Loved reading this book and series. If you haven't read it yet I highly recommend doing so. Read in order

Having read a couple "bee" centric mystery series, the addition of the cat and oh so quirky characters truly makes this a fun read, and it's always interesting to learn something new. In this case, Havana brown cats. I look foward to more interesting adventures with these great characters..

Interesting and entertaining!
The story flew by quickly with all the things happening. Loved the first instalment, and this surely didn’t disappoint.
Cats, bees, vandalism, conspiracy and murder.

The dynamics of this multi-level story blew me away as it kept me guessing until the very end. The main characters are likeable, quirky, and smart. They are not perfect, however, and that is what makes it half the fun. I mean, we meet Wren as her aunt is sharing her cat's alien costume. Nor are all those about them what they seem. The basic plot seems simple enough, who killed Elias and tore up his bee hives? Is this event related to similar vandalism that has been going on elsewhere? Elias is found dead, surrounded by hoards of angry, confused bees. Bee "wranglers", as I discovered they're called, have to be called in to help recover the body. Wren, who trained under Elias, then helps soothe the bees, getting most back into hives. We quickly learn not only how much Wren cares for the bees but how valuable they are to us all as the book progresses. Given how endangered bee survival is in this day and age, kudos to author Nancy Coco for helping spread the world in such a unique, intriguing way.

That chaotic, unusual murder scene is only the beginning. This is a multi-layer story involving not just bees and murder but Havana brown cats, which I'm embarrassed to say I knew little of aside from their unusual name. I learned a great deal about them in the reading of this book and that, combined with the multiple layers of info shared about bees and beekeeping, was fascinating. Wren even has a large glass beehive inside her shop, which would be a fascinating sight in real life. Wren also has the Havana brown cat loving Aunt Eloise in her life and I found myself loving Eloise--and I'm a dog person. What a feisty lady. Do not, I repeat, do not mess with her cats.

True, I'd have been happier if Wren and Eloise arranged for true backup after coming up with their "sting" operation but it was worth it just to see it unfold. Fortunately, police officer Jim has their backs whether they want him to or not. Hmm, is there a romance brewing there for Wren? I guess I'm going to have to read the next book in the series to find out. In the meantime, if you love interesting, quirky characters in picturesque settings and intriguing, multi-layer mysteries, give this one a read. You won't "bee" disappointed.

Thank you #NetGalley and #KensingtonBooks for introducing me to Wren and her circle of friends, not to mention her cats and bees. I'll be on the lookout for the next adventure!

I enjoyed this book. The characters are great and the story is interesting. I was surprised by who the killer is. #AMatterofHiveandDeath #NetGalley

I received an advance copy through NetGalley.

<i>A Matter of Hive and Death</i> is the second book in the Oregon Honeycomb mystery series. I hadn't read the first book but I found this easy-breezy to get into, and a delight all the way through! This is really the epitome of a cozy mystery. Wren runs a honey-themed shop in downtown Oceanview along the Oregon coast. When she finds a mentor dead, his hives vandalized, suspicion falls on another member of the local bee community. Wren is certain of his innocence and starts investigating on her own despite the disapproval of the handsome local cop who was certain of her guilt during a previous incident. Meanwhile, an old flame has wandered into town and takes an interest in the beloved Havana brown cats of her family--and in Wren. She might develop a new romance--if she can stay alive.

This book was sheer fun. I don't know a lot about beekeeping, but it really felt like the author did her research and the information throughout the book was fascinating. Plus, every chapter began and ended with info on using honey and included recipes--I'm all about that! The mystery packs in danger and plentiful twists and turns, and the ending contained some nice surprises. The whole thing also left me yearning for the Oregon coast. This is a setting and series I would gladly read more of--you could say that I'm sweet on it!

This was a great light mystery that incorporated lots of bee facts throughout. There is development of characters and interaction from the last book that just keep improving. I was surprised by the culprit at the end and it was a unusual plot for sure.

This book was wonderful. Fascination bee information - what amazing little insects!
The plot was well done.

Thanks to NetGalley for the advance read.

For the picturesque town of Oceanview on the Oregon Coast, May brings blossoming fruit trees and the annual UFO festival. As Aunt Eloise tries out alien costumes on their Havana brown cat Everett, Wren is off to meet with a bee wrangler, her go-to guy for local fruit tree honey.

But when she arrives, Elias Brentwood is lying on the ground amidst destroyed hives and a swarm of angry bees. The bees didn’t kill him, a blow to the head did. As blue-eyed Officer Jim Hampton investigates and the town is invaded by its own swarm of conspiracy theorists and crackpots, Wren and Aunt Eloise decide the only way to catch the bee wrangler’s killer is to set up a sting…

Overall a great mystery that was full of twist and turns.
#amatterofhiveanddeath#netgalley

I enjoyed reading this second Oregon Honeycomb mystery. There is danger to bees from vandals destroying hives. A fellow bee keeper is murdered and Wren won’t rest until she finds out who murdered her friend and is endangering the bees. The danger in this book affects Wren and her beloved aunt. People they should be able to trust are not trustworthy.
I didn’t think it would be a possibility but it looks like Wren and police officer Jim Hampton may be getting closer…
The information about bee products in the chapter headers is interesting and useful.

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle by Kensington Books and #NetGalley for my honest opinion. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

The second book in the cozy mystery series. It’s quite enjoyable and entertaining. A quirky cat, likable characters.

Who wouldn’t love a good murder mystery with cats and beekeeping in it? You will enjoy this book especially if you try to put your murder solving skills to the test. I found the characters to be funny and unique in their own way. Nancy Coco writes another amazing book that makes it hard to put down and I am looking forward to the next book she writes.

I was given a copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher for my honest review and opinion.

I love quirky cat stories where people take their cats with them wherever they go. This is a sweet and clean book, both a murder mystery and a bit of a romance novel, with me wanting to cheer Wren on in the end: 'go snog that Jim.' :)

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book.

The second book in the series and I’m already addicted to it! Quirky characters, a gorgeous cat and a solid whodunit! It doesn’t get much better than this!

While I love this series, I also love Nancy Coco’s Mackinac Island series and can’t get enough of her books. If you haven’t read one of her books yet, you’re missing out! Time to remedy that and this is a great one to start with.

A Matter of Hive and Death by Nancy Coco is a great cozy mystery that is the second book in the adorable and promising An Oregon Honeycomb Mystery series.

I really enjoyed this second book. Not that I didn’t like the first, because I most certainly did, but I definitely think that the characters really come out of their shells in this second book.

Here we can see more of Wren, Porsche, Aunt Eloise, Jim, and the adorable Havana Browns.

We get to learn more about beekeepers and the art of beekeeping in this one. Of course it is also sprinkled with lovely recipes and tidbits including honey. Oh yes, and there is also an impressive murder/mystery present as well…which definitely kept me on my toes. A few twists were thrown in to help deter my own “sleuthing skills”, and I was surprised at the actual culprit.

This is developing into a great series and I am looking forward to the next installment.

5/5 stars

Thank you NG and Kensington for this wonderful arc and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.

I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication on 3/29/22.

This was a really fun second installment in the series. As a fourth generation beekeeper myself, I really connected with the theme and the setting. But I also enjoyed that this one was just way quirkier than the first. The characters and the fun UFO convention happening as a side plot were really great, and I would love to read a potential third book in this series.

When I think of cozy mysteries, I think of books just like this one, that gives all the feels, thrills and can satisfies just about every reader's heart. This is a perfect books to snuggle up with on any day.

Thanks you #Netgalley for the advance reader copy of A Matter of Hive and Death by Nancy Coco in exchange for an honest review. Wren Johnson is the owner of a honey shop, Let It Bee, in Oceanview, Oregon. When she goes to see the bee wrangler, Elias, about honey, she finds him on the floor with bees swarming around him. Several bee wranglers come to help set hives upright and save the queen. They save two of the three hives. Wren looks into the vandalism on the hives. This was a great story. I loved the recipes using honey. I ended up reading this in one day, I just couldn't put it down.