Piccadilly Press, an imprint of Bonnier Books UK, is thrilled to announce the acquisition of A Tariq Twins Mystery: Murder for Two and its sequel – an exciting new middle grade murder mystery series from Niyla Farook.
Ruth Bennett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press, acquired UK and Commonwealth English language rights to two books from Gemma Cooper at The Bent Agency.
A Tariq Twins Mystery: Murder for Two offers a fresh and contemporary take on the middle grade murder mystery genre – think High-Rise Mystery meets The Parent Trap.
The first book follows twins Ani and Riri who were separated when they were 6 months old. Loud and adventurous Ani wants to be a sleuth when she grows up. Shy and quiet Riri prefers books to people, and would prefer a safe, germ-free job. When they’re forced to spend the summer together, Ani is convinced it’s going to be another Great Twin War like the last time. But this summer is different – there’s a murder, and their dad is arrested as the prime suspect. Can they work together to protect their family and solve the mystery?
Niyla Farook said: “Murder for Two is the book I wanted to read long after lights out when I was younger – a murder mystery set in West Yorkshire with a Desi family and plenty of humour. It came about quickly once I allowed myself to write without any rules. I’m so pleased to be in great hands with Piccadilly and Ruth Bennett and very grateful to Gemma Cooper and The Bent Agency for championing this book. I can’t wait for readers of all backgrounds and ages to join Ani and Riri with solving the murder!”
Ruth Bennett, editorial director at Piccadilly Press, said: “Niyla has such a fresh and contemporary voice – in Ani and Riri she has created two unforgettable characters, who I have absolutely loved spending time with. Through them, the classic murder-mystery story is brought right into the present day, and I know that young readers will love to see these two bright and funny girls taking charge of the investigation. Just like the queen of the murder mystery genre, Agatha Christie, Niyla’s story presents us with a fiendishly plotted puzzle that is a real pleasure to read. I challenge you to figure out whodunnit!”
Niyla Farook is a writer from West Yorkshire, where she still lives. When she’s not writing, she’s either working in a pharmacy (just like Agatha Christie!) or winning every murder mystery game she can (which isn’t a lot!). As a woman of colour, Niyla is passionate about portraying authentic diversity in her books.
Piccadilly Press is marking its 40th year of building future generations of readers. The imprint is the home of exciting and engaging children’s fiction, with a host of blockbuster publishing lined up for the year ahead, including Ash Bond’s Peregrine Quinn and the Cosmic Realm; and a new title in the bestselling Max Magic series by Stephen Mulhern with Tom Easton, and illustrated by Begoña Fernández Corbalán.
A Tariq Twins Mystery: Murder for Two will be publishing in paperback and ebook in January 2025.
