Stripes Publishing ISBN: 9781788952064 £6.99
Agent Zaiba is an exciting detective mystery. Zaiba attends her cousin’s Mehndi party, a pre-wedding celebration in Hindu and Sikh culture when the bride has the red-orange mehndi “stain” applied to her palms, back of hands, and feet. There is a VIP staying in the hotel and Zaiba is determined to find out who it is. The celebrity’s precious dog disappears together with its priceless diamond collar, and Zaiba, her brother Ali and Poppy, her best friend, set out to solve the mystery. There are plenty of suspects, twists, turns, puzzles, mistakes and red herrings en route. I really enjoyed the Agatha Christie style final scene where the culprit is eventually unmasked. The diverse characters are well-drawn. Delightful illustrations and decorations break up the text. The book ends with detective tips and a quiz. Highly recommended as a good read for 7-9 year olds who like sleuthing. There are also opportunities to learn about elements of Pakistani culture, and to consider good detective work with emphasis on evidence and motives.
Brenda Marshall
