"The Library Game" by Gigi Pandian is a mixed bag of magical libraries and murder mysteries that'll keep you turning pages, even if the ending might leave you wanting more.

Let's talk about those libraries first - oh my goodness! The Secret Staircase Construction team creates spaces that are straight out of a bookworm's wildest dreams. I found myself getting lost in the descriptions, imagining hidden nooks and crannies filled with rare tomes and whispered secrets.

The lock-room scene? Pure adrenaline. It's like being in an escape room, but with real danger lurking around every corner. Piecing together clues had me feeling like a regular sleuth, and I loved every minute of it.

At the heart of the story are four friends, led by our protagonist Tempest. Their bond is put to the test when one of them falls under suspicion after a colleague turns up dead. It's a classic "whodunit" with a twist of friendship drama that keeps things interesting.

Now, about Tempest - she's a bit of a firecracker. Her standoff with the elderly neighbor at the beginning had me raising an eyebrow. It felt a tad aggressive and made me wonder if I was going to like her. As the story progressed, she grew on me, but that initial impression lingered.

I'll be honest, the grand reveal didn't quite live up to the build-up. After all the twists and turns, I was expecting something mind-blowing, but it fell a bit flat for me.

Despite that, "The Library Game" has a cozy charm that's hard to resist. The warm family scenes and friendship moments add a layer of comfort to the suspense. It's like curling up with a good book and a cup of tea - even if the tea's a little lukewarm by the end.

If you're in the mood for a mystery with a side of found family vibes, give this one a shot.

Thank you, Minotaur and NetGalley, for my free book.

2.5 stars, rounded to 3

This is book 4 in the Secret Staircase series, a very cozy mystery. I don’t think there were any curse words and there were lots of great descriptions of food made by the main character’s grandfather (seriously, that might have been the best part. Food descriptions in books, one of the true pleasures of life. Makes me want to eat, though, and while the Scooby gang here is enjoying a picnic basket full of Ash’s assorted sandwiches on baguettes, I’m eating the completely unfulfilling empty calories of leftover baby Reese’s Cups from Halloween. But I digress.

Tempest Raj, is a former magician (I think you may find out why in earlier books, not sure) and now works with her dad and two of her friends at Secret Staircase Construction, a specialty construction firm. The company is currently transforming a fairy-tale home into a mystery library complete with sliding bookshelves. They have to have the library ready for an upcoming murder mystery dinner and literary themed escape room that will serve as the library’s grand opening and part of the town’s walking tour.

Tempest, her construction company friends (Ivy Youngblood and Gideon Torres,) the house’s owner, Cameron Gray and amateur actors are present at the house for a rehearsal when…there’s a (gasp!) murder! Then the body disappears! Then it reappears after the group is trapped in a real escape room in the house! Are classic mystery plots coming to life? Who killed the actor and why?

So, there are many, MANY reference to things that happened in the first three books. You can read this as a standalone, but you’ll feel like you missed a lot. It’s an OK little cozy mystery, however once Tempest makes a grand inference based on something another character says (which keeps that person a suspect) that is absolutely incorrect (I’m surprised this wasn’t caught in editing, this isn’t a typo, it’s a faulty plot point.)

On the plus side, I already mentioned Ash’s food, plus I loved the idea of this library, and I also really enjoyed when Ivy brings in a bag full o’ classic mysteries that she feels are in some way germane to their case (I don’t know why she brought the actual books to their meeting, like they were going to sit down and read them, but that’s a quibble…I added two titles to my TBR list.). In the end though I don’t really have a desire to read on in the series, but cozy mysteries aren’t usually my thing. Fans of the genre should like this, but go back and start with number one.

Another win in this terrific series with Tempest and those she loves and works with. The whole family is magically extraordinary, so the solution to this Escape Room puzzle is absolutely wonderful. Well written as always with marvelous characters, sneaky hints and twists, and a real surprise ending. Loved it!
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected digital galley from St. Martin's Press/Minotaur Books via NetGalley. Avail Mar 18, 2025
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The fourth Secret Staircase mystery concerns the death of an actor who was set to play in a murder mystery at a house that is soon to be Gray House Library. The library is filled with Golden Age mysteries collected by the recently deceased owner. The owner left the funds to turn the house into the newest town library to be run by his nephew who would live in the attic carefully remodeled by Secret Staircase Construction.

The actor's body disappears like something in magic trick but then reappears the next evening. Tempest and Sanjay are both stage magicians. They should be able to figure out what happened to the body. However, this is also a locked room mystery since nosy across-the-street neighbor Mrs. Hudson is sure that no one entered or left the premises when the death occurred.

Tempest calls the gang together to solve the mystery of the actor's death and save the library from being closed before it can even open. Tempest and Sanjay's knowledge of magic, Ivy's vast knowledge of mystery novels, and Gideon's practical nature should be enough to solve the crime. Especially if Tempest's grandfather can use his expansive rolodex to find people to answer all the questions they have about the whole mystery.

This was an engaging story with interesting characters. I like the mix of characters. I also like the whimsical constructions done by Tempest's father's company. With Gideon's departure for a France and a stonemason internship, changes are in the air and Ivy's search for a new home, changes are in the air.

Fans of the series will enjoy getting back together with some unique detectives for a fun adventure.

A murder mystery dinner in a crime-themed house and a crime-themed escape room? Sign me up! But when things go awry, Tempest Raj and her crew must figure out the truth behind the illusions. I really enjoyed the crime-themed elements of this story and thought it was so interesting to have Tempest and her crew actually caught in the escape room. The reveal at the end of how everything was done was so intriguing! I have to admit, though, that the magic of the previous three books wasn't quite there in this book. This book was fun and I still love the characters, but things felt almost too normal for Tempest, and the tension between Gideon and Sanjay was just weird to me. It added a layer that was frustrating, and I missed the almost sibling-like relationship Sanjay and Tempest had in previous books. It felt more like she was trying to put him off a relationship here rather than just enjoying each other's company as friends. But I so love Gigi Pandian's writing and her mysteries always are filled with twists and turns that I love.

5/5 stars: This fourth entry in Pandian's Secret Staircase Mystery series, which is a BIPOC DIY Cozy Mystery that takes place in California and follows an Indian American former stage magician who works for her family's home renovation company designing sliding bookshelves, secret passageways and other tricky architectural features. While finishing up her latest project, a private home turned classic detective fiction library, where an interactive murder mystery play will be performed, she and a group of friends and actors are trapped in the literary themed escape room by someone playing a deadly game. After their escape they discover one of the actor's dead and when her best friend's implicated, she turns sleuth to solve this impossible crime. With plenty of twists and turns, Pandian has masterfully crafted a mystery that deftly balances the suspects, clues and red herrings and will leave you pondering the whodunit until the final reveal. Heartfelt and humorous, Pandian's writing and character work are stellar; the characters are well-rounded and complex while remaining incredibly likable. It's great to catch up with Tempest, her friends (especially Sanjay), and family, her colleagues at Secret Staircase Construction and the eclectic townsfolk of Hidden Creek. I love seeing Tempest and Gideon's relationship progressing. And of course, one must forget Tempest's ten-pound, lop-eared rabbit, Abra AKA Abracadabra. Additionally, I love the Raj's fabulous family estate, Fiddler's Folly, and all the unique architectural features. Oh and you'll for sure want to try out the absolutely yummy recipe included. While you could read this as a stand-alone, you'll gain so much more by reading the series from the beginning; so be sure to pick up book one, Under Lock & Skeleton Key. This is favorite series; highly recommend!

I received this eARC thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | Minotaur Books in exchange for an honest review. Publishing dates are subject to change.

(3.75 stars)
The fourth book in the Secret Staircase mystery series is another delightful locked-room mystery. This time the family-owned specialty construction company doesn’t figure into the story very much, but the talents of the former magician, Tempest Raj, definitely does. Tempest and her friends are putting on a show that is an escape room/murder mystery dinner play. It’s being staged in Gray House, which was a private home filled with classic mystery novels that is being turned into a library - if the town council approves the plan. The show is supposed to be part of the town’s Summer Stroll festivities. But when one of the actors is found murdered, will the show be able to go on?

There are several characters to keep track of, but if you’ve read at least one of the previous books, that won’t be an issue. The main “players” include Tempest’s friend and possible future boyfriend, Gideon, a talented stone carver; Sanjay, her magician friend who bills himself as the Hindu Houdini; Ivy, who runs the existing local mystery-themed library, and more. As usual, Grandpa Ash provides delicious-sounding food! (Don’t miss the blackberry crumble cobbler recipe at the end of the book.) And Abra, Tempest’s pet rabbit, makes a couple of appearances.

The locked-room aspect was well done, as always. Do we actually see what we think we see? In addition to the mystery, there’s an emphasis on family and friendship, which I always appreciate.

I bounced between the audiobook and the ebook for this title, which was very convenient. The audiobook was narrated by Soneela Nankani, who once again did a great job with the many characters and accents.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to an advance copy of this audiobook and to Minotaur Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance reader copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Minotaur Books for the opportunity to read The Library Game, book #4 in the Secret Staircase locked-room mystery series by Gigi Pandian. Although I had heard of the author (and even met her at a conference), this is the first book of hers that I've read. And I'd like to read more.
Although this book is part of a series, the author provided enough backstory about the characters and their relationships so it works as a standalone.
Tempest Raj, the protagonist, is a strong, smart heroine with a logical mind for figuring out clues and leveraging the skills and connections of her friends and family. A former magician, she now works for her family's construction business, building secret staircases and hidden rooms. Her current project is setting up an interactive murder mystery play and a literary-themed escape room as part of their town's summer stroll. The setting is Gray House, whose recently deceased owner directed that the mansion be turned into a public library dedicated to classic detective fiction.
On the first night of rehearsal, the play goes terribly wrong when the "victim" turns out to be really dead. The players immediately call 911, but by the time the police arrive, the body has disappeared. The actor who supposedly died later sends everyone text messages and locks them all in the escape room, but no one has actually seen him.
This was a well-constructed mystery with memorable characters who work together as a team to solve the murder. Highly recommended for readers who love good puzzles.

The Library game is a suspenseful with a murder mystery dinner that is hosted at Gray House things go wrong. This book is well written with some humor and suspense.

When I requested to review this book, I didnt realize it was part of a series. However, despite not having read the previous books in the series, the author included bits and pieces from past stories. It was an overall light read despite the topic of murder.

ARC Review:

⭐️⭐️⭐️ for The Library Game by Gigi Pandian

Book 4 in the Secret Staircase Mysteries has Tempest and her friends solving another crime. Tempest’s family business, Secret Staircase construction, is renovating a new library, but before it can open, the murder mystery dinner is facing a real murder.

This was a cozy mystery in a quaint town full of magic rooms and libraries galore. I found the mystery entertaining enough, but unfortunately did not enjoy the characters (except Sanjay, he was funny). This could be because it’s my first read of the series and I’m missing out on some development in previous books. I thought it was nice that they paid homage to the classic mystery authors. I loved the short chapters and felt that they made it a quick fun read.
Cozy mystery fans, The Library Game by Gigi Pandian is out March 18th, 2025.
Thank you to #netgalley and Minotaur books for the opportunity to read this e-arc.

When she finished Tempest’s main arc in A Midnight Puzzle, I was worried that we’d stop getting Secret Staircase mysteries. I’m happy to say there is no cause to worry about that! Tempest is back and better than ever. I actually think perhaps shedding all the backstory was good for the pacing of these, as we could do without some of the exposition. But in any case, this time there has been a murder at a new library, and Tempest and her friends (and her rabbit) are on the case.

As always when I am reviewing the nth book in a series, I’ll answer two questions. First, if I’m already a fan of the series, should I read this book? If you’ve been along for the ride, and you have a good set of snacks handy, jump right in on The Library Game. It’s got all the scrumptious food descriptions, impossible murders, immaculate classic murder mystery vibes, that you could want. Go forth and enjoy.

The second question is for people who haven’t started the series and want to know if they should start at all, and if so, do they have to start at the beginning. I’ll answer these in reverse order. Yes. You have to start at the beginning. That main arc I talked about in the first paragraph? Totally spoiled if you jump in now. Should you read the series? That depends.

John Dickson Carr, one of the mystery writers who is an inspiration for these books, has a self insert character go on a tirade about how everyone is always on him to make his books “plausible” and says something to the effect of “I’m not in the business of “plausible,” I’m in the business of possible.” If you want your detective fiction to be “realistic” or “plausible” or “gritty” this is not the series for you. If you want something warm and cozy without being odd or saccharine. But you’ve also gotta like your cozies with a little bit of edge. Not, like a lot of edge, but a little. You’ve gotta be down with a little bit of meta-fictional discussion. If you’re in for some cozy-meta mystery, come on in, the water’s fine.

Will post and add links closer to the actual pub date.

The Library Game was my first book by Gigi Pandian. This is the fourth book in the series in this series, but was easy enough to follow without having to read the other three books.

I loved Tempest but her family stole my heart. Her quirky, loving, and supporting father and grandparents are everything a happy family dynamic should be. Their family business, Secret Staircase Construction, is a dream come true that combines whimsical architecture, books, and magic.
The family’s most recent job was to convert the home of Harold Gray into a library comprised exclusively of classic detective fiction as he had requested in his will prior to his death. His grandnephew would live in the attic, which Secret Staircase Construction, had converted into a cozy apartment and run the library. Prior to opening the library to the public, Tempest and friends decide to draw attention to the newest addition to their little town of Hidden Creek by hosting a murder mystery play and escape room. Things take a turn when a real murder takes place during the dress rehearsal. Now it is up to Tempest, her friends, her family, the police, and her trusty grumpy bunny sidekick to solve the murder so that the library can open.

This was a fun read and kept me guessing until the end. The beginning was a bit slow and didn’t draw me in quickly but that could have been due to the fact that I was starting on book four so it took time to warm up to the characters. Once I got to know them and the murder unfolded, then I couldn’t put it down.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the chance to read and review The Library Game prior to its release.

3.25 stars. I enjoyed this sequel as a cozy snowy-day read. I didn't expect it to carry as much emotional heft as the previous entry (where Tempest discovers the truth about her mother and aunt), but it was maybe a little too surface-depth. And the characters' actions and dialogue in the first half of the book were somewhat unnatural and clunky, not like how people really act or talk to each other.. which is one of my pet peeves. But if you're looking for something lighthearted, easy, with a satisfying conclusion, this series is a good bet.

The Library Game by Gigi Pandian has all the makings of a great cozy mystery: an old house being transformed into a library, a murder mystery dinner, and a literary-themed escape room. These elements made it an immediate addition to my 2025 anticipated reads list. However, I didn’t realize it was the fourth book in the Secret Staircase Mystery series until I started reading, and that may have impacted my overall enjoyment.

The setting—a small-town library renovation with hidden passageways and nods to classic detective fiction—is absolutely charming. Tempest Raj, the protagonist, is quirky and entertaining, though her eccentricities sometimes feel overdone. The diverse cast of characters adds depth, and the relationships between them seem to be the heart of the story. However, having not read the earlier books, I felt like I missed some of the established dynamics that might have made those connections more meaningful.

As for the mystery, the “locked-room” premise had a lot of potential, but it fell a bit flat for me. The clues were overly obvious and inserted too bluntly into the narrative, which disrupted the flow and made it easy to figure out the culprit early on. While the idea of a seemingly impossible crime was intriguing, much of the action occurred outside the locked-room setting, which detracted from the core premise. My interest also fluctuated throughout, rather than staying consistently engaged.
While cozy mysteries aren’t always emotionally charged, I would have appreciated more energy in the performance.

While The Library Game has plenty of elements I adore—books, libraries, and a classic murder mystery vibe—the execution didn’t fully work for me. That said, cozy mystery fans or readers familiar with the series may enjoy it more, as they’ll likely appreciate the recurring characters and community. For me, it was a mixed experience, though I might revisit earlier books in the series for better context. Thank you NetGalley for my ARC.

This was cute and sweet I had so much fun! This is the perfect read for someone who is in a slump and just needs to break out of it. It was fast paced and not too complicated. The plot was succinct and I loved that. Perfect for a cozy rainy day in!

I really enjoyed this cozy, locked-in mystery! It was entertaining with a very fun cast of characters and great pace. I will pick up more by this author.

Tempest Raj, magician and designer at the family business Secret Staircase Construction, are renovating a home into a classic detective fiction library. She and her friends, along with rabbit Abra, and working play to be performed in soon to open library. On rehearsal night, an actor appears dead and then disappears. Where is the body? Who is causing all the ruckus? Is it the bird watching retired librarian? Our beloved Sanjay (when will my favorite guy find love?)? Whoever it is, continues to leave red herrings and threats of poison making our gang of sleuths fear their lives. Another fun and twisty mystery.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this DRC.
#TheLibraryGame #NetGalley

Tempest and her friends are setting up a mystery play for an old home that is being turned into a classic mystery book library. During a rehearsal, an actor appears to actually be shot, but then the body disappears! Tempest uses her experience as a magician to solve the seemingly impossible and solve the mystery. Tempest and her friends and family are great characters, especially Grandpa Ash, the magician turned doctor retired to cook delicious food. This is a fun cozy mystery and I love the unusual addition of a former stage magician to the story.
Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Thanks for the opportunity to read.
This book was a good page turner. It's funny, thoughtful and a great read. I can't wait for the next one!