Under Lock & Skeleton Key

"Wildly entertaining." —The New York Times Book Review

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 readers 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.



Genre: Cozy Mystery

"A love letter to golden age mysteries . . . will keep readers guessing whodunit until the very end." - Ellie Alexander

"Gigi Pandian is the modern master of the locked room mystery." - S A Cosby

"An extremely likable new protagonist, a cunning plot, and a cast of quirky, fascinating characters. . . full of twists and witty insights you never see coming." - Aaron Elkins

"Pandian is this generation's queen of the locked-room mystery! A whimsical confection." - Naomi Hirahara

"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 stand out mystery. The fast-reading, suspenseful tale delights, with dashes of international spice and a powerful new heroine." - Sujata Massey

"With dazzling sleight of hand, Pandian launches an enchaunting new series...A must-read." - Deanna Raybourn

"A perfect blend of adventure and mystery." - Paige Shelton