Under Lock & Skeleton Key
Book 1 of the Secret Staircase Mysteries — Now available in paperback!
A finalist for the Lefty Award for Best Mystery Novel of 2022.
An impossible crime. A family legacy. The intrigue of hidden rooms and secret staircases.
"Wildly entertaining." ―The New York Times Book Review
After a disastrous stage 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.
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Audio: Libro.fm | Audiobooks.com | Google Play Audio
Print: Books-a-Million | Target
Praise for Under Lock & Skeleton Key
"Wildly entertaining." ―The New York Times Book Review
“Pandian is in top form in this thoroughly enjoyable series launch. . . Lovers of traditional mysteries with quirky characters will be well rewarded.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“Gigi Pandian is the reigning QUEEN of locked room mysteries and her new series brings all her cleverness and sense of staging to bear.”—CrimeReads (One of the Most Anticipated Crime Fiction Books of the Year)
"Excellent... a fresh and magical locked-room mystery filled with fascinating and likable characters, incredible settings, and Tempest’s grandfather’s homecooked Indian meals." —Library Journal
“With dazzling sleight of hand, Gigi Pandian launches an enchanting new series . . . a must-read.” ―Deanna Raybourn
"Gigi Pandian is the modern master of the locked room mystery." —S.A. Cosby
“A stand out mystery. The fast-reading, suspenseful tale delights, with dashes of international spice and a powerful new heroine.” ―Sujata Massey
"An absolute sparkling gem of a book! With masterful misdirection and literary slight of hand, Pandian has penned a delectable tale that kept me guessing.” ―Jenn McKinlay
“A perfect blend of adventure and mystery.” ―Paige Shelton
“A love letter to golden age mysteries . . . will keep readers guessing whodunit until the very end.” ―Ellie Alexander
“Pandian is this generation’s queen of the locked-room mystery! A whimsical confection.” ―Naomi Hirahara
“Gigi Pandian does it again! A wonderful new series with an extremely likable new protagonist, a cunning plot, and a cast of quirky, fascinating characters.”—Aaron Elkins
“If you’re interested in locked-room mysteries, cozy crime, or magic, then you need to read this book.” —Tom Mead on Shepherd.com. Read more recommendations on Shepherd.com.
PopSugar—33 Must Read Mysteries and Thrillers of 2022
CrimeReads—The Most Anticipated Crime Fiction of 2022
Goodreads—Readers’ Most Anticipated Mysteries of 2022
Bookish—20 Spring Releases to Have On Your Radar
BookRiot—13 Deadly Cozy Mysteries for the First Half of 2022
BookPage—2022 Preview: Most Anticipated Mystery and Suspense
Order Under Lock & Skeleton Key now: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound | Bookshop.org | Kobo | Apple Books | Audible Audiobook | Libro.fm
Snapshots of some of the great press for Under Lock & Skeleton Key: featured in the New York Times Book Review, Woman’s World, Publishers Weekly.
Frequently Asked Questions about Under Lock & Skeleton Key
is UNDER LOCK & SKELETON KEY the start of a series?
Yes! The second book, The Raven Thief, is available now, and Book 3, A Midnight Puzzle, is coming out in March 2024. And I have more books planned!
is UNDER LOCK & SKELETON KEY APPROPRIATE FOR KIDS?
It depends on the child, but it should be appropriate for most kids middle school-age and up. The book deals with a murder, but there’s no graphic violence, sex, or bad language.
is UNDER LOCK & SKELETON KEY available outside of the u.s. and canada?
Not yet, but it’s coming soon to the rest of the world. (Apologies for not having an exact date yet!)
is UNDER LOCK & SKELETON KEY available as an audiobook?
Yes! Find out more on the audiobooks page. And yes, the recipes in the back of the book are also available as a download when you purchase the audiobook.