If you haven’t started this cozy mystery series, it’s full of south Asian spice, Irish charm and American determination., just like it’s heroine. This installment is a satisfying next chapter in the series as questions are answered and a compelling mystery keeps her on her toes. I liked that things were a bit less convoluted in this one and the villain was close to hand but still diabolical.

The narrator has voiced all the books and does a great job with the accents and changes in gender. I’ve enjoyed her a lot!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for my copies. These opinions are my own.

2.5 stars rounded up.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is book 4 in the Secret Staircase Mystery series. It's the first I've read so I was unfamiliar with this 'world' and its characters which may have impacted my experience.

This sounded so interesting - former professional magicians, bookshelves with hidden features, an escape room setting. However, I didn't enjoy the book and won't be reading others in the series as it felt like a middle grade or YA novel.

The characters were one-dimensional and overly emotional, and the plot was "all tell - no show." The dialog was stilted and repetitive, and I didn't care about solving the mystery. I'm honestly baffled by the 5- and 4-star ratings. I listened to the audiobook narrated by Soneela Nankani who did the best she could with the material she was provided.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for providing me access to the audiobook; all opinions are my own.

This is another cozy series that I have to listen to because Soneela Nankani knocks these out of the park. I love Tempest and her Scooby crew and the mischief they get themselves into. The magician/magic show elements always make these books so fun to read. You never know what’s coming next.

The Library Game is the fourth book in The Secret Staircase Mysteries. I haven’t read books one through three in the series, however I was able to understand what was occurring without any prior knowledge from the first three books. Book four can definitely be read as a standalone.

Like a cozy mystery? Enjoy escape rooms? Would you sign up for a murder mystery dinner or game? If you answered yes to any of these questions, this book is for you! It was a fun read. It kept my focus and attention. My love for guessing “whodunit” coupled with a unique plot resulted in my enjoyment and positive rating. I didn’t really make a strong connection with any of the characters but that also didn’t interfere with my ability to connect with the plot.

Gray House was left to Cameron from a relative that collected rare books from the best fiction detectives such as Agatha Christie. In his will, Cameron was instructed to renovate the bottom floors of the house into a public library and to turn the top floor into a tiny home or apartment so that he’d have a place to live. Cameron was also instructed to contract all construction work with Tempest Raj and Secret Staircase Construction.

The crew working on the renovation decided to host a series murder mystery shows to drum up interest in the library upon its opening. As the actors gathered for the last rehearsal…something went deadly wrong. A body was discovered in the library. Police were called and Gray House became a crime scene. Will they be able to solve the mystery? Will they be able to open the library as planned?

Thank you to #NetGalley in the publisher for an advanced audiobook copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian hooked me in from the get-go. This was a fun and adventurous read with a great cast of characters. The story tied together some of my favorite elements, mystery, magic, and books, making it tricky and fun to listen to. The narrator was amazing and really brought this book to life for me. I didn't realize that this was a series of books until I was quite a ways into the audiobook. I will definitely pick up Ms. Pandian's other works. Strongly suggest this audiobook to everyone who loves a good mystery with strong characters.

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.

This was my first book in the series, which I did not realize until beginning. I struggled to get all the characters straight, at first, and I think having read the prior books in the series would have helped with that. I do think it can be read as a stand alone albeit with more work to keep the characters identified. I did find the narrator's male voices on the "whiny" side which definitely kept me from really liking any of them. (I did read at 1.5 speed which certainly may have influenced the whininess factor.)

The mystery itself was a really fun premise for mystery book lovers, but it felt like it went all over the place for a while. Coming back a magician's trick for the magicians to solve was clever, but I knew the murderer almost as soon as the death was revealed. Overall, this was an easy listen with clean language, a VERY chaste romance for the MC, and all the cozy mystery feels. Not a favorite but still a fun read.

Thank you MacMillain Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

This was a fun and lighthearted mystery read! I had not read anything by Gigi Pandian before, and was excited to hear this was a series that I could potentially jump into. Although the mystery was interesting, it seemed to be a little "messy" and all over the place. Without giving any spoilers away, I felt unsatisfied by the ending.

I really appreciated the audio recording of this book! In the spirit of the book itself, it didn't seem to take itself too seriously.

Thank you again for the ARC!

Secret Staircase Construction is working on renovating an old home into a library specializing in classic mysteries. However, not everyone in Hidden Creek is happy about this. When someone is murdered during the trial run of the murder mystery play being staged as part of the city's annual summer stroll, Tempest Raj will have to step in to find out the truth before one of her closest friends takes the blame.

Let's be honest, the last book in this series tied up a lot of threads and answered some big questions that had been hanging out since the first book. In that regard, I enjoyed The Library Game so much because it was like starting a new chapter in the series. It wasn't pulled down by any of the other restraints. It was simply allowed to be an interested near locked-room mystery.

I think it's my favorite book of the series thus far. I felt like the characters were able to breathe a little more because they were not longer under said restraints. The story felt very fresh yet still maintained the intricately magical quality of piecing together a seemingly unsolvable crime.

I liked that we get some forward momentum in regards to Gideon and Tempest. Things are still to be determined between them - especially after some news is revealed - but it's more than we've gotten in the last three books combined.

It was nice also to see Tempest and her friends actively working together - like an oft-mentioned group of mystery solving friends and their canine companion. In previous books I've felt like Tempest has either been on her own or she's with one of her group, but having all of them work together was great because they each bring something different to the table. It's not just about the magic, Ivy's knowledge of classic mysteries, and Gideon's slow, yet thoughtful, approach to parsing out information came in handy.

I again listened to the audiobook and, again, thought that the over-exaggeration of dialogue in certain spots was misplaced and didn't necessarily line up with how I read the book in my head if I'm reading on the page instead of listening. Still, I have come to associate the narrator and all of her affectations with this series and these characters.

If you have enjoyed this series before, you will certainly like this one. I also feel that this would be a great starting point to the series if you haven't dived into the first three yet.

"The Library Game" by Gigi Pandian is a delightful and engaging mystery that I thoroughly enjoyed, even as a newcomer to the series. I received an ARC of this book, and it proved to be a charming blend of classic mystery elements and a fresh, contemporary setting.

Pandian's concept of a construction company specializing in secret passages and hidden rooms is inherently intriguing, and the project of transforming a house into a library dedicated to fictional detectives provides a wonderfully atmospheric backdrop. Tempest Raj, the protagonist, is a compelling and relatable character, and her passion for her work shines through.

The murder mystery dinner and escape room scenario, which quickly turns into a real-life crime, is cleverly plotted. The blending of classic mystery tropes with modern sensibilities creates a unique and enjoyable reading experience. Even without prior knowledge of the series, I found the characters and their relationships easy to grasp, and the mystery itself was well-paced and engaging.

The cultural elements, particularly Tempest's grandfather's Scottish and Indian meals, add a rich and flavorful dimension to the narrative. Pandian's writing is both witty and engaging, and she skillfully balances the suspense of the mystery with the charming dynamics of the characters.

"The Library Game" is a testament to Pandian's ability to craft a captivating mystery that appeals to both seasoned mystery readers and newcomers alike.

★★★★☆

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This is the fourth book in the series, and I haven’t read the others. I suspect I’d have enjoyed the characters even more if I had since they had been through a lot together, but this worked as a standalone . It was a fun read and back to my usual cozy mystery genre picks. The magicians as main characters added a unique twist, and I loved the “locked room” murder mystery set in a library, an ideal setup for a cozy whodunit! The murder mystery show they were planning made me want to go find one to enjoy!

While The Library Game will not be on my list of faves, it was a quick read. The plot was okay. It was lacking in strong use of language and dialogue. I kept thinking, "This must be almost over," only to realize I still have 75% of the book left. I was not invested in the characters, there were random twists and red herring wannabes. It was something I read to pass the time, but not a book worthy of devouring. Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my opinion.

I didn’t realize The Library Game was the fourth book in a series, so I decided to start from the beginning—and I’m so glad I did! From book one, I fell in love with the charming characters, clever plots, and cozy mystery vibes. Each book pulled me deeper into the world Gigi Pandian created, and by the time I reached this fourth installment, I was completely hooked. The Library Game was just as delightful and engaging as the first three, and now I’m eagerly counting down the days until the next one is released!

I listened to the audiobook of The Library Game, the 4th book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries by Gigi Pandian. Not having read or listened to any of the prior books in the series, I chose to listen to this one because the premise was unique: a murder in a newly renovated library once a private home. The series features Tempest Raj, a former magician who now works in the family construction business, which is known for unique architectural features such as hidden passages and sliding bookshelves. The mystery in this story involves the murder of an actor who was hired to help stage an escape room play in the library during the town's spring showcase of local businesses. While the murder at first appeared to be committed by supernatural forces, I enjoyed Tempest using her magician tricks of "sleight of hand" to solve the mystery. The narrator was Soneela Nankani who did an admirable job, providing unique voices to the variety of characters. Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for letting me listen to this audiobook in exchange for my unbiased review.

DNF :( Could not get into this one, maybe just too cozy for this moment but I wasn't feeling it. Would try again in the future!

Mysteries, bookshelves, and magicians oh my! You get all that and more with The Library Game: A Secret Staircase (#4) Novel by Gigi Pandian. I got access to the audiobook that was narrated by Soneela Nankani through NetGally. This was my first book I have read in this series and my first Gigi Pandian novel. The overall story was good with witty banter that helped carry a lot of the book for me. The mystery itself was underwhelming and a lot of the twists and turns of the book just didn’t feel helpful to the plot in my personal option. I gave this listen 3 out of 5 strawberries on my rating scale, but I will say I will be checking out the first 3 books in the series because I want to get more of the lore of each character I meet in this book. I enjoyed the diversity of the characters and I do love the idea of getting a sneak peek into the behind-the-scenes of professional magicians. A big thanks to Macmillan Audio for allowing me to enjoy this interesting mystery.

This was a great addition to the series! It’s an new sort of journey as we see Tempest and her crew solving this mystery as a cohesive team whereas Tempest felt more like a lone sleuth or a duo with Ivy in some of the other books. Having all the “Abracadabras” together brought in more fun social interactions. We also see Tempest after her mother’s mystery is solved. The double mystery was a great part of the other books, but this mystery felt a bit more streamlined, which was also nice!
An excellent read and continuation of the series!

Be warned this is part of a series and references prior books quite often. The story can be followed without but I believe some things would have been clearer if I had read the other books. I am not basing my review or my opinions on that though.

Tempest is working to get a new library up and running in the house of Harold Gray. There are plans for a murder mystery show but during dress rehearsal, they end up with an actual dead body. Twists and turns abound as the cast of quirky characters work to independently solve the case so the show can go on.

The characters were fun and quirky, but lacked depth in some areas. There was a strong attempt at a "cozy" vibe that warred with the murder. The book was quite predictable in many ways with only a few questions that needed to be answered. It was enjoyable but not something that will linger.

The narrator was good and handled the variety of names with grace.

Thank you to Net Galley and MacMillan Audio for the DLC. All opinions are my own.

I did not realize that this was the 4th book in a cozy mystery series. If I had read the earlier books it would have made it easier to keep all the characters straight! As it was I found that a little difficult as I listened to this book. I love cozy mysteries and this series seems like it is fun. It centers around the planning of an escape room mystery play that most of the characters are in. Several of these characters are also experienced as magicians so when fowl play starts their first reactions are to think that someone is playing a trick or that they are being deceived by misdirection. Just like a good B-movie (or any other cozy mystery), this book offers quirky characters with plenty of odd ball additions to the mix (ex. Tempest the main character lives in a tree house guest house and has a big fluffy temperamental pet rabbit).

Thank you to NetGalley and #MacmillanAudio for my audio arc of this book

Tempest, a former magician, returned to her hometown and started working with her father's construction company, Secret Staircase Construction. They are currently working on a classic detective fiction library. For the opening weekend, they are putting one a real-life locked in room mystery game. The first rehearsal, Sunjay, Tempest's magician friend, volunteered to play a part to help an actor impress his crush. During the rehearsal, after the lights were turned out and a cap gun was the fired, the actor was supposed to give the first clue, however nothing happened. Tempest released the actor wasn't faking his death but was actually dead. They all ran to get their phones from the kitchen because they had been locked up to make the play feel more realistic. After calling the police, they went back to the room and the body was gone but they could all see each other so what happened to the body? The police thought it was some kind of prank and left after taking their statements.

Second rehearsal day, Tempest, Gideon, Ivy, and Cameron (the soon-to-be owner of the new classic detective fiction library) decided to have a dinner beforehand. The actress came early so they invited her to join them. The dinner was interrupted by a scream for help upstairs and the voice sounded eerily similar to the former owner of the house. They all went charging up without their phones and got locked into a room where they found very scary clues including that the windows were poisoned. Nearly an hour later, they were finally able to escape the room and went back downstairs only to find the missing body from the day before in the same place. They called the police again and this time the body did not disappear. Where did the body come from?

The plot is really engaging with exciting puzzles and a whole lot of twists. If you like carefully crafted mysteries and well thought out plots, this is a book for you.

Special thank you to NetGalley & MacMillian Audio for letting me read this book early!