Gigi Pandian’s A Midnight Puzzle is a fun, relatively light mystery centering around a family of magicians. This premise feels fresh—as a frequent mystery reader I don’t think I’ve come across something like this before. A Midnight Puzzle is the third book in Pandian’s Secret Staircase Mystery series and I do think some context is lost if you haven’t read the first two, though this can be read as a standalone if you’re ok not fully understanding certain aspects of prior books that led to where this book begins. This is in many ways the conclusion to a three-novel arc within the series.

Classic illusionist Nicodemus the Necromancer has always been a mentor to Tempest Raj (of the Raj family of magicians). When Nicodemus begins his retirement tour, it comes with bittersweet feelings about leaving his stage persona and work behind. Tempest doesn’t relate—she has left stage magic behind and is working at her father’s company, Secret Staircase Construction. This outlet allows Tempest to be creative and work with her hands to create illusory works of architectural art.

Tempest has always lived with a cloud over her that her father’s family has been cursed for centuries. The curse posits that the eldest child of the Raj family dies by magic. Tempest has seen other members of their family fall victim to the curse. Tempest is glad to work in her current role away from magic. When her client Julian Rhodes mysteriously dies, it’s unclear whether the cause of death was supernatural or something more grounded in the physical world. Tempest must prove that Secret Staircase wasn’t responsible for his death and determine how this all connects to her family’s curse!

This book picks up where the previous book The Raven Thief left off and it does feel like a conclusion of sorts to the mystery that has spanned the first three books. When I finished, I actually wondered if Pandian plans to wrap this as a trilogy or continue the series. Either way would work—there is certainly plenty of story that could be told about the Raj family in future books.

The combination of Indian and Scottish heritage in this series has been a high point. The food always sounds delicious and I find myself wanting to be there to try what the characters are eating—especially the food cooked by Tempest’s grandfather, Ash! There are a few recipes at the end of the book so perhaps I will be able to try some of the food myself.

The blend of the two cultures is one of my favorite parts to this series. In A Midnight Puzzle, the reader finally gets an answer to what happened to Tempest’s mother and aunt who used to work together as illusionists. Is there truly a curse on their family that the oldest dies by magic? You’ll have to read the book to find out!

This is more cerebral than an average cozy mystery, though it definitely still fits within the genre. I think it is fun in these books that the trope in cozy mysteries of “is that a dead body or a mannequin?” actually makes a ton of sense in this series because there are plenty of fake deaths in magic! The plot is complex—a lot of subplots interweave into the central mystery. The plot is really a puzzle in and of itself, but if you give it the time you’ll surely find the twists at the end satisfying!

Thank you Minotaur Books for my copy. Opinions are my own.

Magic, illusions, murder and a complex mystery make A Midnight Puzzle a story to love. This is the third book in Gigi Pandian’s Secret Staircase series. While she provides enough background to enable new readers to enjoy this entry, there is a lot to be gained by starting with Under Lock and Skeleton Key. Tempest Raj returned home to work with her family after her performance as a magician was sabotaged. The family owns a construction business that specializes in hidden rooms and floating staircases and Tempest has been designing projects for clients. When one of their clients is killed by a booby trap at a local theater, Tempest is drawn into the investigation. Five years earlier her mother disappeared from that same theater and social media is blaming the death on her mother's spirit. Tempest sees connections to the disappearance as well as the earlier death of her aunt while performing a magic trick. Both cases have gone unsolved. She calls on her friends who have helped in the past. Ivy, her best friend, is a librarian and a mystery buff, Gideon is a sculptor who works for the family and has an interest in Tempest, and Sanjay is an illusionist. She also calls on detective Blackburn, who retired after he was unable to solve her mother’s disappearance. This is a case that Tempest has pursued through all three of Pandian’s novels. In a stunning midnight performance, Tempest finally reveals the solution to her aunt’s death and the fate of her mother.

Pandian’s story revolves around family. Ash, Tempest’s grandfather, is a retired doctor who spends his time in the kitchen making food that brings them all together. The author even includes some of the recipes for his creations at the story’s conclusion. The three generations live in a family compound where their homes are filled with their own hidden passages. Pandian’s characters are delightful and she keeps you guessing every time that Tempest informs her friends that “I have a plan”. This is a wonderful mystery and the last pages hint at more to come. I would like to thank NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Minotaur for providing this book for my review.

A Midnight Puzzle is book 3 in the Secret Staircase Mystery series by Gigi Pandian.
Pandian has created a unique murder mystery, and it is a joy to read.
It was so much fun being back in the company of Tempest.
This was a very well done and engaging mystery.
The writing was lively and sharp, and the mystery was surprising.
With engaging characters and a plot that left me guessing, this novel will not disappoint.

Thank You NetGalley and Minotaur Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

3.5

Secret Staircase Construction is facing a terrible lawsuit and a threat to their good name after a client fell down the twisting stairs Secret Staircase Construction built. Lying in a coma, her husband has decided to bring forth a lawsuit. But it hasn't gone without notice that the husband, Julian Rhodes, is not a nice person and could potentially have framed Secret Staircase in order to overshadow his attempt at murdering his wife.

But when Julian Rhodes himself winds up dead at the Whispering Creek Theater - that Tempest just so happens to be renting - it becomes apparent that things are not just connected to Tempest, but to the entire Raj family past, specifically the mysterious deaths of Tempest's mother and aunt.

I was unprepared for this entry in the series to tackle the biggest mystery looming over the story thus far. Namely, the Raj family curse. I was happy that we were finally getting to it because I don't know how sustainable the series would continue to be dragging that along for however many more book are to come, but it also just felt like it was time.

With that said, however, there's also a part of me that feels like it was tacked on. We know it's been something looming over the series, but I almost wish that we had gotten small crumbs of information prior to this book. If we did, I don't remember. I solidly remember the previous two books focusing exclusively on their respective mysteries. Yes, it would be mentioned that Tempest's mother disappeared five years ago and her aunt was killed on stage, but as far as getting small pieces of the mystery strung throughout those first two books, I don't believe that we did. So, for me, making it part of this story and not really allowing readers to build upon this huge revelation, it felt convenient.

That's not to say that I didn't enjoy the various twists and turns that the mystery took. I always love the choices that Gigi Pandian makes that end up altering how we view what just transpired. I know people feel different ways about the obligation of the mystery novel providing enough information to give the reader a chance to figure it out with our, in this case, amateur detectives. There are those who just love the big reveal at the end. I'm kind of in the former category. I don't mind if I missed something or didn't put the piece together myself, I at least want the option available. This book walks a fine line between both scenarios I'd say, but I'd say it leans more toward the former.

I am excited to see where the series can go from here. I feel like finally solving the unsolved cases of Tempest's aunt and mom frees up the direction where things can go. Maybe we can even focus more on other characters within Tempest's orbit.

I received a complimentary ARC copy of A Midnight Puzzle (Secret Staircase Mystery #3) by Gigi Pandian from NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press /Minotaur Books in order to read and give an honest review.

…I adore this series and this entry really had it all, a complex, interesting mystery with thrill, chills, and intrigue….…

A huge fan of author Gigi Pandian, I was thrilled to be given the opportunity to read and review her latest,A Midnight Puzzle, the third book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries.

This whimsical cozy mystery series, features Tempest Raj who is finally settling in as an “architectural illusionist” for her family’s construction company, Secret Staircase Constructions whose specialty is creating magical spaces, secret rooms, and hidden staircases. Our protagonist Tempest, a former Vegas magician who until recently had followed the family’s magical tradition. The rumour of a family curse, the “eldest dies by magic” has rung true in the past including the unsolved murder of her magician mother in addition to the disasters that have plagued her career and family.

Her new career is in jeopardy as a result of Julian Rhodes, the client from hell tries to kill his wife, then blames his wife’s so-called “accident” which has left her in a coma on the Secret Staircase Construction’s shoddy work, an accusation that could ruin them. Tempest is also preparing for her final magic show to bid adieu to her past stage persona to be held at the Whispering Creek Theater, a creepy gothic landmark and the place where Tempest’s mother took her last breath.

Tempest is so happy when her mentor and friend, illusionist Nicodemus the Necromancer arrives from Scotland while planning his retirement tour. Their visit is interrupted when Tempest gets a call from Julian telling her he got her message, is at the theater and wants to know where she is. When Tempest arrives at the theater, she gets more than she bargained for when she stumbles across Julian’s body along with a note in Tempest’s handwriting.

With everything casting a shadow on her and her family Tempest is on the case with the help of good friends to prove their innocence by finding the real killer. The more she uncovers the more she uncovers connections to her mother’s murder five years earlier.

Gigi Pandian has done it again, a brilliantly unique and extremely fun cozy mystery that keeps readers on the edge of their seat. One of my favorite things about Pandian’s books is her ability to create diverse, quirky, multi-faceted characters who all feel well-formed. My only complaint is that she often tends to “tell” and not “show”.

I adore this series and this entry really had it all, a complex, interesting mystery with thrill, chills, and intrigue. I really enjoyed this entry and would highly recommend it. I look forward to reading more of Tempest’s adventures.

This is the third Book in the Secret Staircase Mystery series by Gigi Pandian. I had read and enjoyed the first book in this series, but missed the second one. I was happy to grab this one.

Description:
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 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.

My Thoughts:

I like the magician elements in this series as well as the aspect of the construction company building secret staircases and hidden rooms. It's just fun. The history of the curst in Tempest's family adds and element of intrigue as well. Tempest makes a great character with her skills as a magician as well as her detective abilities. Other characters in the book including her family members and her friends are also fun and interesting. The plot moved well and kept my attention throughout. There are many twists to the investigation which truly seems to be unsolvable. This is a fun and addictive series that i would recommend to anyone who likes a good mystery.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press through Netgalley for an advance copy. Expected publication on March 19, 2024.

Oooh, I finished the green book on St. Patrick's Day!

But I digress. This is the third book in the Secret Staircase Mystery series and it is probably my favorite. But I think it's partly because Tempest finally has some closure over the mysterious deaths of her aunt and mother, as well as a lot of information about the family curse. Does this mean this is the last book? I hope not! The ending seems to leave things open for additional books in this series and I hope this will be the case!

Tempest has finally accepted that she is in a new phase of her life and that it's a role she will find very fulfilling, if only she can lay the family curse to rest. She is now working for her father, using her amazing stage skills to help their clients realize their vision of architectural creation. When their "absolutely sorry excuse for a human" client is suddenly murdered at the theatre where her mother disappeared/died (that's part of the mystery), she is force to figure out what happened, and what it might have to do with her family history. What I loved about this story was how much she was able to lean on her family and friends. This is such a family-centered series and I love all the main characters. Tempest herself has done a lot of maturing, making me like her even more. I especially like that she is realizing her strength lies in the support of her family and friends. I am constantly salivating over Ash's food and wish I could try it. I may have to try out some of the recipes included at the end of the book. But even more than the food, I wish I could explore their property, and meet Abra, the giant rabbit. I would also love to visit Ivy in the library.

As for the mystery, some aspects of it I was able to figure out, but the specific details? Not at all. I loved how I was kept guessing, and that when I learned how everything was done, it just made so much sense. I also love the nod to classic detective stories (like Carr in this one) and that books are what drew Ivy and Tempest together in the first place.

There is so much to love about this series and this book leaves everything in a very satisfying place. I would love to read more, perhaps with a new plot arc.

I received an advance review copy for free from NetGalley, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A Midnight Puzzle is definitely not my favorite entry in the Secret Staircase Mystery series, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. What I love about this series is the found family of the construction crew of Secret Staircase Construction and the incredible puzzles they construct (think hidden libraries behind staircases), along with the bad-ass lady detective-ness of Tempest, along with her grandparents, best friend Ivy, and a whole host of other characters. This book just had less of that than the other books in the series. It was more focused on the overarching mystery of what happened to Tempest's mom and aunt, which gets solved -- but don't worry, it seems like even though that's been solved, there are still more Secret Staircase Mysteries to be solved.

The mystery itself has lots of misdirection, which is to be expected, and it's interwoven with Tempest's acrobatics and illusions. It wasn't the most satisfying to solve, and while I did gasp at times, it was due to a gruesome finding at the end. (Though, it was a fitting gruesome finding. It just resulted in an all caps text at midnight while I finished the book.) Still, I'll continue to read these books -- there's something so fun about the premise and the setting, not to mention the delicious things that Grandpa Ash keeps cooking.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for providing me with an eARC of A Midnight Puzzle in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this cozy (impossible) mystery. It was full of hints and clues throughout. I did not read the first two novels in the series, so I can safely say that this can be read as a standalone. I felt the beginning a little slower as I got to know the characters and what happened in the past that is relevant to the current mystery at hand. As I became invested in the characters and the potential for a resolution, the second half of the book flew by. The author’s pacing for reveals was good - information was relayed to the audience as needed, but not too soon as to keep the reader in suspense. I enjoyed the characters. I am curious about the previous books, but this one is a conclusion to the over-arching mystery of the previous too, so I think I know too much. I will continue following this authors work and read any future books with this cast of characters. One of the strongest elements of this story is the sense of family. Tempest’s family and friends play a big part in her life and she doesn’t feel the need to venture out on her own. She trusts her family and friends, so the reader doesn’t have those “that was dumb” moments.
Many thank to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for a digital arc. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

A unique concept....building secret staircases and out of sight rooms to stir the interest and skills of home owners and mystery lovers. But what if.....you built a secret room that is used to murder? In this case, the murderer did not count on a cast of investigative experts to follow the clues and solve the crime.

I enjoyed reading Tempest’s latest adventure as an amateur sleuth. The stakes felt a lot higher this time around, but Tempest and her friends and family stepped up to the challenge. The mystery itself was complex and interesting. I admit there were one or two twists I didn’t see coming.

There are several brief sections that act as flashbacks to times and places that Tempest has not personally experienced. I was a little confused at first, but it all made sense by the end and I feel like they added a lot to the reader’s understanding of the story.

This book wraps up the overarching mystery about what happened to Tempest’s mom and aunt. Never fear though! The author states in the acknowledgements that she’s already working on the next book and has many more plans for Tempest’s future adventures.

Note: This is the third book in an ongoing series and is best read in order. Book 1 is Under Lock and Skeleton Key.

Additional Note: Although this story mainly fits into the same “gothic cozy” genre as the rest of the series, there are a few brief moments that veer into the horror/thriller category. There was one detail in particular that I found quite unsettling.

I've really enjoyed this series with its magical elements and dramatic characters. Tempest is starting to enjoy her new life off stage and working with her family's construction business that focuses on architectural misdirection. Unfortunately for her though, Tempest is Tempest and nothing can stay peaceful for long. The family business becomes involved in a nasty lawsuit followed quickly by murder with a side of rumors and a dash of ghost. Tempest with her mentor Nicky (aka Nicodemius the Necromancer) are pulled into a murder investigation that reaches into the past.

Tempest's home at Fiddler's Folly is a place I wish was real as I would love to explore all the secret passages and hidden nooks. As well, I wish the construction company really did exist as I would love to have one of their creations. This was quite the entertaining mystery with legends and stories and magic. It kept me guessing as to how things would unravel and what was connected to what - and of course was anything like it seemed.

My only complaint was the story went into the weeds a bit during the reveal as Tempest's performance got a bit long winded and a little confusing. Things did get ironed out in a satisfying manner but it just seemed like I could have done with less performance. Overall, this is a fun and unique mystery series with interesting characters and a bit of showmanship.

A Midnight Puzzle is the third volume in the Secret Staircase cozy series which is full of illusions, building, and stage magic by Gigi Pandian. Due out 19th March 2024 from Macmillan on their Minotaur imprint, it's 352 pages and will be available in hardcover, audio, and ebook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout.

Readers who already enjoy stage magic mysteries and illusions, with a heaping side order of old houses with hidden rooms and architectural easter-eggs like bookcases which are secret doors and mantelpieces with hidden catches to open secret panels will *love* this series. The plot turns around an ensemble cast of specialty builders, stonemasons, and woodworkers who design and install secret rooms and hidden staircases. This is a limited suspect pool cozy with hidden rooms aplenty, secret alcoves, puzzle rooms, and eccentric characters.

Although it's a murder mystery, it felt as though it were written more for a younger (YA/NA) audience. It has a definite Nancy Drew vibe with a little whiff of Scooby Doo, and in fact the author refers to the group of friends investigating the mystery as the Scooby Gang.

Throw in lots and lots of stage magic, a family curse (the eldest child shall die by magic), hidden motives, and crazy architectural prestidigitation, and stir well. The book is also absolutely full of bookish references and readers who enjoy classic mysteries from the Golden Age of fiction will find lots and lots of titles and authors to follow up.

The MCs family is multi-ethnic and the requisite cozy recipes at the back of the book reflect that background and are a really eclectic mix of odd and whimsical.There is a strong romance sub-element as well which will please readers who enjoy light mysteries with romance elements. The story is self-contained in this volume, but it's the third book in the series and there are a fair number of spoilers included here for developments contained in the first two books; so it's best read in order.

The unabridged audiobook format has a run time of 10 hours 38 minutes and is capably read by series narrator Soneela Nankani. She has a warm and nuanced voice and does a good job delineating a wide range of characters across a range of ages and both male and female. There are a number of Scottish characters, and the narrator struggles mightily with the various accents, not entirely successfully. She does a much more mellifluous job with the Indian and American accents. Sound and production quality are high throughout the read.

Four stars. It would make a good choice for library acquisition, as well as a long weekend binge / buddy read.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Gigi Pandian for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for A Midnight Puzzle coming out March 19, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I didn’t realize this was a series. This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I thought it was a really fun mystery. I loved the characters and the suspense. I think theater mysteries create a lot of rivalry and drama which can lead to murder. I loved the Secret Staircase and the magic behind that. I thought this book felt like a cozy mystery, which I love, but it also offered a lot more mystery and suspense. I’ll definitely have to read the other books in the series.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys magical mysteries!

In A MIDNIGHT PUZZLE by Gigi Panadian, Tempest Raj and friends return in another HIDDEN STAIRCASE MYSTERY to unravel a murder and address a legendary family curse in a story that showcases career magicians and illusionists and homes with hidden staircases and complex puzzles built into their ceilings—all served up with generous portions of Southern Indian food (recipes included). The story is a true delight but don’t begin reading A MIDNIGHT PUZZLE too late in the day—you’ll be up past midnight puzzling through Tempest and the gang’s quest to find the killer.

There was so much that happened in this book and lots of action that kept me turning the Kindle pages and reading like crazy. What a wild series of twists at the end! That showdown was frenzied and while it had a sad ending to it, the mystery still ended well with a satisfying catching of the perp.

At the very end, is Tempest being asked to solve yet another mystery? I guess we’ll find out in the next book! She’s definitely good at it and it was great to see Blackburn in the picture as a PI now. Don’t miss this book’s release on March 19.

I voluntarily read and reviewed and ARC of this book and my opinions are my own.

I'd highly recommend reading at least the first book in this series (if not the first two) before starting this one because it very much builds on scenarios and characters. Tempest Raj has joined her family business building architectural oddities into homes and other place- and she solves murders. This time out, Julian claims the family's work was shoddy and then he's murdered! What really happened? Well, to be honest, the mystery, which is fairly complex was somewhat less interesting to me that the situations in the Raj family, which has been cursed. Tempest will learn what happened to her mother and aunt, an issue which has threaded through the series. AND the food! Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read

3.5
In this mystery, modern-day sleuth Tempest Raj finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and danger. The family business, Secret Staircase Construction, renowned for its magical architectural creations like hidden doors and floating staircases, faces a crisis. Former client Julian Rhodes blames the company for his wife’s “accident,” and now they’re being framed. When Julian’s urgent midnight call leads Tempest to a historic theater, she discovers something sinister! Strange things continue to happen and Tempest races against time to unravel the puzzle before disaster strikes again.
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

A good cozy mystery depends on its characters, which is why this book is so enjoyable. Tempest Raj is a terrific character, mixing magic tricks into everyday life. Tempest helps out with the family business and also helps figure out mysteries.
Someone dies mysteriously in a way that could make her family business look negligent, and Tempest is barely staying ahead of the unfolding events.
The mystery was interesting and there were enough moving parts to keep it interesting til the end. Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read this

One of my favorite things about this series has been the descriptions of the clever secret architectural constructions of "Secret Staircase Construction". While there is less whimsy in this third in the series novel, Pandian continues to build interesting plots. I was afraid we were reaching the end of the series with Tempest's final discovery of the story behind her aunt and mother's disappearance and death, but a last page knock on the door seems to happily augur a continuation.

I listened to the first half of the audiobook (narrated by Soneela Nankani), but midway through I decided that I wanted to move more quickly through the plot. The narration was good, if a little distracting with the multiple characters.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.