Review

This is a charming book; easy to read and very informative--esp. about three particularly interesting topics: bees and beekeeping; domestic abuse; and, what it is to be transgender. The story is told through alternating voices of a trans girl and the mother of her boyfriend (who is herself a battered woman). The underlying foundation of the novel is a murder mystery. But, do not be intimidated; the story is not complicated or so didactic as to be challenging. To the contrary, the novel flows naturally and smoothly. Among other insights and penetrating observations, the reader learns how often the lives of bees are parallel and similar to our own lives. And throughout the novel, you are gently informed about being transgender. Indeed, Mad Honey constantly educates and entertains as the narrative progresses. I have two (relatively minor) qualms which I am constrained to share with you. One event near the end of the story seems forced and contrived; I did not believe the character would have acted the way they did. To be sure, it did not diminish my enjoyment, but I wonder if you will concur when you get there. And as for the murder trial, as a former actual trial lawyer, I found one glaring situation must be noted: when the defense attorney is questioning his client, he explains that their discussions will be and remain private--BUT the lawyer permits the defendant's mother to be present; and that will almost certainly defeat the attorney-client privilege, and any claim to confidentiality. Both my wife (who read the book before I did) and I came away with the exact same impressions: we learned a lot, and did so in an easy supportive way; we liked and cared about the main characters and the natural progress of the story; and we both felt Mad Honey is a very good read--a honeycomb of a book.

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