The Alchemist of All Hallows Eve by Gigi Pandian:

4 stars

Everything is going right: Zoe Faust has found the man and the house of her dreams. Almost. It comes with an orchard and a secondary residence with a huge kitchen; it’s perfect for their needs. But…it’s also nicknamed the “Murder House,” and yeah, there might be a body or two tucked in the walls. She’s still game, but her fiancé, Max, has his doubts. There’s nothing for it but to prove the homeowner innocent and that the house was not the scene of the crime.

I confess that I’m new to the Accidental Alchemist world, and coming in at book ten means I’ve missed a few things. However, that wasn’t a problem. The story, while certainly referring to previous events, does not lean on them or require context from the earlier books to be understood or enjoyed.

There are a number of highlights baked into this tale; one is Dorian. Zoe and Max are lovely, but a French chef gargoyle who sees himself as a new incarnation of Agatha Christie’s Poirot? He cooks, he’s good with children, he’s up for a bit of skullduggery. This little guy has it all!

Then there is the Irish food-forward divination folklore. I’d never heard of a mangelwurzel, and as a fan of Tasting History, this was just cool. There are even recipes at the back of the book.

I’m also a sucker for house-hunting, interesting boutiques, and found family, so this was a very fun read.

There are a few convenient plot jumps. One character reported some possible tension that was not evident to the reader, and in the next scene, there was a small stormy bit. There was also a supporting-character relationship that bloomed out of nowhere. Nothing too big, but both pulled me out of the story a bit.

Similarly, Zoe’s investigative style relies heavily on what people say for themselves and impulse. When she and her cohort stumble over a contradiction, they set a trap…only to discover it was the wrong person. It lacks realism, but part of the charm of the story is that it’s an escape.

The Alchemist of All Hallows Eve is light, quirky, cozy fun, perfect for a seasonal read by the fire. Cozy fans who crave a little magic in the mix will love the food and folklore.

Thank you, Gargoyle Girl Productions, for the opportunity to read The Alchemist of All Hallows Eve. I received a complimentary copy through NetGalley, and I wrote this review voluntarily.