SMFS Member Publishing News: A Midnight Puzzle: A Secret Staircase Novel by Gigi Pandian

 

SMFS list member Gigi Pandian’s new book, A Midnight Puzzle: A Secret Staircase Novel, is now out. This is the third book in the series that began with Under Lock & Skeleton Key: A Secret Staircase Mystery and continued in The Raven Thief: A Secret Staircase Mystery. Published by Minotaur Books, the read is available in multiple formats at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors.

 

Publisher Description:

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 truth: 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.

SMFS Member Publishing News: The Raven Thief: A Secret Staircase Mystery by Gigi Pandian

 

Today is publication day for The Raven Thief: A Secret Staircase Mystery by Gigi Pandian. This is the second book in the series that began with Under Lock & Skeleton Key: A Secret Staircase Mystery. Published by Minotaur Books, the read is available in audio, digital, and print formats at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors.

 

Publisher Description:

Multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian is one of the best locked room mystery writers working today. Her newest heroine, Tempest Raj, returns in The Raven Thief, where sliding bookcases, trick tables, and hidden reading nooks hide something much more sinister than the Secret Staircase Construction crew ever imagined.

One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.

Secret Staircase Construction just finished their first project with Tempest Raj officially a part of the team—a classic mystery novel-themed home interior. Their client is now ready to celebrate her new life without her cheating ex-husband, famous mystery author Corbin Colt. First up, a party, and Tempest and Grandpa Ash are invited to the exclusive mock séance to remove any trace of Corbin from the property—for good. It's all lighthearted fun until Corbin's dead body crashes the party.

The only possible suspects are the eight people around the séance table—a circle of clasped hands that wasn't broken. Suspicion quickly falls on Grandpa Ash, the only one with actual blood on him. To prove her beloved grandfather’s innocence, Tempest must figure out what really happened—and how—or Ash will be cooking his delectable Indian and Scottish creations nevermore.

SMFS Member Publishing News: The Christmas Caper: A Secret Staircase Mystery Short Story by Gigi Pandian

Today is publication day for The Christmas Caper: A Secret Staircase Mystery Short Story by Gigi Pandian. Published by Minotaur Books, the read is available in digital format at the publisher, Amazon, and other vendors.

 

Synopsis:

Tempest Raj’s latest puzzle is wrapped in a festive, Scottish Yuletide package. The Christmas Caper is a locked-room mystery short story from multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian, and includes two holiday recipes!

A baffling art heist. A mysterious Christmas Market. A thief in the shadows of Edinburgh Castle.

With Secret Staircase Construction taking well-earned time off for the holidays, Tempest Raj travels across the pond, looking forward to a renewed family tradition: celebrating Christmas in Scotland. Tempest’s grandmother has even booked an artist’s flat with a stunning view of Edinburgh Castle. But in the city’s snow-covered, historic Old Town, a recent museum art heist has made chilling headlines. No one can figure out how the thief pulled off the crime. When a family friend asks for help, Tempest agrees to look into the impossible theft—before the festive city’s holiday mood darkens and the Christmas lights fade for good.