Review – The Elusive Elixir (An Accidental Alchemist Mystery, Book 3) by Gigi Pandian (4/5 stars)
Reading Level: Adult
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Length: 312 pages
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Release Date: January 8, 2017
ISBN-13: 978-0738742366
Stand Alone or Series: 3rd book in An Accidental Alchemist Mysteries
Source: Borrowed from Library
Rating: 4/5 stars
“ Dorian Robert-Houdin, the three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle chef who fancies himself a modern-day Poirot, is slowly turning into stone, and it’s up to Zoe Faust to unravel the alchemical secrets that can save him. When they discover that a long-lost stone gargoyle with a connection to Dorian has reappeared in Europe, the stakes are even higher. From Portland to Paris, Zoe searches for the hidden knowledge she needs, but a cold case that harkens back to 1942 throws her off course. With an ailing friend desperately trying to discover his own Elixir of Life and a new romantic interest offering the first chance at love she’s had in nearly a century, Zoe is torn between a dangerous form of alchemy and her desire for a normal life.”
Series Info/Source: This is the 3rd book in the Accidental Alchemist Mysteries. I borrowed this book from the library. There are currently four books in this series.
Story (4/5): Zoe goes back to Paris to track down some leads regarding Dorian’s condition and is hoping to hunt down the other living gargoyle. However, while she is there an old woman recognizes her and threatens her with legal action over the murder of Zoe’s lab assisstant from the 1940’s (Jasper). Zoe ends up having to flee back to Portland but things are going strange in Portland too. Zoe’s friend Ivan is becoming obsessed with alchemy as he gets sicker and sicker, someone is spying on both Zoe and Ivan, and someone from Zoe’s past shows up and shocks her in a big way. As Zoe’s past closes in around her she still struggles to help Dorian; things are looking very dire. I enjoyed the story a lot and absolutely loved the resolution here.
Characters (4/5): I continue to really enjoy the characters in this series. We finally get to meet Brixton’s dad in this volume and also get to meet the second living gargoyle that was made. I like that Zoe is taking more people into her confidence and enjoy getting to see more of Zoe’s past. It’s interesting to watch Zoe grow as a character as she learns to trust people more and works to embrace her past rather than run from it.
Setting (4/5): I enjoyed a lot of the time spent in Paris and continue to really enjoyed all the history around alchemy. This book bounces between Paris and Portland. I also loved the time spent in Paris’s underground.
Writing Style (4/5): This is again mainly a mystery and is a very well done mystery. I really continue to enjoy the history around alchemy and the alchemy performed in the book too. This is very easy to read, and in addition to the excellent mystery, has very endearing characters who are easy to engage with. This is just a very well balanced story and I enjoyed it a lot.
My Summary (4/5): Overall I really liked this. This is a fun series with excellent mysteries and lots of interesting alchemical history. I also love the characters a lot. I absolutely love the ending of this book so much….go Dorian!!! I plan on continuing the series. I was disappointed to read that Midnight Ink shut down right after the publication of the fourth book, so it sounds like this series is unfinished.
