I read plenty of cozy mystery titles this 2024 and still add some more because of cozy reading challenge that I'd be part of. Take the Honey and Run is the first Jennie Marts's title for me and actually also her first foray into cozy mystery. I read this one for cozy mystery that take setting in the farm/ranch. While the heroine, Bailey Briggs's grandmother have a bee farm, it's more like setting since the place of the murder happen elsewhere. BUT, the weapon to murder the poor (or maybe not) victim was a hot spice honey that Bailey's grandmother aka Granny Bee produced. Granny Bee also have some little fiasco with the victim a day before he died with she will kill him if he dare to go near her again. Now, you will know what's followed. Granny Bee become a person of interest, so Bailey try to clean her grandmother's name. Apparently, the local sheriff, Sawyer Dunn also happen to be Bailey's old flame aka the one that got away. Awkward.

I did enjoy Take the Honey and Run. While the book have some cozy trademark, it was also focused more into the relationship between characters. The highlight is the relationship between Bailey and her best friend, Evie, shown with the way they did some investigations that sometimes also become source of comic reliefs. The Hives, aka Granny Bee's book club that consist of Bee's sisters and friends also joining hands to clean Bee's name. I like that Bailey also have a healthy relationship with her daughter and how Daisy behave like a teenager but she also smart and far from annoying brats. The romance aspect was one of strong points and I liked that Marts feature romance between Bee and her farm manager, show that people in their 60-70's deserve to find happiness in the love departments. As for Bailey and Sawyer, they once was lover when they still in high school but Sawyer then move out from town because of some reasons that will be explained in the book. I think there's will be hint of love triangle between Bailey, Sawyer and Evie's brother, Mateo, but I hope Marts will focused more to Bailey and Sawyer. There's also a hint of relationship between Evie and Griffin, a private investigator who also Bailey's friend. I think romance play an important part because Marts also a romance author, but actually the romance itself was well written and didn't override the mystery.

The mysteries were solid and Marts use some of red herrings, although some of the red herrings can be hilarious to read or just amusing. Didn't want to spoil much, but the mystery keep hidden until the end and when the perpetrator comes into light after Bailey finally find the clue that connects all the mystery, the reason behind the murder was quite sad to read. To sum it up, the victim deserve his fate because he was a womanizer and scumbag. Of course what happen to him was wrong, but I can understand why the killer did it in the first place. However, my pet peeve is why almost everyone in the town read Bailey's books? Is her books that famous or what, lol. It will be nice if there's any mention of the title of Bailey's books

Take the Honey and Run is a fun cozy mystery set in small town with interesting ensemble cast and adorable interactions. There some secrets that still left open like who the identity of Daisy's father since Bailey still lip-tight about that although I kinda have guessed who is it but better to know it later since it's not that important. This book also have some recipes in the back of the book that I want to try it sometimes. Looking forward for more Bailey's investigation and The Hives's shenanigans in the next book!