A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant is a richly layered and compelling debut that breathes new life into the cosy crime genre. Set in the Afro-Caribbean community of Bigglesweigh, Birmingham, the novel introduces Miss Hortense, a retired Jamaican nurse with a sharp mind, a keen eye for detail, and a no-nonsense attitude. When a man is found dead in a Pardner member's home—a communal savings scheme integral to the community—Miss Hortense is drawn into a mystery that intertwines present dangers with long-buried secrets from her past.​
Pennant masterfully weaves a narrative that is both a gripping whodunit and a poignant exploration of community, identity, and the immigrant experience. The novel delves into themes of trust, betrayal, and the complexities of communal bonds, all while maintaining the suspense and intrigue characteristic of classic detective fiction. Miss Hortense's character is a standout—formidable, witty, and deeply human, she navigates the intricacies of her community with both empathy and determination.​
The prose is enriched with Jamaican patois and cultural references, adding authenticity and depth to the setting. While some readers may find the dialect and the extensive cast of characters challenging initially, these elements ultimately contribute to the novel's immersive quality. The story's structure, with its layers of past and present intertwining, keeps readers engaged, culminating in a satisfying and unexpected resolution.​
A Murder for Miss Hortense is more than just a murder mystery; it's a celebration of resilience, community, and the enduring strength of its protagonist. Fans of Agatha Christie and Alexander McCall Smith will find much to admire in Pennant's debut, which promises an exciting new series led by the indomitable Miss Hortense.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I struggled to get into this book but once I did I really enjoyed it. Was good to see how the past mysteries weee solved

A new and very distinctive sleuth has been created in what promises to be an interesting new series. Miss Hortense has deep seated Caribbean roots having been part of the Windrush move to England. Her heritage is current in the book as she tries to keep her place and value in her community. Her powers of observation and deductive skills come into their own as one of their pardoner group is found dead

I do like Miss Hortense, she is a more feisty Miss Marple. A highly entertaining book and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I could see this being made into a TV drama, but we would need more for a full series !

Retired nurse, Miss Hortense lives in a quiet suburb of Birmingham
She hones her skills, acquired in 35 years of nursing to solve crimes in her local Community
“Death has come to her door step”
It’s a cozy crime with a darker twist
I loved the character of Miss Hortense, she’s someone you don’t mess with
A fab debut novel in similar vain to Richard Osman’s Thursday Murder Club, although it does take a while to get use to the narrative style
Excellently plotted, paying tribute the Windrush Generation
Thanks @mel-pennant @baskervillejmp & @netgalley for introducing me to the funny, clever and brilliant amateur sleuth, Miss Hortense

Miss Hortense is a fiery woman, and one hell of a sleuth! Her experience as an immigrant from Jamaica, her career in nursing and her active life within the community has led to her being incredibly aware and suspicious of, what seems like, everyone around her! The mystery of the Pardner Network in this title adds to the story, with readers being left what is left to uncover. Whilst it wasn’t quite the page turner I had hoped, I was still interested in Miss Hortense and what scent she’d picked up on!

Cleverly written and fun at times,
I liked that it wasn’t the usual and liked th characterisation and that for once it was in a different area of the uk.

One can only guess that this writer has a clear link to both areas in Jamaica and England, because she describes them so well. The Pardner money schemes have run across the West Indies for decades with varying success and it is the money aspect that causes issues in this story, leading to murder. The other part of this story is how Miss Hortence and her friends adapt to life 4,000 miles away from home with a very different culture and certainly, different weather. The characters are excellent, exactly right for both countries but I did wonder if there were too many to keep up with. The use of the individual’s local dialect keeps this story flowing and feels real throughout this book. I did find the book a little long, but it does get there in the end and you’ll be pleased you stayed with it.

This is definitely a murder mystery with a difference. Miss Hortense is the Windrush version of Miss Marple and is every bit as intuitive and inciteful about her community as my favourite Christie detective. During the course of the story, the retired nurse manages to solve not only a new set of murders but some troublesome historic ones too. I found the incite into this Afro-Caribbean community to be really interesting and quickly managed to adapt to the style of reported speech, indeed I now have a few new words in my vocabulary! I did find some of the story and the many characters to be somewhat confusing at times. Overall however, it was compelling enough to keep me going until the end, where a very nice denouement with another nod to Christie awaited. I will definitely be looking out for the next instalment, where I feel the characters will have bedded in a bit and have become more familiar.

The story of Miss Hortense begins in the early 1960s Caribbean community of Birmingham. Faced with discrimination and prejudice in wider society a credit union is set up by trusted members of the community. As a nurse Miss Hortense is one of the leaders. In later years where the murder mystery is set, Miss Hortense is no longer part of the scheme but still has deep connections with the now much larger Caribbean community. This helps her with her Marplesque investigations into the murders. Whilst belonging to the cosy crime genre, this is a story of community, connection and belonging overlaid with the secrets and lies that help often marginalised people in daily life. Recommended.

Clever and suspenseful. Great to have a murder mystery that's not in the white middle class London demographic- I loved the characterisation of Miss Hortense and her Birmingham lifestyle.

A clever mystery introducing the indomitable Miss Hortense, the retired nurse and formidable sleuth, who finds herself at the heart of a murder investigation or two whilst scrutinising the workings of the Pardner scheme she once ran for her Jamaican émigré friends. Ably assisted (or rather unassisted) by Blossom we meet a new detective duo, hopefully not for the first and last time. Very enjoyable read.
My thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley. This review was written voluntarily and is entirely my own unbiased opinion.

Miss Hortense is a fabulous character and this is a clever, complexly plotted story. It’s one you may need to reread to see the clues laid along the way. I was uncertain of the dialogue to start but very quickly picked up the rhythm. The story starts with a group of friends playing dominoes and bemoaning the system that shuts them out. They decide to set up a ‘pardner’ or private credit union and Miss Hortense is asked to head it. Then there is a death and people who shouldn’t be where they were or are where they shouldn’t be, and we’re on a train ride to a brilliant and satisfying ending.

The banter between the characters, the warmth, the setting are all beautifully handled by Ms Pennant and there may be more in the series.

There might be similarities to Miss Marple etc, Miss Hortense is a clever woman respected by her friends and respectful of ‘the system’ but also aware that sometimes you need to take responsibility in your community.

This was an enjoyable, complicated, satisfying read and I look forward to the next one.

I was given a copy of the book by NetGalley.

A hugely enjoyable read. Meet Miss Hortense and her friends living in the Birmingham suburb of Biggleweigh. It's a story with twists, infused with Jamaican humour, a little bit of dialect and believable characters and even a recipe or two.

It ends with a classic "who dunnit" end with all the characters assembled in a locked room with Miss Hortense revealing the guilty.

Very hopeful that this is the first story in a series!

My wife read this book so this is her review.

Mel Pennant’s "A Murder for Miss Hortense" is a blend of mystery, suspense, and well-crafted characters. This engrossing novel delivers a gripping tale set in Biggleswade, Birmingham where long held dark secrets and a relentless pursuit of truth unravel in captivating fashion.

The story revolves around Miss Hortense, a retired nurse who is not the most popular person in her community. Due to an event that happened several years ago, she has been ostracised by most of her friends and close knit community. But when a member of the Pardner group is found dead in their home Miss Hortense suspects foul play and trickery afoot.

Miss Hortense is a delightful protagonist, whose sharp mind and unwavering sense of justice make her a formidable character. The author has created a collage of well-rounded and believable characters, each with their own unique quirks and backstories. The interactions between them are rich with tension and subtle nuances, adding depth and humour to the narrative. Stand out characters included Blossom and Gregory.

The novel's setting and atmosphere are beautifully rendered, adding an extra layer of charm to the story. And the use of Jamaican dialect is genius which only adds to the setting.

At times, the large cast of characters can be somewhat overwhelming, making it difficult to keep track of everyone’s motives and relationships. But that in no way detracted from this clever and unique book.

"A Murder for Miss Hortense" is a thoroughly enjoyable read that will appeal to fans of Agatha Christie and cozy mysteries alike.

Many thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley UK for the ARC.

A redoubtable lady amateur detective strikes out for justice. I found this book hard to get into due to the patois but Miss Hortense, who is a nurse and from Jamaica originally, is quite fun as she tries to solve the murder of a neighbour, despite the fact that she is not much liked by many of her neighbours. Some of the characters are rather sketchy and the story meanders along a bit too slowly, but I hope we hear more about Miss Hortense.

Mis Hortense is an interesting character. This is very much a police procedural thriller as you ae taken through a myriad of suspects. Most of whom the Mis Hortense interrogates as suspects and then dismisses.

I really enjoyed the first three quarters of this and then was rather bogged down at the end with a host of small time players in the book.

Miss Hortense is an interesting character, I did not find the west Indian dialect at all jarring and liked the way food and recipes helped move the plot along.

What helped to distinguish it was the setting of an Afro-Caribbean community and the challenges they had faced over the years. The setting up of the pardner and the importance of the church and community.

I am glad I read it. I hope there is a second novel and that it is a little more streamlined in terms of the number of characters.

Distinctive, different and definitely worth reading

I loved the character of Miss Hortense, but found some of the minor, mainly male, characters interchangeable. As I was reading,I could imagine it as a tv series. Loved all the cultural aspects and recipes which all added to the heart of the book.

The first book in a new series is always special if it is a good book. Miss Hortense, a retired nurse, is like Miss Marple times ten. And I do love Miss Marple. This is a fun book and one I thoroughly enjoyed. From the setting to the characters to the actual storyline, this book had it all and it took me no time at all to read. It had a great murder mystery too which is what it is all about. Had me guessing and kept me turning the pages. I do like that in a book.

Well written and a series I will continue to read. Looking forward to what comes next.

Thank you NetGalley and John Murray Press for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this murder mystery, and hurried to reach the end. The main characters are well drawn, albeit some of them are slightly stereotypical, and the mysteries are very intriguing. Although for me there were too many minor characters, and too much intermittent backstory to make this very easy reading, I am looking forward to Miss Hortense’s next investigation which the ending of this one suggests is about to begin.