We all have our secrets. Some of our secrets hide things only about ourselves. Some of our secrets hide things we have done. In Mad Honey, a single mom must deal with her teenage son who is on trial for the murder of his girlfriend. Could he possibly be responsible? The mom is an Apiarist, bee keeper, with plenty of honey recipes and remedies in the novel.


Bee Keeper's Granola and Cranachan, Granola Parfait from Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.

 

This book has a large twist that I did not see coming. And it is this twist that ushers in the theme, the life lesson of the novel. I will not give away the twist, but it will make writing a review very difficult. Everyone should read the book to expand their understanding of people who may not be like yourself.

Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

 


Bee Keeper’s Granola

and Cranachan, Granola Parfait

from a Contemporary Novel: Mad Honey

by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Book Outline and Tone

Lily is a talented teen in a new town. Her future looks promising. She conquers cello pieces that are complex and far beyond her years. She remembers details and facts about a wide range of topics. She is a remarkable girl. And then she is murdered.

This novel shows that a mother’s love can know no bounds. There are 2 moms that attempt to protect, love, and help their children to the best of their abilities. If you are or have been the mom of a teen, you know how difficult it can be to protect, love, and help them.

Olivia’s son Asher is accused of murdering his girlfriend Lily. Most of the novel the reader spends most of the novel trying to decide who is telling the truth. At one point, even Olivia doubts Asher’s innocence.What no one doubts is Asher loved Lily.

There is a significant twist in the story that I won’t share here. This twist makes everyone question everything. So if I won’t share the twist, how can I convince you to read the novel? Perhaps you can find yourself connecting to one of the main themes. All people deserve love and respect

Point of View:

The novel is told in alternating points of view. Olivia, the mom, shares in a mostly chronological fashion. The other chapters are told through Lily, the murdered girlfriend. These chapters jump around in the timeline.

The Best Quote:

“Just be yourself, they tell you. Worried about how you’ll come off if you’re interviewing for something? Just be yourself. Wondering what to say or how to act on a first date? Just be yourself. Looking for the words to describe the impossible? Just be yourself, they tell you, to put you at ease. As if just being yourself is so easy. As if, for so many people, it isn’t the very thing that most parts you at risk in this cruel and heartless world.

The authors: Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Jodi Picoult is the author of many best selling books. At this time she has 28 novels. In 2019 she was awarded the Sarah Josepha Hale award that recognizes a write for a distinguished body of work. In 2018 she was listed among the 25 most influential living alumni of Princeton. She is currently on tour for her latest book, By Any Other Name. She is active on social media. You can connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, @jodipicoult, even on X as well. She posts fun and funny videos on TikTok and posts information on Threads.

The coauthor of the novel is Jennifer Finney Boylan. She has written 18 books including her memoir She’s Not There: a Life in Two Genders. Currently she is serving as the inaugural Anna Quindlen Writer in Residence at Barnard College of Columbia University. Jennifer is also active on social media. She has a Facebook page, Instagram, and X. Her newest book will be Cleavage. Men, Women, and the Space Between Us which will be released in 2025.

What is not to like?

This is a tough question because I was so delighted with the novel. Perhaps if Asher had been given his own chapter as part of the epilogue, that would have been nice.

The verdict

I recommend that you don’t do any snooping to see what the twist is. Engage with the characters and see how it unfolds. I highly recommend the book!


Disclaimer: In the name of full transparency, please be aware that this blog post contains affiliate links and any purchases made through such links will result in a small commission for me (at no extra cost for you).


Bee Keepers Granola

Assemble the Ingredients

Preheat oven to 225℉. 

Spray a large baking sheet (21 × 15 inches) with cooking spray.

In a large bowl combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.

Pour the honey and oil over the mixture and toss lightly, making sure the oat mixture is covered. 

Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 90 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.

Granola keeps for several weeks in a sealed container. I sprinkled extra cinnamon on the granola before baking. It added a great touch!

Bee Keeper's Granola and Cranachan, Granola Parfait from Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.

Bee Keeper's Granola

Easy to make granola, lasts for several weeks in a sealed container
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Course Snack
Cuisine American

Ingredients
  

  • 32 oz old fashioned rolled oats (the recipe in the novel calls to use Bob's Red Mill GF oats)
  • ½ cup pumpkin or pepita seeds
  • 1 cup sliced almonds
  • ½ cup honey
  • ½ cup canola oil

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 225℉.
  • Spray a large baking sheet (21 × 15 inches) with cooking spray.
  • In a large bowl combine the oats, pumpkin seeds, and almonds.
  • Pour the honey and oil over the mixture and toss lightly, making sure the oat mixture is covered.
  • Spread on a baking sheet and bake for 90 minutes.
  • Cool on a wire rack.
  • Granola keeps for several weeks in a sealed container.
Keyword almonds, granola, honey, nuts, oatmeal, pepitas, topping

Cranachan, Honey Granola Parfait

Assemble the Ingredients

Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert. It was originally a celebration of harvest, made following the raspberry harvest in August. The dessert of cream and fresh seasonal raspberries is bolstered by Scottish oats and whisky. It has been called ‘the uncontested king of Scottish desserts’.

In my example here, I used blackberries instead of Raspberries. As the dessert is to be a celebration of harvest, and I hand picked these blackberries, it seemed a reasonable swap.

Chill a mixing bowl for whipping the heavy cream.

Combine 3/4 cup granola and ½ cup bourbon and let sit for several hours before assembling dessert. The granola will absorb the alcohol and become soft but not mushy. 

Lightly crush raspberries with a fork, add ½ teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon bourbon. Toss to combine. You want a puree texture.

In a chilled bowl, start whipping the heavy cream.

When it begins to thicken, add remaining 2 teaspoon honey and remaining 1 teaspoon bourbon.

Continue whipping cream until it is slightly firm.

Fold soaked granola into the cream.

To assemble, sprinkle a bit of the reserved granola into each glass.

Spoon a layer of the cream mixture over granola

and then add a layer of the raspberry mixture.

Repeat until you have a few layers, finishing with a layer of the cream. Sprinkle remaining granola and a couple of whole raspberries on top.

Bee Keeper's Granola and Cranachan, Granola Parfait from Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult.

Cranachan, Raspberry Granola Parfait

Cranachan is a traditional Scottish dessert. It was originally a celebration of harvest, made following the raspberry harvest in August. The dessert of cream and fresh seasonal raspberries is bolstered by Scottish oats and whisky. It has been called 'the uncontested king of Scottish desserts'.
Prep Time 1 hour
Course Dessert
Cuisine Scottish
Servings 4

Ingredients
  

  • cups granola, divided
  • ½ cup bourbon, plus 2 teaspoons, divided
  • 3 cups raspberries, plus 8 whole berries for garnish
  • 1 tsp honey
  • 2 cups heavy cream
  • 4 parfait glasses or martini glasses

Instructions
 

  • Combine 3/4 cup granola and ½ cup bourbon and let sit for several hours before assembling dessert. The granola will absorb the alcohol and become soft but not mushy.
  • Meanwhile, chill a mixing bowl for whipping the cream.
  • Lightly crush raspberries with a fork, add ½ teaspoon honey and 1 teaspoon bourbon. Toss to combine. You want a puree texture.
  • In a chilled bowl, start whipping the heavy cream. When it begins to thicken, add remaining 2 teaspoon honey and remaining 1 teaspoon bourbon.
  • Continue whipping cream until it is slightly firm.
  • Fold soaked granola into the cream.
  • To assemble, sprinkle a bit of the reserved granola into each glass.
  • Spoon a layer of the cream mixture over granola
  • and then add a layer of the raspberry mixture.
  • Repeat until you have a few layers, finishing with a layer of the cream.
  • Sprinkle remaining granola and a couple of whole raspberries on top.
Keyword blackberries, granola, honey, oatmeal, raspberries, whipped cream

What would I do differently next time?

I quickly ran out of the crushed berry mix. Next time, I will use 4 cups of berries instead of just 3 cups.




Apple Orchard Bars from Fudge Cupcake Murder by Joanne Fluke,

Apple Turnovers from Two Parts Sugar One Part Murder by Valerie Burns, and

Apple Spiced Muffins from Grilled for Murder by Maddie Day.

I know you will enjoy the recipes and the novels!

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2 Comments

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