Official Book Synopsis
Carina Marshall is on the run from her own dark secrets and is looking to reinvent herself. What better place to do it than Jamaica, her mother’s homeland where she conveniently has access to an au pair job for the wealthy and powerful Hall family. The prestigious family live at their luxurious Jamaican estate, Blackbead House which Carina discovers may be haunted.
My Review
Honeysuckle and Bone took its time drawing me in, but right away I found myself wondering: what is the narrator hiding?
Set in Jamaica, the book is a slow burn of mystery and suspicion. I won’t spoil anything, but let’s just say I was racing to get to the reveal. I had my hunches but the suspense kept me listening. Beyond the mystery itself, what I loved most is how the book centers Jamaican and broader Caribbean American stories. That dual experience of life “back home” and life in America, is such an important thread in so many of our lives. It shapes our creative work, our business endeavors, and the way we move through the world. Seeing it reflected in fiction, with nuance and authenticity is overdue.
Listening Experience
The audiobook narrator, Laura Boston Edwards, was a standout for me. She’s of Jamaican heritage and it shows in her ability to capture both the polished uptown voice and the distinct cadences of the staff. I’m always impressed when a single narrator can shift seamlessly between characters, especially across genders. You know it’s one woman speaking, but she modulates her voice so well that the male characters and other female voices each feel distinct. It’s one of the reasons I love audiobooks because the performance becomes part of the storytelling.
Final Thoughts
Honeysuckle and Bone was the kind of story that reminded me why I love mixing reading with audiobooks, the mystery kept me leaning in, and the audiobook performance pulled me the rest of the way through. Between the mystery, the Jamaican setting, and Laura Boston Edwards’ excellent audiobook performance, it all came together into a lovely experience.
It’s also exciting to see a debut novel that centers Jamaican and Caribbean American voices in such a fresh way and thoughtful way. If you’re looking for a mystery that also carries cultural depth, this one is worth adding to your list.
About the Author
Trisha Tobias is a new author, publishing her first book – a young adult novel, Honeysuckle and Bone. The book was launched in January 2025 via Sweet July Books, the imprint founded by Ayesha Curry to uplift diverse, bold voices. Trisha holds a BA in Media and Communication Studies from Fordham University.
