Former Police Officer Abigail Mackenzie loves her new life. She happily runs her farmette, raising crops and keeping bees. She's a bit concerned about other things though. Her friend, Paola, is renewing her wedding vows, but her husband Jake is a womanizing cad. Abigail is torn between wanting her friend's day to be a joyful one, but also wondering if she should tell her that her husband is a total jerk. In the end, the day is ruined anyway when someone shoots Jake and Paola soon after their vow renewal. Jake is dead. Paola is seriously injured. Was it revenge from one of his many girlfriends on the side? Or something more sinister? As Paola clings to life in the hospital, Abigail is on the case to discover who hurt her friend. Was the philandering husband the target? Or did someone mean to kill Paola? When a second body turns up, Abigail realizes she needs to work fast to solve the case.

A Hive of Homicides is the third book the the Henny Penny Farmette series. I enjoy this series. Abigail is a strong, intelligent main character. She uses her former police experience to really dig into the grit of things and come up with clues, facts and leads, despite local law enforcement really wanting her to stay out of things. I like the side theme of the farmette and bee keeping. Each chapter has little facts about bees, honey or farming. It just adds to the cozy side of these mystery stories.

In this latest addition to this series, the mystery is well paced. The story is a nice mix of the background theme and the murder investigation. There is some character development to further the series. And, it had a nice build to the end (no spoilers from me!) All in all, this was a fun read and I like this series! Each book has been great! I can't wait to read Abagail's next adventure!

**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy from Kensington via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**



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Abby Mackenzie's her friend Paola renews her vows but at the reception afterward the happy couple are missing. Going out to the parking lot, Abby finds Paola in critical condition and her husband dead.

Abby retired from the police force but feels the need to find out what happened and who harmed her friend who is physically fighting for her life. Trying to keep her friend safe while investigating all the possibilities of who killed the groom, may have Abby is trouble herself.

Love the characters and the setting. ( )

A Hive of Homicides by Meera Lester is the third A Henny Penny Farmette Mystery. Abigail “Abby” MacKenzie runs a farmette in Las Flores, California since she left the police force. Abby is attending the vow renewal of her friend and truffle maker, Paola Varela and Jake Winston, owner of Country Schoolhouse Winery (and notorious womanizer). There is a bit of kerfuffle after the ceremony with a blonde, but then everyone is off to the reception. Abby heads off to locate Chef Emilio Varela to deliver the honey she promised as gifts for the guests. The sous chef points Abby in the direction of the alley outside the kitchen. Abby is outside looking for Emilio when she hears gunshots and then sees the shooters car. Abby finds Jake and Paola in their car with Jake dead and Paola severely wounded. A week later, Paola is in a coma and the case is going nowhere. Abby is warned to not investigate, but she can think of little else. She decides to start asking questions to see who would want to harm Jake and Paola. Jake had created a lot of buzz around town with his numerous conquests and the blonde at the renewal seemed to dislike him as well. When a second body turns up at the winery, Abby knows she needs to zero in on the killer before he strikes again.

A Hive of Homicides is nicely written and has a good pace. I appreciated the bee and honey information the author included in the book (it was very interesting and informative). The mystery is complex (I liked this part) and I think many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity. My rating for A Hive of Homicides is 4 out of 5 stars. Abby was different in this book (and not in a good way). Abby’s reaction to finding Jake and Paola was very unlike her. For an ex-cop, you would expect her to be used to find dead bodies, seeing injured people, and finding herself in dangerous situations. Instead, we are subject to nausea, shaking, and she is afraid of her own shadow (not our usual strong, feisty Abby). The author did a good job at portraying PTSD as well as techniques to help Abby cope (she visits a counselor). I did not the like the direction the author took Abby’s character in A Hive of Homicides. It overshadowed the mystery. There are many delightful cozy moments in the book and a sweet, hopeful ending. ( )

A Hive Of Homicides is the third book in The Henny Penny Farmette Mystery series.

I always enjoy stopping in at the Henny Penny Farmette and she what exciting times Abigail and her friends are up to.

Abigail is waiting at the Country Schoolhouse Winery for Jake Winston, owner of the winery, and Paola to show up after renewing there wedding vows. Abigail sees their car enter the parking lot and moments later hears a gunshot. As she heading to for where they parked, she catches the briefest glimpse of a car accelerating away. When she arrives at their car she finds Jake dead and Paola suffering a serious head injury. With no witnesses and Paola in a coma, Abigail sets out to do a little investigation of her own. She needs to look at Gina, whose sister died in auto accident a few hours after Jake broke up with her, Dori Lanston, sous chef at the winery, seems to keeping something a secret, and Scott Thompson who manages the barrel room and has been suspended for possible drug use. When another related killing occurs, Abigail knows she needs to zero in on the killer and quit before someone else loses their life.

Another well told story with a cast of believable and enjoyable characters. As with the previous books, each chapter has a little bit of information about farming, bees or delicious recipes. ( )