Published: 2025
Author: Trisha Tobias
Genres: YA Mystery, Suspense, Contemporary
Audience: Grades 9–12, Adult
Number of Stars: ★★★★☆ (4/5)
Goodreads Link: Honeysuckle and Bone
Content Warnings: Trauma, cyberbullying/online harassment, and eerie/supernatural-adjacent themes.
Publisher’s Summary
On the run from her own dark secrets, a teen girl becomes the nanny for a prestigious family on their extravagant Jamaican estate—but things aren’t quite as they seem, and she quickly discovers even paradise may be haunted. Carina Marshall is looking to reinvent herself, and what better place to do it than Jamaica, her mother’s alluring homeland where she conveniently has access to an au pair gig for the wealthy and politically powerful Hall family. After months of being the target of vicious rumors and hate online (which she just might deserve), the luxurious Blackbead House seems to hold everything she wants, a world of mango trees, tropical breezes, and glamorous parties—and a place to disappear. Once there, Carina joins up with her fellow junior staff members, the self-named Young Birds, and finds herself sinking right into her busy, but comfortable, new life. Yes, the Halls run a tight ship, and yes, there is some tension amongst the family, but she’s content flying under the radar, doing her job, and hanging out with her new friends—not least, the handsome and charming Aaron. But when inexplicable things start happening to her in the house, only getting worse each night, Carina realizes that someone—or something—is out to get her. Is it the house itself? The Halls? Or, worse, is it her own past catching up with her? With the help of Aaron, she must figure out what is haunting her, and fast, before she is forced out of Blackbead House for good. Eerie, propulsive, and full of intrigue, Honeysuckle and Bone is a deliciously atmospheric, young adult novel, following an imperfect yet courageous teen as she seeks to remake herself in the homeland she always idealized, only to discover that new beginnings don’t always come easy.
Full Review
I found Honeysuckle and Bone by Trisha Tobias to be a compelling and engaging novel that would resonate well with students who enjoy suspense and character-driven stories. One of the most intriguing aspects is the mystery surrounding Carina and what she is running from; this element is introduced early and unfolds gradually, keeping readers invested throughout.
The Hall family stands out as both fascinating and unsettling. Their relationships are complex and at times strange, adding to the novel’s eerie tone. Tobias provides just enough detail to spark curiosity about their history without fully revealing everything at once. I also appreciated the rich cultural components of Jamaica woven into the narrative. The inclusion of local traditions and settings offers students an opportunity to engage with perspectives that may be new to them.
Perhaps most importantly, Carina’s character development is a highlight. Her journey highlights how traumatic experiences can lead to personal growth and important life lessons. This makes the novel not only entertaining but also meaningful, providing valuable opportunities for reflection and discussion in a classroom setting.
🎒 Classroom & Curricular Connections
- ELA (Atmosphere & Tone): Discuss how the author uses sensory details (mango trees, tropical breezes vs. “inexplicable things” at night) to create Gothic Suspense in a tropical setting.
- Media Literacy (Digital Citizenship): Carina is fleeing “vicious rumors and hate online.” Use this as a starting point to discuss the real-world impact of cyberbullying and the “cancel culture” that drives her to reinvent herself.
- Social Studies (Cultural Identity): Explore the “idealized homeland” trope. Why do children of immigrants (like Carina) often view their parents’ homelands through a lens of perfection, and what happens when they encounter the reality?
- Psychology (Resilience & Trauma): Analyze Carina’s growth. How do her “dark secrets” manifest as external “hauntings”? Is the house actually haunted, or is it a metaphor for her internal state?
