The Alchemist’s Illusion

Pandian’s fun fourth Accidental Alchemist mystery (after 2017’s The Elusive Elixir) finds 340-plus-year-old alchemist Zoe Faust trying to live a normal life in present-day Portland, Ore., when she stumbles across a Renaissance portrait that bears a striking resemblance to her beloved mentor, Nicolas Flamel, who has been missing for centuries. Motivated to find Nicolas, Zoe revisits the gallery where the painting was housed, only to discover that it has vanished. Meanwhile, there have been reports of art forgeries in the Portland area, and the owner of the portrait, celebrated local artist Logan Magnus, kills himself by drinking toxic paint. Believing that these mysteries are connected, Zoe calls on the help of a handful of unusual, likable characters, such as her sentient gargoyle friend Dorian, to assist in the sleuthing. Repetitive soliloquies slow the action, but surprising plot twists, several cliffhangers, and vivid magical imagery will keep fans of paranormal cozies turning the pages. [em]Agent: Jill Marsal, Marsal Lyon Literary Agency. (Jan.) [/em]