The Margaret Code
Meet the detective duo you'll never forget in this compulsive and charming debut crime novel
Published on 29. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
352 pages
978-1-4087-3105-5 (ISBN)
Description
*** LONGLISTED FOR THE The CWA Whodunnit Dagger 2026***
MEET THE DETECTIVE DUO YOU'LL NEVER FORGET
For readers of The Marlow Murder Club, Richard Osman and The List of Suspicious Things...
'One of the best books I've read this year' ALEX GRAY
'An absorbingly unusual murder mystery' CHRIS BROOKMYRE
'Who knew that an 89-year-old and a teenager would make the perfect crime-fighting duo?!' Reader Review ?????
__________
89-year-old Margaret has lived on Garnon Crescent all her life, except for those few years she never talks about. She knows all the neighbours; their hopes, their heartbreaks.
Only recently, Margaret's memory isn't what it used to be. She is sure Barbara, her best friend and neighbour, told her something important. Something she was supposed to remember.
When Barbara is found dead, Margaret determines to recover her missing memory. She and her grandson James begin to investigate, but soon strange incidents occur in her home. Margaret's daughter thinks her memory is getting worse, but Margaret knows somebody wants her out of the way.
Because Margaret holds the key to solving this crime. If only she could remember where she put it.
'Beautifully written. Heartwarming. Everyone should read it.' Reader Review ?????
'Delightfully cosy' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH
'I laughed, cried and was amazed' Reader Review ?????
'Wry, compelling and ever so poignant' NAOMI KELSEY
'Perfect if you love quirky, senior investigating' Reader Review ?????
'A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for even against the odds' EMILY CRITCHLEY
MEET THE DETECTIVE DUO YOU'LL NEVER FORGET
For readers of The Marlow Murder Club, Richard Osman and The List of Suspicious Things...
'One of the best books I've read this year' ALEX GRAY
'An absorbingly unusual murder mystery' CHRIS BROOKMYRE
'Who knew that an 89-year-old and a teenager would make the perfect crime-fighting duo?!' Reader Review ?????
__________
89-year-old Margaret has lived on Garnon Crescent all her life, except for those few years she never talks about. She knows all the neighbours; their hopes, their heartbreaks.
Only recently, Margaret's memory isn't what it used to be. She is sure Barbara, her best friend and neighbour, told her something important. Something she was supposed to remember.
When Barbara is found dead, Margaret determines to recover her missing memory. She and her grandson James begin to investigate, but soon strange incidents occur in her home. Margaret's daughter thinks her memory is getting worse, but Margaret knows somebody wants her out of the way.
Because Margaret holds the key to solving this crime. If only she could remember where she put it.
'Beautifully written. Heartwarming. Everyone should read it.' Reader Review ?????
'Delightfully cosy' PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH
'I laughed, cried and was amazed' Reader Review ?????
'Wry, compelling and ever so poignant' NAOMI KELSEY
'Perfect if you love quirky, senior investigating' Reader Review ?????
'A cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for even against the odds' EMILY CRITCHLEY
Reviews / Votes
One of the best books I've read this year. It has so much to say about memory loss and the terrors of having to leave one's own home. I very much hope to meet Margaret and James again! -- ALEX GRAY, author of the DSI William Lorimer series Humorous and heartbreaking. This is a cleverly crafted mystery with an amateur detective duo you root for even against the odds. Absorbing and heartwarming, the characters are so well drawn I felt they could be my own neighbours! This is a confident and empathetic debut. I couldn't stop turning the page! -- EMILY CRITCHLEY, author of ONE PUZZLING AFTERNOON I read this one late into the night, unable to wait to find out what happens next. Skilfully written . . . the characters are expertly drawn. A gentle crime novel, and so much more. -- BONNIE MEEKUMS, author of A KIND OF FAMILY If you're looking for an uplifting crime novel that merges Elizabeth Is Missing with Three Things about Elsie, I highly recommend you preorder The Margaret Code. It tells the story of Margaret, whose investigation into the murder of her neighbour Barbara is complicated by her Alzheimer's, and her grandson James, who is determined to help her solve the case. Wry, compelling, and ever so poignant, it's a wonderful mystery as well as a touching portrayal of the challenges in both ageing and caring for the ageing. . -- NAOMI KELSEY, author of THE BURNINGS Delightfully cosy * PETERBOROUGH TELEGRAPH * This beautifully crafted whodunit not only delivers intrigue but also explores the heartbreak of ageing, the loneliness it can bring, and society's tendency to overlook older generations. With its unconventional yet endearing detectives, this is a mystery that will have you rooting for Margaret and James until the very end. A brilliant debut. * Northern Life Magazine *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Little, Brown Book Group
Dimensions
Height: 194 mm
Width: 124 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
246 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4087-3105-5 (9781408731055)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Richard Hooton
The Margaret Code
Meet the detective duo you'll never forget in this compulsive and charming debut crime novel
E-Book
04/2025
Sphere
€7.99
Available for download
Person
Richard Hooton has received numerous prizes for his short fiction. The Margaret Code, his debut novel, is inspired by his relationship with his grandmother.