The Raven Thief
Book 2 of the Secret Staircase Mysteries
Nominated for the 2024 Agatha and Lefty Awards!
One murder. Four impossibilities. A fake séance hides a very real crime.
Tempest Raj returns in The Raven Thief, where sliding bookcases, trick tables, and hidden reading nooks hide something much more sinister than the Secret Staircase Construction crew ever imagined.
Secret Staircase Construction just finished their first project with Tempest Raj officially a part of the team―a classic mystery novel-themed home interior. Their client is now ready to celebrate her new life without her cheating ex-husband, famous mystery author Corbin Colt. First up, a party, and Tempest and Grandpa Ash are invited to the exclusive mock séance to remove any trace of Corbin from the property―for good. It's all lighthearted fun until Corbin's dead body crashes the party.
The only possible suspects are the eight people around the séance table―a circle of clasped hands that wasn't broken. Suspicion quickly falls on Grandpa Ash, the only one with actual blood on him. To prove her beloved grandfather’s innocence, Tempest must figure out what really happened―and how―or Ash will be cooking his delectable Indian and Scottish creations nevermore.
Read an excerpt on CrimeReads.
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Audio: Libro.fm | Audiobooks.com | Google Play Audio
Hardcover: Books-a-Million | Target
Praise for the Raven Thief
“Excellent sequel… Pandian’s clever solution matches the challenge she sets for her endearingly imperfect lead. This brilliant homage to classic golden age authors such as John Dickson Carr augurs well for a long series run.”
—Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“The Raven Thief is a worthy sequel to Under Lock & Skeleton Key, with all the magic, misdirection and intrigue that fans are hoping for. Tempest is an exciting, engaging lead whose knowledge of stagecraft, magic and classic whodunits, combined with her devotion to her family and friends, allow her to solve a seemingly impossible crime.”
—BookPage
“A true standout. . . Pandian has done it again: The Raven Thief conjures up the perfect balance of magic, mystery, and mayhem. I couldn’t stop reading!”
—New York Times bestselling author Juliet Blackwell
“An enchanting locked room mystery with a delightfully unique premise.”
—USA Today bestselling author Elle Cosimano
“Both Pandian and her protagonist, Tempest Raj, are forces to be reckoned with.”
—Agatha Award-winning author Mia P. Manansala
“Tempest applies her knowledge of the tricks of the trade to the puzzle of Corbin’s death, highlighting the howdunit as much as the whodunit.”
—Kirkus Reviews