Skip to main content
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.
Image for event: International Mystery Book Discussion

International Mystery Book Discussion

"A Murder For Miss Hortense" by Mel Pennant

2026-11-12 19:00:00 2026-11-12 20:00:00 America/New_York International Mystery Book Discussion Join a lively book discussion of readers sleuthing their way around the world! Portage District Library - **Long Lake Room

Thursday, November 12
7:00pm - 8:00pm

Portage District Library

**Long Lake Room

Join a lively book discussion of readers sleuthing their way around the world!

"Retired nurse, avid gardener, and renowned cake maker Miss Hortense has lived in Bigglesweigh, a quiet suburb of Birmingham, England, since she emigrated from Jamaica in 1960. She takes great pride in her home, starching her lace curtains bright white, and she can tell if she’s being shortchanged on turmeric before she’s taken her first bite of a beef patty. A career in nursing has also left her afraid of nobody, whether an interfering priest or a local drug dealer, and she’s an expert in deciphering other people’s secrets with just a glance. Miss Hortense once used her skills to benefit the Pardner network—a local group of Black investors that she helped found. Until, that is, she was unceremoniously ousted from its ranks, severing her ties to the majority of her friends and community. That was thirty years ago. Now, as a new millennium dawns, an unidentified man has been found dead in the home of one of the Pardner members, a Bible quote written on a note beside his body. Suddenly, Miss Hortense finds her long-buried past rushing back, bringing memories of the worst moment of her life—and secrets behind an unsolved crime that has haunted her for decades. It is finally time for Miss Hortense to solve a mystery that will see her and the community she loves pushed to their limits. The first novel from a bold, brilliant new voice, A Murder for Miss Hortense introduces a fearless sleuth whom readers will never forget"--Publisher website.
 

*Books for the next month will be available at the previous month's book group*

Event Contact: Jacob Lambert

Location Details: Long Lake, located on the lower level of the library.

Accommodations

All participants are welcome. If you anticipate needing any type of accommodation or have questions about the physical access provided, please contact us at jlambert@portagelibrary.info before your visit.

AGE GROUP: | Adult |

EVENT TYPE: | Discussion |

TAGS: | 4:Adult Dept | 3:Standard | 2:In person | 1:Adult (18+) |

Portage District Library

Phone: 269-329-4544

Hours
Skip Open Hours widget
Mon, Oct 12 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Oct 13 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Oct 14 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Oct 15 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, Oct 16 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, Oct 17 9:00AM to 5:00PM
Sun, Oct 18 1:00PM to 5:00PM

Visit Us

Located near the intersection of S. Westnedge and Shaver Rd, Portage District Library offers ample parking, EV charging, and access to the Portage Bikeway.

Upcoming Events

Skip Today's Events widget
Fri, Oct 16, 7:00pm - 9:00pm
Portage District Library - *Austin/Sugarloaf/West & Long/Gourdneck Lake Rooms
This event is full