A Murder for Miss Hortense

A Mystery

By: Mel Pennant

Narrated by: Debra Michaels

“A beautiful novel, suffused with fondness and wit. . . . A real triumph!”
—Alexander McCall Smith

Retired nurse, avid gardener, and renowned cake maker Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet suburb of Birmingham, England, 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 shortchanged on turmeric before she’s taken her first bite of a beef patty. A career in nursing has also left her afraid of nobody, whether an interfering priest or a local drug dealer, and she’s an expert in deciphering other people’s secrets with just a glance.

Miss Hortense once used her skills to benefit the Pardner network—a local group of Black investors that she helped found. Until, that is, she was unceremoniously ousted from its ranks, severing her ties to the majority of her friends and community. That was thirty years ago. Now, as a new millennium dawns, an unidentified man has been found dead in the home of one of the Pardner members, a Bible quote written on a note beside his body. Suddenly, Miss Hortense finds her long-buried past rushing back, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life—and secrets behind an unsolved crime that has haunted her for decades.

It is finally time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her and the com-munity she loves pushed to their limits. The first novel from a bold, brilliant new voice, A Murder for Miss Hortense introduces a fear-less sleuth whom readers will never forget.

Fascinating & fun

I read a lot of British mysteries and this is the first one I’ve read that talks about the Windrush generation so throughly. Miss Hortense is a West Indian / British Miss Marple. All the other characters are very well drawn, especially Blossom.
This is a terrific read.

Way to go Miss. Hortense.

My mother and I thoroughly enjoyed listening to this book! It depicted each accent perfectly to truly spark your imagination and picture each person. The story line kept us captivated (after a few chapters I must say) and had many twists and turns to leave us wanting more. Even though I enjoyed this book, there were alot of characters to keep up with and many different stories to follow. It all eventually came together but took some brain power. I’m excited to see what’s next.

Charming murder mystery

I loved the reading of Miss Hortense and her Caribbean accent after living in England for 50 odd years she’s a delightful serious very honest, almost 80-year-old woman who knows the ups and downs of life and she is a wonderful sleuth

Good but

Very confusing all the twists and turns.
Jumping back and forth in time and a lot of unnecessary details. Otherwise enjoyable

a wonderful romp.

all good. great story with great narration. love the cultural insights. ms hortense is a gem.