What do you think?
Rate this book
Silent Sting
Catastrophe is looming over the Central Valley of California. The honeybees, vital to the economy of this agricultural epicenter, are dying at an unprecedented rate. The U.S. government is desperate for answers, and researchers at the University of California-Riverside are tasked with providing them. But when the professors assigned to the investigation are systematically killed by a creature that imitates the honeybees almost perfectly, it becomes clear that there is something sinister at play. Following the murders of her mentors, it's up to entomology student Tiana Lambrose to move forward with the research. Special Agent Stu Whiteleather, part of a team of FBI agents assigned to assist in the investigation, is immediately drawn to the lovely entomologist. Together, they discover a breed of bees engineered to be killing machines, which, despite Tiana's expertise, are like nothing she's seen before. The question is, who could possibly have the sophisticated technology to engineer these specialized insects and for what motive? The perpetrator will stop at nothing to keep investigators from finding the answer. As threats to Tiana's life escalate, Stu must battle an unknown foe to protect the woman he has come to care for, before she becomes the next victim in a dangerous conspiracy.
288 pages, Paperback
Published March 1, 2016
18 people are currently reading
176 people want to read
About the author
Clair M. Poulson
55 books298 followersClair M. Poulson was born and raised in Duchesne, Utah. His father was a rancher and farmer, his mother a librarian. Clair has always been an avid reader, having found his love for books as a very young boy.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
He has served for forty years in the criminal justice system. Twenty years were spent in law enforcement, ending his police career with eight years as the Duchesne County Sheriff. For the past twenty years Clair has worked as a justice court judge for Duchesne County. Clair is also a veteran of the US Army where he was a military policeman. He has served on various boards and councils during his professional career, including the Justice Court Board of Judges, Utah Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice, Utah Judicial Council, Utah Peace Officer Standards and Training Council, an FBI advisory board and others.
In addition to his criminal justice work, Clair has farmed and ranched all of his life. He has raised many kinds of animals, but his greatest interest is horses.
Clair has served in many capacities in the LDS church, including fulltime missionary (California Mission) bishop, counselor to bishop, young men president, high councilor, stake mission president, scoutmaster, High Priest group leader, etc. He currently serves as a Sunday School teacher.
Clair is married to Ruth, and together, they have five children, all of whom are married: Alan (Vicena) Poulson, Kelly Ann (Wade) Hatch, Amanda (Ben) Semadeni, Wade (Brooke) Poulson, and Mary (Tyler) Hicken. Between them they have twenty-three children. Clair and Ruth met while both were students at Snow College and were married in the Manti temple.
Clair has always loved telling his children, and later his grandchildren, make-up stories. His vast experience in life and his love of literature has always contributed to both his telling stories to children and his writing of adventure and suspense novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews
April 1, 2016
Whooee, I loved the premise of this book. What a great idea! Seriously. Honey bees are dying at an alarming rate and then someone finds a drone bee that is made to kill people. It has a camera on it so the operator can see to fly it and it has deadly poison on it's stinger. Creepy crazy, right?
The beginning of this book pulled me right in. Immediately I was in the thick of the honey bee problem and feeling the desperation and magnitude of the situation. As the book progressed, I'll admit that it lost a bit of it's appeal. I'm not sure exactly where things started to slip for me, but it all started feeling a bit off. A few of my peeves are nit picky (the character's name- Stu Whiteleather? Really? uugh.) (the girls sound like boys) and some are more valid and less nit picky, I think. The conversations when read aloud are sometimes stilted and not how regular younger people would talk, especially in extreme situations. The main relationship lacked depth.
I felt like there were situations and scenes that were just sort of randomly thrown in for the sake of making it more, I don't know, exciting? Or maybe just more? It didn't feel necessarily realistic- details were glossed over. And the ending? No. Just no.
Having said that, I would give this book a solid 3/5 stars. Like I said, the premise was fantastic and I loved the whole idea even if the execution was lacking a bit in parts for me. It gave me creeps to imagine how easily something like this really could happen and how devastating it would be. I grew up in California and I know someone who deals with honey bee's for a living. This is a chilling scenario to think about.
I love that the cover is a good representation of what is inside.
Content: Some violence and murders. Clean. LDS fiction.
The beginning of this book pulled me right in. Immediately I was in the thick of the honey bee problem and feeling the desperation and magnitude of the situation. As the book progressed, I'll admit that it lost a bit of it's appeal. I'm not sure exactly where things started to slip for me, but it all started feeling a bit off. A few of my peeves are nit picky (the character's name- Stu Whiteleather? Really? uugh.) (the girls sound like boys) and some are more valid and less nit picky, I think. The conversations when read aloud are sometimes stilted and not how regular younger people would talk, especially in extreme situations. The main relationship lacked depth.
I felt like there were situations and scenes that were just sort of randomly thrown in for the sake of making it more, I don't know, exciting? Or maybe just more? It didn't feel necessarily realistic- details were glossed over. And the ending? No. Just no.
Having said that, I would give this book a solid 3/5 stars. Like I said, the premise was fantastic and I loved the whole idea even if the execution was lacking a bit in parts for me. It gave me creeps to imagine how easily something like this really could happen and how devastating it would be. I grew up in California and I know someone who deals with honey bee's for a living. This is a chilling scenario to think about.
I love that the cover is a good representation of what is inside.
Content: Some violence and murders. Clean. LDS fiction.
February 15, 2017
Why do I keep reading these LDS fiction novels? The mystery portion of the book was pretty well done-but he romance was totally unbelievable and cheesy.
There were lots of suspects--which made for a good mystery. The preface and epilogue were about bees-which definitely did not need to be included.
Overall, an ok read. Definitely not one I will buy or reread!
There were lots of suspects--which made for a good mystery. The preface and epilogue were about bees-which definitely did not need to be included.
Overall, an ok read. Definitely not one I will buy or reread!
May 10, 2020
(If you don't catch the clever twist in the title, you need to check your knowledge of classic ecological works.) This one had a good mystery but there were a lot of moments when I had to suspend disbelief to the point that it was nearly painful. There were some behaviors in law enforcement officers and other leaders that was quite ridiculous. The romance was also pretty cheesy but I can ignore that as I am racing through to find out whodunit. Not great writing but a good story.
March 31, 2016
Silent Sting starts and ends with an interesting twist--it takes place through the viewpoint of a honeybee. Other than that small twist, this story delivers a suspenseful novel that is typical of Clair Poulson.
Honeybees are dying by the droves and it's up to Tiana, a student research assistant, and her mentor to determine if it's because of a disease or a new pesticide being used by farmers in the area. When people start turning up dead and tiny engineered killers are discovered, danger lurks around every corner and it's up to Special Agent, Stu, and Tiana, to find out what's going on.
I like the characters and the way they each play an intricate part in the story, but I felt a depth to their relationships was lacking. I would've liked a smoother connection between the characters, as well as more thoughts and feelings, but this story isn't driven by relationships--it's driven by the plot and the suspense. The criminals were always about three steps ahead of the investigators, which really leaves the reader on edge, as it's tricky to figure out what's going on and what will happen next. I always enjoy a good suspense that keeps me guessing.
Content: mild violence (deaths--non-graphic, kidnapping, mention of drugs); very mild romance; mild religious elements (some characters are LDS and things relating to that are mentioned). Clean.
*I received a copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
Honeybees are dying by the droves and it's up to Tiana, a student research assistant, and her mentor to determine if it's because of a disease or a new pesticide being used by farmers in the area. When people start turning up dead and tiny engineered killers are discovered, danger lurks around every corner and it's up to Special Agent, Stu, and Tiana, to find out what's going on.
I like the characters and the way they each play an intricate part in the story, but I felt a depth to their relationships was lacking. I would've liked a smoother connection between the characters, as well as more thoughts and feelings, but this story isn't driven by relationships--it's driven by the plot and the suspense. The criminals were always about three steps ahead of the investigators, which really leaves the reader on edge, as it's tricky to figure out what's going on and what will happen next. I always enjoy a good suspense that keeps me guessing.
Content: mild violence (deaths--non-graphic, kidnapping, mention of drugs); very mild romance; mild religious elements (some characters are LDS and things relating to that are mentioned). Clean.
*I received a copy through the publisher in exchange for an honest review*
July 1, 2018
This was a really hard book for me to finish. The story was interesting, but to me the writing was juvenile, the dialogue at best felt forced, and the characters were pretty flat. I especially hated the university president. I do realize we weren't supposed to like the man, but I truly can't imagine that any man intelligent enough to become president of a university would act like such a complete buffoon. As an educator, I was especially bothered by this. If I didn't know better, I would have said it was Poulson's first attempt at writing.
If this had been my first Clair Poulson book, it probably would have been my last. However, I did enjoy the first one I read. I also have a couple of family members who really enjoy him. I also had some encouragement from another Goodreads user who said that his earlier books are better than his later ones. I will have to look into those.
If this had been my first Clair Poulson book, it probably would have been my last. However, I did enjoy the first one I read. I also have a couple of family members who really enjoy him. I also had some encouragement from another Goodreads user who said that his earlier books are better than his later ones. I will have to look into those.
November 11, 2025
Silent Sting by Clair M. Poulson is a fast-paced mystery that follows a tense investigation with multiple suspects and intersecting storylines. The book kept me interested with several unexpected plot twists and a strong sense of suspense that made me want to keep reading. I especially liked how Poulson scattered small clues throughout the story that came together toward the end, creating a satisfying and logical conclusion. However, some of the characters lacked emotional depth, which made it harder to connect with them or fully understand their motivations. Overall, I would give Silent Sting a 3.5 out of 5 stars. It’s an enjoyable read for people who like page-turning mysteries with clever twists, but readers who prefer deeper character development might find it a bit flat in that area.
Poulson keeps readers engaged by skillfully balancing tension and uncertainty throughout Silent Sting. Each chapter reveals just enough information to move the investigation forward while leaving unanswered questions that build suspense. The story’s pacing is quick, and the shifting points of view add layers of intrigue, allowing readers to see events from different angles without ever giving too much away. Red herrings and misleading details make it difficult to pinpoint the truth until the final chapters, where the pieces finally come together in a satisfying way. While the characters themselves could have used more depth, the structure of the mystery is well-crafted—tight, unpredictable, and full of twists that make the resolution both surprising and believable.
Poulson keeps readers engaged by skillfully balancing tension and uncertainty throughout Silent Sting. Each chapter reveals just enough information to move the investigation forward while leaving unanswered questions that build suspense. The story’s pacing is quick, and the shifting points of view add layers of intrigue, allowing readers to see events from different angles without ever giving too much away. Red herrings and misleading details make it difficult to pinpoint the truth until the final chapters, where the pieces finally come together in a satisfying way. While the characters themselves could have used more depth, the structure of the mystery is well-crafted—tight, unpredictable, and full of twists that make the resolution both surprising and believable.
January 27, 2024
🎧REVIEW OF Silent Sting by Clair M. Poulson
A suspense novel involving mysteriously dying bees, killer bee doppelgängers, shady suspects, faith elements, and a light romance
BREIF REVIEW
I actually really enjoyed this one overall! Well I sort of guessed some things right, the author wove in enough detail and misdirection into the story that I was rarely very confident in my theories. The book definitely kept my interest. I thought the romance was kind of cute, even if a little bit cheesy at times. I thought the unique premise was fascinating.
There were a couple of things that bugged me, like the focus on one side character's weight and appearance. There was also the minor event here and there that seemed kind of thrown into the story without adding much to it. The audiobook reader did a really great job for the most part, but I wish he would've given the MMC a deeper voice because he sounded way too much like the FMC.
The prologue and epilogue were told from the perspective of a bee, which was kind of interesting. I thought it worked okay for the prologue, and I understand why they did it for the epilogue, but that ending wasn't my favorite.
CONTENT
😘Mild romance but TW: past child m*lestation mentioned, and past r*pe case very briefly mentioned
🙊N/A
🍷No active substance use, but some characters are known to use and deal drugs, and evidence is found
🤕Severe-level violence with generally mild to moderate description.
Other: Mention of illegal immigration and deportation. Light Christian elements.
BOTTOM LINE
Overall, this was an entertaining suspense novel with a unique premise.
FULL REVIEW AND CONTENT on blog (link in bio)
#silentsting #suspense
A suspense novel involving mysteriously dying bees, killer bee doppelgängers, shady suspects, faith elements, and a light romance
BREIF REVIEW
I actually really enjoyed this one overall! Well I sort of guessed some things right, the author wove in enough detail and misdirection into the story that I was rarely very confident in my theories. The book definitely kept my interest. I thought the romance was kind of cute, even if a little bit cheesy at times. I thought the unique premise was fascinating.
There were a couple of things that bugged me, like the focus on one side character's weight and appearance. There was also the minor event here and there that seemed kind of thrown into the story without adding much to it. The audiobook reader did a really great job for the most part, but I wish he would've given the MMC a deeper voice because he sounded way too much like the FMC.
The prologue and epilogue were told from the perspective of a bee, which was kind of interesting. I thought it worked okay for the prologue, and I understand why they did it for the epilogue, but that ending wasn't my favorite.
CONTENT
😘Mild romance but TW: past child m*lestation mentioned, and past r*pe case very briefly mentioned
🙊N/A
🍷No active substance use, but some characters are known to use and deal drugs, and evidence is found
🤕Severe-level violence with generally mild to moderate description.
Other: Mention of illegal immigration and deportation. Light Christian elements.
BOTTOM LINE
Overall, this was an entertaining suspense novel with a unique premise.
FULL REVIEW AND CONTENT on blog (link in bio)
#silentsting #suspense
January 8, 2024
This book review is being written as I read so it might sound a bit random. It’s a good premise, but a terrible book. It’s full of awkward dialogue and clichés. The characters barely have a personality. Also I hate how much they talk about Lexus’s weight and how she’s “fat and ugly”. Another thing is how a lot of the things just wouldn’t happen, like how tiana wouldn’t stay in agent ash’s house . That would not be professional for the FBI, they would have her stay in a hotel or something. Another thing is how did Lexus even get Stu’s phone number. Also stu and tianas whole relationship should not be allowed . He also shouldn’t be allowed to discuss all of the case with Tiana. I get that she is involved in the case but there are just some aspects of the case that shouldn’t be divulged to her. So many of these police and fbi practices in this book are just so wildly inaccurate. How did the kidnappers not see that it was Sophie not Tiana. The criminals in this book are wayyy too cooperative. Also why is Stu always winking.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 20, 2024
Interesting subjects matter which could definitely wreak havoc if carried out. Great different assistant working with professor at University on grant to study why honeybee were dying, greatly affecting the local and regional agriculture. Several murders and attempted murders with both no evidence but a puncture mark on victims faces. Drones( the flying robot ones as well as the bee subtype). Intrigue, suspects and surprises, good understanding of police procedure by the author from what I understand. Some professors are killed, grad assistant is threatened and also some attempted murder. Scientific and forensic research. I did figure out several of the bad guys but it took about half the book to bake down my suspects, and then one ended up dead. Oops. But in the end, good prevailed.
June 26, 2020
The author keeps one step ahead of us. The list of suspects increases each time there's another bee sting. FBI agent Stu Whiteleather and his team fight against technology that's almost sci-fi. Tiana Lambrose is the key to researching the cause of the dying honeybees, and therefore, must be kept alive. When Stu first meets Tiana, there is an immediate chemistry. He will personally protect her.
August 16, 2017
I thought it was a very interesting story. The author did a good job at keeping me reading and having a difficult time putting it down. I disliked how the main character's name kept getting switched between Lambrose and Lambert. This should have been caught in editing.
September 23, 2019
Not as tight as I remember Clair Poulson's books being, but what a fascinating story! Killer drones the size and likeness of a bee? Yikes! Lots of LDS references...okay with me, but not every reader will get them. 3 1/2 stars for me.
April 3, 2020
The book creeped me out but he called honey bees boys. They pretty much stay in there have and soul purpose is the fertilize the queen. And they are called drones. Which was confusing at first because of the mechanical drones. I love his books but this was my least favorite.
June 24, 2021
This was a very slow read, and I couldn’t finish it. I could, however, read the ending to find out who did it and why. 😂 Usually, I’m super opposed to this, but I don’t feel regret. I liked the storyline, and the suspense was good, just super slow, and the romance was awful. Overall, it was okay.
March 21, 2022
This is an excellent story centered around several people who become involved with crimes in the honey industry. There are researchers and large interstate businesses that are investigated by police and the FBI. It is a great mystery story that includes drama, murder and possible love.
January 19, 2024
So implausible that it was frustrating. How could a university president and Dean of students act like that? Threatening expulsion for a student just being in a room. How many dead bodies can one book have? I usually love anything by this author, but this one was over the top.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 1, 2017
Clean, but overly LDS and very predictable.
June 27, 2017
Enjoyable. Nothing amazing, but it was a nice read - good for a long car ride.
July 29, 2017
Excellent mystery, adventure, with a love story thrown in.
Keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
Keeps the reader guessing until the very end.
February 13, 2018
I liked the twist and turns in the plot
June 30, 2018
A page turner
I have just started with this author; but this book had me glued to its pages from the very first one
I have just started with this author; but this book had me glued to its pages from the very first one
August 19, 2021
We listened to the tape. A lot of murders.
June 30, 2022
I liked the story, but the romance seemed rushed and fairly unprofessional for an FBI agent working on an assignment...
July 25, 2023
it was ok.
Clean
I love books about bees so I was happy to read this.
Clean
I love books about bees so I was happy to read this.
January 9, 2024
could not finish. fat shaming, one dimensional characters .. just an overall nope. I made it half way.
January 15, 2024
I enjoyed listening to the book. Not a perfect book, but perfect to listen to while running errands.
February 21, 2024
This story had potential but fell flat. The author added a cheesy romance to the book which didn't help it at all. . Rating it a 3 was very generous and an act of charity.
April 10, 2024
An enjoyable novel.
March 10, 2025
Who knew bees could be tied in so well to a murder mystery? Fascinating.
April 14, 2025
Recommended by a relative, it lived up to the hype. Excellent storyline about rotten people killing honeybees, which I was very invested in. Lots of action . You better keep your eyes open at the end.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 73 reviews