The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian    

Summary

Zoe has decided it is time to settle down and Portland, Oregon feels like the perfect place. However, she has no sooner arrived than she begins to question whether or not she can really live here without attracting too much attention to herself.

First, there is a live gargoyle in one of her crates. Then a local teen breaks in and catches her talking about alchemy with a live gargoyle. Then her contractor is murdered on her front porch and her house is robbed.

This is not the quiet life she was seeking.

Review – 5/5

I loved this book! LOVED IT!

Dorian, the gargoyle, may be my favorite character ever! He can be a bit prickly, but his antics made me laugh out loud more than once.

Zoe, the alchemist, is also a very likable character and I am very much looking forward to reading more about her. 

It was a very exciting read. In some ways it was more of an adventure book than a traditional mystery. It reminded me a bit of some of Elizabeth Peters’ books.

I’m not sure it was possible for the reader to solve the mystery based on the clues that were given. Normally, in a mystery, that would make me mad, but it honestly didn’t. We get to travel along with Zoe and Dorian as they try to unravel the mystery, but I don’t think a lot of clues and red herrings are dropped along the way.

The fact that Dorian is a master of French cuisine added to the overall charm of the book. Especially as he tried to master vegan cooking for Zoe. The food he created made my mouth water.

Some of Dorian’s recipes are in the back of the book. I’ve tried out the cookies.

About the Author – Gigi Pandian

“Gigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and locked-room mystery enthusiast. The child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, she spent her childhood being dragged around the world on their research trips, which inspired her fiction. She’s been awarded Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and been a finalist for the Edgar.” (From gigipandian.com)

Pandian writes three series that I absolutely adore!

• The Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mysteries
• The Accidental Alchemist Mysteries
• The Secret Staircase Mysteries

This is the review for the first of the Accidental Alchemist series, but I thoroughly recommend all of her books. 

The characters in Pandian’s stories do develop from book to book and they pick up additional side kicks along the way. So I would recommend starting with the first book in each of the series. 

Also, be sure to check out her website (gigipanddian.com) and sign up for her newsletter for more about her coming books (and more recipes!)

Have you read any of her series? Which is your favorite? Let me know below!

(Adapted from my original review from January 2019)

Cover art from Goodreads