The Killing Bee

Jacob Burns Mystery #4

by Matt Witten

Greetings, potential readers! The Killing Bee was previously published by Signet; it's book #4 in the Jacob Burns mystery series. Book #1, Breakfast at Madeline's, received the Malice Domestic Award.SynopsisControversy abounds at the public elementary school where Jacob and Andrea Burns send their two sons. Somebody's cheating on the standardized tests. The principal wants to fire the new fifth grade teacher. Ambitious parents are frantic to get their kids into the gifted and talent program. The school psychologist is way too eager to label kids ADD. All of these frustrations literally come to a head when the principal gets fatally bashed in the skull with a spelling bee trophy.Praise for The Killing Bee and the Jacob Burns Mysteries"Witten delights with his charming characters, especially Burns himself." - Publishers Weekly"A success. Fast...lighthearted... Witten presents his characters and plot twists in a straightforward and believable manner." - Albany Times-Union"Matt Witten returns with another mystery featuring stay-at-home dad Jacob Burns. This is a delightfully refreshing series, and this installment does not disappoint. The Killing Bee is a very satisfying cozy read - good characters, good plot, well-timed action." - Reviewing the Evidence"Interesting characters, a substantial plot, and a subtle sense of humor." - The Mystery News "An enjoyable cozy with well-drawn characters." - The Charlotte Austin Review "The perfect escape... The Killing Bee is a fast, witty, thoroughly engrossing novel that I was sorry to see end. This one is a keeper!" - Murder Express"Charming, witty and moving...an irresistible read. Jacob Burns is a welcome addition to crime fiction." - Don Winslow, author of Savages"A winner. Mystery fans are going to love this guy." - Laura Lippman, author of The Most Dangerous Thing"Jacob Burns is a wise-cracking, write-at-home dad with a nose for trouble. While solving mysterious deaths in Saratoga Springs, he manages to see into the heart of his community with a great deal of humor and tenderness." -- Sujata Massey, Agatha Award-winning author of the Rei Shimura mysteries

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

303 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 1, 2001

About the author

Matt Witten is a TV writer, novelist, playwright and screenwriter who has been writing for television for the past twenty years, including such shows as House, Pretty Little Liars, Law & Order, CSI: Miami, Medium, JAG, The Glades, Homicide, Judging Amy, and Women’s Murder Club. His novel The Necklace came out in 2021 from Oceanview Publishing. The Necklace is an Amazon Editors' choice for Best Mystery, Thriller and Suspense, and has been optioned for film by Appian Way and Cartel Pictures, with Leonardo DiCaprio attached as producer. His next novel, Killer Story, will come out from Oceanview in January, 2023. He has written four mystery novels that were published by Signet: Breakfast at Madeline’s, Grand Delusion, Strange Bedfellows, and The Killing Bee. Matt is currently writing a Hallmark Mystery Movie based on A Dark and Stormy Murder, by Julia Buckley.

Reviews

[Martha · Rating 5 out of 5]

I totally enjoyed the search for the person that killed Sam Meckel, the principal of the local public school. Everyone was a suspect that had been at school that morning. Jacob Burns, a writer and stay at home dad, with past experience as a private investigator, questions friends, parents in his neighborhood making everyone uncomfortable. I really never figured out who did it until the end. Knowing how important student test scores are to public schools and how stupid it is to value the scores more than the students is a crime I hope is solved in the near future.

[Mary Hammock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started out good then went down hill. But still a decent read.
303 pages

[LJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

The Killing Bee - NR
Mat Witten
Writer and stay-at-home dad Jacob Burns investigates the murder of a grade school principal in this new mystery from Law & Order executive story editor Matt Witten

It just didn't work for me, but that could be just be me.

[Kitty Tomlinson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Story of principal of school murdered over academic scores of gifted children.

[Chris · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great short mystery series

[Kristine · Rating 2 out of 5]

I just couldn't get into this book. The story line caught my attention but didn't have me wanting to turn the pages. I won't be reading any others in this series.