The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian

The Accidental Alchemist by Gigi Pandian

This book has been on my “to read” list for several months. It’s based on an interesting idea. Alchemy is real and the philosopher’s stone has been created granting some alchemists an end to natural aging. Alchemy can also be used to bring some inanimate objects to life, such as the gargoyle who is the most interesting character in the story.

 

Other than an interesting background, it took quite a while for me to get drawn into the story itself. An alchemist who has left the trade discovers a gargoyle and a murdered person. Some items are stolen from her and the gargoyle, including a book with a recipe that the gargoyle needs to sustain his existence. The rest of the book is a search for the murderer and, more importantly, the book. It is interspersed with the alchemist getting to know her new town (which also helps with the investigation) and endless descriptions of cooking.

 

I did finally get pulled into the mystery late in the story. It’s one of those tales that depends on the villain explaining an awful lot to everyone after being captured.