Gigi Pandian

Jan 2017 14

The Elusive Elixir By Gigi Pandian: Review/Giveaway/Guest Post

2017 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Long life is not always a gift, as accidental alchemist Zoe Faust has learned over the last 300 years. Ever since she discovered the Elixir of Life in 1704, Zoe has feared not only the discovery of her secret but of making personal connections to those she would inevitably outlive. That has recently changed, due in no small part to the friendship with a living gargoyle, bibliophile, and chef extraordinaire Dorian Robert-Houdin.

Jan 2017 7

Best Books of 2016

2017 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Fantasy & Fangs, Kathleen Costa, Lorie Lewis Ham, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sandra Murphy

by KRL Staff

Once again another year has ended, and we take a look back at the many books reviewed in KRL. Each of our main reviewers share in this post their top 5 favorite books they reviewed in 2016. Usually I include myself in this list, but to my surprise I found that I have reviewed very few books this year.

Jan 2016 16

The Masquerading Magician By Gigi Pandian: Review/Giveaway

2016 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Fantasy & Fangs, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Over 300 years ago, apothecary Zoe Faust discovered the Elixir of Life, which granted her immortality. With that gift came tragic consequences, as Zoe was unable to transfer her unaging life to her ill brother, the reason she was seeking the secret in the first place. Until recently, Zoe has lived a very lonely life, outliving those she loved and forced to move from city to city to hide her continued existence. Three months ago though, Zoe finally gave in to her desire to put down roots in Portland, Oregon.

Jul 2015 4

Sisters in Crime Los Angeles Presents Ladies’ Night Edited by Naomi Hirahara, Kate Thornton, & Jeri Westerson

2015 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Beauty is only skin-deep, and that is never more apparent than in this impressive collection of short stories by the Los Angeles Chapter of Sisters in Crime. This biannual anthology takes readers on a tour that reveals the darkness hiding under the gorgeous veneer of Southern California, where illusions and play-acting are a way of life.

Mar 2015 21

Quicksand: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery By Gigi Pandian

2015 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

Historian Jaya Jones should be happy: she’s on her way to tenure at Berkeley University, has been published in a prominent journal, and has a wonderfully settled life in a great apartment near her friends and family. So why is she so bored?

Jan 2015 24

The Accidental Alchemist By Gigi Pandian: Review/Interview

2015 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Fantasy & Fangs, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

With so many mystery novels featuring witches, vampires, and psychics, it was about time that we see the absolutely unique entry of Zoe Faust, a three-hundred year-old alchemist from the Salem Witch Trials. After having been disillusioned by the practice of alchemy—striving to achieve purity or perfection by transforming the impure or corruptible—Zoe has brought her airstream to Portland, Oregon to renovate a home that defines the term “fixer-upper.” Zoe plans to renovate the old mansion into a storehouse for her online apothecary shop, Elixir, as well as construct a lab in the basement now that she is ready to experiment with plant alchemy.

May 2014 17

Pirate Vishnu: A Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery By Gigi Pandian

2014 Articles, Cynthia Chow, Mysteryrat's Maze

by Cynthia Chow

After some incredible adventures in Scotland, San Francisco university historian Jaya Anand Jones was ready to settle into her normal sedate life of research and paper writing, where the most excitement stemmed from too much caffeine intake. Those rather unrealistic hopes are dashed when she meets Steven Healy, a former attorney with a treasure map and assertions that letters from Jaya’s great-grandfather could both provide clues and dash her family’s legend of her honorable relative. Jaya may have left India when she was seven and been raised mostly by her hippy-ish American father, but she has immense loyalty to her heritage, despite the jocular declarations of her friends that Jaya is the “worst Indian ever.”

Feb 2014 15

Coming Attractions: Countdown to Left Coast Crime Part 2

2014 Articles, Coming Attractions!, Mysteryrat's Maze, Sunny Frazier

by Sunny Frazier

Continuing the countdown to Left Coast Crime Monterey, here are more authors who will be attending. For those of you who have to miss the Calamari Crime event, you might want to check these out for new reads.