A Murder for Miss Hortense
'it's murder she wrote as you've never seen it before' sir lenny henry
$31.53
- Paperback
352 pages
- Release Date
9 June 2025
Summary
A Murder for Miss Hortense: A Cozy Mystery in the Heart of Birmingham
‘Fresh, original and intriguing from start to finish!’ Janice Hallett, bestselling author of *The Examiner and The Appeal*
‘What a joy - a brilliant new amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple!’ *Good Housekeeping*
‘More than a cosy crime mystery … it’s the story of a community’ Jennie Godfrey, author of *The List of Suspicious Things*
…
Book Details
| ISBN-13: | 9781399814386 |
|---|---|
| ISBN-10: | 1399814389 |
| Author: | Mel Pennant |
| Publisher: | John Murray Press |
| Imprint: | Baskerville |
| Format: | Paperback |
| Number of Pages: | 352 |
| Release Date: | 9 June 2025 |
| Weight: | 420g |
| Dimensions: | 232mm x 152mm x 32mm |
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Critics Review
What a joy - a brilliant new amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple! * Good Housekeeping *Miss Hortense is sharper than Poirot, tougher than Vera and a better cook than Columbo! It’s Murder She Wrote as you’ve never seen it before – Sir Lenny HenryPennant’s plot and characters are top-notch, but the lagniappe of the novel is her portrayal of Bigglesweigh, awash in minor drama that covers up major secrets. She leaves the door wide open for Miss Hortense to probe more crimes, a welcome development indeed * New York Times *Pennant’s splendid debut mystery introduces readers to an unforgettable new sleuth, the indomitable Miss Hortense * Washington Post *A warm, witty mystery that introduces a brilliant new voice in crime fiction * i Paper *What a read! This is more than a cosy crime mystery, from the brilliant Miss Hortense and Blossom, and the rich history of their lives, it’s the story of a community, one I hope I get to visit again soon – Jennie Godfrey, author of THE LIST OF SUSPICIOUS THINGSThis 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, author of The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency Series
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 MURDERIf this delightful murder mystery is anything to go by, then the formidable Miss Hortense will be your new favourite literary sleuth! Fresh, original and intriguing from start to finish! – Janice Hallett, bestselling author of THE EXAMINER and THE APPEALMel Pennant’s debut, A Murder for Miss Hortense, is not only an expertly plotted, page-turning mystery, it’s also a vibrant tribute to the Windrush generation and a particular kind of woman who will not let injustice rest – Jessica Bull, author of MISS AUSTEN INVESTIGATESA clever, funny, and suspenseful debut with unforgettable characters that anyone from a Caribbean family will recognise - unique, compulsive, and laugh-out-loud brilliant! Miss Hortense is a brilliant addition to crime fiction – Nadine Matheson, author of THE JIGSAW MANI wouldn’t mess with Miss Hortense, but I would trust her with my life. Who else is as good at making a black cake as solving a murder? What a wonderful, original crime novel
– Louise Hare, author of MISS ALDRIDGE REGRETSI really enjoyed this! Funny, clever and so entertaining. I’m looking forward to the sequel – Jessica George, author of MY NAME IS MAAMEA novel with as many twists and turns as a rollercoaster, but the reader will always be safe with Miss Hortense at the centre, holding the moral compass – Rosalind Stopps, author of A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO MURDERA murder mystery that explores community and relationships all while keeping you turning the pages. Miss Hortense is a striking, singular character who will stay with me as someone to both fear and revere; I’m delighted that this is just the beginning! – Kate Kemp, author of THE GRAPEVINEAs an amateur sleuth, Miss Hortense cannot help but investigate - and what she finds is truly jaw-dropping. I read this in two sittings. The mix of characters, some of whom are genuinely laugh-out-loud funny, is fantastic. The plot and the cliff-hanger ending, meanwhile, made this one of my favourite reads of the year – Dorothy Koomson * i Paper *Pennant populates Bigglesweigh with colourful, well-drawn characters and strikes an appealing tone halfway between sweet and melancholy. A promising start * Publishers Weekly *Infused with humor and heartbreak, playwright and screenwriter Pennant’s delightful first novel is for readers who enjoy community-based mysteries led by amateur detectives of an older generation, like Jesse Q. Sutanto’s Vera Wong’s Unsolicited Advice for Murderers or Robert Thorogood’s The Marlow Murder Club * Library Journal *Pennant’s cast of characters is broad and well-drawn as she weaves a complex spiderweb of relationships and events, both past and present. While it has many of the markers of a cozy mystery - an unlikely sleuth, a broad cast of colourful characters, plenty of gossipy intrigue and humour, and even a number of Jamaican recipes - this book is more than that, with some hard truths and dark crimes at its core * BookPage *Stellar debut * Olympian *About The Author
Mel Pennant
Mel 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, and she is currently writing another mystery starring Miss Hortense.
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