The Music of Bees By Eileen Garvin

                                                                     

This book was a light hearted, inspirational,well written, pleasurable read. I particularly enjoyed this book because I learned about the beekeeping world. The Author is a beekeeper and she intermixes 'Bee Wisdom' through interactions with the characters and it drives the plot. There is SO much to like about this book. 

Alice Holtzman, age 44, works for the County, and recently lost her husband. She is a "VIP" in the Bee world, and finds solace in Beekeeping, as a distraction from her difficult job. On a particularly bad day, she suffers a panic attack while driving and collides with a teenager, Jake, who is a parapalegic, in a wheelchair. The two, become fast friends, and Alice hires him as an apprentice, to help her attend to her bees. 

Alice seeks additional help, for her growing Bee population and hires, Harry, a 24 year old homeless gentleman, with social anxiety. The three unite and help each other with daily struggles, in and out of the Bee Apiary. Alice also takes on a pesticide company who is moving into town, and is a potential threat to the bee population and the fumes could be a potential carcinogenic for the community, 

This book was a delight in so many ways. I enjoyed the characters, the plot, the theme of overcoming adversity, the small town flavor, the beekeeping information and all the comical, heartwarming twists and turns. This is the Author's debut novel. I look forward to reading more from this Author.