Death & Honey

by Kevin Hearne and Chuck Wendig

[kimbacaffeinate]

The Buzz Kill by Kevin Hearne

This is an Oberon Meaty Mystery, narrated by Luke Daniels and the number one reason I bought this anthology.

This tale pics up shortly after the events of Scourged, the last novel in the Iron Druid Chronicles. Attius and the dogs have been camping and healing Tasmanian Devils, when Atticus gives them some time to explore. Oberon and Starbuck are soon following a bee, hoping to see a hive. They find the hive but also a dead body and soon the threesome find themselves in the middle of a meaty mystery! It was wonderful getting updates. The mystery was clever and involved tracking, food and the police.

For non-Iron Druid fans, this is a standalone mystery. Hearne did an impressive job of providing character background.

Luke Daniels offers an array of voices and I cannot recommend him enough. He narrates all the Iron Druid Chronicles and Oberon’s Meaty Mysteries. I confess, I look for books he narrates. It felt like coming home. If you start the series, grab it on audio because it’s amazing.
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Grist of Bees, by Delilah S. Dawson, writing as Lila Bowen


Narrated by Robin Miles, this takes place in the world of Bowen’s Shadow series. I have read and enjoyed audiobooks by Dawson, so I was curious to read this. The story centers on Rhett Walker, who has just finished his day when a bee begins to bother him and seems to want him to follow. The bee leads him to a woman who tells him how the Oracle’s handmaidens came down off the mountain and stole her daughter. Something inside of Rhett urges him to help. Terms are met and our adventure begins.

While in some respects I felt I had been dropped into this western landscape, I thought the author did a strong enough job allowing this story to work for newcomers.

As we journey Rhett faces monsters and runs into old friends before the climatic battle. While, the world and characters were interesting it just never grabbed me. The beginning and end were the most interesting, but the middle never fully pulled me in.

Robin Miles was lovely with the narration and offered unique voices, nice pacing and enhanced the story.

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Interlude: Tanager by Chuck Wendig

This is a Wren novella from his Miriam Black world. Xe Sands narrated the story and one I was eager to try. Wendig’s novel the Wanderers was a top ten read for me and my first by this author. I liked this dark, gritty tale about a girl with a talent to see if someone is capable of murder. She is offered a job and becomes an assassin.

This was dark, twisted and had flashbacks that enabled me to get a feel for the world and series but also to fully enjoy the tale. The climatic ending was tense, and I liked the story enough that I will seek the series out on audio. This review was originally posted at Caffeinated Reviewer