The Margaret Code by Richard Hooton

 

When a neighbour is murdered elderly Margaret Winterbottom, along with her grandson, decides to investigate. Margaret's memory may be failing but she's convinced she knows something that can help her solve the murder - if only she could remember what it is.

I love books featuring aging protagonists and in The Margaret Code author Richard Hooton has created a classic. I just wanted to scoop Margaret up and protect her. Widow Margaret is eighty-nine and fiercely independent, she has lived in the same house for sixty years. The vast majority of her neighbours have lived in their homes for quite a long time too. Everyone seems to know everybody else's business, although some people are a little too nosey.

The murder of long-time neighbour and friend Barbara is a shock to Margaret and when the police appear to be clueless she decides to find the murderer herself. She remembers talking to Barbara the day she was murdered and can recall a fragment of a conversation she had with her that she's convinced is a vital clue, unfortunately, her "senior moments" are becoming more frequent, hampering her from pinpointing exactly what the clue means.

To the reader, it's obvious that Margaret is in the early stages of Alzheimer's. Some of the situations she found herself involved in because of the disease are heartbreaking. We also get a glimpse of the emotional pressure that is placed on families. There are little hints as to Margaret's background. I guessed pretty early on what the background was, although I didn't figure out how it fitted into the plot, and knowing her background makes Margaret's illness even more poignant and cruel.

Refusing to accept defeat, and ably assisted by a grandson who is equally determined, Margaret works her way through a suspect list that involves neigbours, local youths and the window cleaner. If only she could remember her conversation with Barbara! When the puzzle pieces finally fall into place Margaret finds herself in danger but still refuses to give in.

The Margaret Code by Richard Hooton will be published on 10th April 2025 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Sphere for a review copy. 

Author Details

After winning numerous prizes for his short fiction, Richard Hooton’s debut novel THE MARGARET CODE will be published on 10 April 2025. The voice-led whodunnit follows eighty-nine-year-old Margaret whose failing memory holds the key to the murder investigation taking place on her street.Inspired by Richard’s relationship with his grandmother, THE MARGARET CODE combines a twisty, compelling crime plot with an emotive study of illness and its effect on family relationships, alongside an intriguing historical connection.Richard was born and brought up in Nottinghamshire and now lives in Greater Manchester. He studied English Literature at the University of Wolverhampton before becoming a journalist and then going on to work in communications.His short stories and flash fiction have won awards in various competitions and been published in several anthologies.