Honey-Dew

by Louise Doughty

A brutal murder punctures the tranquillity of a rural idyll: a middle-aged couple are found stabbed to death; their teenaged daughter is missing. Where is Gemma? Demands the headline of the Rutland Record. Alison, chief reporter, endeavours to unravel the truth and in doing so must confront the shadows of her own, shocking past and the bleakness at the heart of the prettiest of the prettiest of English Country Counties.

Genres: Crime

193 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

Louise Doughty is a novelist, playwright and critic. She is the author of five novels; CRAZY PAVING, DANCE WITH ME, HONEY-DEW, FIRES IN THE DARK and STONE CRADLE, and one work of non-fiction A NOVEL IN A YEAR. She has also written five plays for radio. She has worked widely as a critic and broadcaster in the UK, where she lives, and was a judge for the 2008 Man Booker Prize for fiction.

Reviews

[Tooter · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 Stars

[Jepha · Rating 2 out of 5]

"Honey Dew - Anything can happen behind closed doors."
But nothing does.

In an article, the author states that her novels are "entirely plot driven" but that is not true for this story.
There is almost no plot to speak of, we spend so much time getting to know the characters that by the time we get around to the plot, it has already reached it's climax and the story is over.
All of the characters seem to think they are the most special important person, too big for the small village life they are subjected to, yet I found each of them equally unlikeable.
The main character despises the big city reporter who comes in to steal her story, goes up to his room not feeling too happy about it, then is disappointed to the point of anger when he doesn't want to sleep with her?!
I couldn't help but find the subplot about a woman writing a murder mystery novel in this murder mystery novel a bit on the nose.
The book is not badly written, the prose is well thought out and it reads nicely with no clunky passages, but it's just really dull. Nothing happens and nobody learns anything.
I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone, it's not a good murder mystery, it's not a good drama, it's not a good romance, it's just not good.

[Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

Back of the book blurbs refer to this book as "darkly comic," but the comic aspect eluded me--as did the relevance of the title.

While this is in the murder mystery genre, it becomes clear "who done it" early in the book. Instead, the real focus is on the family of the couple killed, the next-door neighbour and reporter (Alison),and a few other characters. The book is engaging in its compelling look at families, at moral dilemmas, and at the (potential) evil that lurks in all of us. The book is a quick and easy read at 173 pages, but I found myself wanting more depth. It was a good read, but not totally satisfying. JA

[Les · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked up this book for 2 reasons; the first was the fact that I enjoyed the TV adaptation of the authors book Apple Tree Yard and the second was it was on offer.
I'd like to say I enjoyed it but although it's not a bad book I felt it was missing something such as a plot reversal or a twist of some sort. Neither of these take place, so it's basically a catalogue of events that take place after a double murder in a sleepy English village.
An opportunity missed in my opinion.

[Holly · Rating 5 out of 5]

An easy read but intelligent too. Loved it.

[Mike Collins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having read - and loved - Platform Seven, I thought that I'd give another of Louise Doughty's books a go. This, rather shorter, book has the same clever lines, the same strong storyline & characters and the same compelling style. It sort of petered out at the end, but otherwise is a very good book.

[Ceecee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a relatively quick read - about 3 hours. I really like Louise Doughty’s books ever since I read Apple Tree Yard several years ago. This is one of her earlier stories and I enjoyed reading it. The story centres on the murders of Mr and Mrs Cowper and the search for their killer. I really liked the setting which is Rutland an area I know quite well so I could easily picture the locations. The story is mostly told through the eyes of Alison Akenside, a local journalist and neighbour of the Cowpers. The story unfolded really well and I really liked the touches of humour that I suppose is one of LD’s ‘trademarks’. The characters were good - I particularly liked Miss Crabbe and like her, I much prefer Dorothy L Sayers to Agatha Crispy as the character preferred to call her!

There is one section told from the point of view of Alison’s mother, Joyce and we learn why there is little love lost between her and her children, specifically Alison’s older brother Andrew. We find out how their younger brother James died and to say that Joyce has religious fervour is probably an understatement. Another section is from Edith Cowper’s p o v and whilst it was good to understand the family dynamics this section somewhat implausibly describes her own death. I appreciate this is artistic licence but personally I’m not keen on this technique.

Towards the end of the story the reader questions actions that Alison takes and certainly she has to live with what she did.

Overall, a good and enjoyable read.

[Bibliophile · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dark little tale presented as a murder mystery in the English countryside, but really it is less about the murders and more about the darkness in ordinary people's lives. Everyone seems to have the potential for malice and violence, whether they know it or not. Doughty creates great discomfort by small means. The image of the sleepwalking Alison, as observed by her elderly neighbour, with "pure evil" in her eyes, is particularly chilling. A nightmarish murder in her own family history is never resolved. A game of Cluedo shows the cruelty and viciousness of a seemingly normal family. This is a far cry from a cosy Miss Marplish whodunnit, and much better.

[Micmacpac · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book on my kindle. I was able to decipher all the British/English terminology that was not explained in the context of the book.

I very much enjoyed the style of writing Louise uses in her books. The attention to detail when things are described paints a very clear picture.

Four stars given as I enjoyed her book Platform Seven, just a bit more than Honey-Dew. Both were very enjoyable.

[Dianne Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A strange , short read. Not really a mystery... the reader knows 'who done it'!
More about the mystery of those we think we know...but don't really know at all. More about what is hidden behind closed doors.
Not really gripping...I enjoyed Apple Tree Yard and Platform 7...but this was a little of a disappointment...why entitled 'Honey- dew'?

[Chris Lynas · Rating 1 out of 5]

Read this having enjoyed A Bird In Winter. Unfortunately this book was very disappointing. Two people murdered at the beginning, you know who dunnit but the book just waffles on about nothing until the unsurprising end. I lost the will to live and skim read. I’ve wasted 3 hours of my life, don’t do the same.

[Laura- Jayne Breed · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely adored it.

Cannot wait to read more by Louise Doughty, I feel a particular kinship with Miss Doughty because we both Herald from the Midlands. Loved the book, having only previously read Apple Tree Yard.

[spookybookz · Rating 2 out of 5]

The books seemed to cover more about the characters than the actual murder investigation. Not for me.

[Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining cosy crime with a bit of a sharp edge

[Jacquie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A murder, but not a mystery. It is however full of will she won't she? It held me to the last page.

[Sharnie · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unfortunately found this quite forgettable and trying to get out of my reading slump so unfortunately going to DNF. May try again some other time in the future.

[Liz Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honeydew

Really good story. I know the area of the country in which is set. Good interesting characters. Mundanity creates murder.

[Nicola Rogerson · Rating 1 out of 5]

Nothing happens in this book. It has numerous, random plot lines and doesn’t make sense. Thankfully it was short but don’t waste your time.

[Kali · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Ann Morrallee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read the whole book waiting for something to happen! I managed to finish it, but what an anti-climax. Felt disappointed, as I've read some really excellent books by this author.

[Claire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Thankfully a short book as it was so predictable. No twists or turns, no plot, but unnecessary characters, and a general feeling on finishing the book that I had wasted my time. Louise Doughty describes her style of writing as 'literary fiction'. I certainly wouldn't.

[Jules · Rating 3 out of 5]

Middle of the road - rather annoying characters