real world scientific background for the action to unfold. Plus the story, despite the fact of it being a bit farfetched, is believable and fits easily into our fears of big business and tech running roughshod over nature and the individual small man.
I even enjoyed the obligatory love story. In fact, the inclusion of Beryl really allowed both Duke and Kelso to become rounded and likable in the story. One of the better relationship set-ups I have read lately.
Major complaint is with the clunky prose. Mr. Boito gets his ideas across but lacks that silky flow of a really good writer. I got used to it about halfway through the book and was able to let it slip into the back and enjoy the story. I know it's a piddly complaint but it almost made me put down the book before I became involved with the story. And that would have lead to me missing this good story.
I really enjoyed the basis for the book as it involved great current events of bee colony collapse and the loss of pollinators. I am a true science geek and love it when a shoot-em-up uses a real world scientific background for the action to unfold. Plus the story, despite the fact of it being a bit farfetched, is believable and fits easily into our fears of big business and tech running roughshod over nature and the individual small man.
I even enjoyed the obligatory love story. In fact, the inclusion of Beryl really allowed both Duke and Kelso to become rounded and likable in the story. One of the better relationship set-ups I have read lately.
Major complaint is with the clunky prose. Mr. Boito gets his ideas across but lacks that silky flow of a really good writer. I got used to it about halfway through the book and was able to let it slip into the back and enjoy the story. I know it's a piddly complaint but it almost made me put down the book before I became involved with the story. And that would have lead to me missing this good story.
August 6, 2023
This was a fun read!
It started a bit slow, and it is a slightly predictable plot line, but the characters kept me hooked. I absolutely love Kelso, and it saddens me the other characters weren't as great and fleshed out as he. The pace eventually picks up and doesn't let off, lending this to a quicker read in the last half of the book. I also love just how much care everyone is putting into the cause and movement of protecting the bees in this. Some of the story telling aspects weren't my cup of tea and some scenes felt way too far out of left field, but overall I found myself liking it as it gave the book a campy feel.
It started a bit slow, and it is a slightly predictable plot line, but the characters kept me hooked. I absolutely love Kelso, and it saddens me the other characters weren't as great and fleshed out as he. The pace eventually picks up and doesn't let off, lending this to a quicker read in the last half of the book. I also love just how much care everyone is putting into the cause and movement of protecting the bees in this. Some of the story telling aspects weren't my cup of tea and some scenes felt way too far out of left field, but overall I found myself liking it as it gave the book a campy feel.
June 28, 2023
Bee Conspiracy by David Boito
Release date: August 18th, 2023
Detective “Duke” Wayne, on administrative leave with the LAPD is eager to close his accidental death by bee case and return to spot on Robbery Homicide. However, when he is paired up with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Kelso Bagley, he comes to realize what he originally thought of as open and shut, may not be so cut and dry.
This grabbed my interest and held it from page one. The whole team of characters was entertaining, and Albert Fossil is a character that you love to hate. Kelso gave me serious Fox Mulder vibes (from my favorite show ever) but instead of aliens, it’s insects. The book dives into how mass hysteria can override a narrative and affect logical thinking. There was so much information about different insect species that was fascinating and showed that there was obvious research done on the subject. I was rooting for Kelso the entire time, and enjoyed how the entire story wrapped up!
Oh, and remember to save the bees 🐝😊
Release date: August 18th, 2023
Detective “Duke” Wayne, on administrative leave with the LAPD is eager to close his accidental death by bee case and return to spot on Robbery Homicide. However, when he is paired up with U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Kelso Bagley, he comes to realize what he originally thought of as open and shut, may not be so cut and dry.
This grabbed my interest and held it from page one. The whole team of characters was entertaining, and Albert Fossil is a character that you love to hate. Kelso gave me serious Fox Mulder vibes (from my favorite show ever) but instead of aliens, it’s insects. The book dives into how mass hysteria can override a narrative and affect logical thinking. There was so much information about different insect species that was fascinating and showed that there was obvious research done on the subject. I was rooting for Kelso the entire time, and enjoyed how the entire story wrapped up!
Oh, and remember to save the bees 🐝😊
September 25, 2023
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC! This book was a whirlwind. It follows a US Fish and Wildlife officer, who specializes in entomology, pairing up with an LAPD officer (who is already on thin ice) to solve the mystery of a man’s death relating to bee stings. They go on a wild ride to uncover the crime at hand and prevent subsequent disaster. There is action, suspense, comedy, a bit of romance, and passion for entomology all wrapped up into this novel. I felt like it was a little hard to keep up with the number of characters and action at times, especially as the plot was escalating. Overall, it was a pretty interesting read though, and I learned a lot for a fictional book.
August 12, 2023
I really enjoyed reading Bee Conspiracy by David Boito in which an old-fashioned LAPD officer and a US Fish and Wildlife Special Agent investigate an ultra-greedy businessman who foments mass-hysteria associated with aggressive African bees to prompt the mayor’s office to exterminate the city’s biological bees and so create a lucrative market for his patented, electronic bee.
Special Agent Kelso Bagley, an entomologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service teams ups with Det. John Alan “Duke” Wayne, a middle-aged LA detective to investigate the death of Howard Skulberry, a UCLA entomologist, who died after bees attacked and stung him in his front yard. Duke assumes the death is accidental, but Kelso disagrees. And the media is attempting to create a sensational killer bee danger in Los Angeles.
The CEO of Sage Chemical Gordon Lund has hatched a scheme and Skulberry was in possession of a key piece of technology – a prototype of an artificial bee. Lund and several associates have prepared well and are ready to unleash a bee-storm on the city with the obvious solution being a bee eradication plan. This of course would be devastating to the ecology with no bees to pollinate crops and that’s why Lund’s artificial bees will become so valuable – and lucrative.
The story is very well-written, the characters’ back stories are well-developed and interact realistically. The plot ticks along at a good pace, there are exciting, life-threatening scenes and even a dramatic helicopter chase. A good read.
Special Agent Kelso Bagley, an entomologist with the Fish and Wildlife Service teams ups with Det. John Alan “Duke” Wayne, a middle-aged LA detective to investigate the death of Howard Skulberry, a UCLA entomologist, who died after bees attacked and stung him in his front yard. Duke assumes the death is accidental, but Kelso disagrees. And the media is attempting to create a sensational killer bee danger in Los Angeles.
The CEO of Sage Chemical Gordon Lund has hatched a scheme and Skulberry was in possession of a key piece of technology – a prototype of an artificial bee. Lund and several associates have prepared well and are ready to unleash a bee-storm on the city with the obvious solution being a bee eradication plan. This of course would be devastating to the ecology with no bees to pollinate crops and that’s why Lund’s artificial bees will become so valuable – and lucrative.
The story is very well-written, the characters’ back stories are well-developed and interact realistically. The plot ticks along at a good pace, there are exciting, life-threatening scenes and even a dramatic helicopter chase. A good read.
September 19, 2024
David Boito’s “Bee Conspiracy” is an eco-thriller and murder mystery that follows Kelso, a U.S. Fish and Wildlife officer, and Detective John Wayne, nicknamed Duke. They are paired when Kelso flies to Los Angeles to inspect the death of an old friend, Howard Skulberry. After being mobbed to death by murderous bees, it becomes clear to Kelso that this wasn’t a freak of nature, but in fact human interference with it.
I adore the research that went into this book. The environmental turmoil that is present in our everyday lives instills a very realistic anxiety in readers. There is an awareness of the importance of our delicate ecosystem and what it needs to survive. Kelso is a great character to deliver this message. His beliefs are firm and give him a strong sense of character that readers can root for.
The bees also stand out as one of the main characters in this plot. It’s very difficult not to let what the story revolves around fade into the background when so many characters are involved, and that never happened in terms of the bees and their importance.
In a mystery novel, everything has to connect, and I had a great time piecing the puzzle together with these characters. I was always interested in where the story was headed next. There is also a particular shift and strength in motives that stands out. Duke’s motive is to get off of administrative leave. However, when his daughter is captured all he cares about is her safety, making him a dynamic character I grew to love.
The imagery and detail brought every page to life, and I enjoyed the amount of dialogue between characters. It established details in a way that let me piece together the story for myself. At first, the prose was slightly awkward in a way that disrupted the flow, but by the end of the novel Boito found his footing.
David Boito’s “Bee Conspiracy” is an important story that warns against harming our wildlife, told in an exciting mystery that leaves the reader wanting more after every page. Fans of eco-thrillers and technothrillers especially will not want to miss this suspenseful tale.
I adore the research that went into this book. The environmental turmoil that is present in our everyday lives instills a very realistic anxiety in readers. There is an awareness of the importance of our delicate ecosystem and what it needs to survive. Kelso is a great character to deliver this message. His beliefs are firm and give him a strong sense of character that readers can root for.
The bees also stand out as one of the main characters in this plot. It’s very difficult not to let what the story revolves around fade into the background when so many characters are involved, and that never happened in terms of the bees and their importance.
In a mystery novel, everything has to connect, and I had a great time piecing the puzzle together with these characters. I was always interested in where the story was headed next. There is also a particular shift and strength in motives that stands out. Duke’s motive is to get off of administrative leave. However, when his daughter is captured all he cares about is her safety, making him a dynamic character I grew to love.
The imagery and detail brought every page to life, and I enjoyed the amount of dialogue between characters. It established details in a way that let me piece together the story for myself. At first, the prose was slightly awkward in a way that disrupted the flow, but by the end of the novel Boito found his footing.
David Boito’s “Bee Conspiracy” is an important story that warns against harming our wildlife, told in an exciting mystery that leaves the reader wanting more after every page. Fans of eco-thrillers and technothrillers especially will not want to miss this suspenseful tale.
August 1, 2023
This was a fun read!
It started a bit slow, and it is a slightly predictable plot line, but the characters kept me hooked. I absolutely love Kelso, and it saddens me the other characters weren't as great and fleshed out as he. The pace eventually picks up and doesn't let off, lending this to a quicker read in the last half of the book. I also love just how much care everyone is putting into the cause and movement of protecting the bees in this. Some of the story telling aspects weren't my cup of tea and some scenes felt way too far out of left field, but overall I found myself liking it as it gave the book a campy feel.
It started a bit slow, and it is a slightly predictable plot line, but the characters kept me hooked. I absolutely love Kelso, and it saddens me the other characters weren't as great and fleshed out as he. The pace eventually picks up and doesn't let off, lending this to a quicker read in the last half of the book. I also love just how much care everyone is putting into the cause and movement of protecting the bees in this. Some of the story telling aspects weren't my cup of tea and some scenes felt way too far out of left field, but overall I found myself liking it as it gave the book a campy feel.
April 26, 2025
Selected and read for our eco-fiction book club. Story unfolds as a cop named Duke and a bug scientist named Kelso are forced to work together on a murder case where the weapon used was…Africanized honeybees. This book is fast-paced and entertaining with lots of action and humorous dialogue (especially between Duke and Kelso), and even a love interest. A little bit of everything.
May 16, 2025
Really enjoyed this novel - clever and action-packed. I particularly liked the Duke character.
Also, I learned a thing or two. We read this book as part of an eco-fiction book group held at Hershey Gardens.
Also, I learned a thing or two. We read this book as part of an eco-fiction book group held at Hershey Gardens.
September 14, 2023
In Bee Conspiracy, David Boito crafts a gripping narrative that takes the reader on an investigative journey where finding the culprit is merely the beginning. John Alan "Duke" Wayne, our tenacious detective, isn’t satisfied with just unraveling the how and why of a crime; he's bent on trapping the orchestrator in an unbreakable web of evidence.
The narrative commences with a seemingly innocuous incident: a man operating a lawnmower inadvertently disrupts a bee nest. The ensuing panic results in a gruesome accident. While Duke, currently on administrative leave for his unyielding demeanor, initially dismisses it as a mere accident, Kelso Bagley's keen eye spots incongruities. As a Fish and Wildlife agent, Kelso's expert knowledge leads him to suspect foul play, particularly when he detects unusual aggression pheromones and observes the hive's unnatural placement.
Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, what begins as a straightforward detective thriller evolves into a multi-layered tale rife with unexpected twists. Boito skillfully plays with classic detective tropes – for instance, the archetypal good cop/bad cop dynamic. Yet, as the narrative unfolds and characters evolve, their roles and relationships are intriguingly subverted. A word of caution: While the initial lawnmower incident is jarringly graphic, it is a standalone scene in terms of its intensity. However, if you harbor a strong aversion to bugs, approach with care.
Rapid-paced chapters make Bee Conspiracy a compelling page-turner. I recommended this conspiracy thriller for those seeking a riveting literary escape.
The narrative commences with a seemingly innocuous incident: a man operating a lawnmower inadvertently disrupts a bee nest. The ensuing panic results in a gruesome accident. While Duke, currently on administrative leave for his unyielding demeanor, initially dismisses it as a mere accident, Kelso Bagley's keen eye spots incongruities. As a Fish and Wildlife agent, Kelso's expert knowledge leads him to suspect foul play, particularly when he detects unusual aggression pheromones and observes the hive's unnatural placement.
Without venturing too far into spoiler territory, what begins as a straightforward detective thriller evolves into a multi-layered tale rife with unexpected twists. Boito skillfully plays with classic detective tropes – for instance, the archetypal good cop/bad cop dynamic. Yet, as the narrative unfolds and characters evolve, their roles and relationships are intriguingly subverted. A word of caution: While the initial lawnmower incident is jarringly graphic, it is a standalone scene in terms of its intensity. However, if you harbor a strong aversion to bugs, approach with care.
Rapid-paced chapters make Bee Conspiracy a compelling page-turner. I recommended this conspiracy thriller for those seeking a riveting literary escape.
August 15, 2023
Thanks to NetGalley for the arc of Bee Conspiracy. Bee conspiracy is an eco-thriller, buddy cop novel set in L.A. that sees LAPD Detective John “Duke” Wayne (not making that up) and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Detective Kelso Bagley team up to investigate a murder by bee that turns into so much more….you might even call it, a bee conspiracy. While this novel doesn’t break any new ground, and the outcomes are never in much doubt, it is a quick fun read that does offer some tongue in cheek humor throughout.
Blurb:
Impulsive Detective “Duke” Wayne is stuck on admin leave from the LAPD, pushing papers across a desk. He desperately wants to rejoin Robbery-Homicide. When the Captain asks him to do a Field Investigation Report on an accidental death from bee stings, he thinks open and shut, this is my ticket back to the squad.
But he is teamed with Kelso Bagley, a methodical Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who specializes in the study of insects. Kelso is sure this bee-sting incident is pre-meditated murder. He drags Duke out of his comfort zone on a wild ride through the world of beekeeping, sadistic insect fetishists and robotized farming to prove it. Their investigation uncovers a larger conspiracy at play and endangers the lives of loved ones, not to mention Duke’s career. Can Duke navigate this underground world of weaponized insects and come out alive?
Blurb:
Impulsive Detective “Duke” Wayne is stuck on admin leave from the LAPD, pushing papers across a desk. He desperately wants to rejoin Robbery-Homicide. When the Captain asks him to do a Field Investigation Report on an accidental death from bee stings, he thinks open and shut, this is my ticket back to the squad.
But he is teamed with Kelso Bagley, a methodical Special Agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service who specializes in the study of insects. Kelso is sure this bee-sting incident is pre-meditated murder. He drags Duke out of his comfort zone on a wild ride through the world of beekeeping, sadistic insect fetishists and robotized farming to prove it. Their investigation uncovers a larger conspiracy at play and endangers the lives of loved ones, not to mention Duke’s career. Can Duke navigate this underground world of weaponized insects and come out alive?
August 14, 2023
Award-winning writer David Boito has crafted another exhilarating story full of twists and turns. He plays into our nearly universal fear of bees to deliver a mystery that is more of a “how are you going to stop them,” than a “who dunnit” that left this reader fervently turning pages to find out.
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Kelso Bagley finds it hard to believe an old college classmate died in a random bee attack. He comes to Los Angeles to investigate after he receives a mysterious package from the victim containing schematics that looked like a mechanical bee. He’s teamed up with disgraced Detective John “Duke” Wayne -- who wants nothing more than to go back to real police work -- to look into it. They soon discover no one is what they seem in an investigation that takes them to a pesticide corporation and City Hall itself.
The story is a great blend of interesting science, mystery, and a little bit of romance. The friction between Kelso and Duke clearly stands in the way of solving the mystery of the bees – will they get over it or will the killer go free? You’ll love this page-turner up to the very end!
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Special Agent Kelso Bagley finds it hard to believe an old college classmate died in a random bee attack. He comes to Los Angeles to investigate after he receives a mysterious package from the victim containing schematics that looked like a mechanical bee. He’s teamed up with disgraced Detective John “Duke” Wayne -- who wants nothing more than to go back to real police work -- to look into it. They soon discover no one is what they seem in an investigation that takes them to a pesticide corporation and City Hall itself.
The story is a great blend of interesting science, mystery, and a little bit of romance. The friction between Kelso and Duke clearly stands in the way of solving the mystery of the bees – will they get over it or will the killer go free? You’ll love this page-turner up to the very end!
July 10, 2023
I can’t get grasp whether I enjoyed this novel or not - I’m a sucker for future tech novels and this reminded me of Michael Crichton’s writing, however, there are some points that put me off. The character building was good, however, there were some people that weren’t fleshed out, or felt a little caricatured. The writing was engaging but sometimes there was too much description. There’s an almost sci-fi element to the bees and how they are perceived to be a danger, however, I didn’t get a sense of urgency with the danger they may have presented. I guess this is one of those novels that is a little marmite - perfect for some, not so much for others but I’m sitting on the fence. This is a novel for those who enjoyed Crichton in the 90’s and want something that gives a similar vibe.
September 19, 2023
Wasn't impressed even though I thought I would be. I'm a nerdy gal who loves bugs, horror, and science. The concept was really intriguing and I had high hopes going in, although, by chapter 10 I was becoming bored with the constant overstatement of facts by the characters. The whole thing became repetitive to the point eventually I was just reading to get through it to the end. I will say that each character was substantial and the subject matter was interesting. I feel like this could have been much better without all the over explanation and repetitive dialogue.
I received this as an arc for an honest review.
I received this as an arc for an honest review.
September 17, 2023
As a nerdy girl who loves bugs, science, and horror, I was super excited to read this. So it's absolutely unfortunate that I didn't quite enjoy it the way I thought I was going to. Aside from the beige, basic, at times repetitive conversations between characters, the thing that really got to me was that it's started off with a great scene but just sort of piddled on all the way to the end. The concept is horrifying and it does have some good moments, I love a little bit of scientific fact thrown in. I really wish I could have enjoyed it more. It wasn't awful, I'd give it a "meh."
July 27, 2023
Round up to 3 1/2 - this was a fun romp, great concept. Slightly predictable, but the fast pace and good characters made it worthwhile. Has what I consider a male author’s penchant for giving the model number, or full ID of every gun, helicopter, and car used. Yes - definitely a book with guns, helicopters, and cars - that shouldn’t be a spoiler :)
I received a free review copy; opinions are my own.
I received a free review copy; opinions are my own.
September 26, 2023
Exceptionally entertaining action story about a dedicated Fish and Wildlife officer in LA trying to prevent a "Bee-apocalypse". Sporting an ingenious plot driven by unforgettably cinematic characters with personality, humor, heart and soul make this one of the best books I've read this year. Check it out and thank me later!
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July 12, 2023 I received an advanced digital copy of this book, courtesy of the author and publisher, via Netgalley, for review consideration.
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