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Henny Penny Farmette Mystery #1
A Beeline to Murder
"A lady cop turned farmer. . .What fun!" --Joanne FlukeEx-cop Abigail Mackenzie has started a second career--as a farmer. Raising chickens, keeping bees, and growing heirloom vegetables on her farmette in the Bay Area, Abby has a peaceful life. Yet trouble just seems to make a beeline for her. . .When Abby attempts to deliver her artisanal honey to local pastry chef Jean-Louis Bonheur and finds him dead in his shop, her investigative instincts kick in. After the chef's handsome brother insists on hiring Abby to find out who killed Jean-Louis, she must sort through a swarm of suspects. But as she closes in on the truth, she'll need more than her beekeeper suit to protect her from a killer's sting. . .Includes farming tips and delicious recipes!"Will leave readers buzzing happily." --Leslie Budewitz"A triple a California wine country setting, a touch of romance with a handsome Frenchman, and country hints and recipes from the writer's own farmette." --Rhys Bowen "Beekeeping, organic gardening, pastry baking--an engaging debut mystery." --Library Journal
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 29, 2015
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 122 reviews
July 29, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Abigail Mackenzie has left the police force for life on a farm. Her new life includes chickens, bees and growing veggies and fruits. She also does a little investigating on her own to help pay the bills. While delivering a new batch of honey to a local restaurant she finds chef Jean-Louis Bonheur dead in his kitchen. The police quickly rule his death as a suicide and close the case. When the chef’s brother comes to town he finds the ruling unacceptable and get a bee in his bonnet to hire Abby to investigate. She would just as soon make a beeline in the other direction but she has a hard time bee-lieving the chef would take his own life too. Together they try to find out if he was really murdered but they could both get stung before they get all the answers they need.
I liked Abigail Mackenzie from the very first page. She left the police force due to an injury but she still helps out when she can. Shocked to find a man she knows dead her training kicks right in. She checks the body and the scene and gives a thorough report when the officers reach the scene and she continues to theorize what may have happened. She even jumps in to help the medical examiner’s assistant, new and on his first call, get the body on the gurney and in the body bag. All the while searching for more clues. She is respected in the community and that helps as she takes on the investigation herself. She is patient and wise and sees things other people miss. She is my kind of amateur sleuth.
Ms. Lester’s writes with a very even flow. She introduces us to all the characters and their relationships. Some are more fluid and some are just developing. I found all of the characters very interesting and want to get to know them even better in future stories. Her pacing is perfect. The mystery has a few red herrings to divert us from detecting the true killer. I was kept guessing right to the end.
I also enjoyed the recipes and tips following each chapter.
This is a fine start for this series. I am looking forward to the next installment.
Abigail Mackenzie has left the police force for life on a farm. Her new life includes chickens, bees and growing veggies and fruits. She also does a little investigating on her own to help pay the bills. While delivering a new batch of honey to a local restaurant she finds chef Jean-Louis Bonheur dead in his kitchen. The police quickly rule his death as a suicide and close the case. When the chef’s brother comes to town he finds the ruling unacceptable and get a bee in his bonnet to hire Abby to investigate. She would just as soon make a beeline in the other direction but she has a hard time bee-lieving the chef would take his own life too. Together they try to find out if he was really murdered but they could both get stung before they get all the answers they need.
I liked Abigail Mackenzie from the very first page. She left the police force due to an injury but she still helps out when she can. Shocked to find a man she knows dead her training kicks right in. She checks the body and the scene and gives a thorough report when the officers reach the scene and she continues to theorize what may have happened. She even jumps in to help the medical examiner’s assistant, new and on his first call, get the body on the gurney and in the body bag. All the while searching for more clues. She is respected in the community and that helps as she takes on the investigation herself. She is patient and wise and sees things other people miss. She is my kind of amateur sleuth.
Ms. Lester’s writes with a very even flow. She introduces us to all the characters and their relationships. Some are more fluid and some are just developing. I found all of the characters very interesting and want to get to know them even better in future stories. Her pacing is perfect. The mystery has a few red herrings to divert us from detecting the true killer. I was kept guessing right to the end.
I also enjoyed the recipes and tips following each chapter.
This is a fine start for this series. I am looking forward to the next installment.
September 18, 2015
Interesting Cozy Debut! It held my attention from beginning to end. It's May in the Northern California Bay Area which is largely settled by farmers and wine country towns. Ex-cop, Abigail Mackenzie, has a green thumb for gardening despite a thumb injury that ended her law enforcement career. She loves her peaceful farmette with its bee hives and carefully tended gardens. Delivering honey to a local pastry shop, Ally is dismayed to find Chef Jean-Louis Bonheur dead of apparent suicide. The police chief quickly dismisses the case as such, but Abby, her friend Katrina (a police officer), and Phillppe Bonhuer (Jean-Louis's brother), feel there was foul play involved. As author, Meera Lester lines up various characters who could have sticky fingers where Jean-Louis was concerned, the grapevines buzz as the search begins for motive and means. Good plot twists keep you guessing until the end of the story. Delicious recipes and handy tips included in each chapter! I'm already looking forward to the next book.
I received a complimentary ebook from NetGalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review.
I received a complimentary ebook from NetGalley and Kensington in exchange for an honest review.
October 6, 2015
Author Meera Lester makes a sweet debut with, A BEELINE TO MURDER, book one in her Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series!
One of the things I really enjoy about cozy mysteries is reading about the different professions and hobbies of the characters in the series. In A BEELINE TO MURDER, I found myself fascinated with protagonist Abigail “Abby” Mackenzie. She is bee keeper and farmer, a part time investigator, and she’s an ex-police officer. I had a lot of fun learning about the ends and outs of bee keeping, and the different things that she did on her farm. There is also more to learn by way of Ms. Lester starting each chapter with tidbits from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac, and ending each chapter with tips and great recipes!
With a tight plot, and a strong cast of characters, A BEELINE TO MURDER held my attention and captured my imagination. Fast paced without being rushed, Ms. Lester’s descriptions caused me to be drawn into the story as though I truly was a part of it. The mystery aspect of the book is extremely well done, and kept me guessing the whole way until the end.
Congratulations to Meera Lester. She has a real hit on her hands with this book. I look forward to following this series for many years to come!
One of the things I really enjoy about cozy mysteries is reading about the different professions and hobbies of the characters in the series. In A BEELINE TO MURDER, I found myself fascinated with protagonist Abigail “Abby” Mackenzie. She is bee keeper and farmer, a part time investigator, and she’s an ex-police officer. I had a lot of fun learning about the ends and outs of bee keeping, and the different things that she did on her farm. There is also more to learn by way of Ms. Lester starting each chapter with tidbits from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac, and ending each chapter with tips and great recipes!
With a tight plot, and a strong cast of characters, A BEELINE TO MURDER held my attention and captured my imagination. Fast paced without being rushed, Ms. Lester’s descriptions caused me to be drawn into the story as though I truly was a part of it. The mystery aspect of the book is extremely well done, and kept me guessing the whole way until the end.
Congratulations to Meera Lester. She has a real hit on her hands with this book. I look forward to following this series for many years to come!
October 8, 2015
Abigail Mackenzie is enjoying her new career as a farmer, but it seems like she can’t totally stay away from her previous career with the police. As she delivers honey to the local pastry chef, she finds him dead. The medical coroner rules it a suicide but Abby doesn’t buy it. The chef’s brother hires her to investigate and find out what really caused the chef’s death.
Abby is a great investigator who never gives up. I enjoy meeting a character for the first time who is strong and smart. Sometimes new characters take time to develop, but not Abby. Her strength shines throughout this story. She even gets a little romance in her life.
The secondary characters are well written, quirky characters who will make you laugh. Abby’s best friend, Kat, is a cop in charge of the investigation. Her relationship with Kat is a nice addition to this storyline.
Overall, this is a fast paced story that leaves wondering what’s next for Abby.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
Abby is a great investigator who never gives up. I enjoy meeting a character for the first time who is strong and smart. Sometimes new characters take time to develop, but not Abby. Her strength shines throughout this story. She even gets a little romance in her life.
The secondary characters are well written, quirky characters who will make you laugh. Abby’s best friend, Kat, is a cop in charge of the investigation. Her relationship with Kat is a nice addition to this storyline.
Overall, this is a fast paced story that leaves wondering what’s next for Abby.
FTC Disclosure: The author provided me with a copy of this book to review for this blog tour. This did not influence my thoughts and opinions in any way. All opinions expressed are my own.
March 26, 2016
I'll never read anything by this author again, and maybe none by the publisher, Kensington Books. The writing is awkward and bad, jerking me out of the story repeatedly. (For one example, neither Ms Lester, nor anyone who read it pre-publication, sees to realize that by definition, loafers do not lace up.)
Our heroine is alleged to have been a cop for years, but when a sexy man makes suggestive remarks, her heart pounds, she blushes, goes weak
in the knees and generally shakes all over. She's aways blushing about something or other. Really?
Someone apparently told Ms Lester the importance of the telling detail, but she missed understanding the importance of "telling". I do not need to know what color of blush & lipstick she's putting on. Really. Although she remarked that farming is hard on clothes and her wardrobe is mostly jeans & tees, she has just the right chic outfit for every occasion. Including, apparently, a wardrobe of shoes to make Imelda jealous. She's now a 'struggling' farmer & before that a cop who never got the promotion she deserved. Where DID all that money come from? And this struggling farmer? When the dead man's brother gives her a large check to investigate, her first thought, I kid you not, was granite countertops for the kitchen. Uh, no.
No evidence or clues need apply either. She wanders around asking pointless questions until one day the dead man's lover makes a wild accusation. With absolutely no evidence or proof of any sort she decides he's right and of course, it turns out he is. Lots of 'instinctive' feelings running around. Who needs ratiocination or proof? The cold fish upper-class jerk with lots of political pull who instigated the murder, gets conveniently killed, leaving only her low-class former con henchman alive. And you know how easy it is to trip them up and trap them, because they're stupid, and then punish them because they have no power. Gag.
Our heroine is alleged to have been a cop for years, but when a sexy man makes suggestive remarks, her heart pounds, she blushes, goes weak
in the knees and generally shakes all over. She's aways blushing about something or other. Really?
Someone apparently told Ms Lester the importance of the telling detail, but she missed understanding the importance of "telling". I do not need to know what color of blush & lipstick she's putting on. Really. Although she remarked that farming is hard on clothes and her wardrobe is mostly jeans & tees, she has just the right chic outfit for every occasion. Including, apparently, a wardrobe of shoes to make Imelda jealous. She's now a 'struggling' farmer & before that a cop who never got the promotion she deserved. Where DID all that money come from? And this struggling farmer? When the dead man's brother gives her a large check to investigate, her first thought, I kid you not, was granite countertops for the kitchen. Uh, no.
No evidence or clues need apply either. She wanders around asking pointless questions until one day the dead man's lover makes a wild accusation. With absolutely no evidence or proof of any sort she decides he's right and of course, it turns out he is. Lots of 'instinctive' feelings running around. Who needs ratiocination or proof? The cold fish upper-class jerk with lots of political pull who instigated the murder, gets conveniently killed, leaving only her low-class former con henchman alive. And you know how easy it is to trip them up and trap them, because they're stupid, and then punish them because they have no power. Gag.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 11, 2017
A solid start to a new series! The main character, Abby, is a former police woman who left the force due to a thumb injury. She follows another passion of hers when she inherits the Henny Penny Farmette and becomes a bee keeper and farmer. However, she can’t give up investigative work altogether, so she moonlights as a private eye. When a local chef appears to have committed suicide, Abby knows there is more to the death than meets the eye. The victim’s brother hires her to prove what really happened. I enjoyed the book since Abby as a sleuth is plausible. For the first time I will actually use a few and tips and recipes included in a cozy. I can’t wait to try the honey almond madeleines and benefit from the tips on growing lavender!
August 24, 2015
This is an original review from http://bookedandloaded.com - I was provided a copy of this title from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own and are not influenced in any way.
A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester is the first book in her Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series. With legions of inconsistencies this book ended up being a clear DNF for me.
In full disclosure about my DNF policy and reviews I want to start off by saying that I did read more than 50% of this book. I persevered through with brute force, but after hitting the over 50% mark I decided life was just too short to finish this book. Honestly, one of the reasons I picked up this book was the beekeeping aspect. This is close to home for me, as we keep bees in real life. I was curious to see how the author incorporated it into her story. The beekeeping was actually well written, but everything else was a mess of inconsistencies and confusion and the worst thing is, I don't even blame the author. BETA readers and editors should have been all over these issues, but apparently not.
The inconsistencies jumped from everything to where characters were from, magical downpours, being attracted to everyone, bits of information that added nothing to the story and timeline issues. Oh, and magical smells - example - your character cannot smoke a cigarette and then 2 seconds later smell like "high notes of mint and basil counterbalanced with a woodsy undertone and a hint of musk". Do you want to know what he would smell like? A F*$*@ CIGARETTE! I also become annoyed with bits of very detailed information provided via characters that either did not fit that character or just added absolutely nothing to the story. Every word and bit of information should serve a purpose and fit the character providing the information. You cannot set your character to be a farmer that is not big on girly things and then give me an entire paragraph having her describe what year her perfume was made in. It just doesn't fit. Nothing in this story worked for me and although I felt the overall story had some substance, the execution did not even come close to being something I could ever recommend.
I did not nit-pick this book either. There was a ton of little things I let go, mostly due to the fact that cozy mysteries tend to have some of these elements - even though they are inaccurate - they make for a better story. I don't want to sit her and list all of things that were inconsistent or made absolutely NO sense about A Beeline to Murder, so I am just going to leave this review with one last thought. This was not for me. I didn't just not like it, It was a chore to read at all and the biggest mystery was not the mystery you would expect. It is the 1,000 unintended mysteries that made me close the book for good.
I rate A Beeline to Murder 1 out of 5 Bullets!
A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester is the first book in her Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series. With legions of inconsistencies this book ended up being a clear DNF for me.
In full disclosure about my DNF policy and reviews I want to start off by saying that I did read more than 50% of this book. I persevered through with brute force, but after hitting the over 50% mark I decided life was just too short to finish this book. Honestly, one of the reasons I picked up this book was the beekeeping aspect. This is close to home for me, as we keep bees in real life. I was curious to see how the author incorporated it into her story. The beekeeping was actually well written, but everything else was a mess of inconsistencies and confusion and the worst thing is, I don't even blame the author. BETA readers and editors should have been all over these issues, but apparently not.
The inconsistencies jumped from everything to where characters were from, magical downpours, being attracted to everyone, bits of information that added nothing to the story and timeline issues. Oh, and magical smells - example - your character cannot smoke a cigarette and then 2 seconds later smell like "high notes of mint and basil counterbalanced with a woodsy undertone and a hint of musk". Do you want to know what he would smell like? A F*$*@ CIGARETTE! I also become annoyed with bits of very detailed information provided via characters that either did not fit that character or just added absolutely nothing to the story. Every word and bit of information should serve a purpose and fit the character providing the information. You cannot set your character to be a farmer that is not big on girly things and then give me an entire paragraph having her describe what year her perfume was made in. It just doesn't fit. Nothing in this story worked for me and although I felt the overall story had some substance, the execution did not even come close to being something I could ever recommend.
I did not nit-pick this book either. There was a ton of little things I let go, mostly due to the fact that cozy mysteries tend to have some of these elements - even though they are inaccurate - they make for a better story. I don't want to sit her and list all of things that were inconsistent or made absolutely NO sense about A Beeline to Murder, so I am just going to leave this review with one last thought. This was not for me. I didn't just not like it, It was a chore to read at all and the biggest mystery was not the mystery you would expect. It is the 1,000 unintended mysteries that made me close the book for good.
I rate A Beeline to Murder 1 out of 5 Bullets!
August 16, 2015
This is book 1 in the Henny Penny Farmette Mystery Series featuring former police officer Abigail Mackenzie or Abby as she is known to her friends. Abby had to leave the force due to an injury so she completely changed her career when she took up farming and Bee keeping in the scenic Bay Area town of Las Flores where life has a laid back feel to it.
When one of Abby's regular honey customers is suddenly found dead by Abby her former police instincts come back into force and it's not long before she can add slueth to her daily routine of farming and collecting honey as she tries to find out why her friend died and how . Having friends in the police force is going to come in very handy when it comes to finding a low down criminal!
I loved this mystery! Abby and her friend Kat make a great team at solving crimes and all the characters are interesting and the setting was awesome ! The added extras at the beginning and or end of each chapter with tips about farming/ life or recipes made this even more enjoyable and I would highly recommend this to any mystery fan !
I received this book through the lovely people at Netgalley.
When one of Abby's regular honey customers is suddenly found dead by Abby her former police instincts come back into force and it's not long before she can add slueth to her daily routine of farming and collecting honey as she tries to find out why her friend died and how . Having friends in the police force is going to come in very handy when it comes to finding a low down criminal!
I loved this mystery! Abby and her friend Kat make a great team at solving crimes and all the characters are interesting and the setting was awesome ! The added extras at the beginning and or end of each chapter with tips about farming/ life or recipes made this even more enjoyable and I would highly recommend this to any mystery fan !
I received this book through the lovely people at Netgalley.
August 30, 2016
Because of a hand injury, Abigale had to retire from the local police department and take up farming and beekeeping. While delivering honey to a local chef, she discovers his body and the coroner decides it's suicide. Convinced it's murder she helps her friends on the force investigate and knows she's on the right track when people start dying. A great cozy mystery that is sure to be a hit as the Henny Penny Farmette mystery series continues. I've never read Meera Lester before but I'll put her on my list of authors to look for.
March 18, 2018
Abigail Mackenzie pushed the trowel deep into the soft, loamy earth where she had been planting lavender from gallon pots.
Abby is a former cop who is trying to fun a farm following a life changing injury prevented her from doing her job. She ahs chickens, bees and a lovely garden that she is using to make a living. Her honey is becoming well known and is used by a local pastry chef. Abby uses her investigative skills when she discovers the chef dead in his kitchen when she drops off his weekly honey.
This is a very good start to the series. There is a lot of good information about beekeeping and gardening. I found that quite enjoyable. Abby has a good relationship with several of her former co=workers which makes her investigation easier after the police chief closes the case as a suicide.
The characters are well rounded and the small town makes you feel like a neighbor. The chef's brother arrives and joins forces with Abby to find the murderer.
Early clues led me to consider the murderer. I just didn't quite get the accomplices at that time.
The beginning of a love triangle is present. I'm not sure if one character will be back in future books so maybe we will just deal with a local.
Really nice gardening tips are scattered throughout. I look forward to the next book.
Abby is a former cop who is trying to fun a farm following a life changing injury prevented her from doing her job. She ahs chickens, bees and a lovely garden that she is using to make a living. Her honey is becoming well known and is used by a local pastry chef. Abby uses her investigative skills when she discovers the chef dead in his kitchen when she drops off his weekly honey.
This is a very good start to the series. There is a lot of good information about beekeeping and gardening. I found that quite enjoyable. Abby has a good relationship with several of her former co=workers which makes her investigation easier after the police chief closes the case as a suicide.
The characters are well rounded and the small town makes you feel like a neighbor. The chef's brother arrives and joins forces with Abby to find the murderer.
Early clues led me to consider the murderer. I just didn't quite get the accomplices at that time.
The beginning of a love triangle is present. I'm not sure if one character will be back in future books so maybe we will just deal with a local.
Really nice gardening tips are scattered throughout. I look forward to the next book.
September 29, 2015
A Beeline to Murder by Meera Lester is the first book in A Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series. Abigail Mackenzie is thirty-seven years old and is hard at work on her farmette (a small residential farm). She supplements her income by being a private investigator (helping the local DA with cases). Abby also has honey bees and sells honey. Her best customer is Chef Jean-Louis Bonheur and his pastry shop. When Abby arrives to deliver his lavender honey, no one answers. She discovers Chef Jean-Louis dead in the kitchen. It looks like he was strangled. Abby immediately calls the police. Abby was a police officer for seven years until her hand was injured (her thumb is not consistently stable which means she cannot shoot a gun). Her friend, Officer Katerina “Kat” Petrovky is the officer assigned the case (Abby is thankful that Chief Bob Allen did not show up).
The preliminary investigation concludes it was suicide. The victim’s brother, Philippe Bonheur does not believe it. He knows that his brother would never kills himself and even had a trip to the Caribbean planned for his birthday. Philippe hires Abby to investigate the crime and prove it was murder. Abby investigates the crime with Philippe’s help in between taking care of her chickens, swarming bees (moving to a new location), handling Sugar (Chef Jean-Louis’ dog), and planting appropriate plants for her bees. Abby can really use the money from the case to help fix up her house (which needs work). Will Abby be able to prove Chef Jean-Louis was murdered? Who wanted Chef Jean-Louis dead?
I enjoyed reading A Beeline to Murder. It is a cute cozy mystery with the lovely setting of Las Flores, California. Abby Mackenzie is a likeable main character, but I wish we were given more information about her. The information we are given is given out in little bits throughout the story (which I found frustrating). We are not given a lot of information about the other characters in the book (I do know that Philippe is extremely handsome as it was mentioned several times). I think the characters just need to be fleshed out a little bit (given life). The author provided good clues to the mystery and provided a little twist at the end. I found the person responsible for the crime to be obvious, but that could just be me (I picked out the person responsible not long after the character was introduced). Overall, it is a good first book. I will definitely read the next book in the series. The one thing I did not like was that the crime happened almost immediately at the beginning of the story. I think we needed a little more of an introduction before we get to the dead person. I give A Beeline to Murder 4 out of 5 stars. The books does provide some great tips on taking care of bees, making good honey, and the right type of fauna to plant for bees (makes me wish I was not allergic to them).
I received a complimentary copy of A Beeline to Murder from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
The preliminary investigation concludes it was suicide. The victim’s brother, Philippe Bonheur does not believe it. He knows that his brother would never kills himself and even had a trip to the Caribbean planned for his birthday. Philippe hires Abby to investigate the crime and prove it was murder. Abby investigates the crime with Philippe’s help in between taking care of her chickens, swarming bees (moving to a new location), handling Sugar (Chef Jean-Louis’ dog), and planting appropriate plants for her bees. Abby can really use the money from the case to help fix up her house (which needs work). Will Abby be able to prove Chef Jean-Louis was murdered? Who wanted Chef Jean-Louis dead?
I enjoyed reading A Beeline to Murder. It is a cute cozy mystery with the lovely setting of Las Flores, California. Abby Mackenzie is a likeable main character, but I wish we were given more information about her. The information we are given is given out in little bits throughout the story (which I found frustrating). We are not given a lot of information about the other characters in the book (I do know that Philippe is extremely handsome as it was mentioned several times). I think the characters just need to be fleshed out a little bit (given life). The author provided good clues to the mystery and provided a little twist at the end. I found the person responsible for the crime to be obvious, but that could just be me (I picked out the person responsible not long after the character was introduced). Overall, it is a good first book. I will definitely read the next book in the series. The one thing I did not like was that the crime happened almost immediately at the beginning of the story. I think we needed a little more of an introduction before we get to the dead person. I give A Beeline to Murder 4 out of 5 stars. The books does provide some great tips on taking care of bees, making good honey, and the right type of fauna to plant for bees (makes me wish I was not allergic to them).
I received a complimentary copy of A Beeline to Murder from NetGalley (and the publisher) in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...
September 29, 2015
Mystery, romance, bees, honey, organic farming, pastries, wild animals, dog, bigotry and grief are all cover in the first of a new series. The story centers around Abigail MacKenzie aka Abby, a police officer forced into retirement by a minor injury. She will soon become a friend as her character is well developed. The supporting characters are also well developed giving depth to the story. Abby has brought a small farm on the edge of town. She plans to raise bees, chickens, ogranic vegetables and enjoy being her own boss. Delivering honey to the pastry shop she finds the Chef dead. The police rule it suicide. Abby is hired my his brother to investigate the reasons for the death. She need to find answers so the brother can move on. This book has many changes of direction that will keep you in suspense. The stories about the animals are fun reading. There are delicious sounding recipes included. I will definitely look for more books by the author.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
Disclosure: I received a free copy from Kensington Books through Netgalley for an honest review. I would like to thank them for this opportunity to read and review the book. The opinions are my own.
April 21, 2017
This was a great book! I loved everything about it, and can't wait until the next one!
March 29, 2018
Abby was a cop that got hurt in an accident and could no longer fire a gun accurately. She needed another job so she bought a Farmette and became a bee keeper. Abby delivers her honey to Jean-Louis, a chef that runs a pastry place in the small town where they live. When delivering her honey one morning, Abby discovers the chef on the floor of his shop.
The death is ruled a suicide but if so how did the chef get on the floor. He didn't remove himself from the noose.
Enter Philippe, the chef's brother, who does not believe he committed suicide and hires Abby to find the truth.
Lots of twists and turns, but pretty obvious about three quarters of the way through who did the deed. For that I gave it a 3. I liked Abby and her friend Kat and the love interests in Abby's life. I would read on in the series.
July 28, 2017
Abigail (Abby) Mackenzie is a former police officer who, due to an injury, has had to make a career change. Abby loves to garden and is a beekeeper. This seemingly low key career involves her in solving the murder of a chef that bought her farm goods and honey.
Abby is a likeable character who, while dedicated to her new life, still wants to help solve the crime. I enjoyed the supporting characters and the descriptions of Abby's farm and life made me want to grow something!
I'm looking forward to reading the,second book in the series!
Abby is a likeable character who, while dedicated to her new life, still wants to help solve the crime. I enjoyed the supporting characters and the descriptions of Abby's farm and life made me want to grow something!
I'm looking forward to reading the,second book in the series!
September 7, 2018
This is the first book in the henny penny farmette series . Abigail is an ex cop who now runs a bee farm. When she goes to deliver a jar of honey to a localnchef she finds him dead with a noose around his neck. The police think it is a suicide so they close the case. The chef's brother hires Abby to prove the his brother was murdered . She works with her friends in the police department and the chef's brother to put all the pieces together .
I thought this was a good first book in the series . The characters were well put together and very likable. I definitely plan to read more in this series .
I thought this was a good first book in the series . The characters were well put together and very likable. I definitely plan to read more in this series .
September 27, 2017
For complete review check out my blog at https://booksaplentybookreviews.blogs... after September 27, 2017.
December 17, 2015
Three and a half stars: A realistic cozy, with a cute farm and a former cop as the heroine.
Abby is hurriedly trying to get the last of her lavender planted before she has to go into town and deliver honey. She knows that Chef Jean-Louis doesn't like it when she is tardy. Just then, When Abby arrives at the pastry shop, something isn't right. The cakes are burning in the oven, and the Chef is nowhere to be found. Abby finds him lying dead on the pantry floor, apparently strangled. The coroner rules the death as a suicide, but Abby isn't completely convinced, nor is the chef's brother, Philippe. Philippe hires Abby to find the truth, and as a former cop, Abby knows a thing or two about solving crime. Did the Chef kill himself or was he murdered?
What I Liked:
* A Beeline to Murder is a cozy that actually comes across as realistic. I appreciated that the heroine is a retired cop, so she is someone who knows a thing or two about solving a murder. It was nice to read a cozy mystery with a heroine who was competent and realistic, not one who runs some type of bake shop and is forced to help solve the crime because of incompetent law enforcement. Abby is indeed capable of tracking down the murderer, and she works closely with her friend, Kat, who is still on the force.
*This mystery incorporates a cozy farm setting. Abby retired after an injury. Now days, she is running a small farm, where she keeps bees and collects honey. I enjoyed the country setting, and I liked all the interesting tidbits that were included regarding farming.
*Many cozy mysteries tend to have recipes or how to information at the end, but this book does something a bit different. Instead of including everything at the end, the author incorporates recipes and how to articles before each new chapter. There are recipes, information on bee keeping, how to dry mint, how to make lavender essence and so on. I thought it was fun to have these included throughout the book. One other touch that I liked was that before each chapter, there was a small quote from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac.
*The overall murder mystery was well done. First, I liked that the murder victim wasn't some cartoonish villain who behaves badly and has a negative reputation amongst the town. Instead, the chef is well liked by most people. At first, it seems that he might have committed suicide, but the more Abby digs, she learns that all isn't as it seems. There are several suspects and motives, and I was guessing until the end. This is a well thought out, realistic cozy.
*One other thing that I appreciated was that the local law enforcement wasn't bumbling and incompetent. Abby is a former cop, and she works closely with the police to find the truth. This added a layer of realism to the story.
*The book draws to a satisfactory close. No loose ends as far as the mystery is concerned. There are of course, story lines to follow up on in the next book. Rest assured, there isn't a cliffhanger.
And The Not So Much:
*I was bothered that I never learned exactly what happened to Abby. She suffered some type of injury to her hand that forced her to retire. I wanted the backstory of her injury, retirement and how she came to own the farm.
*There is a bit of romance, but it didn't really work for me. There is an attraction and some sparks, but it doesn't really go anywhere. It has potential, but right now, I am ambivalent as far as the romance goes. It can stay or go. There was also a hint that a love triangle might occur, I am hoping not.
*I was wanting to know a bit more about a certain character's relationship with his wife. Why did her marry her? Did she know about his secret life all along? I thought this part of the story needed more detail.
Beeline To Murder is a cozy mystery that is on the realistic side. The main character is a retired cop, so she is capable of solving crimes. I liked that she worked with the police, it gave it a more realistic feel. I also enjoyed the farm setting and all the fun tidbits and recipes that were included. This is a cozy for people who like their cozies to have a sense of realism. If you are wanting a good mystery pick this one up.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
Abby is hurriedly trying to get the last of her lavender planted before she has to go into town and deliver honey. She knows that Chef Jean-Louis doesn't like it when she is tardy. Just then, When Abby arrives at the pastry shop, something isn't right. The cakes are burning in the oven, and the Chef is nowhere to be found. Abby finds him lying dead on the pantry floor, apparently strangled. The coroner rules the death as a suicide, but Abby isn't completely convinced, nor is the chef's brother, Philippe. Philippe hires Abby to find the truth, and as a former cop, Abby knows a thing or two about solving crime. Did the Chef kill himself or was he murdered?
What I Liked:
* A Beeline to Murder is a cozy that actually comes across as realistic. I appreciated that the heroine is a retired cop, so she is someone who knows a thing or two about solving a murder. It was nice to read a cozy mystery with a heroine who was competent and realistic, not one who runs some type of bake shop and is forced to help solve the crime because of incompetent law enforcement. Abby is indeed capable of tracking down the murderer, and she works closely with her friend, Kat, who is still on the force.
*This mystery incorporates a cozy farm setting. Abby retired after an injury. Now days, she is running a small farm, where she keeps bees and collects honey. I enjoyed the country setting, and I liked all the interesting tidbits that were included regarding farming.
*Many cozy mysteries tend to have recipes or how to information at the end, but this book does something a bit different. Instead of including everything at the end, the author incorporates recipes and how to articles before each new chapter. There are recipes, information on bee keeping, how to dry mint, how to make lavender essence and so on. I thought it was fun to have these included throughout the book. One other touch that I liked was that before each chapter, there was a small quote from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac.
*The overall murder mystery was well done. First, I liked that the murder victim wasn't some cartoonish villain who behaves badly and has a negative reputation amongst the town. Instead, the chef is well liked by most people. At first, it seems that he might have committed suicide, but the more Abby digs, she learns that all isn't as it seems. There are several suspects and motives, and I was guessing until the end. This is a well thought out, realistic cozy.
*One other thing that I appreciated was that the local law enforcement wasn't bumbling and incompetent. Abby is a former cop, and she works closely with the police to find the truth. This added a layer of realism to the story.
*The book draws to a satisfactory close. No loose ends as far as the mystery is concerned. There are of course, story lines to follow up on in the next book. Rest assured, there isn't a cliffhanger.
And The Not So Much:
*I was bothered that I never learned exactly what happened to Abby. She suffered some type of injury to her hand that forced her to retire. I wanted the backstory of her injury, retirement and how she came to own the farm.
*There is a bit of romance, but it didn't really work for me. There is an attraction and some sparks, but it doesn't really go anywhere. It has potential, but right now, I am ambivalent as far as the romance goes. It can stay or go. There was also a hint that a love triangle might occur, I am hoping not.
*I was wanting to know a bit more about a certain character's relationship with his wife. Why did her marry her? Did she know about his secret life all along? I thought this part of the story needed more detail.
Beeline To Murder is a cozy mystery that is on the realistic side. The main character is a retired cop, so she is capable of solving crimes. I liked that she worked with the police, it gave it a more realistic feel. I also enjoyed the farm setting and all the fun tidbits and recipes that were included. This is a cozy for people who like their cozies to have a sense of realism. If you are wanting a good mystery pick this one up.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own, and I was not compensated for this review.
Posted@Rainy Day Ramblings.
August 20, 2015
Synopsis:
From peacekeeper to beekeeper…
After an injury forced her to leave the police department, Abigail Mackenzie started a second career as a farmer. Raising chickens, harvesting honey from her bee colony, and growing heirloom vegetables on her farmette in the beautiful Bay Area town of Las Flores, Abby has embraced all the benefits of a peaceful life.
But when she attempts to deliver her trademark honey to local pastry chef Jean-Louis Bonheur and finds him dead in his shop, her old investigative instincts kick in. After the coroner rules the death a suicide, the chef’s handsome French-Canadian brother insists on hiring Abby to find out who really killed Jean-Louis.
With the patience of a farmer and the industriousness of a bee, Abby sorts through a swarm of suspects, including the chef’s landlord, his protégé, an eccentric homeless woman, loan sharks, and a brawny biker. But as she closes in on the truth, she’ll need more than her beekeeper suit to protect her from a killer’s sting…
Includes farming tips and delicious recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
Abby is a beekeeper and farmer who used to work with the police force. She was injured and left the police department to work with her bees, and try her hand at her farmette. She enjoys the quieter pace and is fascinated with her beekeeping. While making a delivery of honey to a neighborhood pastry chef, Abby finds his body. It appears to be a suicide, but Abby cannot shake the feeling that something is not right with that determination. She knows that the chef had a sharp tongue and at times argued with people and she thinks that this may be a case of murder instead of suicide. When the chef’s brother shows up insisting that his brother did not kill himself, he hires Abby to look into the death. Even though Abby has enough to keep herself busy, Abby knows that once a policeman, always a policeman, and she agrees to investigate.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I think Abby is a tough but fair heroine and I really liked the fact that she is an ex-policemen. To me that made the story of her looking into the death much more believable. And the fact that she still has some friends on the force to get information added even more believability. She has a harder side to her personality that serves her well in her investigating. But she also has a softer side that served her well in her beekeeping and farming career. And the fact that she took in the chef’s dog, Sugar, and bonded so well with her made me like her even more.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and there are enough twists and turns to keep even the most avid mystery fan guessing. I like there is the beginnings of a romance for Abby and that it is progressing slowly. I also enjoyed the information contained within the book, from tips for beekeeping and gardening to delicious sounding recipes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I think this book is a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading the next one when it is released.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
From peacekeeper to beekeeper…
After an injury forced her to leave the police department, Abigail Mackenzie started a second career as a farmer. Raising chickens, harvesting honey from her bee colony, and growing heirloom vegetables on her farmette in the beautiful Bay Area town of Las Flores, Abby has embraced all the benefits of a peaceful life.
But when she attempts to deliver her trademark honey to local pastry chef Jean-Louis Bonheur and finds him dead in his shop, her old investigative instincts kick in. After the coroner rules the death a suicide, the chef’s handsome French-Canadian brother insists on hiring Abby to find out who really killed Jean-Louis.
With the patience of a farmer and the industriousness of a bee, Abby sorts through a swarm of suspects, including the chef’s landlord, his protégé, an eccentric homeless woman, loan sharks, and a brawny biker. But as she closes in on the truth, she’ll need more than her beekeeper suit to protect her from a killer’s sting…
Includes farming tips and delicious recipes! (Goodreads)
Review:
Abby is a beekeeper and farmer who used to work with the police force. She was injured and left the police department to work with her bees, and try her hand at her farmette. She enjoys the quieter pace and is fascinated with her beekeeping. While making a delivery of honey to a neighborhood pastry chef, Abby finds his body. It appears to be a suicide, but Abby cannot shake the feeling that something is not right with that determination. She knows that the chef had a sharp tongue and at times argued with people and she thinks that this may be a case of murder instead of suicide. When the chef’s brother shows up insisting that his brother did not kill himself, he hires Abby to look into the death. Even though Abby has enough to keep herself busy, Abby knows that once a policeman, always a policeman, and she agrees to investigate.
The characters are well developed and well rounded. I think Abby is a tough but fair heroine and I really liked the fact that she is an ex-policemen. To me that made the story of her looking into the death much more believable. And the fact that she still has some friends on the force to get information added even more believability. She has a harder side to her personality that serves her well in her investigating. But she also has a softer side that served her well in her beekeeping and farming career. And the fact that she took in the chef’s dog, Sugar, and bonded so well with her made me like her even more.
The writing style flows smoothly and the book is an easy read. The mystery is carried on throughout the entire book and there are enough twists and turns to keep even the most avid mystery fan guessing. I like there is the beginnings of a romance for Abby and that it is progressing slowly. I also enjoyed the information contained within the book, from tips for beekeeping and gardening to delicious sounding recipes.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I think this book is a good start to a new series and I look forward to reading the next one when it is released.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Kensington Press for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 7, 2015
This new series is worth the read! From the beginning you get to know Abigail who is a former policewomen turned farmer after an accident sidelined her career. She has embraced the farm life and her wonderful bees. She loves her bees and the trademark honey they produce. She delivers her honey to the local pastry chef Jean-Louis Bonheur like she does on a regular basis only to find him dead in his kitchen. At first glance it appears that he has committed suicide but after her gut kicks in and she begins to look at the scene she realizes that things just don't add up. The further she looks into his death the more she questions the theory that everyone has in the community. Then his brother shows up and convinces her to keep digging into the case even though it may become a closed. She agrees to help him find the truth no matter the cost.
The characters in this book were very well written and intriguing. Abigail for instance is a very strong women who has had alot happen to her in the past few years. She has gone from being a policewomen with a great boyfriend to a beekeeper on a farm alone. I love how the author shows her softer side in the different decisions that she makes throughout the book. She has some great friends on the department who she knows will stick by her through thick or thin. Her friends come to the rescue a few times especially with favors although she does have to repay them in ways that she would rather not:)
Was it murder or was it suicide??? This is the question that she must answer for Jean-Louis brother and for herself before someone else gets hurt. What will people do to protect a secret that could destroy everything???
This book was a pleasure to read. It progressed at a great pace. You don't feel rushed and get to know all the characters. I loved how the author incorporated different recipes, antidotes and beekeeping ideas throughout the book before each chapter.
If you are looking for a great new cozy series that has everything from murder, romance, adventure, and intrigue to the everyday struggles of starting a new chapter in life like Abigail you have found it in this book. This book has you gripped and not knowing what is coming next. For those who love a great mystery that you can't solve till the very end you will not be able to put this book down. I look forward to more of this series.
The characters in this book were very well written and intriguing. Abigail for instance is a very strong women who has had alot happen to her in the past few years. She has gone from being a policewomen with a great boyfriend to a beekeeper on a farm alone. I love how the author shows her softer side in the different decisions that she makes throughout the book. She has some great friends on the department who she knows will stick by her through thick or thin. Her friends come to the rescue a few times especially with favors although she does have to repay them in ways that she would rather not:)
Was it murder or was it suicide??? This is the question that she must answer for Jean-Louis brother and for herself before someone else gets hurt. What will people do to protect a secret that could destroy everything???
This book was a pleasure to read. It progressed at a great pace. You don't feel rushed and get to know all the characters. I loved how the author incorporated different recipes, antidotes and beekeeping ideas throughout the book before each chapter.
If you are looking for a great new cozy series that has everything from murder, romance, adventure, and intrigue to the everyday struggles of starting a new chapter in life like Abigail you have found it in this book. This book has you gripped and not knowing what is coming next. For those who love a great mystery that you can't solve till the very end you will not be able to put this book down. I look forward to more of this series.
July 31, 2015
A Beeline to Murder is a delectable mystery, certain to whet the appetite of any cozy lover.
Abigail Mackenzie may have left police work in order to pursue life as a beekeeper and farmer, but that doesn't mean she has lost her sharp eye and her investigator's instincts.
When she discovers the body of local celebrity pastry chef Jean Louis, ligature marks on his neck, Abigail is suspicious. But the coroner rules the death a suicide and the cost conscious Chief of Police closes the case.
Jean-Louis’s brother, Phillipe hires Abigail to prove Jean Louis didn’t commit suicide and to find his killer. Jean Louis, though popular with many, was not without enemies - and Abigail’s investigation may stir a murderer to kill again.
Abigail Mackenzie is the perfect protagonist. Her past experience as a police officer serves her well in her investigations, as does her friendships within the department. She acts with pragmatism and thoughtfulness, as well as compassion. The taste of budding romance with Phillipe is a nice touch, but I was even more fond of Sugar, Jean Louis’s pointer/whippet mix.
I really enjoyed the tips about bees and farming that were included in each chapter. I especially liked the recipes. I know of a couple dogs who are looking forward to me making a batch of the dog treats.
A great story, an interesting lead, a beautiful setting, a touch of romance, and recipes - what more could a mystery lover want.
5/5
A Beeline to Murder is available for preorder and will be released September 30, 2015.
I received a copy of A Beeline to Murder from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
Abigail Mackenzie may have left police work in order to pursue life as a beekeeper and farmer, but that doesn't mean she has lost her sharp eye and her investigator's instincts.
When she discovers the body of local celebrity pastry chef Jean Louis, ligature marks on his neck, Abigail is suspicious. But the coroner rules the death a suicide and the cost conscious Chief of Police closes the case.
Jean-Louis’s brother, Phillipe hires Abigail to prove Jean Louis didn’t commit suicide and to find his killer. Jean Louis, though popular with many, was not without enemies - and Abigail’s investigation may stir a murderer to kill again.
Abigail Mackenzie is the perfect protagonist. Her past experience as a police officer serves her well in her investigations, as does her friendships within the department. She acts with pragmatism and thoughtfulness, as well as compassion. The taste of budding romance with Phillipe is a nice touch, but I was even more fond of Sugar, Jean Louis’s pointer/whippet mix.
I really enjoyed the tips about bees and farming that were included in each chapter. I especially liked the recipes. I know of a couple dogs who are looking forward to me making a batch of the dog treats.
A great story, an interesting lead, a beautiful setting, a touch of romance, and recipes - what more could a mystery lover want.
5/5
A Beeline to Murder is available for preorder and will be released September 30, 2015.
I received a copy of A Beeline to Murder from the publisher and netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
—Crittermom
April 2, 2022
New series to me, but I had to keep checking that it was the first one in the series because the narrator kept referring to the MC's previous investigations. All in all, it was a fairly good mystery with some unexpected twists.
Abby, a farmer and beekeeper, is taking some of her honey to the pastry chef in town, but when she walks into the kitchen, she finds him dead on the floor. It looks like he hung himself, but then, who cut him down, and where is his apron and the rope? With the help of policewoman Kat and the chef's brother, Phillippe, Abby looks for the killer.
Abby, a farmer and beekeeper, is taking some of her honey to the pastry chef in town, but when she walks into the kitchen, she finds him dead on the floor. It looks like he hung himself, but then, who cut him down, and where is his apron and the rope? With the help of policewoman Kat and the chef's brother, Phillippe, Abby looks for the killer.
February 7, 2017
3 stelle e 1/2
La protagonista, Abby, è un'ex-poliziotta che ora manda avanti una piccola fattoria, dove coltiva ortaggi biologici ed alleva api. Interessante è il fatto che ogni capitolo si apra con una frase tratta da un ipotetico almanacco della fattoria e si chiuda con consigli inerenti all'apicoltura o al giardinaggio o con ricette.
La parte gialla è davvero buona: Abby fa anche l'investigatrice privata part-time, quindi qui ci sono delle vere e proprie indagini, non come in altri cozy mystery dove la protagonista quasi inciampa negli indizi e nel colpevole. Aiuta, poi, il fatto che la sua migliore amica sia una poliziotta...
Quello che non mi è proprio piaciuto e che mi ha fatto dare mezza stella in meno, è stato il fatto che il fratello del defunto è stato dipinto come una cascamorto francese un po' schizzinoso sugli usi americani. Peccato che il tizio sia, in realtà, un canadese francofono che abita a New York fin da quando era un ragazzino... E che, pur facendo gli occhi dolci a tutte le donne che incontra, stia contemporaneamente piangendo la morte del fratello. In più Abby fa la figura della donna in calore in quanto è attratta sia da lui che dal vicino di fattoria (che, per la cronaca, mi sembra molto più realistico del "francese").
La protagonista, Abby, è un'ex-poliziotta che ora manda avanti una piccola fattoria, dove coltiva ortaggi biologici ed alleva api. Interessante è il fatto che ogni capitolo si apra con una frase tratta da un ipotetico almanacco della fattoria e si chiuda con consigli inerenti all'apicoltura o al giardinaggio o con ricette.
La parte gialla è davvero buona: Abby fa anche l'investigatrice privata part-time, quindi qui ci sono delle vere e proprie indagini, non come in altri cozy mystery dove la protagonista quasi inciampa negli indizi e nel colpevole. Aiuta, poi, il fatto che la sua migliore amica sia una poliziotta...
Quello che non mi è proprio piaciuto e che mi ha fatto dare mezza stella in meno, è stato il fatto che il fratello del defunto è stato dipinto come una cascamorto francese un po' schizzinoso sugli usi americani. Peccato che il tizio sia, in realtà, un canadese francofono che abita a New York fin da quando era un ragazzino... E che, pur facendo gli occhi dolci a tutte le donne che incontra, stia contemporaneamente piangendo la morte del fratello. In più Abby fa la figura della donna in calore in quanto è attratta sia da lui che dal vicino di fattoria (che, per la cronaca, mi sembra molto più realistico del "francese").
October 13, 2015
A great debut for a cozy series that I look forward to following in the future. I enjoyed learning about beekeeping in the process of reading this mystery...it's a lot more fascinating than I would have expected it to be.
Other things I liked about the book were the excerpts from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the tips and recipes at the end of the chapters. I've saved a couple of the recipes to try out in the future!
The story is well-written and exciting. The action is nearly constant, but you don't feel the author is rushing any of the plot points. The characters are well-developed and personable--people I look forward to getting to know better as the series progresses.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
Other things I liked about the book were the excerpts from the Henny Penny Farmette Almanac at the beginning of each chapter, as well as the tips and recipes at the end of the chapters. I've saved a couple of the recipes to try out in the future!
The story is well-written and exciting. The action is nearly constant, but you don't feel the author is rushing any of the plot points. The characters are well-developed and personable--people I look forward to getting to know better as the series progresses.
**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are entirely my own.**
August 20, 2015
This was an excellent start to a series. It was a very good story! Abby has been forced to retire from the police dept. due to an injury to her thumb, but she has started her own farmette. When she's making honey deliveries to a chef in town she finds him dead. Of course she can't stop herself from doing a little investigation of the scene and goes even further when the chef's brother comes to town and is convinced the chef didn't commit suicide. This book offers recipes, tips and little tidbits along with the story. Very good read!
I received an advanced ecopy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I received an advanced ecopy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2015
I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest reveiw. This is the first book I have read by this author. I found the writing to be enjoyable and the plot and characters to be well developed. I also liked the background and education on bee keeping. This was a pleasant read and I will look for other books written by this author.
August 16, 2015
I LOVED this book! This one keeps you guessing till the very end. The characters are became fast friends in this first in series cozy. Well written with a steady story pace this is one book thats not to BEE missed. I can't wait for the next caper!
I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
I was given an advance copy of this book by the publisher and Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
June 30, 2018
Totally innane
Starts off okay, except for the stupid use of the term farmette. Then goes down hill quickly. Too much drivel about clothes and shoes and makeup. Not enough mystery. Don't bother.
Starts off okay, except for the stupid use of the term farmette. Then goes down hill quickly. Too much drivel about clothes and shoes and makeup. Not enough mystery. Don't bother.
March 2, 2020
First in the Henny Penny Farmette series.
Abby has retired from the police force, due to an injury to her thumb. After surgeries, it still isn't quite right, which would affect her ability to shoot her pistol, so in her retirement, she raises chickens, veg, and is a beekeeper. The honey she sells, including to the local bakery, run by Chef Jean-Louis. One day when delivering her shipment of honey to him, she finds his dead body. Suicide or murder? Jean-Louis' brother swears murder, and hires Abby, who also moonlights as a PI, to solve the murder.
I liked this book. Our MC has police experience, which makes her a natural for investigation (unlike many MCs who have zero experience but think they can be crime-solvers). I also liked the references to how hard it is to run a farmette; the bees (and how they swarm). As this was the first in series, there was a lot of character development going on. I feel I know a little less about the town than I'd like, but I'm assuming that there will be a continuation of fleshing out the location and the recurring characters.
There's a possible love (or lust) interest, and Abby seems to not recognize the signals from someone else who might be interested in her...and I like that potential match much better. Will have to read the next in series to see how things turn out.
All in all, an enjoyable read.
Abby has retired from the police force, due to an injury to her thumb. After surgeries, it still isn't quite right, which would affect her ability to shoot her pistol, so in her retirement, she raises chickens, veg, and is a beekeeper. The honey she sells, including to the local bakery, run by Chef Jean-Louis. One day when delivering her shipment of honey to him, she finds his dead body. Suicide or murder? Jean-Louis' brother swears murder, and hires Abby, who also moonlights as a PI, to solve the murder.
I liked this book. Our MC has police experience, which makes her a natural for investigation (unlike many MCs who have zero experience but think they can be crime-solvers). I also liked the references to how hard it is to run a farmette; the bees (and how they swarm). As this was the first in series, there was a lot of character development going on. I feel I know a little less about the town than I'd like, but I'm assuming that there will be a continuation of fleshing out the location and the recurring characters.
There's a possible love (or lust) interest, and Abby seems to not recognize the signals from someone else who might be interested in her...and I like that potential match much better. Will have to read the next in series to see how things turn out.
All in all, an enjoyable read.
June 17, 2017
2.5 Stars
A Beeline to Murder is the first in Meera Lester's Henny Penny Farmette Mystery Series. And the cozy mystery nearly was a miss for me for several reasons. First is the novel's format - Henny Penny Farmette tips at the beginning and more tips at chapter's end. I felt that the format really slowed the pace of the novel. Secondly, the late chef's good looking brother. Why did he pepper French words in every single one of his dialogue? Drove me nuts! Lastly, I figured out the "who-dunnit" and why, very early on in the story.
But I did enjoy Abby, the former Las Flores cop, turned small farmer and Beekeeper as the protagonist and her best friend, Kat whom is still on the force. Their banter had me chuckling and worked well untangling the murder - made to look like suicide - of Abby's favorite customer, Chef Jean-Louis.
A Beeline to Murder is the first in Meera Lester's Henny Penny Farmette Mystery Series. And the cozy mystery nearly was a miss for me for several reasons. First is the novel's format - Henny Penny Farmette tips at the beginning and more tips at chapter's end. I felt that the format really slowed the pace of the novel. Secondly, the late chef's good looking brother. Why did he pepper French words in every single one of his dialogue? Drove me nuts! Lastly, I figured out the "who-dunnit" and why, very early on in the story.
But I did enjoy Abby, the former Las Flores cop, turned small farmer and Beekeeper as the protagonist and her best friend, Kat whom is still on the force. Their banter had me chuckling and worked well untangling the murder - made to look like suicide - of Abby's favorite customer, Chef Jean-Louis.
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