TICKETS FOR MURDER preorder now
An exciting and funny new murder mystery from author Niyla Farook, author of Indie Book Award-shortlisted MURDER FOR TWO.
After solving the murder of Mrs Kostas the previous summer, twins Ani and Riri have moved past tolerating each other to a budding friendship. But with Riri and their mum living in LA and Ani and their dad living in Yorkshire, it’s hard to stay close. Especially since Ani seems to have gone off sleuthing all together . . .
When they all meet in LA for an exclusive trip to Deadwood Manor theme park, tensions start to rise. Why has Riri’s best friend Adora, their older sister and her boyfriend come along when it’s a family trip? What has caused Ani to stop sleuthing? Who is Riri always on the phone to?
Then their personal tour guide in the Deadwood Manor park is murdered and it’s clear that the time for games is over. There’s only one question that matters: whodunnit?
A brilliant introduction to murder mysteries for Middle Grade readers – perfect for fans of HIGH RISE MYSTERY!
Features positive representation of neurodiversity. – The Bookseller Children’s Previews
MURDER FOR TWO out now
Read the official announcement on The Bookseller here and on the Piccadilly Press website here.
An exciting and funny new murder mystery from new author Niyla Farook. Perfect for fans of HIGH RISE MYSTERY!
Separated when they were 6 months old, twins Ani and Riri couldn’t be more different. Loud and adventurous Ani wants to be a sleuth when she grows up. Shy and quiet Riri prefers books to people, and just wants a safe, germ free job when she grows up. 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 they tried family bonding. 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?
Read an excerpt here
Media reviews:
⭐️Indie Book Awards Children’s Fiction nomination
⭐️Bookling Book Award 2026 shortlisting
⭐️ The Oxfordshire Book Award 2026 shortlisting
⭐️LoveReading4Kids’ January 2025 Debut of the Month
⭐️Booktrust’s Best New Book
⭐️School Reading List’s pick of the best children’s books coming out in Spring 2025
⭐️BooksForTopic’s One To Watch
⭐️School Reading List’s January 2025 Book Club pick
⭐️The Observer Book of the Month
⭐️Max Minerva’s Marvellous Books Book of the Month
⭐️BookTrust Book of the Day
⭐️The Week Junior Book of The Week
⭐️Farook’s murder mystery has a fabulously feisty heroine and a uniquely authentic voice, which marks this debut author as a talent to watch. ― The Bookseller Children’s Previews
⭐️A lively, entertaining, sleuthing adventure with a multicultural cast of characters and focussing on family relationships. ― BookTrust
⭐️ An engaging narrative and a distinctive voice. It’s ideal for more advanced KS2 readers and KS3 mystery fans — Tom Tolkien ― School Reading List
⭐️Cosy crime has a well-thumbed playbook, but returnee author Niyla Farook ensures that her Murder for Two (Bonnier) is full of twists, turns and non-parochial perspectives… Kitty Empire — The Observer
⭐️ This exciting murder mystery is the first in a new series, and shows neurodiversity (the different ways people’s brains work) in a positive way. — The Week Junior
⭐️ 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. — Books for Keeps
Cosy crime has a well-thumbed playbook, but returnee author Niyla Farook ensures that her Murder for Two (Bonnier) is full of twists, turns and non-parochial perspectives… Kitty Empire — The Observer
A lively, entertaining, sleuthing adventure with a multicultural cast of characters and focussing on family relationships. ― BookTrust
An engaging narrative and a distinctive voice. It’s ideal for more advanced KS2 readers and KS3 mystery fans — Tom Tolkien ― School Reading List
Farook’s murder mystery has a fabulously feisty heroine and a uniquely authentic voice, which marks this debut author as a talent to watch. – The Bookseller Children’s Previews
With nods to Agatha Christie, Murder for Two offers crime, humour and inclusivity so this is a whodunnit you can’t miss! – Check ‘Em Out Books
Packed full of red herrings, this is a mystery that will keep its audience guessing as to who the murderer is right until the end. – Mrs Sydney’s Famous World’s Smallest Library
Fresh, funny and exciting, with a skillfully woven mystery, and wonderful characters who leap off the page. Ani and Riri make the perfect supersleuth duo! – Sophie Anderson, author of THE HOUSE WITH CHICKEN LEGS
Budding sleuths will adore Niyla Farook’s fresh, funny middle-grade murder mystery of warring twins Ani and Riri investigating the death of a local café owner. Ani is already a super sleuth, Riri not so much, but the girls put differences aside and learn each other’s strengths when their father becomes a suspect. Farook skilfully weaves the mystery into a narrative of family estrangement and reunion, leading to a heartwarming conclusion. – Gita Ralleigh, author of THE VOYAGE OF SAM SINGH
A thrilling murder mystery brimming with humour and heart, I could not turn the pages fast enough! Riri and Ani are the perfect twin-tastic characters to bring this story to life. With all the clever twists and turns in the plot, I dare you to solve the mystery before they do! – Rachel Greenlaw, author of COMPASS AND BLADE
Move over Nancy Drew, there are new supersleuths in town. Farook expertly blends family drama with crime drama to create a story that’s as charming as it is thrilling. I loved every minute of it. – Zeena Gosrani, author of THIS DARK HEART
RIDA AND MADIYA
⭐ BookTrust – Books we love in May 2023
⭐MVP’s Most Anticipated Books: 2023 Edition
⭐BookTrust’s #BookOfTheDay
⭐BookTrust’s Best New Book
An uplifting story about family and overcoming differences, written by debut author Niyla Farook.
Rida and Madiya may have the same mum, but that’s about all they have in common. They argue about everything, and when they find out the local library is in trouble, their competition over who can raise the most money only ends up making things worse between them! Working together might be the only way to save the library, but can the sisters put their differences aside to do it? This heart-warming story of siblinghood features beautiful black-and-white illustrations by Umair Najeeb Khan.
The Bloomsbury Readers series is packed with book-banded stories to get children reading independently in Key Stage 2 by award-winning authors like double Carnegie Medal winner Geraldine McCaughrean and Waterstones Prize winner Patrice Lawrence. With engaging illustrations and online guided reading notes written by the Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE), this series is ideal for home and school. All titles are quizzed for Accelerated Reader. For more information visit http://www.bloomsburyguidedreading.com.
Book Band: Dark Red, ideal for ages 10+
Read an excerpt here!
Niyla Farook
Official author website
Niyla Farook 