I received a widget for The Library Game and immediately downloaded it, as the premise and the description of Tempest Raj intrigued me. Like Tempest, I am half Indian. As such, the continuous infusion of her grandfather’s cooking and details about his backstory were something to which I could relate. However, it took me over 6 months to read the novel, as it fell very flat with respect to the pacing, the conflict, and the general characterization of everything and everyone.

Like another reviewer mentioned, the writing style is very simple and on the level of a middle-grade reader (honestly, in my opinion, the novel is more reminiscent of a novel I would have read in 3rd or 4th grade, if not in 2nd). Thus, The Library Game should have been a breeze to read. Instead, I kept pausing every 10 pages or so, in order to shift my focus to another task, or another book. Perhaps the novel bored me because I didn’t read the other installments beforehand and I wasn’t invested in the characters’ lives. That said, a novel has to be assessed on its own merits. The fact that I had such difficulty getting through The Library Game makes me question whether or not I would be able to do so with the previous books.

The conflict was not very strong, as it seemingly had no impact on the central characters’ lives, apart from impeding their ability to carry out the play and the escape room. Said hindrance was quickly remedied once the characters found another location, albeit temporarily.

Tempest, Gideon, Sanjay, and company may have been more/better fleshed out as characters in the previous installments of the series. To a first time reader, however, they came across as caricatures or stereotypes. The romance between Tempest and Gideon too had little subtext and their interactions seemed forced for the sake of a plot point.

All in all, The Library Game would have been a better read if a few elements (namely the conflict and writing style) had been given more attention before publication.

Thank you to Minotaur Books/St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.




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This was my first read from this series and it makes me want to go back and read the others as well!

I love a good cozy mystery and I really enjoyed this one. I fell in love with the characters so I can’t wait to read the others and get more of their stories. The mystery kept me engaged and I couldn’t get enough.

The Library Game is a delightful blend of mystery, history, and a touch of magic. Pandian crafts a captivating story with clever puzzles and well drawn characters that draw you in from the start. The book’s setting in a literary and somewhat mystical environment adds a unique charm. While the plot is engaging and full of intriguing twists, a few moments felt a little predictable, which kept it from a perfect score. Still, it’s a fun, well-paced read for fans of cozy mysteries with a twist of the supernatural. Definitely worth picking up if you enjoy a clever puzzle wrapped in a charming story.

I had not read any of the other books in this series, so I was a little confused. Nonetheless I did enjoy the book.

Tempest Raj uses her knowledge as a former magician and entertainer to help the family business, Secret Staircase Construction, build magical rooms and houses for their clients. She's particularly excited to be working on the future Gray House Library, a library of classic mysteries. But when a body seems to magically appear and disappear during rehearsals for a murder mystery at the library, Tempest and her friends will have to figure out the trick before it's too late.

It's an okay mystery; it just didn't blow me away or keep my interest. I have a feeling it's mainly because I jumped in with book 4 and didn't have time to get to know the characters. It's full of quirky, original characters that might feel charming if you got to know them as the series progressed, but felt forced in a story that focuses more on keeping the plot moving. And I usually love a cozy mystery that's all about the plot, just not when I'm expected to care about characters without getting more info on them.
Not being fond of the characters is 100% a me thing, which is why I'm rating it higher than I would have. That and the fact that it is a fast-paced mystery that drops new facts and red herrings all over the place to keep you guessing. I guessed the culprit pretty easily, but getting to the reveal was still interesting.
Overall, it's a dynamic cozy mystery that focuses on moving the plot along by giving the reader hints and avenues to explore. It just suffers if you're not already familiar with the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the read!

I loved the idea of this book and was really looking forward to it when I requested the ARC, but, oh my goodness, this reads like a middle grade novel. The narration repeats the same facts over and over again, and it was way too easy to figure out who the murderer is. The characters felt more like caricatures rather than three-dimensional people. While it was interesting to learn more about Tempest and her family, I just couldn't get past how much the book feels like it's geared towards kids. In fact, before writing this review, I checked several places online to make sure I'm not misunderstanding the target audience. If I am, I'm more than happy for someone to point this out so I can amend my review. If this is, in fact, intended for adults, the book isn't written for them.

The fourth Secret Staircase mystery finds Tempest and crew investigating after an actor is murdered during a dress rehearsal of a mystery play.

Another great entry in this series! This one was super easy and fun to read with lots of nods to locked room mysteries (and a slight hint to those where there might be a supernatural element but it turns out to be human). I am intrigued to see when the next mystery takes place - if Gideon is back from France or not. Either way, can't wait for the next one!

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

I enjoyed this book! It was a nice, cozy mystery with an interesting plot. It kept me entertained!

I really enjoyed the plot of this book! Having a murder take place at a new library was very interesting. The characters had their murder mystery taking place soon, so that caused a deadline that the murder had to be solved by. I liked that aspect of the book. I will say, I think it would've been possible for this book to be a little bit shorter. At the end, it seemed like the characters were pulling at the seams, trying to find out who the murderer was. I also really liked the Scooby Doo references. That part was funny.

I will say the characters were a little lack luster. I didn't really connect with any of them, but I think the plot made up for that.

I'd recommend this book to any mystery lover who wants to curl up and read a cute mystery novel.

The Library Game is the fourth installment in Gigi Pandian's Secret Staircase series. This was my first book by the author, and while the plot works well as a standalone mystery, I believe I would have appreciated the character dynamics more had I read the previous books. That said, the storyline was thoroughly engaging, I found myself guessing the culprit right up until the final reveal. I’d recommend this book to fans of locked-room mysteries who enjoy a clever and twisty plot.

3.5 This was a cute cozy mystery that kept me entertained throughout. This story follows Tempest who works for a company that does renovations and solves murders. This lock room mystery follows an escape room rehearsal that leads to a dead body which mysteriously vanishes. Tempest puzzles out who the suspects are in this classic whodunnit. The story in this book was fine but where this book really shone was its characters. Tempest was such a fun sleuth to follow and I really enjoyed the small town setting. This was my first book in the series but I am interested into looking into some past entries in this series! I would like to thank NetGalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

Delayed ARC review!

This was my first book by this author and in this secret staircase mystery series. It definitely can be read as a stand alone.

It was a really fun read and a good palate cleanser for me from my usual genres of romance and thrillers. It was a fun read as someone who is a big bookish person and enjoys mysteries. Check it out if it sounds interesting to you at all- it's available now!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for this e-ARC!

The 4th in a series, and probably best read in order rather than as a standalone as the characters make frequent references to events that happened in previous books. Tempest and her friends slowly piece together the solution to a murder, with some scenes dragged out making the book's pacing rather slow. The motivation behind the murder fell flat for me. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC.

The Library Game, the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mysteries series (no need to read the first three), is a charming cozy mystery with a literary twist. Set in Hidden Creek, it follows Tempest Raj, a magician-turned-contractor, as she helps convert a private home into a library honoring classic detective fiction. When an actor dies during a murder mystery rehearsal—and the body vanishes—Tempest uses her sleight-of-hand skills to uncover secrets. Full of Golden Age nods, quirky characters, and heart, this witty, well-paced mystery is both nostalgic and delightfully original.

Full disclosure: I did not read the other books in the series, yet. I felt a little out of the loop on the character connections, but that did not stop me from really enjoying this book. It had all the perfect elements, a locked room mystery set partially in an escape room with a magic show. Disappearing bodies, haunting sounds, including the voice of the recently deceased homeowner, and a nosy neighbor all kept me hooked. If I had read the others in the series and been more connected with the characters, this would have been a five-star read for me. I am going to start at the beginning to get ready for the next book!

This is the most confounding Secret Staircase Mystery yet. An impossible murder, an unclear motive, and a disappearing corpse all combine to create this latest Gigi Pandian cozy mystery.

Tempest Raj was a Vegas magician, a master of illusion and the art of misdirection. She sounds a little like a mystery author, doesn't she? Tempest is now a part of the Secret Staircase Construction company, created by her parents. There is a bit of a backstory involving the death of her mom, it is touched on in this book, but you should really read the first three books to get the full story. Fortunately, it isn't necessary to enjoy this latest book. In fact, all four books are very good as stand-alone stories but the first three build very nicely on each other. In addition to being cozy, they also have a wonderful culinary aspect. Each book lays out some deliciously descriptive scenes with amazing food created/cooked/crafted by Tempest's grandfather, Ashok "Ash" Raj. Ash has an incredible ability to make tasty food that he shares with anyone and everyone. He also has a rolodex, yes, a literal rolodex of all his contacts, and that is a lot of people. This installment comes with the recipe for Blackberry Crumble Cobbler, and I can attest to how easy it is to make and how yummy it tastes with a dollop of fresh whipped cream.

As usual, the team of Tempest, Gideon, Ivy, and Sunjay do a great job of adding unique perspectives and personality to the book. There is even a furry companion, Abra the big lop-eared emotional support bunny. Abra isn't technically a support bunny but there is something soothing about stroking bunny fur while trying to figure out a mystery or deal with a stressful or sad situation. I could have used a little support while I was chasing red herrings upstream because I did not have a clue who the killer was or why they did it until the reveal. In fact, the moment that Tempest figured it out, I actually sighed in an "oh no" sort of way. Thank goodness I had Blackberry Crumble Cobbler to make me feel better. This was another great cozy and if you get the chance to check out the audio versions, they are excellent as well with the voice talents of Soneela Nankani. She does a great job of bringing each and every character to life just as I have imagined they would sound. I look forward to reading the next book, hopefully next March as they seem to come out about a year apart.

The Library Game is the fourth installment in the Secret Staircase Mysteries series (you don’t have to have read the first 3 - think Miss Marple) offering readers a delightful blend of cozy mystery and literary homage. Set in the charming town of Hidden Creek, the story follows Tempest Raj, a former magician turned contractor, as she and her family business, Secret Staircase Construction, embark on a unique project: transforming a private home into a public library dedicated to classic detective fiction.

The plot takes a thrilling turn during a rehearsal for an interactive murder mystery dinner, when an actor is found dead, only to have the body mysteriously vanish. Drawing on her background in magic and illusion, Tempest delves into the case, uncovering a web of secrets and misdirections.

The narrative is rich with references to Golden Age mysteries, adding depth and nostalgia for fans of the genre.

Pandian's writing is both engaging and witty, with well-developed characters and a plot that keeps readers guessing until the very end. The inclusion of Tempest's supportive family adds warmth and charm to the story, making it a heartwarming read as well as a captivating mystery.

Read if you enjoy:
📖 Literary references
🧩 Intricate puzzles
🏡 HGTV (because home reno!?)
😂 Witty dialogue that will make you chuckle

Thank you to NetGalley & Minotaur Books for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you to the author and Netgalley for a copy of this book. This was a fun read but I had not read the other books in the series so I'm not sure if it would have been more enjoyable but i still liked it a lot without knowing anything!

First I would like to thank St. Martin's Press for providing me an ARC in exchange of my honest opinion.

What I loved:
- Abracadabras, the group of friends who work together to figure out this mystery which bares a striking resemblance to another group with a pet mascot, theirs is Abracadabra the Bunny
- Gray House Library, I love the idea of a house being converted into a mystery library
- Escape Room, I would have LOVED to do the escape game Tempest and Ivy created for Gray House
- Mystery, there were multiple facets to the mystery within this story and it really did keep me guessing
- Raj Family, Tempest's dad and grandparents are fun side characters who weave within the story at the perfect time and bring the support and levity needed in the moment

If you are looking for a cozy mystery with magical elements, detective stories, amazing characters and a supportive friend and family group I would absolutely recommend this book!

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is a wonderfully written magical mystery.

Will Tempest and her friends save the Gray House Library?

Tempest and her friends are working on a new library with a closed room mystery theater that Tempest and Ivy wrote. The library will be an extension of the current library, but feature only classic mysteries.

The Mystery
Our mystery has two parts that may be linked. The first part is the other library that Secret Staircase Construction worked on before, which was broken into, but it doesn't look as though anything was taken. Also, the culprit seemed invisible. The second part is at their first rehearsal for the play part, and Sanjay is recruited to replace one of the three actors for the night. That actor turns up dead and then disappears. There is a lot of redirection and slight of hand going on with this investigation. Also, with limited suspects, and the house was under surveillance the entire time, it is quite a doozy of a mystery.

The Gang
The gang is starting to click together with these mysteries. Instead of calling themselves the Scoobies, they will use the Abracadabras since their mascot is a flobby-eared bunny.

However, Gideon is preparing to leave for a three-month internship in France. Tempest is torn up about him going, but can't seem to talk to him about it. Sanjay may want more than friendship with Tempest, but I can't be sure of that. Ivy is looking for a place to live since she has to move from her apartment. There are lots of changes going on with the gang. The constant being Tempest's family, her dad is always there for them, and her grandparents offer lots of yummy food, comfort, and wisdom.

Five Stars
My rating for The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is five stars. I love the way the author pulls together so many classic mysteries, balancing them with magic, family, and friendship in a wonderful setting.

Check out the Blackberry Crumble Cobbler recipe at the book's end. It sounds amazing.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Thank you for dropping by! I hope you enjoyed this review of The Library Game by Gigi Pandian.

Until the next time,
~Jen

If you would like to see other reviews like this one, check out Baroness Book Trove.

The latest entry in the Secret Staircase series does not disappoint. Tempest and friends find themselves in a locked room mystery while preparing to host a mystery themed escape room at Gray House, which will soon be opening as a mystery library. Solving this one will take everyone in the Secret Staircase crew.

The mystery is engaging and complex. The references to classic mysteries is a delight. What keeps me coming back are these characters and their relationships. I love this series.