Small-Town Bee Festival Mystery: Kill or Bee Killed - Jennie Marts

Why Should You Read – Kill or Bee Killed by Jennie Marts

Jennie Marts’ Kill or Bee Killed earns a delightful four stars for its charming blend of small-town coziness and edge-of-your-seat mystery. Set in the picturesque town of Humble Hills, Colorado, this novel revolves around the much-anticipated annual Bee Festival, an event buzzing with excitement and, unexpectedly, murder.

The festival, hosted by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch, features a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a quirky 3K Bear Run where participants don bear costumes. The story takes a dramatic turn when a celebrity host, brought in by a California TV crew to cover the bake-off, is found dead, clutching Bailey’s best friend Evie’s bracelet. With Evie becoming the prime suspect, Bailey, along with Granny Bee and her eclectic group of senior sleuths, sets out to clear her friend’s name.

Marts crafts a vibrant setting that draws readers in with its warmth and charm. Humble Hills is brought to life with colorful descriptions and a cast of endearing characters. Bailey is a relatable protagonist, determined and resourceful, whose chemistry with the handsome Sheriff Sawyer Dunn adds a sweet romantic subplot to the narrative. The dynamic between Bailey and Granny Bee’s gang of geriatric friends injects humor and heart into the story, making their investigative antics a joy to follow.

The mystery itself is well-plotted, with enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing. The tension builds nicely as Bailey unravels the clues, leading to a satisfying and unexpected conclusion. Marts balances the cozy aspects of the novel with a palpable sense of danger, ensuring the stakes feel real and urgent.

However, the novel isn’t without its minor drawbacks. Some readers might find the pacing a bit slow in the beginning as the scene is set, and a few plot points may come across as slightly predictable. Nonetheless, these are small issues in an otherwise thoroughly enjoyable read.

In conclusion, Kill or Bee Killed is a delightful addition to the cozy mystery genre. Jennie Marts has created a sweet, thrilling tale that combines the charm of small-town life with the excitement of a whodunit. With its engaging characters, humorous moments, and a well-crafted mystery, this book is a must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and anyone looking for a fun, lighthearted escape.

Kill or Bee Killed (A Bee Keeping Mystery) by Jennie Marts

About Kill or Bee Killed

Kill or Bee Killed (A Bee Keeping Mystery) Cozy Mystery 2nd in Series Setting – Colorado Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (June 4, 2024) Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 336 pages ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639106588 ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639106585 Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CH9HTM1S Audiobook ASIN B0CVSGYG58 Audio CD ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8874751142

Perfect for fans of Laura Childs and Amanda Flower, this second Bee Keeping mystery takes Bailey Briggs to the brink as murders threaten the future of her granny’s Bee Festival.

The small town of Humble Hills, Colorado, is abuzz with excitement over the upcoming annual Bee Festival, sponsored by Bailey’s Granny Bee and the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. The long weekend of festivities includes a beauty pageant, beekeeping demonstrations, a local restaurant bake-off, and a 3K Bear Run where all the participants are dressed as bears. The bake-off brings in a television crew from California to film, so it’s the most drama-filled part of the weekend, especially when the famous celebrity host winds up dead.

Because the celebrity was holding her bracelet and had been witnessed having an altercation with Bailey’s best friend Evie shortly before his death, everyone suspects Evie of the murder—and Bailey is quickly on the hunt for clues to clear Evie’s name, alongside Granny Bee and her bunch of geriatric misfit friends. Bailey’s potential new honey, Sheriff Sawyer Dunn, is none too pleased to have Bailey buzzing around the investigation, but Bailey’s determined to uncover the truth, rescue her grannie’s beloved Bee Festival, and save her bestie.

They say you get more flies with honey, but in this case, more honey may mean you end up dead. And a little competition never hurt anyone—unless it ends up killing you.

About Jennie Marts

Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”

She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet who loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, has never missed an episode of Survivor, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.

Her books include the following small town romance series: Cowboys of Creedence, Creedence Horse Rescue Series, Lassiter Ranch, Hearts of Montana, the Bannister Brothers (hockey romcom), Cotton Creek , and two hilarious cozy mysteries series, The Page Turners and The Bee Keeping Mysteries.

Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.

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