Beware the Duppy!

 

TITLE: Honeysuckle and Bone

AUTHOR: Trisha Tobias

PUBLISHER: Sweet July Books

PUBLISHING DATE: January 14,, 2025

PAGES: 320   

SOURCE: ARC

FROM GOODREADS: 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.

MY THOUGHTS: This book caught my attention when I saw it tagged as an atmospheric, Gothic horror.  Throw in the Jamaica setting and I knew it was one I needed to read.

Unbeknownst to Carina's parents, she has headed to Jamaica for the summer to work as a temporary au-pair for the Hall family, a prominent family tied up in Jamaican politics.  Carina is running from her past and obtained the job under fraudulent circumstances, but she quickly falls into routine and makes friends with the other young individuals employed by the Halls.  However, nothing can explain the mysterious things happening at the Hall residence.  Carina is haunted by a duppy whom she believes is trying to kill her.  But is the duppy someone from the past Carina is clearly running from, or someone completely different trying to send Carina a message?

First of all, let me say I found it totally fascinating learning more about Jamaican folklore and traditions.  I had no idea what a duppy is (fyi - it's a word of African origin for a ghost or spirit and in Jamaica, often in the form of something which howls through the night). While this was a YA book, it read a bit older to me but if you pick it up, still prepare yourself for some usual teenage angst.  However, that didn't take away from the mysterious horror which we all know was what I really signed up for. I ending did provide me with a twist and even though I think it took a heck of a coincidence for it to happen, it was still quite entertaining.

If you are looking for a book featuring something different, then consider picking this one up.  I love horror of all kinds, and this was a great atmospheric read.

MY RATING: 4 PAWS