I chose A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant without planning. I smiled at the funny jokes and kindness in every part. Miss Hortense is smart and caring. She lives in Birmingham’s Afro-Caribbean community. If you like mysteries about people and culture, this book is unique.
Key Takeaways
A Murder for Miss Hortense is a new cozy mystery. It has warmth, humor, and shows a close Afro-Caribbean community in Birmingham.
Miss Hortense is smart, caring, and funny.
She brings real heart and clever jokes to the story. This makes her easy to like and support.
The book celebrates culture and heritage with real characters. It has lively conversations and colorful places.
This makes it a good pick for readers who like stories about people and culture.
Why Read A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant
Unique Appeal
I’ll be honest, I picked up A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant on a whim, but it surprised me in the best way. This book stands out from other cozy mysteries. The main reason? It brings the Afro-Caribbean community in Birmingham to life with real warmth and humor.
I found myself laughing at the banter and feeling right at home with the characters. The author uses Jamaican patois in a way that feels natural, not forced. I could almost hear the voices in my head.
If you love stories that feel like a celebration of culture and community, this one delivers. The book doesn’t just sprinkle in a few cultural details—it dives deep. I saw the struggles and joys of the Windrush generation, and I recognized the aunties, the food, and the family gatherings. The story even includes traditional Caribbean recipes, which made me hungry and nostalgic at the same time.
Here’s what really sets it apart:
The protagonist, Miss Hortense, is not your average amateur sleuth. She’s strong, principled, and fiercely loyal to her neighbors.
The setting feels authentic. The author grew up in a similar community, and it shows.
The book handles tough topics with sensitivity, but never loses its sense of fun.
The narrative jumps between timelines, which kept me guessing and made the mystery more interesting.
Reviewers compare it to classics like Miss Marple and Murder She Wrote, but with a fresh, modern twist.
The dialogue is sharp, and the wit has a dark edge that I didn’t expect. I couldn’t put it down because I wanted to know what secrets the community was hiding.
Who Will Enjoy It
I always ask myself, “Who would I recommend this to?” after finishing a book. Here’s my honest answer for A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant:
If you love character-driven mysteries, you’ll feel right at home.
Fans of classic cozies who want something new and culturally rich will appreciate this.
Anyone interested in stories about community, heritage, and identity will find a lot to enjoy.
If you like books that make you laugh but also make you think, this one hits the mark.
Readers who want to see authentic representation of the Afro-Caribbean experience in England will find it refreshing.
The book is available on all the big platforms, so it’s easy to get your hands on a copy. I noticed the review blog that featured it has over 700,000 hits, so I’m not the only one who thinks it’s worth reading.
To be fair, if you want a pulse-pounding thriller, this isn’t it. But if you want a cozy mystery with heart, humor, and a strong sense of place, you’ll enjoy every page.
Plot and Setting
The Mystery
I started A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant late one night, thinking I’d read just a few pages. I ended up reading way past midnight. The story opens with a suspicious death at a local church event. Miss Hortense, who everyone trusts, gets pulled into the mess. She doesn’t want to play detective, but her sense of justice won’t let her walk away.
Secrets from the past start bubbling up. Old friendships get tested. I felt the tension in every chapter. The mystery isn’t just about finding out who did it. It’s about what the community hides and why. I kept guessing, but the truth surprised me. The book mixes humor with real emotion, so I never felt weighed down.
I loved how the story balanced the mystery with the personal struggles of the characters. It made the stakes feel real.
Bigglesweigh Community
Bigglesweigh, Birmingham, feels like a character itself. The Afro-Caribbean community jumps off the page. I could almost smell the jerk chicken and hear the laughter from the corner shop. The author paints a picture of daily life—neighbors chatting, aunties gossiping, kids playing in the street.
The setting feels lived-in and warm.
The book shows both the joys and the struggles of the Windrush generation.
Family, food, and faith play a big part in every scene.
I saw my own family in some of these moments. The community’s strength and humor shine through, even when things get tough. That’s what makes this book special.
Miss Hortense
Character Profile
Miss Hortense grabbed my attention right away. She isn’t your typical detective. She’s older, wise, and has a sharp sense of humor. I loved how she stands her ground, even when people doubt her. She’s the kind of person who remembers everyone’s birthday and always has a kind word. But she’s not afraid to call someone out if they’re acting shady.
Strong-willed: She never backs down from a challenge.
Caring: She looks out for her neighbors, even when it’s risky.
Observant: She notices the little things others miss.
Funny: Her jokes made me laugh out loud more than once.
I felt like I knew her. She reminded me of my own aunties—always ready with advice, but also quick with a side-eye if you mess up. In A Murder for Miss Hortense by Mel Pennant, she feels real, not just a character on a page.
Relationships
Miss Hortense’s relationships make the story shine. She’s the glue that holds her community together. I saw how much people trust her. She listens, comforts, and sometimes scolds, but always with love.
She has a close bond with her best friend, who brings out her softer side.
The younger folks in the neighborhood look up to her.
She sometimes clashes with authority, but she never loses her cool.
I loved watching her interact with everyone. The warmth and honesty in her friendships made me root for her even more.
Themes
Community and Heritage
I felt the heart of this book in its focus on community. Every page made me think about how people look out for each other. Miss Hortense’s world feels like a big family. I saw neighbors sharing food, helping with chores, and laughing together. The book celebrates Afro-Caribbean heritage in a way that feels real and warm.
The story shows how traditions shape daily life.
I loved reading about family gatherings and church events.
Food plays a big part. I could almost taste the curry goat and fried dumplings.
Sometimes, I found myself missing my own family after reading a chapter. The sense of belonging in Bigglesweigh is strong. It made me want to call my aunties and check in.
Secrets and Identity
Secrets run deep in this story. I kept turning pages, wanting to know what everyone was hiding. The book explores how secrets can shape who we are. Miss Hortense faces her own past and helps others do the same.
Characters struggle with old wounds and hidden truths.
The mystery isn’t just about what happened, but why people hide things.
Identity matters. The book asks, “Who am I when no one is watching?”
I felt a mix of curiosity and sadness as secrets came out. Some moments left me thinking about my own life and the stories families keep quiet. This theme gave the book depth without making it too heavy.
Writing Style
Tone and Humor
I have to admit, the tone in this book caught me off guard—in a good way. I expected a slow, serious mystery, but I found myself grinning at the dry jokes and clever comebacks. Miss Hortense’s humor feels natural, never forced.
She throws in a sly comment just when things get tense, and it made me relax. Sometimes, I even laughed out loud at her side-eye or the way she handled nosy neighbors.
The story never gets too dark or heavy.
Jokes pop up in the middle of serious moments, which kept me turning pages.
The warmth between characters shines through, even when they disagree.
If you like books that make you smile as much as they make you think, this one delivers.
Language and Dialogue
The language in this book feels real. I could hear the voices in my head—especially the aunties chatting in the kitchen. The author uses Jamaican patois, but never so much that I felt lost. Instead, it added flavor and made the setting feel true.
Conversations sound like real people talking, not stiff or fake.
I picked up on the rhythm of the community through their words.
The dialogue moves the story forward and reveals secrets without dragging things out.
I sometimes had to pause and reread a line because it felt so honest or funny. The mix of English and patois gave the book a special touch. I felt like I was right there, listening in on every conversation.
About Mel Pennant
Author Background
I always get curious about the person behind a book, especially when the story feels so real. Mel Pennant grew up in Birmingham, just like Miss Hortense. That local touch shines through every page. I don’t know every detail about her life, but I do know she writes with a lot of heart. She brings her own experiences into the story, which makes the characters feel honest and true.
Mel Pennant has a background in writing and community work.
She draws on her Afro-Caribbean roots, and you can feel that pride in every scene.
I noticed she cares about showing real people, not just stereotypes.
Inspiration
I always wonder what sparks a story like this. From what I’ve read, Mel Pennant wanted to celebrate the aunties and elders she grew up with. She saw how much wisdom and humor they brought to their neighborhoods. That love for community inspired her to create Miss Hortense.
She mixes her memories with a bit of mystery and a lot of warmth.
The book feels like a thank you to the Windrush generation.
I could tell she wanted to show the strength and kindness of her community.
If you ever wished you could sit in a kitchen full of laughter and secrets, this book gives you that feeling. I felt the author’s respect for her roots in every chapter.
I loved the warmth, humor, and real community in this story. If you want a cozy mystery that feels fresh, try this one.
Great for fans of character-driven stories
Perfect if you enjoy diverse voices
I’d rate it a solid 7/10 for its heart and charm.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is A Murder for Miss Hortense a good pick for book clubs?
Absolutely! The story sparks great conversations about community, identity, and family secrets. I think everyone will find something to relate to.
Do I need to know Caribbean culture to enjoy the book?
Not at all. The author explains everything with warmth and humor. I learned a lot and felt welcomed into the world.
Will there be more Miss Hortense mysteries?
I hope so! The ending hints at more adventures. I’m already looking forward to the next book in the series.
