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DC Harriet Taylor #1
The Beekeeper
A shocking discovery starts a trail of mayhem on the Cornish coast.
Alice Green is a beekeeper in the small Cornish village of Polgarrow. She lives with her pet jackdaw in a beautiful cottage not far from the sea. One evening, Alice finds something strange under the hollyhock bush in her garden. The gruesome discovery will change everyone’s lives. And then Alice’s best friend Milly disappears . . .
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred to the area from Edinburgh. As she investigates a series of shocking crimes, she grows close to the old beekeeper and is determined to bring the criminals to justice. But who is really what they seem and who can she trust?
A crime mystery with a touch of black humour.
Alice Green is a beekeeper in the small Cornish village of Polgarrow. She lives with her pet jackdaw in a beautiful cottage not far from the sea. One evening, Alice finds something strange under the hollyhock bush in her garden. The gruesome discovery will change everyone’s lives. And then Alice’s best friend Milly disappears . . .
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred to the area from Edinburgh. As she investigates a series of shocking crimes, she grows close to the old beekeeper and is determined to bring the criminals to justice. But who is really what they seem and who can she trust?
A crime mystery with a touch of black humour.
Paperback
Published May 22, 2017
About the author
Stewart Giles
54 books63 followersAfter reading English at 3 Universities and graduating from none of them, I set off travelling around the world with my wife, Ann, finally settling in South Africa, where we still live. After Ann dropped a rather large speaker on my head I came up with the idea for a detective series. DS Jason Smith was born. Smith, the first in the series was finished a few months later. 3 years and 8 DS Smith books later, Joffe Books wondered if I would be interested in working with them. As a self-published author, I agreed. However, we decided on a new series - the DC Harriet Taylor Cornwall series. The Beekeeper hit the shelves and hit the number one spot in Australia. The second in the series, The Perfect Murder did just as well. The third in the series, The Backpacker I have self-published and is now available.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 89 reviews
May 18, 2017
Alice Green keeps bees in the small Cornish village of Polgarrow. She has been friends with her neighbour Milly Lancaster for over 40 years. Alice's husband walked out on her10 years ago and she has. Not seen him since.
Alice sells the honey from her bees at the monthly market and Milly makes cakes and biscuits. Milly does not turn up for the market and Alice is worried about her. She goes to check on Milly on her way home. Milly is not there but her baking is laid out ready to be boxed up. Alice is worried and reports her friend missing to the police.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just been transferred form Edinburgh. She is sent to investigate. Milly is just the start of a series of shocking crimes. Harriet also grows closer to Alice
I quite enjoyed this tale. It reminded me of Roald Dhal's Tales of th Unexpected. It's well written, fast paced with a touch of dark humour.
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Stewart Giles for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Alice sells the honey from her bees at the monthly market and Milly makes cakes and biscuits. Milly does not turn up for the market and Alice is worried about her. She goes to check on Milly on her way home. Milly is not there but her baking is laid out ready to be boxed up. Alice is worried and reports her friend missing to the police.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just been transferred form Edinburgh. She is sent to investigate. Milly is just the start of a series of shocking crimes. Harriet also grows closer to Alice
I quite enjoyed this tale. It reminded me of Roald Dhal's Tales of th Unexpected. It's well written, fast paced with a touch of dark humour.
I would like to thank Joffe Books and the author Stewart Giles for my ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 27, 2017
3.5 stars. This review can also be found at
https://overtherainbowbookblog.wordpr...
The Beekeeper is an interesting mystery that is quite easy to read as it is fast flowing and there is always something happening or being discovered which makes the book difficult to put down.
I really liked the main character Alice, the Beekeeper, who is a fantastic character really kookie and entertaining. I enjoyed reading about her exploits throughout the book and discovering more about her. Her hobby of beekeeping was fascinating and I enjoyed learning more about what it involved. I also liked Harriet Taylor who seemed quite a strong woman, despite her sad background. It was lovely to see her grow in confidence throughout the book and settle into her new job. I especially liked her determination to do her job to the best of her abilities and that she fought to ensure she got the right results.
It was great to be able to follow an investigation from the start to its conclusion and be able to see the ins and outs of a police investigation. The author includes descriptions of how the police get to their conclusions and how they conduct their investigations which was fascinating to read about.
The internal politics of a police station and how important or necessary each person is considered by others was very interesting. The conversations between the police officers was very telling and could get quite personal at times leading to some funny moments.
There are some gory bits in the book, where the author goes into quite a lot of vivid detail about how a corpse looks. If you are squeamish you might be better avoiding this book. Some of the descriptions made me feel quite sick at times.
I did unfortunately guess early on who the murderer was. I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers and I think that was why I was able to guess rather than anything being wrong with the book. Even though I had guessed I enjoyed reading the rest of the book while I waited to discover if I was right.
This is Stewart Giles’s debut novel and I would be interested in reading more of his books as I did enjoy most of the book its just a shame I worked it out.
Huge thank you to Joffe Books and Jill Burkinshaw for my copy of this book.
https://overtherainbowbookblog.wordpr...
The Beekeeper is an interesting mystery that is quite easy to read as it is fast flowing and there is always something happening or being discovered which makes the book difficult to put down.
I really liked the main character Alice, the Beekeeper, who is a fantastic character really kookie and entertaining. I enjoyed reading about her exploits throughout the book and discovering more about her. Her hobby of beekeeping was fascinating and I enjoyed learning more about what it involved. I also liked Harriet Taylor who seemed quite a strong woman, despite her sad background. It was lovely to see her grow in confidence throughout the book and settle into her new job. I especially liked her determination to do her job to the best of her abilities and that she fought to ensure she got the right results.
It was great to be able to follow an investigation from the start to its conclusion and be able to see the ins and outs of a police investigation. The author includes descriptions of how the police get to their conclusions and how they conduct their investigations which was fascinating to read about.
The internal politics of a police station and how important or necessary each person is considered by others was very interesting. The conversations between the police officers was very telling and could get quite personal at times leading to some funny moments.
There are some gory bits in the book, where the author goes into quite a lot of vivid detail about how a corpse looks. If you are squeamish you might be better avoiding this book. Some of the descriptions made me feel quite sick at times.
I did unfortunately guess early on who the murderer was. I read a lot of mysteries and thrillers and I think that was why I was able to guess rather than anything being wrong with the book. Even though I had guessed I enjoyed reading the rest of the book while I waited to discover if I was right.
This is Stewart Giles’s debut novel and I would be interested in reading more of his books as I did enjoy most of the book its just a shame I worked it out.
Huge thank you to Joffe Books and Jill Burkinshaw for my copy of this book.
May 19, 2017
I would like to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books, a police procedural featuring DC Harriet Taylor set in Cornwall.
Harriet interviews Alice Green when she reports her friend, Millie, missing and is the only one to take Alice's fears seriously. When Millie's car is found foul play is suspected and Harriet is determined to protect Alice and find the culprit but Alice is keeping secrets.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Beekeeper which kept me on my toes. I was never sure initially if I was interpreting what I was told correctly or if it was all a bluff. It's an intriguing start. After that it's all about following the investigation from Harriet's point of view with more information than she has.
Harriet is a good protagonist. She felt obliged to move as far from Edinburgh as she could after some embarrassing circumstances in her life became public knowledge but it hasn't stopped her adapting well to life in Cornwall and fitting in with her new team. She is a kind caring person and her personality brings light and warmth to a difficult investigation.
There is a dark humour running through this novel, more situational than in the dialogue, which makes for good reading.
I would like to read more of DC Harriet Taylor and have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending The Beekeeper as a good read.
Harriet interviews Alice Green when she reports her friend, Millie, missing and is the only one to take Alice's fears seriously. When Millie's car is found foul play is suspected and Harriet is determined to protect Alice and find the culprit but Alice is keeping secrets.
I thoroughly enjoyed The Beekeeper which kept me on my toes. I was never sure initially if I was interpreting what I was told correctly or if it was all a bluff. It's an intriguing start. After that it's all about following the investigation from Harriet's point of view with more information than she has.
Harriet is a good protagonist. She felt obliged to move as far from Edinburgh as she could after some embarrassing circumstances in her life became public knowledge but it hasn't stopped her adapting well to life in Cornwall and fitting in with her new team. She is a kind caring person and her personality brings light and warmth to a difficult investigation.
There is a dark humour running through this novel, more situational than in the dialogue, which makes for good reading.
I would like to read more of DC Harriet Taylor and have no hesitation, therefore, in recommending The Beekeeper as a good read.
September 3, 2017
This was a charming detective mystery that was a bit disappointing. The why's were not satisfactorily answered. The character development was strong and favorable. Overall, a good read with a high potential that was not met.
Copy provided by publisher and NetGalley.
Copy provided by publisher and NetGalley.
September 17, 2019
I am currently reading 'Trotterdown', which consists of the three books in the Detective Harriet Taylor series.
Book 1: The Beekeeper
Book 2: The Perfect Murder
Book 3: The Backpacker
I have just finished The Beekeeper, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
DC Harriet Taylor is a new member of the Police force down in Trotterdown, the South West of England - having moved from Edinburgh in the hope of a fresh start and to help her to forget her tragic past.
I think that all of the characters are believable, some I liked, others not so much, but that's like real-life and it in no way put me off my overall opinion of the story. Harriet, being one of the likable characters - I took to her straight away and I can't wait to follow her on her journey in cracking more cases - I hope that she soon finds her happier place, mentally. I really enjoyed the story, it has a great plot and this author is an exceptional writer. I have enjoyed every book of Stewart Giles that I've read so far; each tells a different story and with the usual and new characters alike, I have become engrossed in every book that I've read. In this genre I have a few 'favourite' authors and Stewart Giles is now one of them and I find myself looking for authors with a similar writing style. I also enjoy the humour within the stories and this one had me chuckling to myself early on when we meet the elderly lady, Alice Green, aka The Beekeeper, and her very cheeky pet Jackdaw. Alice's neighbour and long-standing friend, Milly Lancaster, suddenly disappears and Harriet becomes part of the team involved in helping find her but other sinister things are happening, too, and (against the wishes of some) a team of detectives are brought in from Exeter to help. It was highly entertaining and full of drama and mystery, and I loved the big twist that I didn't see coming. What I thought might happen, never did happen!😂 ... I highly recommend this book and I am already enjoying Book 2: The Perfect Murder. Thank you
Book 1: The Beekeeper
Book 2: The Perfect Murder
Book 3: The Backpacker
I have just finished The Beekeeper, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
DC Harriet Taylor is a new member of the Police force down in Trotterdown, the South West of England - having moved from Edinburgh in the hope of a fresh start and to help her to forget her tragic past.
I think that all of the characters are believable, some I liked, others not so much, but that's like real-life and it in no way put me off my overall opinion of the story. Harriet, being one of the likable characters - I took to her straight away and I can't wait to follow her on her journey in cracking more cases - I hope that she soon finds her happier place, mentally. I really enjoyed the story, it has a great plot and this author is an exceptional writer. I have enjoyed every book of Stewart Giles that I've read so far; each tells a different story and with the usual and new characters alike, I have become engrossed in every book that I've read. In this genre I have a few 'favourite' authors and Stewart Giles is now one of them and I find myself looking for authors with a similar writing style. I also enjoy the humour within the stories and this one had me chuckling to myself early on when we meet the elderly lady, Alice Green, aka The Beekeeper, and her very cheeky pet Jackdaw. Alice's neighbour and long-standing friend, Milly Lancaster, suddenly disappears and Harriet becomes part of the team involved in helping find her but other sinister things are happening, too, and (against the wishes of some) a team of detectives are brought in from Exeter to help. It was highly entertaining and full of drama and mystery, and I loved the big twist that I didn't see coming. What I thought might happen, never did happen!😂 ... I highly recommend this book and I am already enjoying Book 2: The Perfect Murder. Thank you
November 29, 2017
The story is quite different Alice is a beekeeper who sells the honey at the monthly market where Milly sells cakes and biscuits till one day Milly does not appear. The investigation starts here at the helm of Detective Harriet.
Harriet makes a great main character with her forthright attitude and her determination. It was nice to see her grow into her character and gain confidence as the book is read. The story has an undercurrent of dark humour running through which uplifts the book.
Some parts are described as in great details like workings of police stations and politics, which I didn't care much for and I skipped over those parts.
On the whole this is a good debut by the author, Stewart Giles
Harriet makes a great main character with her forthright attitude and her determination. It was nice to see her grow into her character and gain confidence as the book is read. The story has an undercurrent of dark humour running through which uplifts the book.
Some parts are described as in great details like workings of police stations and politics, which I didn't care much for and I skipped over those parts.
On the whole this is a good debut by the author, Stewart Giles
May 22, 2017
The Beekeeper by Stewart Giles.
Milly Lancaster is missing. Her friend Alice Green has her missing. DC Harriet Taylor and her team are investigating. Milly car had gone over the cliff with her in it. She was murdered. But by who? Can Harriet find the out who murdered her and why?
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I really liked Alice and Harriet. They were my favourite characters. The bodies kept coming but I couldn't think who could have murdered them. They were all connected somehow. Full of twists and plots. Could not put it down. I started having my suspicions about a suspect and I was right. Still an enjoyable read. 5*. Netgalley and Joffe books.
Milly Lancaster is missing. Her friend Alice Green has her missing. DC Harriet Taylor and her team are investigating. Milly car had gone over the cliff with her in it. She was murdered. But by who? Can Harriet find the out who murdered her and why?
Fantastic read with brilliant characters. I really liked Alice and Harriet. They were my favourite characters. The bodies kept coming but I couldn't think who could have murdered them. They were all connected somehow. Full of twists and plots. Could not put it down. I started having my suspicions about a suspect and I was right. Still an enjoyable read. 5*. Netgalley and Joffe books.
September 25, 2021
In this murder mystery there are a lot of twists and turns. Although it is quite a serious book you can't help smiling at some off the characters.
It's really well written and easy to read.
The best way to get you to understand the type of book it is. Best I can do is remember those series usually on in the afternoon.A detective story or a murder or just a good old plain mystery. I remember my mum watching those. This is this book good clean fun. Although there is a murder to contend with.
It's a nice read
Enjoy!
It's really well written and easy to read.
The best way to get you to understand the type of book it is. Best I can do is remember those series usually on in the afternoon.A detective story or a murder or just a good old plain mystery. I remember my mum watching those. This is this book good clean fun. Although there is a murder to contend with.
It's a nice read
Enjoy!
May 22, 2017
This is a brilliant book. The Author takes what should be gory and makes it amusing, with an enormous amount of skill, and the result is a gripping book that has the reader turning page after page.
This is possibly the funniest thriller I have ever read. Stewart has a dark sense of humour that comes through in the book which brings a totally unique perspective to the story. I found it very intriguing. I suspected who the killer was at the beginning but what you have learned from reading thrillers over the years is ingrained into you and you find yourself denying what is actually staring you in the face. The characters are unique but develop well throughout the book and the story is also different I was very impressed.
I love Alice’s character, she is a lot of fun. An eccentric old lady who has had a rough life with a philandering husband who had a habit of disappearing for long periods with his latest fling. He eventually left 10 years ago and hasn’t returned. She makes a living from the honey produced by her beekeeping. She has a Jackdaw that she rescued who is her main companion and a friend Millie. Millie is widowed and a fragile person who is dominated by Alice.
Detective Harriet Taylor has also had a difficult life. Her husband was killed in a car crash with his lover also in the car. She became the laughing stock of the Police Force in Edinburgh so transferred to Polgarrow, a quiet town in Cornwall. She is picking up the pieces of her life and has a good relationship with her boss, Killion, when half a body is caught up in the nets of a fishing boat. Shortly afterwards Millie goes missing and her car is found at the bottom of the cliffs. When a house explodes the decision is made to bring in a crack team from Exeter. When Harriet is chosen to be part of this team she finds herself, again, the talking stock of the station. The similarity in their history forms a connection between Alice and Harriet.
Thank you to Joffe Books and Netgalley who provided me with a free copy of this book.
This is possibly the funniest thriller I have ever read. Stewart has a dark sense of humour that comes through in the book which brings a totally unique perspective to the story. I found it very intriguing. I suspected who the killer was at the beginning but what you have learned from reading thrillers over the years is ingrained into you and you find yourself denying what is actually staring you in the face. The characters are unique but develop well throughout the book and the story is also different I was very impressed.
I love Alice’s character, she is a lot of fun. An eccentric old lady who has had a rough life with a philandering husband who had a habit of disappearing for long periods with his latest fling. He eventually left 10 years ago and hasn’t returned. She makes a living from the honey produced by her beekeeping. She has a Jackdaw that she rescued who is her main companion and a friend Millie. Millie is widowed and a fragile person who is dominated by Alice.
Detective Harriet Taylor has also had a difficult life. Her husband was killed in a car crash with his lover also in the car. She became the laughing stock of the Police Force in Edinburgh so transferred to Polgarrow, a quiet town in Cornwall. She is picking up the pieces of her life and has a good relationship with her boss, Killion, when half a body is caught up in the nets of a fishing boat. Shortly afterwards Millie goes missing and her car is found at the bottom of the cliffs. When a house explodes the decision is made to bring in a crack team from Exeter. When Harriet is chosen to be part of this team she finds herself, again, the talking stock of the station. The similarity in their history forms a connection between Alice and Harriet.
Thank you to Joffe Books and Netgalley who provided me with a free copy of this book.
June 2, 2017
I have been so looking forward to reading this book and although it is a murder mystery it made me smile over and over again. I couldn't help it, I just took to Alice Green, the beekeeper, from the start. I really don't think there is much of a mystery to the killer it is more of a journey to discover why rather than who.
Alice just wants to plod along, look after her bees, her very dodgy pet jackdaw and make a steady living. She has managed on her own for the last 10 years quite nicely thank you and she certainly won't have anything upsetting the balance, no sir! This book is set in Cornwall and it has that steady feel with it, not a slow plot but a feeling that this crime and some that follow will be solved locally. I really loved all the suspects that were considered and the reasons behind the suspicions of guilt.
I particularly took to one of the police working the case, Detective Harriet Taylor, who had transferred from Edinburgh. I liked her independent thinking and unusual friendship that she created with straight talking Alice. I think it boarders on more of a cosy mystery rather than a dark thriller but I found it an enjoyable and entertaining book with no over the top violence in it. A book to lay back and enjoy rather than hide behind the sofa.
The book also has a glossary of English Slang for any USA readers, which is a great idea.
Alice just wants to plod along, look after her bees, her very dodgy pet jackdaw and make a steady living. She has managed on her own for the last 10 years quite nicely thank you and she certainly won't have anything upsetting the balance, no sir! This book is set in Cornwall and it has that steady feel with it, not a slow plot but a feeling that this crime and some that follow will be solved locally. I really loved all the suspects that were considered and the reasons behind the suspicions of guilt.
I particularly took to one of the police working the case, Detective Harriet Taylor, who had transferred from Edinburgh. I liked her independent thinking and unusual friendship that she created with straight talking Alice. I think it boarders on more of a cosy mystery rather than a dark thriller but I found it an enjoyable and entertaining book with no over the top violence in it. A book to lay back and enjoy rather than hide behind the sofa.
The book also has a glossary of English Slang for any USA readers, which is a great idea.
May 15, 2017
A lighthearted detective read with twists and turns. Alice keeps bees as well as something under the Hollyhocks. Her best friend suddenly disappears and the local force now have more activity than they have ever had on their hands along with a possible shark attack. Three older residents dead within a few days. This is a well written novel and as you can guess from the description is done with a sense of humour. Alice is a wonderful character that you can see in your mind’s eye. A slightly eccentric woman that we have all met at one time or another (or at least imagine to have done). Characters come to life with their antics and personalities to make this an enjoyable easy read. Nothing too taxing. nothing too gory just a lovely entertaining read with a smile.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
I voluntarily chose to read this ARC and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased.
May 21, 2017
I would highly recommend this to people who are fans of Midsomer Murders. A full review will follow on my blog on Sunday 28th May. I took a point off as I worked out the WHOdunnit, but not the WHYdunnit!
June 1, 2017
The Beekeeper is a solid British police procedural that will readily appeal to fans of Midsommer Murders and the like. DC Harriet Taylor transferred to Polgarrow from Edinburgh after the death of her husband. The sleepy Cornish village has little crime, and until now a handful of burglaries have been the extent of Taylor’s experience.
Alice Green is an elderly beekeeper, happily living alone after being abandoned by her promiscuous husband. Her best friend lives next door. But the day after a shocking discovery, her friend disappears and Alice, greatly concerned, contacts the police. Soon it becomes apparent that Alice’s neighbor was murdered. Not long after, the body (only the upper half) of an elderly man is brought up by fishermen, and another man dies in an explosion. Someone is killing elderly residents of Polgarrow. The case is of such concern that outside detectives are brought in and Taylor is assigned to the team. While investigating, Taylor strikes up a friendship with Alice. Little does she realize, the killer is hiding in plain sight.
I enjoyed The Beekeeper. It is a solid police procedural that reminds the reader that we readily overlook the elderly, considering them to be harmless, incapable of the extremes of emotion/action leading to murder. Alice Green is an odd, not altogether trustworthy woman, but her actions though suspicious are never suspect - at least not in Taylor's mind. Preconceptions lead the visiting detectives into folly, only Taylor admits uncertainty. It is an important reminder that preconceptions color what we see, and make us overlook the significant and the obvious.
4 / 5
I received a copy of The Beekeeper from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
Alice Green is an elderly beekeeper, happily living alone after being abandoned by her promiscuous husband. Her best friend lives next door. But the day after a shocking discovery, her friend disappears and Alice, greatly concerned, contacts the police. Soon it becomes apparent that Alice’s neighbor was murdered. Not long after, the body (only the upper half) of an elderly man is brought up by fishermen, and another man dies in an explosion. Someone is killing elderly residents of Polgarrow. The case is of such concern that outside detectives are brought in and Taylor is assigned to the team. While investigating, Taylor strikes up a friendship with Alice. Little does she realize, the killer is hiding in plain sight.
I enjoyed The Beekeeper. It is a solid police procedural that reminds the reader that we readily overlook the elderly, considering them to be harmless, incapable of the extremes of emotion/action leading to murder. Alice Green is an odd, not altogether trustworthy woman, but her actions though suspicious are never suspect - at least not in Taylor's mind. Preconceptions lead the visiting detectives into folly, only Taylor admits uncertainty. It is an important reminder that preconceptions color what we see, and make us overlook the significant and the obvious.
4 / 5
I received a copy of The Beekeeper from the publisher and Netgalley.com in exchange for an honest review.
--Crittermom
April 20, 2020
I was tempted to classify this easy read as a cozy, although there are 3 rather ghastly murders: 3 elderly people who were part of a wedding party 40 years earlier are murdered within a week. The beekeeper Alice Green is the only one left standing.
When the local police can't solve the first murder in good time a "crack" team of outsiders with a rather pompous DI at the helm move in and come to a conclusion in double quick time. But even as they are celebrating Harriet Taylor proves them wrong.
This is the first in a series so readers can get in at the beginning of Harriet's career.
When the local police can't solve the first murder in good time a "crack" team of outsiders with a rather pompous DI at the helm move in and come to a conclusion in double quick time. But even as they are celebrating Harriet Taylor proves them wrong.
This is the first in a series so readers can get in at the beginning of Harriet's career.
July 17, 2020
Good!
I've read this series backwards. I started at book 3 and went back to book 1, but the stories are completely standalone. This was just as I expected from book 3. I did guess who the killer was from the beginning, this one wasn't as tight as book 3, but I did enjoy it. If you like crime then this is a series for you.
I've read this series backwards. I started at book 3 and went back to book 1, but the stories are completely standalone. This was just as I expected from book 3. I did guess who the killer was from the beginning, this one wasn't as tight as book 3, but I did enjoy it. If you like crime then this is a series for you.
May 23, 2017
2 stars
Alice Green whose husband left her ten years earlier enjoys the company of her pet jackdaw. Alice discovers what appears to be the body of her husband buried in her garden. She decides to cover it up – just until Monday – of course. Alice appears to be a thoroughly unlikeable woman.
Parts of Stanley keep coming up out of the dirt; a rain and then a fox digs him partially up. When her friend and neighbor Milly goes missing and her car is found having gone over a cliff, the tension mounts.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred from Edinburgh and has been assigned Milly’s disappearance along with her colleagues.
Alice decides to dispose of Stanley’s body. When it comes up caught in a fisherman’s net a new investigation begins. A man dies in a house fire and it is determined to be murder. Meanwhile someone is held for questioning in Milly’s disappearance.
After the three cases hit a brick wall, a new DCI James is called in to rally the troops and take charge of the cases. After a cursory investigation, James’ team declares the case closed. But it’s not. The murderer comes as no surprise as I suspected them from the outset.
Okay, I have a few problems with this book. How in the heck can a little old lady carry a “large television” set into her house all alone? She has a poor attitude and seems ticked off at everyone except her friend, Milly. Her attitude about her dead husband in her garden is very suspicious. I mean, really? How could she just cut off his ring finger with the shovel? I can see the little finger or the thumb, but a ring finger? Then DC Taylor forms an unprofessional attachment to Alice.
This is rather a mundane mystery. It is simply written, but the plotting is a bit better than the writing. The characters are well drawn though and the reader is given sufficient background to understand them but the amount of information does not detract from the story. The novel is loaded with unlikeable people: Alice, DCI James and DC Taylor are just a few. The team does not seem to get along with one another.
I want to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Alice Green whose husband left her ten years earlier enjoys the company of her pet jackdaw. Alice discovers what appears to be the body of her husband buried in her garden. She decides to cover it up – just until Monday – of course. Alice appears to be a thoroughly unlikeable woman.
Parts of Stanley keep coming up out of the dirt; a rain and then a fox digs him partially up. When her friend and neighbor Milly goes missing and her car is found having gone over a cliff, the tension mounts.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred from Edinburgh and has been assigned Milly’s disappearance along with her colleagues.
Alice decides to dispose of Stanley’s body. When it comes up caught in a fisherman’s net a new investigation begins. A man dies in a house fire and it is determined to be murder. Meanwhile someone is held for questioning in Milly’s disappearance.
After the three cases hit a brick wall, a new DCI James is called in to rally the troops and take charge of the cases. After a cursory investigation, James’ team declares the case closed. But it’s not. The murderer comes as no surprise as I suspected them from the outset.
Okay, I have a few problems with this book. How in the heck can a little old lady carry a “large television” set into her house all alone? She has a poor attitude and seems ticked off at everyone except her friend, Milly. Her attitude about her dead husband in her garden is very suspicious. I mean, really? How could she just cut off his ring finger with the shovel? I can see the little finger or the thumb, but a ring finger? Then DC Taylor forms an unprofessional attachment to Alice.
This is rather a mundane mystery. It is simply written, but the plotting is a bit better than the writing. The characters are well drawn though and the reader is given sufficient background to understand them but the amount of information does not detract from the story. The novel is loaded with unlikeable people: Alice, DCI James and DC Taylor are just a few. The team does not seem to get along with one another.
I want to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
May 20, 2017
I have never read any novels by this author but when Joffe books asked me to read and review this one, I was quite intrigued by the title. I have something of a fascination with beekeeping so thought that this would be right up my street. Sadly, apart from the little old lady being a beekeeper, there isn’t very much about keeping bees in this novel. However, this is a fascinating and somewhat quaint little story about three pensioners being murdered in a week in a small Cornish fishing village – something that rarely happens which is why the local police struggle to find out what is going on.
A new team is brought in from Exeter to help solve the puzzle but, despite their confidence that they have identified the murderer and closed the case, one detective from Polgarrow is positive that they have got it wrong and follows her gut instinct to track down the suspect.
This is a lovely, easy going story which is a fast read but nevertheless a delightful little tale. I have to confess that I had worked out who the murderer was pretty much from the very start of the book but it was gratifying to find I was correct and have the whole case wrapped up satisfactorily.
A new team is brought in from Exeter to help solve the puzzle but, despite their confidence that they have identified the murderer and closed the case, one detective from Polgarrow is positive that they have got it wrong and follows her gut instinct to track down the suspect.
This is a lovely, easy going story which is a fast read but nevertheless a delightful little tale. I have to confess that I had worked out who the murderer was pretty much from the very start of the book but it was gratifying to find I was correct and have the whole case wrapped up satisfactorily.
February 11, 2018
Very poor on police procedure-team from Exeter taking over, local cop clueless. Elderly lady killing her neighbours
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 28, 2017
If you just looked at the title of this book and did not read any of the blurb you could be forgiven for thinking that this book will be quite nice and gentle… after all what could possibly be sinister about a beekeeper??? Yes on the face of it at the start Alice seems like a nice old lady who looks after bees and makes honey to sell at the local markets and has a pet jackdaw that she rescued. And that’s where the nice ends. Alice has a secret that ends up setting of a chain of events that ripple through the village.
Apart from the fact that she seemed permanently obsessed with the fact that her latest batch of honey seemed a bit funny, she really does seem like a nice old lady who is just trying to make ends meet after her husband left her.
When a hand pops up from under the bushes in her garden wearing her husband’s wedding ring she persuades her best friend not to say anything until Monday so that they can go to the market. When her friend disappears but her car turns up over a cliff in a nearby village you know that the two things are linked but not sure totally how. As more people die there seems to be only one thing (or person) that is a constant in all their pasts… Alice
I am not sure if I liked the character of Alice or not. She was definitely obsessed with her honey and offered it to anyone that visited. She also seemed a bit stereotypical for an elderly person… nosey with not many good things to say about anyone. But then again it was those exact traits that were used very effectively in leading the police in the wrong direction in their investigations.
Although not the senior detective on the case the main character in the police force seems to be Detective Harriet Taylor. She has transferred to Cornwall from Edinburgh after the death of her husband. She decided that a change of pace would be good for her to escape all the gossip surrounding his car accident as he was found with another woman. Being new to the community she was befriended by Alice and Harriet had no issues offering her a place to stay when it looked like she may be the next potential victim. I liked Harriet. Despite what had gone on in her past or maybe because of it she was determined to find out the truth.
Her boss is dealing with a wife who has early onset Alzheimer’s and so his focus is not totally on the case. His temporary replacement brought in from another force puts everyone’s nose out of joint by bringing in his own team and with only Harriet from the local force. When he determines that they know who the killer is and closes the case, she goes against his orders and keeps investigating, putting her own life in danger.
Although after a while I knew who the killer was and why they were murdering people it was still an engaging read as you were not actually sure who else would end up dead or how. If you are expecting a hard hitting murder mystery type story then The Beekeeper is not the one for you but that being said I did enjoy it and found myself chuckling occasionally especially at how Alice disposed of the t finger at the beginning. Am not sure that says more about the Authors dark sense of humour or mine. This is the first book I have read by Stewart Giles however I am now tempted to check out others that he has written.
I would like to thank Joffe Books for the advance copy of this book in return for my review.
Apart from the fact that she seemed permanently obsessed with the fact that her latest batch of honey seemed a bit funny, she really does seem like a nice old lady who is just trying to make ends meet after her husband left her.
When a hand pops up from under the bushes in her garden wearing her husband’s wedding ring she persuades her best friend not to say anything until Monday so that they can go to the market. When her friend disappears but her car turns up over a cliff in a nearby village you know that the two things are linked but not sure totally how. As more people die there seems to be only one thing (or person) that is a constant in all their pasts… Alice
I am not sure if I liked the character of Alice or not. She was definitely obsessed with her honey and offered it to anyone that visited. She also seemed a bit stereotypical for an elderly person… nosey with not many good things to say about anyone. But then again it was those exact traits that were used very effectively in leading the police in the wrong direction in their investigations.
Although not the senior detective on the case the main character in the police force seems to be Detective Harriet Taylor. She has transferred to Cornwall from Edinburgh after the death of her husband. She decided that a change of pace would be good for her to escape all the gossip surrounding his car accident as he was found with another woman. Being new to the community she was befriended by Alice and Harriet had no issues offering her a place to stay when it looked like she may be the next potential victim. I liked Harriet. Despite what had gone on in her past or maybe because of it she was determined to find out the truth.
Her boss is dealing with a wife who has early onset Alzheimer’s and so his focus is not totally on the case. His temporary replacement brought in from another force puts everyone’s nose out of joint by bringing in his own team and with only Harriet from the local force. When he determines that they know who the killer is and closes the case, she goes against his orders and keeps investigating, putting her own life in danger.
Although after a while I knew who the killer was and why they were murdering people it was still an engaging read as you were not actually sure who else would end up dead or how. If you are expecting a hard hitting murder mystery type story then The Beekeeper is not the one for you but that being said I did enjoy it and found myself chuckling occasionally especially at how Alice disposed of the t finger at the beginning. Am not sure that says more about the Authors dark sense of humour or mine. This is the first book I have read by Stewart Giles however I am now tempted to check out others that he has written.
I would like to thank Joffe Books for the advance copy of this book in return for my review.
July 30, 2017
One of the things I have come to dislike about police procedurals by US authors is the obsession with serial killers. It’s gotten a little better in recent years, but given the unassailable fact most people are killed by someone they know, the whole serial killer schtick has gotten really old.
It’s not a spoiler to say Mr. Giles’s quirky novel set in Cornwall avoids that obsession beautifully, because the joy of this book isn’t solving the problem but watching the characters struggle with puzzles both internal and external.
Briefly, this is about how Detective Harriet Taylor, who has transferred to Cornwall mostly because it’s the farthest she can get from her native Scotland and memories of her cheating late husband, figures out (eventually) who did in three elderly locals. In the process, she meets Alice Green, a local beekeeper whose best friend is the first victim. The second, discovered belatedly, is Alice’s husband Stanley; the third is Stanley’s best mate. If you’re seeing a pattern, you’ll understand why I said mentioning the “killed by someone they know” isn’t really a spoiler. You may also never see hollyhocks the same way again.
Like DC Tayler, Alice put up with a cheating husband for years. “As the years went by I soon developed a thick skin. It’s what we do—we women,” she tells Harriet. And then: “You know what, Detective Harriet Taylor? You and I have more in common than either of us realizes."
What follows is a study in how we human beings, when we have an unhealed wound, can be drawn to trust others who share our experience of pain even absent any other element to support that trust. And how all too often that trust is horribly misplaced.
If you read mysteries and police procedurals solely for the pleasure of solving the crime, you may not find The Beekeeper to your liking. On the other hand, if you avoid this book for that reason, you’ll be missing out on a truly delightful reading experience. Mr. Giles combines the best elements of the genre with a character so superbly eccentric it’s hard to think of her as a cold-blooded killer.
Which is, of course, why instead of worrying about serial murderers, we might put out concern to better use watching out for Uncle Harry.
As an aside, this novel reminded me a great deal of the wonderful Cary Grant film of Arsenic and Old Lace, despite there being few if any actual parallels between the two. I wish I could say why, but there it is. Maybe it’s just the underlying theme that sometimes the deadliest among us are the ones we’d least expect.
In any case, I recommend you both read this book and watch the movie for a double-shot of entertainment.
It’s not a spoiler to say Mr. Giles’s quirky novel set in Cornwall avoids that obsession beautifully, because the joy of this book isn’t solving the problem but watching the characters struggle with puzzles both internal and external.
Briefly, this is about how Detective Harriet Taylor, who has transferred to Cornwall mostly because it’s the farthest she can get from her native Scotland and memories of her cheating late husband, figures out (eventually) who did in three elderly locals. In the process, she meets Alice Green, a local beekeeper whose best friend is the first victim. The second, discovered belatedly, is Alice’s husband Stanley; the third is Stanley’s best mate. If you’re seeing a pattern, you’ll understand why I said mentioning the “killed by someone they know” isn’t really a spoiler. You may also never see hollyhocks the same way again.
Like DC Tayler, Alice put up with a cheating husband for years. “As the years went by I soon developed a thick skin. It’s what we do—we women,” she tells Harriet. And then: “You know what, Detective Harriet Taylor? You and I have more in common than either of us realizes."
What follows is a study in how we human beings, when we have an unhealed wound, can be drawn to trust others who share our experience of pain even absent any other element to support that trust. And how all too often that trust is horribly misplaced.
If you read mysteries and police procedurals solely for the pleasure of solving the crime, you may not find The Beekeeper to your liking. On the other hand, if you avoid this book for that reason, you’ll be missing out on a truly delightful reading experience. Mr. Giles combines the best elements of the genre with a character so superbly eccentric it’s hard to think of her as a cold-blooded killer.
Which is, of course, why instead of worrying about serial murderers, we might put out concern to better use watching out for Uncle Harry.
As an aside, this novel reminded me a great deal of the wonderful Cary Grant film of Arsenic and Old Lace, despite there being few if any actual parallels between the two. I wish I could say why, but there it is. Maybe it’s just the underlying theme that sometimes the deadliest among us are the ones we’d least expect.
In any case, I recommend you both read this book and watch the movie for a double-shot of entertainment.
May 18, 2017
Elderly people in the English town of Trotterwood are dropping dead, and not from natural causes. DC Harriet Taylor, a Scottish transplant, catches the case. She’s unfortunately partnered with an oaf of a man who is found of liquor and generally dismissive and condescending to her and everyone else who isn’t him. Harriet has to work through being the new kid on the block and sticking to her guns when everyone else is telling her to go one way, but she knows that way is wrong, to solve the case.
I found Harriet an interesting, engaging character with a great backstory. She’s running from the grief of having her husband die in a car crash, grief that is compounded when she discovers his passenger was one of many women he’d been having affairs with. She knows her colleagues, while sympathetic on the surface, are silently mocking her for being a cop who couldn’t even suss out the fact her husband was cheating. She runs to Trotterwood because it’s as far as she can get from Edinburgh, and she’s ready for a simpler life.
Harriet’s boss, DC Jack Killian, is an interesting character as well. His wife is in the later stages of early-onset Alzheimer’s, and he’s a bit distracted. Maybe that distraction is hindering the team from solving the case, so the higher ups bring in a new team to clean house. Harriet is the only local cop to be asked to participate with the new team, so not only does she have to deal with being low woman on the totem pole, she also has to deal with office politics.
This was a quick, entertaining read, with great settings, quirky secondary characters, red herrings, fully-drawn main characters, smooth dialogue, and a surprising ending. So far it appears to be a stand-alone, but I’m hoping it becomes a series. The author has another series available, the DS Jason Smith series, and I liked this book enough to want to check out his other work.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher, Joffe Books. I’m very fond of British police procedurals, and this is one I would have purchased anyway had I stumbled across it.
I found Harriet an interesting, engaging character with a great backstory. She’s running from the grief of having her husband die in a car crash, grief that is compounded when she discovers his passenger was one of many women he’d been having affairs with. She knows her colleagues, while sympathetic on the surface, are silently mocking her for being a cop who couldn’t even suss out the fact her husband was cheating. She runs to Trotterwood because it’s as far as she can get from Edinburgh, and she’s ready for a simpler life.
Harriet’s boss, DC Jack Killian, is an interesting character as well. His wife is in the later stages of early-onset Alzheimer’s, and he’s a bit distracted. Maybe that distraction is hindering the team from solving the case, so the higher ups bring in a new team to clean house. Harriet is the only local cop to be asked to participate with the new team, so not only does she have to deal with being low woman on the totem pole, she also has to deal with office politics.
This was a quick, entertaining read, with great settings, quirky secondary characters, red herrings, fully-drawn main characters, smooth dialogue, and a surprising ending. So far it appears to be a stand-alone, but I’m hoping it becomes a series. The author has another series available, the DS Jason Smith series, and I liked this book enough to want to check out his other work.
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from the publisher, Joffe Books. I’m very fond of British police procedurals, and this is one I would have purchased anyway had I stumbled across it.
May 23, 2017
2 stars
Alice Green whose husband left her ten years earlier enjoys the company of her pet jackdaw. Alice discovers what appears to be the body of her husband buried in her garden. She decides to cover it up – just until Monday – of course. Alice appears to be a thoroughly unlikeable woman.
Parts of Stanley keep coming up out of the dirt; a rain and then a fox digs him partially up. When her friend and neighbor Milly goes missing and her car is found having gone over a cliff, the tension mounts.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred from Edinburgh and has been assigned Milly’s disappearance along with her colleagues.
Alice decides to dispose of Stanley’s body. When it comes up caught in a fisherman’s net a new investigation begins. A man dies in a house fire and it is determined to be murder. Meanwhile someone is held for questioning in Milly’s disappearance.
After the three cases hit a brick wall, a new DCI James is called in to rally the troops and take charge of the cases. After a cursory investigation, James’ team declares the case closed. But it’s not. The murderer comes as no surprise as I suspected them from the outset.
Okay, I have a few problems with this book. How in the heck can a little old lady carry a “large television” set into her house all alone? She has a poor attitude and seems ticked off at everyone except her friend, Milly. Her attitude about her dead husband in her garden is very suspicious. I mean, really? How could she just cut off his ring finger with the shovel? I can see the little finger or the thumb, but a ring finger? Then DC Taylor forms an unprofessional attachment to Alice.
This is rather a mundane mystery. It is simply written, but the plotting is a bit better than the writing. The characters are well drawn though and the reader is given sufficient background to understand them but the amount of information does not detract from the story. The novel is loaded with unlikeable people: Alice, DCI James and DC Taylor are just a few. The team does not seem to get along with one another.
I want to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
Alice Green whose husband left her ten years earlier enjoys the company of her pet jackdaw. Alice discovers what appears to be the body of her husband buried in her garden. She decides to cover it up – just until Monday – of course. Alice appears to be a thoroughly unlikeable woman.
Parts of Stanley keep coming up out of the dirt; a rain and then a fox digs him partially up. When her friend and neighbor Milly goes missing and her car is found having gone over a cliff, the tension mounts.
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred from Edinburgh and has been assigned Milly’s disappearance along with her colleagues.
Alice decides to dispose of Stanley’s body. When it comes up caught in a fisherman’s net a new investigation begins. A man dies in a house fire and it is determined to be murder. Meanwhile someone is held for questioning in Milly’s disappearance.
After the three cases hit a brick wall, a new DCI James is called in to rally the troops and take charge of the cases. After a cursory investigation, James’ team declares the case closed. But it’s not. The murderer comes as no surprise as I suspected them from the outset.
Okay, I have a few problems with this book. How in the heck can a little old lady carry a “large television” set into her house all alone? She has a poor attitude and seems ticked off at everyone except her friend, Milly. Her attitude about her dead husband in her garden is very suspicious. I mean, really? How could she just cut off his ring finger with the shovel? I can see the little finger or the thumb, but a ring finger? Then DC Taylor forms an unprofessional attachment to Alice.
This is rather a mundane mystery. It is simply written, but the plotting is a bit better than the writing. The characters are well drawn though and the reader is given sufficient background to understand them but the amount of information does not detract from the story. The novel is loaded with unlikeable people: Alice, DCI James and DC Taylor are just a few. The team does not seem to get along with one another.
I want to thank Netgalley and Joffe Books for forwarding to me a copy of this book to read.
April 30, 2019
This is the first book featuring DC Harriet Taylor and what an excellent start to a series! In the sleepy Cornish village of Polgarrow elderly beekeeper Alice Green makes a gruesome discovery under the hollyhocks in her garden and decides that covering it up might be the best course of action - just short term of course. Alice lives alone after her husband finally left her for good, and only really has one friend, Milly Lancaster, who lives close by and whom she has know since she was a girl. They always attend the local market, Alice with her honey and Milly with her baked goods, so when Milly fails to show the next day Alice becomes worried about her. She contacts the local police in Trotterdown and DC Harrier Taylor attends, together with DS Peter Duncan. Harriet has recently transferred from Edinburgh after the death of her adulterous husband Danny in order to make a fresh start away from the gossips. They suspect foul play when Milly's car is found and caring Harrier is determined to investigate whilst forming a friendship with the old lady. However this is just the start of some very nasty events. There are some wonderful characters in this book and they are all well described. I loved the streak of dark humour that ran through it, and the fact that everyone seems to be keeping secrets. All the bluffs and red herrings meant that just when I thought I had a strong suspect everything turned on its head. It is definitely a sign of a good storyteller that right up to the end I was having my doubts about the culprit. A great crime mystery with Harriet fitting in nicely to the team in Trotterdown police all ready for book two.
August 4, 2017
4.5 stars.
Blurb, since I see there isn't one on Goodreads:
A shocking discovery starts a trail of mayhem on the Cornish coast.
Alice Green is a beekeeper in the small Cornish village of Polgarrow. She lives with her pet jackdaw in a beautiful cottage not far from the sea. One evening, Alice finds something strange under the hollyhock bush in her garden. The gruesome discovery will change everyone’s lives. And then Alice’s best friend Milly disappears . . .
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred to the area from Edinburgh. As she investigates a series of shocking crimes, she grows close to the old beekeeper and is determined to bring the criminals to justice. But who is really what they seem and who can she trust?
A crime mystery with a touch of black humour. You’ll enjoy this fast-paced and dark unearthing of the secrets of a sleepy Cornish village.
It is a finely crafted semi psychological suspense and thriller. I was just so impressed with the story-line and the craftiness of the killer. The way the book was written you constantly doubt yourself whether your suspect is the right one.
I have said it before and I will say it again. There is just that something extra in a well written British who-dunnit. I am most definitely going to be on the lookout for more books by Stewart Giles. He is an author to keep an eye on.
This book is highly recommended for for those who like British suspense and thrillers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and eview this book.
Blurb, since I see there isn't one on Goodreads:
A shocking discovery starts a trail of mayhem on the Cornish coast.
Alice Green is a beekeeper in the small Cornish village of Polgarrow. She lives with her pet jackdaw in a beautiful cottage not far from the sea. One evening, Alice finds something strange under the hollyhock bush in her garden. The gruesome discovery will change everyone’s lives. And then Alice’s best friend Milly disappears . . .
Detective Harriet Taylor has just transferred to the area from Edinburgh. As she investigates a series of shocking crimes, she grows close to the old beekeeper and is determined to bring the criminals to justice. But who is really what they seem and who can she trust?
A crime mystery with a touch of black humour. You’ll enjoy this fast-paced and dark unearthing of the secrets of a sleepy Cornish village.
It is a finely crafted semi psychological suspense and thriller. I was just so impressed with the story-line and the craftiness of the killer. The way the book was written you constantly doubt yourself whether your suspect is the right one.
I have said it before and I will say it again. There is just that something extra in a well written British who-dunnit. I am most definitely going to be on the lookout for more books by Stewart Giles. He is an author to keep an eye on.
This book is highly recommended for for those who like British suspense and thrillers.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the opportunity to read and eview this book.
May 27, 2017
I had really mixed feelings on this book so had to give it a few days to let it soak in. I felt the writing was good and I enjoyed the lead character, Detective Harriet Taylor, and her background story. But I kept thinking from the very beginning that I knew the "who-done-it." Of course, because of the tag line on the title (a gripping crime mystery with a dark twist), I knew it couldn't be that simple and that something dark and twisty was coming. Because the writing was good and I just love a good, dark twist, I kept reading. Only at the end, the dark twist was that there actually was none- which left me in a dark and twisted place. :( Also, another twist was that the police were even more stupid than the goofy citizens. I do love dark, gruesome murders but there was only one part that was gruesome (possibly a few if you're especially squeamish), but other than that, it really is a cozy mystery in disguise. If I were this author and publisher, I would take off that tagline and dark cover, edit the gross scenes and republish as a cozy mystery. I see a lot of reviewers were as disappointed as I was. So- good writing, likable characters; blah plot and obvious mystery. Some readers might like it, but if you're a die-hard mystery fan, you'll want to pass on this one. (I was given an advance copy from Joffe publishing for an honest review.)
June 10, 2017
Meet Alice Green she's The Beekeeper she makes honey to sell at market with her friend and neighbour Milly Lancaster who sold her baking products. The two had been friends for a long time Milly was Alice's Maid of honour when she married Stanley 40 years previously.
They were there for each other when Millys husband died then when Alice's husband Stanley disappeared about 10 years ago.
Milly was helping Alice get her honey packed for market the next day when she left the two agreed they'd see each other as always at market next day. Alice makes her way there but Milly doesn't show up leaving Alice wondering where her friend is when she returns home she goes into Millys home her baking is cooling and her car has gone. Alice realises something's wrong and calls the police.
DC Harriet Taylor has just been promoted and moved from Edinburgh after her husband had been killed in a car crash where he is with another woman. Harriet hated the pitying looks from her colleagues and had decided to make a fresh start..
When a car is found and matched to Millys, Harriet is the officer who breaks the news to Alice.
Strange things start to happen to other neighbours leaving police wondering if there is a connection who would want to harm these people and why.
Great book I really enjoyed it's simplicity with an easy to follow plot. I personally would like to see more of DC Harriet Taylor.
They were there for each other when Millys husband died then when Alice's husband Stanley disappeared about 10 years ago.
Milly was helping Alice get her honey packed for market the next day when she left the two agreed they'd see each other as always at market next day. Alice makes her way there but Milly doesn't show up leaving Alice wondering where her friend is when she returns home she goes into Millys home her baking is cooling and her car has gone. Alice realises something's wrong and calls the police.
DC Harriet Taylor has just been promoted and moved from Edinburgh after her husband had been killed in a car crash where he is with another woman. Harriet hated the pitying looks from her colleagues and had decided to make a fresh start..
When a car is found and matched to Millys, Harriet is the officer who breaks the news to Alice.
Strange things start to happen to other neighbours leaving police wondering if there is a connection who would want to harm these people and why.
Great book I really enjoyed it's simplicity with an easy to follow plot. I personally would like to see more of DC Harriet Taylor.
October 14, 2017
This was recommended to me as a lightish read, a cozy, and that is really how I found it.
Three elderly people who were part of a wedding party forty years before all die within the space of a week. And, even though I had my suspicions, the plot kept me guessing almost to the end. The detective, Harriet Taylor is an interesting character, and extra tension arises when she is included in the investigative team when a group of "experts" descend from Exeter because the local team are apparently not getting anywhere.
Alice Green was the fourth member of that wedding party. She is the beekeeper, and her bees have begun producing strange tasting honey, and Alice is worried. She becomes friends with Harriet Taylor and that seems to give her some sort of immunity from suspicion.
I've never read anything before from Stewart Giles and I might just give his other series a try.
Three elderly people who were part of a wedding party forty years before all die within the space of a week. And, even though I had my suspicions, the plot kept me guessing almost to the end. The detective, Harriet Taylor is an interesting character, and extra tension arises when she is included in the investigative team when a group of "experts" descend from Exeter because the local team are apparently not getting anywhere.
Alice Green was the fourth member of that wedding party. She is the beekeeper, and her bees have begun producing strange tasting honey, and Alice is worried. She becomes friends with Harriet Taylor and that seems to give her some sort of immunity from suspicion.
I've never read anything before from Stewart Giles and I might just give his other series a try.
June 8, 2017
The storyline and cover intrigued me enough to give this a whirl but it was honestly very tough to read. Unfortunately I couldn't get through it and lost interest 1/4 of the way through. The first chapter was great but from there the pace was either too slow or jumped back and forth in time enough to leave me confused. Some characters were speaking in first person yet at other times it switched to third person. At different points I thought I'd missed parts of the story and had to re-read to make sure I hadn't. Overall something was just off with the pace making it difficult to focus. It's too bad because the potential is there to be a great read.
June 11, 2017
Very enjoyable, I didn't want to put it down. A cozy mystery with fairly gruesome killings, likeable characters and a dollop of humor.
Alice Green, the elderly beekeeper, is an interesting and likeable character and the book starts with her finding a body in her flower garden as she's tending her beehives.
DC Harriet Taylor has just moved to Cornwall from Edinburgh, after the death of her husband. As the body count grows and she meets up with Alice more and more often, they becoming friends.
I really liked the story and hope there is another DC Taylor book in the works, as I grew quite fond of the character.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffee Books for the eARC.
Alice Green, the elderly beekeeper, is an interesting and likeable character and the book starts with her finding a body in her flower garden as she's tending her beehives.
DC Harriet Taylor has just moved to Cornwall from Edinburgh, after the death of her husband. As the body count grows and she meets up with Alice more and more often, they becoming friends.
I really liked the story and hope there is another DC Taylor book in the works, as I grew quite fond of the character.
Thank you Netgalley and Joffee Books for the eARC.
June 27, 2017
Having not read any books by this author, I had no preconceptions of what the book would be like. Although it is interesting and intriguing in parts. I have to say that within the first two chapters I had guessed who the killer was. Now it could just be I read so many of these books I have a nose for the baddies, or it could be that I am a syndical and slightly mistrusting person at times, but it slightly spoilt the book for me to be able to guess it straight away. Having said that, it is well written and the characters are explained in great detail so that you can get the feel of who they are.
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