Detective Aunty: A Novel

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 whodunit—the first book in a cozy new detective series from the acclaimed author of Ayesha at Last

After her husband’s unexpected death twelve months earlier, Kausar Khan never thought she’d receive another phone call as heartbreaking—until her thirty-something daughter, Sana, phones to say 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 remembers has changed. The murder of Sana’s landlord is only the latest in a wave of local crimes that 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 into his chest. But Kausar—a woman with a keen sense of observation and deep wisdom honed by life experience—senses there’s more to the story than her daughter is sharing.

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 could not have predicted the secrets, lies, and betrayals she finds along the way . . .

Uzma Jalaluddinis a critically acclaimed and bestselling novelist, playwright, and teacher. She writes nuanced and entertaining stories about Muslims, South Asians, and Canadians and is the author ofMuch Ado About Nada, Three Holidays and a Wedding,Hana Khan Carries On,andAyesha at Last. as well as her first play,The Rishta. Her novels have been optioned for film and television, including by Amazon Studios and Mindy Kaling. A high school English teacher, Jalaluddin is also a former contributor to theToronto Starand theAtlantic. She lives near Toronto with her family.

ISBN: 9781443472845
Format: Paperback
Pages: 336
Publisher: HarperCollins
Published: May 06, 2025

“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 Canadian 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, internationally bestselling author of Only One Survives“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 back stories. A wise and delightful start to the series, I can’t wait for Kausar’s next adventure.” — Janie Chang, co-author of The Phoenix Crown“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, author of Buried Road“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.” — Kate Hilton, co-author of Bury the Lead“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, Kausaur Khan, standing in for Miss Marple, and an east Toronto shopping mall destined for redevelopment in place of an English village. Kausaur’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.” — Ausma Zehanat Khan, author of Blood Betrayal"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!" — New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh