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Miss Hortense #1
A Murder for Miss Hortense: 'It's Murder She Wrote as you've never seen it before' Sir Lenny Henry
'It's Murder She Wrote as you've never seen it before' Sir Lenny Henry
Death has come to her doorstep . . .
Retired nurse, avid gardener, renowned cake maker and fearless sleuth Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she's being short-changed on turmeric before she's taken her first bite of a beef patty. Thirty-five years of nursing have also left her afraid of nobody, be they a local drug dealer or a priest, and an expert in deciphering other people's secrets with just a glance.
Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network - a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner's homes, a bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense's long buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.
It is time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her, and the community she loves, tested to their limits.
Death has come to her doorstep . . .
Retired nurse, avid gardener, renowned cake maker and fearless sleuth Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she's being short-changed on turmeric before she's taken her first bite of a beef patty. Thirty-five years of nursing have also left her afraid of nobody, be they a local drug dealer or a priest, and an expert in deciphering other people's secrets with just a glance.
Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network - a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner's homes, a bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense's long buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.
It is time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her, and the community she loves, tested to their limits.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 10, 2025
496 people are currently reading
14449 people want to read
About the author
Mel Pennant
4 books53 followersMel Pennant is an award-winning playwright whose work has appeared in the National Archives, as well as on stage. Born in London, she was raised by an extraordinary village, which included her Jamaican grandparents who moved to England in the 1950s as part of the Windrush generation. Mel is drawn to stories that explore what’s hidden below the surface and celebrate the richness and strength of tight-knit communities. She lives in London with her family and their dog, Bleu. A Murder for Miss Hortense is Mel’s first novel and she is currently writing another mystery novel starring Miss Hortense.
source: Amazon
source: Amazon
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August 26, 2025Bit odd, this. The blurb is heavily coded to cosy mystery in the Murder She Wrote / wacky old lady solves mysteries vein. And it's got a ton of cosy features, including recipes, comic relief sidekick, and a Death In Paradise style denouement with everyone in the room happily chatting about which person present killed someone they all know.
Except it's actually quite a brutal setting, about the horrendous endemic racism faced by the Windrush generation, the misery of life in a Birmingham suburb, police corruption, racist murders, organised crime, and massive and awful violence against women including DV, rape, and serial murder. Which...not cosy, really.
It's also a fairly convoluted story with a large cast and a lot of flashbacks, which means the plot moves really quite slowly. Overall, the setting is brilliant and the premise has loads of potential but it doesn't feel like the material is entirely under control, tonally or structurally. That said, it's a debut novel, so will be really interesting to see how this series develops.
Except it's actually quite a brutal setting, about the horrendous endemic racism faced by the Windrush generation, the misery of life in a Birmingham suburb, police corruption, racist murders, organised crime, and massive and awful violence against women including DV, rape, and serial murder. Which...not cosy, really.
It's also a fairly convoluted story with a large cast and a lot of flashbacks, which means the plot moves really quite slowly. Overall, the setting is brilliant and the premise has loads of potential but it doesn't feel like the material is entirely under control, tonally or structurally. That said, it's a debut novel, so will be really interesting to see how this series develops.
August 30, 2025
I received a copy for review purposes. All opinions are honest and mine alone.
Miss Hortense is a retired nurse. She suffers no fools and comes across as a bit abrasive but all of the small, Jamaican community in Bigglesweigh, UK, knock on her door when they need medical attention. She attends to their various maladies, harvests their secrets in the process and has been storing information for 40 years. It is invaluable for solving mysteries in A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE.
With flashbacks to the 1960’s taking up much of the story, debut author, Mel Pennant, introduces the community of Bigglesweigh. There are a lot of characters to get to know and it does take time to sort them out. Every one of them has a part in this complex murder which keeps readers in the dark until the last few pages. The reveal is like a Christie mystery gone slightly wild.
It also takes time to sort out the colloquial Jamaican dialogue that’s used throughout the book. For me, it slowed down the reading for the beginning but became more enjoyable as the phrases became more familiar. There are items used in daily life and references to religion that I had to look up but am happy to have taken the time because it made the story more engaging. Perhaps the author might consider adding a page of phrases and items that are unique to the Jamaican culture to assist readers.
Clearly, Pennant is planning to expand this character into a series of cozy mysteries. Good groundwork has been laid and the quirky, colorful characters in this Jamaican hamlet are excellent fodder for subsequent adventures. Miss Hortense is an unique character on today’s mystery tableau. I wish her well with this and future volumes📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
Miss Hortense is a retired nurse. She suffers no fools and comes across as a bit abrasive but all of the small, Jamaican community in Bigglesweigh, UK, knock on her door when they need medical attention. She attends to their various maladies, harvests their secrets in the process and has been storing information for 40 years. It is invaluable for solving mysteries in A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE.
With flashbacks to the 1960’s taking up much of the story, debut author, Mel Pennant, introduces the community of Bigglesweigh. There are a lot of characters to get to know and it does take time to sort them out. Every one of them has a part in this complex murder which keeps readers in the dark until the last few pages. The reveal is like a Christie mystery gone slightly wild.
It also takes time to sort out the colloquial Jamaican dialogue that’s used throughout the book. For me, it slowed down the reading for the beginning but became more enjoyable as the phrases became more familiar. There are items used in daily life and references to religion that I had to look up but am happy to have taken the time because it made the story more engaging. Perhaps the author might consider adding a page of phrases and items that are unique to the Jamaican culture to assist readers.
Clearly, Pennant is planning to expand this character into a series of cozy mysteries. Good groundwork has been laid and the quirky, colorful characters in this Jamaican hamlet are excellent fodder for subsequent adventures. Miss Hortense is an unique character on today’s mystery tableau. I wish her well with this and future volumes📚
Read and Reviewed from a NetGalley eARC, with thanks
June 19, 2025
A “Pardner “ System is a simple savings system whereby a group of people agree to save a set amount on a regular basis usually through a verbal agreement.
Back in the 1960s, Miss Hortense and a small group of local people set up a pardner… but things didn’t go to plan
Set against a backdrop of tragedies, deception and hidden secrets, events of that time affected all the members - whilst at the same time a man known as the Brute was attacking women. Was there a connection?
Three decades on, Miss Hortense’s nemesis Constance - a pardner member who forced Miss Hortense to leave the original group -is found dead in her home - this leads to a string of actions that open old woods and uncover dark secrets. What will happen to the pardner ? But where are the funds?
Miss Hortense could easily be compared to a modern day Miss Marple - determinedly asking questions about the local community and digging deep into people’s lives. But this investigator is much more feisty. She’s carried knowledge with her for years and now is time to join the pieces together
The denouement is brilliant - very much like a scene from a Christie novel with all the culprits gathered together.
Mel Pennant has created a wonderful character - the plot is complex in some ways as it moves between the past and present and so many events are interlinked.
A great debut
Back in the 1960s, Miss Hortense and a small group of local people set up a pardner… but things didn’t go to plan
Set against a backdrop of tragedies, deception and hidden secrets, events of that time affected all the members - whilst at the same time a man known as the Brute was attacking women. Was there a connection?
Three decades on, Miss Hortense’s nemesis Constance - a pardner member who forced Miss Hortense to leave the original group -is found dead in her home - this leads to a string of actions that open old woods and uncover dark secrets. What will happen to the pardner ? But where are the funds?
Miss Hortense could easily be compared to a modern day Miss Marple - determinedly asking questions about the local community and digging deep into people’s lives. But this investigator is much more feisty. She’s carried knowledge with her for years and now is time to join the pieces together
The denouement is brilliant - very much like a scene from a Christie novel with all the culprits gathered together.
Mel Pennant has created a wonderful character - the plot is complex in some ways as it moves between the past and present and so many events are interlinked.
A great debut
March 13, 2025
The murder mystery about a Pardner that you didn’t think you needed to read
Miss Hortense is a retired Jamaica nurse who emigrated from Jamaica from the 1960s and never looked back. She has a beautiful garden and lives on a quiet street in Birmingham in a house she bought after working for years and saving all she has in a pardner. After living in England she became a part of a Jamaican community and was the banker of their Pardner until they kicked her out. While she still hold a grudge, she decided to put it all aside when her long time enemy dies under mysterious circumstances. She decides to start investigating the case- nothing could prepare her for the outcome!
The editor letter says that the publishing house does not usually do mystery but they had to take this one on because of how unique it was and I have to agree. Miss Hortense is a formidable character, she is one you don’t want to mess with, and someone you can’t help but cheer for. I loved how the author took us into this community, and how she showcase how people long for home, and what they will do when their security is threatened.
Something that stood out for me was how Miss Hortense, even after forty years, still continues to make Jamaican food lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Miss Hortense is a retired Jamaica nurse who emigrated from Jamaica from the 1960s and never looked back. She has a beautiful garden and lives on a quiet street in Birmingham in a house she bought after working for years and saving all she has in a pardner. After living in England she became a part of a Jamaican community and was the banker of their Pardner until they kicked her out. While she still hold a grudge, she decided to put it all aside when her long time enemy dies under mysterious circumstances. She decides to start investigating the case- nothing could prepare her for the outcome!
The editor letter says that the publishing house does not usually do mystery but they had to take this one on because of how unique it was and I have to agree. Miss Hortense is a formidable character, she is one you don’t want to mess with, and someone you can’t help but cheer for. I loved how the author took us into this community, and how she showcase how people long for home, and what they will do when their security is threatened.
Something that stood out for me was how Miss Hortense, even after forty years, still continues to make Jamaican food lol.
I thoroughly enjoyed this one.
June 11, 2025
3.5 stars
Miss Hortense moved to England from Jamaica in 1960 and settled in Bigglesweigh, a Birmingham suburb. She was one of the founders of the Pardner network, a group of Black investors wanting to see their community grow and flourish. Miss Hortense got kicked out of the group but her eyes and ears remained open. When a man is murdered, the past may play a part and Miss Hortense will put her sleuthing skills to the test.
At first glance this book might appear to be a cozy mystery but there’s much more depth. The author injects bits of humor when possible but the heart of this story deals with some heavy subject matter. It’s a showcase of how the immigrant community is often left to fend for themselves with no outside support. How crime in a Black neighborhood isn’t taken as seriously or given the same resources as say a wealthy, white neighborhood.
The mystery itself was complex and hard to follow at times and a few too many characters to keep track of but there’s so much potential here if the author chooses to turn it into a series. Miss Hortense is a fascinating woman and I’m interested in seeing her solve more mysteries.
Miss Hortense moved to England from Jamaica in 1960 and settled in Bigglesweigh, a Birmingham suburb. She was one of the founders of the Pardner network, a group of Black investors wanting to see their community grow and flourish. Miss Hortense got kicked out of the group but her eyes and ears remained open. When a man is murdered, the past may play a part and Miss Hortense will put her sleuthing skills to the test.
At first glance this book might appear to be a cozy mystery but there’s much more depth. The author injects bits of humor when possible but the heart of this story deals with some heavy subject matter. It’s a showcase of how the immigrant community is often left to fend for themselves with no outside support. How crime in a Black neighborhood isn’t taken as seriously or given the same resources as say a wealthy, white neighborhood.
The mystery itself was complex and hard to follow at times and a few too many characters to keep track of but there’s so much potential here if the author chooses to turn it into a series. Miss Hortense is a fascinating woman and I’m interested in seeing her solve more mysteries.
May 19, 2025
I got it into my head that this was cozy, but it’s not at all what I expected.
The ingredients are there: amateur older sleuth, close-knit community, secrets old and new. What I was not prepared for was how emotionally fraught the story turned out to be. You will love Miss Hortense and see her in her entirety, the most admirable of her characteristics alongside the least. It takes maybe 100 pages to get used to the writing and invested in the story but eventually I was hooked.
The mystery is complicated, weaving between the 1960s and the year 2000. While I found the mystery wonderful, it’s the writing that really makes this one shine.
PS: A list of characters would be so, so helpful here (there are many, and they are all important).
The ingredients are there: amateur older sleuth, close-knit community, secrets old and new. What I was not prepared for was how emotionally fraught the story turned out to be. You will love Miss Hortense and see her in her entirety, the most admirable of her characteristics alongside the least. It takes maybe 100 pages to get used to the writing and invested in the story but eventually I was hooked.
The mystery is complicated, weaving between the 1960s and the year 2000. While I found the mystery wonderful, it’s the writing that really makes this one shine.
PS: A list of characters would be so, so helpful here (there are many, and they are all important).
June 13, 2025
I wanted to like this so bad; I love whodunit stories! However there were so many characters to keep track of so early on - it was tough. It was even worse because the POVs switched in every chapter to be people who weren't very relevant to the story, except as a plot device. The chapters lengths were very random; which I'm usually okay with BUT it would switch abruptly in the middle of scenes. I couldn't follow what was actually supposed to be going on besides some key "evil"/ bad mind people.
The plot idea was great, but I couldn't even feel bad or anxious for the Main Character (who is supposed to be Ms Hortense) because we never really got to know Ms. Hortense. Whodunit books are supposed to feed characters certain clues and characteristics that weren't provided to us.
I wanted to love this book but I barely like it. I would be interested to see another concept by this author developed further though.
The plot idea was great, but I couldn't even feel bad or anxious for the Main Character (who is supposed to be Ms Hortense) because we never really got to know Ms. Hortense. Whodunit books are supposed to feed characters certain clues and characteristics that weren't provided to us.
I wanted to love this book but I barely like it. I would be interested to see another concept by this author developed further though.
December 21, 2024
I am always keen for more Black British literature, especially set outside of London, and this one did not disappoint!
Set in the Afro-Caribbean community of Birmingham, A Murder for Miss Hortense cleverly plays around with the quite strict conventions of the classic murder mystery genre. We have an amateur detective, their bumbling side-kick, a police officer who provides a connection between the detective and the law, a cast of suspects, and of course, a reveal monologue at the end of the story. Pennant brilliantly infuses these genre conventions with the specific context of these characters and this community. For example, the role of Hortense's nephew as the 'policeman' of the story is imbued in discussions of connections between the Black community and the police force, and the very need for independent investigation is contextualised in police racism, brutality and lack of desire to actually resolve any of the issues in the Black community. The characters' speech is influenced by Jamaican Patois, adding authenticity and specificity to the story.
The tone was a bit more serious than I expected - English murder mysteries of this type tend to have a cosy feel to them, and A Murder for Miss Hortense is anything but. It really reminds me of conversations about marginalised authors' writing genre according to conventions, which were developed in a different context (see Akilah White aka @ifthisisparadise 's work on this). I appreciated that a genre novel written from the context of immigration struggles, racism and police violence is unlikely to have the same tone as a Miss Marple novel. I am always keen to read genre novels from marginalised authors, as it feels like the publishing industry often typecasts marginalised authors into writing very specific things - multi-generational family sagas come to mind for anything immigration-related The very fact that this is a Black-authored Black-centred murder mystery is interesting and engaging in itself, and the excellent execution does not disappoint.
The mystery itself is wrapped in a story that hit close to home for most of the primary characters of the novel, with past events casting long shadows. This was the one thing I was not sure about, as I am not entirely convinced that a series (and I really hope this is going to be a series!) of murder mysteries can be sustained through plots so heavily reliant on the backstory of the detective and other primary characters. I can imagine that this is going to be the formula (after all, this 'case' was Bone Twelve, implying that there are at least eleven more), and each of them will connect to something in the close-knit community's past. I am happy to give this formula the benefit of the doubt, but I am not 100% convinced by it, as it gives the specific cases less of a 'monster of the week' feel.
Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the review copy.
Set in the Afro-Caribbean community of Birmingham, A Murder for Miss Hortense cleverly plays around with the quite strict conventions of the classic murder mystery genre. We have an amateur detective, their bumbling side-kick, a police officer who provides a connection between the detective and the law, a cast of suspects, and of course, a reveal monologue at the end of the story. Pennant brilliantly infuses these genre conventions with the specific context of these characters and this community. For example, the role of Hortense's nephew as the 'policeman' of the story is imbued in discussions of connections between the Black community and the police force, and the very need for independent investigation is contextualised in police racism, brutality and lack of desire to actually resolve any of the issues in the Black community. The characters' speech is influenced by Jamaican Patois, adding authenticity and specificity to the story.
The tone was a bit more serious than I expected - English murder mysteries of this type tend to have a cosy feel to them, and A Murder for Miss Hortense is anything but. It really reminds me of conversations about marginalised authors' writing genre according to conventions, which were developed in a different context (see Akilah White aka @ifthisisparadise 's work on this). I appreciated that a genre novel written from the context of immigration struggles, racism and police violence is unlikely to have the same tone as a Miss Marple novel. I am always keen to read genre novels from marginalised authors, as it feels like the publishing industry often typecasts marginalised authors into writing very specific things - multi-generational family sagas come to mind for anything immigration-related The very fact that this is a Black-authored Black-centred murder mystery is interesting and engaging in itself, and the excellent execution does not disappoint.
The mystery itself is wrapped in a story that hit close to home for most of the primary characters of the novel, with past events casting long shadows. This was the one thing I was not sure about, as I am not entirely convinced that a series (and I really hope this is going to be a series!) of murder mysteries can be sustained through plots so heavily reliant on the backstory of the detective and other primary characters. I can imagine that this is going to be the formula (after all, this 'case' was Bone Twelve, implying that there are at least eleven more), and each of them will connect to something in the close-knit community's past. I am happy to give this formula the benefit of the doubt, but I am not 100% convinced by it, as it gives the specific cases less of a 'monster of the week' feel.
Thank you, NetGalley, and the publisher for the review copy.
December 1, 2024
I received a copy of this book from Net Galley. The following review is of my own thoughts, and hasn't been influenced by Net Galley, the author and/or the publisher.
This was one that grabbed my attention because of the books it was compared to. I am avid reader of Richard Osman, though I haven't read the first book of his new series, and am always on the look-out for more. So, when this showed up as one up to request a proof of, I immediately requested it. Once it was in my hands... I read it in a day. I think it was about three hours, and the only reason it took a little bit extra time was because I needed to get used to the way the characters spoke. The actual plot, the nuances of the character, the ups and downs... all of that kept me glued to the pages.
I highly enjoyed this book. It was a great mystery detective book. Miss Hortense may not be the easiest person to feel empathy for, and some of her thoughts and actions made me twitch, but this only made her more of a character. More real. She was a strong, intense and forceful character. I may not agree with her, but everything she did was true to the character we were presented to in this book. And this continued with all of the side-characters. They may not have been as fleshed out as Miss Hortense, but this was only because we were in the mind of Miss Hortense, and not the others. Yet every single one of them were good, rounded characters, except for one and I'll try to explain why I thought this without giving it away.
Only one character felt flat to me, and this was more because they were built up to be a threat. They had great potential to stop Miss Hortense from getting anywhere, but instead... It felt more that they were nothing more than a fly. There was a scene where they burst forward, accused Miss Hortense of vile actions but... It was all swept aside for the reveal of the murder. After all that built up, it was overshadowed and they just slumped in the corner and were 'no more'.
That is my only complaint. The entire murder mystery kept the plot zooming along. There were barely any moments when I felt like I could take a breath, as even when it felt that Miss Hortense's idea fell flat... I needed to keep reading because I knew it couldn't end there. I knew there was more and eagerly waited for that next high. That next thrill. When I got to the end, to the reveal... I was so tense that my entire body hurt. I read through it and I still couldn't release a breath. I had to put my kindle down and slump in the chair. And I didn't move for a while as my mind whirred.
And then a little it later, I re-read the revelation again. I had to. I wanted to make sure that I had gotten every single point in the reveal of who was the murderer; who was tied up in the murders of the past, and the current murders. Yes, this spans over many years because the past of Miss Hortense and her friends are highly influential in the murders that happen during this book. I love that.
I don't want to go too much into the actual plot. It's too brilliant and I don't want to spoil. I want everyone else to learn of the greatness of this book for themselves.
This is a solid 4.5 Stars.
This was one that grabbed my attention because of the books it was compared to. I am avid reader of Richard Osman, though I haven't read the first book of his new series, and am always on the look-out for more. So, when this showed up as one up to request a proof of, I immediately requested it. Once it was in my hands... I read it in a day. I think it was about three hours, and the only reason it took a little bit extra time was because I needed to get used to the way the characters spoke. The actual plot, the nuances of the character, the ups and downs... all of that kept me glued to the pages.
I highly enjoyed this book. It was a great mystery detective book. Miss Hortense may not be the easiest person to feel empathy for, and some of her thoughts and actions made me twitch, but this only made her more of a character. More real. She was a strong, intense and forceful character. I may not agree with her, but everything she did was true to the character we were presented to in this book. And this continued with all of the side-characters. They may not have been as fleshed out as Miss Hortense, but this was only because we were in the mind of Miss Hortense, and not the others. Yet every single one of them were good, rounded characters, except for one and I'll try to explain why I thought this without giving it away.
Only one character felt flat to me, and this was more because they were built up to be a threat. They had great potential to stop Miss Hortense from getting anywhere, but instead... It felt more that they were nothing more than a fly. There was a scene where they burst forward, accused Miss Hortense of vile actions but... It was all swept aside for the reveal of the murder. After all that built up, it was overshadowed and they just slumped in the corner and were 'no more'.
That is my only complaint. The entire murder mystery kept the plot zooming along. There were barely any moments when I felt like I could take a breath, as even when it felt that Miss Hortense's idea fell flat... I needed to keep reading because I knew it couldn't end there. I knew there was more and eagerly waited for that next high. That next thrill. When I got to the end, to the reveal... I was so tense that my entire body hurt. I read through it and I still couldn't release a breath. I had to put my kindle down and slump in the chair. And I didn't move for a while as my mind whirred.
And then a little it later, I re-read the revelation again. I had to. I wanted to make sure that I had gotten every single point in the reveal of who was the murderer; who was tied up in the murders of the past, and the current murders. Yes, this spans over many years because the past of Miss Hortense and her friends are highly influential in the murders that happen during this book. I love that.
I don't want to go too much into the actual plot. It's too brilliant and I don't want to spoil. I want everyone else to learn of the greatness of this book for themselves.
This is a solid 4.5 Stars.
October 10, 2025
You can tell this was written by a playwright and screenwriter, the whole time I was reading I was making casting decisions in my head and thinking how great it would be as a tv series. There’s a HUGE cast of characters and somehow they all play a part in the multiple mysteries happening in between these covers. It’s A LOT. It’s honestly overstuffed and, at times, a slog to keep pushing forward, but I wanted to see whodunit and the 2 main characters held my interest. A second book is coming next year and hopefully it will be a little tighter and more streamlined while letting the two heroines shine.
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October 29, 2025DNF at 10%. I really wanted to like this one, but I just couldn’t get into it. It took me days to get through only 36 pages. The timeline felt a bit all over the place, there were too many characters introduced at once and the dialect was tough to follow. Unfortunately, this one just wasn’t for me.
July 5, 2025
2.75 stars (Audible). TW not revealed in the start of this story. It's made out to be a silly caper into murder + mystery in a small town, not unlike a modern-day Miss Marple or Jessica Fletcher story, but it's really more like Mme Precious Ramotswe with a darker tinge to the edges.
I don't think I should've gone into this book with such lofty expectations. It felt like there were too many characters + perhaps I am just ignorant on Jamaican culture because even the primary characters were hard for me to relate to. By the end, I was starting to find a comfortable stride + getting into the story (finally), but it was literally the last 10-20 pages of the book.
GTBC book #2 for July 2025.
I don't think I should've gone into this book with such lofty expectations. It felt like there were too many characters + perhaps I am just ignorant on Jamaican culture because even the primary characters were hard for me to relate to. By the end, I was starting to find a comfortable stride + getting into the story (finally), but it was literally the last 10-20 pages of the book.
GTBC book #2 for July 2025.
February 24, 2025
**My thanks to Pantheon Books for providing me with an advanced review copy via NetGalley**
5 stars
This book was marketed to me as a cosy mystery starring a sharp and quirky older woman in the vein of Murder She Wrote or The Marlowe Murder Club. I want to make clear that it is NOT that. It is just as enjoyable, but it is so much more than ‘just’ a cosy mystery (and I love a cosy mystery). This is an intelligent, raw, beautifully written, literary work of historical fiction that is also a highly engaging murder mystery novel. The non-linear storytelling, dialogue in dialect, and near ethnographic portrayal of a small black community are more reminiscent of Toni Morrison than Robert Thorogood.
Mel Pennant weaves together a story of a Caribbean immigrant community in Birmingham, England, that has carved out a space for itself over thirty hard-won years. The story is set in the year 2000, but its roots go back to the 1960s, when Miss Hortense and her circle respond to the discrimination they face from English banks and housing authorities by setting up The Pardner, a common fund that first helped the group pool money to get ahead and then was over time invested into the community as a whole.
One refreshing thing about A Murder for Miss Hortense as a mystery is that, though this is the first book in what looks to be a series, this is not Miss Hortense’s first stint as a detective. Miss Hortense is a seasoned sleuth who has been retired from the ‘Looking Into’ business for many years, but is coaxed out of her ‘retirement’ by a new death’s apparent connection to an old case that left deep scars on both Miss Hortense and the community proper.
Miss Hortense has many characteristics of a classic cosy protagonist. She is viewed as an eccentric (and even as bad juju) by many of her community but is also considered someone to go to when you need help. She is a skilled cook, and features her recipes at several times in the story, her working through the hands-on process of preparing a dish mirroring her working through a complicated problem in her case. She is particular, and thorny, and doesn’t suffer fools. However, I would feel it a gross oversimplification to call her ‘quirky.’ Miss Hortense, and all of the characters in the novel, feel real to me, with all the complexities of living people.
The mystery is twisty, engaging, and comes to a satisfying conclusion, and I would give this book a high rating for that alone. However, the present-day murder mystery plot, to me, takes a backseat to the brilliant storytelling style, strong characters, and incredible sense of place.
I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone, from mystery fans to historical fiction fans to literary fiction fans to people who don’t even regularly read fiction. If you only pick up one book this year, I think this would be an excellent candidate.
5 stars
This book was marketed to me as a cosy mystery starring a sharp and quirky older woman in the vein of Murder She Wrote or The Marlowe Murder Club. I want to make clear that it is NOT that. It is just as enjoyable, but it is so much more than ‘just’ a cosy mystery (and I love a cosy mystery). This is an intelligent, raw, beautifully written, literary work of historical fiction that is also a highly engaging murder mystery novel. The non-linear storytelling, dialogue in dialect, and near ethnographic portrayal of a small black community are more reminiscent of Toni Morrison than Robert Thorogood.
Mel Pennant weaves together a story of a Caribbean immigrant community in Birmingham, England, that has carved out a space for itself over thirty hard-won years. The story is set in the year 2000, but its roots go back to the 1960s, when Miss Hortense and her circle respond to the discrimination they face from English banks and housing authorities by setting up The Pardner, a common fund that first helped the group pool money to get ahead and then was over time invested into the community as a whole.
One refreshing thing about A Murder for Miss Hortense as a mystery is that, though this is the first book in what looks to be a series, this is not Miss Hortense’s first stint as a detective. Miss Hortense is a seasoned sleuth who has been retired from the ‘Looking Into’ business for many years, but is coaxed out of her ‘retirement’ by a new death’s apparent connection to an old case that left deep scars on both Miss Hortense and the community proper.
Miss Hortense has many characteristics of a classic cosy protagonist. She is viewed as an eccentric (and even as bad juju) by many of her community but is also considered someone to go to when you need help. She is a skilled cook, and features her recipes at several times in the story, her working through the hands-on process of preparing a dish mirroring her working through a complicated problem in her case. She is particular, and thorny, and doesn’t suffer fools. However, I would feel it a gross oversimplification to call her ‘quirky.’ Miss Hortense, and all of the characters in the novel, feel real to me, with all the complexities of living people.
The mystery is twisty, engaging, and comes to a satisfying conclusion, and I would give this book a high rating for that alone. However, the present-day murder mystery plot, to me, takes a backseat to the brilliant storytelling style, strong characters, and incredible sense of place.
I would recommend this book to absolutely everyone, from mystery fans to historical fiction fans to literary fiction fans to people who don’t even regularly read fiction. If you only pick up one book this year, I think this would be an excellent candidate.
May 5, 2025
Retired nurse, avid gardener, renowned cake maker and fearless sleuth Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet Birmingham suburb, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she’s been short-changed on turmeric before she’s even taken her first bite of a beef patty. Thirty-five years of nursing have also left her afraid of nobody – be they a local drug dealer or a priest – and an expert in deciphering other people’s secrets with just a glance.
Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network – a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner’s homes, a Bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense’s long-buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.
Sir Lenny Henry describes this book as "Murder She Wrote, as you've never seen it before". Add a dash of Miss Marple and its setting in a quiet Afro-Carribean community in a Birmingham suburb, and you have an instant image of this debut Murder mystery, which is the first in a new series!
With its authentic Jamaican vernacular dialogue, we're taken straight into the story without any preamble, and the reader has to get to grips with its fairly large cast of characters very quickly. This initially feels a little overwhelming and bewildering, but eventually you work out who is who, and you're off and away .
As this is a spoiler free review I'll just say is that it's intricately and cleverly plotted, and Miss Hortense explains it all in a final, Clouseau-like grand reveal to the assembled group, as they gasp in amazement and kiss their teeth.
I really enjoyed the way Mel Pennant realised her characters. They are so well observed, with their various individual tics, characteristics, clothing choices and attitudes, and
they vividly come to life in your head. Miss Hortense is a formidable character with a well hidden soft side and another, very welcome, older main character. The relationship between her and Blossom is especially entertaining with their chalk and cheese dynamic.
With its twists and misdirections, its characters and plotting, and its distinctive voice and setting, this is a new and refreshing addition to the Cosy Crime with and Edge genre!
Thank you to Baskerville Books, an imprint of John Murray, for my AD-GIFTED proof copy, and this is my honest and impartial review.
3.5 stars
Miss Hortense uses her skills to investigate the investments of the Pardner network – a special community of Black investors, determined to help their people succeed. But when an unidentified man is found dead in one of the Pardner’s homes, a Bible quote noted down beside his body, Miss Hortense’s long-buried past comes rushing back to greet her, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life, one which her community has never let her forget.
Sir Lenny Henry describes this book as "Murder She Wrote, as you've never seen it before". Add a dash of Miss Marple and its setting in a quiet Afro-Carribean community in a Birmingham suburb, and you have an instant image of this debut Murder mystery, which is the first in a new series!
With its authentic Jamaican vernacular dialogue, we're taken straight into the story without any preamble, and the reader has to get to grips with its fairly large cast of characters very quickly. This initially feels a little overwhelming and bewildering, but eventually you work out who is who, and you're off and away .
As this is a spoiler free review I'll just say is that it's intricately and cleverly plotted, and Miss Hortense explains it all in a final, Clouseau-like grand reveal to the assembled group, as they gasp in amazement and kiss their teeth.
I really enjoyed the way Mel Pennant realised her characters. They are so well observed, with their various individual tics, characteristics, clothing choices and attitudes, and
they vividly come to life in your head. Miss Hortense is a formidable character with a well hidden soft side and another, very welcome, older main character. The relationship between her and Blossom is especially entertaining with their chalk and cheese dynamic.
With its twists and misdirections, its characters and plotting, and its distinctive voice and setting, this is a new and refreshing addition to the Cosy Crime with and Edge genre!
Thank you to Baskerville Books, an imprint of John Murray, for my AD-GIFTED proof copy, and this is my honest and impartial review.
3.5 stars
June 11, 2025
Miss Hortense, a strong and outspoken character, was a delight to read. The dynamics between her and Blossom were particularly intriguing. However, the sheer number of characters and the abrupt shifts in time made it challenging to maintain focus. I found myself frequently rereading sections to ensure I hadn’t missed anything. Additionally, the Jamaican dialect was at times so difficult to decipher that I often struggled to understand what the characters were saying. Despite these challenges, I thoroughly enjoyed the grand reveal scene with everyone present.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
My review is voluntary and all comments and opinions are my own.
May 25, 2025
I really enjoyed the chance to learn more about the Jamaican immigrant experience in the UK from the 1960s-2000s through Miss Hortense! There are recipes included throughout, immersive colloquial dialogue, and the concept of a Pardner (a community savings plan) is integral to the plot. I thought all of these elements were awesome!
My main complaint is the mystery itself. There were so many characters that it was easy to get details mixed up, and I thought the big reveal was disappointing because it leveraged information that hadn’t been accessible to us as readers (e.g. certain typewriter quirks).
I received an ARC of this book at Emerald City Comic Con; my thanks to the publishers!
My main complaint is the mystery itself. There were so many characters that it was easy to get details mixed up, and I thought the big reveal was disappointing because it leveraged information that hadn’t been accessible to us as readers (e.g. certain typewriter quirks).
I received an ARC of this book at Emerald City Comic Con; my thanks to the publishers!
July 13, 2025
I feel rather let down. I have tossed in the towel at chapter 31, which is a third of the book.
Part of the disappointment is with the audio book, the engineer did a horrible job setting up the performer for success. Sibilance and the occasional pop on a harder consonant really distort the reading of a book filed with Jamaican patois. The sections that do not rely on the patois motif don’t seem to have the same issues. The narrator juggles more than the fair share of characters with what feels like ease and switches between the patois and wider standard UK English with what sounds like ease.
As a mystery I got rather frustrated waiting for it to feel like the story actually was going to get going. There is a lot going on, an attempt to be cozy with a way to large cast of characters and a dense lore filled prelude (for lack of a better way to describe the first few chapters of the book) and a direct hard take on social issues present from the 1960’s to early 2000’s when this is set.
I found myself growing less and less interested as the chapters progressed, I’m not sure I could tell you exactly what is being investigated or by whom (at least 3 different investigations seem to be going on with some overlap). Figuring out what was going on began to feel like hard labor, which killed my enjoyment and interest in continuing.
Really disappointed, isn’t the worst thing ever, I’m glad some people seem to enjoy it and this book might be tailored to fit what they are looking for at the moment, unfortunately it isn’t mine.
Part of the disappointment is with the audio book, the engineer did a horrible job setting up the performer for success. Sibilance and the occasional pop on a harder consonant really distort the reading of a book filed with Jamaican patois. The sections that do not rely on the patois motif don’t seem to have the same issues. The narrator juggles more than the fair share of characters with what feels like ease and switches between the patois and wider standard UK English with what sounds like ease.
As a mystery I got rather frustrated waiting for it to feel like the story actually was going to get going. There is a lot going on, an attempt to be cozy with a way to large cast of characters and a dense lore filled prelude (for lack of a better way to describe the first few chapters of the book) and a direct hard take on social issues present from the 1960’s to early 2000’s when this is set.
I found myself growing less and less interested as the chapters progressed, I’m not sure I could tell you exactly what is being investigated or by whom (at least 3 different investigations seem to be going on with some overlap). Figuring out what was going on began to feel like hard labor, which killed my enjoyment and interest in continuing.
Really disappointed, isn’t the worst thing ever, I’m glad some people seem to enjoy it and this book might be tailored to fit what they are looking for at the moment, unfortunately it isn’t mine.
March 26, 2025
Thank you to Pantheon for the gifted arc. All opinions are my own.
I so enjoyed this first installment in a new series helmed by the been there, seen it all, Miss Hortense. Quite frankly her closest friend, Blossom nearly stole the show for me. Many more what may be recurring characters rounded out this distinctive mystery. What sets it apart is the Afro Caribbean community set in England mid-1960's to the turn of the century.
Is the death in the '60's connected to a current death in Bigglesweigh where a community of immigrants have set up there forever homes? Reluctantly, Miss Hortense has been selected to investigate. In-between investigating Miss Hortense cooks and bakes a mouthwatering selection of foods rooted in the home of her birth, Jamaica. A grumpy senior woman, seriously set in her ways, Miss Hortense suffers no fools. She is extremely intelligent and observant woman and behind the scenes takes pains to secure the safety of those she loves. This case is all about saving her community in which she has invested her life.
If you're looking to try out a new series with a unique set of characters and place, let me recommend A Murder for Mis Hortense: A Mystery
I so enjoyed this first installment in a new series helmed by the been there, seen it all, Miss Hortense. Quite frankly her closest friend, Blossom nearly stole the show for me. Many more what may be recurring characters rounded out this distinctive mystery. What sets it apart is the Afro Caribbean community set in England mid-1960's to the turn of the century.
Is the death in the '60's connected to a current death in Bigglesweigh where a community of immigrants have set up there forever homes? Reluctantly, Miss Hortense has been selected to investigate. In-between investigating Miss Hortense cooks and bakes a mouthwatering selection of foods rooted in the home of her birth, Jamaica. A grumpy senior woman, seriously set in her ways, Miss Hortense suffers no fools. She is extremely intelligent and observant woman and behind the scenes takes pains to secure the safety of those she loves. This case is all about saving her community in which she has invested her life.
If you're looking to try out a new series with a unique set of characters and place, let me recommend A Murder for Mis Hortense: A Mystery
September 1, 2025
3.5 stars. Miss Hortense is a retired nurse who emigrated from Jamaica back in the 1960s. Her home since then has been Bigglesworth, a quiet suburb in Birmingham. Nothing much gets past Miss Hortense and nothing much scares her either. But when a member of the community is found dead it starts a chain of events which will bring the past right into the present. Is Miss Hortense really prepared to go back in time and remember those suppressed memories? Does she even have a choice?
This was a story filled with humour, emotion and mystery, lots and lots of mystery. Just who are the Pardner network and what is their role in the community? And will they hide a killer? Well you’ll need to read to find out!
I’m not usually drawn to cosy crime but I really did enjoy this one. The story is rich in atmosphere and is a real snapshot of life within the Jamaican community which was so interesting to learn more about. Miss Hortense is a formidable sleuth and with a hugely entertaining cast of characters behind her, marches this story to a very satisfying conclusion.
She’s my new favourite detective!
This was a story filled with humour, emotion and mystery, lots and lots of mystery. Just who are the Pardner network and what is their role in the community? And will they hide a killer? Well you’ll need to read to find out!
I’m not usually drawn to cosy crime but I really did enjoy this one. The story is rich in atmosphere and is a real snapshot of life within the Jamaican community which was so interesting to learn more about. Miss Hortense is a formidable sleuth and with a hugely entertaining cast of characters behind her, marches this story to a very satisfying conclusion.
She’s my new favourite detective!
June 10, 2025
Nice debut novel set in the Afro-Caribbean community of England with a community investment pardner as the catalyst for the main characters in the 1960s -2000. Very slow start but picks up around 30% in and the main character Miss Hortense is a feisty amateur detective with an excellent denouncement. Thanks to NetGalley and Pantheon for an advanced copy for a honest review.
July 10, 2025
While I really enjoyed Miss Hortense's character, I had mixed feelings about some of the others in the ensemble. This book had a lot of characters to remember, and it was difficult at times. I will definitely read more books if this becomes a series since I think, by the end of the story, it lays a good foundation for this village and it's community. It was just a little rocky starting off in this book.
July 15, 2025
From the moment I started reading A Murder for Miss Hortense, I knew this wasn't just another cosy mystery. It's the kind of book that quietly grabs hold of you, not with shocking twists or relentless action, but with depth, voice, and a character so vivid that she feels real.
Miss Hortense is unlike any detective I've met in fiction. A retired nurse with a sharp mind and no tolerance for nonsense, she lives in a quiet Birmingham neighbourhood but carries the silent weight of her past as a Jamaican immigrant. I loved how grounded she was. She isn't quirky for the sake of it; she's clever, observant, sometimes blunt, and always real. Her use of Jamaican patois added a layer of authenticity and warmth; even when I had to slow down a bit to follow it, it never felt like a gimmick, just her authentic voice.
What surprised me most was how emotional the story became. The mystery of a murder tied to an old partner (a community savings group) unfolds gradually, but it's more than just clues and suspects. It's about trauma, justice, and memory. The flashbacks to the 1960s lent weight to the present-day events, particularly in revealing what Miss Hortense and others had quietly endured. It reminded me that "cosy" doesn't mean light. It can be powerful, too.
That said, the book did ask a lot of me as a reader. There were many characters, and I occasionally lost track of who was who. The pacing lagged a bit in the middle, and it could've been tighter overall. However, the payoff was worth it; the final reveal was satisfying and rooted not just in plot twists but also in character and consequence.
I also loved the cultural richness woven throughout everything: the food, the rituals, the emotional currency of the "pardner" system, and the "Caribbean saying" that appeared throughout the book. It made me reflect on how much history can be hidden in plain sight and how important it is to write stories like this.
A Murder for Miss Hortense is thoughtful, heartfelt, and refreshing. It doesn't just give you a puzzle to solve; it gives you a woman, a community, and a legacy to witness. It may not be the fastest read, but it lingers.
I'm looking forward to more from Miss Hortense. She's a force.
Miss Hortense is unlike any detective I've met in fiction. A retired nurse with a sharp mind and no tolerance for nonsense, she lives in a quiet Birmingham neighbourhood but carries the silent weight of her past as a Jamaican immigrant. I loved how grounded she was. She isn't quirky for the sake of it; she's clever, observant, sometimes blunt, and always real. Her use of Jamaican patois added a layer of authenticity and warmth; even when I had to slow down a bit to follow it, it never felt like a gimmick, just her authentic voice.
What surprised me most was how emotional the story became. The mystery of a murder tied to an old partner (a community savings group) unfolds gradually, but it's more than just clues and suspects. It's about trauma, justice, and memory. The flashbacks to the 1960s lent weight to the present-day events, particularly in revealing what Miss Hortense and others had quietly endured. It reminded me that "cosy" doesn't mean light. It can be powerful, too.
That said, the book did ask a lot of me as a reader. There were many characters, and I occasionally lost track of who was who. The pacing lagged a bit in the middle, and it could've been tighter overall. However, the payoff was worth it; the final reveal was satisfying and rooted not just in plot twists but also in character and consequence.
I also loved the cultural richness woven throughout everything: the food, the rituals, the emotional currency of the "pardner" system, and the "Caribbean saying" that appeared throughout the book. It made me reflect on how much history can be hidden in plain sight and how important it is to write stories like this.
A Murder for Miss Hortense is thoughtful, heartfelt, and refreshing. It doesn't just give you a puzzle to solve; it gives you a woman, a community, and a legacy to witness. It may not be the fastest read, but it lingers.
I'm looking forward to more from Miss Hortense. She's a force.
July 20, 2025
3.5 stars. I liked the book, and learned about the Pardner idea and what the community was like, which I enjoyed. I only rounded down rather than up, as I found Miss Hortense a bit prickly. I’m a fan of strong, independent women, but I need to feel some connection or that we could have a talk or drink, even if we disagreed on things. With Miss Hortense though, she was a little hard to connect with for me. As a minor thing, what was with the constant “cut their teeth” or “cussed her teeth”? It was mentioned repeatedly! 😂
Cosy mystery featuring the Windrush generation in Birmingham, who set up a Pardner network back in the 60s (kind of a Mutual Finance set up), and would Look Into (their words) a series of murders. It also touches on the racism experienced at the time, so this ends up as a cosy mystery with a serious undertone.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
Cosy mystery featuring the Windrush generation in Birmingham, who set up a Pardner network back in the 60s (kind of a Mutual Finance set up), and would Look Into (their words) a series of murders. It also touches on the racism experienced at the time, so this ends up as a cosy mystery with a serious undertone.
I received a free ARC copy of this via NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.
August 2, 2025
One of the more confusing books I’ve read in a while. I really struggled to keep track of the characters and didn’t understand why things were called particular words and some of the dialect was not discernible.
I kept thinking I’d stop reading, and kept wishing I had a key to all the characters.
Lots of violence against women (and a few men) is described.
All that said, I stuck it out to the end and I liked the character Miss Hortense, the Jamaican community and the Pardner concept.
I kept thinking I’d stop reading, and kept wishing I had a key to all the characters.
Lots of violence against women (and a few men) is described.
All that said, I stuck it out to the end and I liked the character Miss Hortense, the Jamaican community and the Pardner concept.
September 20, 2025
A twisty mystery with an Agatha Christie-style drawing room reveal of the murderer. The audiobook, narrated with a Jamaican Patois accent, enriched the reading experience. This book was positioned as a cozy mystery, with comic moments and recipes, but was full of racism, domestic violence, rape, and other violent acts. I enjoyed the mystery, characterization, and learning more about the Windrush generation.
October 7, 2025
I really enjoyed this book. The characters are flawed and interesting. The plot moved well and had some good plot twists. I enjoyed the way the culture of the characters was also a character of its own and influenced what happened. I will definitely read more by this author and featuring Miss Hortense.
June 27, 2025
It was tough to understand some of the dialogue with the Jamaican accents, but the audiobook helped with that. There were also a TON of characters, so I probably should have taken notes….all that aside, it was a great mystery and kept me guessing until the end.
October 25, 2025
Just too much of explaining who was the murderer - and then they weren't. By the time I got to the end, I really didn't care any more.
July 16, 2025
Great characters. Original. Miss Hortense is an excellent main character. Ready for the next one!
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October 18, 2025I will definitely keep reading this series.
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