350 pages

Published Dec. 31, 2014

ISBN:
978-0-7387-4184-0
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2 stars (4 reviews)

When Zoe Faust--herbalist, alchemist, and recent transplant to Portland, Oregon--begins unpacking her bags, she can't help but notice she's picked up a stow away: a living, breathing, three-and-half-foot gargoyle. Dorian Robert-Houdin is no simple automaton, nor is he a homunculus; in fact, he needs Zoe's help to decipher a centuries-old text that explains exactly what he is. Zoe, who's trying to put her alchemical life behind her, isn't so sure she can help. But after a murder victim is discovered on her front porch, Zoe realized she's tangled up in ancient intrigue that can't be ignored.

Includes recipes!

2 editions

Fun, albeit flawed

3 stars

This was a fun light read, engaging enough to get me turning the pages and worrying that one of the characters I liked would turn out to be the culprit. But it was also sort of formulaic, and could really have done with an editor. The love interest was telegraphed about 15 times before the narrator admitted it, and several important details seemed to be introduced 3 times in 3 consecutive paragraphs.

Review of 'The Accidental Alchemist' on 'Goodreads'

No rating








I found out about this series from a Foodies Read post. I'm super vocal about not liking cozy mysteries with amateur detectives/busy bodies inserting themselves in the investigation. But this sounded intriguing and the first book was free with my Audible membership so I gave it a try. I liked the main character of Zoe immediately. She was born in Salem in the 1600s and her affinity for plants got her accused of being a witch. She fled with her younger brother and they were eventually taken in by alchemists. She took to alchemy and accidentally discovered the Elixir of Life. She's just moved to Portland to try to stay in one place for a few years before people start to realize that she isn't aging. Dorian is a gargoyle that was accidentally brought to life in the 1800s. He's turning back into stone and needs Zoe's help to stop …

avatar for Dvmheather

rated it

4 stars
avatar for Tak@reading.taks.garden

rated it

3 stars