Anisha, Accidental Detective: Christmas Chaos

By Author / Illustrator

Serena Patel, Emma McCann

Genre

Mystery & Detective

Age range(s)

Publisher

Usborne

ISBN

9781805312420

Format

Paperback / softback

Published

06-11-2025

Synopsis

Join Anisha, Accidental Detective, to solve an extra-special festive mystery filled with snowmen and secrets, crackers and clues! From the award-winning World Book Day 2026 author and illustrator team, Serena Patel and Emma McCann.

IT'S CHRISTMAAAAAAS! My family LOVE Christmas and this year their excitement levels are off the charts because, drum roll with extra jingle bells...Dad has been put in charge of the festive fayre! Everyone's ready to help - my friend Milo and I have loads of SPARKLY ideas, Aunty Bindi's got a mountain of TINSEL, and we've even got a BIG RED SLEIGH for Santa's grotto!

Well, we did have a big red sleigh, until someone STOLE IT in the middle of the night. Looks like a case for me, Anisha, accidental Christmas detective! So now I'm on the case to track down the THIEF before they ruin Christmas. I just wish I didn't have to dress as an ELF to do it!

Praise for the Anisha, Accidental Detective series: Winner of the Sainsbury's Children's Book Prize and of the Crimefest Best Crime Novel for Children; Shortlisted for the Blue Peter Book Award, the British Book Awards Children's Book of the Year, and the Laugh Out Loud Book Award; "DELIGHTFUL! Perfect for younger detectives - so funny and clever and sweet." Robin Stevens, author of the Murder Most Unladylike series. "An absolute joy" Jennifer Killick, author of Crater Lake. "Super funny and packed with lovable characters." Swapna Haddow, author of Dave Pigeon.

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Reviews

Jennifer

The eighth book in the delightful Anisha Accidental Detective series is a Christmas seasonal super sleuthing, joyful mystery. A detective genre for those young detective readers who like their adventures fast-paced, family orientated and full of fun. The likeable, relatable and diverse cast list is back with heaps of tinsel, sparkles, Christmas tunes and the mystery of a stolen Sleigh.

Anisha's dad is proudly heading the community Christmas fayre and the huge red, revamped sleigh was due to be the perfect centre piece - but is now missing. Anisha and her crew are on a Christmas countdown mission to track down the not-so-festive minded thief.

The Anisha stories continue to be brilliantly representative and diverse in the characters, cultures and communities that are brought together and celebrated. Anisha's Indian heritage and blended family make for a warm-hearted and positive central point for the story. From Granny's experiments, making gingerbread paratha (Indian-fusion style) to narky neighbour, Mr Bogof, getting into the Christmas gifting spirit - the book promotes connections and relationships in a gentle and charming way.

Fabulous illustrations by Emma McCann bring the story to life and add to author Serena Patel's lively storytelling, with Anisha as our narrator - experiencing her long-suffering moments, her puzzle-solving lightbulb moments and her obvious, endearing love of her family, friends and neighbours. A delightful addition to Anisha's detective cases so far.

256 pages / Reviewed by Jennifer Caddick, teacher