The Hive by Gregg Olsen -- 5 Stars
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
ISBN: 9781542016469

The Hive is multilayer, fast-paced, and complex story of murder and suicide occurring over a period of twenty years. Detective Lindsay Jackson is relentless as she uncovers the truth hidden by a group of women, The Hive, who followed the teachings of a charismatic leader. She twisted them into a cult based on a belief in the powers of nature, especially bees. She convinced them that only by following her teachings could they escape lives that kept them from reaching their full potential. This blind-following led to lies, murder, and secrets. These secrets held for many years led to more death and tragedy.
I enjoyed the plot twists and character development. This is an absolutely enjoyable novel.

Reviewer: Nancy

The Hive by Gregg Olsen

I really wanted to love this book. I like Gregg Olsen's work, and this one sounded so intriguing, I couldn't wait to get to it. A murder with connections to a possible cult, a glamorous guru with the ability to draw thousands with her holistic, nonsensical wisdom... And then there was Lindsey Jackman, who I loved. Her investigation into a young woman's murder coming on the heel of her partner's suicide was a promising lead in to the story. But, at 23 chapters in (about 1/3 of the book), it seemed as if the story was still struggling to gain momentum, and by that point, I felt I just didn't care any more.

Ordinarily, I'm a fan of Gregg Olsen's work, but this one just wasn't for me.

Thank you, Thomas & Mercer, for this NetGalley ARC.

The writing and the language are excellent, but unfortunately there's such a huge amount of unnecessary descriptions that it gets very boring.

This is an unusual book about a equally unusual cult, called The Hive. The cult was founded by a Marnie Spellman, who claimed when she was young a hive of bees lifted her towards the sky and she was enlightened about nature. This occurrence is what Marnie has built her company on. Those closest to her and her devotees are known as The Hive. They will also do what is needed to protect her and the company. This includes doing away with those who are trying to find out more information about Marnie and her devotees.
If you are interested in cults and the inner workings, this book is for you.
I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Gregg Olsen makes a complicated police investigation a compelling story. When a police detective loses her partner to unexpected suicide she finds herself missing the advice of her friend and mentor. She begins a complicated investigation into the death of a young woman found in a park, naked and seemingly murdered. This mystery starts her on a journey of questions into events that occurred twenty years ago on a farm that produces natural cosmetics from its "Hive". The past and future of the characters come together in an amazing story that includes murder, politics, money friendships, and a great deal of deception by the women who worked on the bee island and the leader of the group who follow her. Many things happened long ago and a decades-old investigation suddenly becomes tied to the current one. this is one of the best murder mysteries that I have read in a long while and Greg Olsen one again proves why he is a leader in the writers of that genre. Put this book on your to-be-read list, out June 8, 2021, you won't want to miss it.
Thanks to @NetGalleyTheHive#TheHive#GregOlsen for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Sorry... this book was not for me... it took everything in me to finish so I could complete the review. I found the book to be slow... and the story line a little predictable. The story starts out with a good hook, but from there it was blah.

I've been a fan of Gregg Olsen's since I picked up If You Tell. I love his true crime novels and while his fiction is new to me, I enjoyed this one. I was not sure what to expect but it kept me turning the pages.

However, I was able to figure it out fairly early and while the ending left a little be desired. I do admire an author though who is bold enough to not wrap up everything in a nice little bow, cause life is often messy, and I'm sure an author who started in true crime knows all about that.

Thanks NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I have read a couple other Gregg Olsen books before and loved them both, this one was no different.

There are so many interesting plot twists along the way and there are enough clues to keep you guessing as you go along. You follow Lindsay, a detective in the Pacific Northwest who is investigating the murder of a young girl, and a murder that took place 2o years prior. Her partner and mentor has just committed suicide and she is wondering if it is all connected?

I loved the different viewpoints this novel gives and how it keeps you adding another piece to the puzzle. I enjoyed all the characters and their connections to the Hive and the reasons for their actions. Gregg Olsen is a great storyteller and creates a world that you can’t get enough of! It kept me guessing til the end.

The only reason I do not give it 5 stars is because I found some of this book to be a bit confusing and the ending felt a little drawn out than I would have liked! Overall, a good read and I recommend checking it out!

This was my first Gregg Olsen book and it will not be the last! The Hive did start slowly for me. At 50% in, I would have given the book 3 stars-it was okay, but hadn't captivated me. And then Olsen began revealing the connections among the characters and a much deeper story than I had anticipated. Wow. For the last 25%of the book I did not want to put it down! Thanks to Netgalley for a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have read several Gregg Olsen books in the past and thoroughly enjoyed them. The premise of this book--cults, murder--sounded promising and I was excited to read it. Unfortunately I was left deflated after finishing the book. It starts when the body of a young college student is found at the base of a waterfall in the scenic Northwest. Detective Lindsey Jackman is called in on the case. She is not in a good space because her partner and mentor has just killed himself by asphyxiation. We then begin to be introduced to the other characters. Marney Spellman is a cosmetic/skin care queen who lives on a remote island in the Pacific Northwest.At one time she was a cult figure with many disciples who gave up everything to follow her and be part of her "hive". Over time, though, the bonds have frayed and Marnie is now struggling to regain her once high standing.

The things I liked about the book were non stop action and constant character development. Even though I did lose interest overall, there was enough interest to keep me turning pages to the end. What bothered me was in a weird way I felt like I was reading something from the 1980s, Jacque Collins era. The characters were over the top and not very believable. The point of view constantly shifted, and I found it difficult to stay engaged. And the detective got lost in the shuffle. We didn't hear much from her, and there was really no one to root for in this mass of characters.

I appreciate NetGalley, Thomas and Mercer, and the author for giving me a chance to read this book. Gregg Olsen is a terrific writer. I, personally, just did not connect with this book.

Unfortunately I mis-chose this title, although the parts I read were well- written, this book wasn’t for me at this time.

The Hive by Gregg Olsen hooked me from the very beginning. Most of the characters in this book have secrets. There are narrations of scenes as the story progresses that will keep the reader interested in the lives of the different characters. The levels of deceit among the women of the hive are varied and Marnie Spellman is the center or the 'Queen Bee'. They have agreed to keep quiet about the death of one of their own, which has been unsolved for nineteen years.
The beginning of the book features information about Marnie Spellman. She is the pivot point for most of this story. She garners her following from a childhood story of her personal experience with a swarm of bees. She is a formidable woman intent on accruing money, power, and loyal followers to support her own experimentation and fame.
Detective Lindsay Jackman is shocked to learn her mentor and partner, Detective Alan Sharpe has been found dead of an apparent suicide in the garage of his home. Lindsay feels she needs to be there, but she is sent to investigate a call about a young woman's body being found at Maple Falls. As Lindsey investigates this homicide, more clues lead her to the mysterious Spellman Farms. Could there be a link between this murder with the unsolved murder almost twenty years ago?
Publication Date: June 8, 2021
Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Who is truly at fault when everyone has something to lie about? This was a creative story with a unique story line. It is told from varying view points through varying time frames. I found the weaving of time a little off putting trying to stay on track and trying to stay engaged. It felt a little choppy. It also moved a little slower than I like and it seemed stretched out.
The characters were well down and easy to feel emotion towards. This was not one of this authors best works but it was an ok read

Mesmerizing dark suspense from the best selling author of "If You Tell". This page turner kept me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. This dark cult mystery is fast paced and enthralling.

This is a DNF for me. I am intrigued by the description of the book, but the first chapter heavily featured thoughts suicide, matricide, and committed suicide. This content was not mentioned in the description at all and is part of the ground setting of the story which makes me think it is not central to the story. This is a trigger for me, and seemed heavy handed.

The Hive is a dark, twisted mystery full of characters you will love to hate and a dogged police officer wanting to find the truth. When a college journalist's nude body is discovered at the bottom of a waterfall, police officer Lindsay Jackman is called to the scene to investigate while reeling from the suicide of her mentor and partner. The center of the case revolves around a cult of women called the Hive. The queen bee is Marnie, a charismatic bundle of a liar who is pushing women's empowerment. A death from twenty years ago leads Lindsay straight to the cult and the inner hive who have all gone out into the world, including an actress and a senate candidate-"Beautiful liars with ulterior motives." In a twisted mess of lies and cutthroat women, the story leaves you gasping when the truth finally comes out in a totally unpredictable manner. Once again, Gregg Olsen delivers a shocking whodunit that will leave the most seasoned mystery reader guessing for a suspenseful good time. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from Netgalley.

The story follows as Detective Lindsay solves a case involving the murder of Sarah Baker, A
young journalist who is on the verge of revealing a piece of big news resulting in her death. I`d
say that was the only part of the story that is clear. The rest was too bizarre. There is a child
lifted by a swarm of bees, a cult, a murder case, and dark secrets. There are a lot of things a
reader must focus on. The book has a fast phase and there a lot of things going on. Not to
mention the twist and uncanny turns this book will take you to. I really thought that the plot was
going to change how I felt about the story but it does not. I understand its phase and see it as
the timeline of Detective Lindsay. She just has limited time to solve the case and the phase
justified it like you need to do it fast or there will be no time solving it. That I understand but
some part of it does not.

The plot lacked impact. It was a bit predictable as the story progress. Some novels are also
predictable but their strength does not just rely on the plot itself. Their strength is in how the
story was told and in how they build it for the plot. Like a few chapters can make you feel
uneasy because of the excitement and thrill it can give you but this book will make you feel
uneasy and awkward for expecting more but the only thing that was given was a feeling of being
mediocre and a little bit of disappointment.

Very unusual story loosely linking cult like behavior but in a very believable way. Couldn't put this one down. Great characters and interesting story line.

Thanks, to NetGalley for the chance to review The Hive. A cult mystery. I have read Gregg Olsen many times, but this one was just good. I just have days of getting through it. The Hive was not me, but it was Good.

I a fan of Olsen's writing, so when I saw The Hive was available to request, I was thrilled to be approved and quickly dove in.

Following the death of her mentor and partner, Lindsay is tasked with investigating the death of a young woman found naked at a nearby hiking trail. When she discovers that the woman was a student journalist investigating a cold case connected to Spellman Farm, a cult-like beauty enterprise run by Marnie Spellman and her inner circle the Hive, she realizes that appearances aren't all that they seem to be; and to get to the bottom of the case, she's going to have to dig into the decades-old mysteries--as well as her own insecurities.

I really enjoyed this book.

In terms of a procedural, Lindsay struck me as authentic and relatable. I liked her voice the most out of all the narrative directions, and I appreciated her arc as she struggles with grief and her newly-independent identity. The case itself was structured well, and Olsen did a wonderful job keeping the plot flowing with many moving parts and points of view. With brief chapters of background information, it was a long read that went quickly. I finished this one over the course of a few days, but I was able to be engrossed by it every time I picked it up.

I also thought the strands wove together well, combining the cold case with the current events effortlessly. Marnie's philosophies had just enough of that eccentric feel to be plausible and enticing and utterly ridiculous, and the execution highlights the dangers not of a beauty regimen, but of an enigmatic leader taking advantage of people in emotionally, mentally, and physically vulnerable states. With all the emerging cult reads this year, I think this one will find a groove with many readers.

I figured out the mystery early on, and I wished the ending hadn't read like a Where Are They Now? summary, but it was succinct and answered any follow-up questions I had, and I think there will be some people who like the brevity of the conclusion after the events unfold.

Overall, The Hive is an entertaining, enlightening examination of cult-like mentalities and the lasting repercussions these groups can cause. I'd recommend to fans of light suspense, mysteries with strong female leads, fans of The Sinner, or anyone interested in cult dynamics.

Thank you to Thomas and Mercer and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for honest review consideration.