Less than a year ago, I parked my Airstream trailer and bought a crumbling Craftsman house in Portland, Oregon. I’ve been welcomed into a wonderful circle of friends who congregate at Blue Sky Teas, found myself falling for a complicated and wonderful man, and grown a thriving backyard garden that feeds my body and soul. It almost sounds like a normal life, something I never thought I’d have.
But then there’s the gargoyle.
My best friend Dorian Robert-Houdin is a three-and-a-half-foot gargoyle who’s a gourmet chef and fancies himself a modern-day Poirot. His body is the color of stone, so he does indeed have little grey cells. Or at least I suppose they’re cells, since he’s every bit as alive as I am.
Dorian was once a stone carving intended for Notre Dame in Paris, but 150 years ago he was brought to life through alchemy. When Dorian sought me out here in Portland, asking for help deciphering an ancient book of alchemy, I was startled but didn’t run away screaming. That’s because I’m an alchemist. I accidentally discovered the Elixir of Life over 300 years ago.
Dorian has a talent for getting into trouble. But to be fair to him, one of his problems is very real. And it’s why I’ve traveled from Portland to Paris, France this week.
My friend is slowly turning back to stone. Far from being a natural death, soon he’ll be wide awake but trapped in unmoving stone—unless I can discover the secrets of an ancient book of alchemy that’s linked to Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, the two of us have attracted some unwanted attention. Dorian would rather be cooking vegan feasts, and I’d rather be gardening and spending time with Max Liu, but between a missing bookseller, a WWII survivor who discovered my secret, and a long-lost relative, we won’t be relaxing any time soon.
Instead I find myself fleeing Paris for the second time in my life, hoping my troubles in Paris don’t follow me back to Portland. If they do, I have a feeling I won’t be able to stop Dorian from playing detective. Please wish me luck. I’m going to need it.
THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR is the third book in the Accidental Alchemist mystery series published by Midnight Ink, January 2017. A few of Dorian’s favorite vegan recipes are included in the back of the book.
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 safer life.
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About the author
Gigi Pandian is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mysteries, the Accidental 
Alchemist mysteries, and locked-room mystery short stories. A cancer diagnosis in her 30s taught her two important life lessons: healing foods can taste amazing, and life’s too short to waste a single moment. Gigi spent her childhood being dragged around the world by her cultural anthropologist parents, and now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the backyard garden. Gigi’s fiction has been awarded the Malice Domestic Grant and Lefty Awards, been nominated for Macavity and Agatha Awards, and her most recent novel Michelangelo’s Ghost was recently named a “Best of 2016” cozy mystery by Suspense Magazine.
Visit her at gigipandian.com, connect with her on Facebook and Twitter (@GigiPandian) and sign up for her email newsletter here.
All comments are welcomed.
Giveaway: Leave a comment below for your chance to win a set of 7 book-themed recipe cards. US entries only, please. The giveaway ends January 15, 2017. Good luck everyone!
I have the first book in the series but not the second or third. Great giveaway!
This is such an awesome series! I have been waiting for this third book…worried about Dorian changing back to stone…😡 Thanks for today’s post Dru Ann. Thanks Gigi, can’t wait to read THE ELUSIVE ELIXIR.😊
Thanks, Barbara! I hope you’ll enjoy the new book.
Thanks, Jody!
Wonderful series and this latest book is riveting! Love the recipes!
Glad you’re enjoying the recipes too, Vida 🙂
A unique and wonderful series and a great author. Thanks for this feature.
Thank you, Pearl!
This series sounds like an interesting read. I may have to add it to my list!
I hope you have fun with the books if you check them out, Tricia!
I enjoy this writer’s novels which are captivating and special.
Aw, thank you Ruth 🙂
A series that interests me since it is so intriguing and creative.
I have not started the Accidental Alchemist series yet, but I can’t wait to learn more about Dorian!
I didn’t intend it when I first started writing the series, but Dorian stole the show!
Gigi Pandian’s books are not on my list of books I usually read. Your information will be helpful in my decision to check this out.
I love this series, just finished this book and it was awesome! I wanted to turn to the last few pages to see how things ended but I’m so glad I held off. I can’t wait for the next adventure.
Ha! I’m glad you didn’t flip to the end — and that you enjoyed it 🙂
Alchemy, what fun!. I haven’t read this series but it is definitely on my TBR.
I went down the rabbit hole of research with alchemy and am having a lot of fun 🙂
Pretty please Dru, I have to have it. So toss my name into the magic hat.
Gigi Pandian’s books are the best. I am in the middle of the 3rd one right now.
Aw, thanks Laurie! Hope you’re having fun with the book 🙂
I have to admit that I haven’t started this series yet, I think I’ll have to bump it up my list, it sounds fun.
I’m having so much fun writing the series, I hope you have fun with it too!
Congratulations, this sounds like fun, incredible and fantastic.
Thank you!
Both her series are terrific!
Thanks, Elizabeth 🙂
This is a wonderful series, and I look forward to reading your latest.
Thanks so much, Grace!
This sounds like a fascinating read. A gargoyle coming to life is an interesting storyline. Cant wait to read.
I had a lot fun writing the gargoyle — he unexpectedly took over ;). I hope you enjoy the books!
Cool giveaway!
Love the series. Would love to win the recipe cards, Thanks for the chance.
Sounds so intriguing, I would love to win a copy.
I really enjoyed the first two books . I’d almost did read the first since this isn’t my type of book but enjoyed your other series and I was glad it did, as it is my type of book .
Ruth, that makes me so happy that you gave the series a shot and were happily surprised!
love all your work, thank you !
Oh, thank you!!
This is a great series. Just got my copy of The Elusive Elixir today from Amazon. Guess what I’m starting tonight! Gigi, thank you so much for such a vivid imagination!
So happy to hear you’re enjoying the series!
Best part of attending a book convention is discovering new authors. Gigi was an author I met at Left Coast Crime. Zoe and Dorian are two of my favorite fictional characters. Looking forward to Elixir arriving in mail in February.
Sounds very good! I am a fan of Jaya Jones and I need to check out this series.
Zoe is awesome. Thanks for this perspective!! Love Gigi’s books.
****WINNER***
of the set of 7 recipe cards is Vida A-J! Congratulations!