I really like this series. Miss Hortense might not be your typical amateur Detective - a retired nurse living as a Jamaican ex-pat in a sleepy Birmingham suburb - but, by heck, she delivers. MIss Marple with an attitude and far greater street smarts. She is more than a match for those around her, which ever side of the law they operate on. But whilst she thought she had the measure of (allegedly) retired gangster, Cuttah, it seems that he was never entirely honest with her, and the secrets he had been nursing may cost not only his life, but Miss Hortense's too.

This is, on the surface, your classic whodunnit. A murder victim - Cuttah - a list of suspects, and also a list of potential next victims, which may or may not be interchangeable. Cuttah, it seems, predicted his own death, and Miss Hortense was the one person he felt could solve his murder, whilst also managing the fact that her own name is on the hit list. Where this differs from your traditional Christie, which arguably serves as a foundation for the styling, is that the book carries a delightful mix of humour, as well as a very Jamaican flair, both in language and, in the case of the books eponymous protagonist, a steely determination and no nonsense, matter of fact way with both words and investigations.

I think that the characters are what really make this series for me. Hortense is a brilliant character. I love her intelligence, her short temper and her natural leadership. In spite of themselves, wherever she leads the others will follow, some more reluctantly than others, admittedly, and some with limited success. She has a intellectual match in Fitz, and a fun and, for readers, humorous challenge in managing close friend, fantasist, and regularly melodramatic Blossom, but together, along with the wider members of the Pardner, leads an investigation that may see a few more casualties along the way, but is rich in mystery, wit and a surprising amount of tension.

I like how Mel Pennant has stayed true to her characters and to their heritage, bringing to life the wonderful language of her Jamaican collective, portraying not only their brilliant and vibrant personalities, but also aspects of the culture that those of us from very different backgrounds may not understand. There is a true sense of community, but also an honest look at some of the darker sides of life on downtrodden estates in the city suburbs. I like that I am challenged in understanding some of the patois, but also that after a short time the ebb and flow of the patter feels so natural that translating Blossom's many fantasies is a delight, all the more witty for the authenticity of the whole narration. And from the very beginning of the story I was invested, both in terms of wondering who killed Cuttah, but also in the strange blundering nature of his right hand man, Delroy. I was intrigued, delighted and amused in equal measure and that never changed right to the very last page.

If you love a slightly cosier mystery, with brilliant characterisations and a wonderful vein of humour that still taps into some very relevant observations of communities and urban life, or if you just like a dang good read, this is most heartily recommended. I hope there is more to come. Miss Hortense is a modern day classic and I'm loving spending time with her.