A nice start to a new cozy series (with a bit of second chance romance as well). Bailey, a successful mystery writer and her daughter have come back to Humble Hills to help her Granny Bee after the latter broke her foot. She's full into the Hive, Granny's group of pals, when Werner, who has been a little aggressive toward Granny is found dead-with a jar of honey nearby. This opens a chance for Bailey to reunite with Sawyer, now the Sheriff, who was once her crush. Cozy fans know that Bailey will be the one to solve the murder, along with her friend Evie. No spoilers. My usual quibble is how far Bailey (like other cozy heroines) goes to investigate. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Looking forward to the next one.

This is a fun first cozy mystery by romance author Jennie Marts. This is the first book I have read by the author. I picked it up because the bee theme sounded fun.
Bailey comes home to visit her grandmother who raised her. Before she has made it far she encounters her past on a tractor. Sawyer was her bad boy high school love. He also happens to be the town sheriff. I think that must be why he lets her get away with far too much interfering when the town mayor dies by honey.
The town mayor, Werner Humble, was not a nice man. As more and more of his activities are revealed, the reader will entirely understand why he found himself dead.
I must say I knew right away who killed the mayor, however the author did a good job of throwing plenty of red herring suspects into the mix to confuse and embellish the story.
Bailey is an adult with a 12 year old daughter, yet she still gets up to some high jinx that are awfully sophomoric. Those moments were balanced by so many good moments throughout the book that saved the rating on this one.
I would recommend spending some time in the mountains of Colorado with Bailey, Gran and the Hive.
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to review Take the Honey and Run.

I love cozy mysteries and reading more series. So, when I heard about this book, I gave it a try. I'm glad that I did! The honey theme is charming along with the characters and mystery. I recommend giving this book a try!

My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGallery for a digital copy of this book for my review. I'm looking forward to more of this series!

"Take the Honey and Run" by Jennie Marts is an absolute treat for cozy mystery fans! Bailey Briggs, a successful mystery author, finds herself in the midst of a real-life murder mystery when she discovers a dead body in her hometown of Humble Hills, Colorado. With her beekeeping grandmother, Granny Bee, as the prime suspect, Bailey uses her fictional detective skills to clear her grandmother's name. With the help of her witty best friend, meddling aunts, and the quirky members of The Hive book club, Bailey embarks on a hilarious and suspenseful adventure to catch the clever culprit.

Jennie Marts delivers a delightful story filled with humor, lovable characters, and a solid mystery. The banter between Bailey and her friends had me laughing out loud, and I couldn't help but be charmed by Granny Bee and her eccentric sisters. The author's incorporation of beekeeping and honey-related products adds a unique and captivating element to the story. The twists, turns, and red herrings kept me guessing until the very end, making it a truly satisfying read.

The small-town Colorado setting of Humble Hills is beautifully depicted, and Marts' attention to detail brings the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch and its surroundings to life. As a fan of cozy mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed the mix of romance, family dynamics, and amateur sleuthing in this book. If you're looking for a fun and engaging read with a well-developed cast of characters and a great mystery, "Take the Honey and Run" is the perfect choice. I can't wait to see what Jennie Marts has in store for the next installment in this series!

An adequate first book in a new series which establishes the scene and the characters, and gives the reader a taste of what is to come.

Bailey and her daughter, Daisy, return to her old home town to stay with Granny Bee, who is a beekeeper and purveyor of honey and all its by products. When a murder occurs it appears the victim was allergic to bees, and the honey all over his face is the cause of his death. Granny Bee is immediately at the top of the list of suspects.

Bailey discovers the Sheriff is a long lost love from her past, but then proceeds to infuriate him by investigating the murderer herself. I was uncomfortable with this aspect of the story especially since he let her do pretty much as she pleased including interviewing suspects in their own homes. I am pretty sure if a stranger knocked on my door and asked me where I was on the evening of such and such I would tell them to mind their own business. Anyway Bailey solves the murder and the guilty party is quite a surprise.

I would be happy to read the next book in this series. This one was very readable and humorous, and it will be interesting to see whether the Sheriff and Bailey get back together.

Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts is the first in the new Beekeeping Mystery series and I’m already looking forward to the second book. Bailey Briggs returns home to help her injured grandmother. When the town gigolo is murdered and her grandmother becomes the prime suspect, Bailey jumps into action to solve the crime.

There is just so much to like about this book! It is pure delight with its charming setting that draws the reader in. I loved the variety of characters, from the quirky Hive to Bailey’s sultry, got-your-back best friend. And let’s not forget the sexy sheriff, a possible love triangle, and the complex web of secrets, motives, and potential suspects. (I reviewed an advance reader copy and all opinions are my own.). Overall, a very satisfying read.

A new cozy mystery with great characters, mystery,suspense, twists and possible start of a romance.
Bailey and her daughter goes back home to help her grandmother with the Honey Bee ranch .
A murder is discovered and her grandmother may be the murderer
A good read.
Voluntarily reviewed.
.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Bailey is a successful mystery author who returns home with her preteen daughter for the first time in ages to help when Granny Bee, her beekeeping grandmother, suffers a nasty fall. But when Bailey discovers the body of the man Granny Bee threatened just one day before, she must put her detecting skills to use to track down a real-life killer – and keep Granny out of jail.

This is the first book in a new series by an author I’ve never read before, but I couldn’t resist the bookcover or the bee-related storyline. Daughter is all about bees and has converted most of the rest of us too, so I love learning new things about bees and beekeeping. Sadly, there was very little information in that vein included in this book, but I liked the story just the same.

I really like Granny Bee and the other ladies of The Hive – Granny’s book club and friends – and daughter Daisy and best friend Evie, but I adore Cooper. Golden retrievers are such goofy, lovable dogs, who could *not love Cooper? I like Bailey, too, but disliked the way she turned into a babbling idiot every time Sawyer, high school sweetheart and now town sheriff, was around. Yes, there are unresolved issues between them, and I suspect there’s more to the story than we learned in this first book.

The murder victim in this story had a shady not-so-distant past, with more coming to light as the investigation continued. There were plenty of characters with believable motives for the murder, and I suspected each of them at one point along the way. That said, I didn’t put the clues together correctly and was surprised when the killer was revealed.

I look forward to reading the next book in this series and learning more about the characters’ back stories – and maybe more about beekeeping as well.

Title: Take The Honey And Run
Author: Jennie Marts
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publishing Date: July 18, 2023
Genre: Cozy Mystery

First books in a new series can sometimes be hit or miss, but I thought Marts did a good job with this book. The characters are fun and and funny and entertaining, and the mystery kept me guessing. I would consider this a traditional cozy with a bit of romcozy.
I cannot wait to read the next book in this fun new series.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

A cute start to a new cosy mystery series. The setting is sweet and the characters are hysterically outrageous. The murder was intriguing enough to keep me guessing. I'd definitely read more!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this book.

I received this book for free from Netgalley for an honest review.

For a brand new author they did a brilliant job! A great cast of characters and amazing mystery. The setting was cozy.

Bailey Briggs, a successful mystery writer becomes an amateur sleuth in Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts. An author who writes romance stories she had done an outstanding job with writing this cozy mystery. There is a hint and only a hint mind you of romance in this story. This mystery is marvelously written with the author’ style and attention to detail, humor and vivid characterization.

The characters are all uniquely their own personalities so it is not difficult to get the hive (book club) and family separated in my mind. Wile Bailey is main, there are quite a few helping her. I especially liked Daisy, her preteen daughter. Even though I am probably closer in age to Granny Bee. She and her sisters certainly spoke their minds, a bit more than I do. Then there is the tackle, a scene you just have to read for yourself concerning Bailey’s aunts.

In fact, you just simply need to read this book yourself. A handsome Sheriff, a dead man that the town is better off without, numerous assisting characters for Bailey, and humor galore. A fun read for all.

An ARC of the book was provided by the publisher through NetGalley which I voluntarily chose to read and reviewed. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

RATING 4.5 STARS

Take the Honey and Run is book one in the brand new series, A Bee Keeping Mystery, by Jennie Marts. This is a cozy mystery and wow what a mystery it was! I had no idea who the culprit was! Jennie kept me on the edge of my seat and turning the pages as fast as I could read them! And, the cover is absolutely adorable!

Bailey Briggs is a mystery author. She and her twelve year old daughter Daisy, have come home to Humble Hills, Colorado to stay with her beloved grandmother while she recuperates from a broken ankle. Along with their adorable golden retriever, Cooper. Bailey’s childhood home was Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch. It’s where her grandmother still lives and thrives with all of her bee hives and products she makes from the honey!

Unfortunately, not long after Bailey, Daisy and Cooper return home, there is a murder in Humble Hills, and Bailey discovers the body! Now Bailey’s grandmother seems to be the key suspect when her honey is found at the murder scene.

This was so much fun and an amazing who-done-it! Bailey’s grandmother’s sisters and friends are the Bee Hive, posing as a book club! And we won’t even discuss what they really put in their tea cups! And, there is also Bailey’s childhood sweetheart, the swoony Sawyer Dunn, who is now the sheriff of Humble Hills.

This mystery was completely solved but it’s clear there is more mischief for these characters to get in to. I can’t wait to see what Jennie has in store for these wacky women and poor Sheriff Dunn next!

Book#1 in the Beer Keeper’s Mystery

The title and picture on the cover attracted my attention I simply couldn’t resist asking for this novel. This cozy mystery is the perfect read when you want a story that is fun and not too challenging, a perfect book to bring with you on vacation.

The story moves along in a fictional town in Colorado with Bailey Biggs and her young daughter coming to see their grandmother (granny Bee) who runs Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch where she raises bees for their honey and sells it in various forms. Everything goes smoothly till the mayor highly allergic to honey is found dead with his face smeared in Granny Bee’s honey......Granny is the first to be suspected of killing him....and the fun begins.

This story has an interesting premise – the murder weapon honey is quite unique and to top it all we have plenty of suspects to go around. Well written to be engaging without giving us too much to think about. A bit too much by me was that the main character stayed ahead of the sheriff pointing at facts he never saw...was he that bad? For an outsider Bailey was a bit too smart but again her grandmother needed to be vindicated. The style simple and clear is also funny I laugh (smile) at some of the passage so much shenanigans trying to solve the murder. I can’t miss telling you we are lured with mouth-watering menus...tempting sweet goodies throughout.

Cute story I didn’t mind passing time with.

Take the Honey and Run, a new cozy mystery by Jennie Marts, is a great debut with likable, interesting characters and the mystery kept me guessing. Bailey Briggs is a mystery author who brings her 12 year old daughter Daisy back to Humble Hills to help her grandmother, Granny Bee, with her ranch and bees. Bailey's two Great Aunts Aster and Marigold are a fun addition along with The Hive book club members. Granny has a broken foot and needs help with beekeeping and the products she makes with the honey and wax. Bailey runs into her high school boyfriend Sawyer and it is just like they haven't been apart for 13 years (first of several eye-rolls). Granny's honey is used to kill a local man and Granny is a suspect along with ladies he was dating. Bailey, her best friends Evie and Griffin, Daisy, Granny and The Hive all help with looking for clues. There is some child abuse mentioned as part of the story but it is handled with compassion. A few parts of the story are a bit predictable but the ending was good. This was an enjoyable cozy mystery. The characters are what sets it apart. #TakeTheHoneyAndRun #ABeeKeepingMystery #NetGalley. #CrookedLaneBooks.

Hilarity ensues in this cozy mystery/romance. This book had me laughing and shaking my head at the many silly things the characters did and do.

A book about family, second chances, catching murderers, making things right, and of course, honey.

A truly heartwarming story, where you actually feel more sorry for the murderer than you do the murdered. I cannot wait to read the second one.

Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Jennie Marts for the ability to read and review this book. All opinions are my own and completely honest.

I was so delighted by this first in A Bee Keep Mystery series by Jennie Marts. From start to finish I totally enjoyed the characters, the humor, the mystery, the locale and the romance. It just made me happy. The only problem I have with it is waiting for a new installment. It can't come soon enough for me.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

Having returned home to the Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch in Colorado to look after her grandmother, who has a broken foot, Bailey Briggs suddenly finds herself wrapped up in a homicide investigation. Bailey writes murder mysteries for a living and she’s quite good at it but finding an actual dead body is totally different, as she's about to find out! When Granny Bee becomes a prime suspect Bailey knows she has to clear her name and save the family beekeeping business before it’s too late!

With the help, or is that hindrance, of best friend, Evie, her two great-aunts, the members of her grandma's book club, and the local Sheriff, who she's known since childhood, Bailey begins to follow the clues. However, someone has no intention of letting the unconventional group succeed, and danger begins to follows them at every turn. Can they discover what happened and save Granny Bee or will Bailey be denied her happy ending?

This new series from Jenny Marts is centred around Bailey Briggs and her grandmother’s beekeeping and honey business in the town of Humble Hills. I enjoyed reading about Bailey and the Sheriff but the group of elderly crime-solving family members were difficult to like at all. Although this book had a cosy feel it failed to hold my attention and I was glad when I finished it.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books but the opinions expressed are my own. Jenny Marts' many fans will enjoy this but it wasn't to my taste unfortunately.

I really enjoyed this book, I loved the ladies of The Hive bookclub and how they all helped each other. It had me laughing out loud at times. I did not figure out who the killer was. The story was well paced and I enjoyed all the delicious recipes at the end. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.

Story of the book-

Bailey Briggs is a successful mystery writer who has written several books about murder. However, nothing could have prepared her for the real discovery of the corpse of the founder of her hometown of Humble Hills, Colorado. Bailey was reared at Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch by her beekeeping grandmother Blossom Briggs, often known as Granny Bee, and her two quirky sisters Aster and Marigold, which is why, after suffering a horrible fall, she foregoes everything to return home and assist Granny Bee.

Her grandmother’s injured foot does not prevent her from running The Hive, her grandmother’s reading club, or from carrying on with the preparation and packaging of her bee-inspired goods. Bailey must use her fictional detective talents to assist solve the murder and “smoke out” the true perpetrator when her grandmother’s iconic “Honey I’m Home” hot spiced honey turns out to “bee” the murder weapon and her grandma becomes the main suspect.

This amateur investigator is determined to crack the case with the aid of Bailey’s clever best friend, two interfering aunts, the sassy members of The Hive, and her tech-savvy daughter. Someone is trying to get Bailey to abandon the inquiry, as evidenced by a vicious attack and a sinister threat, but she has no intention of giving in. Before her grandma is put in jail, she must utilize her investigative abilities to learn the truth and apprehend the cunning offender.

My review-

All of the Briggs family’s female members have flower-inspired names in this first novel of the series. It was so simple to love this cast. Finding a parent in a cozy mystery is always fun for me. I admired Bailey’s bond with her daughter Daisy and thought she was an excellent mother. Once Granny and the aunts are introduced, they might as well take the show. Evie and her grandmother Rosa complete the group and add some delectable snacks. The main character’s significantly older age compared to other cozy novels was a great addition.

I haven’t laughed so hard while reading a cozy mystery in a very long time. This is for you if you want a short, entertaining book with a solid mystery and a strong cast of characters! There are still many unanswered questions about Bailey, and we will certainly discover more about her in the chapters. It has a little more of a murder mystery linked than a summertime Hallmark movie, in my opinion. The only thing that bothered me was that I discovered a few grammatical mistakes that caused me to stumble over a few words.

At first, I believed this was a ridiculous novel since the first couple of chapters were so chaotic and bustling with a lot of rushing around and characters being crazy. But by the time I got to the middle, I was enjoying it. I was giggling uncontrollably at one point, then got shivers when Bailey almost got caught by the killer spies. Red herrings and hints are strewn throughout the story to keep you wondering right up to the very end. It does have a cheerful glow throughout, but for me, I missed out on the detective/detailed settings. I would recommend this book to someone who wants a trademark cozy atmosphere but is not serious or in-depth.