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The Elusive Elixir: An Accidental Alchemist Mystery Paperback – December 8, 2020

by Gigi Pandian (Author)
4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 637 ratings
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The third book in the Anthony Award-winning Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series by USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian.

An unsolved crime from 1942. A dangerous secret linked to Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. And a woman threatening to expose alchemist Zoe Faust’s own secrets.

Dorian Robert-Houdin, the three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle chef who fancies himself a modern-day Poirot, is slowly turning into stone. When he and Zoe Faust discover that a long-lost stone gargoyle with a connection to Dorian has reappeared in Europe, the stakes are even higher. From Paris, France, to Portland, Oregon, can centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust unlock the Elixir of Life a second time to save her best friend? Includes recipes!

"Pandian's imaginative third Accidental Alchemist mystery will please those who like their cozies filled with magic." —Publishers Weekly

"Filled with magic, intrigue, and humor, this series is sure to delight fans of cozy mysteries and urban fantasy."―Bookriot

"A supernatural cozy series that hits high marks." ―Library Journal

"Pandian writes fun, light-hearted mysteries and is an expert at developing sympathetic characters, both major and minor." —Bustle

"A quirky, incredible series. The characters are immensely unique and the writing is A+, so you won't want to miss a word." —Suspense Magazine

"Pandian weaves a fascinating story and infuses history along with her recipes into a wonderful concoction that is sure to please!" —Seattle Mystery Bookshop
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Previous page
  1. Book 3 of 7
    An Accidental Alchemist Mystery
  2. Print length
    290 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    December 8, 2020
  5. Dimensions
    5.5 x 0.66 x 8.5 inches
  6. ISBN-10
    1938213106
  7. ISBN-13
    978-1938213106
  8. See all details
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

GIGI PANDIAN is a USA Today bestselling and multi award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. She's the child of cultural anthropologists from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, and spent her childhood traveling around the world on their research trips. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the backyard garden.Gigi writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and the Secret Staircase mysteries, starting with Under Lock & Skeleton Key. Her debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a Best of 2012 Debut by Suspense Magazine, and her mysteries have been awarded the Anthony, Agatha, Rose, Lefty, and Derringer awards. Her short story "The Locked Room Library" has been nominated for both an Edgar and Agatha Award.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Gargoyle Girl Productions; 2nd ed. edition (December 8, 2020)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 290 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1938213106
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1938213106
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 11.9 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.66 x 8.5 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 637 ratings

About the author

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Gigi Pandian

Gigi Pandian

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GIGI PANDIAN is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and locked-room mystery enthusiast. Her email newsletter is filled with bookish fun and comes with a free novelette and mini cookbook: www.gigipandian.com/subscribe

Gigi writes the Secret Staircase mysteries, Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, all of which are fun, lighthearted mysteries without any graphic violence.

Gigi's debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant, she's been short-listed for the Edgar Award, and her mysteries have won Anthony, Agatha, Lefty, and Derringer awards. She lives in northern California with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the backyard garden.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
4.5 out of 5
637 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Amy
5.0 out of 5 stars Another wonderful book
Reviewed in the United States on November 23, 2023
Verified Purchase
Thank you so much for an interesting and wonderful story. I feel sometime Zoe and Max will get together and they can both enjoy Dorian.
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Jessica Prado
4.0 out of 5 stars Cute story, cool recipes.
Reviewed in the United States on February 17, 2017
Verified Purchase
I feel like there's a good pay off and explanation for how to achieve the elixir of life, which is important to the mythology, I think. And I like the metaphor as it involves cooking, which feels perfect for this story, and there were appropriately placed subtle hints to prepare for this nice conclusion involving the elixir. The only thing I was a little bit disappointed about was the fact that in all three of these books the action scenes are very skipped over and I think at this point the action should've been played out a little more and perhaps even foreshadowed a little bit more. The "villain" scene and backward alchemy explanation just seems so sudden and rushed and not as well thought out as the discovery of the true alchemy elixir. Other than that I have really enjoyed this series up to now and I would read more by this author. If a fourth book in the series comes out I will gladly read it. It is left open for it. And it sounds like the author in the note at the end is saying that she is working on another book for this series, which is promising. Personally, I don't mind stories being left open. I would still be pleased if it ended right here.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Fun and exciting
Reviewed in the United States on August 9, 2023
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This is a great fun read. The characters are quirky and the plot mesmerizing. I enjoyed it immensely.
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Christy M.
5.0 out of 5 stars Another great book in the series
Reviewed in the United States on January 23, 2019
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The Elusive Elixir starts off with Zoe in Paris where, in spite of being hundreds of years old, she is recognized by an older woman who says she recognizes her from when she was a child! But does she really? You’ll have to see!

Zoe has to get back to the states quickly because she thinks she will be arrested if she sticks around. She still isn’t able to find what she’s been looking for to help her friend, and in her search she might have accidentally tipped off the “bad guys” during her search.

Like the first two books, The Elusive Elixir is so much fun while being exciting and suspenseful. The same characters I've grown to love appear in the book and the new ones are just as well written. It's a very quick read because you won't want to put it down!

The way Gigi Pandian writes makes you feel as if you are actually in the book. The descriptions make everything feel very real! Take my advice and read these books!
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ysing
5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful series!
Reviewed in the United States on July 29, 2022
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Love this series. Don’t understand alchemy and “backward alchemy” confuses me. But, I just go with that and enjoy the charming characters and the interesting plot line. The vegan recipes are quite interesting. I highly recommend this whole series and will be getting the next book soon. Curl up in a comfy chair with a cup of tea and enjoy!
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MGM6
4.0 out of 5 stars Good
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2021
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Good story but a bit convoluted. This story became a little hard to follow and strange compared to 1st and 2nd ones. I still intend on sticking with this series.
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J. Watkins
3.0 out of 5 stars I enjoyed the premise of the book
Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2017
Verified Purchase
I enjoyed the premise of the book, but felt the quality of the writing declined. The book would have benefited from more careful editing. At the same time, the story plot was not so well developed as the first and second books of the series. All in all, it felt rushed and unfinished.
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Colleen
5.0 out of 5 stars Good experience!
Reviewed in the United States on December 1, 2023
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Fast shipping, item just as described by seller.
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Top reviews from other countries

Graham
5.0 out of 5 stars Agreed conclusion to the story
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 27, 2023
Verified Purchase
A great set of books easy to read - the characters are clear and the story just keeps you hooked.
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Kindle Customer
5.0 out of 5 stars Adorable
Reviewed in Australia on October 21, 2021
Verified Purchase
A beautiful read, full of great progression of the storyline of the series, further development of the characters and warm and drama in good measure.
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jeanne adamek
5.0 out of 5 stars Really good
Reviewed in Germany on February 6, 2017
Verified Purchase
This is a mystery series that I have always been pleased to read. It is different--unusual. I love the characters. Characters that the author has described so well that I can actually see them. And although I know that I will never be vegan, I find that in this book, the aspects on hearing how the food has been enjoyed I know that I will (and have) try the food.

The mystery in this story wasn't too hard to solve. This didn't bother me as the story contained so many more elements than mystery. There is fantasy, a bit of history, some wonderful descriptions of Paris, and of course, the vegan part. The mystery just tied everything together and made the storyline flow. I would definitely recommend this story (and the whole series) to all mystery readers that like to try something different.
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Sid
5.0 out of 5 stars Fantastic read
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 18, 2022
Verified Purchase
I'm really enjoying this series of books, so much so I've not be able to put them down. Zoe and Dorian make a wonderful team. Can't wait to read the next one.
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