Tempest Raj and her friends are putting on a locked room mystery play for guests at the new Gray House Library's grand opening. but during rehearsals, the actor who plays the murder victim really is murdered. Not only that, but his body disappears and reappears! With her magician friend, Sanjay looking like the murderer according to the police, Tempest sets out to figure out who could have possibly killed Lucas and why? With a varied group of suspects and interference from the "Scoobies", the local police detective is not happy. Can this group of friends figure out who is the killer before they themselves become the next victims?

Apparently, this is part of the "Secret Staircase" mystery series which I had not known about before this volume. Perhaps having read the previous volumes would have helped me to enjoy this group of friends a bit better as the book refers back to people and events that happened in previous books. It wasn't too hard to figure out who was the killer but I enjoyed the addition of the magical elements to explain how the victim's body disappeared. For fans of the series.

A great cozy mystery, perfect for a rainy afternoon by the fire, glass of wine or tea in hand.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love me a good mystery and this was such a fun read! I enjoyed diving into this world! This was a new author/series for me and I enjoyed seeing how the authors story unfolded!

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This author is brand new to me so I was interested in this title. I didn’t realize that she has written other books in this series until I finished, but I may go back to read them.
I loved all of the books and library references, the librarians and the locked room mysteries. Tempest and her family and friends were entertaining and interesting. The writing was easy and fast to read.
I would recommend this to mystery readers!

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley St. Martin’s Press and Minotaur Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Tempest is busy working at her dad construction company as it starts to get notice for their hidden staircase work. A secret hidden and a mysterious play come to life as an actor is killed. What secrets will this room hold?? It is a mystery not to be forgotten.

A nice light-hearted cozy with a strong group of characters. I didn’t realize this was #4 in a series when I started reading. I think reading the whole series would make it easier to keep all the characters straight. But an enjoyable book.

This is the fourth book in the series, but the first one I've read.
I loved the idea of a secret staircase, it adds excitement to the story, especially when a dead body turns up, then it's always a race to see if I predicted the correct outcome.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is magically fun - stage magic that is. A murder mystery set in a museum-quality library of the classic golden age of mysteries, complete with moving bookcases? YES PLEASE!

Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Minotaur Books for the copy of The Library Game by Gigi Pandan. I e Secret Staircase books and they get better and better, so if you haven’t started reading them yet, start immediately! I wish Secret Staircase Construction could renovate my house! I love how stage magic is interwoven into the story, especially how Tempest uses her knowledge of magic to solve the mystery. The story was intriguing and I loved how it all came together in the end. The food her grandfather creates makes me drool and there’s always a recipe! So you won’t want to miss this book. 4 stars

Tempest’s family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is completing the work on Gray House Library’s renovation, and the new owner has requested a rehearsal for the murder mystery dinner party he has planned. But when a real dead body turns up rather than an actor pretending to be dead – and then disappears! – Tempest and her crew set out to learn what really happened so the Library can open as planned.

I would love to visit one of the homes that Secret Staircase Construction has built, and I think it would be fun to have a sliding bookcase or even a secret passageway in my own home. I like Tempest and the other major characters, especially her grandparents. They are compassionate people, and Grandpa Ash’s food sounds delicious.

The murder in this story is seen as an impossible crime, so the field of suspects is almost non-existent at first. As Tempest and friends begin to ask questions, possible murderers are uncovered. I never did work out who the killer was until it was revealed in the book, but the motive made sense.

I hope this series continues, as I’d really like to read more about Tempest, Gideon, Sanjay, Ivy and the rest.

This is the fourth book, The Secret Staircase Mystery series, so it is best that you read the previous books or you're going to be very confused because that's what happened to me. I started this one, realized oh I need to go back, and then binged red the other three books.

This is the kind of book where you can't really talk about What it's about without spoiling things for not only this book but for the others in the series. What I can say is that it has a murder, a disappearing body and a locked room.

The thing that I've noticed about this series is that It is incredibly well written, but it's not the most difficult of mysteries to solve. It's pretty easy to figure out early on, but the characters are so well written and well developed that it doesn't take away from the enjoyment of this book or any of them.

The best thing about this book isn't actually the mystery It's the family relationships that you see throughout this book. As well as the self-discovery. If you're at all interested I would recommend giving it a read. A highly enjoyable experience.

I’ve been reading this author for a very long time, since I first picked up the first book in the Accidental Alchemist series. I almost never read a non-paranormal book, but I followed her to this one. This is the fourth book in the series, and at last Tempest has come to some closure with her mom’s death, and she’s ready to settle in. Of course, there’s a murder, a disappearing body, and being trapped in a locked room. It didn’t take me long to figure out the villain, but the reveal at how it’s done is always fun. I enjoyed this latest, and those who like this series will too. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

Thank you so much to Gigi Pandian and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books for the eARC of this book. This is the 4th book in the secret staircase mysteries. This is a quick fun cozy mystery read. It is perfect for the springtime.

Okay, tell me why would someone wouldn’t want an additional library in their town? Do you know how valuable those additional chances to get your most anticipated book in another library if you cannot find in your go to one? Tempest probably needs to look those people’s brains to create her next magical and convoluted structure because that would be one crazy place.

I always wanted to take part in murder mysteries, but last time I checked they did not involve an actual murder victim lying in the middle of the room. It was all supposed to be make believe. However, during the prep for the murder mystery night in the new library, Tempest and her Scooby crew found a dead body. Body of the guy who was supposed to be out for the night.

Gigi Pandian comes back with a capturing story of every growing Secret Staircase Construction and its owners and workers. As they start to participate in bigger projects, problems are getting bigger too.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

In "The Library Game: A Secret Staircase Novel", Gigi Pandian enchants readers with a delightful blend of mystery, adventure, and a touch of magic. Set in a labyrinthine mansion brimming with secret passages and hidden treasures, this novel is a bibliophile's dream come true.

This story follows the intrepid protagonist who discovers an ancient board game in the depths of a family library. What starts as a curious find quickly escalates into a perilous adventure as the game reveals its secrets. Pandian's narrative is expertly paced, with each chapter unveiling new layers of intrigue and suspense. The twists and turns are cleverly crafted, ensuring that readers are hooked to this story early. .

The characters in "The Library Game" are vividly drawn and full of personality. The protagonist’s journey from a curious explorer to a determined sleuth is both engaging and relatable. Pandian excels at creating dynamic relationships among the cast, adding depth and dimension to the story. The characters' quirks and strengths play a significant role in solving the mysteries they encounter, making for an entertaining ensemble.

Pandian weaves themes of heritage, discovery, and the magic of storytelling throughout the novel. The writing is rich and evocative, with detailed descriptions that transport readers into the heart of the mansion and its many secrets. Pandian's love for libraries and books shines through, making the setting a character in its own right. The narrative is filled with clever puzzles and riddles, inviting readers to join the protagonist in unraveling the mysteries.

"The Library Game" is a captivating and whimsical read that will appeal to fans of mystery, adventure, and the charm of old libraries. Gigi Pandian's ability to blend historical elements with a modern-day treasure hunt creates a unique and enjoyable reading experience. The novel is a testament to the enduring allure of hidden secrets and the power of curiosity.

For readers who enjoy a good mystery infused with a sense of wonder and a love for books, "The Library Game" is a must-read. Gigi Pandian's novel is a celebration of the joy of discovery and the timeless fascination with hidden passages and secret staircases. This book is sure to delight anyone who has ever dreamed of stumbling upon a hidden world within the pages of a book.

The fourth installment in the Secret Staircase series, “The Library Game” sees Tempest Raj and her friends faced with another death. Once a renowned stage magician, Tempest has returned to her hometown of Hidden Creek to work with her father’s construction business creating whimsical building elements for their clients. When a real dead body shows up, disappears, and reappears at their current project, the Gray House Library, Tempest will use her knowledge of perception, illusion, and ingenuity to capture a killer.

I’ve read each book in this series, but you don’t have to have read all of them to enjoy this unique cozy mystery. Similar to previous stories, this is a locked-room style mystery. While I was interested and engaged, there wasn’t enough information for the reader to be able to solve the murder (at least in my opinion). I like the characters, but I don’t think there was any development in them from what I’ve read before. I did appreciate all the misdirection and the incorporation of several different cultures that make up Tempest’s unique family.

While not my favorite of the series, I will continue to read this author as there are way more good elements to her writing than bad. Would love to see the characters evolve a bit more and have her family more involved in the solving.

I have really enjoyed this series but could not connect to this latest installment at all. Despite the stated differences, it pretty much felt like every previous book. While the settings and specifics might have changed, the overall feel and direction of the story felt like it was ground I had already covered in the series. I'm not sure why exactly, but I just couldn't get into this one. I struggled from the opening chapters and after many attempts at going back and trying again, I had to admit that this one just wasn't working for me...

This is a new author and new series for me. I really enjoyed this author's writing style. I don't usually start a series at book four, I thought it was book two or three, when I requested it, so it took a little while for me to get my bearings, but that's totally on me. As I read, I definitely got a feel for Tempest, her very interesting family and friends. This was definitely a story of misdirection, magic, and imagination. You absolutely had to pay attention, and while I had a thought about who our villain could be, I wasn't sure of why and definitely wasn't sure of how. It's definitely a good mystery with a nicely diverse set of characters, I will definitely seek out more from this author! Thanks to #Netgally, #Minotaur, and the author for an opportunity to read. #TheLibraryGame #TheSecretStaircaseMysteries #GigiPardian #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader

This is my first time reading this author and despite this being the 4th book in the series, I figured it could be read as a stand alone as most cozy mysteries can. And I was right. I had no issue having not read the first books as any information needed was explained in this book in a seamless way.

This is the epitome of “cozy” mystery. It’s one that you can just curl up with and get through quickly. It is a little slow at the beginning but it quickly picks up to get into the action.

It’s the type of book that you wish you could be in real like. An old house being transformed into a niche library with a murder mystery dinner? Yes please!

So if you’re looking for a fun low stakes cozy read for this early Spring, this book comes out on March 18th 2025.

I am thankful to have gotten an eARC for free from St Martin’s Press through NetGalley to enjoy which gave me the opportunity to voluntarily leave a review.

Can I just say that St Martins line up from different imprints for the first half of the year is killing it!! So many awesome books coming out!
My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

Summary
Tempest Raj is a master of transforming ordinary homes into extraordinary experiences. Her family business, Secret Staircase Construction, creates unique architectural features like sliding bookshelves, secret passageways, gargoyles with secrete levers, and the like.

Their latest job is at the Gray House. The former owner made specific plans to convert the home into a library and Tempest’s team is going all out to set the stage for a grand opening including a murder mystery dinner and escape room. But, rehearsal doesn’t go as planned when the real corpse of one of the actors appears, and disappears.

In order to save the library opening, Tempest and her friends must solve the mystery and the murder.

Review
This was my first read by this author, which is to say that I had not read the previous books in the series. While much of the necessary background information is dropped in throughout the book, I would recommend reading the others in the series before starting this one. As a solo read, the background information didn’t feel repetitive, but for those who are familiar with the rest of the series, it may come across as redundant.

I think I enjoyed the concept of this book more than I actually enjoyed it in practice. I was expecting more escape room puzzle solving, but the vast majority of this book takes place outside of the escape rooms. The whole experience left me wanting more (and not in the good way). Characters felt half thought through and some interactions borderlined on cliché / overdramatized, the puzzles and the mystery fell flat.

This was a quick read but left a lot to be desired.

(Thank you to Gigi Pandian, Minotaur Books, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my review. This book is slated to be published March 18, 2025)