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~ A Book Review: The Diamond Brothers in Two of Diamonds, Anthony Horowitz ~

by yvettecarol

I've finished reading my twelfth novel for 2021, The Diamond Brothers in Two of Diamonds, by Anthony Horowitz. He wrote the book for World Book Day 2013. World Book Day and World Book Night are creative initiatives designed by all those in the literary industry on both sides of the fence in the UK and Ireland. They run the events annually in both countries to encourage people of all ages to read. Now that's an idea I can get behind.

The Diamond Brothers are among Anthony Horowitz's least known characters. The elder Diamond, Tim, tagged as 'the world's worst detective,' makes for an intriguing start. Then I love the twist that it is the kid brother, Nick, who is the protagonist and who is solving all the mysteries. Tim bumbles from one error of judgment to another and has his neck saved repeatedly by his underestimated little brother. The entire premise is kid-centred and a hoot.

Two of Diamonds gives us two stories, The French Confection (2002), and I Know What You Did Last Wednesday (2002) packaged together for the World Book Day Event, with a special cover that "comes to life" when you download the app and hold your phone over it.

Though I had heard of his name, this was my first time reading an Anthony Horowitz. After reading the line, 'I like horror stories–but not when they happen to me.' I knew to expect these stories would be firmly tongue-in-cheek. Here is an author going for the laughs and the fun quotient. 'It's not fair. I do my homework. I clean my teeth twice a day. Why does everyone want to kill me?'

The Nick Diamond character is relatable and lovable. How many of us have had the experience of being the beleaguered sibling in the family? Here, poor Nick has to look out for his elder brother, Tim, portrayed as thick as a plank. The smarter younger brother Nick watches over the hapless Tim in an easy-going way that endears Nick to us. He is literally "saving the cat" throughout every case. But that's what the key is to our interest in the characters and the series, is that the elder boy is an oaf while his thirteen-year-old brother saves his bacon on the regular. Kids win. Score! Meanwhile, the eldest is none the wiser and still thinks he know best. Hilarious. It's a premise to have every child reader groaning with recognition–a deft move by Horowitz.

The enjoyable part is that in Nick's superior intelligence he can have a little laugh at the elder brother's expense, which is enough to make any kid titter. 'Tim said little on the journey. To cheer him up, I'd bought him a Beano comic and perhaps he was having trouble with the long words.' It makes the child reader feel they are in on the joke, which is a pleasant feeling. The sense of irreverence coming through in the wit and humour is cool, too. 'The boat was old and smelly. So was the captain.'

Yet Horowitz does not shy away from the tough stuff. The trail of bodies surprised me. It gives his stories an unexpected element. It keeps the reader on their toes. Anthony Horowitz, OBE, is an English author who has been writing fiction all his life. He is best known for his Alex Rider books. He is also the writer and creator of award-winning detective series, Foyle's War, and more recently event drama Collision. In 2011, he gained a significant feather in his cap, being the first author ever endorsed by the estate of Arthur Conan Doyle to write a new Sherlock Holmes novel, titled The House of Silk.

As for Two of Diamonds, where did Horowitz get it right? In the unique premise, the humour, the "in joke" of the siblings, the tone, the mystery aspect. Everyone, young and old, gets sucked in by a mystery. I think the entire thing works and made me an instant fan. Where did Horowitz go wrong? Great premise, intriguing characters but the books are too short, about 80 pages per story, which left me wanting more. Great story, but not enough meat on the bones! Some critics also complained that the mysteries were too easy to figure out. I'm guessing they were adults and as this book is for middle-grade readers, I think it is fine. To be left wanting more is a good sign, right?

My rating: Two and three quarter stars.