Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan Summary
Overview of Mad Honey
When a Vermont beekeeper's son is accused of murder, secrets unravel revealing transgender identity and domestic violence themes. This GMA Book Club pick blends suspense with compassion, earning a 9.5/10 from critics who praise its "flawless pacing" and ability to challenge what "unconditional love" truly means.
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Key takeaways
When Secrets Sting: A Family's Unraveling
"Mad Honey" pulls us into the quiet town of Adams, New Hampshire, where Olivia Fields has rebuilt her life as a beekeeper after escaping an abusive marriage. The parallel between beekeeping and human relationships emerges immediately-both require patience, understanding natural patterns, and accepting that some things remain beyond control. When Olivia finds a bear has destroyed one of her hives, she desperately tries to save the remaining bees by finding the queen and placing her in a new hive. This foreshadows the coming destruction in her human life, where her son Asher's girlfriend Lily will soon be found dead at the bottom of her stairs. Like the threatened bee colony, the family's carefully constructed new life may not survive the winter ahead. Olivia's relationship with her teenage son Asher carries the weight of their shared past. Having fled in the night from Braden, Asher's abusive father, they've spent years carefully constructing a safe haven. Their bond is close but evolving as Asher grows into young adulthood, becoming the hockey team captain and falling for the new girl in town. When Lily is found dead and Asher becomes the prime suspect, Olivia's protective instincts surge forward. Haven't they suffered enough? The desperation in her voice when she calls her brother Jordan, a defense attorney, reveals everything: "You told me to call you the next time I need help. I need help." Her voice breaks on the last word, carrying the weight of a mother's worst fear.
Hidden Identities and New Beginnings
The Shadows of Inheritance
The Trial That Divides a Town
The Truth That Changes Everything
Finding Sweetness After Pain
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"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
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