Wednesday 15 July 2020

Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Poison Plot


Agents Zaiba, Ali and Poppy of the Snow Leopard Detective Agency (UK Branch) are back with a brand new mystery to solve, but this time, they're going to need help! The school fete descends into chaos after the new headmistress is poisoned in a baking competition. Can Zaiba solve her second case and clear her relatives' names? And is this mystery more complicated that it first seems? 

Packed full of baking fun, teamwork and face paint, the follow up to Agent Zaiba Investigates: The Missing Diamonds is just as exciting and fun as the first. This is shaping up to be a really strong series which will be extremely popular with Middle Grade mystery fans. 

Zaiba's bond with Poppy and Ali is very special, and Zaiba is clear throughout that she couldn't solve mysteries without her friends. In this story, she also has a more positive relationship with her cousin Mariam, which was so nice to see! I felt really sorry for Mariam in book one, so it was lovely to witness her getting involved in the detective fun this time around. All of my other favourite characters from book one were back too, even if some of them are only there via video call!

There are plenty of twists and turns in this story, but also lots of clues to keep young reader's guessing and to help them solve this mystery along with Zaiba. There are also some great puzzles, tips and games at the back of the book, which would be great for Summer Holiday entertainment, or to inspire some fun activities in school next year. I think reading about Zaiba will inspire lots of children to start detective agencies of their own. There's also a snippet from an Eden Lockett mystery, so readers can see Zaiba's hero in action. I love the way these stories inspire Zaiba throughout her detective work, and the link they give her to her Ammi is very special. 

Sosa's illustrations are a delight again. She does a superb job of bringing Sami's words to life. 

Overall, this is another must-read for mystery fans. Sami is fast becoming one of my favourite Middle Grade authors. I can't wait to see what she writes next. 


Thank you Little Tiger for letting me review this wonderful story. 

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