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Secret Staircase Mystery #4
The Library Game
In The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.
Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.
Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.
Multiple award winning author Gigi Pandian masterfully weaves wit and warmth in the Secret Staircase Mysteries. Readers will delight in the surprises Secret Staircase Construction uncovers behind the next locked door.
Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.
Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.
Multiple award winning author Gigi Pandian masterfully weaves wit and warmth in the Secret Staircase Mysteries. Readers will delight in the surprises Secret Staircase Construction uncovers behind the next locked door.
312 pages, Kindle Edition
Published March 18, 2025
72 people are currently reading
7,838 people want to read
About the author
Gigi Pandian
48Ìýbooks1,506ÌýfollowersGigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. She's the child of professors from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, and spent her childhood traveling around the world on their research trips. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the garden.
She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and the Secret Staircase Mysteries.
Her debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a Best of 2012 Debut by Suspense Magazine, her mysteries have been awarded the Agatha, Rose, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and been short-listed for the Edgar.
She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and the Secret Staircase Mysteries.
Her debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a Best of 2012 Debut by Suspense Magazine, her mysteries have been awarded the Agatha, Rose, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and been short-listed for the Edgar.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 304 reviews
March 18, 2025
If you love to read locked room mysteries with disappearing bodies, illusionists, and libraries, then look no further than Gigi Pandian’s fourth novel in the Secret Staircase Mystery series.
The Library Game
features Tempest Raj and a cast of friends, family, and others. Tempest has left Las Vegas and is working for her father, Darius Mendez and his Secret Staircase Construction crew. The latest job is to renovate a home into the Gray House Library of Classic Detective Fiction. Sliding bookshelves, secret passageways, escape rooms, and much more are all available to customers.
Cameron Gray, the new owner of the house, wants to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room prior to the library opening. When a dress rehearsal ends with a dead actor whose body somehow disappears, the attendees find classic mystery plots coming to life. What happened to the body? Why was there a murder? Who could have done it with so many witnesses there?
Tempest is a former stage performer who specialized in creating mystifying illusions. Now she does this through architectural misdirection. She can normally process large amounts of data in a short amount of time, but this murder isn’t going to be easily solved. She’s loyal to her friends and her family. Ivy Youngblood and Gideon Torres work on the construction crew and are Tempest’s best friends. Sanjay Rai is a friend and illusionist who is helping with the dinner play. He’s hardworking, talented, and loyal. The interpersonal dynamics between the characters added complexity and depth to the story.
The plot was solid with some twists, exciting scenes, and a puzzling mystery. This cozy mystery is descriptive enough to allow readers to be transported to Gray House without adversely affecting the pacing. With plenty of intriguing characters, delicious food, and a rabbit that gives emotional support cuddles, this story was a pleasure to read. My one quibble is that it was a little too easy to discern the antagonist, but there is a twist that helped me relish the solution to the mystery. Additionally, I enjoyed all the literary references to classic detective fiction.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel with interesting characters, some suspense, a bit of romance, a lot of misdirection, and a riveting mystery. It kept me fully engaged. While this is the fourth book in the series, it worked as a standalone for me. However, I think reading the books in order would provide more background and show how the characters have grown over time. I’m looking forward to doing that.
St. Martin’s Press � Minotaur Books and Gigi Pandian provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 18, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
Cameron Gray, the new owner of the house, wants to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room prior to the library opening. When a dress rehearsal ends with a dead actor whose body somehow disappears, the attendees find classic mystery plots coming to life. What happened to the body? Why was there a murder? Who could have done it with so many witnesses there?
Tempest is a former stage performer who specialized in creating mystifying illusions. Now she does this through architectural misdirection. She can normally process large amounts of data in a short amount of time, but this murder isn’t going to be easily solved. She’s loyal to her friends and her family. Ivy Youngblood and Gideon Torres work on the construction crew and are Tempest’s best friends. Sanjay Rai is a friend and illusionist who is helping with the dinner play. He’s hardworking, talented, and loyal. The interpersonal dynamics between the characters added complexity and depth to the story.
The plot was solid with some twists, exciting scenes, and a puzzling mystery. This cozy mystery is descriptive enough to allow readers to be transported to Gray House without adversely affecting the pacing. With plenty of intriguing characters, delicious food, and a rabbit that gives emotional support cuddles, this story was a pleasure to read. My one quibble is that it was a little too easy to discern the antagonist, but there is a twist that helped me relish the solution to the mystery. Additionally, I enjoyed all the literary references to classic detective fiction.
Overall, this was an entertaining novel with interesting characters, some suspense, a bit of romance, a lot of misdirection, and a riveting mystery. It kept me fully engaged. While this is the fourth book in the series, it worked as a standalone for me. However, I think reading the books in order would provide more background and show how the characters have grown over time. I’m looking forward to doing that.
St. Martin’s Press � Minotaur Books and Gigi Pandian provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Publication date is currently set for March 18, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
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My 4.05 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
February 8, 2025
This was fun! This is book 4 of the Secret Staircase series but may be read as a standalone. This locked room mystery kept me guessing and was extremely entertaining. This is definitely a book for book lovers. Taking place in a library will connect with bookaholics. Tempest is a magnetic main character. Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for my copy.
November 21, 2024
Tempest is still working with her dad at the Secret Staircase Construction Company, but her current pursuit involves a new escape room and mystery play being held at a local home possibly slated to become a library for classic detective fiction. When one of the actors is found dead, Tempest, Sanjay, Gideon, and Ivy are on the case of this locked-room mystery. They enlist Grandpa Ash's help and hope the show will go on despite the house currently being a crime scene. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
February 22, 2025
ARC for review. To be published March 18, 2025.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3
This is book 4 in the Secret Staircase series, a very cozy mystery. I don’t think there were any curse words and there were lots of great descriptions of food made by the main character’s grandfather (seriously, that might have been the best part. Food descriptions in books, one of the true pleasures of life. Makes me want to eat, though, and while the Scooby gang here is enjoying a picnic basket full of Ash’s assorted sandwiches on baguettes, I’m eating the completely unfulfilling empty calories of leftover baby Reese’s Cups from Halloween. But I digress.
Tempest Raj, is a former magician (I think you may find out why in earlier books, not sure) and now works with her dad and two of her friends at Secret Staircase Construction, a specialty construction firm. The company is currently transforming a fairy-tale home into a mystery library complete with sliding bookshelves. They have to have the library ready for an upcoming murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room that will serve as the library’s grand opening and part of the town’s walking tour.
Tempest, her construction company friends (Ivy Youngblood and Gideon Torres,) the house’s owner, Cameron Gray and amateur actors are present at the house for a rehearsal when…there’s a (gasp!) murder! Then the body disappears! Then it reappears after the group is trapped in a real escape room in the house! Are classic mystery plots coming to life? Who killed the actor and why?
So, there are many, MANY reference to things that happened in the first three books. You can read this as a standalone, but you’ll feel like you missed a lot. It’s an OK little cozy mystery, however once Tempest makes a grand inference based on something another character says (which keeps that person a suspect) that is absolutely incorrect (I’m surprised this wasn’t caught in editing, this isn’t a typo, it’s a faulty plot point.)
On the plus side, I already mentioned Ash’s food, plus I loved the idea of this library, and I also really enjoyed when Ivy brings in a bag full o� classic mysteries that she feels are in some way germane to their case (I don’t know why she brought the actual books to their meeting, like they were going to sit down and read them, but that’s a quibble…I added two titles to my TBR list.). In the end though I don’t really have a desire to read on in the series, but cozy mysteries aren’t usually my thing. Fans of the genre should like this, but go back and start with number one.
2.5 stars, rounded to 3
This is book 4 in the Secret Staircase series, a very cozy mystery. I don’t think there were any curse words and there were lots of great descriptions of food made by the main character’s grandfather (seriously, that might have been the best part. Food descriptions in books, one of the true pleasures of life. Makes me want to eat, though, and while the Scooby gang here is enjoying a picnic basket full of Ash’s assorted sandwiches on baguettes, I’m eating the completely unfulfilling empty calories of leftover baby Reese’s Cups from Halloween. But I digress.
Tempest Raj, is a former magician (I think you may find out why in earlier books, not sure) and now works with her dad and two of her friends at Secret Staircase Construction, a specialty construction firm. The company is currently transforming a fairy-tale home into a mystery library complete with sliding bookshelves. They have to have the library ready for an upcoming murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room that will serve as the library’s grand opening and part of the town’s walking tour.
Tempest, her construction company friends (Ivy Youngblood and Gideon Torres,) the house’s owner, Cameron Gray and amateur actors are present at the house for a rehearsal when…there’s a (gasp!) murder! Then the body disappears! Then it reappears after the group is trapped in a real escape room in the house! Are classic mystery plots coming to life? Who killed the actor and why?
So, there are many, MANY reference to things that happened in the first three books. You can read this as a standalone, but you’ll feel like you missed a lot. It’s an OK little cozy mystery, however once Tempest makes a grand inference based on something another character says (which keeps that person a suspect) that is absolutely incorrect (I’m surprised this wasn’t caught in editing, this isn’t a typo, it’s a faulty plot point.)
On the plus side, I already mentioned Ash’s food, plus I loved the idea of this library, and I also really enjoyed when Ivy brings in a bag full o� classic mysteries that she feels are in some way germane to their case (I don’t know why she brought the actual books to their meeting, like they were going to sit down and read them, but that’s a quibble…I added two titles to my TBR list.). In the end though I don’t really have a desire to read on in the series, but cozy mysteries aren’t usually my thing. Fans of the genre should like this, but go back and start with number one.
March 13, 2025
I have been reading this Secret Staircase Mysteries series from the start, so I was happy to pick up this fourth book. Each of the books were enjoyable and I was glad to meet the characters again and see what they are up to this time.
Description:
In The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.
Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.
Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.
My Thoughts:
Tempest is a great character from a family of famous magicians. After her fall from grace, she started working for Secret Staircase Construction, her father's company. Secret Staircase builds some very special custom rooms, many times for eccentric, wealthy clients. This is a locked-room mystery and, of course, there is a murder. With little to go on Tempest, Ivy, Gideon and Tempest's magician friend Sanjay start investigating. They are determined to prove that Sanjay, the prime suspect, is innocent. This is a cozy mystery with a fun group of characters. The writing flows well and is inviting. One of my favorite characters is Tempest's grandfather, Ash, whose kitchen is always open and he delivers meals all over town on his bicycle. Anyone who enjoys a good cozy will like this one.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
In The Library Game, Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction are renovating a classic detective fiction library that just got its first real-life mystery.
Tempest Raj couldn’t be happier that the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Known for enchanting architectural features like sliding bookshelves and secret passageways, the company is now taking on a dream project: transforming a home into a public library that celebrates history's greatest fictional detectives.
Though the work is far from done, Gray House Library’s new owner is eager to host a murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room. But when a rehearsal ends with an actor murdered and the body vanishes, Tempest is witness to a seemingly impossible crime. Fueled by her grandfather’s Scottish and Indian meals, Tempest and the rest of the crew must figure out who is making beloved classic mystery plots come to life in a deadly game.
My Thoughts:
Tempest is a great character from a family of famous magicians. After her fall from grace, she started working for Secret Staircase Construction, her father's company. Secret Staircase builds some very special custom rooms, many times for eccentric, wealthy clients. This is a locked-room mystery and, of course, there is a murder. With little to go on Tempest, Ivy, Gideon and Tempest's magician friend Sanjay start investigating. They are determined to prove that Sanjay, the prime suspect, is innocent. This is a cozy mystery with a fun group of characters. The writing flows well and is inviting. One of my favorite characters is Tempest's grandfather, Ash, whose kitchen is always open and he delivers meals all over town on his bicycle. Anyone who enjoys a good cozy will like this one.
Thanks to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
January 20, 2025
The Library Game is the 4th book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries by Gigi Pandian. So far, I have enjoyed reading the books, and I was looking forward to reading this one. Sadly, I have to admit that I struggled a bit with this one; it took me ages to get into it, and I felt that even though I love locked-room mysteries, I did not get engaged with the story in this book. It was perfectly fine to read, but I never felt really pulled into the story, not as I have experienced with the previous book. Thankfully, the story got better towards the end, and I was a bit surprised when everything was revealed.
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
I want to thank the publisher for providing me with a free copy through Edelweiss for an honest review!
January 31, 2025
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: March 18, 2025
Tempest Raj is happily working in her family’s successful business, Secret Staircase Construction, building hidden rooms and staircases in the community. The owner of a recent project, Gray House Library, is eager to use his building to put on a theatre show and a literary-themed escape room and Tempest and her friends are thrilled to participate. But then the lead actor’s body is found a few days before curtain and Tempest finds herself embroiled in a completely different mystery than she expected.
’s fourth Secret Staircase Mystery novel, “� is a literary-focused locked-room mystery. Dead bodies, escape rooms and all things book-related create a page-turning adventure for every book lover.
I was not familiar with this author or any of her previous works, although there are plenty. She is the author of two other mystery series, “� and “�, as well, of course, as the three other novels in this series, which I also haven’t read. Due to jumping in at novel number four, I was unfamiliar with Tempest or her friends and I did not know the background stories or character development, which always makes a novel slightly less entertaining. It took me awhile to get invested in the plot due to this, but I was able to remain engaged and made it through to the end.
Tempest is a feisty protagonist, half Indian and half Scottish, with her love of books in close competition to the love of her grandfather’s creative baked goods. Tempest and her friends, along with Tempest’s bunny, Abracadabra, are an eccentric, creative and entertaining collection of mystery fighters and, although I did not know their backstories, all of them were likable (Abra most of all).
There were a few plot lines in the story that seemed to be thrown in simply to try and add more suspicion and intrigue, but they were small and did not pull my attention away from the main plot. When the ending was revealed, I can honestly say I was not at all surprised, but I was still left satisfied.
I am a fan of novels that take place in bookstores or libraries and will never turn down the chance to read a literary-themed story. As far as Pandian’s “Game� goes, I think I would’ve liked to have read her series from the beginning, as I may have felt more attachment to the characters and I would’ve been more familiar with Pandian’s writing style. Overall, “Game� is a cute and cozy mystery which will appeal to those book lovers looking for a simple page-turner.
Expected publication date: March 18, 2025
Tempest Raj is happily working in her family’s successful business, Secret Staircase Construction, building hidden rooms and staircases in the community. The owner of a recent project, Gray House Library, is eager to use his building to put on a theatre show and a literary-themed escape room and Tempest and her friends are thrilled to participate. But then the lead actor’s body is found a few days before curtain and Tempest finds herself embroiled in a completely different mystery than she expected.
’s fourth Secret Staircase Mystery novel, “� is a literary-focused locked-room mystery. Dead bodies, escape rooms and all things book-related create a page-turning adventure for every book lover.
I was not familiar with this author or any of her previous works, although there are plenty. She is the author of two other mystery series, “� and “�, as well, of course, as the three other novels in this series, which I also haven’t read. Due to jumping in at novel number four, I was unfamiliar with Tempest or her friends and I did not know the background stories or character development, which always makes a novel slightly less entertaining. It took me awhile to get invested in the plot due to this, but I was able to remain engaged and made it through to the end.
Tempest is a feisty protagonist, half Indian and half Scottish, with her love of books in close competition to the love of her grandfather’s creative baked goods. Tempest and her friends, along with Tempest’s bunny, Abracadabra, are an eccentric, creative and entertaining collection of mystery fighters and, although I did not know their backstories, all of them were likable (Abra most of all).
There were a few plot lines in the story that seemed to be thrown in simply to try and add more suspicion and intrigue, but they were small and did not pull my attention away from the main plot. When the ending was revealed, I can honestly say I was not at all surprised, but I was still left satisfied.
I am a fan of novels that take place in bookstores or libraries and will never turn down the chance to read a literary-themed story. As far as Pandian’s “Game� goes, I think I would’ve liked to have read her series from the beginning, as I may have felt more attachment to the characters and I would’ve been more familiar with Pandian’s writing style. Overall, “Game� is a cute and cozy mystery which will appeal to those book lovers looking for a simple page-turner.
March 18, 2025
This is a new author and new series for me. I really enjoyed this author's writing style. I don't usually start a series at book four, I thought it was book two or three, when I requested it, so it took a little while for me to get my bearings, but that's totally on me. As I read, I definitely got a feel for Tempest, her very interesting family and friends. This wandas definitely a story of misdirection, magic, imagination. You absolutely had to pay attention, and while I had a thought about who our villain could be, I wasn't sure of why and definitely wasn't sure of how. It's definitely a good mystery with a nicely diverse set of characters, I will definitely seek out more from this author! Thanks to #Netgally, #Minotaur, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheLibraryGame #TheSecretStaircaseMysteries #GigiPardian #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
December 9, 2024
The author is the modern Queen of the Locked-Room Mystery, and Book 4 in her Secret Staircase series is a thrilling multicultural delight. It can be read solo but I highly recommend going back and reading the whole series to enhance your full enjoyment. Can't wait for more!
January 29, 2025
What fun! My first book by Gigi Pandian, 4th in this series, it was easy to follow and caught me up quickly.
I immediately fell in love with Tempest as a character and her family business is the stuff of literary dreams: Secret Staircase Construction, architect of sliding bookshelves and secret libraries, and it's doing well!
While completing a job, the fun begins. A murder mystery is being hosted in the house, with an escape room being the centerpiece. Sounds great, right?
It is, until a real murder occurs and now Tempest and the crew are part of the investigation.
Great premise, excellent execution, this book has me backlogging my TBR so I can read the first 3.
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin Press for the chance to read and review prior to release on March 18th of 2025.
I immediately fell in love with Tempest as a character and her family business is the stuff of literary dreams: Secret Staircase Construction, architect of sliding bookshelves and secret libraries, and it's doing well!
While completing a job, the fun begins. A murder mystery is being hosted in the house, with an escape room being the centerpiece. Sounds great, right?
It is, until a real murder occurs and now Tempest and the crew are part of the investigation.
Great premise, excellent execution, this book has me backlogging my TBR so I can read the first 3.
Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin Press for the chance to read and review prior to release on March 18th of 2025.
April 1, 2025
This was a fun, cozy locked room mystery. This is book four in the Secret Staircase Mysteries series but can easily be read as a standalone as there are plenty of references to the previous books. I enjoyed the mystery storyline of this book and liked the cast of characters. If you like cozy reads and locked room mysteries you may want to give this one a try.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the gifted copy.
Thank you to Minotaur Books for the gifted copy.
February 2, 2025
I typically really enjoy mystery stories, but this one fell flat for me.
Tempest is a former stage magician working for her family's business of building magic into people's homes - moving bookcases, secret stairways, and hidden levers to open hidden doors. They are working on putting together an escape room experience to promote the opening of the new private library they are helping to build, one that specializes in classic mysteries. But when one of the cast members shows up dead, Tempest and her friends must solve a real-life closed room mystery in order to prove their innocence and save the library.
I really enjoyed the setting for this book - the small town is adorable, and a library of mystery books inside an old house with hidden staircases and moving bookshelves? Dreamy!!! The diverse cast of characters really helps to bring the town to life too, it's nice to read a mystery that isn't just a white man solving a mystery in an all white town, again.
Unfortunately, the characters are also where the book started to fall flat for me. The dialog was clunky and didn't feel like how people actually talk to each other, and the characters tended to have emotional outbursts that didn't really make sense. Their moods would shift at the drop of a hat (pun intended). On top of that, Tempest seems like she is supposed to come across as "quirky," but just ends up being...kind of weird. She randomly does handstands instead of bending down, or will stand up and twirl to clear her head. The rest of the way she behaves feels so normal (almost bland at times), and so these behaviors just feel out of left field, even with the "former stage magician" explanation.
And it wasn't just the characters, the mystery aspects also felt clunky. My favorite mysteries are the ones where the details are described so seamlessly that you don't even realize you are being given clues - this book felt like it was pummeling me in the face with them. There were so many and they were so obvious, if I missed one it was because there were so many others to keep track of. And ultimately, the crime didn't feel believable. It goes back to the characters having unrealistic responses to things happening to them - I just can't really believe that the culprit really would have behaved the way they did.
Lastly, the format. I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really anything special either. Sometimes the readers emphasis felt off, or the emotion she put behind the words didn't quite fit, but otherwise it was a solid performance.
2/5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.
Tempest is a former stage magician working for her family's business of building magic into people's homes - moving bookcases, secret stairways, and hidden levers to open hidden doors. They are working on putting together an escape room experience to promote the opening of the new private library they are helping to build, one that specializes in classic mysteries. But when one of the cast members shows up dead, Tempest and her friends must solve a real-life closed room mystery in order to prove their innocence and save the library.
I really enjoyed the setting for this book - the small town is adorable, and a library of mystery books inside an old house with hidden staircases and moving bookshelves? Dreamy!!! The diverse cast of characters really helps to bring the town to life too, it's nice to read a mystery that isn't just a white man solving a mystery in an all white town, again.
Unfortunately, the characters are also where the book started to fall flat for me. The dialog was clunky and didn't feel like how people actually talk to each other, and the characters tended to have emotional outbursts that didn't really make sense. Their moods would shift at the drop of a hat (pun intended). On top of that, Tempest seems like she is supposed to come across as "quirky," but just ends up being...kind of weird. She randomly does handstands instead of bending down, or will stand up and twirl to clear her head. The rest of the way she behaves feels so normal (almost bland at times), and so these behaviors just feel out of left field, even with the "former stage magician" explanation.
And it wasn't just the characters, the mystery aspects also felt clunky. My favorite mysteries are the ones where the details are described so seamlessly that you don't even realize you are being given clues - this book felt like it was pummeling me in the face with them. There were so many and they were so obvious, if I missed one it was because there were so many others to keep track of. And ultimately, the crime didn't feel believable. It goes back to the characters having unrealistic responses to things happening to them - I just can't really believe that the culprit really would have behaved the way they did.
Lastly, the format. I listened to the audiobook version of this book. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't really anything special either. Sometimes the readers emphasis felt off, or the emotion she put behind the words didn't quite fit, but otherwise it was a solid performance.
2/5 stars.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for a review.
April 3, 2025
This title was a Nancy Pearl DNF for me. Pandian comes up with interesting plots, but overall her work is just too "cozy" for me. It's not that I want buckets of blood. But I do want a sense of darkness. And I'm tired of plucky home-builders, caterers, and PTA moms solving crimes on their own.
If you like cozies, ignore this review and take a look at some of the others to get a better sense of whether this is a title that will appeal to you.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
If you like cozies, ignore this review and take a look at some of the others to get a better sense of whether this is a title that will appeal to you.
I received a free electronic review copy of this title from the publisher via NetGalley; the opinions are my own.
February 16, 2025
The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is the fourth book in her Secret Staircase Mystery series. It follows the main character, Tempest, and her friends as they prepare for a locked room mystery play at a private library that features mystery books.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I liked the mystery; the story started with fast paced action then slowed down as the friends tried to work out what was happening.
It was clever how the different characters used their skills as magicians, actors, artists and librarians to work out the clues to solve the crime. There were nods and references to classic murder mysteries by many authors, including Agatha Christie.
The supporting characters were also fun, from the nosy neighbor across the street to the sweetest grandfather who kept them all well fed. I recommend this for fans of cozy murder mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, author Gigi Pandian, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
I haven’t read the previous books in the series, but didn’t feel like I was missing anything. I liked the mystery; the story started with fast paced action then slowed down as the friends tried to work out what was happening.
It was clever how the different characters used their skills as magicians, actors, artists and librarians to work out the clues to solve the crime. There were nods and references to classic murder mysteries by many authors, including Agatha Christie.
The supporting characters were also fun, from the nosy neighbor across the street to the sweetest grandfather who kept them all well fed. I recommend this for fans of cozy murder mysteries.
Thank you to the publisher St. Martin’s Press | Minotaur Books, author Gigi Pandian, and NetGalley for the gifted digital ARC provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.
January 25, 2025
I first picked this book because the premise sounded like a fun one. Little did I know it was in a series. But gotta say it was able to be read as a standalone and you didn’t get lost at all. It’s always nice to get to read a trapped room mystery and this did a great job at it. Kept me trying to figure out who the killer was and why! I really love the FMC and can’t wait to see where the book pivots from here. Fast entertaining read that was really good:) thanks NetGalley for the arc!
March 18, 2025
4.5 stars
This series is such a comfort to me and I really enjoyed this installment! I love the gang and the mysteries tied in with illusions are always tricky and fun to figure out. I'm glad that this book went back to its usual formula after the last one being a little tense and personal.
The mystery was intriguing and I had no idea what was going on until the reveal. Which I kinda love when that happens. I was a little bummed with Tempest's choices on her romantic front but that was a very small part of the book and series itself. I absolutly cant wait for the next one!
Pub date: 3/18
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
This series is such a comfort to me and I really enjoyed this installment! I love the gang and the mysteries tied in with illusions are always tricky and fun to figure out. I'm glad that this book went back to its usual formula after the last one being a little tense and personal.
The mystery was intriguing and I had no idea what was going on until the reveal. Which I kinda love when that happens. I was a little bummed with Tempest's choices on her romantic front but that was a very small part of the book and series itself. I absolutly cant wait for the next one!
Pub date: 3/18
Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
March 22, 2025
One of the things that I absolutely do love about Tempest’s hometown of Hidden Creek is that it boasts not just an excellent public library, but also a quirky, privately-funded but open-to-the-public specialty library featuring locked room mysteries, The Locked Room Library.
That private library has seemingly become so successful, and such an integral part of the little town, that another private collector in Hidden Creek decided to turn his own stellar collection of classic mysteries, along with his entire � and rather large � home, into a second such private library, complete with its own set of mystery library themed rooms and puzzles.
Harold Gray did not live to see his dream for the Gray House Library come fully “to life� but he made detailed plans and provisions to ensure that his totally non-mysterious death (he was 92 and had a heart condition) did not interfere with the completion of his dream AND legacy � according to his precise specifications. About EVERYTHING.
With all the secret rooms and hidden staircases that Harold Gray wanted in his dream library, of course Secret Staircase Construction was hired for the job. That the unveiling of the new library will occur during the town’s annual festival has put anticipation and tension at its height, and provided Tempest with the opportunity to show off both her family’s latest successful project AND her talents as a storyteller and stage director by hosting a murder mystery event at the new library of classic mysteries.
It’s supposed to be all fun and games. And the rehearsal at the Gray House Library mostly is � in spite of the tensions created by a neighbor who has started a petition against permitting a public venue in a residential neighborhood.
But the fun and games come to an end � or just begin � or a bit of both � when their “fake� murder is interrupted by an all too real murder victim, while Tempest and her “Scoobies� are left scrambling in the literal as well as the figurative dark trying to figure out “whodunnit� � before it gets done again.
Escape Rating A-: I’ve been a bit all over the map with this series. I loved the first book, Under Lock & Skeleton Key, thought the second book, The Raven Thief, was a hot mess � or rather that Tempest was a hot mess in it, then went back to liking the third book, A Midnight Puzzle more than well enough to have high hopes for this entry in the series.
Hopes that were definitely fulfilled. The Library Game, besides being wrapped around a subject that interests me greatly � books and libraries � was not only the right book at the right time but also represented a terrific step in a direction I really wanted things to go and generally just a return to the marvelous form of Under Lock & Skeleton Key.
By that I mean that Tempest, Secret Staircase Construction and her Scoobies were involved in the mystery and the solution, but it wasn’t so deeply personal. Even if one of her Scoobies, her magician friend Sanjay, was both a potential suspect and a potential victim for a while. He was such a drama king about the whole thing that it was hard to take him seriously after what Tempest and her family went through in the first three books � and I confess to a bit of surprise that someone didn’t have to slap him at least once to break him out of his frequent hysteria. But he’s one of Tempest’s best friends, and putting up with one’s friend’s justifiable but a bit over the top dramatics are what friends are for.
These aren’t fair play mysteries, unlike so many of the classic mysteries that populate the Gray House Library. Instead, the hidden nooks and crannies that are her family’s stock in trade lead to a LOT of fascinating misdirection in both the commission of the murder and in the gang’s attempts to solve it.
The red herrings in this one were every bit as delicious as Grandpa Ash’s cooking � which is lovingly described and guaranteed to make the reader’s mouth water even as they scratch their head in trying to work out a solution. And one of the many things I enjoy about this series is that this seems to be one of those rare cases where the protagonist’s family is both fun and more importantly functional. Not just that Tempest’s grandparents and her father provide real, practical help in pursuit of solutions to whatever mystery she’s involved in, but mostly that the family loves each other, works together and plays together well, and that one would honestly love to sit at Grandpa Ash’s table for the company as well as for the food.
What made this particular case so much fun to solve, and made the reveal so hard won, was that so much of what made this mystery so mysterious wasn’t deliberate. The murder itself was an accident, then two different people hid the corpse to protect two other different people, the deliberate misdirections were intended to cover up the accidental misdirections and the whole thing began on a gigantic miscommunication that kept getting worse as it got reinterpreted.
That the human factors were the things that tripped up everything felt like the best ending for the mystery, and this reader, at least, enjoyed herself tremendously all along the way. I even got a recipe out of it � and you might too if you love blackberries.
All in all, I had a grand time with The Library Game. It’s a cozy mystery with a fascinating amateur detective along with a really quirky bunch of Scoobies to help her solve the mystery. And hopefully, the next, and the next, and the next!
Originally published at
That private library has seemingly become so successful, and such an integral part of the little town, that another private collector in Hidden Creek decided to turn his own stellar collection of classic mysteries, along with his entire � and rather large � home, into a second such private library, complete with its own set of mystery library themed rooms and puzzles.
Harold Gray did not live to see his dream for the Gray House Library come fully “to life� but he made detailed plans and provisions to ensure that his totally non-mysterious death (he was 92 and had a heart condition) did not interfere with the completion of his dream AND legacy � according to his precise specifications. About EVERYTHING.
With all the secret rooms and hidden staircases that Harold Gray wanted in his dream library, of course Secret Staircase Construction was hired for the job. That the unveiling of the new library will occur during the town’s annual festival has put anticipation and tension at its height, and provided Tempest with the opportunity to show off both her family’s latest successful project AND her talents as a storyteller and stage director by hosting a murder mystery event at the new library of classic mysteries.
It’s supposed to be all fun and games. And the rehearsal at the Gray House Library mostly is � in spite of the tensions created by a neighbor who has started a petition against permitting a public venue in a residential neighborhood.
But the fun and games come to an end � or just begin � or a bit of both � when their “fake� murder is interrupted by an all too real murder victim, while Tempest and her “Scoobies� are left scrambling in the literal as well as the figurative dark trying to figure out “whodunnit� � before it gets done again.
Escape Rating A-: I’ve been a bit all over the map with this series. I loved the first book, Under Lock & Skeleton Key, thought the second book, The Raven Thief, was a hot mess � or rather that Tempest was a hot mess in it, then went back to liking the third book, A Midnight Puzzle more than well enough to have high hopes for this entry in the series.
Hopes that were definitely fulfilled. The Library Game, besides being wrapped around a subject that interests me greatly � books and libraries � was not only the right book at the right time but also represented a terrific step in a direction I really wanted things to go and generally just a return to the marvelous form of Under Lock & Skeleton Key.
By that I mean that Tempest, Secret Staircase Construction and her Scoobies were involved in the mystery and the solution, but it wasn’t so deeply personal. Even if one of her Scoobies, her magician friend Sanjay, was both a potential suspect and a potential victim for a while. He was such a drama king about the whole thing that it was hard to take him seriously after what Tempest and her family went through in the first three books � and I confess to a bit of surprise that someone didn’t have to slap him at least once to break him out of his frequent hysteria. But he’s one of Tempest’s best friends, and putting up with one’s friend’s justifiable but a bit over the top dramatics are what friends are for.
These aren’t fair play mysteries, unlike so many of the classic mysteries that populate the Gray House Library. Instead, the hidden nooks and crannies that are her family’s stock in trade lead to a LOT of fascinating misdirection in both the commission of the murder and in the gang’s attempts to solve it.
The red herrings in this one were every bit as delicious as Grandpa Ash’s cooking � which is lovingly described and guaranteed to make the reader’s mouth water even as they scratch their head in trying to work out a solution. And one of the many things I enjoy about this series is that this seems to be one of those rare cases where the protagonist’s family is both fun and more importantly functional. Not just that Tempest’s grandparents and her father provide real, practical help in pursuit of solutions to whatever mystery she’s involved in, but mostly that the family loves each other, works together and plays together well, and that one would honestly love to sit at Grandpa Ash’s table for the company as well as for the food.
What made this particular case so much fun to solve, and made the reveal so hard won, was that so much of what made this mystery so mysterious wasn’t deliberate. The murder itself was an accident, then two different people hid the corpse to protect two other different people, the deliberate misdirections were intended to cover up the accidental misdirections and the whole thing began on a gigantic miscommunication that kept getting worse as it got reinterpreted.
That the human factors were the things that tripped up everything felt like the best ending for the mystery, and this reader, at least, enjoyed herself tremendously all along the way. I even got a recipe out of it � and you might too if you love blackberries.
All in all, I had a grand time with The Library Game. It’s a cozy mystery with a fascinating amateur detective along with a really quirky bunch of Scoobies to help her solve the mystery. And hopefully, the next, and the next, and the next!
Originally published at
March 26, 2025
4.5 stars
The Library Game by Gigi Pandian follows Tempest as she helps transform a home into a library with hidden passages and all sorts of fun stuff. One night, while rehearsing with the group tasked to create a murder mystery for the library's opening they discover a body. When they call the police, the body has disappeared. They must figure out who murdered the person and find out what happened to the body while finishing the last touches on the new library.
Disclaimer, I'm a HUGE Gigi Pandian fan. So I was absolutely delighted to read this book. I did start the series on this book so some of my information is not complete but I was able to pick up the story from context clues. I really appreciated that Sanjay was a part of this story since the Jaya Jones novels are some of my favorites. I'm not sure if he makes an appearance on the other books in the series but I am definitely going to pick them up as I had so much fun with this book.
About this book specifically I enjoyed Tempest, her friends, and her family a lot. I was also not able to figure out the mystery until it was unfolding in the book but to be fair, I try not to figure it out so that I'm surprised by the end. I thought the romance element was sweet but did not distract from the mystery at all. I also really liked the nosy neighbor. Now the only thing that kept me from giving it a 5 star is that I wish there was more about the renovation because it was advertised but maybe it is in other books? I might update my review after reading the other books.
Anyway, overall I would highly recommend this book even if you haven't read the other three. I think Gigi Pandian does a wonderful job at painting a compelling mystery with wonderful characters. If you like cozy mysteries then this book is for sure for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Gigi Pandian for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
The Library Game by Gigi Pandian follows Tempest as she helps transform a home into a library with hidden passages and all sorts of fun stuff. One night, while rehearsing with the group tasked to create a murder mystery for the library's opening they discover a body. When they call the police, the body has disappeared. They must figure out who murdered the person and find out what happened to the body while finishing the last touches on the new library.
Disclaimer, I'm a HUGE Gigi Pandian fan. So I was absolutely delighted to read this book. I did start the series on this book so some of my information is not complete but I was able to pick up the story from context clues. I really appreciated that Sanjay was a part of this story since the Jaya Jones novels are some of my favorites. I'm not sure if he makes an appearance on the other books in the series but I am definitely going to pick them up as I had so much fun with this book.
About this book specifically I enjoyed Tempest, her friends, and her family a lot. I was also not able to figure out the mystery until it was unfolding in the book but to be fair, I try not to figure it out so that I'm surprised by the end. I thought the romance element was sweet but did not distract from the mystery at all. I also really liked the nosy neighbor. Now the only thing that kept me from giving it a 5 star is that I wish there was more about the renovation because it was advertised but maybe it is in other books? I might update my review after reading the other books.
Anyway, overall I would highly recommend this book even if you haven't read the other three. I think Gigi Pandian does a wonderful job at painting a compelling mystery with wonderful characters. If you like cozy mysteries then this book is for sure for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and Gigi Pandian for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
April 12, 2025
The whole Secret Staircase family is back, with Tempest, Ivy and Sanjay involved in a murder investigation. The construction company has transformed the former home of a resident into a library that features only Golden Age and other classic mysteries. Before the opening, the owner arranges a rehearsal of the murder mystery escape room with actors playing characters in a murder mystery.
Unfortunately, things go from fun to awful when one of the actors is found dead, then, to make matters worse, his body disappears. Because Sanjay and the actor had planned a bit of a joke/magic trick as part of the staged mystery, Sanjay is prime suspect.
Of course Tempest knows she has to investigate, and she finds out more about the impetus to create the classic mysteries library, as well as the opposition to the business. Grandpa Ash is busy making scrumptious dishes to keep everyone fed, while he also works his town contacts to find out all sorts of things the police detective does not know, but that helps Tempest determine who the culprit is.
This was a nicely twisty mystery, with a fast-moving plot and plenty of banter and humour to liven up the character interactions. Though you could start here, I'd recommend reading this series in order as there are details about the characters, and Tempest's family's past, that are described in previous entries, and which deepen one's enjoyment of this book, consequently.
I both listened and read this story, and Soneela Nankani does her usual great job of voicing characters. She captures Tempest's energy, and I like how Ivy, Tempest's best friend, is also voiced. Nankani's Sanjay always makes me laugh, and Grandpa Ash's warmth and gentle presence is voiced beautifully.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and to Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
Unfortunately, things go from fun to awful when one of the actors is found dead, then, to make matters worse, his body disappears. Because Sanjay and the actor had planned a bit of a joke/magic trick as part of the staged mystery, Sanjay is prime suspect.
Of course Tempest knows she has to investigate, and she finds out more about the impetus to create the classic mysteries library, as well as the opposition to the business. Grandpa Ash is busy making scrumptious dishes to keep everyone fed, while he also works his town contacts to find out all sorts of things the police detective does not know, but that helps Tempest determine who the culprit is.
This was a nicely twisty mystery, with a fast-moving plot and plenty of banter and humour to liven up the character interactions. Though you could start here, I'd recommend reading this series in order as there are details about the characters, and Tempest's family's past, that are described in previous entries, and which deepen one's enjoyment of this book, consequently.
I both listened and read this story, and Soneela Nankani does her usual great job of voicing characters. She captures Tempest's energy, and I like how Ivy, Tempest's best friend, is also voiced. Nankani's Sanjay always makes me laugh, and Grandpa Ash's warmth and gentle presence is voiced beautifully.
Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and to Macmillan Audio for these ARCs in exchange for my review.
Read
February 23, 2025I love a good library so I will be honest that I don't really understand the controversy in this book about not wanting a library built. In this cozy mystery, a house is built into a library but many people oppose it. To make matters worse, while planning a murder mystery dinner and escape room, someone is really murdered. Tempest works with her fellow murder mystery players to figure out who is the killer and why did it happen.
I was given this book to read by the publisher and I have not read the three books before this. However, the author did a great job explaining the back story so I never felt lost in the story. I do think I would have better appreciated this story if I had read the first three books. This was a perfectly fine mystery. I did not figure out who the killer was so job well done by the author. However, I just didn't love this story. There was a slight hint of a romance between Tempest and Gideon but it didn't really go anywhere. There were nods to illusion and lots of references to past crime novels which was interesting. This book was just not for me though. I wanted something more to it than just solving a murder. When everything was revealed it felt a little anti-climatic because I just did not get the justification.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
I was given this book to read by the publisher and I have not read the three books before this. However, the author did a great job explaining the back story so I never felt lost in the story. I do think I would have better appreciated this story if I had read the first three books. This was a perfectly fine mystery. I did not figure out who the killer was so job well done by the author. However, I just didn't love this story. There was a slight hint of a romance between Tempest and Gideon but it didn't really go anywhere. There were nods to illusion and lots of references to past crime novels which was interesting. This book was just not for me though. I wanted something more to it than just solving a murder. When everything was revealed it felt a little anti-climatic because I just did not get the justification.
Thank you to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for this ARC.
April 6, 2025
3.5 rounding up. Another solid addition to this cozy mystery series. I have a soft spot for this series because it’s one of the few books I see my mother tongue make guest appearances in exclamations and my foods show up in Ash’s fusion menu. The mystery itself is fine and this does lean a little too cozy for my tastes but it’s an enjoyable and easy read
Tempest and her crew are back to solve another crime - this time a disappearing and reappearing body at a mystery show dress rehearsal. With Sanjay as the main suspect, they will have to work fast to clear his name.
I do appreciate there’s no bumbling police in this series but it’s tricky to be surprised when the potential suspect list is so short. When there’s an established crime solving team, it removes a whole bunch of characters from the potential list and you’re left with 1-2 possibilities. Pandian does her best to really throw some red herrings in there but they come across pretty lame for anyone with some mystery reading expertise. That being said, if you go in expecting a cozy mystery you won’t be disappointed.
Tempest and her crew are back to solve another crime - this time a disappearing and reappearing body at a mystery show dress rehearsal. With Sanjay as the main suspect, they will have to work fast to clear his name.
I do appreciate there’s no bumbling police in this series but it’s tricky to be surprised when the potential suspect list is so short. When there’s an established crime solving team, it removes a whole bunch of characters from the potential list and you’re left with 1-2 possibilities. Pandian does her best to really throw some red herrings in there but they come across pretty lame for anyone with some mystery reading expertise. That being said, if you go in expecting a cozy mystery you won’t be disappointed.
March 31, 2025
I will always read this series! Gigi Pandian crafts excellent mysteries in the vein of classic Golden Age novels. Tempest is a fantastic sleuth and I've enjoyed watching her growth over the series. This installment has an impossible crime, cozy friendships, and as usual, heaps of references to classic mysteries.
PSA: This series is 100% best read in order, especially the first three books. This last one could perhaps work as a standalone.
PSA: This series is 100% best read in order, especially the first three books. This last one could perhaps work as a standalone.
March 12, 2025
Tempest Raj is back with the Secret Staircase Construction crew. This time they converted an old home that will become a classic mystery library. There is a locked door mystery play and an escape room scene, an invisible intruder and the former homeowner's ghost to keep the reader guessing.
We didn't see much of Darius and Morag, Tempest's dad and grandmother, in this book and barely any Grandpa Ash and his culinary creations. I did like how Tempest and her friends dubbed themselves the Abracadabras and referenced both Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. These are fun, light-hearted clever mysteries. I thoroughly enjoy them and look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.
#TheLibraryGame #NetGalley
We didn't see much of Darius and Morag, Tempest's dad and grandmother, in this book and barely any Grandpa Ash and his culinary creations. I did like how Tempest and her friends dubbed themselves the Abracadabras and referenced both Nancy Drew and Scooby Doo. These are fun, light-hearted clever mysteries. I thoroughly enjoy them and look forward to the next in the series.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the advance reader copy. I am required by law to disclose this.
#TheLibraryGame #NetGalley
February 21, 2025
This was my first book by this author and I’m hooked. Even though this is part of a series, it is good as a standalone book. There were so many twists and turns, misdirection and confusion in this locked room mystery. I am interested in more books by this author and would recommend it for mystery lovers.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
February 26, 2025
Another enjoyable read from Gigi Pandian, and the fourth in the Secret Staircase series.
In terms of the mystery and the quality of how the characters are written, this was a return to form for the series, which slipped a lot in the third book. Here we get the best of Tempest, Ivy, and the rest of the gang, as well as a well plotted mystery.
I still wish this series would spend more time on the architectural detail and the stage magic driven stuff that made the first book in the series so exceptional. This one gives us a bit more of the latter, but not much of the former. I wish we saw more of Tempest’s relatives as well, who are delightful and featured more prominently earlier in the series.
I was very happy with the mystery itself, which felt both solidly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable. It seems like Pandian won’t have any trouble keeping this series going, so I hope we see another installment in the not too distant future.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
In terms of the mystery and the quality of how the characters are written, this was a return to form for the series, which slipped a lot in the third book. Here we get the best of Tempest, Ivy, and the rest of the gang, as well as a well plotted mystery.
I still wish this series would spend more time on the architectural detail and the stage magic driven stuff that made the first book in the series so exceptional. This one gives us a bit more of the latter, but not much of the former. I wish we saw more of Tempest’s relatives as well, who are delightful and featured more prominently earlier in the series.
I was very happy with the mystery itself, which felt both solidly plotted and thoroughly enjoyable. It seems like Pandian won’t have any trouble keeping this series going, so I hope we see another installment in the not too distant future.
*I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*
February 17, 2025
I really enjoy this series. Gigi has put together both a great cast of characters and two terrific plot elements--secret staircase construction and various characters' backgrounds in illusion.
While I quite liked the plot of this fourth book in the series, there were moments where I was like, "That is just over-the-top!" And not in a good way. But I should have trusted Gigi. The plot element I objected to was addressed later in an entirely satisfactory way.
Listen, no one reads cozy mysteries for literary sophistication. They're fun, comfy, and entertaining. That's what you'll get here. Keep 'em coming, Gigi!
While I quite liked the plot of this fourth book in the series, there were moments where I was like, "That is just over-the-top!" And not in a good way. But I should have trusted Gigi. The plot element I objected to was addressed later in an entirely satisfactory way.
Listen, no one reads cozy mysteries for literary sophistication. They're fun, comfy, and entertaining. That's what you'll get here. Keep 'em coming, Gigi!
March 17, 2025
Another fun adventure with Tempest and her friends. I loved the locked room aspect of this mystery and the clever solutions they came up with to solve the case. I was a little annoyed at all the emotional outbursts, which might have been fitting as they worked through the solution, but they were constant and took me out of the story with their childishness. Other than that, I loved this newest installment in the series and look forward to more.
I received a copy from #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, and #Macmillan.Audio for an honest review.
I received a copy from #NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, and #Macmillan.Audio for an honest review.
March 26, 2025
This originally appeared at .
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WHAT'S THE LIBRARY GAME ABOUT?
The project that Secret Staircase Construction is about to wrap up has a couple of distinctive elements (on top of the sliding bookshelves, escape room, etc.)—their client is dead, and his death is not a mystery at all. Most people might not consider that very distinctive, but those people haven't read a mystery novel featuring Tempest Raj.
This client was an aficionado of classic mysteries—okay, aficionado is an understatement—he was borderline obsessed and had the money to indulge that obsession. As his death neared, he decided to turn most of his house into a library (leaving room for an apartment for his librarian nephew), stocked with his own collection. This sounds like a dream come true for most of my readers, right?
He hired Secret Staircase to give it just the right look and touch, even turning part of it into an Escape Room. Sadly, he died before it was completed, leaving his nephew to bring his vision to life.
While the library is being finished—and waiting for official approval to make it a public entity—there's a neighborhood festival. To get some promotion for the library (and to be good neighbors), they've hired some local actors to stage a little performance.
During a dress rehearsal for that performance, something goes wrong—one of the actors disappears (I'm glossing over a lot here), so they try again the next day—in the midst of that... I don't even know how to gloss over this. It's like they all chanted "Macbeth!" while walking under a ladder and crossing a black cat's path or something—so many things go wrong, and a body is discovered. Tempest's magician friend, Sanjay, appears to be the prime suspect—although the rest of the actors and workers aren't above suspicion either.
Well, more than one person floats the idea of the deceased client's ghost being behind it all. So, there are plenty of suspects, however unlikely.
Tempest (and her friend group and family) has her work cut out for her if she's going to clear Sanjay's name, find the killer, and get the Library set for the festival.
THE SENSE OF FUN
Yes, this is a murder mystery. Livelihoods, wrongful convictions, and more are on the line. But there is a strong sense of fun to this book. Our amateur sleuths are a group of friends who've been down this road before (three times to be exact)—in one way or another.
They like the challenge, they enjoy mysteries, illusions, and everything else going on here—and they can't help but enjoy this in some way—and this comes out in their interactions with each other.
There's a sense of play here as they work through this, some running jokes, and so on. I'm not saying that books two and three were absent fun, but it was played down a bit because of everything else. This is as fun as the first book—and maybe more so, because the relationships are better settled and Tempest isn't under that cloud anymore.
Beyond the greater sense of fun than we've had for a bit, there's the cozy and warm feeling you get from reading a solid found family/friend group (in the midst of a flesh and blood family), these people like each other. It's hard to beat that feeling.
All of that serves as a bonus to a clever mystery.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY GAME?
I was fairly convinced that the previous book in the series, The Raven Thief was going to be the last one as it wrapped up a three-book arc, serving as a nice trilogy. I was so happy to be wrong—I wanted more time with Tempest and her friends—especially Ivy (I'd take a spin-off book full of her essays on locked-room mysteries) and Abra. Not to mention the fun of imagining Ash's culinary offerings.
Beyond the characters, Pandian knows how to deliver a contemporary locked-room crime and how to keep the tension building while keeping the whole book entertaining. I need to make time for her backlist soon to see how these books compare with her earlier offerings.
I'd like Ernest Cunningham (or Ivy, I guess) to weigh in on Pandian's books because I'm not entirely certain that she plays fair with her clues and solutions. Particularly in this case. But that's just to satisfy a mental itch, because I really don't care—I thought the solution to this and the reveal were pulled off satisfyingly well.
This would make a good jumping-on point for someone new to this world and is a must-read for people who enjoyed any of the previous three. It's a clever book, a smart mystery, filled with good friends and warm feelings. Who doesn't want that?
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.
---
WHAT'S THE LIBRARY GAME ABOUT?
The project that Secret Staircase Construction is about to wrap up has a couple of distinctive elements (on top of the sliding bookshelves, escape room, etc.)—their client is dead, and his death is not a mystery at all. Most people might not consider that very distinctive, but those people haven't read a mystery novel featuring Tempest Raj.
This client was an aficionado of classic mysteries—okay, aficionado is an understatement—he was borderline obsessed and had the money to indulge that obsession. As his death neared, he decided to turn most of his house into a library (leaving room for an apartment for his librarian nephew), stocked with his own collection. This sounds like a dream come true for most of my readers, right?
He hired Secret Staircase to give it just the right look and touch, even turning part of it into an Escape Room. Sadly, he died before it was completed, leaving his nephew to bring his vision to life.
While the library is being finished—and waiting for official approval to make it a public entity—there's a neighborhood festival. To get some promotion for the library (and to be good neighbors), they've hired some local actors to stage a little performance.
During a dress rehearsal for that performance, something goes wrong—one of the actors disappears (I'm glossing over a lot here), so they try again the next day—in the midst of that... I don't even know how to gloss over this. It's like they all chanted "Macbeth!" while walking under a ladder and crossing a black cat's path or something—so many things go wrong, and a body is discovered. Tempest's magician friend, Sanjay, appears to be the prime suspect—although the rest of the actors and workers aren't above suspicion either.
Well, more than one person floats the idea of the deceased client's ghost being behind it all. So, there are plenty of suspects, however unlikely.
Tempest (and her friend group and family) has her work cut out for her if she's going to clear Sanjay's name, find the killer, and get the Library set for the festival.
THE SENSE OF FUN
Yes, this is a murder mystery. Livelihoods, wrongful convictions, and more are on the line. But there is a strong sense of fun to this book. Our amateur sleuths are a group of friends who've been down this road before (three times to be exact)—in one way or another.
They like the challenge, they enjoy mysteries, illusions, and everything else going on here—and they can't help but enjoy this in some way—and this comes out in their interactions with each other.
There's a sense of play here as they work through this, some running jokes, and so on. I'm not saying that books two and three were absent fun, but it was played down a bit because of everything else. This is as fun as the first book—and maybe more so, because the relationships are better settled and Tempest isn't under that cloud anymore.
Beyond the greater sense of fun than we've had for a bit, there's the cozy and warm feeling you get from reading a solid found family/friend group (in the midst of a flesh and blood family), these people like each other. It's hard to beat that feeling.
All of that serves as a bonus to a clever mystery.
SO, WHAT DID I THINK ABOUT THE LIBRARY GAME?
I was fairly convinced that the previous book in the series, The Raven Thief was going to be the last one as it wrapped up a three-book arc, serving as a nice trilogy. I was so happy to be wrong—I wanted more time with Tempest and her friends—especially Ivy (I'd take a spin-off book full of her essays on locked-room mysteries) and Abra. Not to mention the fun of imagining Ash's culinary offerings.
Beyond the characters, Pandian knows how to deliver a contemporary locked-room crime and how to keep the tension building while keeping the whole book entertaining. I need to make time for her backlist soon to see how these books compare with her earlier offerings.
I'd like Ernest Cunningham (or Ivy, I guess) to weigh in on Pandian's books because I'm not entirely certain that she plays fair with her clues and solutions. Particularly in this case. But that's just to satisfy a mental itch, because I really don't care—I thought the solution to this and the reveal were pulled off satisfyingly well.
This would make a good jumping-on point for someone new to this world and is a must-read for people who enjoyed any of the previous three. It's a clever book, a smart mystery, filled with good friends and warm feelings. Who doesn't want that?
Disclaimer: I received this eARC from St. Martin's Press via NetGalley in exchange for this post which contains my honest opinion—thanks to both for this.
March 16, 2025
Thanks to NetGalley and St Martin's Press for an Advanced Reader Copy - pub date 3/18/2025. Whoops, this is the fourth book in a series of mysteries and I haven't read the previous ones. Luckily, the mystery is well contained and, while there are many references to previous books, they are not necessary to enjoying and understanding this one. Mostly you need to know is this - Tempest Raj was once a top stage magician but something went horribly wrong and she is now living at her childhood home and helping with the family home reno business Secret Staircase Construction which is the AWESOME result you get when a magician falls in love with a top tier carpenter. She is surrounded by friends/co-workers/relatives in a delightful mix of found family, blood family, and artists of various types. Other than that, you just roll with it.
In this book, you get a library-in-progress and a murder mystery play where someone actually ends up dead. The author is clearly a fan of locked room mysteries (to the point where she literally locks up the characters in a potentially poisonous room) and she plays with a lot of tropes as well as using the basics of stage magic - especially misdirection. It is a great premise with a fun and lively cast (I dare you not to fall in love with Grandpa Ash and his stress baking). There is some nice banter. The author clearly has done her work in regards to both classic mystery novels and stage magic; she peppers the book with plenty of references and details that make it feel grounded and real. Plenty of red herrings, hidden backstories, and an adorable rabbit named Abracadabra.
On the less fun side, there is such a thing as TOO MANY incomplete references to previous books/events in a series. I understand that she wants us to have read the previous books or be intrigued enough to go back and read them (I probably will!) but it got a bit like a drinking game as the author repeatedly offered sideways references to what happened to Tempest, what happened to her mother and aunt, what the family curse is about. And, well... I knew who the murder was by the middle of the book (if not earlier) so the rest of it just became a matter of "exact motive and method" for the rest of the book. Which, I felt, resulted/required a bit of OOC pushing.
It was a fast read, though, and full of really lovely, sweet characters. I would totally spend another couple hours with them.
In this book, you get a library-in-progress and a murder mystery play where someone actually ends up dead. The author is clearly a fan of locked room mysteries (to the point where she literally locks up the characters in a potentially poisonous room) and she plays with a lot of tropes as well as using the basics of stage magic - especially misdirection. It is a great premise with a fun and lively cast (I dare you not to fall in love with Grandpa Ash and his stress baking). There is some nice banter. The author clearly has done her work in regards to both classic mystery novels and stage magic; she peppers the book with plenty of references and details that make it feel grounded and real. Plenty of red herrings, hidden backstories, and an adorable rabbit named Abracadabra.
On the less fun side, there is such a thing as TOO MANY incomplete references to previous books/events in a series. I understand that she wants us to have read the previous books or be intrigued enough to go back and read them (I probably will!) but it got a bit like a drinking game as the author repeatedly offered sideways references to what happened to Tempest, what happened to her mother and aunt, what the family curse is about. And, well... I knew who the murder was by the middle of the book (if not earlier) so the rest of it just became a matter of "exact motive and method" for the rest of the book. Which, I felt, resulted/required a bit of OOC pushing.
It was a fast read, though, and full of really lovely, sweet characters. I would totally spend another couple hours with them.
March 20, 2025
4â�
Tempest Raj and her gang of Scoobies are back investigating in The Library Game, the fourth Secret Staircase Mystery book.
Secret Staircase Construction has recently seen a bit of a boom in business, dividing their crew across construction sites. So while Darius and contractors are working across town, Tempest, Lily, and Gideon are working on converting Harold Gray's house into the Gray House Library of Classic Detective Fiction. An entire library dedicated to the works of classic detective mysteries (yes please!).
They are putting the final touches on the library's construction to be showcased in the town's summer stroll. For the event, Lily and Tempest have written a murder mystery room script focused on the library's specific collection.
One evening while the actors are rehearsing, they witness what can only be described as an impossible murder.
With one of the Scoobies at the center of the investigation nothing will stop Tempest from solving the mystery and ensuring the safety of her friends.
One of my favourite things with this series is the support system. In all the books Tempest takes the lead on the mystery but is surrounded by a loving group of friends and family who support her through the investigation. Her interactions with her grandparents are some of my favourite moments.
The mysteries are complex enough that you don't immediately know the answer and you enjoy going along with the sleuthing.
The cherry on top is always the recipe at the back of the book, which are always a nice treat (I still make the scones from the back of book 2).
This is a wonderful series for anyone looking for a cozy mystery series.
While each book has a discrete mystery, the books and characters are deeply intertwined and I would recommend starting with book 1.
Thank you to Gigi Pandian, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
Tempest Raj and her gang of Scoobies are back investigating in The Library Game, the fourth Secret Staircase Mystery book.
Secret Staircase Construction has recently seen a bit of a boom in business, dividing their crew across construction sites. So while Darius and contractors are working across town, Tempest, Lily, and Gideon are working on converting Harold Gray's house into the Gray House Library of Classic Detective Fiction. An entire library dedicated to the works of classic detective mysteries (yes please!).
They are putting the final touches on the library's construction to be showcased in the town's summer stroll. For the event, Lily and Tempest have written a murder mystery room script focused on the library's specific collection.
One evening while the actors are rehearsing, they witness what can only be described as an impossible murder.
With one of the Scoobies at the center of the investigation nothing will stop Tempest from solving the mystery and ensuring the safety of her friends.
One of my favourite things with this series is the support system. In all the books Tempest takes the lead on the mystery but is surrounded by a loving group of friends and family who support her through the investigation. Her interactions with her grandparents are some of my favourite moments.
The mysteries are complex enough that you don't immediately know the answer and you enjoy going along with the sleuthing.
The cherry on top is always the recipe at the back of the book, which are always a nice treat (I still make the scones from the back of book 2).
This is a wonderful series for anyone looking for a cozy mystery series.
While each book has a discrete mystery, the books and characters are deeply intertwined and I would recommend starting with book 1.
Thank you to Gigi Pandian, St Martin's Press | Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for this ARC.
Disclaimer: I received an advance copy for free and I am leaving this honest review voluntarily.
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