An explorative murder mystery forms joint venture Mad Honey from acclaimed authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Olivia is living in her childhood home with her son Asher, having returned to her hometown to keep the family beekeeping business going after leaving her abusive marriage. Lily has moved to the town with her mum and soon becomes acquainted with Asher. After learning early on about Lily’s death, we follow the story back in time to explore the past – and the events leading up to the murder.
Mad Honey features a host of interesting bee facts which help to deliver the narrative, and – surprisingly – adds to the enjoyment of the story, rather than weighing it down with passages of information. The characters are complex to say the least, but there are important themes drawn out (domestic abuse, violence, gender, identity) which highlight the emotional experiences.
Compassionate and sensitive, the story flows seamlessly, by no means stunted through being penned by two different authors. Mad Honey could have perhaps benefited from being slightly shorter and a little more fast-paced, particularly in relation to the backstory – but Picoult and Boylan offer an engaging plot, complex characters and plenty of drama and suspense to sustain the reader on the journey.
Mad Honey, Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan (Hodder & Stoughton)
Price: £16.99. Info: here
words RHIANON HOLLEY
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