The Honeybee Emeralds

by Amy Tector Narrated by Lameece Issaq

Overview

When Alice Ahmadi discovers a famed emerald necklace while interning at a struggling Parisian magazine, she is plunged into a glittering world of diamonds and emeralds, courtesans and spies, and the long-buried secrets surrounding the necklace and its glamorous former owners. When she realizes the mysterious Honeybee Emeralds could be her chance to save the magazine, she recruits her friends Lily and Daphne to form the “Fellowship of the Necklace.” Together, they set out to uncover the romantic history of the gems. Through diaries, letters, and investigations through the winding streets and iconic historic landmarks of Paris, the trio begins to unravel more than just the secrets of the necklace's obsolete past. Along the way, Lily and Daphne's relationships are challenged, tempered, and changed. Lily faces her long-standing attraction to a friend, who has achieved the writing success that eluded her. Daphne confronts her failing relationship with her husband, while also facing simmering problems in her friendship with Lily. And, at last, Alice finds her place in the world?although one mystery still remains: how did the Honeybee Emeralds go from the neck of American singer Josephine Baker during the Roaring Twenties to the basement of a Parisian magazine?

Editorial Reviews

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

Lameece Issaq narrates a mystery that sometimes sparkles. Alice, an intern at a struggling Parisian magazine, finds a dazzling diamond and emerald necklace. She; her colleagues Lily and Daphne; her boss, Jacob; and her parfumier neighbor, Alexander, are determined to discover the necklace’s provenance. If they can sell it, its value will save the magazine. Issaq does well with the contemporary literary references, and her French accents are top-notch, firmly setting the story in Paris. However, in period flashbacks her characterizations are less convincing. The necklace is traced back to Louis Napoleon III’s mistress, Mata Hari, and American entertainer Josephine Baker. Issaq does her best to keep things lively, but plot contrivances, especially the melodramatic ending, weaken an otherwise entertaining mystery. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Publishers Weekly

01/17/2022

Tector imagines a necklace with connections to two notable women in her nuanced if contrived debut. After Alice, a young Iranian British woman interning in Paris at a floundering expat magazine, discovers a stunning necklace in the office’s basement, American editor Lily sees a chance to save the magazine with a splashy cover story. Lily recruits a motley group to research the jewelry’s history, among them Luc Seguin, who inherited the magazine from his mother; wunderkind writer Jacob, Lily’s college friend; Lily’s best friend, Daphne, director of the International Art Registry; and next-door neighbor Alexander, a laconic Icelandic perfumer. They find ties to Louis Napoleon III’s mistress and American singer Josephine Baker. The team takes to calling themselves the “Fellowship of the Necklace,” and after they learn the editor of their swankier rival magazine is onto the story, they rush to put the pieces together. Conveniently, they tend to find more clues at just the right time. Though the intrigue feels manufactured, Tector adds some texture by delving into personal issues among the “Fellowship,” including Alice’s lack of confidence, Daphne’s faltering marriage, and Lily’s unresolved feelings for Jacob. There’s also a surprisingly tender portrayal of the magazine’s stern business manager, who endures a life of quiet disappointment. The story doesn’t impress, but the author does a great job developing her characters. (Mar.)

From the Publisher

Debut novelist Tector captures European life and her characters beautifully as she interweaves the perspectives of four women seeking fulfillment and success in this satisfying adventure. Keep an eye on this author.” —Booklist

“The Honeybee Emeralds is a lighthearted novel peopled by diverse and interesting individuals, each of whom is determined, for their own reasons, to solve the mystery of a necklace’s origins.” —Foreword Reviews

“Tector’s characters are a delight to follow, both through the streets of modern Paris and through the histories they uncover of three strong, unconventional women from the past. This novel, as beguiling as the jeweled necklace at the center of the story, celebrates the power of friendship and of following your heart with an irresistible mix of action, humor, and empathy. A fantastic debut!” —Stacey Swann, author Olympus, Texas

 

“Amy Tector's gorgeous writing had me hooked from the first pages of The Honeybee Emeralds. This propulsive, atmospheric novel whisked me off to the bustling streets of Paris; I could feel the cool shadows on the walkways of Place Vendome and smell the old letters and books in dark European archives while following Alice's discovery of the honeybee necklace and her adventure as she, along with a stellar cast of supporting characters, delved into the necklace's storied past. Prepare to be mesmerized by this gem of a debut.” —Liv Stratman, author of Cheat Day

 

“In Tector's intriguing novel, a rich set of characters are brought together by Paris and its secrets. Women who have come to Paris in search of a new life, women who never left, women whose lives passed away many years ago. The book bubbles over with Tector's warm humour, but don't be fooled. A seriousness and a poignancy lies in each woman's longing for love, for belonging and for an achievement to call her own.” —Alette Willis, author of Dancing with Trees

 

“Amy Tector has created a story with mystery, romance, history, and a hefty dose of brilliant humor. I found myself genuinely interested in every character (and, of course, the intriguing honeybee emeralds). I attribute my improved mood to this book. It is, in a word, delightful.” —Kim Hooper, author of People Who Knew Me and No Hiding in Boise

 

“Amy Tector delivers a fun and intelligent mystery wrapped in the exciting world of expat Paris. Along with chronicling four women's challenges with career, friendship, motherhood and love, she carries us away in a wildly entertaining story that includes missing emeralds, a storied diva, imperial sex scandals and a pinch of espionage. The Honeybee Emeralds anchors you in contemporary Paris while taking you on an intriguing journey across centuries.” —Wayne Ng, author of Letters From Johnny, Finding the Way, Guernica Prize shortlist finalist

Library Journal - Audio

06/01/2022

Tector's enchanting debut transports listeners to glittering Paris, where the discovery of a magnificent diamond-and-emerald necklace reveals long-buried secrets and sets off an epic adventure through France's iconic past. Iranian British Alice Ahmadi, an intern at the struggling expat magazine Bonjour Paris, uncovers the necklace in the magazine's basement storeroom. Hoping that a high-profile article about the necklace's provenance could save the magazine, editor Lily enlists the support of art expert Daphne, magazine owner, Luc, fellow writer Jacob, and next-door neighbor Alexander. Narrator Lameece Issaq ably brings out the excitement as this group, affectionately dubbed the "Fellowship of the Necklace," makes one amazing discovery after another, connecting the necklace to Louis Napoléon III's mistress, American singer Josephine Baker, and even the dancer and spy, Mata Hari. In the process of their investigation, the group learns as much about themselves as they do the necklace. Issaq's skillful characterizations and accent work round out this audio, imbuing each character with depth and breadth. VERDICT While the story's plotline occasionally strains credulity, this charming listen will have wide appeal. Recommend for fans of Phaedra Patrick and Nina George, or any listener who appreciates character-driven relationship fiction.—Sarah Hashimoto

APRIL 2022 - AudioFile

Lameece Issaq narrates a mystery that sometimes sparkles. Alice, an intern at a struggling Parisian magazine, finds a dazzling diamond and emerald necklace. She; her colleagues Lily and Daphne; her boss, Jacob; and her parfumier neighbor, Alexander, are determined to discover the necklace’s provenance. If they can sell it, its value will save the magazine. Issaq does well with the contemporary literary references, and her French accents are top-notch, firmly setting the story in Paris. However, in period flashbacks her characterizations are less convincing. The necklace is traced back to Louis Napoleon III’s mistress, Mata Hari, and American entertainer Josephine Baker. Issaq does her best to keep things lively, but plot contrivances, especially the melodramatic ending, weaken an otherwise entertaining mystery. S.J.H. © AudioFile 2022, Portland, Maine

Product Details

BN ID:	2940175569279
Publisher:	Dreamscape Media
Publication date:	03/29/2022
Edition description:	Unabridged
Sales rank:	1,031,518
Age Range:	12 - 17 Years

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