The Honeybee Emeralds

More about the book

Iranian refugee Alice Ahmadi, raised in Northern England, struggles with her sense of belonging. While interning at the struggling expat magazine Bonjour Paris, she stumbles upon a priceless diamond and emerald necklace featuring a golden honeybee pendant. Alice shares her find with the magazine's American editor, Lily Wilkins, who views it as a potential savior for the publication. Together with Lily's best friend, Daphne Smythe-Baird, they embark on a quest to uncover the necklace's history, forming the 'Fellowship of the Necklace' alongside a trio of unlikely men. Their journey takes them from the historic Richelieu Library to a creepy disused theater, high-end jewelers near Place Vendome, and the picturesque home of a Loire Valley winemaker, where they meet intriguing characters. Meanwhile, É lise Boucher, the magazine's cranky office manager, frets about her future. Through diaries, letters, and reminiscences, the romantic history of the necklace unfolds, revealing its commission by Napoléon III for his mistress, its ownership by World War I spy Mata Hari, and its later appearance on the neck of the iconic Josephine Baker. As the Fellowship delves deeper into the necklace’s past, one mystery remains: how did it end up in a Parisian basement?