One of the first things I learned when I started blogging was that Hannah Reed and her alter ego Deb Baker are from Wisconsin. I quickly reached out to her and she was the very first author to guest post on Dollycas’s Thoughts. Since then I have become huge fan. I am so happy she is here today to tell us about the next Queen Bee Mystery.
Welcome Hannah!
Hi Everyone!
“Write What You Know,” the writing coaches tell us.
But I wanted to write mysteries, and I didn’t know a single thing about killing – I’m not a murderess, or in law enforcement, or a medical examiner. I don’t have a degree in criminal law, and I certainly am not acquainted with any serial killers, so interviewing bad guys was out. The victims weren’t talking, either (obviously).
After a lot of internal debate over my lack of qualifications, I decided to really write what I knew. And what I had experience with was small town Wisconsin. Plus, I’d married into a family business, and let me tell you, that turned out to be quite an awakening.
I also realized early on that I love sassy, unusual characters and fun romps and delving into family dynamics, all mixed with a twinkle of the outrageous and a bit of humor.
Enter Story Fischer, living in her hometown of Moraine, Wisconsin, a novice beekeeper, owner of The Wild Clover, the only local grocery store. Add an overbearing mother, a sister and cousin who work at the store, and a snoopy neighbor. Whip in a hot cop with a K-9 partner, plenty of gossip going around, and the dark side of human nature. Ta da. A winning recipe for murder and mayhem.
Book 3 in the series, Plan Bee, came out early this month. Appropriately titled, since when was the last time Plan A really worked? Never, that’s when.
Hope you enjoy it.
~Hannah
Thanks Hannah for stopping by.
About This Author
Hannah Reed is the pen name of author Deb Baker.
As Deb (her real name) she has authored The Gertie Johnson Backwoods Adventures and The Dolls To Die For Series.
In her youth, Deb dreamed of working as a private investigator or as an undercover cop. So when Deb began writing a new series, the Queen Bee mysteries, she did something she always wanted to do — she went undercover with an alias!
Hannah was one of her all-time favorite names. Reed was her great-grandmother’s maiden name. So she put the two together.
As it turns out, the author Hannah Reed is much younger than Deb Baker. She’s also more daring, more willing to step right into the midst of any sticky situation, and she’s not afraid to tell it like it is.
As Deb says, “Look out! When Hannah’s around, big trouble is sure to follow.”
To find out more check out her web page.
If you love the Queen Bee Mysteries, you will love Yooper Mysteries too. Stop by tomorrow when I tell you all about Murder Grins and Bears It. The second book in the Yooper series.
*******************
Plan Bee (A Queen Bee Mystery)
The Berkley Publishing Group
Published by The Penguin Group
A Berkley Prime Crime Mystery
A Queen Bee Mystery
3rd in the Series
Cover Illustration by Trish Cramblet
Cover Design by Judith Langerman
It’s time for the Harmony Festival in Moraine, Wisconsin. All the shopkeepers are setting up outdoor displays, there will be a parade and even a Honey Queen. Story is none to happy with this year’s queen but there are other things for her to worry about, like a 12 year old whose is experimenting creating explosives, her mother’s new boyfriend and an out-of-towner trying to reap the benefits of the home town festival.
Then there’s that darn disappearing body, she tripped over it in the cemetery, but by the time help arrives the body is gone. It then turns up in a most unusual spot and when his identity is revealed Story realizes there are even more things she needs to worry about. The search for the truth “bee-comes” very interesting and danger could “bee” lurking around every corner.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
I love this series.
Hannah Reed definitely writes what she knows. She crafts an wonderful intelligent cozy mystery without a flaw. The characters are all unique and absolutely extraordinary. Each and every one will make a beeline right into your heart, even the characters we love to hate. I grow to love each one a little more with every page in this wonderful series. They never fail to put a smile on my face.
Mystery and mayhem are blended together to give us a honey of a story for our minds to enjoy. Reed is definitely the Queen Bee when it comes to cozy mystery.

Thanks to the people at Penguin I have
2 copies of this awesome book to giveaway
so be sure to fill out the form below to enter!!
U.S. and CANADIAN RESIDENTS
You do not have to be a follower to enter but I hope you will find
something you like here and become a follower.
***Remember GFC is going away March 1, 2012
so be sure you are following in a different way if you want to
continue to follow Escape With Dollycas.
Followers Will Receive 2 Bonus Entries For Each Way They Follow.
Plus 2 Bonus Entries For Liking My Facebook Fan Page.
If you publicize the giveaway anywhere you will receive
5 Bonus Entries For Each Link.
Contest Will End February 1, 2012 at 11:59 PM CST
Winners Will Be Chosen By Random.org
Winners Will Be Notified By Email
and Will Be Posted Here.
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
This sounds like a wonderful cozy series! Thanks for making my wish list longer. Love how you came up with the name Hannah Reed.
I recently heard of this series and it sounds wonderful! I have it on my TBR list.
I’ve read the other Bee books, as well as those under Deb Baker. Can’t wait to read this latest cozy.
Hope life is not so murderous in my niece’s part of Wisconsin. 🙂
Enjoy your posts, Deb, on Cozy Chicks. Mac & cheese, yes!
This sounds like fun! Lori took a chance and read my “other” genre book, and I’d like to delve into this genre as well. And as for “write what you know”, I think “write what you imagine” should be the saying! Good luck with your latest book!
I haven’t heard of this series before, but it sounds like it definitely has the makings of a great cozy series. Cute guest blog. I love to hear how you did end up writing what you knew.
Thank you everybody for the warm welcome!
I don’t read enough mysteries although I love them, and this book sounds just like the kind of mystery I would enjoy!
I have not read this series. It looks like it would be very good. Enjoyed the interview and finding out about you and your books.
Hi Hannah, I love mysteries and can’t wait to read your book. I have added to my wish list. Enjoyed your interview.
Thanks for your review and Thanks for the opportunity to enter giveaway.
Sounds good! I have one of those snoopy neighbors too lol! Thank you for the giveaway!
Love the titles. Sounds like a series I’d enjoy.
Thank you for sharing with us today. I think The Queen Bee Mystery series sounds like a hoot! I was smiling throughout the post and really look forward to getting stung by this one LOL
Sounds like a BEEutiful mystery!
Wendy Newcomb
I have read the frist in this series and loved it. So I know that I will love this one too!!!
I read one of her Dolls to Die for mysteries under the name of Deb Baker and I have the rest to read.
You had me with Wisconsin, lol. I’m a new fan of cozies. The Queen Bee mysteries sound like a lot of fun.
Hi Hannah,
I’m hoping I’m the lucky winner… That way I’ll have all three books in the series. Love the characters, and love products made from honey.
I love the title of this book! I’m looking forward to reading the whole series. It sounds really good!
I have wanted to read her books. They sounds wonderful. Love the cover.
Sue B
I would love to read this series. It sounds very good. Tore923@aol.com
AS a Nancy Drew lover, I’m always drawn to mysteries.
I would love to read this book.
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
Can’t wait to read Story’s latest adventure! Wishing Hannah continued success!
I think the fact that you wanted to be an undercover cop or a private investigator when you were younger helps you with your writting. This series sounds like a winner .
I love this series- cant wait to read this one!
I love how you chose your Pen Name 🙂 I look forward to reading this series
Hannah – this bee series sounds good to me. I can’t wait to get the books read.
so cannot wait to read PlanBee!!!!
thank you for the giveaway!!!
congrats & good luck, Hannah!!!!
It looks like a fun story.
love the kitty. just love to read too.
thanks for the giveaway.
sounds like one that I would enjoy
love mysteries.
Can’t wait to read this
Ann
I love cozy mysteries—and one set in the neighboring state of Wisconsin should be fun.
suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com
This sounds like a interesting series! Thanks for sharing! I enjoyed reading this post.
I love any type of mystery. Thanks for the giveaway
I love to sit down and read a good mystery.
GloriaDeal@aol.com