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giasbookhaven 's review for:
A Murder for Miss Hortense
by Mel Pennant
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
eArc Review:
A Murder for Miss Hortense is about a seasoned Jamaican implant in England who's been the backbone of the local community and its Pardner for decades. Miss Hortense has stepped away from the Pardner but not the community. She still knows all about the actions and details about what's going on behind the scenes. So when the death of a neighbor threatens to disrupt the community while bringing an old case involving the death of her sister to the surface, Miss Hortense steps in.
A Murder for Miss Hortense is about a seasoned Jamaican implant in England who's been the backbone of the local community and its Pardner for decades. Miss Hortense has stepped away from the Pardner but not the community. She still knows all about the actions and details about what's going on behind the scenes. So when the death of a neighbor threatens to disrupt the community while bringing an old case involving the death of her sister to the surface, Miss Hortense steps in.
Readers, do not let Miss Hortense's age fool you. This woman is armed with an iron will and mysteriously dangerous syringes in her hand bags. There was a contrast to how her character did things in the present day verse in the past regarding the Bone 12 case. In the present day, Miss Hortense seemed to be five steps ahead of everyone; she kept a lot of her thoughts and true feelings to herself. Not even those closest to her knew what she was doing or thinking, with the exception of her old friend Fitz.
I was surprised by this because she was really close to Blossom's character and her nephew, Gregory.
The pacing and the tone of the book does mimic that of your average dark thriller/suspense tv drama on BBC stations. With bits of levity and real life truths woven into the story here and there. As someone familiar with this kind of tone, I did enjoy this book.
However, it got to the point where I felt Miss Hortense knew a bit too much without context to support her theories. And there were a lot of revelations that were packed into the last few chapters and a particular suspect who was mentioned in passing without any clear relevance or connection that suddenly became very important in the end. I felt this was a cheat and really lets the story down. I'm not saying I think the author should have left bread crumbs for everything, BUT a good mystery is about setting up a ton of suspects and going through them to narrow things down. This book sets up the first bit pretty well but the ending was a let down.
I would read more by this author and give Miss Hortense another shot if this becomes a series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexism, Toxic relationship, Violence, Grief, Religious bigotry, Murder, Toxic friendship
Moderate: Racism, Terminal illness, Gaslighting
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Abandonment, Classism