Where seagulls dare by A Diamond Brothers Case. Anthony Horowitz

This is a new story heralding the return of a popular series from the late 1980's and early 1990's recounting the adventures of the world's worst private detective, Tim Diamond (28), and his much more intelligent younger brother, Nick Diamond (14). Because of their popularity they have been re-issued over the years, each time gaining a new generation of fans, often moving on to read Horowitz's more mature novels such as the Alex Rider series.

In this episode, Tim and Nick haven't had a case for three months and are down to their last cornflake so when a glamorous woman comes into their office offering them a pile of cash to find her missing father, they think Christmas has come. Before they know it, they are caught up in a case involving bike-riding hitmen, super-hackers and a sinister far right organisation, the White Crusaders. The Diamond Brothers are in trouble over their heads.

Even though it has a teenage protagonist and international criminals, it is written for the 7-9 age group, lightened with humour, puns. pop culture references and absurd situations characterised by titles that are spoofs of popular movies. Something to entice young males to keep reading and perhaps lead them on to other works by the same author.

Themes: Detectives, Missing persons, Gangs.

Barbara Braxton