The Anthony Award-winning fourth book in the Accidental Alchemist Mystery Series by USA Today bestselling author Gigi Pandian. A perilous painting leads Zoe Faust and Dorian Robert-Houdin on an alchemical adventure in Portland, Oregon, in search of Zoe’s missing mentor—Nicolas Flamel. Centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust is tired of running from her past. She’s finally got her life on track in … from her past. She’s finally got her life on track in Portland, Oregon, gardening and cooking in her fixer-upper house with her mischievous best friend, Dorian, the gargoyle chef. It seems like the perfect life for Zoe—until she discovers that Nicolas Flamel is missing. A mystery from 16th Century Prague may hold the key. Can Zoe find the art forger who holds the secret of what has become of her missing mentor?
Includes recipes!
Praise
Winner of the Anthony Award for Best Paperback Original
Shortlisted for the G.P. Putnam’s Sons Sue Grafton Memorial Award
“The Alchemist’s Illusion is filled with beauty… Pandian paints a lovely picture of relationships throughout the book’s mystery of greed and violence.”
—New York Journal of Books
“Surprising plot twists, several cliffhangers, and vivid magical imagery will keep fans of paranormal cozies turning the pages.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Sparkles most when it stays true to the wonder of its magical subject.”
—Foreword Reviews
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I have a certain fondness for this series I can’t really explain. I know that seems a weird thing to say, but to me it makes perfect sense. Anyway, this latest in the series finds Zoe trying to save her mentor who she thinks is hiding somewhere or has been kidnapped. In the middle of that, there has been a murder, and she is drawn into because the painting that has clues that might help her find mentor Nicholas is owned by the family of the victim. I do love all the characters in this book, especially Dorian. Who doesn’t love the fun gargoyle?! This one was, as always, well-written and interesting. I found a couple of the elements of the crime to be a little too coincidental and convoluted, but I could look past that. I’m looking forward to what’s going to happen next. I recommend this book and series! I was provided the e-book which I voluntarily reviewed.
urban-fantasy, suspense, alchemy, mystery, law-enforcement
The story was great even though I didn’t binge reread the earlier books!
I think that it’s a strength of the author that the reader is not disadvantaged by either not having reread prior books or even not ever having read them. But about this one, the publisher’s blurb gives some idea of what to expect (other than the unexpected), but it’s getting into the whole spirit of the author’s imagination that makes it such a wonderful read.
I’ve seen it mentioned that the books are for younger readers, but that is an inexact judgment. True, there is no graphic violence, erotica, or gratuitous use of the f bomb, but I think that they’re great and I am retired from being a jail RN!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Midnight Ink via NetGalley. Thank you!
Each book in this series just gets better and better though I’m not sure how since I love them all!
Life seems settled for Zoe. One of the problems she’s been dealing with since the first book is solved, her house doesn’t have a hole in the roof anymore, and life seems good. And it is good until Zoe is accused of murder! Well, she’s not arrested, but she sure is shocked when a woman walking out of an art gallery points at Zoe and says that Zoe was the one who killed the victim.
Of course, Zoe gets involved in solving the case…with the help of her friends. She has a particular interest in it after all. The painting of Nicholas Flamel! Yes, that Nicholas Flamel. He and his wife were very close to Zoe. I won’t say any more about that because it would spoil some of the earlier stuff too! You know it’s hard to do sequel reviews sometimes!
The Alchemist’s Illusion was so good, and I love that Zoe may have made a new friend in this book. I think she (or he…not gonna tell you) will make a nice addition to the cast of characters. The former characters are still in this book, and they are still great! I love the humor that weaves its way through this series.
I definitely recommend this fourth book as well as the rest! Now go get book one and get reading!
This was a delightful mystery and a compelling read. I had to force myself to put the book down in order to get some chores done over the weekend. I just wanted to read it cover to cover without stops.
I have only read the first book in this series, so I had a basis for the background, but apparently a lot has happened in the books I have not read yet. This did not impede my enjoyment of this story. I hope it did not also spoil any of the prior books in this series once I read them.
I did not know a lot about alchemy. I was completely convinced that the alchemists in this story could perform their activities as written, until I stepped back and brought reality to bare once again.
There is a murder mystery here, but you are dealing with a lot more than the 21st century Portlanders caught up in the investigation. There is art forgery, and a lot of characters who are more than they seem to be. Everyone has a secret. Unraveling them was a wonderful use of my weekend.
I won a copy of an ARC of this from the author. There was no promise of a good review in exchange, but I am happy to provide one.
I very much enjoy this author’s work in both her series.
She plans her plots well, develops her characters so they are interesting and engaging, and keeps the reader nicely entertained.
This book adds a marvelous amount of material from the previous background.
My only problem? I can’t read it slowly and I’m done too quickly!
THE ALCHEMIST’S ILLUSION by Gigi Pandian
The Fourth Accidental Alchemist Mystery
A glimpse at a painting momentarily transports Zoe Faust to the past. Eyes never lie and Zoe knows that the man in the painting is none other than Nicolas Flamel. But how could that be as he’d never sit for a painting? With dawning realization that her mentor is imprisoned, Zoe will look for clues that lead her to look into a local painters death and recent art forgeries in Portland. Dorian, the gargoyle, and her old friend Tobias, will help Zoe discover the truth about the painting, the murder, and the future, as well as the past.
Gigi Pandian seamlessly blends the past and the present as she tells the tale of Zoe Faust. In THE ALCHEMIST’S ILLUSION we not only read about Zoe and the painting that triggers a link to her past, but the very past itself. We get to travel to the late 1500s and see the origins, not only of the painting, but the very mystery itself. I love not only the rich historical detail, but the melding of historical fact with fiction.
I’m always delighted to read more about Dorian and was thrilled with his latest accomplishments and his appropriated crime solving techniques, along with his ability to make me drool with his cooking skills. I wish he could come and stay with me for a bit! But, as in real life, along with the humor, there’s also the pathos.
Zoe longs to put down roots and has started to do so in Portland, making a family of friends she’s gathered. Indeed this family is the strength that supports everyone as they deal with this current mystery. As her relationship deepens with Max, she broaches the one thing she’s been keeping from him. But what will be the ramifications of telling Max the truth about who she really is?
THE ALCHEMIST’S ILLUSION is a captivating mystery that brings the richness of art and history to Portland, Oregon. An exquisitely plotted modern mystery filled with such unique characters make this novel stand out.
FTC Disclosure – The publisher sent me a digital ARC provided through NetGalley, in the hopes I would review it.
The Alchemist’s Illusion
Centuries-old alchemist Zoe Faust is tired of running from her past. She’s finally got her life on track in Portland, Oregon, gardening and cooking in her fixer-upper house with her mischievous best friend, Dorian the gargoyle chef. It seems like the perfect life for Zoe, until she discovers her old mentor Nicolas Flamel, who she thought had abandoned her, has been imprisoned.
A local artist holds the secret that could lead Zoe to her mentor, but the artist is murdered, and the painting containing the hidden clue is stolen. To rescue Nicolas, Zoe and Dorian must explore art forgery, a transformative process that has much in common with alchemy and cooking—but one which proves far more dangerous.
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Series: An Accidental Alchemist Mystery – Book 4
Author: Gigi Pandian
Genre: Cozy/Paranormal Mystery
Publisher: Midnight Ink
Gigi Pandian has a creative mind that has a way of coming up with new and captivating ideas. The Alchemist’s Illusion from Midnight Ink http://www.midnightinkbooks.com stems from that creativeness and intrigues the reader from the beginning. That said, it would be better for readers NOT to start reading this series with the current and latest book. This is a series that must be read from the beginning. Readers who start with the newest edition will have problems following along and may not understand who the characters are, and they may not be willing to find out either.
The character of Zoe Faust is interesting, and a bit complicated. She doesn’t like being in the background all the time but is smart enough to understand that being in the forefront could be bad for her health. The world has changed since Zoe was a young woman, hundreds of years have passed, but some things never change, and people’s fear of magic and alchemy is one of those things that hasn’t changed all that much. Zoe is intelligent and compassionate. Her best friend is a gargoyle and the love of her life a mortal human cop. It makes for a challenging dynamic.
Other characters in this book are fascinating, they, not your average everyday sub characters that you like but don’t worry about unduly. Quite the contrary, readers will worry and get excited every time these characters are in danger or try to help Zoe.
The setting of Portland, Oregon is fitting to a story that is about alchemy. In a city that prides itself on its environment saving philosophies, art and culture, it is rather closed minded when it comes to magic. That mixed with the side story in this book and series will keep the reader turning the page.
Unfortunately, as a reader I take issue with the characters names, having a main character named Nicholas Flamel is too reminiscent of the Harry Potter character with the same name who was also an alchemist. Even Zoe Faust herself is named after a character in another famous book. Also, the mere fact that Zoe has a friend who is a gargoyle is similar to another series by another author. All of these things combined make it difficult to look past.
The premise for The Alchemist’s Illusion is wonderfully original to the cozy mystery genre, and for this reason alone it is hard to completely dislike the book. The writing is good, and the story flows nicely. If the reader isn’t bothered by too many resemblances to other books, characters and story-lines then they will no doubt enjoy this book. Once again, I caution anyone who wishes to read this book to start from the being of the series and not with the fourth installment.