Stripes to publish new MG mystery series

Little Tiger Group imprint Stripes Publishing has acquired a middle-grade mystery series developed by Karen Ball and written by Annabelle Sami.

‘Agent Zaiba Investigates’ is about an 11-year-old who is obsessed with crime and whose aunt runs a detective agency in Karachi. In the first book Zaiba is attending a family Mehndi party at The Grand Royal Star Hotel when she hears that the prized Italian Greyhound of a famous actress has gone missing from the star’s suite, so tries to find out what happened.

Editorial director Ruth Bennett bought world rights to two books from Ball, who developed the idea via her publishing consultancy Speckled Pen.

Bennett said: “Middle Grade mystery stories are perennially popular and in ‘Agent Zaiba Investigates’ I believe we have uncovered a fresh, funny and contemporary answer to the classics. Zaiba has all the pluck and determination of Nancy Drew with real fangirl relatability. Annabelle’s authentic voice brings great warmth and humour to the characters and I’m hugely excited about developing this series with her.”

The first book will be published in spring 2020 and the second in the autumn that year.

Sami is represented by literary agent Davinia Andrew-Lynch.