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Queen Bee
There can only be one.
In an effort to shield her foster daughter from a stalker at school, Twila relocates to a farmstead in an Appalachian radio quiet zone. Alongside battered women who have taken shelter at Cooper's Corner, Twila and her mute teen hope to find sanctuary caring for cows, chickens, and honeybees.
But their peace turns out to be short-lived when a man with an injured ankle and a flimsy story shows up in the woods. Before Twila can shuttle him off to a doctor, a straight-line windstorm rips through the area, downing trees and power lines and cutting off the well water.
As tempers flare and dark sides surface, Twila realizes she can't trust anyone. When one of the women goes missing in the night, she fears the worst has happened.
Like a tenacious queen bee, Twila plans to sting first and ask questions later. If push comes to shove, she's ready to sacrifice herself so her traumatized daughter can finally live again.
Fans of Agatha Christie are sure to enjoy this clean, fast-paced psychological thriller set in West Virginia by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert.
*This novella was previously published in the 12-book DON'T BLINK collection in October 2025.*
In an effort to shield her foster daughter from a stalker at school, Twila relocates to a farmstead in an Appalachian radio quiet zone. Alongside battered women who have taken shelter at Cooper's Corner, Twila and her mute teen hope to find sanctuary caring for cows, chickens, and honeybees.
But their peace turns out to be short-lived when a man with an injured ankle and a flimsy story shows up in the woods. Before Twila can shuttle him off to a doctor, a straight-line windstorm rips through the area, downing trees and power lines and cutting off the well water.
As tempers flare and dark sides surface, Twila realizes she can't trust anyone. When one of the women goes missing in the night, she fears the worst has happened.
Like a tenacious queen bee, Twila plans to sting first and ask questions later. If push comes to shove, she's ready to sacrifice herself so her traumatized daughter can finally live again.
Fans of Agatha Christie are sure to enjoy this clean, fast-paced psychological thriller set in West Virginia by RWA Daphne Award-winning author Heather Day Gilbert.
*This novella was previously published in the 12-book DON'T BLINK collection in October 2025.*
90 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2026
1 person is currently reading
13 people want to read
About the author
Heather Day Gilbert
43 books871 followersHeather Day Gilbert, an RWA Daphne du Maurier Award-winning author and 2-time ECPA Christy Award finalist, enjoys writing contemporary mysteries/psychological thrillers and Viking historicals. She brings authentic family relationships to the page, and she particularly delights in heroines who take a stand to protect those they love. Avid readers say Heather's realistic characters—no matter what century—feel like best friends. When she's not plotting stories, this native West Virginian can often be found hanging out with her husband and four children, playing video games, or reading Agatha Christie novels.
Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.
Find out more at heatherdaygilbert.com.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
February 20, 2026
Wow.
Sometimes short stories fall flat, but this one exceeded all my expectations! We got a glimpse of Henry and Alex from queen of hearts, and then fell in love with Izzy & Twila & Jude! In such a short amount of pages, I felt so connected to the characters and even shed tears at the end! Heather, you honestly knocked this one out of the park! 🩷
Sometimes short stories fall flat, but this one exceeded all my expectations! We got a glimpse of Henry and Alex from queen of hearts, and then fell in love with Izzy & Twila & Jude! In such a short amount of pages, I felt so connected to the characters and even shed tears at the end! Heather, you honestly knocked this one out of the park! 🩷
February 11, 2026
What a wonderful novella. Formerly part of the Don't Blink collection, Queen Bee is a quick suspense read with a twist at the end. I enjoyed Twila's story.
February 9, 2026
wonderful suspense. I never saw the twist at the end coming
February 26, 2026
" . . . . a man had started stalking Izzy outside her private school."
Moving to Cooper's Corner with her foster daughter Izzy, a working farm that also served as a women's shelter, Twila hopes that the off-grid location will provide both of them a protective respite from constantly looking over their shoulders, expecting any minute to see Izzy's stalker. Witnessing her mother's murder at a very young age had afflicted Izzy with selective mutism, but perhaps Izzy's memory of that day also included someone who was determined not to be exposed.
This short, but suspensful story was filled with unexpected twists that resulted in a most satisfying conclusion.
Moving to Cooper's Corner with her foster daughter Izzy, a working farm that also served as a women's shelter, Twila hopes that the off-grid location will provide both of them a protective respite from constantly looking over their shoulders, expecting any minute to see Izzy's stalker. Witnessing her mother's murder at a very young age had afflicted Izzy with selective mutism, but perhaps Izzy's memory of that day also included someone who was determined not to be exposed.
This short, but suspensful story was filled with unexpected twists that resulted in a most satisfying conclusion.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews