The debut novel from a doctor and beekeeper, A Swarm in May weaves systemic racism, Little League Baseball, and the art and science of beekeeping into a riveting medical mystery.
The debut novel from a doctor and beekeeper, A Swarm in May weaves systemic racism, Little League Baseball, and the art and science of beekeeping into a riveting medical mystery.
About the Book
Dr. Phineas Mann has come a long way from the darkness in his past. He has a loving wife, two bright children, a lively interest in beekeeping, and a rewarding career in intensive care medicine.
And then a challenging case presents: an elderly man inflicted with full-blown tetanus. To make a difficult case worse, the patient’s openly racist son abuses and threatens his father’s medical team, especially the Black intern. When inexplicable setbacks occur, the son’s threats escalate, and the darkness from Phineas’ past comes roaring into the present.
A Swarm in May is the debut novel of a doctor and beekeeper and weaves systemic racism, Little League baseball, and the art and science of beekeeping into a riveting medical mystery.
Available Now!
About the Author
About the Author
Mark Anthony Powers grew up in the small town of West Lebanon, NH. At Cornell University, he branched out into Russian and Creative Writing while majoring in engineering. After receiving his MD from Dartmouth, he went south to the University of North Carolina for an internship and residency in Internal Medicine, followed by a fellowship in Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine.
Meet Mark Anthony Powers
Credit: Kim and Megan Talikoff
After almost forty years in clinical practice and teaching, he retired from Duke University as an Associate Professor Emeritus of Medicine and began his exploration of other parts of his brain. Writing, gardening, IT, and magic courses were just some of the enjoyment that followed. A deep dive into beekeeping led to his presidency of the county beekeeping association and certification as a Master Beekeeper. Two cups of coffee and two hours of writing most mornings produced A Swarm in May and other works.
A Swarm in May: A Novel Launch May 26, 2021
Beekeeping Fun
Praise
“Mark Powers’ suspenseful debut novel, A Swarm in May, utilizes his years as a physician and beekeeper to create a story that book clubs everywhere will compare to books like The Secret Life of Bees and Where the Crawdads Sing. Add the reality of racism in the South, and you have a story those readers will discuss late into the night.”
— Dawn Reno Langley, Author of The Mourning Parade and You are Divine: The Search for the Goddess in all of Us, and President of Rewired Creatives, Inc.
“Damn you, Mark Powers …. I settled in to begin reading the book last night at 9:30. Around 3:30 AM I finished it. If that isn’t an endorsement, then I don’t know what is! The last book I did that with was Where the Crawdads Sing. Overall, I loved it. It is truly a page turner.”
— Dr. Craig Rackley, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“I loved, loved, loved the book. This novel was absolutely fabulous! I thought at first that this would be a story just for beekeepers, but it is so nice that it’s not. The ending was superb and so much fun! I think you have a winner here.”
— Cynthia Speed, Certified Master Beekeeper and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Hop on for a rollicking ride with Dr. Phineas Mann in this debut novel from Mark Anthony Powers! A Swarm in May is a gripping page turner you might have expected had John Grisham gone to medical school instead of law school. From bees to racism to ventilators in an ICU, Dr Powers shepherds us through the wonders and hazards of modern medicine—and life in general—in a troubled world.”
— Dr. Lake Morrison, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“As an insider in both the medical and beekeeping worlds, Mark Powers’ A Swarm in May is a fascinating novel that not only entertains but may teach you a few things!”
— Randall Austin, Certified Master Beekeeper and Piedmont Regional Director of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association
“Dr. Mark Powers’ debut novel is both tender and funny. This tightly woven and well-paced adventure teems with entomologic and medical wonder while offering a gentle portrait of human connection. A Swarm in May provides the reader entrée into the heart and mind of a committed intensivist who must navigate uncertain terrain as his many worlds collide.”
— Dr. Kim Talikoff, MD, Pediatrician, educator, documentarian, and beekeeper
“While it is set in 1998, the racial themes explored are remarkably relevant today. I found myself empathizing with the characters, and the storyline kept me reading well past bedtime.
This novel reminded me that spending time in my garden and with my bees are some of the best ways to unwind and stay grounded, especially during challenging times.”
— Dr. Carrie Donley, PhD, University of NC Department of Chemistry and 2021 President of Orange County Beekeepers
“From the first day he steps into the intensive care unit, a cascade of events takes the reader on a thrilling adventure including medical mysteries, the ongoing legacy of racism, and the complex and fascinating lives of bees. It’s hard to put this riveting book down once you start it.“
— Tim Scialla, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia
“Mark Power’s A Swarm in May is a great read filled with characters you immediately like and a story line that keeps you turning the pages. It brings together details of medical care in a teaching hospital, beekeeping, and racial tensions in a book that is a delight to read. I am already looking forward to Mark Powers’ next book!”
— Jim Snapper, MD, Consultant Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“Fast-paced, captivating plot, great understanding of the world of beekeeping. A Swarm in May intriguingly explores the parallels between the often disorganized community of man and the seemingly chaotic, but well-ordered and selfless community of honey bees.”
— John Rintoul, Attorney and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Mark Powers delightfully captures the joys of medicine and medical education in this fast-paced story of disease and intrigue in North Carolina. An especially great book for nurses and doctors of all ages!”
— Joseph Govert, MD, Professor of Medicine, Duke University
Praise
“Mark Powers’ suspenseful debut novel, A Swarm in May, utilizes his years as a physician and beekeeper to create a story that book clubs everywhere will compare to books like The Secret Life of Bees and Where the Crawdads Sing. Add the reality of racism in the South, and you have a story those readers will discuss late into the night.”
— Dawn Reno Langley, Author of The Mourning Parade and You are Divine: The Search for the Goddess in all of Us, and President of Rewired Creatives, Inc.
“Damn you, Mark Powers …. I settled in to begin reading the book last night at 9:30. Around 3:30 AM I finished it. If that isn’t an endorsement, then I don’t know what is! The last book I did that with was Where the Crawdads Sing. Overall, I loved it. It is truly a page turner.”
— Dr. Craig Rackley, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“I loved, loved, loved the book. This novel was absolutely fabulous! I thought at first that this would be a story just for beekeepers, but it is so nice that it’s not. The ending was superb and so much fun! I think you have a winner here.”
— Cynthia Speed, Certified Master Beekeeper and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Hop on for a rollicking ride with Dr. Phineas Mann in this debut novel from Mark Anthony Powers! A Swarm in May is a gripping page turner you might have expected had John Grisham gone to medical school instead of law school. From bees to racism to ventilators in an ICU, Dr Powers shepherds us through the wonders and hazards of modern medicine—and life in general—in a troubled world.”
— Dr. Lake Morrison, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“As an insider in both the medical and beekeeping worlds, Mark Powers’ A Swarm in May is a fascinating novel that not only entertains but may teach you a few things!”
— Randall Austin, Certified Master Beekeeper and Piedmont Regional Director of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association
“Dr. Mark Powers’ debut novel is both tender and funny. This tightly woven and well-paced adventure teems with entomologic and medical wonder while offering a gentle portrait of human connection. A Swarm in May provides the reader entrée into the heart and mind of a committed intensivist who must navigate uncertain terrain as his many worlds collide.”
— Dr. Kim Talikoff, MD, Pediatrician, educator, documentarian, and beekeeper
“While it is set in 1998, the racial themes explored are remarkably relevant today. I found myself empathizing with the characters, and the storyline kept me reading well past bedtime.
This novel reminded me that spending time in my garden and with my bees are some of the best ways to unwind and stay grounded, especially during challenging times.”
— Dr. Carrie Donley, PhD, University of NC Department of Chemistry and 2021 President of Orange County Beekeepers
“From the first day he steps into the intensive care unit, a cascade of events takes the reader on a thrilling adventure including medical mysteries, the ongoing legacy of racism, and the complex and fascinating lives of bees. It’s hard to put this riveting book down once you start it.“
— Tim Scialla, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia
“Mark Power’s A Swarm in May is a great read filled with characters you immediately like and a story line that keeps you turning the pages. It brings together details of medical care in a teaching hospital, beekeeping, and racial tensions in a book that is a delight to read. I am already looking forward to Mark Powers’ next book!”
— Jim Snapper, MD, Consultant Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“Fast-paced, captivating plot, great understanding of the world of beekeeping. A Swarm in May intriguingly explores the parallels between the often disorganized community of man and the seemingly chaotic, but well-ordered and selfless community of honey bees.”
— John Rintoul, Attorney and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Mark Powers delightfully captures the joys of medicine and medical education in this fast-paced story of disease and intrigue in North Carolina. An especially great book for nurses and doctors of all ages!”
— Joseph Govert, MD, Professor of Medicine, Duke University
Praise
“Mark Powers’ suspenseful debut novel, A Swarm in May, utilizes his years as a physician and beekeeper to create a story that book clubs everywhere will compare to books like The Secret Life of Bees and Where the Crawdads Sing. Add the reality of racism in the South, and you have a story those readers will discuss late into the night.”
— Dawn Reno Langley, Author of The Mourning Parade and You are Divine: The Search for the Goddess in all of Us, and President of Rewired Creatives, Inc.
“Damn you, Mark Powers …. I settled in to begin reading the book last night at 9:30. Around 3:30 AM I finished it. If that isn’t an endorsement, then I don’t know what is! The last book I did that with was Where the Crawdads Sing. Overall, I loved it. It is truly a page turner.”
— Dr. Craig Rackley, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“I loved, loved, loved the book. This novel was absolutely fabulous! I thought at first that this would be a story just for beekeepers, but it is so nice that it’s not. The ending was superb and so much fun! I think you have a winner here.”
— Cynthia Speed, Certified Master Beekeeper and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Hop on for a rollicking ride with Dr. Phineas Mann in this debut novel from Mark Anthony Powers! A Swarm in May is a gripping page turner you might have expected had John Grisham gone to medical school instead of law school. From bees to racism to ventilators in an ICU, Dr Powers shepherds us through the wonders and hazards of modern medicine—and life in general—in a troubled world.”
— Dr. Lake Morrison, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“As an insider in both the medical and beekeeping worlds, Mark Powers’ A Swarm in May is a fascinating novel that not only entertains but may teach you a few things!”
— Randall Austin, Certified Master Beekeeper and Piedmont Regional Director of the North Carolina State Beekeepers Association
“Dr. Mark Powers’ debut novel is both tender and funny. This tightly woven and well-paced adventure teems with entomologic and medical wonder while offering a gentle portrait of human connection. A Swarm in May provides the reader entrée into the heart and mind of a committed intensivist who must navigate uncertain terrain as his many worlds collide.”
— Dr. Kim Talikoff, MD, Pediatrician, educator, documentarian, and beekeeper
“While it is set in 1998, the racial themes explored are remarkably relevant today. I found myself empathizing with the characters, and the storyline kept me reading well past bedtime.
This novel reminded me that spending time in my garden and with my bees are some of the best ways to unwind and stay grounded, especially during challenging times.”
— Dr. Carrie Donley, PhD, University of NC Department of Chemistry and 2021 President of Orange County Beekeepers
“From the first day he steps into the intensive care unit, a cascade of events takes the reader on a thrilling adventure including medical mysteries, the ongoing legacy of racism, and the complex and fascinating lives of bees. It’s hard to put this riveting book down once you start it.“
— Tim Scialla, MD, Associate Professor of Medicine, University of Virginia
“Mark Power’s A Swarm in May is a great read filled with characters you immediately like and a story line that keeps you turning the pages. It brings together details of medical care in a teaching hospital, beekeeping, and racial tensions in a book that is a delight to read. I am already looking forward to Mark Powers’ next book!”
— Jim Snapper, MD, Consultant Professor of Medicine, Duke University
“Fast-paced, captivating plot, great understanding of the world of beekeeping. A Swarm in May intriguingly explores the parallels between the often disorganized community of man and the seemingly chaotic, but well-ordered and selfless community of honey bees.”
— John Rintoul, Attorney and Past President of Orange County Beekeepers
“Mark Powers delightfully captures the joys of medicine and medical education in this fast-paced story of disease and intrigue in North Carolina. An especially great book for nurses and doctors of all ages!”
— Joseph Govert, MD, Professor of Medicine, Duke University