The Keeper of Bees

Hazard and Somerset: A Union of Swords, Book 5

De: Gregory Ashe

Narrado por: Tristan James

Emery Hazard has pretty much everything under control. He and his fiancé, John-Henry Somerset, are more in love than ever, despite the stress of wedding preparations hanging over them. His business as a private investigator is growing. He’s even enjoying time with his growing circle of friends. The only major problem on the horizon is whether or not he and Somers will be dancing at the wedding reception.

When Mitchell Martin shows up in his office, though, everything changes. The year before, Mitchell was abducted and tortured by a sadistic killer known only as the Keeper of Bees. Now Mitchell is convinced that the Keeper has come back, and he wants to hire Hazard to protect him.

While Hazard works to keep Mitchell safe, Somers must adjust to changes at work. A spate of new hires has disrupted the Wahredua Police Department, and Somers finds himself locked in a struggle to determine how the department will grow and evolve, with long-term consequences that will affect the town for years to come.

Then a woman is found murdered, and she has been staged and posed in a way that is eerily similar to the Keeper of Bee’s former victims. As Hazard and Somers race to prevent more deaths, Hazard fears they are already too late; the Keeper of Bees has been ahead of them the whole time.

©2020 Gregory Ashe (P)2020 Gregory Ashe

Perfect

There is nothing about this book, this series, the writing, characters and narration that isn’t perfect. Hazard and Somerset will be sorely missed.

WHAAAAAT

Ugh I loved this edge of my seat ride. Seriously. Saw level crazy. I did not see that coming, and GA just looooves to keep you guessing.

FANTASTIC AND EPIC

Story – Infinity Stars

Audiobook – 4 stars. I have gotten used to TJ’S voice. It took a while but now that I am here, let’s just say he represents them well.

Gushing! And more Gushing!

I promise to watch documentaries with you, listen to NPR with you, read statistical analyses of zip codes with you,
and just about anything else you want me to do with you, because I want to do everything together.

GAAAAAHH!

This was fantastic in every single way. Book 5 in the second series of the adventures of Hazard and Somers, and I freaking loved every second of it. We have been through downs, downs and more downs. Ups, Ups and freaking fantastic Ups. Please let this not be the end of Hazard and Somers, I am not ready to say goodbye.

The Keeper of Bees was intense and interesting to listen to and read. Finally, the creep that has been haunting Hazard, Somers and Police department got what he deserved. The Investigation process was very engaging, my first guesses were wrong, Ugh! Clearly, not a I am really good detective, but I can always count on Hazard to guide me. Kudos Greg, you fooled me three times.

The best part of this series is the relationship. GAAAAAH! What a refreshing, loving relationship. These two have come so far. The growth in their relationship is so realistic and amazing to follow. They complement each other, support each other and more so, love each other to the scorching sun and back. I love Hazard so much. I love Somers too, but Hazard tops my book boyfriend list and I have a feeling he is going to be there for a very long time.

Hazard is finally working on his PTSD and let’s just say the therapy sessions are hilarious. The thing here is that it took a while to get here but finally we did. A journey that was difficult to watch but also realistic, none of the Bam! Boom! stuff here, everything at its own time. I don’t know why but I really love this approach.

Evie, Gaaaah! I love this kid, she is so well written and acts her toddler age. So sweet and her relationship with Hazard is GAAAAAAHH!!! Hazard is the best Dee Dee ever. I love that Somers and Cora let the relationship between Evie and Hazard develop naturally, without them suffocating and controlling everything. I have to acknowledge the rest of the kids too; they are kids not adults in kids’ bodies.

The humor and the banter was so on point. There were some very hard Loling moments. Especially a doped up Hazard.
Riggles can go to hell. Ugh!

The side characters are amazing and I love that they do understand and complement our MCs. Nico has come a long way. Dulac! Dulac! Ugh! I still don’t know.

The ending. Swooooon. GAAAAAHH! I am a sappy happy being.

Overall, this was a great conclusion to series two of Hazard and Somers and I loved it so much.

A copy of the Audiobook was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

FINALLY!!!!

It's finally here! I have been waiting for this book. I was disappointed that there wasn't much about the Keeper in the previous book, but this one made up for it in spades. I already had to listen to it a second time just in case I missed something the first time around.

Now that I know who the Keeper of Bees is, it makes me want to go back and start A Union of Swords all over again to find all the little details that I overlooked. Ugh! The whole series is just so good. I love all of Gregory Ashe's books, but there is truly something special about Hazard and Somerset. I hope there will be more of them yet to come.

I think at this point, in my mind, Tristan James and Hazard and Somerset are synonymous with one another. I can't think about these characters without hearing his voice in my head. If you haven't gotten this book yet, it's worth it.

well written conclusion!

📖 Story comment:.... OMG - this book has made the frustration of this series worthwhile. I was 4 chapters in when I wanted to "cheat" and find out who the Keeper of Bees was! I thoroughly enjoyed the conclusion and did not see it coming AT ALL! - I enjoyed the way each side character played a part in this one and Hazard and Somers finally felt "solid and a unit" again.

🎧 Narrator comment: Personally I love Tristan James as a narrator, I find his tones soothing and go through phases where he's just what I need to soothe the jagged edges of my psyche. He suits these characters, he has good timing and inflections and brings the story to life.

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📌 Where does it fall on my personal scale? 7
• 1 not my thing • 2 didn't like the narration • 3 didn't keep my attention • 4 was good, but once was enough [3⭐] • 5 enjoyed it [4⭐] • 6 will listen again if i'm in the mood for the narrator [4⭐] • 7 goes on the "re-listen" list [4⭐] • 8 kept me up past bed-time [4.5⭐] • 9 recommended to family/friends [4.75⭐] • 10 own it in all formats [5⭐] • 11 keep a copy with me at all times [5⭐]

Satisfying Conclusion for Plot, Relationship

“Most people dealing with PTSD find some way of numbing themselves: drugs, alcohol, sexual excess—”
“Let’s hear more about that one,” Somers murmured into Hazard’s shoulder. Hazard pinched the inside of Somers’s thigh, and Somers yelped.
“—while other people depersonalize and dissociate. They often describe it as feeling dead inside, unable to connect with other people, unable to experience pleasure or love or affection, even with the ones who are closest to them.”

Last book of the second Hazard and Somers series of M/M romance mysteries, set in small-town Missouri.

The Keeper of Bees, the spree killer from the first book in the arc, “Rational Faculty,” seems to have returned; the same murder pattern (modeled after the Orpheus mythology) is occurring and targeting more queer individuals that Hazard and Somers know. With multiple queer friends missing, it feels like anyone they know could be the killer or another victim.

As always, 5/5 stars, phenomenal, amazing, perfect. Fascinating and complex mystery, emotional and relational growth, fleshed out flawed characters, some moments of angst but also humor and sweetness. We definitely see how far Hazard and Somers have come in the last 2 years, and Hazard’s worsening PTSD is addressed.

Incredibly stressful worrying about which missing characters might be injured, traumatized, or killed though! Taking a bit of a break before diving into another Gregory Ashe book for my poor nerves.

Listened to the audiobook on audible. As always, cannot recommend highly enough! But start with the first book in one of his series, for Hazard and Somers it would be “Pretty Pretty Boys.”

“The Keeper of Bees” by Gregory Ashe. Book 5/5 in the second series about them, “Hazard and Somers: A Union of Swords.”

The End of This Adventure

The relationship consolidated, Hazard and Somers move to build themselves a community of friends, while planning their wedding. But Hazard’s Nemesis, the Keeper of Bees, is back and with him, trouble. A closer look is needed at everybody in the small familiar circle, because it becomes obvious quickly that the enemy is posing as friend.
In the background the reader finds the details that make an Ashe book a rewarding read: Midwest American small town, the challenges brought by a change in leadership, what it means to be on the run, and finally finding a good therapist. As all books in the series, the reader has ahead of him/her a world of adventure. And quirks. Enjoy.
A word must be said about the narrator’s splendid interpretation.

Great conclusion!

There is so much I want to talk about because this is the last book of this series. Over the first Hazard and Somerset series and this second series, Union of Swords, there has been much turmoil between these characters. Their past was rocky with Somerset playing the part of high school bully to Hazard. When Hazard came back to town many years later, he partners with Somerset, Somers for short, on the police force. The two experience many things together on the force, corrupt politicians and sheriffs, a politically divided environment, family issues, troublesome exes, and a growing attraction to each other.

In the Union of Swords series, their coupling is official, but it is far from an easy road for them. Hazard leaves the force after a traumatic incident and to avoid the eventual ending of their partnership at work because of their relationship. His new, idler life is hard for him and Somers’ isn’t always the most sensitive to his feelings. And then there is Hazard’s PTSD that causes him to lash out. Their relationship has been a rollercoaster throughout this series. Even in the previous book, I was still thinking there was a chance that they weren’t strong enough to get through this series and the lurking threat of a serial killer and remain a couple. However, the work that they have put into fixing things seems to have paid off in this book. Yes, they still snipe at each other at times, but they have both become self-aware enough to stop their anger in their tracks and confront their real problems.

I love the romance between the two characters and am captivated by their ups and downs, but I am definitely interested in the mysteries that they solve in the books as well. Sometimes it is together, when Hazard agreed to consult for the police. Often they are working apart, Somers on the force, and Hazard as a private investigator. There are smaller mysteries in each book, but their is a mystery that arcs throughout the series, and it comes to a head in this book. It is clear to see just by the title of the book. The Keeper of Bees killed two gay men in the first book and has since taunted Hazard in small ways.

This mystery had me making so many guesses throughout the series. When a friend of Hazard and Somers’ is killed it looks likely to be someone they know well. And I had my suspicions. Could it be Hazard’s jealous ex? Was it the pastor that had a rocky relationship with Hazard? Somers’ new partner who has acted extremely suspicious to me throughout the series? And I even considered it might be the guy who first hired Hazard as a P.I. and also was a victim of the serial killer who managed to get away. There were arrows pointing to all of them, and I have to give the author credit for really fooling me in this book into thinking it was one of my guesses when it was a different one. Who? I can’t tell you, of course. But it is definitely worth the reveal. Even though, Hazard would have liked to kill the Killer of Bees for all the torture he had put him and his victims through, justice is seen in a completely legal way, which is very good for Hazard’s somewhat murky reputation with the town and the police.

With the killer caught, and the relationship between Hazard and Somerset seeming to be on real solid ground, I was thinking that things were pretty finished but hoped that there might be a future book that sees the engaged pair married. But the author managed to round things out for them completely (which I loved) meaning that there might not be a future book to revisit this couple, (which made me sad). I won’t give up hope that there might be a visit from them in another series, because I really love these complex and imperfect characters who truly love each other.

I’m not sure it can be said enough, how much I recommend these books, especially the audiobooks. I happened to listen to the whole series and I loved them. Tristan James does a fantastic job narrating them. So if you haven’t read or listened to any of these books yet, I recommend reading them in order including the first series. They will be among my repeat listens.

Thrilling and Exciting Series!

This is well-written and contains all the things! Mystery, intrigue, dastardly villains, love & heat! 🌶️😉

I can’t wait to read the next volume/series featuring these two.

🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟Excellent narration!

Enjoy!💖

Awesome

What a wonderful conclusion! It was very satisfying and a darn good mystery. Loved it!