“All that really matters in life is that you give love and are loved in return. It doesn’t matter if you are a prince or a pauper.”
Ben is getting used to life without his beloved granny. She was a cabbage enthusiast, a Scrabble partner… and an international jewel thief known as The Black Cat. Now, only the memory of their extraordinary adventure to steal the Crown Jewels lives on.
Then something inexplicable happens. Daring thefts of priceless treasures are all over the news. The crimes have the pawprints of The Black Cat – Ben’s very own Gangsta Granny – all over them. But with Granny gone, who on earth could pull off such daring heists? Can Ben crack the case?
Gangsta Granny is one of my favourite books by David Walliams back from when I first started reading them in 2017. The idea of a sequel made me incredibly excited, especially since this is the first time the author has written one.
Ben has been following the news ever since Raj told him about the theft of the Mask of King Tutankhamun from the British Museum in London. The clues discovered all point to The Black Cat but the legendary international jewel thief has been gone for a year. He knows because he misses her, his dearest granny who, at one time, swore she was just an old lady with worthless jewellery that turned out to be worth millions.
After the FIFA World Cup trophy is stolen from Wembley Stadium, Ben decides to investigate who is behind these heists. Then there is the actual black cat that keeps appearing before Ben. He has never seen her before but she seems to know him. Could the two be connected?
I love a good mystery and Walliams definitely cooks up a spectacular one in this daring series of robberies across London. The engaging plot not only piques your curiosity but has lots of action to keep you glued to the pages. Twelve-year-old Ben often finds himself in some strange situations that make you laugh out loud. And when he finds himself in a pickle, he always has a smart comeback to get out of it.
The book discusses parental expectations, familial bonds, and dealing with the loss of a loved one, which are always important aspects of Walliams’s writing. Of course, there’s Raj without whom any David Walliams book feels incomplete. I’m glad he was able to take part in the adventure rather than just sit in his shop to sell out-of-date candy.
Witty, with humour that makes you laugh till your stomach hurts, this is the perfect follow-up to an intriguing mystery that does not seem to end. The Black Cat lives on.
Gangsta Granny Strikes Again by David Walliams. Illustrated by Tony Ross. Published in 2021 by HarperCollins Children’s Book, HarperCollins India.
Book 18 of 2022.
Aquamarine Flavours Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟.
Available on Amazon*.
Tony lives in Wales.
*Disclosure: This post contains an affiliate link which means, at no additional cost to you, I will earn a small commission if you click through and make a purchase.
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