Murder for Two

Ani is just finishing primary school and is looking forward to a summer of detecting because Ani is a supersleuth. In fact, she is the director of the Tariq Ultrasecret Supersleuth Centre (T.U.S.C). Unfortunately, nobody apart from her seems to recognise quite how important and essential she is to the future safety of the population of Castlewick in Yorkshire. No one except her very special friend Mrs Kostas who is the owner of Cafe Vivlio – a unique cafe / bookshop which is Ani’s sanctuary and home from home.

As Ani sets out to begin her sleuthing summer, she’s completely derailed by the arrival of her twin Riri. The girls have been living separately and are very different people, Ani can’t bear the thought of having to share her life – and her dad – with someone so quiet and shy. They like different things, different foods and have completely different approaches to life. Riri has grown up in California with their mum and is equally perplexed and upset by suddenly having to adapt to the English climate and customs – as well as her angry and unwelcoming twin sister.

But then, there is a terrible and unexpected murder and Ani realises that Riri may well be useful and have skills to help with the sleuthing. Gradually, with an awful lot of adventure that includes their father being arrested, a certain amount of breaking into places they shouldn’t be, a fire and some rather wonderful reenactments, they get to know and appreciate one another. They realise their differences are often their strengths and together they are better detectives. They find out secrets and lies and that Mrs Kostas isn’t all she seems; they save their dad from wrongful arrest and together they show just how important the TUSC is in the world of crime fighting.

This is a delightful, funny and intricate detective novel with real Agatha Christie-like twists, turns and red herrings. It portrays 21st Century Yorkshire in a rounded and inclusive way, authentically depicting different family types, cultures and neurodiversity with genuine heart. It is perfect for lovers of mysteries and crime-solvers everywhere.