All the Bees in the Hollows

by Lauren Keegan

Bees choose their masters. Bees don't sting good people.

Marytè is a devoted beekeeper. She lives by the old work with fellow beekeepers, be a good Christian and a good harvest will follow. These rules help her cope with her grief when she inherits her husband's tree hollows. But as harsh conditions and tax increases threaten the harvest, Marytè begins to question her faith, her community and her own sanity.
There is little help to be had from her eldest daughter. Austėja is no worker bee. She takes risks, speaks her mind and dreams of escaping their isolated community. As her mother works, she finds refuge in the ancient forest and the old beliefs instilled in her by her defiant grandmother.
When Austėja discovers the mutilated body of the Hollow Watcher and uncovers a honeycomb of lies and betrayal, she is intent on finding the truth and protecting her family. Will mother and daughter overcome their differences, learn the truth behind the murder and complete the honey harvest?

Genres: Historical Fiction, Historical, Audiobook

280 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 8, 2024

Reviews

[Gloria (Ms. G's Bookshelf) · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️4 Stars⭐️
All the Bees in the Hollows by Lauren Keegan is a beautifully crafted debut narrated by mother and daughter Maryte and Austeja. The story is strongly connected to nature, the ancient forest, folklore and a bee-keeping community in Lithuania in the 16th century. I love the magical element when a story is connected to nature in this way.

I felt transported back in time and I could hear the bees buzzing, it was very atmospheric! It was easy to get engrossed in this story, it was really unique, and beautiful yet brutal at times.

When Austeja discovers a mutilated body in the forest she’s keen to learn the truth behind the murder. Austeja dreams of escaping her isolated community and finds peace in the ancient forest and her grandmothers old beliefs but suddenly their livelihoods are under threat and she must work alongside her mother sourcing honey in the traditional way.

A haunting and mystical murder mystery tale. Perfect for fans of Hannah Kent, you’ll love this one.

Publication Date 08 October 2024
Publisher Affirm Press

Thank you so much Affirm Press for a copy of the book.

[Brooke - Brooke's Reading Life · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Luthuania in the year of 1557, this one is an interesting story that focuses on the lives of a mother and daughter who live in a small bee-keeping community surrounded by forestry. The character perspectives alternate between Marytè (mother) and Austėja (daughter). I did find it quite a bit slow to start, however as I read on I found myself more intrigued by the tale that has a strong focus on family and the 'old ways' vs Christianity. The writing itself was very descriptive and flowing, particularly scenes set in the forest. The murder of the local 'Hollow Watcher' puts the community on edge and keeps the storyline going.
Overall: a different kind of read for me, I ended up enjoying it after a slow start.

[Carolyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Bees in the Hollows by Lauren Keegan is the most beautiful medieval beekeeper's book ever!

Each chapter has a beautiful bee sketch on it to view as you buzz through the pages.

I was totally engrossed in this novel from the bees to the honey to the hollows where they come from; the different types of honey tea; the honeycomb with an Autumn and Spring Festival filled with food delights from the forest.

There's bears, wolves and a mysterious Hollow Watcher.

Most of all I learnt all about bees and how far they travel in search of flowers and what beekeepers wear for clothing and how they detract the bees.

Making rye bread is a traditional Lithuainian tradition.

Honey is medicinal and often used as a remedy and to cure ailments.

Why does Maryte keep returning to the same tree where her father's spirit left her and where the Hollow Watcher was slain?

What was the Duke doing in the Hollows?

What is the truth behind the Hollow Watcher?

Read this new book to find out why.

I really loved this book ~ a mystery in the forest.

[Laura Trenham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think Keegan was too engrossed in her flowery writing style that she forgot how to write an engaging plot with memorable characters

[Linda Westhead · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really loved this book, was a gentle ride with lots of heart and a few twists, it kept me interested all the way through. I was initially drawn to the book by the cover which is so beautiful, also my love of bees, set in Lithuania in the 1500's, the folklore surrounding the care of the bees in the hollows did not disappoint, this is definitely a story that empowers woman in a time when woman had no power. I loved the characters, I felt I got to know their strengths, desires and fears. As I was nearing the end I was sure I was going to run out of pages without a satisfactory end to the story of the family I had become so attached to, but it was done well, making the last few chapters a bit of a race to find out what happened. It may not be everyone's cup of tea, the theme running through is the old ways vs Christianity and the struggle this brings to a community, but the story managed to marry the two well. I was thinking as I was reading I would love another edition to see where the story goes, there is definitely room for a sequel.

[Anna · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was beautiful

[Sensei Sarhn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautiful story. Ancient Lithuanian beliefs, an isolated beekeeping community, murder mystery, intrigue and the wonderful & heartwarming three generational connection of a family of females.

Couldn't put this gorgeous story down.

I am adding this to my favourite list.

[Eve Blakely · Rating 5 out of 5]

A beautifully written book that transports us back to 16th century Lithuania, where three generations of women work in a small bee-keeping community.

The mystery surrounding the Hollow Watcher’s demise and the intricate relationship between mother, Maryte and daughter, Austeja in the face of grief had me intrigued from start to finish. Loved Senele and the interwoven folklore she brought to the story too!

Can’t wait to read whatever Lauren writes next!

[Toni Umar · Rating 5 out of 5]

All the Bees in the Hollows by Lauren Keegan

Book six for me in my January reading and lots of reviews to catch up on. I had heard many positive reviews for the novel; then my 16 year old grand daughter mentioned she had bought it due to the intriguing synopsis. So I proposed a buddy read – great idea but did not work, I think my grand daughter is still in the early chapters. I however was engrossed from the start and have marked many spots to include in my review. Please see back cover photos four and five, if you need the synopsis.
I loved the glossary of Lithuanian words at the front, and I returned to this page often. The characters were very relatable with flaws and many ‘normal’ human attributes, I particularly related to the Mum called Marytè. Like Mums the world over she worked extremely hard and all the family, including her Mum in law relied on her. Marytè was constantly exhausted and suffered severe and painful arthritis. Her role also showed the reader such a great understanding of grief. This quote describes her thoughts on grieving for her beloved husband ‘….she can not bring herself to descend into such darkness. It is too deep, too heavy, too painful. She is afraid if she plunges that low, her knees will truly buckle from beneath her and she may never rise again.’ (Page 116). I found that style of writing so beautiful and so descriptive, I kept going back to reread that section again.
The daughter who features most in the book, Austèja, is a fascinating, feisty, funny and strong person. She talks about the freedom she had as a child in the forest, a freedom that’s removed once she becomes a teenager. Catching fish is one of those things, not considered suitable for young women to do. She thinks ‘It is this, being out in the forest, working with the forest, and being useful, that brings me immense pleasure…..not cooking in the hearth or sweeping the spring dust from the cottage floor’. (Page 192). Powerful few words that mean so much. One of those novels I just had to keep reading.
The book includes such interesting information too, told in a natural and thoughtful way. When Austèja is preparing a coffin she shares ‘The coffin is made of both conifer and spruce, as I insisted. One to keep the positive energy in, and one to keep the negative energy out, just the way she would have liked it’. (Page 306).
A beautiful, enjoyable and easy read, with many parts that have stayed with me since and I think will for a long time. I would not be at all surprised if we see a movie of this book in the future. Congratulations to the author on her debut novel.

[Benevbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really beautifully lyrical story about mothers and daughters, grief, community, history, politics, and nature in 1500s Lithuania.

I picked this up on audio, knowing nothing about it except that the cover and title intrigued me! I am so glad that I did.

This historical fiction book delves into so many themes whilst following a dual perspective of mother and daughter as the story unfolds telling of grief, social norms, beekeeping, trying to hold onto traditional beliefs and the introduction of new ones.

Keegan's symbolism throughout this really stood out to me, and I loved exploring the story of Austėja and Marytè.

[Nikla · Rating 4 out of 5]

I feel like this book took a while to get interesting. I put it down a few times but trudged on. Then I found that it was a story of becoming. Two women trying to find their way in the world they live in, while trying to find some way to reconnect with each other. I like the subtle hints at a love connection but no end being confirmed. I like that there was a little mystery to figure out. I love any story that highlights culture, or "old ways". I also enjoyed that depending on the reader and how they interpret what they read, this book identifies that women can live independant of men. that woman can be the stronger gender even if that strength is quiet.

[Chanel Chapters]

The honey wasn’t worth the sting for me

3⭐️

[Amarlee Jagoe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Set in Lithuania this was a new culture to learn about but still had similarities to Māori culture and other indigenous

cultures with the close connection to the land and the spiritual discussed within the pages of this book.

An example of this is when the grandmother stated that the girls must learn the old ways, or they will be forgotten.

We do not have them written down like the church. This is similar to other indigenous cultures where history is oral and many stories have been lost.

I also liked when Austėja compared her Dad to an oak tree-"Much like this oak.

Even as his seasons turned and his leaves fell, he remained standing". Beautiful.....

Bees and beekeeping are the main theme throughout the book and the importance of the bees was clearly articulated.

I found it interesting to learn how the bees were kept in the hollows and how the beekeepers had to climb the trees

to take care of them.

A nice story that transported me into the life of this family.

[Holly Cardamone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a gorgeous blend of mystery, folklore, nature and culture with just enough magic to make it creepy, captivating and atmospheric. I loved the over and undertones of grief and feminism. Really clever writing and characters.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

A beautiful story and a lovely introduction to the old Lithuanian beekeeper practices.

[Jessie Ruby]

No rating - DNF’d chapter 2

I am sure this is a great historical book but I just could not bring myself to read it, nothing was catching my interest.

[Katie Mac · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Truly beautiful writing and a fascinating story of relationships between families and relationships between humans, trees and animals.

[Michele (michelethebookdragon) · Rating 4 out of 5]

While I was drawn to this story and I love reading a debut novel, I did wonder how easily I could envisage Lithuania in 1557. I need not have been concerned as the beautiful writing took me to the forests of Musteika in southern Lithuania and the community of beekeepers that are the heart of this story with ease.

Marytè is a loving wife and mother and while she continues many traditions when it comes to beekeeping she has embraced Christianity and it's teachings. Meanwhile, her eldest daughter Austéja is headstrong and is fascinated by the old ways.

When Marytè's husband dies she is heartbroken but determined to be a beekeeper on her own, with the help of her daughters and the local community. The traditions and customs that are the cornerstone of this community were at times a saving grace and at other times put them in danger.

The alternating chapters between Marytè and Austéja gave a great insight into their relationship and the expectations of both mother and daughter.

I thoroughly enjoyed this look at a time period and country I had not experienced before.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the historical aspect of this story and the traditions with the bees. Such a hard life but with moments of joy in nature, family and community.

[Rachel Higgins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Audio.
Not my usual genre, but really enjoyed it!

[Camille Booker · Rating 5 out of 5]

All The Bees in the Hollows is the haunting and evocative debut novel from Aussie author @lauren

This book is so many things: a murder mystery steeped in folklore, an exploration of the important role of women in traditional beekeeping communities with themes of family V outsiders, and it’s also the perfect amount of witchy🖤

As the honey harvest approaches, tensions rise between our two protagonists (a mother and a daughter from a tight-knit bee-keeping community in 16th Century Lithuania), but when the Hollow Watcher is found brutally killed, we soon realise that no one can be trusted🫣

So much research would have gone into this book yet the details are so intricately woven through the story they seep through like oozing honey🍯

I really loved that the forest is alive, sentient, watching, enfolding, protecting🌲 and also the character of Senelè, the defiant grandmother, her wisdom, and the way she refuses to let go of ‘the old ways’… but the bees are the true heroes of this wistful and atmospheric tale 🐝

If you enjoyed reading Burial Rites by Hannah Kent you’ll adore this beautifully-written debut from Lauren Keegan

You’ve heard the buzz - I’m not pollen your leg. In fact hive got a really good feeling about this one. You’d better make a bee-line to the bookstore and grab yourself a copy of this sweeter-than-honeycomb, bee-autiful debut 🍯🐝

[Grim · Rating 3 out of 5]

🌼✨ Just finished reading "All the Bees in the Hollow," and wow, what a journey! I won't lie I picked this up purely based on its eye-catching cover and because it was on sale at Big W. The blurb hinted at bee-keeping and a mother-daughter relationship intertwined with a murder mystery, which seemed interesting enough which resulted in me diving into this narrative completely blind.

I should mention that this book might not be for everyone. The narrative doesn't have the typical high angst climax, despite the murder element which I was initially expecting. Instead, it’s set in the 1500s, offering a deep connection to a community and family grappling with the loss of their pagan heritage and a change of life. While also struggling with the loss of there father/husband. The way the author beautifully portrays their relationship with the land and their survival as a close-knit group really resonated with me. Each page is infused with a sense of connection to the earth, making it a gentle yet poignant read.

Themes of personal growth and finding one's worth within the community shine through, even amidst heavy depictions of loss and grief, including the heart-wrenching topic of losing children. (Trigger warning, as it does talk about miscarriage and in modern terms SIDS) The descriptions of the forest and the characters’ intertwined lives with nature are absolutely stunning. And how one goes about grief while trying to continue with life.

For those who appreciate a slower-paced historical narrative that explores the love of family while moving through the transition of paganism under the weight of church influence, especially through the lens of bee-keeping, I’d recommend this book. It’s a lovely read, though perhaps more suited for those who enjoy a thoughtful exploration rather than a fast-paced thriller.

I’d give it a solid 3 stars! 🌟🌟

[Sandra · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to read this book and really wanted to love it because I'm Lithuanian. There aren't very many books about Lithuania...

But it was a disappointment from the very beginning.

It seems that the author didn't really do much research, didn't even look the Lithuanian alphabet. The name Austėja is correct but all other names seem to contain non-Lithuanian characters (instead of ė) or are written wrong. The names should have been Marytė, Danutė, Ąžuolas, etc. If you include Lithuanian words/names, make sure you write them correctly... Either don't use Lithuanian letters at all, or use them correctly in all words. But under no circumstance it is ok to add some random non English and non Lithuanian characters...

The use or Motina and Tėvas seemed so unnatural too. These are very formal / official words. No child ever calls their mum and dad that.

Marytė would not call her mother in law Senelė (grandma); usually mothers in law would be called Mum by their daughters in law (to show respect and make them feel that they are as important as their own mother).

Vėjas is also not a goddess. It is masculine, so it would be a god.

But what shocked me most was the cuckoo mentions. The author mentions Austėja hearing a cuckoo's song when the father died in deep winter! These birds are migratory birds, they are simply not there in winter when there is snow and ice. They come back to Lithuania in late April and you hear them mainly in May. In fact, the month of May is named after the cuckoo bird (Gegutė - cuckoo, Gegužė - May). And May is almost summer, everything is green, and the weather is warm.

While I could have enjoyed the story, I felt really annoyed by the author's lack of attention to such details, which may not have mattered to the readers who don't know Lithuanian or Lithuania.

[Bridget · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in 1500s Lithuania, All the Bees in the Hollows is a quietly powerful novel that follows Marytė and her daughter Austėja as they navigate a strained mother-daughter bond. In the aftermath of a family loss they are forced to care for the family’s bees. The two women must not only manage the hives but also the tangle of grief, duty, and unspoken emotions between them.

Lauren Keegan’s short chapters make the story feel fluid and intimate, perfect for sinking into each character’s internal world. Told in alternating perspectives, Marytė and Austėja’s voices are distinct yet deeply intertwined, and their evolving relationship is as rich and layered as the forest that surrounds them.

Speaking of the forest—Keegan’s descriptions are stunning. She brings the natural world to life with reverence and magic. The bees hum with an almost spiritual presence, and the food descriptions are lush and grounding—I could practically taste that spicy-sour rye bread.

As I neared the end, I worried the story wouldn’t have a satisfactory ending, but I was proven wrong. The final pages struck a rare emotional balance: grief and joy in equal measure. This novel is a sensory, soulful experience—and a beautiful exploration of connection, loss, and resilience.

[Jo Skinner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a deeply immersive book about community, family and tradition set in sixteenth century Lithuania. Told from the POV of a mother, Marytè determined to care for her family after the untimely death of her husband, and a daughter, Austėja who dreams of a life beyond the tight-knit bee-keeping community.

Caught between world of superstition and Christianity, Marytè finds solace in her bees and the timeless cycles of nature that ensure a good harvest of honey. Austėja finds refuge in the forest and nature but when she finds the Hollow Watcher murdered is caught up in a web of secrets and lies that threaten their survival.

The book is a slow burn, with the personal desires of mother and daughter competing with the obligations to the common good, even while external pressures risk tearing them apart. Beautifully told with poetic language, you find yourself immersed in this small community and its centuries old traditions, willing them a successful honey harvest even as they uncover the dark truths that threaten their way of life.

[Book My Imagination · Rating 4 out of 5]

🐝Set in 1557, Grand Duchy of Lithuania, this beautifully written story of beekeepers working to pay the taxes that threaten to cripple them and told through Austeja, eldest daughter of a local bee-keeping family.
🐝Austeja has always wanted to leave the family home and business, wanted to leave her mother.
🐝But after the death of her beloved father and the killing of the Hollow Watcher, she knows she must now stay and help her mother and the Bees.
🐝This story is a wonderfully historical fiction debut by own of our #aussieauthors and delves deep into family relations, the bee community, and the strength that can be attained by overcoming differences within your own family.
🐝The atmosphere that is set within these pages is haunting, yet beautiful with the trees, the Bees, and nature described so well.
🐝This is definitely a book that will have many readers highlighting the beauty of it.

[Kyra Geddes · Rating 5 out of 5]

'Is it possible to hold all of the power yet, at the same time, feel completely powerless?' Told through the contrasting perspectives of mother Marytè and daughter Austeja, this is a beautifully crafted story which intersperses quiet moments and thoughtful observations - of both humanity and nature - with the page-turning impulse of mystery, drama and romance. As a reader, it took me a little while to settle into the world of a traditional bee-keeping community in sixteenth century Lithuania, but once I had acclimatised, I was thoroughly hooked. Although this is Lauren Keegan's first 'published' novel, it is clear from the quality of her writing that she has been honing her craft for many years, and I'm already looking forward to her next book.

(With thanks to Affirm Press for an Advance Reading Copy.)

[Great Escape Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winner of Debut Fiction Award for the Indie Book Awards 2025

Our Review...

All the Bees in the Hollows by Lauren Keegan is a unique and beautiful read.

It could almost be described as a historical bee keeping guide. It follows the lives of two strong women, mother and daughter, Marytè and Austèja as they navigate life in the countryside.

Set in the 1500s, the two women navigate life and tradition with very little power, which is found to be both an advantage and disadvantage.

With magical undertones, this is a magnificent blend of historical fiction and fantasy with Lithuanian folklore throughout.

Drawn in by the beauty of the cover, I encountered the power of the generational strength of women and the magical world of bees. A deeply literary book that could very easily be made into a series.

Review by Lydia @ Great Escape Books

[Heidi · Rating 3 out of 5]

ALL THE BEES IN THE HOLLOW takes us to 16th century Lithuania to a small bee keeping community in the forest where people have a strong connection to nature and the environment they live in. I absolutely adored the setting of this novel and its beautiful imagery, even though I found that the later part of the story lacked a strong plot line and petered out in the end without giving me a sense of closure. Whilst I enjoyed the magical realism feel of the story, Austėja’s chapters read a bit too much like YA fiction to me, and I would have loved more background to Marytè’s life and thoughts (and information about the bees and the bee keepers’ methods) as I found that part of the book fascinating.

[Rebecca Larsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes you read a book where the imagery is so real you can feel the wind and taste the honey. This is that book.

Austeja, the daughter of a recently widowed beekeeper, is a watcher. And a dreamer. She used to imagine a life outside her small village where the community all tend to the bees and produce mouth -watering honey and beeswax for candles. But when an unspeakable event happens in the forest, Austeja's future is forever changed.

While trying to embrace the ways of the future, Austeja will discover things about herself that she never thought possible.

A beautifully written, highly evocative story. If you loved Burial Rites, this is the book for you.