Queen of the Tiles

Set in Kuala Lumpur, this mystery and suspense novel follows Najwa, a teen girl whose best friend dies at a Scrabble tournament a year before. Following clues and messages from a strange Instagram account, she embarks on a quest to solve the mystery of her friend’s death. A “whodunit” story suitable for an upper primary or secondary audience, this book may lend itself to a study of the murder–mystery genre and the various literary techniques employed throughout. The focus on the game of Scrabble may inspire students to develop their vocabulary and an appreciation and a passion for words.