BEE PEOPLE AND THE BUGS THEY LOVE

Author Frank Mortimer is self-deprecating about learning to be a competent beekeeper and laugh-out-loud funny as he describes the colorful personalities and pretenders who are part of that world. Michael Butler Murray's sardonic delivery is absolutely perfect. He keeps the pace buzzing along. Mortimer shares his bee knowledge, explaining the role of the queen, drones, and workers; how a smoker calms the bees; why a bee will die when it stings but a wasp keeps on stinging. Mistakes are measured in bee stings, and the barbs are frequent. Some people just like to have bees--painting the hives to match the yard is their priority--and Murray expertly renders the author's wry disdain. There is sweetness here, too, as Mortimer shares his hobby with his son and falls in love with the woman who becomes his wife. A.B. Winner of AudioFile Earphones Award © AudioFile 2021, Portland, Maine [Published: JUNE 2021]