A Midnight Puzzle by Gigi Pandian

A Midnight Puzzle
by Gigi Pandian

ISBN-13: 9781250880208
Hardcover: 352 pages
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Released: March 19, 2024

Source: ebook review copy from the publisher through NetGalley.

Book Description, Modified from Goodreads:
Secret Staircase Construction is under attack, and Tempest Raj feels helpless. After former client Julian Rhodes tried to kill his wife, he blamed her "accident" on the home renovation company’s craftsmanship. Now the family business—known for bringing magic into homes through hidden doors, floating staircases, and architectural puzzle walls—is at a breaking point. No amount of Scottish and Indian meals from her grandfather can distract Tempest from the fact they’re being framed.

When Tempest receives an urgent midnight phone call from Julian, she decides to meet him at the historic Whispering Creek Theater—only to find his dead body, a sword through his chest. After a blade appears from thin air to claim another victim, Tempest is certain they’re dealing with a booby trap… something Secret Staircase Construction could easily build. Tempest refuses to wait for the investigation to turn to her or her loved ones. She knows the pieces of the puzzle are right in front of her, she just has to put them together correctly before more disaster strikes.


My Review:
A Midnight Puzzle is a cozy mystery. This is the third novel in the series. You can understand it without reading the previous books, and none of the previous mysteries were spoiled.

The main characters were interesting and generally likable. This was a clue-based mystery. I kept thinking 'if Tempest would just listen--really listen--to what her mentor is saying...clues, girl!' But she didn't want to think anything bad about her mentor and so didn't think over what he said. While I had much of the mystery solved fairly early on, I didn't guess specifically whodunit until Tempest figured it out and set up an elaborate performance/trap to prove their guilt.

There was some bad language. There was no sex. Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable mystery.


If you've read this book, what do you think about it? I'd be honored if you wrote your own opinion of the book in the comments.