Can’t-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme that highlights books soon to be released, the ones we’re excited about but haven’t read yet. It’s hosted by Wishful Endings, and was formerly hosted by Breaking the Spine. Y’all can check out all of this week’s Can’t-Wait Wednesday posts here.
Title: A Midnight Puzzle
Series: Secret Staircase Mystery #3
Author: Gigi Pandian
Genre: Cozy Mystery, Magic
Publication Date: March 19, 2024
Publisher: Minotaur
Synopsis:
In heroine Tempest Raj, modern-day queen of the locked room mystery Gigi Pandian has created a brilliant homage to the greats of classic detective fiction.
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 certainty that 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.
Multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian and her sleuth Tempest Raj return in A Midnight Puzzle, where an old theater reveals a deadly booby trap, secrets, and one puzzle of a mystery.
My thoughts:
Ooooh, I love this series! Gigi Pandian does a wonderful job of creating a tribute to classic detective fiction, and she gives us a thoroughly lovable heroine in Tempest Raj. I love the family business and the fact that they can create mysteries in people’s houses with secret rooms and doors, hidden passages, things like that. And Tempest’s family – I just want to hug them all and go hang out with them. Can’t wait to read this book! I know it will be a treat.
I keep meaning to start this series and look, it’s already on the third book. Thanks for sharing this. Maybe I can grab the first one the next time I’m at my library.
I hope you enjoy it!
This sounds like so much fun! I need to check these books out – thank you for sharing, Lisa:).
This sounds like a fun series, Lisa.
I also enjoy this series. I have read other books in other series by her and they are all enjoyable. I hope you love it when you get to it.