Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds

Zaiba is thrilled to be at her cousin’s henna party at the stately Royal Star Hotel. With its secret passages and hidden doors, it's the perfect place for her to practise being a proper detective. Things get even more exciting when a mystery celebrity guest arrives, and both a dog and some diamonds go missing. Will Zaiba be able to solve the mystery and prove to everyone that she is just as good a detective as her Aunty Fouzia?

This is an energetic, fun-to-read adventure, set against the background of a traditional Pakistani pre-wedding ceremony. Many British-Asian children will be excited to see a familiar part of their lives reflected here. In Zaiba, they will also find a determined, brave and imaginative leader they can identify with. Zaiba’s relationship with her Aunty Fouzia, a professional detective, is touching.

The book reflects a happy and confident multi-cultural society, with English friends and family-by-marriage included in the cast. Full page black-and-white illustrations break up the text for less confident readers. At the back of the book are detective-themed activities for children to do themselves.