Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of <i>The Elusive Elixir</i> in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

<h4 style="margin-top: 84px;">The Gist</h4>

<i>The Elusive Elixir</i> by Gigi Pandian is a delightful and enchanting mystery novel that blends elements of magic, history, and adventure into a captivating narrative. Serving as the third installment in the <i>Accidental Alchemist</i> series, the novel follows protagonist Zoe Faust, an alchemist with a mysterious past, and her trusty gargoyle companion, Dorian Robert-Houdin, as they embark on a quest to uncover the secrets of an elusive elixir that promises eternal life.

<h4>The Details</h4>

Pandian's writing is both lyrical and evocative, transporting readers to the picturesque streets of Portland, Oregon, and the sun-drenched vineyards of France's Loire Valley. From the bustling markets of Paris to the shadowy depths of ancient catacombs, the novel is filled with vividly rendered settings and richly detailed descriptions that bring the world of alchemy to life.

At the heart of the story is Zoe Faust, a complex and compelling protagonist whose intelligence, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination make her a force to be reckoned with. As she delves deeper into the mystery of the elusive elixir, Zoe must confront her own fears and insecurities, as well as the shadows of her past, to unlock the secrets of alchemy and protect those she holds dear.

But perhaps the true star of the novel is Dorian Robert-Houdin, Zoe's loyal gargoyle companion, whose wit, charm, and insatiable curiosity add a delightful touch of humor and whimsy to the story. As Dorian accompanies Zoe on her quest, readers are treated to a series of delightful banter and heartwarming moments that highlight the deep bond between the two characters.

In addition to its engaging characters and richly imagined world, <i>The Elusive Elixir</i> also delivers plenty of twists and turns that will keep readers guessing until the very end. Pandian skillfully weaves together multiple plot threads, from ancient alchemical mysteries to modern-day conspiracies, in a narrative that is as intricate as it is entertaining.

<h4>The Verdict</h4>

Overall, <i>The Elusive Elixir</i> is a captivating and immersive read that will appeal to fans of mystery, fantasy, and historical fiction alike. With its engaging characters, intricate plotting, and enchanting prose, Gigi Pandian has crafted a novel that is sure to leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the <i>Accidental Alchemist</i> series.

It feels like a different author wrote this book, as compared to the first two. There was a lot more backstory, the characters had some element of depth here in this book. Overall, this was enjoyable. However, if you haven't read the earlier books in the series, this one will feel like it concludes things rather easily. So, I recommend you reading the earlier books to get proper context of this one.

This one was so much better than the first two books. Forget the murder but there actually was an element of mystery in this, there was a lot more plotting and story involved in this as compared to the first two books. Even then, I feel the ending was rushed and some things do manage to get themselves sorted rather conveniently. But it was a good read and so much better than the first two books, that I feel like reading the next two in the series.

I absolutely love this series and its quirky characters- Zoe and Dorian, the gargoyle! Alchemy is one of my favorite subjects to read about and this series has plenty of it. Zoe is still trying to find the alchemical secret that will stop the process that's slowly turning Dorian into stone.

This book starts off with Zoe in Paris. She doesn't think she'll be recognized in such a big city but of course she is. That's how it always go isn't it- when you don't want to be seen, you see everyone under the sun...After that encounter, it's a non-stop adventure from there.

If you start this series, be prepared to read all of the books because you can't help but fall in love with Dorian and Zoe.

The start was actually rather good but I lost my interest in the plot after 30%. Maybe better focus on Dorian and not Zoe.

I love this series, it's quirky, fun, well written, everything I look for in a good series. My advice is to read them in order to get the most out of them but out of order is okay, too. Zoe has gone to Paris to help her friend, Dorian, a gargoyle who is turning into stone unless she can figure out how to stop it. The theme of alchemy, the mystery and, in this case, the setting of Paris, it all comes together perfectly.

Ah...finally. The story develops, is focused and we get the read that we've been looking for through three volumes.

Zoe Faust is a 300 year old alchemist. Her specialty is creating potions of healing, But all her knowledge and years of experience aren't helping her heal her good friend Dorian. Dorian is a living gargoyle, but he is slowly converting back to stone and Zoe is his only hope or he'll be alive but trapped in his stone form forever.

Zoe's been on the hunt for a cure for some time now, but she's gotten a few leads and she believes the secret may lie in some ancient alchemical volumes - the sort you can only find in old book stores, not digitized online.

Zoe makes a trip to Paris to seek out a particular book from a secret society of 'backward alchemists' but while there she is approached by a very old woman who thinks she recognizes Zoe. Though Zoe claims she often gets comments for her likeness of her grandmother, the woman isn't convinced and attempts to get Zoe to admit that she's found the secret of longevity. The woman frightens Zoe, and she's always feared that someone would recognize her. The woman threatens to sic her gendarme relative on her because there is no statute of limitations on murder and the woman is convinced that Zoe, some 60-odd years ago, once killed her assistant by burning her shop down.

The encounter rattles Zoe, but she continues her quest to save Dorian.

This book answers a lot of the unanswered questions from the previous books but I'm not sure that you need to know those questions before reading this volume. While it might be nice to know a little more of the history of the characters, the story really doesn't develop until this third volume.

But just as Zoe gets closer to finding the answer to helping Dorian, members of the backward alchemist coterie are closing in on Zoe, hoping to take the secret for themselves.

Meanwhile Dorian is making the most of what time he has left and is whipping up some fabulous foods. Dorian is a superb chef, learning from a master chef who had gone blind, thus his not knowing that Dorian was made of stone.

This is a very clever mystery series, and Pandian is a talented author, but somehow this particular series hasn't quite lived up to my hopes. This third volume finally falls just where I'd hoped all the books would take me. If you haven't read the others in the series, consider reading just this volume. If you have read the others, then you'll want to top them off with this volume.

Looking for a good book? <em>The Elusive Elixir</em> is the third volume in Gigi Pandian's Accidental Alchemist Mystery series and manages to provide a strong story and a resolution to a three-book mystery.

I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher, through Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.

A charming gargoyle chef and his (secretly) immortal alchemist friend encounter murder, mystery and double cross in the latest entrant in the The Accidental Alchemist series.

Gigi Pandian continues her mysterious series involving gargoyles and alchemists with The Elusive Elixir. Our heroine, an alchemist who has discovered and used the elixir for eternal life seeks a cure that will keep her friend the gargoyle Dorian from returning to stone. In her search in Paris she becomes entangled in the nefarious doings of other alchemists. The alchemists follow her home to Portland, Oregon and bodies start dropping. Read it and enjoy the mayhem.

An old mystery, vegan recipes and a reluctant alchemist forced to face her past, take center stage in The Elusive Elixir, the third installment in Gigi Pandian’s Accidental Alchemist Mystery series. A fan of the previous two books in the series, The Accidental Alchemist and The Accidental Magician, I couldn’t wait to dive into this installment to see what would happen next. If you’re a fan of mysteries, French cooking, magic and science, this is a series you’re going to want to check out, just make sure you start with the first book in the series.

Ms. Pandian takes us on an interesting journey in this instalment as the story begins; while Zoe discovered a “cure” for Dorian in the previous installment, it was only temporary and he continues turning into stone. Determined to find a permanent cure for her friend, Zoe heads to Paris, their previous home, hoping she will be able to decode more of the mysterious “backward alchemy” book now in her possession. She just never counted on being accused of an unsolved 70 year old murder or on discovering another living gargoyle.

I really like how Ms. Pandian incorporates more of Zoe and Dorian’s past in this installment as she continues to develop both of them, and their new lives, in Portland. While Zoe spends some time in Paris, and we get a glimpse of her life in Paris during WW2, she quickly heads back to Portland and brings the unsolved murder mystery with her. As she works to solve both problems, with Dorian’s help, we get to watch them interact with the new people in their lives; Brixton, Max and Ivan, well developed secondary characters who each contribute something important to the developing story.

As usual I really enjoyed reading about Dorian’s kitchen exploits and his vegan gastronomical creations, Zoe’s healthy elixirs and the slowly growing romance between Zoe and Max. I also enjoyed Brixton’s contribution to this story and how it connected to Zoe’s search for Dorian’s cure. Ms. Pandian also does a good job with the mystery part of the story, and with how it connects to Zoe’s past. There are plenty of twists and turns which keep the reader guessing.

Will Zoe be able to solve two murder mysteries and discover a permanent cure for Dorian’s problem? Will the cure require a sacrifice she and Dorian will not be willing to make? And will she be able to keep Ivan and Max from discovering all of her secrets? You’ll have to read The Elusive Elixir to find out. I really enjoyed it and look forward to reading the next installment in this series.

Some wants to save Dorian (the gargoyle) from dying and turn permanently to stone. Unfortunately she doesn't always put her faith in the right people to help her. Will Zoe succeed or will Dorian ultimately save himself.

I have read the first two books of this series and I couldn't wait to read the third episode. Lovable and funny characters, an intriguing storyline, interesting elements of alchemy and really fascinating setting: it was a very enjoyable read.
Zoe absolutely must save her friend Dorian, is a gargoyle that threatens to turn into stone without losing its vital functions. To do this she is to go back to Paris, the city she left in 1942 and in which she had lived peacefully for many years. Unfortunately a lady remembers her, recognizes her and thinks that she is a witch: how can it be the same after many years? Zoe tries to convince her that that woman was her grandmother but she doesn't believe her. Indeed she thinks Zoe is a killer, had killed her co-worker. Zoe must fight to save her friend, uncover the truth and protect her privacy.
It 's a very engaging story, once you start it's really hard to put it down.
You can be read as a standalone but for a greater liking of the story suggest you read the series in order.
Highly recommended for those who love the cozy mystery, alchemy and Paris.

The Elusive Elixir is fun in a Practical Magic sort of way. Its main characters are apothecaries and a gargoyle brought to life. This was the first book that I've read though it is the third book in the series. The characters and story made for a good vacation read.

This book was a fascinating introduction to the mysteries of alchemy. I read a fair number of paranormal mysteries, and this one grabbed me from the start. The characters were engaging and diverse, and the bad ones were definitely villainous. Given recent trends in paranormal mysteries, it was also refreshing to read that Zoe Faust was a centuries old main character who wasn't a vampire. I wasn't familiar with the series, and I appreciate that Murder Ink allowed me to read this title via NetGalley. I look forward to Zoe's future adventures.

I was given the opportunity to read this book ahead of release through NetGalley and I'm happy I did. It was a really interesting story bringing you through the life of a 200+ year old alchemist that runs into a situation where she is forced to figure out who is trying to kill her and all true alchemists out there. While battling her own potential demise she is also struggling with deciding how to handle her feelings for a man who does age, while she does not (or at least she ages much slower). I thoroughly enjoyed the book although I feel as though the end could have been a bit more cliffhanger-y. As I understand it this is a series so unless this was the final book in the series than I feel as though they basically could have ended it with this one.

I would definitely recommend people giving it a shot, however! I enjoyed it!

When I first got this book, I had no idea it was the third volume of a series since it wasn’t mentioned in the title on NetGalley. Even so, I ended up enjoying the adventure of Zoe Faustus.

This third volume of the “Accidental Alchemist” collection tells the story of Zoe Faustus, a young alchemist, her gargoyle friend Dorian and an unexpected, very serious predicament. Gargoyles are magical creatures with the power to turn to stone at will. When Dorian starts turning permanently to stone, Zoe travels to Paris in search of the solution in the form of an ancient alchemist book. When her past catches up to her, Zoe will have her plat full between a race against time and unrevealed secrets that will change her life forever.

It’s a fast, entertaining read that I definitely put under the category of cosy-mysteries. I didn't read the previous volumes, wish I am curious to take a look at now, but Gigi Pandian did a great job explaining and mentioning events from the previous books. I got easily engaged in the story and I didn't feel like I was missing something.

​The plot is engaging and it pulled to the story and to its characters. Zoe is a brave, charismatic character, willing to sacrifice anything to save her friend. Her relationship with Dorian is incredible and I absolutely loved their exchanges and their connection. I wasn’t expecting that ending though, at all. But it definitely left me wanting more and see what happens next, which I think, was the point. My favourite character, however, is Dorian. I keep thinking that he’s a mix between the characters of The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Ratatouille from Disney and Pixar: A talking gargoyle and an accomplished French cook. It was impossible for to love him and not to feel for his fate.

Humorous, entertaining, adventurous cosy-mystery that I recommend for all the fans of these great genres!

Dorian Robert-Houdin, a three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle, and a chef with a penchant for Hercule Poirot, is close to being turned permanently back to stone. When a long-lost gargoyle who may be connected to Dorian turns up in Paris, Dorian’s friend Zoe Faust leaves Portland to find him and the answer to Dorian’s petrification. Unfortunately her appearance in Paris sparks off an interest in a seventy-year-old mysterious death with ties to Zoe. Suddenly Zoe and Dorian’s lives become a whole lot more complicated.
This is the fourth outing of Dorian and Zoe and is no less entertaining for that. All the characters of Portland (a place which seems a very appealing town in which to reside) are now well established.
That Dorian is still in the process of being turned to stone adds tension to the story. Dorian might be a gargoyle, but anyone who has been following the series will have a heart of stone (excuse the pun) if they do not love Dorian. Gigi Pandian does capture the meaning of a deep and binding friendship between Dorian and Zoe, particularly as the two of them are likely to live a very long time. Dorian’s acceptance of his situation and the lengths Zoe is prepared to go to for Dorians’ salvation is hankie worthy.
The stakes are also upped because Zoe is cornered in Paris and has to extricate herself from a very difficult situation in which she might have been involved in the past.
Once again there is cosy-crime murder and mayhem, and the type of writing which is effortless to read and entertaining.
This is not a deep and meaningful social essay, but an enjoyable romp, with thrills and friendship.
Rather than awarding stars this is the kind of book which should be judged by the quality of biscuit to be eaten while reading it. So go buy something expensive and comforting which can be nibbled slowly while luxuriating in an undemanding and fun read.

The Elusive Elixir by Gigi Pandian is the third book in The Accidental Alchemist Mystery series. Zoe Faust is in Paris hoping to find answers to help her gargoyle friend, Dorian Robert-Houdin. Dorian was changed from a stone gargoyle at Notre Dame Cathedral’s Gallery of Gargoyle’s into a live gargoyle. But over the last few months he has slowly turning back into stone. Dorian will be alive but trapped in his stone exterior. Zoe wants to save him and has come to Paris for answers. Another gargoyle was recently spotted alive in Prague and it was turned over to the Paris University (Zoe has not been able to get access). Before Zoe can get some answers, Blanche Leblanc approaches her. Blanche claims to have known Zoe in 1942. The woman then has her nephew, a police officer, talk with Zoe regarding the fire of Elixir (the herbalist shop Zoe owned in Paris) and the death of Jasper Dubois. Zoe cannot risk her secrets coming to light and flees Paris. Back in Portland, Ivan Danko, Zoe’s neighbor and friend, is busy trying to discover the Elixir of Life (he does not wish to die). Zoe soon realizes that someone has followed Zoe back to Portland. They want Dorian’s book Non Degenera Alchemia, which talks about backward alchemy. Life has taken a very dangerous turn for Zoe. Will she be able to rescue Dorian and keep the book safe?

The Elusive Elixir is well-written, easy to read, and fascinating. There are a lot of details and it can be hard to keep them all straight. I have not read the previous books in this series, but it did not hinder my enjoyment of The Elusive Elixir (the author provides the necessary background information on Zoe and Dorian). I give The Elusive Elixir 4.25 out of 5 stars (I really liked it). I did find some information to be repeated several times (that Max Liu is Zoe’s “sort of” boyfriend, the basics about backward alchemy, and information about Zoe’s past). Zoe Faust is a great main character. She is intelligent, strong, and resourceful. I appreciated Dorian. He is humorous and entertaining (and an excellent chef). I found the mystery fascinating, but I did figure it out (it is wonderfully complex). I am looking forward to reading the other novels in The Accidental Alchemist series.

THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR by Gigi Pandian
The Third Accidental Alchemist Mystery

Shocking truths from the past are revealed as Zoe travels to France to hunt for a cure for Dorian who continues to turn into stone. As Zoe copes with these revelations upon her return to Portland, even more secrets are revealed and the dangers of not untrue alchemy prove deadly. Will Zoe be able to save Dorian without sacrificing herself, or anyone else? Will Max be able to accept all that Zoe is?

In this third book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery series Zoe is faced with multiple trials. In trying to find the key to save Dorian, while keeping her identity as an alchemist quiet, she is confronted with information that challenges what she believed and believes to be true.

Ultimately, this novel is about sacrifice. What are you willing to do to save someone else, or yourself?

THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR is a tautly written mystery that combines the vagaries of truth with sacrifice. Gigi Pandian has the ability to transport you into her world with visceral details. I believed I was actually climbing the steps of Notre Dame, watching the bees swarm with the scent of honey and cloves in the air, and feeling the desperation of her characters. Yet everything is not all dark and dire, there is humor here as well, especially as we get to know Leopold. This third book in the series held me captivated and left me satisfied with an intriguing whiff of things to come.

The Elusive Elixir is the third book in An Accidental Alchemist Mystery series. It can be read as a standalone despite the fact it has on overarching plot regarding the fate of a most delightful side kick. Zoe Faust is an alchemist, to be precise she is a 300 plus years old alchemist who accidentally for some reason has turned sort of immortal. As she prepares to live her life as an herbalist exploring and settling down in Portland, Oregon, she comes into contact with Dorian Robert-Houdin, a three and a half feet gargoyle, who happens to be a great chef, and who happens to be turning to stone permanently. Now as Zoe scrambles to find that elusive alchemist book that can reverse the spell to help Dorian, she also happens to stumble into a lot of dead bodies. Specifically murdered dead bodies whose mystery needed to be solved. And yes, The Elusive Elixir will have a mystery, this time around its set in Paris and the mystery is in 1942 where it seems someone recognised Zoe from her previous life. The Elusive Elixir will take readers into a whirlwind mystery of trying to find out whodunit and maybe our Zoe might finally have the life of peace she's always craved.

The charm in this series is not so much that its a smartly crafted mystery series but it has delightful and charming characters at its core. And so it will continuously hook readers who love this type of cozy murder mysteries further down the rabbit hole.