A spoonful of murder

I’m a little bit in awe of Robin Stevens. When I picked up this book, I had no idea what to expect. Hazel Wong, the detective in this story, travels home to Hong Kong from England, after the death of her grandfather. Back in the bosom of her family, Hazel meets a new family member, which sends her into a spiral of self-doubt and jealousy. When the nanny is killed and her baby brother kidnapped, Hazel and her sidekick, Daisy, have to figure out out the clues to catch the villain. Robin’s eye for detail is extraordinary. Her descriptions are so vivid, you feel as though you have been transported to Hong Kong. From the food to the customs, you are completely immersed in Hazel’s world and the simmering family tensions add an extra layer of intrigue. Robin has a great device to make sure you, as the reader, stay on top of all the clues found, as Hazel and Daisy work their way through the case. This is for all those who love murder, mystery, clues, travel, villains, finding out about different cultures and above all, a rip-snorting great yarn. Phew! What a brilliant read.