The Music of Bees

Bees. Strangers. Friendship. Community.

The Music of Bess (that cover!) is about three people who have nothing in common forming friendships with each other all while working at a local honeybee farm!

Forty-four Alice is reeling from the unexpected death of her husband. She works in a dead-end job and keeps bees in her spare time. She has begun having panic attacks when thinking about her life. While bringing home some Honeybees she almost hits Jake in his wheelchair.

Jake suffers a tragic injury in high school which leaves him a paraplegic. He also happens to have the highest mohawk in Hood River County and is living unhappily with his parents. While out in his wheelchair, he is almost run over by Alice. Due to his interest in her bees coupled with a toxic home environment, Alice offers Jake a job.

Henry is a twenty-four-year-old with social anxiety disorder. He wants/needs to find a job and responds to a part time position that Alice has posted. He is shocked when he is hired. He has a secret and isn’t quite ready to share it.

They have nothing in common, and yet bees (and Alice) bring them together. They become friends and give each other that human connection that all people need. They are further drawn together when a pesticide company moves to town and threatens the honeybee population.

Anxiety plays a part in the story as does the need for connection, community, finding purpose, feeling useful and belonging. Each chapter begins with facts about bees so you may learn some information on them as well.

This was a solid and touching debut which does not disappoint. Is it predictable? Yes, but that did not affect my enjoyment or the journey this book takes readers on. We see each character grow and bloom when they get to know each other and ban together to fight for the bees.

Heartwarming, captivating and moving.

Thank you to Penguin Group Dutton and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.