Reviews tagging 'Murder'

Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Jodi Picoult

181 reviews

readersmultiverse's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

Mad Honey was an incredibly powerful and emotional story with great depth. The mystery aspect kept me on the edge of my seat and the characters are going to be difficult to forget. This was an important story & I loved the extra bits at the end as well (the authors’ notes and the honey recipes!) 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Physical abuse, Body shaming, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Bullying, Child abuse, Outing, Domestic abuse, and Transphobia

Moderate: Self harm, Suicide attempt, Murder, and Medical content

jrow's review against another edition

emotional sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

Found the book boring until the trial revealed Lily was AMAB. I thought it was a clever way to surprise the reader with the knowledge, just like the court was discovering it. However, before that point reading the beginning was as easy as a walk through knee-deep mud.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body shaming, Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Homophobia, Outing, Suicide attempt, Violence, Transphobia, Bullying, Deadnaming, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Murder, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Blood

makenziehyatt's review against another edition

emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

A beautiful and complex story with a plot that will keep you guessing. I couldn’t put it down

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Transphobia, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Murder and Violence

lexithelion's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This was the best book I read in 2023 and even long ago. This book has many complex themes woven together perfectly to highlight the purpose of the book. I LOVED the way this book tackled difficult topics but was still lighthearted and a good story. I wish the police proceedings were a little more realistic, but otherwise, this book is great at making you believe that multiple people aren't who they say they are, and it leaves you guessing.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting

thatsssorachael's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, and Transphobia

Moderate: Deadnaming and Toxic friendship

rickiemccanna's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Transphobia, Suicide, Murder, and Suicide attempt

gabigabful's review against another edition

reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Domestic abuse, and Murder

meyeram30's review against another edition

emotional hopeful mysterious reflective tense medium-paced

4.25

Mad Honey is an intensely engaging story of young love, tragedy, and secrets hidden beneath the surface. Jodi Piccoult and Jennifer Boylan seamlessly merged their writing styles into a fascinating tale I could not put down. I found myself reading for hours without noticing any time had passed. The subplots and backgrounds of each character were extremely well done, allowing subtleties in tone and actions to be understood easily. I felt very connected to Olivia throughout the story- so much so that I teared up as if I was Asher’s mother at multiple points. Highly recommend.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Murder, Child death, Transphobia, and Child abuse

Minor: Sexual harassment

samireads's review against another edition

mysterious sad fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Violence, Transphobia, and Domestic abuse

thebooknookgroup's review against another edition

emotional mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

At the beginning I really liked this book. I knew next to nothing going into this book and when I realized it was a murder mystery I couldn't put it down. I liked the writing and connection to honey bees. That is, until about a quarter way through the book when the novelty wore off for me. I began skimming sections and pages. It went downhill from there for me. Not only did the plot become a bit predictable, but it seemed like the author was stuffing as many social issues into it as she could. I really do tend to enjoy books that tastefully/artfully address important social topics, but here it just felt like the author was trying too hard. It was one after another with more honey bee facts sprinkled in between. This will sit at three stars for me because I can understand why others like this book - it just wasn't for me.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Self harm

Minor: Abortion and Transphobia