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A Bee Keeping Mystery #2
Kill or Bee Killed
Perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Amanda Flower, this second Bee Keeping mystery takes Bailey Briggs to the brink as murders threaten the future of her granny’s Bee Festival.
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming annual Bee Festival, sponsored by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. The long weekend of festivities includes a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a 3K Bear Run where all the participants are dressed as bears. The bake-off brings in a television crew from California to film, so it’s the most drama-filled part of the weekend, especially when the famous celebrity host winds up dead.
Because the celebrity was holding her bracelet and had been witnessed having an altercation with Bailey’s best friend Evie shortly before his death, everyone suspects Evie of the murder–and Bailey is quickly on the hunt for clues to clear Evie’s name, alongside Granny Bee and her bunch of geriatric misfit friends. Bailey’s potential new honey, Sheriff Sawyer Dunn, is none too pleased to have Bailey buzzing around the investigation, but Bailey’s determined to uncover the truth, rescue her grannie’s beloved Bee Festival, and save her bestie.
They say you get more flies with honey, but in this case, more honey may mean you end up dead. And a little competition never hurt anyone—unless it ends up killing you.
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming annual Bee Festival, sponsored by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. The long weekend of festivities includes a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a 3K Bear Run where all the participants are dressed as bears. The bake-off brings in a television crew from California to film, so it’s the most drama-filled part of the weekend, especially when the famous celebrity host winds up dead.
Because the celebrity was holding her bracelet and had been witnessed having an altercation with Bailey’s best friend Evie shortly before his death, everyone suspects Evie of the murder–and Bailey is quickly on the hunt for clues to clear Evie’s name, alongside Granny Bee and her bunch of geriatric misfit friends. Bailey’s potential new honey, Sheriff Sawyer Dunn, is none too pleased to have Bailey buzzing around the investigation, but Bailey’s determined to uncover the truth, rescue her grannie’s beloved Bee Festival, and save her bestie.
They say you get more flies with honey, but in this case, more honey may mean you end up dead. And a little competition never hurt anyone—unless it ends up killing you.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published June 4, 2024
25 people are currently reading
387 people want to read
About the author
Jennie Marts
85 books967 followersJennie Marts is a USA Today bestselling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. She loves genre-mashups, and her books range from western romance to cozy mysteries but all have the charm and appeal of quirky small-town life. Living out her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado, she’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.
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June 15, 2024
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ -NetGalley ARC
Description:
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming annual Bee Festival, sponsored by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. The long weekend of festivities includes a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a 3K Bear Run where all the participants are dressed as bears. The bake-off brings in a television crew from California to film, so it’s the most drama-filled part of the weekend, especially when the famous celebrity host winds up dead.☠️
Review:
This is book #2 in the A Bee Keeping Mystery series. I don’t usually read books over, but I would definitely read this again. It had an interesting mystery, some romance, character development, and ended in a cliffhanger. This small town story was big on everything you’d expect from a good mystery. Highly recommended!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the chance to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
Description:
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming annual Bee Festival, sponsored by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. The long weekend of festivities includes a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a 3K Bear Run where all the participants are dressed as bears. The bake-off brings in a television crew from California to film, so it’s the most drama-filled part of the weekend, especially when the famous celebrity host winds up dead.☠️
Review:
This is book #2 in the A Bee Keeping Mystery series. I don’t usually read books over, but I would definitely read this again. It had an interesting mystery, some romance, character development, and ended in a cliffhanger. This small town story was big on everything you’d expect from a good mystery. Highly recommended!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane books for the chance to read this book in exchange for a honest review.
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June 3, 2024
Kill or Bee Killed is book two in A Bee Keeping Mystery series by Jennie Marts. I fell in love with Bailey Briggs and her crazy family plus the zany residents of Humble Hills, Colorado, in the first book, Take the Honey and Run so I’ve been so excited to get this newest book. I loved it so much!
Bailey Briggs is thirty years old and is a single mom to her twelve year old daughter, Daisy. Bailey is a mystery author. She and Daisy have returned home to Humble Hills and are living with her grandmother on Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. Bailey has loved being back home and raising her daughter here.
It’s time for the annual Bee Festival which is sponsored by her grandmother. The festival includes a baking competition. The finalists will be three local chefs from three local restaurants. One of which is Bailey’s best friend since they were eight years old, Evie Delgado Espinoza. Shockingly, they were able to bring in a famous TV personality from California, Rex Rafferty, to host and televise the event. Only, when Rex arrives, it doesn’t take long to realize that Rex isn’t the person he pretends to be on television! And when Rex turns up un-alive, all eyes look to Evie since she was heard threatening him after he tried to do something unwanted! So, our Bailey along with her granny, aunts and their zany friends, are on the job, looking for the person responsible so they can clear Evie’s name.
First, I just HAVE to mention the swoony town sheriff, Sawyer Dunn, who was Bailey’s high school sweetheart and potential current love interest. Poor Sawyer tries to be patient with all the intrusive investigators, trying to keep everyone safe. I don’t know how he does it but he always seems to show up just when Bailey and Evie need him. I also just have to mention the town medical examiner. You might be raising your eyebrows right now but he is hilarious with all his jokes. I laughed out loud. He is just so adorable. Also, Bailey’s two great aunts were just a hoot!!! One more I loved is Spike, the local big, burly bartender and owner of Hog Wild. He was also one of the three contestants of the competition and he literally is not who you think he would be. He made me melt!!
Just as in the first book, this kept me turning the pages, both to see what trouble Evie and Bailey were getting themselves in to and also to try to figure out who did it. And I have to say, I didn’t figure it out until the author chose to let me know. This is silly and fun and swoony and sweet. And don’t even get me started with all the yummy food described. I loved every page of this and can’t wait to see what trouble Bailey gets herself in to next!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
Bailey Briggs is thirty years old and is a single mom to her twelve year old daughter, Daisy. Bailey is a mystery author. She and Daisy have returned home to Humble Hills and are living with her grandmother on Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. Bailey has loved being back home and raising her daughter here.
It’s time for the annual Bee Festival which is sponsored by her grandmother. The festival includes a baking competition. The finalists will be three local chefs from three local restaurants. One of which is Bailey’s best friend since they were eight years old, Evie Delgado Espinoza. Shockingly, they were able to bring in a famous TV personality from California, Rex Rafferty, to host and televise the event. Only, when Rex arrives, it doesn’t take long to realize that Rex isn’t the person he pretends to be on television! And when Rex turns up un-alive, all eyes look to Evie since she was heard threatening him after he tried to do something unwanted! So, our Bailey along with her granny, aunts and their zany friends, are on the job, looking for the person responsible so they can clear Evie’s name.
First, I just HAVE to mention the swoony town sheriff, Sawyer Dunn, who was Bailey’s high school sweetheart and potential current love interest. Poor Sawyer tries to be patient with all the intrusive investigators, trying to keep everyone safe. I don’t know how he does it but he always seems to show up just when Bailey and Evie need him. I also just have to mention the town medical examiner. You might be raising your eyebrows right now but he is hilarious with all his jokes. I laughed out loud. He is just so adorable. Also, Bailey’s two great aunts were just a hoot!!! One more I loved is Spike, the local big, burly bartender and owner of Hog Wild. He was also one of the three contestants of the competition and he literally is not who you think he would be. He made me melt!!
Just as in the first book, this kept me turning the pages, both to see what trouble Evie and Bailey were getting themselves in to and also to try to figure out who did it. And I have to say, I didn’t figure it out until the author chose to let me know. This is silly and fun and swoony and sweet. And don’t even get me started with all the yummy food described. I loved every page of this and can’t wait to see what trouble Bailey gets herself in to next!
For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...
June 3, 2024
The second in the Bee Keeping Mystery series and for me it was better than the first, maybe because the characters and their relationships are developing so nicely.
In this book the town is celebrating the Annual Bee Festival. One of the major events is a bake off which becomes the setting for a murder. Bailey, Grandma Bee, the Great Aunts, Daisy and even the dog are all involved in solving the crime, along with the Sheriff. It is a good mystery with lots of clues and possible guilty parties.
I really like the relationship between Bailey and Daisy, who does the usual amount of young girl's eye rolling, but still takes notice of what her mother says. She is a sensible girl who still manages to get into trouble but acknowledges it when it does happen. I am less comfortable with the weird situation Bailey is creating regarding Daisy's father but I expect that will be cleared up soon.
A pleasant easy read which I am giving four stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
In this book the town is celebrating the Annual Bee Festival. One of the major events is a bake off which becomes the setting for a murder. Bailey, Grandma Bee, the Great Aunts, Daisy and even the dog are all involved in solving the crime, along with the Sheriff. It is a good mystery with lots of clues and possible guilty parties.
I really like the relationship between Bailey and Daisy, who does the usual amount of young girl's eye rolling, but still takes notice of what her mother says. She is a sensible girl who still manages to get into trouble but acknowledges it when it does happen. I am less comfortable with the weird situation Bailey is creating regarding Daisy's father but I expect that will be cleared up soon.
A pleasant easy read which I am giving four stars
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
June 15, 2024
Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts
A Bee Keeping Mystery series #2. Can be read as a stand-alone but better in series order.
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the annual Bee Festival. Activities include a beauty pageant, a “bear” run, and a bake-off that brings a television crew from California. Unfortunately, the celebrity host is found dead and Bailey, Granny, and their bookclub friends play amateur sleuths to try to clear Evie, one of Bailey’s friends.
Once again, Sheriff Sawyer Dunn seems to be late to the investigation as the amateurs run circles around him. Bailey and the Bee senior crew create more havoc than imaginable.
“ They say you get more flies with honey, but in this case, more honey may mean you end up dead. And a little competition never hurt anyone—unless it ends up killing you.”
Plenty of Bee puns as group combs through the clues at the Bee Festival. Ha! We see and hear a little bit more of the sheriff now that Bailey and her daughter are staying but it’s definitely the females in charge.
Cute and unlikely, but fun all the same.
Honey infused Recipes included at the end of the ebook.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
A Bee Keeping Mystery series #2. Can be read as a stand-alone but better in series order.
The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the annual Bee Festival. Activities include a beauty pageant, a “bear” run, and a bake-off that brings a television crew from California. Unfortunately, the celebrity host is found dead and Bailey, Granny, and their bookclub friends play amateur sleuths to try to clear Evie, one of Bailey’s friends.
Once again, Sheriff Sawyer Dunn seems to be late to the investigation as the amateurs run circles around him. Bailey and the Bee senior crew create more havoc than imaginable.
“ They say you get more flies with honey, but in this case, more honey may mean you end up dead. And a little competition never hurt anyone—unless it ends up killing you.”
Plenty of Bee puns as group combs through the clues at the Bee Festival. Ha! We see and hear a little bit more of the sheriff now that Bailey and her daughter are staying but it’s definitely the females in charge.
Cute and unlikely, but fun all the same.
Honey infused Recipes included at the end of the ebook.
I received a copy of this from NetGalley.
February 10, 2024
Sizzles with snappy dialogue, action, and humor! I loved it! Thirty year old, Bailey Briggs is a mystery author living on Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch with her sweet Granny Bee (Blossom), in the Rocky Mountains. Along with her best friend, Evie, Bailey finds herself in all kinds of wacky situations! Sheriff Sawyer Dunn is Bailey’s romantic interest and he knows she is a lot to handle! She’s a single mom with a 12-year old daughter, Daisy, and their golden retriever, Cooper. Granny Bee’s in a book club—The Hive—and the members are a sassy bunch! Bailey’s Great Aunts Marigold and Aster are fun and feisty women; always up to a challenge.
When a murder occurs at the Annual Bee Festival, Evie is one of the top suspects. Of course, Bailey knows she’s innocent, and puts her sleuthing skills to work to expose the real murderer, helped by The Hive, family, and various acquaintances.
Humor galore throughout the story! The Great Aunts enter the Miss Honeybuzz Beauty Pageant, and it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious! The victim has a grim past, an alias, and knew some locals that he didn’t let on to—the question is, whodunnit? The author skillfully drops clues to help readers follow the premeditation—or is it to throw you off the real trail?
Prepare to be entertained! With an intriguing and amazing cast of colorful characters, Author Jennie Marts creates another 5 Star cozy mystery. I highly recommend this story and the first book in A Beekeeping Mystery series.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.
When a murder occurs at the Annual Bee Festival, Evie is one of the top suspects. Of course, Bailey knows she’s innocent, and puts her sleuthing skills to work to expose the real murderer, helped by The Hive, family, and various acquaintances.
Humor galore throughout the story! The Great Aunts enter the Miss Honeybuzz Beauty Pageant, and it’s laugh-out-loud hilarious! The victim has a grim past, an alias, and knew some locals that he didn’t let on to—the question is, whodunnit? The author skillfully drops clues to help readers follow the premeditation—or is it to throw you off the real trail?
Prepare to be entertained! With an intriguing and amazing cast of colorful characters, Author Jennie Marts creates another 5 Star cozy mystery. I highly recommend this story and the first book in A Beekeeping Mystery series.
I honestly reviewed an unedited digital arc provided by NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books. All opinions are my own.
May 29, 2025
4.5 🌟
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: summer for sure! I enjoyed the festival vibes in spring as well however.
I really enjoyed this one! Having become familiar with the characters in the first book I found them even more enjoyable this time around. In fact, there isn’t a single character I didn’t enjoy! The main and her love interest give the perfect amount of butterflies and the side characters are fantastic.
I really enjoyed the plot of this novel especially since I enjoy attending local festivals. The mystery was really intriguing with a solid amount of suspects. While I didn’t guess the killer I was very happy with how it played out.
This would’ve been a full 5 stars for me except there were a handful of writing issues such as repeated words or predictability. While I want to give it 5 stars I didn’t finish with the warm 5 star feeling. It was darn good though! This is absolutely my new favourite cozy mystery series and I cant wait for the next one.
Mood/ Seasonal Reading: summer for sure! I enjoyed the festival vibes in spring as well however.
I really enjoyed this one! Having become familiar with the characters in the first book I found them even more enjoyable this time around. In fact, there isn’t a single character I didn’t enjoy! The main and her love interest give the perfect amount of butterflies and the side characters are fantastic.
I really enjoyed the plot of this novel especially since I enjoy attending local festivals. The mystery was really intriguing with a solid amount of suspects. While I didn’t guess the killer I was very happy with how it played out.
This would’ve been a full 5 stars for me except there were a handful of writing issues such as repeated words or predictability. While I want to give it 5 stars I didn’t finish with the warm 5 star feeling. It was darn good though! This is absolutely my new favourite cozy mystery series and I cant wait for the next one.
June 14, 2024
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch are gearing up for the weeklong annual Bee Festival. The highlight of the event is the local restaurant bake-off, but there are beekeeping demonstrations, a beauty pageant, and a 3K Bear Run too. Several vendor booths are set up on the grounds as well, selling everything from food to hot tubs.
The bake-off has drawn interest all the way from California with Rex Rafferty of the Wake Up With Rex and Rachel show agreeing to be the celebrity host for the event. He has brought a film crew to Humble Hills to film content to use on his show. But the California star is a real creep and isn’t long before the man is found dead. Sadly Bailey’s best friend Evie, a contestant in the bake-off, has a very public squabble with Rex and that lands her on the list of suspects.
Soon Bailey, Granny Bee, and her Hive are working together to save the festival and Evie by catching the real killer and Sheriff Sawyer Dunn is pretty buzzed off about them messing with his case. It would be a honey of a deal if they can pull it off but they may just end up getting stung.
Mystery author Bailey Briggs is back and busy as a bee. Her Granny Bee has her and her 12-year-old daughter, Daisy helping out all over the festival. Granny Bee’s sisters, Aster and Marigold are involved too but they have the most fun being contestants in the beauty pageant. They really impressed me the way they went all in on the experience. Evie is one of 3 final contestants from local restaurants chosen to compete in the 3-day bakeoff event and is working on creating just the right recipes. Romantic tension blooms whenever Bailey gets close to Sheriff Sawyer Dunn and he knows it and doesn’t shy aaway. All the women in this story have a real sassiness about them, including the women of The Hive, Granny Bee’s book club where not much time is focused on books especially when there is a murder afoot. All of Ms. Mart’s core characters feel genuine and their banter is fantastic. It is very easy to feel you are visiting old friends when you open the book.
Humor blooms throughout this story starting from page one as Bailey and Evie, find themselves in a zany situation. And it doesn’t stop there, Bailey sometimes assisted by Evie get into all kinds of hilarious trouble. Granny Bee, Aster, and Marigold bring the funny too.
Amongst all the humor is a very plotted mystery. Bailey worked hard to follow clues while helping out at the festival. I loved the way she said she was “researching for her next book” when she was trying to get the information she needed to try to solve the case. Getting some key info from a surprising source started making the clues start to fall into place. This set up a terrifying showdown that truly had me on the edge of my seat.
The final chapter wrapped everything up nicely and the last few paragraphs were pure honey!
Everyone is going to be buzzing about Kill or Bee Killed! A complicated mystery, delightful characters, a touch of romance, and heaps of humor come together in this captivating cozy mystery. I promise you will be entertained from the first word until the last. I can’t wait for the next Bee Keeping Mystery. Buzz! Buzz!
Recipes are included at the end of the book too!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch are gearing up for the weeklong annual Bee Festival. The highlight of the event is the local restaurant bake-off, but there are beekeeping demonstrations, a beauty pageant, and a 3K Bear Run too. Several vendor booths are set up on the grounds as well, selling everything from food to hot tubs.
The bake-off has drawn interest all the way from California with Rex Rafferty of the Wake Up With Rex and Rachel show agreeing to be the celebrity host for the event. He has brought a film crew to Humble Hills to film content to use on his show. But the California star is a real creep and isn’t long before the man is found dead. Sadly Bailey’s best friend Evie, a contestant in the bake-off, has a very public squabble with Rex and that lands her on the list of suspects.
Soon Bailey, Granny Bee, and her Hive are working together to save the festival and Evie by catching the real killer and Sheriff Sawyer Dunn is pretty buzzed off about them messing with his case. It would be a honey of a deal if they can pull it off but they may just end up getting stung.
Mystery author Bailey Briggs is back and busy as a bee. Her Granny Bee has her and her 12-year-old daughter, Daisy helping out all over the festival. Granny Bee’s sisters, Aster and Marigold are involved too but they have the most fun being contestants in the beauty pageant. They really impressed me the way they went all in on the experience. Evie is one of 3 final contestants from local restaurants chosen to compete in the 3-day bakeoff event and is working on creating just the right recipes. Romantic tension blooms whenever Bailey gets close to Sheriff Sawyer Dunn and he knows it and doesn’t shy aaway. All the women in this story have a real sassiness about them, including the women of The Hive, Granny Bee’s book club where not much time is focused on books especially when there is a murder afoot. All of Ms. Mart’s core characters feel genuine and their banter is fantastic. It is very easy to feel you are visiting old friends when you open the book.
Humor blooms throughout this story starting from page one as Bailey and Evie, find themselves in a zany situation. And it doesn’t stop there, Bailey sometimes assisted by Evie get into all kinds of hilarious trouble. Granny Bee, Aster, and Marigold bring the funny too.
Amongst all the humor is a very plotted mystery. Bailey worked hard to follow clues while helping out at the festival. I loved the way she said she was “researching for her next book” when she was trying to get the information she needed to try to solve the case. Getting some key info from a surprising source started making the clues start to fall into place. This set up a terrifying showdown that truly had me on the edge of my seat.
The final chapter wrapped everything up nicely and the last few paragraphs were pure honey!
Everyone is going to be buzzing about Kill or Bee Killed! A complicated mystery, delightful characters, a touch of romance, and heaps of humor come together in this captivating cozy mystery. I promise you will be entertained from the first word until the last. I can’t wait for the next Bee Keeping Mystery. Buzz! Buzz!
Recipes are included at the end of the book too!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
April 27, 2024
It's time for the annual Bee Festival in Humble Hills. Everyone is busy getting ready for the Bear Run, beauty pageant, and demonstrations. The big draw this year is the Bake Off. Evie is participating and Granny Bee has managed to get a celebrity host. Everyone has come out to watch, but some don't like what they see. Off set Rex Rafferty is no prize, so it's not much of a shock when he turns up dead. It's also not a surprise that Evie is a suspect. Luckily she has Bailey on her side.
This is the second book in A Bee Keeping Mystery series. I was able to jump in and follow without much trouble. The only thing I feel like I was missing out on is the dynamic between Bailey and sheriff Sawyer. I feel like I need to see how things started off or what happened between them in the first book to appreciate their relationship in this one. I also just didn't like some of their scenes.
Otherwise the supporting characters are great, especially Bailey's great Aunts. They provide a lot of humor and add a lot of fun. I also like how involved Evie is in the investigation.
I wasn't always thrilled with the investigation itself. Bailey's reason for getting involved is understandable, but I'm not sure I believe in her and her abilities. Sometimes it just felt like a game.
I enjoyed the first half of the book very much, but the second half dragged as things were explained and discovered about some characters. Too much time was spent talking, and the overall conclusion wasn't satisfying.
There is a lot of promise for this series with some of the characters and the beekeeping element especially. I hope there's more focus on that next time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read.
3.5/5 stars
This is the second book in A Bee Keeping Mystery series. I was able to jump in and follow without much trouble. The only thing I feel like I was missing out on is the dynamic between Bailey and sheriff Sawyer. I feel like I need to see how things started off or what happened between them in the first book to appreciate their relationship in this one. I also just didn't like some of their scenes.
Otherwise the supporting characters are great, especially Bailey's great Aunts. They provide a lot of humor and add a lot of fun. I also like how involved Evie is in the investigation.
I wasn't always thrilled with the investigation itself. Bailey's reason for getting involved is understandable, but I'm not sure I believe in her and her abilities. Sometimes it just felt like a game.
I enjoyed the first half of the book very much, but the second half dragged as things were explained and discovered about some characters. Too much time was spent talking, and the overall conclusion wasn't satisfying.
There is a lot of promise for this series with some of the characters and the beekeeping element especially. I hope there's more focus on that next time.
Thank you to Netgalley for the chance to read.
3.5/5 stars
January 17, 2024
Bailey Briggs is one of my favorite cozy mystery characters - she's smart, funny, relatable and kind. This mystery finds Bailey and Granny Bee in the middle of murder during Humble Hills, Colorado popular Bee Festival. A beauty pagaent, delicious food and beekeeping demonstrations are just a small part of the busy weekend. A television crew will be taping the festival. When Evie, Bailey's best friend, is accused of murdering the celebrity emcee, Bailey and Granny are on the case.
Not only is Bailey a favorite, but the quirky and lovable supporting characters are wonderfully written. If you haven't read the first mystery, you can easily catch up with the characters. However, I recommend visiting Humble Hills for a great cozy mystery!
The opinions expressed in this review are my own and I received an ARC from NetGalley.
Not only is Bailey a favorite, but the quirky and lovable supporting characters are wonderfully written. If you haven't read the first mystery, you can easily catch up with the characters. However, I recommend visiting Humble Hills for a great cozy mystery!
The opinions expressed in this review are my own and I received an ARC from NetGalley.
November 30, 2023
#KillorBeeKilled #NetGalley is a fantastic book that I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing.
Bailey is a fantastic character and her grandma and aunts are the best supporting characters I've seen in a while.
Everyone is excited about the bee festival and all the activities, including the baking competition, hosted by a famous host.
Unfortunately, not everyone is excited, and when a sudden death shakes things up, Bailey begins to investigate, and as the truth unravels, horrible secrets are revealed, and the perpetrator is uncovered.
This is a great book and I'm eagerly waiting for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
Bailey is a fantastic character and her grandma and aunts are the best supporting characters I've seen in a while.
Everyone is excited about the bee festival and all the activities, including the baking competition, hosted by a famous host.
Unfortunately, not everyone is excited, and when a sudden death shakes things up, Bailey begins to investigate, and as the truth unravels, horrible secrets are revealed, and the perpetrator is uncovered.
This is a great book and I'm eagerly waiting for the next one.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of the book.
June 6, 2025
I LOVE this series!!
June 1, 2024
"Kill or Bee Killed (A Bee Keeping Mystery #2)" by Jennie Marts has become one of my favorite cozy mystery series of books. It has all the classic cozy mystery pieces plus sassy senior ladies, well written hijinks on the part of the main character and her best friend and the romance is just the right amount. Though, I just want to give a straight answer about who the father of her daughter is. She was soooo close to straight out saying it at the end of this book that I'm pretty sure that was the answer, but it's not confirmed.
The mystery is well done. There was a clue that was dropped at the start that had me pretty sure it would be that person. However, that clue could have just been a throw away too as it ended up having nothing to actually do with the murder in the end. I was still right though.
Great book for laughs and cozy mystery enjoyment. Even read a few parts out to my preteen that had her laughing.
The mystery is well done. There was a clue that was dropped at the start that had me pretty sure it would be that person. However, that clue could have just been a throw away too as it ended up having nothing to actually do with the murder in the end. I was still right though.
Great book for laughs and cozy mystery enjoyment. Even read a few parts out to my preteen that had her laughing.
May 20, 2024
I loved this second book in the Bee Keeping Mystery series. I really enjoyed the first book and loved how the characters developed in this book.
This was a great mystery in figuring out who done in the visiting misogynist celebrity host Rex Rafferty. There is a culinary contest and some extra heat going on between Bailey and the local sheriff.
Our mystery writing sleuth Bailey along with her great aunts and hunky sheriff/former boyfriend have their hands full trying to find the murder before its lights out for Bailey.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. All opinions are my own
This was a great mystery in figuring out who done in the visiting misogynist celebrity host Rex Rafferty. There is a culinary contest and some extra heat going on between Bailey and the local sheriff.
Our mystery writing sleuth Bailey along with her great aunts and hunky sheriff/former boyfriend have their hands full trying to find the murder before its lights out for Bailey.
Thank you NetGalley for the chance to read this ARC. All opinions are my own
December 14, 2023
*4.3 ⭐️*
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bailey Briggs is a mystery novelist living in the town of Humble Hills, Colorado. The town’s annual Bee Festival is in full swing when disaster strikes: a body is found. And to make matters worse, Bailey’s best friend Evie is one of the suspects.
TW: sexual assault (first and second hand accounts), firearms, death by drowning, murder, bullying (told by someone who witnessed it)
I didn’t realize that this book was the second in a series, and although there were some references to what might have been the first book’s plot, I found that this book might work as a standalone. But I still plan on checking out the first book.
I am a fan of mystery and thriller, and this book did not disappoint. The idea of there being more than one side to every story rings true here. It was insightful to see all the different testimonies and try to piece them together, and I felt a sense of satisfaction when something big was revealed.
I loved the characters, and it makes me glad that there’s another book, so this gang’s adventures aren’t limited to this one. But that cliffhanger makes me wonder if there will be a third book? I wouldn’t mind that at all.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bailey Briggs is a mystery novelist living in the town of Humble Hills, Colorado. The town’s annual Bee Festival is in full swing when disaster strikes: a body is found. And to make matters worse, Bailey’s best friend Evie is one of the suspects.
TW: sexual assault (first and second hand accounts), firearms, death by drowning, murder, bullying (told by someone who witnessed it)
I didn’t realize that this book was the second in a series, and although there were some references to what might have been the first book’s plot, I found that this book might work as a standalone. But I still plan on checking out the first book.
I am a fan of mystery and thriller, and this book did not disappoint. The idea of there being more than one side to every story rings true here. It was insightful to see all the different testimonies and try to piece them together, and I felt a sense of satisfaction when something big was revealed.
I loved the characters, and it makes me glad that there’s another book, so this gang’s adventures aren’t limited to this one. But that cliffhanger makes me wonder if there will be a third book? I wouldn’t mind that at all.
June 14, 2024
Kill Or Bee Killed is the second book in the A Bee Keeping Mystery series by Jennie Marts.
Bailey Briggs, her grandmother, and Bailey’s daughter Daisy are busy preparing for Humble Hills, Colorado's annual Bee Festival. This year, they have gone all out and are bringing in Rex Rafferty, a famous TV personality. It doesn’t take long for people to realize that Rex isn’t the charming person he appears to be on TV. A festival highlight is a cook-off featuring three Humble Hills eateries. Evie, Bailey’s best friend, is a contestant in the cook-off, has a heated argument with Rex, and threatens his life. Before that day’s competition is over, Rex Rafferty is found dead in a closet. With Evie having issued a threat to Rex that was heard by many of the attendees, she will become the main suspect in the murder of Rex. Much to the chagrin of Bailey’s high school boyfriend and current Sheriff Sawyer Dunn, Bailey will begin her investigation to clear Evie.
This book and series are well-written, plotted, and realistic. The characters are well-developed, enjoyable, and believable. I love all the main characters, especially the great aunts; they bring the reader many smiles and laughs. The best example is when the beauty contest needs more contestants, they enter the competition. And, of course, Daisy continues to be her adorable self. There were plenty of twists and turns that I kept guessing until the end about the killer's identity.
Delicious-sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.
Bailey Briggs, her grandmother, and Bailey’s daughter Daisy are busy preparing for Humble Hills, Colorado's annual Bee Festival. This year, they have gone all out and are bringing in Rex Rafferty, a famous TV personality. It doesn’t take long for people to realize that Rex isn’t the charming person he appears to be on TV. A festival highlight is a cook-off featuring three Humble Hills eateries. Evie, Bailey’s best friend, is a contestant in the cook-off, has a heated argument with Rex, and threatens his life. Before that day’s competition is over, Rex Rafferty is found dead in a closet. With Evie having issued a threat to Rex that was heard by many of the attendees, she will become the main suspect in the murder of Rex. Much to the chagrin of Bailey’s high school boyfriend and current Sheriff Sawyer Dunn, Bailey will begin her investigation to clear Evie.
This book and series are well-written, plotted, and realistic. The characters are well-developed, enjoyable, and believable. I love all the main characters, especially the great aunts; they bring the reader many smiles and laughs. The best example is when the beauty contest needs more contestants, they enter the competition. And, of course, Daisy continues to be her adorable self. There were plenty of twists and turns that I kept guessing until the end about the killer's identity.
Delicious-sounding recipes are also included in the book.
I’m looking forward to the next book in this excellent series.
April 23, 2024
A Bee Keeping Mystery #2. I had high hopes for this sequel after absolutely loving the first book. I'm happy to say this one far exceeded my expectations and easily earns another 5 stars from me! It contained everything that makes up a good cozy: great cast, humor, intriguing mystery, shocking twist, action and even a hint of romance.
I adore the characters in this book. Bailey is a fantastic lead and I love the relationship she has with her teenage daughter and feisty grandma. Evie is the perfect bestie sidekick. The one who doesn't hesitate to go sleuthing even when it ends in humorous shenanigans. Then there is Sawyer, the hunky sheriff and high school boyfriend who will leave your swooning with every interaction he has with Bailey. You can't forget about the crazy aunts who enter the local beauty paegant or Copper, the sweetest dog. My favorite character might possibly be the local coroner who is full of clever wit.
The mystery was captivating from start to finish. It had equal parts red herrings, shocking revelations and centered around a heartbreaking story about bullying. I quite honestly had the wrong culprit selected and was shocked when they because victim number two. I didn't see the reveal coming until Bailey uncovered the truth and those last few chapters were pretty intense.
The book concludes with several honey infused recipes and one heck of a cliffhanger that already has me eager to continue the series. Kill or Bee Killed releases June 4, 2024. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books - all opinions are my own.
I adore the characters in this book. Bailey is a fantastic lead and I love the relationship she has with her teenage daughter and feisty grandma. Evie is the perfect bestie sidekick. The one who doesn't hesitate to go sleuthing even when it ends in humorous shenanigans. Then there is Sawyer, the hunky sheriff and high school boyfriend who will leave your swooning with every interaction he has with Bailey. You can't forget about the crazy aunts who enter the local beauty paegant or Copper, the sweetest dog. My favorite character might possibly be the local coroner who is full of clever wit.
The mystery was captivating from start to finish. It had equal parts red herrings, shocking revelations and centered around a heartbreaking story about bullying. I quite honestly had the wrong culprit selected and was shocked when they because victim number two. I didn't see the reveal coming until Bailey uncovered the truth and those last few chapters were pretty intense.
The book concludes with several honey infused recipes and one heck of a cliffhanger that already has me eager to continue the series. Kill or Bee Killed releases June 4, 2024. I received an ARC from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books - all opinions are my own.
March 19, 2024
This was a really fun read. I love the community that the author has created. I really like Bailey, her adorable daughter Daisy, Grandma Bee and the great aunts, the Hive, and of course, the handsome sheriff and Bailey's teenage love Saywer. The rest of the town is also filled with interesting characters, a sense of community, and, of course, a love of bees and honey. In this book everyone is focused on the Festival that revolves around honey and bees, the ladies are very excited that a talk show host from California has agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Honey Bee Bake Off. With Evie participating, everyone is glued to the event. When it turns out Rex the MC is something of a sleeze bag, it's not surprising that someone has had enough and knocks him off with a mixer. Unfortunately, he and Evie had a rather large and public disagreement, and her braclet is found clutched in his hand. You know Bailey's not going to let her best friend go down in flames, so the hunt is on. You will want to be around for this investigation! A thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for a chance to check this out.
March 24, 2024
This was a really fun read. I love the community that the author has created. I really like Bailey, her adorable daughter Daisy, Grandma Bee and the great aunts, the Hive, and of course, the handsome sheriff and Bailey's teenage love Saywer. The rest of the town is also filled with interesting characters, a sense of community, and, of course, a love of bees and honey. In this book everyone is focused on the Festival that revolves around honey and bees, the ladies are very excited that a talk show host from California has agreed to be the Master of Ceremonies for the Honey Bee Bake Off. With Evie participating, everyone is glued to the event. When it turns out Rex the MC is something of a sleeze bag, it's not surprising that someone has had enough and knocks him off with a mixer. Unfortunately, he and Evie had a rather large and public disagreement, and her braclet is found clutched in his hand. You know Bailey's not going to let her best friend go down in flames, so the hunt is on. You will want to be around for this investigation! A thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for a chance to check this out.
June 29, 2024
The Bee Festival is happening in Humble Hills, Colorado. The hive and Granny B are in charge of events. One of the events is a bake off with 3 of the top restaurants in town. Evie, Spike the biker bar, and Charlotte of Sunshine Cafe. They flew in tv personality Rex Rafferty a real sleazeball. He comes onto Evie in his trailer. Evie threatens him if he gets close to her again she will kill him. When he turns up dead in the supply closet. Evie is the top suspect. Bailey decides to investigate.
This book had me laughing out loud numerous times. Especially when Bailey gets stuck in the window. 🎈🍯🐝 I love this series. I keep wondering if he will find out who Daisy's dad is. I loved following the clues with the Hive. This is my new favorite cozy mystery series. I can't wait for more.
This book had me laughing out loud numerous times. Especially when Bailey gets stuck in the window. 🎈🍯🐝 I love this series. I keep wondering if he will find out who Daisy's dad is. I loved following the clues with the Hive. This is my new favorite cozy mystery series. I can't wait for more.
December 14, 2023
*4.3 ⭐️*
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bailey Briggs is a mystery novelist living in the town of Humble Hills, Colorado. The town’s annual Bee Festival is in full swing when disaster strikes: a body is found. And to make matters worse, Bailey’s best friend Evie is one of the suspects.
TW: sexual assault (first and second hand accounts), firearms, death by drowning, murder, bullying (told by someone who witnessed it)
I didn’t realize that this book was the second in a series, and although there were some references to what might have been the first book’s plot, I found that this book might work as a standalone. But I still plan on checking out the first book.
I am a fan of mystery and thriller, and this book did not disappoint. The idea of there being more than one side to every story rings true here. It was insightful to see all the different testimonies and try to piece them together, and I felt a sense of satisfaction when something big was revealed.
I loved the characters, and it makes me glad that there’s another book, so this gang’s adventures aren’t limited to this one. But that cliffhanger makes me wonder if there will be a third book? I wouldn’t mind that at all.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Bailey Briggs is a mystery novelist living in the town of Humble Hills, Colorado. The town’s annual Bee Festival is in full swing when disaster strikes: a body is found. And to make matters worse, Bailey’s best friend Evie is one of the suspects.
TW: sexual assault (first and second hand accounts), firearms, death by drowning, murder, bullying (told by someone who witnessed it)
I didn’t realize that this book was the second in a series, and although there were some references to what might have been the first book’s plot, I found that this book might work as a standalone. But I still plan on checking out the first book.
I am a fan of mystery and thriller, and this book did not disappoint. The idea of there being more than one side to every story rings true here. It was insightful to see all the different testimonies and try to piece them together, and I felt a sense of satisfaction when something big was revealed.
I loved the characters, and it makes me glad that there’s another book, so this gang’s adventures aren’t limited to this one. But that cliffhanger makes me wonder if there will be a third book? I wouldn’t mind that at all.
December 6, 2023
This story begins with Bailey and her daughter Daisy helping her grandmother prepare for the bee festival in the charming little town of Humble Hills, Colorado. A tv celebrity is coming to town to host the bake off at the festival that Bailey’s best friend Evie has entered. Rex Rafferty comes to town and shows a different side to himself than people have seen on tv. When he is found dead and the prime suspect is Evie, Bailey resolves to figure out who the culprit really is.
This author and series were new to me and I had not read the first in the series. I didn’t feel lost at all as sometimes happens when not starting a series from the beginning. I enjoyed getting to know Bailey, Evie, Daisy, Sawyer, Griff and The Hive, Bailey’s grandmother’s reading group. I could easily see myself fitting right into the group. This was a fun story and I found myself laughing out loud through parts of the book. I enjoyed the mystery that has some twists with a conclusion that I never saw coming. This is a great read for fans of cozies and amateur sleuths. I will definitely go back to read the first book and look forward to more from this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishers for an arc of this story for my honest review.
This author and series were new to me and I had not read the first in the series. I didn’t feel lost at all as sometimes happens when not starting a series from the beginning. I enjoyed getting to know Bailey, Evie, Daisy, Sawyer, Griff and The Hive, Bailey’s grandmother’s reading group. I could easily see myself fitting right into the group. This was a fun story and I found myself laughing out loud through parts of the book. I enjoyed the mystery that has some twists with a conclusion that I never saw coming. This is a great read for fans of cozies and amateur sleuths. I will definitely go back to read the first book and look forward to more from this series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publishers for an arc of this story for my honest review.
March 10, 2024
This is an excellent cozy! The second in the A Bee Keeping mystery series. Engaging characters, strong story plot and a smooth pace mystery make this read such fun. You will be kept guessing as who done the crime. I want more of this series! Thanks #Netgalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are mine.
January 30, 2025
5 Star Review Kill Or Be Killed (Bee Keeping Mystery #2) by Jennie Marts
Great cozy mystery. Both the author and the narrator kept me invested from the first chapter. With a number of twists and turns and a result I didn’t see coming, I was hooked. Looking forward to more in this small town mystery series.
Great cozy mystery. Both the author and the narrator kept me invested from the first chapter. With a number of twists and turns and a result I didn’t see coming, I was hooked. Looking forward to more in this small town mystery series.
August 15, 2024
This is book 2 in the Bee Keeping Mystery series and it is an enjoyable addition to the cozy mystery genre! I like the characters, the setting and the mysteries. I like that Bailey is a little older with a tween daughter. It is definitely a series I will continue to follow.
July 5, 2025
did we get a confirmation on whi Daisy's dad is?! also that ending. I'm going to need a book 3. also i have no doubt Mart also writes Romance novels because loving the romance in this
August 28, 2025
Love these characters so much! Wish we had more books in this series but so happy with what we did get! 🐝📓✏️🔍
November 24, 2025
4-4.5 stars. This book was way better than the first. The cozy mystery in this one was terrific. Surprise ending, but not the surprise I was expecting (or hoped for)
July 21, 2024
While I didn't love this one as much as I did the first one in the series. But I still did enjoy the book, though I like the characters more than I did the mystery. But I will still pick up the next one in the series.
June 1, 2024
Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts is a highly entertaining cozy mystery featuring Bailey Briggs and her sidekick, Evie. As always when the two were together, something unlikely was going to happen. This time it was Bailey getting stuck as she was trying to escape a biker bar through a bathroom window. It might have been the glass in her pocket. They were rescued by the bartender/owner, who was not as scary as he looked. In fact he was down right good looking when it turned out he was one of the finalists in the cook-off that was part of the upcoming Bee Festival. The current problem was that they didn’t have enough contestants for the beauty pageant. The cook-off was all set, though, with Rex Rafferty, a morning show host as emcee, it would be interesting to see how things went. Then Rex ended up dead.
This is the funniest cozy series ever. Every person in the book is imbued with strong personalities, even the old ladies. The only thing keeping Bailey out of jail is Sawyer, the county sheriff, who had been her high school boyfriend, and around whom she’d been circling. He was circling back. He HATED that Bailey got involved with murder, but was always there to pull her back from the edge. It will be fun to watch this relationship grow in the coming books. Rex’s murder, it turned out, was rooted in the past, as so many are. The clues were hard to come by, it being in the middle of the festival and all, but Bailey kept trying, as did Sawyer, and they finally worked it out. Very fun, very entertaining series. Thanks Jennie Marts!
I was invited to read Kill or Bee Killed by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #JennieMarts #KillOrBeeKilled
This is the funniest cozy series ever. Every person in the book is imbued with strong personalities, even the old ladies. The only thing keeping Bailey out of jail is Sawyer, the county sheriff, who had been her high school boyfriend, and around whom she’d been circling. He was circling back. He HATED that Bailey got involved with murder, but was always there to pull her back from the edge. It will be fun to watch this relationship grow in the coming books. Rex’s murder, it turned out, was rooted in the past, as so many are. The clues were hard to come by, it being in the middle of the festival and all, but Bailey kept trying, as did Sawyer, and they finally worked it out. Very fun, very entertaining series. Thanks Jennie Marts!
I was invited to read Kill or Bee Killed by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #JennieMarts #KillOrBeeKilled
February 14, 2024
Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of KILL OR BEE KILLED (Book 2 of the Bee Keeping Mystery series) by Jennie Marts in exchange for an honest review. It’s time for the annual Bee Festival, which means it’s an opportunity for Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch to shine. This year, the festival’s bake-off has drawn the attention of Hollywood, so a television crew is present to film the competition. When the celebrity host is murdered, Bailey’s best friend becomes the number one suspect and the Bee Festival’s success is endangered. So, Bailey, Granny Bee, and Granny Bee’s swarm of senior associates fly into action. They must save both Evie and the Bee Festival!
I liked this book and the first in the series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring apiaries, honey, sassy grannies, senior sleuths, precocious children.
#KillorBeeKilled #NetGalley
I liked this book and the first in the series. I recommend this book to fans of cozy murder mysteries featuring apiaries, honey, sassy grannies, senior sleuths, precocious children.
#KillorBeeKilled #NetGalley
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