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The Accidental Alchemist
The Accidental Alchemist | Gigi Pandian
23 posts | 32 read | 94 to read
From USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian comes a modern tale of ancient intrigue Unpacking her belongings in her new hometown of Portland, Oregon, herbalist and reformed alchemist Zoe Faust can't help but notice she's picked up a stowaway. Dorian Robert-Houdin is a living, breathing three-and-half-foot gargoyle--not to mention a master of French cuisine--and he needs Zoe's expertise to decipher a centuries-old text. Zoe, who's trying to put her old life behind her, isn't so sure she wants to reopen her alchemical past . . . until the dead man on her porch leaves her no choice. Includes recipes! Praise: "This reviewer is eagerly anticipating more from this series, and a return of a cast more fun than an episode of Portlandia."--RT BOOK REVIEWS 1/2 "Pandian . . . launches a supernatural cozy series that hits high marks for a modern twist on an ancient practice. Amusing supporting characters and historical details solidify this engaging mystery."--LIBRARY JOURNAL "[A] lighthearted supernatural mystery . . . Pandian sets this series apart from other fluffy paranormal mysteries with Zoe's cute nonhuman sidekick and some mouthwatering vegan recipes."--PUBLISHERS WEEKLY "A whimsical and charming supernatural mystery."--MYSTERY SCENE "What really makes this book stand out, however, is the originality . . . Pandian has managed to create an eccentric and charming cast of characters readers are going to want to spend more time with."--RT BOOK REVIEWS ONLINE "The Accidental Alchemist is a recipe for a great read. Gigi Pandian's pen never disappoints."--JULIET BLACKWELL, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR OF THE WITCHCRAFT MYSTERY SERIES "A magical, whimsical cozy that will delight readers who enjoy Juliet Blackwell and Heather Weber mysteries!" --AVERY AAMES, AKA DARYL WOOD GERBER, AUTHOR OF THE CHEESE SHOP MYSTERIES "Zoe and Dorian are my new favorite amateur-sleuth duo!" --VICTORIA LAURIE, NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR
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Hooked_on_books
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Pickpick

Centuries-old alchemist Zoe has arrived in Portland and is startled to find a gargoyle as she starts unpacking. And even more startled when he comes to life (oh, and he‘s a great chef). And then a man is found murdered outside her house. I really liked this book, not only for the story, but for these great characters. I look forward to reading more of the series.

squirrelbrain Stop putting books on my head Momma! 🤣 7mo
dabbe 🖤🐾🖤 7mo
ShelleyBooksie Adorable doggo ♡♡ 7mo
47 likes3 comments
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DebinHawaii
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Read for #DiverseCozy & #Scarathlon over a bunch of readathons that I‘ll list in comment. This is a slightly different cozy where the MC is a 300+ year-old alchemist who moves to Portland, Oregon & finds here self involved in solving a murder & trying to reclaim a stolen book to reverse the aging spell for a reanimated gargoyle statue before he is frozen solid for hood. I enjoyed the PDX setting & the mystery overall. The 1st book in the series ⬇️

DebinHawaii …I liked it enough that I‘ll read more of it. #SeriesLove2023 With the #ScarathlonWordSearch & book & participation points, it got me 1631 points for Team #SpookyGhostClub 👻🖤👻 Read during these readathons: #RushAThon #Spookoween #ScarathlonAtoZ #31By31 #Falling4Books #FangtasticReadathon #20in4 #StretchathonGorScarathlon 12mo
Read4life 🍁👻🎃 12mo
Catsandbooks 🙌🏼🦇🧡 12mo
Andrew65 Brilliant 👏👏👏 12mo
TheSpineView Fantastic! 12mo
45 likes1 stack add5 comments
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AmandaBlaze
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PatriciaU
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If you are looking for a fun and unusual mystery series, try Gigi Pandian‘s The Accidental Alchemist. I just finished #4 and am working my way up to her newest over a few days of vacation.

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BrandedKristen
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About a third of the way through and no idea who the killer is yet. Enjoying the setting and the gargoyle chef though. #ParanormalCozyMystery

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AmyReadsAlot
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The Accidental Alchemist was a nice fantasy with an interesting mystery woven in. Loved the characters and that the main character was vegan. Made the meal preparations intriguing (and delicious sounding). Overall, this was a fun read and I am excited to continue in the series.

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SmartSassery
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I really enjoyed this book. It's an easy read but still leaves you wanting to pick it up. Very cute and a pretty dang good mystery.

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JenniferdeBie
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Listened to AA on Audible and had a blast with it! Witty characters, a fun premise, and an excellent narrator in Julia Motyka combined for a stellar experience in a pretty fast listen!

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wanderinglynn
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This is somewhere between a pick and so-so. It was cute enough that I listened to the entire book in one sitting. But I‘m not sure I liked it so much as to continue on with the series. There were some issues. The narrator did a good job.

Book 1 for #screamathon #LittenListen & #SpookOWeen readathon

aperfectmjk I forgot about #Screamathon! Thank you for reminding me! 3y
alisiakae Off to a good start! 👻 3y
TheSpineView 👍📖👻 3y
67 likes3 comments
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wanderinglynn
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#audiowalk - first book for #Screamathon. An accidental alchemist, a gargoyle who‘s alive but slowly turning to stone, and a mystery. So far so good.

I‘m doing the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society October 72-mile challenge. 4 miles down & 68 to go 🎉

slategreyskies What a pretty place to walk! 💕 3y
wanderinglynn @slategreyskies yes, I love it here. 3y
69 likes2 comments
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Littlewolf1
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3.5⭐️ I enjoyed the story and was shocked to actually discover who the guilty party was. It wasn‘t the best story I‘ve ever read, but I recommend it for anybody who‘s looking for a fun mystery that‘s also an easy read. It‘s also included free in your membership if you have Audible, so there‘s a bonus.

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AkashaVampie
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Relaxing for the night. Listening to this while playing on my phone.

#TBRCrew
@ElizaMarie @AsYouWish @jb72

ElizaMarie Awe I‘m glad you like it! I had recommended it for gargoyles but it wasn‘t super paranormal love :) 4y
37 likes1 comment
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AkashaVampie
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Trying this out since it's free on Audible while I play my app game.

#TBRCrew

@ElizaMarie @AsYouWish @jb72

ElizaMarie I read this one! I really enjoyed it! At the time I was in Oregon so they had a lot of the Oregon Vegan kind of tropes that were both annoying and heartfelt at the same time! 4y
AkashaVampie @ElizaMarie for what I've heard of it... I do like it. 4y
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raeintheworld
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I didn‘t love this book, but I did find it engrossing. The mystery itself was not that intriguing, but the characters and their relationships were. I loved the sense of community and camaraderie. Also, lots of food talk and recipes!

JazzFeathers The blurb sounds like fun. 5y
17 likes1 comment
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drneutron
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Pickpick

Cozy mystery with a 400 year old alchemist and a living gargoyle from Paris! Looking forward to the next one.

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TiffanyMichele
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I loved this book 📖 is there anymore to say? 😍
The characters were marvelous and the mystery kept me on my toes. After watching Fullmetal Alchemist Brotherhood earlier this year, this book felt like greeting an old friend 💜🥰. It was so nice to be able to know the alchemical terms and gah. This was a good one guys.

TiffanyMichele It‘s a mystery that didn‘t bore me with the details and kept me intrigued and wanting to read it instead of being bogged down and being a bore to read 👏🏻. 5y
3 likes1 comment
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ElizaMarie
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So I really enjoyed this one. It was super cutesy and engaged me from the very beginning. Also the way they keep throwing around Vegan and Plant-based diet really reminded me of when I was in Salem Oregon :) so added bonus

Thanks again @Marilyncjackson

Marilyncjackson Yay! I am glad you enjoyed it! 6y
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ElizaMarie
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Starting this today !!! Thanks @Marilyncjackson

Marilyncjackson Yay! I hope you like it 6y
2 likes1 comment
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Marilyncjackson
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Just started this book. It‘s the November book club read for my library. Pretty good so far

kiaaaa Hope you enjoy it💕 6y
Marilyncjackson @kia so far it is cute and I like it! 6y
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OneCent76
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I love this book! Zoe is an alchemist who thinks she's going to have a fresh, quiet start in Portland. But then she finds Dorian the gargoyle in her shipping crates, the handyman dies at her front door, and a teen boy breaks into her house. Zoe must try and find the killer and figure out how to keep Dorian from turning into stone forever. The characters are great and the mystery kept me guessing. I highly recommend!

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OneCent76
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I just started this for my paranormal book club. Off to an interesting beginning!

Bookzombie Cute bookmark! 8y
OneCent76 @Bookzombie thanks! I've had it for over 20 yrs! 8y
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Imagineannie
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So yesterday I said to my boss/friend "I'm reading a book about a 300-year-old alchemist living in Portland (Oregon, not Maine) with a living gargoyle who is also a gourmet cook."

She said "Of course you are."

This is the perfect kind of "cozy" for me, in which murder is not blown off as something trivial, but is not described in graphic detail. Great descriptions of food, interesting Portland history, endearing characters and alchemy (!).

[DELETED] 2232195534 One of our mystery group members recommended this highly at a recent meeting. I want to start it soon! Love the picture! 8y
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Litsy
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It's #Recommendsday! What are you recommending? "A former alchemist and a gargoyle team up to solve a murder, find a manuscript, and try keep the gargoyle from turning to stone permanently. Did I mention the gargoyle is also a gourmet French chef? This is a quirky and charming little series that combines the best elements of a culinary and paranormal cozy mystery." - @johnnie_cakes

becausetrains Is the gargoyle more of a Brooklyn or a Lexington? 😊 8y
[DELETED] 2232195534 I met Gigi at Left Coast Crime last spring. She was delightful. One of our mystery group members was just raving about this series recently. She brought cookies to our meeting from a recipe found in the first book! They were yummy! 8y
MrBook Great review! 😊👍🏻 8y
Nebklvr This sounds fun! 8y
BookBabe I really enjoyed this book! A charming little read. 😊 8y
140 likes63 stack adds5 comments