Gigi Pandian

Known for her wonderfully addictive characters, multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian introduces her newest heroine in this heartfelt series debut. Under Lock & Skeleton Key layers stunning architecture with mouthwatering food in an ode to classic locked-room mysteries that will leave readers enchanted. An impossible crime. A family legacy. The intrigue of hidden rooms and secret staircases. After a disastrous accident derails Tempest Raj’s career, and life, she heads back to her childhood home in California to comfort herself with her grandfather’s Indian home-cooked meals. Though she resists, every day brings her closer to the inevitable: working for her father’s company. Secret Staircase Construction specializes in bringing the magic of childhood to all by transforming clients’ homes with sliding bookcases, intricate locks, backyard treehouses, and hidden reading nooks. When Tempest visits her dad’s latest renovation project, her former stage double is discovered dead inside a wall that’s supposedly been sealed for more than a century. Fearing she was the intended victim, it’s up to Tempest to solve this seemingly impossible crime. But as she delves further into the mystery, Tempest can’t help but wonder if the Raj family curse that’s plagued her family for generations—something she used to swear didn’t exist—has finally come for her.

A Secret Staircase Mystery

Under Lock & Skeleton Key

From USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian comes a modern tale of ancient intrigue Unpacking her belongings in her new hometown of Portland, Oregon, herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust can't help but notice she's picked up a stowaway. Dorian Robert-Houdin is a living, breathing three-and-half-foot gargoyle--not to mention a master of French cuisine--and he needs Zoe's expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Zoe, who's trying to put her old life behind her, isn't so sure she wants to reopen her alchemical past . . . until the dead man on her porch leaves her no choice. Includes recipes! Praise: "This reviewer is eagerly anticipating more from this series, and a return of a cast more fun than an episode of Portlandia."--RT BOOK REVIEWS 1/2 "Pandian . . . launches a supernatural cozy series that hits high marks for a modern twist on an ancient practice. Amusing supporting characters and historical details solidify this engaging mystery."--LIBRARY JOURNAL "[A] lighthearted supernatural mystery . . . Pandian sets this series apart from other fluffy paranormal mysteries with Zoe's cute nonhuman sidekick and some mouthwatering vegan recipes."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "A whimsical and charming supernatural mystery."--MYSTERY SCENE "What really makes this book stand out, however, is the originality . . . Pandian has managed to create an eccentric and charming cast of characters readers are going to want to spend more time with."--RT BOOK REVIEWS ONLINE "The Accidental Alchemist is a recipe for a great read. Gigi Pandian's pen never disappoints."--JULIET BLACKWELL, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WITCHCRAFT MYSTERY SERIES "A magical, whimsical cozy that will delight readers who enjoy Juliet Blackwell and Heather Weber mysteries!" --AVERY AAMES, AKA DARYL WOOD GERBER, AUTHOR OF THE CHEESE SHOP MYSTERIES "Zoe and Dorian are my new favorite amateur-sleuth duo!" --VICTORIA LAURIE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR

The Accidental Alchemist

Raven Thief

Deciphering an ancient alchemy book is more difficult than Zoe Faust bargained for. She'd much rather be gardening and exploring her new home of Portland, Oregon--but time is running out for living gargoyle Dorian Robert-Houdin. If Zoe isn't able to unlock the alchemy book's secrets soon, the French gargoyle will remain awake but trapped in stone forever. When Zoe gives herself a rare night out to attend a classic magic show that reminds her of her youth, she realizes the stage magicians are much more than they seem. A murder at the theater leads back to a string of unsolved robberies and murders in Portland's past, and a mystery far more personal than Zoe and Dorian ever imagined.

The Masquerading Magician

A JEWEL OF AN ADVENTURE... "If Indiana Jones had a sister, it would definitely be historian Jaya Jones." - Suspense Magazine When historian Jaya Jones receives a mysterious package containing a jewel-encrusted artifact from India, she discovers the secrets of a lost Indian treasure may be hidden in a Scottish legend from the days of the British Raj. But she's not the only one on the trail. From San Francisco to the Highlands of Scotland, Jaya must evade a shadowy stalker as she follows hints from the hastily scrawled note to a remote archaeological dig. Helping her decipher the cryptic clues are her magician best friend, a devastatingly handsome art historian with something to hide, and a charming archaeologist running for his life. When a member of the dig's crew is murdered, Jaya must figure out which of the scholars vying for her affections might be the love of her life-and which one is a killer. Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all! ARTIFACT is the first book in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery series, named a Best of 2012 Mystery by Suspense Magazine. Be sure to watch for the next one, PIRATE VISHNU, coming February 2014. Praise for ARTIFACT: "Pandian's new series may well captivate a generation of readers, combining the suspenseful, mysterious and romantic. Four stars." - Romantic Times Book Reviews "How wonderful to see a young, new writer who harks back to the Golden Age of mystery fiction. Artifact is witty, clever, and twisty... Do you like Agatha Christie? Elizabeth Peters? Then you're going to love Gigi Pandian." - Aaron Elkins, Edgar Award-Winning Author of the Gideon Oliver "Skeleton Detective" Mysteries "Fans of Elizabeth Peters will adore following along with Jaya Jones and a cast of quirky characters as they pursue a fabled treasure." - New York Times Bestselling Author - Juliet Blackwell, Author of the Art Lover's Mystery Series (written as Hailey Lind) "Elizabeth Peters' Vicky Bliss mysteries were fun romantic capers with unexpected twists. Gigi Pandian offers that same exotic world of treasure hunts, foreign lands, and a touch of romance. I miss Vicky Bliss. But, now we're all lucky to have Jaya Jones' treasure hunts. I hope Artifact is just the first of Gigi Pandian's skillfully written capers." - Lesa's Book Critiques "Masterfully plotted." - Midwest Book Review "Artifact is a jewel of an adventure, and Jaya Jones is a plucky heroine to treasure." -Avery Aames, Nationally Bestselling Author of A Cheese Shop Mystery Series "Pandian is an adept storyteller. Artifact has it all-castles in the mist and caves at midnight; archeologists and fairies; hidden treasures and a bit of magic as well. Taking us on a journey from San Francisco to London to Scotland, Pandian weaves a mystery with all the elements of a good puzzle." - Camille Minichino, Author of the Periodic Table Mysteries "Artifact is a treasure...a page-turning, suspenseful story." - Penny Warner, Agatha Award-Winning Author of How to Host a Killer Party "A priceless piece of jewelry, a trail through history that might lead to death, a group of secretive, ambitious people who have their own interests at heart, and a mystical, magical place where fairies might live... Filled with suspense, rich history, and a variety of exotic locations... Fasten your seatbelt for this one. It's a bumpy ride!" - Leigh Neely, CriminalElement.com Books in the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Series: FOOL'S GOLD (Novella prequel to ARTIFACT featured in OTHER PEOPLE'S BAGGAGE) ARTIFACT (#1) PIRATE VISHNU (#2) Part of the Henery Press Mystery Series Collection, if you like one, you'll probably like them all...

Artifact

Dorian Robert-Houdin, the three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle chef who fancies himself a modern-day Poirot, is slowly turning into stone, and it's up to Zoe Faust to unravel the alchemical secrets that can save him. When they discover that a long-lost stone gargoyle with a connection to Dorian has reappeared in Europe, the stakes are even higher. From Portland to Paris, Zoe searches for the hidden knowledge she needs, but a cold case that harkens back to 1942 throws her off course. With an ailing friend desperately trying to discover his own elixir of life and a new romantic interest offering the first chance at love she's had in nearly a century, Zoe is torn between a dangerous form of alchemy and her desire for a safer life. Praise for the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries: "A cast more fun than an episode of Portlandia."—RT Book Reviews "Hits high marks for a modern twist on an ancient practice. Amusing supporting characters and historical details solidify this engaging mystery."—Library Journal "[A] lighthearted supernatural mystery."—Publishers Weekly

The Elusive Elixir

Alchemy and an art heist in Paris are on the menu in the new Accidental Alchemist adventure from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Gigi Pandian.Notre Dame Cathedral holds many secrets. Alchemy, betrayal, and? an art heist? Alchemist Zoe Faust and her impish gargoyle sidekick Dorian Robert-Houdin travel to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris to investigate a mysterious discovery found in the wreckage of the tragic fire: a long-lost gargoyle illustration drawn by Victor Hugo himself. When the work of art is stolen under impossible circumstances, Dorian must use his "little gray cells"-not to mention his culinary skills-to solve the crime and discover the true origins of where he came from. Includes delicious vegan recipes!

An Accidental Alchemist Mystery Novella

The Lost Gargoyle of Paris

Diane Vallere

Kendel Lynn

Baggage claim can be terminal. This is what happened after three women with a knack for solving mysteries each grabbed the wrong bag. MIDNIGHT ICE by Diane Vallere: When interior decorator Madison Night crosses the country to distance herself from a recent breakup, she learns it’s harder to escape her past than she thought, and diamonds are rarely a girl’s best friend. SWITCH BACK by Kendel Lynn: Ballantyne Foundation director Elliott Lisbon travels to Texas after inheriting an entire town, but when she learns the benefactor was murdered, she has to unlock the small town’s big secrets or she’ll never get out alive. FOOL’S GOLD by Gigi Pandian: When a world-famous chess set is stolen from a locked room during the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, historian Jaya Jones and her magician best friend must outwit actresses and alchemists to solve the baffling crime. “Lost luggage has never been this fun! With well-drawn characters, Other People’s Baggage is your first class ticket to three fast-paced adventures full of mystery, murder, and magic.” – Elizabeth Craig, Author of the Southern Quilting Series “Kendel Lynn’s Switch Back is a clever, entertaining mystery with small town flavor and Texas flair!” – Debra Webb, USA Today Bestselling Author “What do you get when you mix Doris Day with a dash of Texas two-step, then stir in a smidgen of Edinburgh, secret chambers, and magic? A recipe for fun entitled, Other People’s Baggage. Although mixed up luggage is the thread that connects this trio of globetrotting novellas, it’s snappy dialogue, clever storytelling, and charming characters that are the real common denominators. Writing in tandem with other authors is difficult work, but Lynn, Pandian, and Vallere make the pursuit seem effortless. I’m already hooked on their three new mystery series, and I’ve only read the prequels!” – Maddy Hunter, Bestselling Author of the Passport to Peril Mystery series

Three Interconnected Mystery Novellas

Other People's Baggage

The Goonies meets Charade in the latest Accidental Alchemist Mystery A blackmailer obsessed with gold. A boyfriend who’s more than he seems. And a treasure hidden on the Oregon coast. Alchemist Zoe Faust’s mentor Nicolas Flamel is back in her life, but catching up with him will have to wait. An elusive blackmailer has threatened to expose a dangerous alchemical secret. Zoe’s boyfriend is out of town protecting secrets of his own. So when rumors of a treasure map reach Zoe, she turns her back on what sounds like no more than a game. Zoe’s mischievous living gargoyle best friend Dorian, who thinks of himself as a modern-day Poirot, is convinced the map is real—and that it’s the key to proving himself as valuable to Zoe as her human family. With the help of the neighborhood teenagers, Dorian sets out to find the treasure, risking more than he planned in the process. Rumors, treasures, and secrets intersect to unearth more than Zoe could have dreamed—and could leave her family changed forever. Can Zoe stop the threat to the family unit she’s created?

An Accidental Alchemist Mystery

The Alchemist of Fire and Fortune

A locked-room mystery at a Paris mansion. A supposed ghost haunting a French family who looted treasure from Cambodia. A reclusive thriller author writing a novel in honor of historian Jaya Jones--is it a work of fiction or a devious device to lure Jaya into solving a chilling mystery? Three unsolved murders spanning seventy years have befallen the same French family, each taking place two nights before Christmas at their Paris mansion--and blamed on the family ghost. When Jaya realizes the truth hits closer to home than she realized, she must risk everything as she flees San Francisco for France and Cambodia to find a missing sculpture known as the Serpent King and stop a flesh and blood killer. - - - - - - - - - - - - - THE GLASS THIEF by Gigi Pandian - A Henery Press Mystery. If you like one, you'll probably like them all.

The Glass Thief

In an effort to rescue her mentor, Nicolas Flamel, centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust and her best friend, Dorian the gargoyle chef, delve into the world of art forgery to unearth a clue hidden in a stolen painting.

The Alchemist's Illusion

The Library Game

A vanished body. A deadly bookshop. A country house party full of suspects. Can a living gargoyle and an alchemist decipher the clues before poisoned pages claim another victim?

Dorian Robert-Houdin is used to living his life in the shadows, his existence only known to a few trusted friends. When a dangerous book from his past resurfaces, he follows his closest confidante, alchemist Zoe Faust, from Oregon to England to investigate.

Before he can examine the magical book, Dorian witnesses a murder amidst the foggy lanes of Oxford. But when he takes Zoe to the scene, there’s no body—and no evidence a crime has taken place. Using his unique skills as a gargoyle, Dorian sets out to solve the baffling crime nobody else believes occurred.

When Dorian and Zoe discover a dead man in a bookshop filled with arsenic-laced books, the victim isn’t a stranger—he’s connected to the vanishing crime scene. The trail leads to a country house party where a group of bibliophile suspects have gathered and a storm is brewing. Could the killer be the mercurial Agatha Christie scholar? The prickly literature professor? The secretive rare books expert? With an unscrupulous book thief lurking, can sleuths Dorian and Zoe unmask a murderer before the next page brings them to a perilous end?

A Gargoyle's Guide to Murder

In heroine Tempest Raj, modern-day queen of the locked room mystery Gigi Pandian has created a brilliant homage to the greats of classic detective fiction. Secret Staircase Construction is under attack, and Tempest Raj feels helpless. After former client Julian Rhodes tried to kill his wife, he blamed her "accident" on the home renovation company’s craftsmanship. Now the family business—known for bringing magic into homes through hidden doors, floating staircases, and architectural puzzle walls—is at a breaking point. No amount of Scottish and Indian meals from her grandfather can distract Tempest from the truth: they’re being framed. When Tempest receives an urgent midnight phone call from Julian, she decides to meet him at the historic Whispering Creek Theater—only to find his dead body, a sword through his chest. After a blade appears from thin air to claim another victim, Tempest is certain they’re dealing with a booby trap... something Secret Staircase Construction could easily build. Tempest refuses to wait for the investigation to turn to her or her loved ones. She knows the pieces of the puzzle are right in front of her, she just has to put them together correctly before more disaster strikes. Multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian and her sleuth Tempest Raj return in A Midnight Puzzle, where an old theater reveals a deadly booby trap, secrets, and one puzzle of a mystery.

A Secret Staircase Novel

A Midnight Puzzle

A treasure trove of nine locked room mysteries from USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning author Gigi Pandian, all set in the Jaya Jones world. Appearing here for the first time, novelette The Cambodian Curse: When an ancient and supposedly cursed Cambodian sculpture disappears from an impenetrable museum, and the carving's owner is killed by an invisible assailant while a witness is a few feet away, historian Jaya Jones and her old nemesis Henry North team up to solve the baffling crime. Stories included: "The Cambodian Curse," "The Hindi Houdini," "The Haunted Room," "The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn," "The Curse of Cloud Castle," "Tempest in a Teapot," "A Dark and Stormy Light," "The Shadow of the River," plus bonus novella Fool's Gold. With an Introduction from New York Times bestselling author Laurie R. King addressing why we love locked rooms, and a Foreword from impossible crime mystery historian Douglas G. Greene, teasing out the tradition of John Dickson Carr that Pandian is following. This collection is filled with ingenious stories of magic, mystery, and history. The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries series so far: * Artifact (Book 1) * Pirate Vishnu (Book 2) * Quicksand (Book 3) * Michelangelo's Ghost (Book 4) * The Ninja's Illusion (Book 5) * The Glass Thief (Book 6) * The Cambodian Curse & Other Stories (Locked Room Mystery Collection)

A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery Collection

The Cambodian Curse and Other Stories

Alchemist of Monsters and Mayhem

Alchemist of Riddle and Ruin

"A century-old treasure map of San Francisco's Barbary Coast. Sacred riches from India. Two murders, one hundred years apart. And a love triangle-- Historian Jaya Jones has her work cut out for her. 1906: Shortly before the Great San Francisco Earthquake, Pirate Vishnu strikes the San Francisco Bay. An ancestor of Jaya's who came to the U.S. from India draws a treasure map-- Present day: Over a century later, the cryptic treasure map remains undeciphered. From San Francisco to the southern tip of India, Jaya pieces together her ancestor's secrets, maneuvers a complicated love life she didn't count on, and puts herself in the path of a killer to restore a revered treasure."--Back cover.

Gigi Pandian

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