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.

A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian is the third in the delightfully quirky Secret Staircase series. The title (and series name) alone beckoned to me as a rabid fan of hidden rooms, nooks and staircases. I love the jibs and other construction descriptions as well as behind-the-scenes illusions/tricks. The lip-smacking food is making me hungry as I write this review! For me the small details such as these enrich a reading experience. Add fascinating characters, family and friendships, booby traps and murder and give it a good stir.

Former illusionist Tempest Raj is an amateur sleuth and helps out at a family business, Secret Staircase Construction. She doesn't profess to be an expert painter but her natural curiosity and inveigling make her an ideal investigator. Though interesting, her character is not a favourite of mine but one needn't like all the characters to get a kick out of a book! The company is bewildered by a lawsuit by a former client whose wife had an accident. But the company knows they aren't responsible. The Whispering Creek Theater becomes a final death scene but real blood and a blade are tricky to fake. Tempest's mother had disappeared five years earlier which has left a gaping hole in her heart. Grandfather Ash is the kind of mentor many would like. Plus he cooks with love.

The story is fun but phrases are sometimes repetitive and the pacing occasionally lagged. However, there are twists and secrets galore. Locked room mysteries are my wheelhouse and this series could be yours, too, especially if you hanker something light with a bit of something special.

My sincere thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this smashing novel.

I love locked room/closed circle mysteries, so I really love this series! The whole backstory of Tempest, her career in magic/illusion, her family history, and the Secret Staircase construction company make these stories so fun and interesting. Add in some wonderful supporting characters and you've got an entertaining mystery waiting for you. This book really has a LOT going on - multiple mysteries, lots of characters, and lots of puzzling out theories - but it definitely was worth keeping track of it all to see how everything unravels in the end. I can't wait for the next one! Thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books for the advance digital copy!

In "A Midnight Puzzle," Gigi Pandian crafts a captivating homage to classic detective fiction while introducing readers to the dynamic and resourceful sleuth, Tempest Raj.

As the queen of locked room mysteries, Tempest finds herself embroiled in a complex case involving Secret Staircase Construction, a family business under attack. When former client Julian Rhodes is found dead under mysterious circumstances, Tempest is drawn into a web of deception and danger.

Pandian's storytelling is both clever and engaging, weaving together elements of magic, intrigue, and suspense to keep readers guessing until the very end. The intricate plot unfolds at a brisk pace, with twists and turns that will leave readers eagerly turning the pages.

What sets "A Midnight Puzzle" apart is its richly drawn characters and vividly depicted setting. Tempest Raj is a captivating protagonist, combining intelligence and intuition with a touch of vulnerability that makes her relatable and endearing. The supporting cast, including Tempest's grandfather and fellow sleuths, adds depth and complexity to the narrative.

The mystery itself is expertly crafted, with clues and red herrings scattered throughout the story to keep readers guessing. As Tempest unravels the puzzle, she must confront not only a deadly booby trap but also the secrets and betrayals hidden within the walls of Whispering Creek Theater.

Overall, "A Midnight Puzzle" is a delightful and satisfying read that will appeal to fans of classic detective fiction and cozy mysteries alike. With its charming protagonist, atmospheric setting, and clever plot twists, this book is sure to entertain and enthrall readers until the very last page.

A former client has blamed Secret Staircase Construction for the “accident” that nearly killed his wife, but Tempest knows the company is being framed. When she is asked to meet the client at the local theater and finds him dead, things go from bad to worse. Determined to clear the company’s name, with the help of her friends, she conducts her own investigation.

I like Tempest and her family and friends, and the way they work together and support each other. There are several nods to Golden Age mystery authors like Agatha Christie and John Dickson Carr, which are fun. Once again, Tempest uses her former career as an illusionist to help solve the crime, while at the same time giving her an excuse to be involved in the investigation. As in the previous two books, the descriptions of the setting make it seem idyllic, but I’m still not sure about the family home with all of its secret staircases and doors, and complicated locks.

The mystery here was just as twisty as in the earlier books in the series, with several serious suspects to consider for the murder. Throw in a few red herrings along the way, and you get a puzzle that is difficult to solve until the clues point to only one obvious character. Along the way, we learn the solution to a question that has been lurking since the first book in the series, which makes me wonder if this might be the last book of the series. I hope not, because I would really like to read more about Tempest, her family and friends, and their adventures.

Former illusionist Tempest Raj finds her new career building hidden rooms and trick architecture into people's homes surprisingly fulfilling. Then a litigious jerk of a client is stabbed by a booby trap--like a magician might make--at the theater that Tempest was renting--where her mother vanished five years ago. Somehow, Tempest is not the prime suspect despite the clear attempt to frame her. She leans on her wide array of friends, family, colleagues, and potential love interests to crack both the current mystery and the one that has vexed her family for so long. This modern cozy frequently strains credulity but it's still enjoyable. Thanks, Netgalley.

This was a fun book. I enjoyed the first books in the series, and this one followed suit, although I felt this was a little darker, and not quite such a light read as the first ones.

Tempest is working for the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, which is struggling after a former client, Julian, tried to blame them for his wife's death, despite the fact that he had attempted to kill her. When Tempest gets a note asking her to meet Julian at the theatre. she finds him dead, the victim of an apparent booby trap. When a second person dies, Tempest is hot on the case.

Filled with the usual misdirections, booby traps and secrets, this is a good quick moving twisty plot. We meet the same friends and family, and I am always delighted with the mixture of Scottish and Indian traditions and yummy food. Tempest finally gets some details of her aunt's death and her mother's disappearance years before.

This was a fun read

Secret Staircase Construction's newest client Julian Rhodes accuses them of shoddy work that caused the accident that seriously injured his wife Paloma. Tempest gets a call to meet Julian at the Whispering Creek Theater & finds his body stabbed to death with a sword hidden in the building door. Who built that bobby trap & who was the intended victim?

Links with the unsolved deaths of Tempest's mother & aunt are key to the story. This was a weaker story than the previous Secret Staircase mysteries.

I received a digital ARC from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press. All opinions are my own.

This is the third book in the series and the first I have read. I had a very hard time connecting with any character. It could have been from the layout of the intricate & twisty plot that I wasn’t sure what was going on.

Tempest Raj is the main character. She was a stage magician. She now works in the family business, which is home redesign/modeling with a magical flair. Tempest enjoys making puzzle boxes, large or small. She becomes the prime suspect when a customer is killed at the theater in a very intricate manner that implicates her. The family begins to wonder if this murder is connected to previous tragedies the family has endured.

The family and friends seem to have a very close relationship. The plot is twisty and at times I felt lost in the subplots.
This book is okay and I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more had I read books 1 and 2 prior to attempting this one. I place my inability to connect to the characters on my not reading the previous first two books.

I was given an Advanced Readers E-Copy. These are my own opinions.

A Midnight Puzzle is the third book in the Secret Stair house series by Gigi Pandian.

I love this series. It is so creative and a unique twist on a locked room mystery.

Tempest and her family have a business, Secret Staircase Construction. They build rooms that are referred to as architectural misdirection, basically hidden rooms.

This book has the theme of magic, and that is really unique. There are some things revealed and questions answered.

Great characters and a great mystery. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

DNF at 55%. I really enjoyed the first book in this series and was excited to get resolution to some ongoing series questions - but I just found myself bored. This story is moving too slowly and I think maybe I’m just not a cozy mystery reader. Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the free ebook and audiobook to review.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for allowing me to read and review A Midnight Puzzle on NetGalley.

Published: 03/19/24

Stars: 2.5

This was a difficult read. The biggest problem I had was repetitiveness: the author said Secret Staircase Construction, Tempest and lines regarding her mother as well as booby trap so many times I thought I was being spun like a top. I found that the writing was immature.

With regards to the storyline I have no words. The architectural puzzles built into homes sounded incredible and fresh. Unfortunately all I heard was water dripping while I watched grass grow as I inched through the book. It was incredibly frustrating not being able to skim over the text.

Tempest is the main character. I didn't like her, nor have I ever enjoyed anyone with her traits. She undermines law enforcement, twists words to her advantage placing innocent people in harms way and she argues childishly in serious situations. That's not entertainment. I couldn't unapologetically recommend this to young readers moving into adult clean mysteries.

Credit: I don't recall any profanity.

Awesome mystery suspense, great characters.
Love the intrigue and always surprises.
I can never pick the villain ,usually it is easy to do but not with this series..
Really kept me guessing and a complete surprise.
Voluntarily reviewed.

A Midnight Puzzle is the third book in the Secret Staircase Mystery series. Tempest Raj, a former stage magician, finds her family’s construction company, Hidden Staircase Construction, is under attack. One of their clients is suing them with false claims about their construction. When this client turns up dead, Tempest has to do everything in her power to make sure the police get the right person.

I have loved this series since the very beginning and this was a great new addition to the series. Tempest is a great main character and I love following along with her friends and family as Tempest uncovers the secrets around her. This book is full of twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. The way this book wraps up at the end is perfectly done and I loved how everything fit together to answer the questions revolving around the murder as well as the secrets Tempest had been trying to unravel for years. I fully enjoyed this book and really hope this isn’t the end of the series! If you are a fan of magic mixed with mystery, give this series a chance!

The third book in Gigi Pandian’s locked room series finds her heroine, magician Tempest Raj, seeking the answer to a devastating question: who killed her mother? The family “curse” decrees that the eldest born child will die by magic - as Tempest’s aunt and mother have, and Tempest herself having had a narrow escape. The killing that opens the book is the mysterious death of the wealthy bully who has been suing Tempest’s family construction company, insisting that the staircase that collapsed and put his wife in a coma was the result of shoddy construction.

When the man calls Tempest to meet him at the deserted theater she rented (she’s planning to hold her farewell show there) she heads over at midnight only to find the man skewered on the front door by a sword. Worse, the booby trap that killed him seems to be regenerating – nicking a paramedic and injuring another person in Tempest’s orbit. The internet is soon seething with the idea that Tempest’s mother has come back from the dead, seeking revenge, and using this booby trap as her method.

The book is grounded in Tempest’s rich family and friend matrix – she herself is an interesting mix of Indian and Scottish, and her grandfather, who cooks for everyone, provides mash ups of traditional recipes (there are several included at the end for the reader to try). The family runs a construction company that adds magical architectural details as they restore old homes. Tempest’s home is on a family compound where each family member has their own little unit, outfitted with secret architecture features unique to each one. Her grandparents live in a treehouse which is the defacto family kitchen.

Tempest’s “crew” includes librarian Ivy, magician Sanjay, and woodworking artist Gideon. Ivy’s job sounds absolutely dreamy: she works for a “Locked Room Library” that caters to readers of classic mysteries. If there is a more fantastical job for a mystery reading book lover, I’m not sure what it might be. All of them use their various skills as they help Tempest unravel the mystery, which includes a sealed hidden stage at the theater and a body that has appeared in a way that seems impossible.

While relying on many classic tropes with this series, Pandian also freshens them with her use of young, interesting and diverse characters, most especially Tempest herself. The secret staircase company allows some fantastical elements to be included in the plot lines. These books are not in any way fantasies but they have an almost otherworldly, fey feel to them that makes them uniquely charming.

The Secret Staircase Construction company makes magic for its clients by building secret doors, bookcases, and staircases into existing structures. The chief designer of these features is magician Tempest, who seems to fall upon mysteries on each project. In this third outing of Gigi Pandian’s series, a client winds up murdered, and Tempest must hunt down the killer.

Pandian has created a fascinating universe of rich characters, and her use of magic as a plot device is brilliant. The book is, in turn, eerie, fun, and cozy.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital ARC.

A Midnight Puzzle is the third in a mystery series that follows a magician. Tempest works for her dads construction company that builds secret rooms and things like that. When someone is trying to sue the company and ends up dead, Tempest is on the hunt for the killer. She is also still trying to figure out who killed her aunt and what happened to her mom.

I liked this book but not as much as the other two in the series. I love the characters and the magic aspects throughout. It is fun to read about the stuff behind magic performances. The mysteries were interested and I did want to figure out what happened.

I think my biggest complaint is that it seemed to take forever to reveal what happened. I feel like it drug on a lot in the middle. It felt a bit repetitive as well. I’m not sure if I’ll continue on this series or not.

Thanks so much to netgalley and St. Martins Press for the arc of this book in exchange for an honest review!

This is Pandian’s best book yet. Equal parts eerie, spooky, cozy, fun, and mysterious, A Midnight Puzzle will have you hooked on its every word. Pandian brings back all your favorite characters of Tempest and Sanjay, Ivy and Gideon, in a mystery that will have you second-guessing at every page turn.
I couldn’t put this book down once I started reading, and the mystery itself is incredibly twisty and well-crafted. As Tempest uncovers clues surrounding the death of Julian Rhodes, her aunt, and her mother, secrets will be spilled and the results will leave you clamoring for even more books from this delightful cast of characters.

Tempest Raj and the rest of the Secret Staircase Construction company are back in the newest cozy mystery novel in the Secret Staircase series.

Following the events on the previous book, The Raven Thief, Tempest and her family are battling with Julian Rhodes. One night though while going to the theater Tempest is set to do her magician debut, Julian is killed. Fingers are immediately pointed Tempest's way as she's the one to discover the body after Julian asks her to meet at the theater. Who else has something out for the ruthless Julian Rhodes?

In this series I think it's essential to read the books in order. It has storylines that carry out throughout these three novels and it's important to know who's-who and what's going on. At a minimum The Raven Thief should be read before A Midnight Puzzle. As with the previous novels I enjoyed the Indian heritage and culture that is magically interwoven throughout the novel and series. The secret compartments from the Raj family's company are also a highlight. Compared to the other books this one was a little slower for me and took me awhile to get invested in the story. This is one cozy mystery series that I look forward to a new book from each year.

Thank you to Netgalley and Minotaur Books for a copy in exchange for review consideration.