A book review of Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts. A sweet, feel-good novel with a dash of romance and laugh-out-loud fun. Fans of light cozy mysteries will love this.
This post may contain affiliate links, which means I'll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
The One With All the Honey!
This post is my personal, honest review of Take the Honey and Run!
Take the Honey and Run
A Novel by Jennie Marts
With the winter rolling in, I was in a mood for a lighthearted, cozy read. A dose of happy, if you will, amidst the rainy days. The sunny cover of Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts immediately drew my attention and made me smile. I decided to check it out and I am so glad I did. The first in a series, this lovely story turned out to be so much more than I expected. Take the Honey and Run is the perfect cozy mystery to curl up to - a fun, fast paced page-turner that is a joy to read and hard to put down.
Book Synopsis & Details
- from the publisher
The town is all abuzz when a murder occurs in Jennie Marts’ debut cozy mystery, perfect for fans of Jenn McKinlay and Amanda Flower.
As a successful mystery author, Bailey Briggs writes about murder, but nothing prepares her for actually discovering the dead body of the founder of her hometown of Humble Hills, Colorado. Bailey grew up at Honeybuzz Mountain Ranch and was raised by her beekeeping grandmother, Blossom Briggs, aka Granny Bee, and her two eccentric sisters, Aster and Marigold—which is why she drops everything to come home and help Granny Bee after a bad fall.
A broken foot doesn’t stop her grandmother from ruling The Hive, her granny’s book club, or continuing to prepare and package her bee-inspired products. But when Bailey's grandmother’s infamous "Honey I'm Home" hot spiced honey turns out to “bee” the murder weapon and her granny is now the prime suspect, Bailey has no choice but to use her fictional detective skills to help solve the murder and ‘smoke-out’ the real culprit.
With the help of Bailey’s witty bestie, a pair of meddling aunts, the feisty members of The Hive, and her computer-savvy daughter, this amateur sleuth is determined to solve the case. A malicious attack and an ominous threat reveal that someone wants Bailey to butt out of the investigation, but there’s no way she’s backing down. She must use her skills to uncover the truth and catch the clever culprit before her grandmother ends up bee-hind bars.
Book Details:
Title: Take the Honey and Run
Author: Jennie Marts
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Print Length: 336 pages
Publication Date: July, 2023
Genres: Cozy Mystery, Romance & Cozy Culinary Mystery
Where to Buy: Amazon; Bookshop; Barnes & Noble
The Story - A Spoiler Free Review
I don't remember the last time I laughed this much while reading a book. I couldn't put it down. How Jennie Marts managed to end every chapter on a cliffhanger is still a mystery to me, but well done I say. From the first to the last sentence she had my attention. Moreover, as soon as I finished the book, I found myself searching for when the second one is coming out.
While Take the Honey and Run, is the first in the Bee Keeper's Mysteries, it is by no means the author's first novel. Her romance series have been around for years and I love her writing. When you combine mystery, laugh-out-loud humor, romance and community you get a story worth reading again, and again. It's one of those things you never knew were missing until it's 3am and you can't put it down.
"I've learned a lot in the years since he's been gone. I've had to. If there's one piece of advice I could give you gals, make sure you know how to manage your own money."
Jennie Marts, Take the Honey and Run
Take the Honey and Run tells the story of a mystery author, who is a single mother and goes back home to help her granny. Granny has a fun book club with friends and family who know how to enjoy themselves (think The Golden Girls, but instead of cheesecake it's tea and honey). I love the idea of a mystery about a mystery author, who gets into all kinds of shenanigans trying to solve a real life mystery.
The characters were perfectly flawed, relatable and I had so much fun getting to know them all. I really enjoyed the scenery, the mouthwatering menus, the friendships, and the sweet romance. Having been a single parent for almost a decade, I could relate to the main character and her unconditional love for her lovely daughter. The mystery kept me on my toes, as well. I did not guess the killer, however I sure had fun guessing along the way.
“She heaved a slight sigh, as though getting to do whatever she wanted didn't hold as much appeal as one would think.”
Jennie Marts, Take the Honey and Run
About the Author and What to Read Next
Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.- from the author's web page
Book Recomendations for Fans of
Take the Honey and Run
If you loved Take the Honey and Run you should check out these other titles by Jennie Marts. Highly rated and full of sweet romance her work will leave you wanting more.
Published in June 2022. Available in paperback, audiobook and kindle editions. Buy Online:
Published in December 2021 Available in paperback, audiobook and kindle editions. Buy Online:
Published in February. Available in paperback, audiobook and kindle editions. Buy Online:
Final Thoughts
Not surprisingly, my rating for Take the Honey and Run by Jennie Marts is five stars and here is why. Firstly, the story captured my attention and it kept me interested throughout. Secondly, I liked that the characters were not artificially perfect, but made their own mistakes. They had their own flaws and at times acted unreasonably like we all do on occasion. I also loved the relationships between the characters and how much they cared for one another.
Last, but not least it made me laugh and I genuinely had a great time reading this book. Once it was done I wanted to read the next. Moreover, I wanted to re-read it. Jennie Marts crafts a feel good mystery that keeps you on your toes. And then there is the food. Not only are many mouthwatering dishes mentioned in the story, but the author has included 6 full recipes at the end of the book. Talk about the PERFECT book club party book.
When I first set out to read Take the Honey and Run, I was hoping for a feel-good read to pass the time and had no big expectations. Turns out, I found a book and an author I know I will be reading again and again.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books and Jennie Marts for the advanced copy of Take the Honey and Run. While not required to write a review I am happy to offer my honest opinion.
To Join Ivi's Book Club:
- Join our Facebook Group at : Ivi's Book Club
- Sign up for our newsletter Here and note that you would like to join the book club:
- Come to the Book Corner weekly to see the new post or go back to them when you are re-reading a favorite.
- Like, share and comment to spread the word. We would like to reach readers looking for a book club online that offers feel good titles, supportive friendly community and practical life applications inspired by our favorite reads.
