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Detective Aunty
(2025)(The first book in the Kausar Khan Investigates series)
A novel by Uzma Jalaluddin
Named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus Reviews, The Washington Post, Library Journal, The Globe and Mail, and the Chicago Public Library
‘I’ll read anything Uzma Jalaluddin writes.’—New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn
When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunnit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.
After her husband’s unexpected death eighteen months ago, Kausar Khan never thought she''d receive another phone call as heartbreaking—until her thirty-something daughter, Sana, phones to say that she's been arrested for killing the unpopular landlord of her clothing boutique. Determined to help her child, Kausar heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years.
Returning to the Golden Crescent suburb where she raised her children and where her daughter still lives, Kausar finds that the thriving neighborhood she remembered has changed. The murder of Sana’s landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes which have gone unsolved.
And the facts of the case are troubling: Sana found the man dead in her shop at a suspiciously early hour, with a dagger from her windowfront display plunged in his chest. And Kausar—a woman with a keen sense of observation and deep wisdom honed by her years—senses there’s more to the story than her daughter is telling.
With the help of some old friends and her plucky teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs into the investigation to uncover the truth. Because who better to pry answers from unwilling suspects than a meddlesome aunty? But even Kausar can’t predict the secrets, lies, and betrayals she finds along the way…
Genre: Cozy Mystery
‘I’ll read anything Uzma Jalaluddin writes.’—New York Times bestselling author Kate Quinn
When her grown daughter is suspected of murder, a charming and tenacious widow digs into the case to unmask the real killer in this twisty, page-turning whodunnit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last.
After her husband’s unexpected death eighteen months ago, Kausar Khan never thought she''d receive another phone call as heartbreaking—until her thirty-something daughter, Sana, phones to say that she's been arrested for killing the unpopular landlord of her clothing boutique. Determined to help her child, Kausar heads to Toronto for the first time in nearly twenty years.
Returning to the Golden Crescent suburb where she raised her children and where her daughter still lives, Kausar finds that the thriving neighborhood she remembered has changed. The murder of Sana’s landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes which have gone unsolved.
And the facts of the case are troubling: Sana found the man dead in her shop at a suspiciously early hour, with a dagger from her windowfront display plunged in his chest. And Kausar—a woman with a keen sense of observation and deep wisdom honed by her years—senses there’s more to the story than her daughter is telling.
With the help of some old friends and her plucky teenage granddaughter, Kausar digs into the investigation to uncover the truth. Because who better to pry answers from unwilling suspects than a meddlesome aunty? But even Kausar can’t predict the secrets, lies, and betrayals she finds along the way…
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Praise for this book
"Detective Aunty might be a cozy mystery, but it's coziness with edginess, as its heroine might say. Kausar Khan's investigation into a murder where her own daughter is the chief suspect reveals fractures in the community and even worse, in her family. Uzma Jalaluddin's story is richly layered, folding in social issues while delving deep into family woes and a journey of self-discovery. Her characters are so deftly created that even the minor ones insinuate complex backstories. A wise and delightful start to the series, I can't wait for Kausar's next adventure." - Janie Chang
"Detective Aunty is a charmer from beginning to end. Uzma Jalaluddin gives a generous nod to the golden age of mysteries with an observant widow, Kausar Khan, standing in for Miss Marple, and an east Toronto shopping mall destined for redevelopment in place of an English village. Kausar's polite but relentless quest for justice - and her daughter's freedom - is note-perfect. Sure to delight any fan of Nita Prose or Alexander McCall Smith." - Kate Hilton
"Uzma Jalaluddin is a fantastic new voice in crime fiction! Kausar Khan's dazzling detection skills and evolved empathy make for a deeply compelling crime-solver. This book has family, community, humor, and heart, and they all revolve around a delightfully duplicitous murder that will keep you turning pages to the end. Detective Aunty is here to stay!" - Ausma Zehanat Khan
"Uzma Jalaluddin's Detective Aunty delivers mystery and misdirection in spades, while also digging deeper into how tragedy can tear friends and families apart. With suspects galore, a big city/small community setting, tons of culture, and an amateur sleuth you'll want to hug and cheer on in equal measure, this novel is a cozy mystery lover's delight." - Hannah Mary McKinnon
"A read as cozy and delicious as a cup of chai, Kausar Khan proves aunties get stuff done. I already loved Jalaluddin's romances and now I've found a new favorite cozy mystery series as well!" - Mia P Manansala
"I adored this--it weaves together that perfect mix of mystery, community heart, and secrets, all with wit and warmth. Uzma Jalaluddin puts her finger on the pulse of tricky mother-daughter relationships, gently prods cultural norms, and keeps you guessing as to whodunnit all in an expertly paced style. I can't wait to see what Kausar Khan gets up to next!" - Kristen Perrin
"I loved Detective Aunty! From the complex main character who is rediscovering herself in her 'second act' of life, to the deliciously layered mystery interwoven with deep cultural nuances, Uzma Jalaluddin has once more hit it out of the park. I can't wait for the next Kausar Khan mystery!" - Nalini Singh
"Jalaluddin's charming cozy mystery is as much about solving a murder as it is an homage to family, community, and the desire for a second chance in life, all served up with delightful flare and a side of chai." - Katie Tallo
"Detective Aunty is a charmer from beginning to end. Uzma Jalaluddin gives a generous nod to the golden age of mysteries with an observant widow, Kausar Khan, standing in for Miss Marple, and an east Toronto shopping mall destined for redevelopment in place of an English village. Kausar's polite but relentless quest for justice - and her daughter's freedom - is note-perfect. Sure to delight any fan of Nita Prose or Alexander McCall Smith." - Kate Hilton
"Uzma Jalaluddin is a fantastic new voice in crime fiction! Kausar Khan's dazzling detection skills and evolved empathy make for a deeply compelling crime-solver. This book has family, community, humor, and heart, and they all revolve around a delightfully duplicitous murder that will keep you turning pages to the end. Detective Aunty is here to stay!" - Ausma Zehanat Khan
"Uzma Jalaluddin's Detective Aunty delivers mystery and misdirection in spades, while also digging deeper into how tragedy can tear friends and families apart. With suspects galore, a big city/small community setting, tons of culture, and an amateur sleuth you'll want to hug and cheer on in equal measure, this novel is a cozy mystery lover's delight." - Hannah Mary McKinnon
"A read as cozy and delicious as a cup of chai, Kausar Khan proves aunties get stuff done. I already loved Jalaluddin's romances and now I've found a new favorite cozy mystery series as well!" - Mia P Manansala
"I adored this--it weaves together that perfect mix of mystery, community heart, and secrets, all with wit and warmth. Uzma Jalaluddin puts her finger on the pulse of tricky mother-daughter relationships, gently prods cultural norms, and keeps you guessing as to whodunnit all in an expertly paced style. I can't wait to see what Kausar Khan gets up to next!" - Kristen Perrin
"I loved Detective Aunty! From the complex main character who is rediscovering herself in her 'second act' of life, to the deliciously layered mystery interwoven with deep cultural nuances, Uzma Jalaluddin has once more hit it out of the park. I can't wait for the next Kausar Khan mystery!" - Nalini Singh
"Jalaluddin's charming cozy mystery is as much about solving a murder as it is an homage to family, community, and the desire for a second chance in life, all served up with delightful flare and a side of chai." - Katie Tallo
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