A Murder for Miss Hortense: A Cozy Mystery with Heart and Soul

Mel Pennant’s debut novel, A Murder for Miss Hortense, published in June 2025, introduces readers to a vibrant and unforgettable sleuth in a cozy mystery that blends wit, suspense, and cultural depth. Set in the fictional Birmingham suburb of Bigglesweigh, this page-turner follows Miss Hortense, a retired Jamaican nurse, as she navigates a complex murder case tied to her community’s past. With its rich portrayal of the Windrush generation and a plot that keeps readers guessing, the novel has earned praise as a fresh take on the classic whodunit, likened to Murder She Wrote with a Caribbean twist. 🖋️

Overview 📖

Miss Hortense, a formidable figure in Bigglesweigh since emigrating from Jamaica in 1960, is known for her sharp mind, gardening prowess, and legendary black cake. Once a key member of the Pardner network—a Black investment group supporting the local Afro-Caribbean community—she was ousted thirty years ago after a mysterious incident known as “Bone Twelve.” Now, in 2000, the discovery of an unidentified man’s body in a Pardner member’s home, accompanied by a Bible verse, reopens old wounds. When another death follows, Hortense revives her unofficial detective work, dubbed the “Looking Into Bones” business, to uncover a killer lurking within her tight-knit community. The narrative weaves between past and present, revealing secrets, betrayals, and the resilience of a community shaped by the Windrush generation’s struggles and triumphs. 🌍

Pennant, an award-winning playwright, infuses the story with authentic Jamaican patois and cultural references, creating an immersive experience. The novel’s structure, with its large cast and intricate plotting, demands attention but rewards with a satisfying, Agatha Christie-style grand reveal. Critics have lauded its balance of humor, heartbreak, and suspense, with characters that leap off the page. 🍰

Summary 🔍

The story begins with Miss Hortense, now in her later years, living a quiet life in Bigglesweigh, though her reputation as a no-nonsense nurse and sleuth persists. When Constance Brown, her nemesis and the current “Pardner Lady,” is found dead—initially ruled a heart attack—Hortense suspects foul play. The subsequent discovery of a stranger’s body, marked by a Bible verse, echoes a traumatic unsolved case from the 1970s involving “the Brute,” a serial attacker. As Hortense digs deeper, she confronts painful memories of her expulsion from the Pardner network and the community’s hidden tensions. Her investigation, fueled by decades of collected secrets, leads to a dramatic gathering where she unveils the killer in a Clouseau-like flourish, exposing truths that test the community’s bonds. The novel ends with hints of more mysteries to come, promising further adventures for Miss Hortense. 🕒

Key Points 🌟

Unique Protagonist: Miss Hortense is a compelling blend of Miss Marple’s keen observation and Poirot’s tenacity, with a fierce, compassionate edge shaped by her Jamaican heritage. She’s both revered and feared, a “force of nature” who commands respect. 💪

Cultural Richness: The novel celebrates the Windrush generation, highlighting the discrimination faced by Jamaican immigrants and the strength of their community ties, enriched by Jamaican dialect and recipes sprinkled throughout. 🇯🇲

Complex Plot: Spanning decades, the mystery intertwines past and present, with a large cast and intricate clues that culminate in a surprising, well-crafted resolution. 🧩

Emotional Depth: Beyond the whodunit, the story explores themes of trust, betrayal, and reconciliation, offering a poignant look at community dynamics and personal redemption. ❤️

Promising Series: As the first in a planned series, the novel sets up Miss Hortense as a literary sleuth with staying power, with a sequel already in progress. 📚

Reception and Impact 🎉

Critics and readers alike have embraced A Murder for Miss Hortense for its fresh perspective on the cozy mystery genre. Alexander McCall Smith calls it “a beautiful novel, suffused with fondness and wit,” while Sir Lenny Henry dubs it “Murder She Wrote as you’ve never seen it before.” Reviews highlight Pennant’s deft character work and the novel’s ability to stretch the cozy form, with The New York Times noting its “top-notch plot and characters.” Some readers find the Jamaican patois and large cast challenging initially, but most agree these elements enhance the story’s authenticity and charm.