Under Lock & Skeleton Key

A Secret Staircase Mystery

By: Gigi Pandian

Narrated by: Soneela Nankani

Length: 9 hrs and 45 mins

Publisher's summary

Known for her wonderfully addictive characters, multiple award-winning author Gigi Pandian introduces her newest heroine in this heartfelt series debut. Under Lock & Skeleton Key layers stunning architecture with mouthwatering food in an ode to classic locked-room mysteries that will leave listeners enchanted.

An impossible crime. A family legacy. The intrigue of hidden rooms and secret staircases.

After a disastrous accident derails Tempest Raj’s career, and life, she heads back to her childhood home in California to comfort herself with her grandfather’s Indian home-cooked meals. Though she resists, every day brings her closer to the inevitable: working for her father’s company. Secret Staircase Construction specializes in bringing the magic of childhood to all by transforming clients’ homes with sliding bookcases, intricate locks, backyard treehouses, and hidden reading nooks.

When Tempest visits her dad’s latest renovation project, her former stage double is discovered dead inside a wall that’s supposedly been sealed for more than a century. Fearing she was the intended victim, it’s up to Tempest to solve this seemingly impossible crime. But as she delves further into the mystery, Tempest can’t help but wonder if the Raj family curse that’s plagued her family for generations - something she used to swear didn’t exist - has finally come for her.

©2022 Gigi Pandian (P)2022 Macmillan Audio

Great mystery lose the soul searching

Although I always enjoy Gigi Pandian’s work, I found it hard to root for a character who was introduced in a previous work as a not nice awful person. I enjoyed the mystery & all the twists, I just wish the author had introduced a new character. There, also, was a little more introspective soul searching than I like.

good, but not her best, too many twists and turns,

I struggled to finish, too many characters and flips. I kept getting lost. not her best.

So entertaining

This was a very enjoyable book. I loved the characters, loved Hidden Staircase Construction {what a clever idea!). The plot was interesting and the writing good. I did not like the hint towards the end of a love triangle. Sure enough, from reviews of the next book in the series the triangle continues. It’s too bad, but I won’t be continuing this series. I hate that plot device. But I did enjoy listening to this book.

Gigi has done it again

I have listened to every one of Gigi Pandians books at least 2x and adore them all. the characters though simple are well detailed and interconnected and that's what makes the mystery so good. each person seems like they could be hiding a meaningful secret or should know something they don't. throughout this book I switched suspects multiple times but the twists in details kept coming but not overwhelmingly so. it's well paced and evenly drawn out so your hooked the whole time. my only minor complaint was the narration. it was done well but at times the accents were lacking and you missed the Scottish lilt in some areas, but overall the different voices and characters were easily distinguishable and her voice was nice to listen to.

ps I increase the speed to 1.20x to sound more conversational than narrative, if that makes sense, and I think this plays a role in how narrators are judged as boring or slow. the regular speed of narration is often a touch slower than how people general speak and it takes something away from many books in my experience. I do the same with samples now that it's an option and it's changed helped tremendously

Love these books

Every once in a while i take a break from the genre of books I’m usually reading and try and find something fun, new and interesting. I love Gigi Pandian’s books. I discovered her series a few years ago and have been reading all of them ever since.

Loving Pandian’s mystery books

Pandian really knows how to set up a solid mystery novel. I’m absolutely loving all her books and I hope she continues to release new stories! Nankani is a great narrator and has a lovely voice.

Good Story - Gigi’s creativity is wonderful

I was initially a bit disappointed and kind of put off by the cadence of the narrator in the first few chapters. I think that I am used to Julia Motyka in the Alchemist series for Gigi’s books. But hang in there - Soneela gets her cadence more comfortable and it becomes easier to listen to. The story has Gigi’s creativity and detail that, if you already like her writing style, comes through once Soneela gets her rhythm and the narration is less awkward. Enjoy :-)

great book

I love this author and have enjoyed every book of hers I've read. Very easy reads.

Another Hit!

I was skeptical when I realized this book didn't have some of my favorite characters in from previous series. it was a pleasant surprised when Sanjay appeared but this new series has a charm all its own. I loved it!

It didn’t do it for me, but well-written, narrated and good who-fun it

I love her Gargoyle series, but just not getting into this one!! Gave it a HUGE Benetton of the doubt listened through 3/4 of it!! Now I give up.

I still gave it a good review. It just wasn’t “me””.”