A Murder for Miss Hortense

A Mystery

De: Mel Pennant

Narrado por: 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 listeners will never forget.

©2025 Mel Pennant (P)2025 Random House Audio

Reseñas de la Crítica

"This is a beautiful novel, suffused with fondness and wit. It provides a highly entertaining and intriguing insight into a very special world. A real triumph!"—Alexander McCall Smith

"If this delightful murder mystery is anything to go by, then the formidable Miss Hortense will be your new favorite literary sleuth! Fresh, original and intriguing from start to finish!"—Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Examiner and The Appeal

“Packed with cleverness and warmth, with an expertly plotted mystery spanning decades, you do not want to miss the unique wit and resourcefulness of Miss Hortense. This book delivers that magical combination of unforgettable characters, community, and heart, and I could not put it down.”—Kristen Perrin, author of How To Solve Your Own Murder

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.

Twisty Twist

Narrator did superb work in executing dialogue! Changing the voices for some characters, added depth and made each character stand out. Enhanced reading experience to enjoy novel.

Classic Murder Mystery with Caribbean flavor!

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

a wonderful romp.

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

Good but

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

The Cozy Mystery I've Been Waiting For!

I really can't recommend this book more strongly. It effortlessly captures the highs and lows of Caribbean immigrant mutual aid organizing in majority white spaces while weaving in a mystery that feels organic within the community, time, and history covered in the book. It's part mystery part family history rendered in narrative fashion. It even unfolds with the pace, intrigue, and warmth of uncovering family/community secrets toward a shockingly prescient end. I love a cozy mystery, but it's difficult to find one that lovingly depicts Caribbean communities living abroad and the insular community care efforts that can arise within community. Love this book and am eagerly anticipating more from Mel Pennant.

I love all the different accents

This story brought me back to my childhood. Growing up in a British Jamaican household, the words and slang were how people behaved. I could visualize them all as I signed real-life people to each character. I loved and appreciated the included recipes. It was so nostalgic for me. I desperately waited for the black cake recipe to be shared, but most families keep those close to their hearts. I think that for this author’s first novel, this was extremely well done, and I cannot wait to read more of Miss Hortense's mysteries.

Boring story plot

Excellent reader. Materiel just not very interesting. Convoluted and when the main character has to explain every thing that means none of it made a lot of sense