The Raven Thief - (Secret Staircase Mysteries) by Gigi Pandian

About the Book

One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.

Book Synopsis

"Super-fun." -The Boston Globe

A Lefty Nominee for Best Mystery Novel
An Agatha Nominee for Best Contemporary Mystery Novel

One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.

Secret Staircase Construction just finished their first project with Tempest Raj officially a part of the team--a classic mystery novel-themed home interior. Their client is now ready to celebrate her new life without her cheating ex-husband, famous mystery author Corbin Colt. First up, a party, and Tempest and Grandpa Ash are invited to the exclusive mock séance to remove any trace of Corbin from the property--for good. It's all lighthearted fun until Corbin's dead body crashes the party.

The only possible suspects are the eight people around the séance table--a circle of clasped hands that wasn't broken. Suspicion quickly falls on Grandpa Ash, the only one with actual blood on him. To prove her beloved grandfather's innocence, Tempest must figure out what really happened--and how--or Ash will be cooking his delectable Indian and Scottish creations nevermore.

Multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian is one of the best locked room mystery writers working today. Her newest heroine, Tempest Raj, returns in The Raven Thief, where sliding bookcases, trick tables, and hidden reading nooks hide something much more sinister than the Secret Staircase Construction crew ever imagined.

Review Quotes

Praise for The Raven Thief

"Excellent. . . Pandian's clever solution matches the challenge she sets for her endearingly imperfect lead. This brilliant homage to classic golden age authors such as John Dickson Carr augurs well for a long series run." -Publishers Weekly (starred review)

"Tempest applies her knowledge of the tricks of the trade to the puzzle of Corbin's death, highlighting the howdunit as much as the whodunit." -Kirkus Reviews

"A compelling locked-room mystery populated by well-drawn characters and framed by books, food, and magic." -Booklist

"Genre fans will appreciate Pandian's many nods to golden age mysteries and their writers, and there are even some delectable recipes at the book's end." -BookPage

"Thrilling. . . This plot is as carefully constructed as the classic mystery novel-themed interior it revolves around." -San Francisco Book Review

"Pandian presents us with a tight knit, quirky cast anyone would want to follow - and Tempest herself is a force to be reckoned with." -Aunt Agatha's

"A true standout. . . Pandian has done it again: The Raven Thief conjures up the perfect balance of magic, mystery, and mayhem. I couldn't stop reading!" --Juliet Blackwell

"An enchanting locked room mystery with a delightfully unique premise." --Elle Cosimano

"Both Pandian and her protagonist, Tempest Raj, are forces to be reckoned with." --Mia P. Manansala

Praise for Under Lock & Skeleton Key

"Wildly entertaining. . . [Tempest Raj] is fully realized, a brilliant and talented young woman." --The New York Times Book Review

About the Author

GIGI PANDIAN is the USA Today bestselling and multiple-award-winning author of the Secret Staircase mysteries, inspired by elements from her own family background. She is also the author of the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, and more than a dozen locked-room mystery short stories. Pandian has won Agatha, Anthony, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and was a finalist for an Edgar Award. A breast cancer survivor and accidental almost-vegan who adores cooking, she lives with her husband in Northern California.