A 2023 Next Generation Indie Book Award Finalist for Best First Novel

"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

Alice Ahmadi has never been certain of where she belongs. When she 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 Alice 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?

About the Author
Amy Tector was born and raised in the rolling hills of Quebec's Eastern Townships. She has worked in archives for the past twenty years and has found some pretty amazing things, including lost letters, mysterious notes, and even a whale's ear. Amy spent many years as an expat, living in Brussels and in The Hague, where she worked for the International Criminal Tribunal for War Crimes in Yugoslavia. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, with her daughter, dog, and husband.

Reviews

"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

Awards
Short-listed for Best First Novel 2023 (United States).



Book Information
ISBN 9781684427574
Author Amy Tector
Format Paperback
Page Count 348
Imprint Turner Publishing Company
Publisher Turner Publishing Company