A Murder For Miss Hortense

British Mystery with a Jamaican Auntie twist

This debut series starter features a Windrush community in Bigglesweigh outside of Birmingham, England—emmigrants looking to make their fortune in the UK from the British Caribbean. Originally invited to help rebuild post-war Britain, waves of young adventurers crossed to find work between 1948 and 1973. Miss Hortense emigrated from Jamaica in 1960 following an older sister and became a nurse. The book opens with her retired from the local hospital and something of a revered Auntie in the community—but one that if needed has expert skills in observation and investigation. When two odd deaths happen in quick succession—one mimicking a case from her past—Miss Hortense is on the case and won’t stop until she understands what is happening. This is well written, funny, and deeply moving. Also, it’s a wonderful audiobook.