Plan Bee
Authors: Hannah Reed
Tags: #Ghost, #General, #Women Sleuths, #Mystery & Detective, #Fiction
Mind Your Own Beeswax
“Reed pollinates this novel, like its predecessor, with a smart story, characters who leap off the page and, of course, interesting material about beekeeping. It will keep you busy.”
—
Richmond Times-Dispatch
“The characters are as colorful as the rainbow… [This] has the perfect blend of humor and drama and a gutsy heroine… Readers will be thoroughly entertained by this madcap mystery.”
—
Romantic Times
“Story Fischer is one of the spunkiest heroines of a cozy mystery that I have had the pleasure of reading! I love the character’s strength, her fearlessness, and her smarts! With the Queen Bee Mysteries, Hannah Reed has created a delicious series that is a sweet treat for cozy mystery fans!… Yummy honey-related recipes make a great addition to an already great story!”
—
Sharon’s Garden of Book Reviews
“The prose is witty, charming, and peppered with beautiful imagery, the plot is rich and complex, and the mystery is cleverly constructed and skillfully written, tying past events to the present in a way that adds import and intrigue to both. Story makes for a fabulous heroine and an engaging narrator. Strong, smart, snarky, and positively bullheaded in her independence, she’s a character for whom readers can’t help but root… The book’s supporting cast is marvelous as well… Run out and buy yourself a copy; it’s a great way to pass an afternoon.”
—The Season
“If you’re wondering how beekeeping and mysteries go together, then pick up Hannah Reed’s
Buzz Off
and see what all the excitement is about. Reed has come up with a great setting, rich characters, and such a genuine protagonist in Story Fischer that you’ll be sorry the book is over when you turn the last page. Start reading and you won’t want to put it down. Trust me, you’ll be saying ‘buzz off’ to anybody who dares interrupt!”
—Julie Hyzy, award-winning author of
Affairs of Steak
“Action, adventure, a touch of romance, and a cast of delightful characters fill Hannah Reed’s debut novel.
Buzz Off
is one honey of a tale.”
—Lorna Barrett,
New York Times
bestselling author of the Booktown Mysteries
“The death of a beekeeper makes for an absolute honey of a read in this engaging and well-written mystery. Story Fischer is a sharp and resilient amateur sleuth, and Hannah Reed sweeps us into her world with skillful and loving detail.”
—Cleo Coyle, national bestselling
author of the Coffeehouse Mysteries
“A sparkling debut… Delicious.”
—
Genre Go Round Reviews
“You’ll get a buzz from this one, guaranteed.”
—
Mystery Scene
“Reed’s story is first-rate, her characters appealing—Story’s imperfections make her particularly authentic—and the beekeeping and small-town angles are refreshingly different.”
—
Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Will appeal to readers who like Joanne Fluke and other cozy writers for recipes, the small-town setting, and a sense of community.”
—
Library Journal
“A rollicking good time. The colorful family members and townspeople provide plenty of relationship drama and entertainment. The mystery is well plotted, and this series promises to keep readers buzzing.”
—
Romantic Times
(4 stars)
“Everyone is simply going to go buzz-erk over the marvelously quirky cast of characters in this fabulously funny new series… Hannah Reed has a deliciously spicy, adorable sense of humor that had me howling with unabashed glee. You couldn’t get as many colorful characters if you poured them from a box of Froot Loops.
Buzz Off
has just the right blend of mystery, romance, and humor that will charm anyone’s socks off. If this fantastic whodunit doesn’t buzz to the top of your list, I’m simply gonna have to sic Grams on you… and she doesn’t mess around! Quill says: If you are in need of a quirky, light, incredibly humorous cozy, look no more. Hannah Reed has whopped ’n chopped and stirred up a formula for a mystery that will line up an audience who will beg for more!”
—
Feathered Quill Book Reviews
“In her debut book, Hannah Reed combines an intriguing whodunit with a lively, action-filled story to create one sweet cozy mystery!…
Buzz Off
is a charming beginning to what promises to be a fun series!… A yummy treat for fans of cozy mysteries.”
—
Fresh Fiction
“Highly entertaining.”
—Associated Content
“A honey of a series debut… [A] honey of a book filled with lots of interesting bee information as well as some yummy recipes.”
—
Cozy Corner
Berkley Prime Crime titles by Hannah Reed
BUZZ OFF
MIND YOUR OWN BEESWAX
PLAN BEE
Hannah Reed
BERKLEY PRIME CRIME, NEW YORK
THE BERKLEY PUBLISHING GROUP
Published by the Penguin Group
Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014, USA
Penguin Group (Canada), 90 Eglinton Avenue East, Suite 700, Toronto, Ontario M4P 2Y3, Canada
(a division of Pearson Penguin Canada Inc.)
Penguin Books Ltd., 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
Penguin Group Ireland, 25 St. Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, Ireland (a division of Penguin Books Ltd.)
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(a division of Pearson Australia Group Pty. Ltd.)
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(a division of Pearson New Zealand Ltd.)
Penguin Books (South Africa) (Pty.) Ltd., 24 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Penguin Books Ltd., Registered Offices: 80 Strand, London WC2R 0RL, England
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. The publisher does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for author or third-party websites or their content.
PUBLISHER’S NOTE: The recipes contained in this book are to be followed exactly as written. The publisher is not responsible for your specific health or allergy needs that may require medical supervision. The publisher is not responsible for any adverse reactions to the recipes contained in this book.
PLAN BEE
A Berkley Prime Crime Book / published by arrangement with the author
PRINTING HISTORY
Berkley Prime Crime mass-market edition / January 2012
Copyright © 2012 by Deb Baker.
Cover illustration by Trish Cramblet.
Cover design by Judith Lagerman.
Interior text design by Kristin del Rosario.
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights. Purchase only authorized editions.
For information, address: The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
ISBN: 978-0-425-24621-4
BERKLEY® PRIME CRIME
Berkley Prime Crime Books are published by The Berkley Publishing Group,
a division of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.,
375 Hudson Street, New York, New York 10014.
BERKLEY® PRIME CRIME and the PRIME CRIME logo are trademarks of Penguin Group (USA) Inc.
PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
If you purchased this book without a cover, you should be aware that this book is stolen property. It was reported as “unsold and destroyed” to the publisher, and neither the author nor the publisher has received any payment for this “stripped book.”
This book is dedicated to those among us who support the delicate life of our honeybees by:
• planting bee-friendly flowers
• buying honey from local producers
• choosing to coexist with weeds rather than apply deadly chemicals
And most of all, to the keepers of the bees.
Special thanks to Judy and Lee Maltenfort, who introduced me to the most delicious honey coffee, and to Heidi Cox for her killer recipes.
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