Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult
Year
2022
Pages
509
Contents
Olivia 5
Summary
- Olivia is a beekeeper and checks her colonies before an extended absence due to a court trial she must attend.
- She observes and describes the complex behaviors and communication methods within the bee colony before her departure.
- Olivia hopes the jury at the trial will operate with a collective intelligence like her bees.
- Asher's (the defendant's) trial for murder begins, and personal details about his appearance and demeanor are given.
- There's a heavy media presence outside the courthouse, causing added stress for Asher and Olivia.
- Jordan gives Asher and Olivia guidance and strategies for managing reactions during the trial.
- Prosecutor Gina Jewett portrays Asher as abusive and presents her case accusing him of murder.
- Jordan, the defense attorney, counters by humanizing Asher, suggesting he loved the victim, and questions the prosecutor's narrative.
- Police Officer Owen Tubbs testifies about the scene he encountered at the victim's house and his interactions with Asher there.
- Jordan challenges Tubbs' testimony, highlighting Asher's lack of past disturbances.
- Olivia has flashbacks about her prom date, Mike Newcomb, who also testifies and details police procedures and evidence found.
- Mike Newcomb's testimony implies Asher's presence at the crime scene, text messages to the victim, and inconsistencies in his statements.
- Olivia copes with stress by writing down random objects and memories of a family dessert tradition involving her mother and Asher.
- Jordan challenges the evidence presented by Mike Newcomb, questioning the reliability of fingerprints and suggesting Asher's presence at the victim's house was innocent.
- Olivia has an emotional exchange with Asher during a recess, recalling a childhood memory to bolster his courage.
- Medical Examiner Rooney McBride testifies, stating that Lily's cause of death was a homicide from head trauma, though Jordan questions the thoroughness of the autopsy.
- Jordan discovers through McBride's testimony that a potentially significant piece of information was overlooked: Lily was transgender, lacking a uterus and ovaries.
- Olivia reflects on a painful personal encounter with Mike Newcomb at a farmers' market, connecting her selling honey products to their past history and her own experience with domestic abuse.