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Miss Hortense and the Last Rites

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Miss Hortense and the Last Rites

By: Mel Pennant
Narrated by: Debra Michaels
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Award-winning author of A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE

'Utterly thrilling, this quest for survival gripped me from start to finish. With a flourishing cast of richly drawn characters, it would be a crime to miss it' Olly Smith, author of Death by Noir

Nine nights to solve a murder . . . or she'll be next.

When Bigglesweigh's notorious gangster, Cuttah, uses up the last of his nine lives, and is found dead, there is only one person who can solve the mystery of who killed him: indomitable retired nurse Miss Hortense. A resident of the quiet Birmingham suburb since she emigrated from Jamaica in the 1960s, the renowned cook never shies away from a challenge.

Cuttah left behind a list of suspects. Miss Hortense is ready to investigate, but there's just one problem: her name is on the list and, worse, she only has nine nights before his cronies seek retribution...

With the help of friends - including bubbly Blossom and tough, handsome Fitz - Miss Hortense must use her unique skills to crack the case in a town with as many secrets as there are ingredients for beef patties. But this will prove no easy task. The clock is ticking, and Cuttah's numerous enemies possess ties to drug running and corrupt police, not to mention a case from Miss Hortense's past which is about to come back to haunt her.

Miss Hortense and the Last Rites is the second brilliantly entertaining and page-turning British-Caribbean mystery from critically acclaimed writer Mel Pennant.

PRAISE FOR A MURDER FOR MISS HORTENSE:

'Fresh, original and intriguing from start to finish!' Janice Hallett, bestselling author of The Examiner

'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

©2026 Melanie Asare-Pennant (P)2026 Hodder & Stoughton Limited©2026 Melanie Asare-Pennant (P)2026 Hodder & Stoughton Limited Amateur Sleuths Crime Crime Fiction Mystery Traditional Detectives Women Sleuths Caribbean Exciting Murder
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Critic reviews

Utterly thrilling, this quest for survival gripped me from start to finish. With a flourishing cast of richly drawn characters, it would be a crime to miss it (Olly Smith, author of)
Praise for the Miss Hortense series --
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 Henry)
What a joy - a brilliant new amateur sleuth to rival Miss Marple!
A warm, witty mystery that introduces a brilliant new voice in crime fiction
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 THINGS)
I really enjoyed this! Funny, clever and so entertaining. I'm looking forward to the sequel (Jessica George, author of MY NAME IS MAAME)
A 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 MAN)
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 MURDER)
If 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 APPEAL)
All stars
Most relevant
Loved this one as much as the first book. Loved the continuation of the story and all the characters. Once again Debra Michaels' narration was great for me. Looking forward to the next one xxx

Another great Miss Hortense story

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Brilliant, captivating and so witty. I thoroughly enjoyed listening and look forward to Miss Hortenses next adventure.

Five stars all round

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Thoroughly enjoyable sleuthing by the inimitable Miss Hortense, an elderly Jamaican woman living in Birmingham and her funny and courageous crew.

Miss Hortense!

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