The Margaret Code by Richard Hooton - ISBN: 9781408731048
Hardcover
An unlikely duo unravels a murder, if only she could remember.

The Margaret Code

Meet the detective duo you'll never forget in this compulsive and charming debut crime novel

$40.04

  • Hardcover

    352 pages

  • Release Date

    8 July 2025

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Summary

*** 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 ?????

‘Delightfully cosy’ P…

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781408731048
ISBN-10:1408731045
Author:Richard Hooton
Publisher:Little, Brown Book Group
Imprint:Sphere
Format:Hardcover
Number of Pages:352
Release Date:8 July 2025
Weight:554g
Dimensions:36mm x 158mm x 236mm
A-Format
B-Format
C-Format
The Margaret Code by Richard Hooton - ISBN: 9781408731048
158 × 236 mm
A4
mm / in
What They're Saying

Critics Review

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 *

About The Author

Richard Hooton

Richard Hooton has received numerous prizes for his short fiction. The Margaret Code, his debut novel, is inspired by his relationship with his grandmother.

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