By Serena Patel (author) , Emma McCann (illustrator) Part of the Anisha, Accidental Detective series
"Comic capers explode when science-mad Anisha must solve a mystery ahead of her Aunty’s Bindi’s “Big Fat Fabulous” Indian wedding."
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Shortlisted for the Books for Younger Readers category, Children's Book Awards 2022 | Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Awards 2021, Best Story
“Numbers are great, they make sense - unlike people. You’d think this if you lived with my family.” So Anisha sets the scene for the madcap mystery that unfolds in the chaotic run-up to her Aunty Bindi’s epic wedding.
Anisha loves her “sparkly” Aunty Bindi, but it’s not easy being bridesmaid to such a flamboyant figure, especially when she’s on the verge of having a “mega meltdown”! Matters take a scarier turn when Anisha finds a ransom note announcing that Tony, Bindi’s fiancé, has been kidnapped and the wedding must be called off if they want to see him again. “Why did I have to be the one who found the note?” she laments. “I DON’T LIKE DRAMA!” But, in order to prevent her already frazzled family from spiraling into further chaos, Anisha decides to find Tony herself, with the help of her best friend Milo.
A hilarious race against time ensues, with clues to pursue, undercover surveillance to be done and the involvement of some decidedly curious characters (among them a weeing lobster), and the menace of Anisha’s “evil” cousins-to-be.
The story shimmers with the vibrant exuberance of an Indian wedding, the special warmth of family and friends, and action-packed amusement. Special mention must go to the informative (and funny) footnotes that explain Indian food, customs and language referred to in the story, and to Emma McCann’s energetic illustrations.
April 2020 Debut of the Month
Books in the Anisha, Accidental Detective Series:
1. Anisha, Accidental Detective
2. School's Cancelled
5. Holiday Adventure
Anisha Mistry is all set to be a bridesmaid at her Aunty Bindi's wedding tomorrow...until she finds a note in her family's letterbox. Bindi's groom has been kidnapped and will only be released IF THE WEDDING IS CALLED OFF!
Read the full description
With best friend Milo, a mischievous granny, a runaway lobster, a giant chauffeur, and some super sleuthing skills, it's up to Anisha Mistry to find her uncle and save THE big Indian Wedding of the year.
Praise for the Anisha Accidental Detective series;
"Perfect for younger detectives. So funny and clever and sweet." Robin Stevens
“A fabulously funny mystery” The Sunday Express
“Irresistible humour” The Guardian, Children’s Books of the Year
“Exhilirating romp” The Daily Mail
“The story surfs along on a wave of excitable prose” The Financial Times
“Spending time with Anisha’s British Indian family is chaotic, loud, and great fun” BookTrust
“Young crime lovers will snap up Serena Patel’s lively Anisha, Accidental Detective” The Observer
Serena Patel is the author of the Anisha, Accidental Detective series which has won the Sainsbury's Children's Book Award, The Week Junior Book Award and the Crimefest Best Novel for Children.
She was shortlisted for the Asian Writer Short Story Prize in 2017 and was a finalist in the Undiscovered Voices Anthology in 2018. She is also a member of the Golden Egg Academy and SCWBI.
She lives in the West Midlands with her family and believes all children deserve to feel seen in the stories they read and that books are an important tool for empathy. When she's not writing Serena enjoys watching movies, reading and eating cake. Chocolate cake preferred.
Photo credit Anastasia Jobson
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I loved the quiz and found out I was like Anisha! I can't wait to get my hands on the next book!
This story was absolutely brilliant. I whizzed through the entire book. I didn't want it to end.
The story is about a girl called Anisha who becomes an investigator. Her drama queen Aunty Bindi is getting married in two days when a terrible, unexpected thing happens and the groom is kidnapped. It's up to Anisha and her best friend Milo to solve the mystery before chaos erupts in the wedding household.
With lots of mishaps and disasters along the way, this book is brilliant. The illustrations are so funny. This is the first time a character looks like me. The descriptions remind me of my family and I also love samosas and gelabi!... Read Full Review
Fun, bright and breezy. The story zips along with genuine laugh out loud moments. Great illustrations and a lovely addition to any library.
Anisha Accidental Detective by Serena Patel is a great book, perfect for children aged 8 to 11. It is the day before Aunty Bindi's wedding but the groom has been kidnapped. Anisha needs to solve the mystery and make sure the wedding goes ahead before Aunty Bindi has a full meltdown.
This is a really enjoyable read. Well written and the story zips along at a really good pace. The illustrations are lovely and are a great addition to the book. It is lovely to have a BAME main character in children's books and I learnt lots about Hindi weddings. There is a great range of well-drawn characters including the devious evil twins.... Read Full Review
I loved the pink cover and that it was about a wedding. Aunty Bindi and Anisha are my favourites. Anisha is really clever and kind and I now know a lot about lobsters!
I was excited to read this book because I really loved the bright pink cover. There were some words that I found quite tricky but mummy helped me. I loved that it was about a wedding and Aunty Bindi was my favourite. I really loved learning about Hindu customs. I love learning about the mehndi but my favourite thing was learning about lobsters wee. Anisha is brilliant and really clever. She solved the mystery really fast and I also liked that even though she didn’t like Manny and Mindy she was never mean to them. I laughed at a lot of bits. I liked that the scary chauffeur loved kittens so he wasn’t really scary after all. I loved the granny who didn’t have any teeth. I really like that Anisha’s family are a bit loud and crazy.... Read Full Review
The LoveReading4Kids Editorial Team have read and reviewed Anisha, Accidental Detective and determined it is suitable for children aged 7-10 years old
Anisha, Accidental Detective features in the following genres: Debuts of the Month, Recommendations, Stories about Family and Friends, Children's and Young Adult Fiction, Children’s, Teenage and Educational, Featured Books for 9+ readers, Funny, Personal Social Health Economic (PSHE), Books Reviewed by our Reader Review Panels, Featured Books for 7+ readers
Paperback. £7.19, down from the £7.99 cover price. In Stock.
Anisha, Accidental Detective was written by Serena Patel and published by Usborne Publishing Ltd
Anisha, Accidental Detective has 218 pages
Yes it is part of Anisha, Accidental Detective series
£7.19, reduced from £7.99. In Stock.
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