Contemporary Novels

The Music of Bees by Eileen Garvin

Garvin has delivered an exceptional book with characters to love. In the beginning the anxiety, depression and hopelessness of the three main characters was palpable. Their brokenness weighed heavy, but you knew a turnaround was imminent. The plot that caused the lives of Alice, Jake, and Harry to intersect was masterfully written. I’d say the dialogue was concise and spot on. The environmental theme gives this book some teeth. Pollinator protection grabs many current headlines. The activism of our three main protagonists along with Stan is a contemporary theme with great reader appeal. This book is a good mix of family drama, career burnout fueled by office politics, the value of friendship and belonging, and of course some good science. Each character completed a 180 degree transformation. At the conclusion, each had found a bright new path forward. I loved this book. It was a delight to read. There’s some off-color language that may offend some readers, but it’s never excessive.