Synopsis

Atlanta couple Ben and Nina plan to move in together, but their relationship unravels when Ben dismisses Nina’s surprising claim that her dog can talk. Songs by Honeybird follows the pair as they move on without each other. Doctoral candidate Ben dives into research on the tragic story of Honeybird, the South’s first integrated rock band, while spiritual savant Nina searches for the elusive truth about her father’s death. Will the buried secrets of the past bring Ben and Nina back together—or send them down entirely new paths?

Accompanied by a soundtrack of original songs, Songs by Honeybird is a novel about what can begin after a relationship ends.

Amazon

Review

I was captivated by the subject of Ben’s thesis – an integrated band in the mid-60s whose end came too soon after the lead singer and guitarist is found dead in a fire and the drummer is presumed to have either perished in the same fire or started the fire that took the life of the leader of the band.

This story has several different plot lines that are loosely tied together by Ben and Nina. They previously dated but he decided she was a bit much when he learned she could hear her dog speak to her. He actually suggested that she see a therapist. This doesn’t bode well for their relationship.

I found the research that Ben was doing fascinating and what it takes to seek out details for someone that died many years ago and the family is hard to find. But he hits jackpot with Foxy, a photographer that has a lot of photos of this group during that time. I found myself caught up in the research and the story of this band, even though fictional.

I liked how the story alternated between Ben and Nina and what they were going through post-breakup between family and trying to get their lives back on track. More details are shared as the story progresses and I had a better understanding of the characters and what they were thinking and feeling about themselves and their lives.

I think I would have enjoyed this story even it was only about Ben searching for more information about the Honeybirds and uncovering the truth.

We give this book 4 paws up.

About the Author

Peter McDade teaches at Clark Atlanta University and was the drummer for the band Uncle Green. He’s written the novels The Weight of Sound (2017) and the forthcoming Songs By Honeybird (March 2022).

Website * Publisher * Twitter * Instagram