The Death of Bees by Lisa O'Donnell

Today is Christmas Eve. Today is my birthday. Today I am fifteen. Today I buried my parents in the backyard. Neither of them were beloved.

Marnie and her little sister Nelly are on their own now. Only they know what happened to their parents, Izzy and Gene, and they aren’t telling. While life in Glasgow’s Hazlehurst housing estate isn’t grand, they do have each other. Besides, it’s only one year until Marnie will be considered an adult and can legally take care of them both.

As the new year comes and goes, Lennie, the old man next door, realizes that his young neighbors are alone and need his help. Or does he need theirs? But he’s not the only one who suspects something isn’t right. Soon, the sisters’ friends, their other neighbors, the authorities, and even Gene’s nosy drug dealer begin to ask questions. As one lie leads to another, dark secrets about the girls’ family surface, creating complications that threaten to tear them apart.

. I was really excited to have a chance to review this book because it was one of the titles I had wanted to read. When I started reading this book I was instantly engrossed in the story. I was able to get through more than half of the book before I realized I was almost done with it.

 I really connected with Marnie, the older sister and one of the main characters of the story. As I read the story from her point of view I was able to “see” and “feel” everything that she did.  One thing I noticed after the first fifty pages is that there aren't any chapter numbers; instead of chapters the sections are named after the characters. That way the reader will know whose point of view they are “seeing” through.

 I really enjoyed this story and was sad to see it end. I think this would be a good book for anyone to read; regardless of what genre’s they like, this would be one I think anyone would like. I give this book an “A.” 

*I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.  Tiffany