What do you think?
Rate this book
Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery #5.5
The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn
An unsolved murder from the 1930s.
A ghost story to explain the impossible crime.
A dead man in the haunted library.
And no way for the authorities to reach the survivors until the snowstorm clears…
A snowstorm waylays Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega. It seems almost too good to be true that they find rooms for the night in beautiful old inn—until they find a dead man clutching an Agatha Christie novel in the secluded hotel’s library. Worse yet, Tamarind is accused of the crime.
To clear her friend, Jaya must delve into the history of the hotel’s haunted library. The present-day mystery is eerily similar to a mysterious unsolved death in the 1930s—could it be the work of the library’s avenging ghost?
If you’ve never met Jaya Jones or been on one of her adventures, this is a great place to start. And lucky you, you have the whole series (and the novella!) to look forward to!
A ghost story to explain the impossible crime.
A dead man in the haunted library.
And no way for the authorities to reach the survivors until the snowstorm clears…
A snowstorm waylays Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega. It seems almost too good to be true that they find rooms for the night in beautiful old inn—until they find a dead man clutching an Agatha Christie novel in the secluded hotel’s library. Worse yet, Tamarind is accused of the crime.
To clear her friend, Jaya must delve into the history of the hotel’s haunted library. The present-day mystery is eerily similar to a mysterious unsolved death in the 1930s—could it be the work of the library’s avenging ghost?
If you’ve never met Jaya Jones or been on one of her adventures, this is a great place to start. And lucky you, you have the whole series (and the novella!) to look forward to!
39 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 16, 2017
59 people are currently reading
288 people want to read
About the author
Gigi Pandian
51 books1,603 followersGigi Pandian is a USA Today bestselling and Agatha Award-winning mystery author, breast cancer survivor, and accidental almost-vegan. She's the child of professors from New Mexico and the southern tip of India, and spent her childhood traveling around the world on their research trips. She now lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and a gargoyle who watches over the garden.
She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and the Secret Staircase Mysteries.
Her debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a Best of 2012 Debut by Suspense Magazine, her mysteries have been awarded the Agatha, Rose, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and been short-listed for the Edgar.
She writes the Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt mystery series, the Accidental Alchemist mysteries, and the Secret Staircase Mysteries.
Her debut novel was awarded a Malice Domestic Grant and named a Best of 2012 Debut by Suspense Magazine, her mysteries have been awarded the Agatha, Rose, Lefty, and Derringer awards, and been short-listed for the Edgar.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
May 20, 2018
Charming whodunnit mystery with the always wonderful Jaya Jones and her bestie Tamarind Ortega. Perhaps not the most imagine tale, and with few characters was it not hard to suspect who was behind it, especially since two of the characters, Jaya and Tamarind, was out of the question.
Now I want the next book in the series...;)
Now I want the next book in the series...;)
February 27, 2022
Jaya and Tamarind are stranded at the Denver airport during a blizzard. All the hotels seem to be booked, but a man offers them a ride to a hotel which has available rooms. It's a scary old house with only a few guests and, sure enough, there is a murder. (This is a free short story which thee author sends when you sign up for her newsletter.)
February 5, 2023
As this short novella begins, Jaya and her friend Tamarind are stuck at the Denver airport in a snowstorm on their way back home from their adventure in Japan. They end up sharing a ride to available lodging with a controversial author who may or may not have murdered his college sweetheart.
They end up at the Tanglewood Inn, a Victorian mansion complete with tower rooms and spooky decorations including gargoyles. Rumor has it the Inn is haunted. When a murder occurs – a locked room murder, no less – Jaya steps in to investigate.
I enjoyed seeing more of Tamarind, and hope she continues to have a role in future books. I liked the setting of the book and love a locked room murder. However, I’m a bit unclear as to how Jaya solved the mystery. The story was strong on atmosphere, but the wrap-up was very quick. I realize novellas and short stories often have strict word limitations but wish this could’ve had just a few more details in the end. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing what happens with Jaya in the next full-length book.
They end up at the Tanglewood Inn, a Victorian mansion complete with tower rooms and spooky decorations including gargoyles. Rumor has it the Inn is haunted. When a murder occurs – a locked room murder, no less – Jaya steps in to investigate.
I enjoyed seeing more of Tamarind, and hope she continues to have a role in future books. I liked the setting of the book and love a locked room murder. However, I’m a bit unclear as to how Jaya solved the mystery. The story was strong on atmosphere, but the wrap-up was very quick. I realize novellas and short stories often have strict word limitations but wish this could’ve had just a few more details in the end. Nevertheless, I look forward to seeing what happens with Jaya in the next full-length book.
April 29, 2018
THE LIBRARY GHOST OF TANGLEWOOD INN by Gigi Pandian
The Fifth and a Half Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery
Trying to make it back home in time for Thanksgiving, Jaya and Tamarind are grounded by a Colorado snowstorm. A meeting with a man who looks somewhat like a Hollywood styled vampire procures them an invitation to join a group going to an inn off the beaten track in order to avoid sleeping in the airport. The inn has an interesting history, including being home to an avenging ghost. Screams in the night send everyone running to the library which they find locked from the inside. Gaining entry, they discover the vampire looking author quite dead. Has the avenging ghost struck again?
I love getting another glimpse into Jaya Jones' world. What a fun idea to see what happens while not on a big adventure, but rather, returning from one and simply trying to get home in time for Thanksgiving. We only know two characters going in, Jaya and Tamarind, so a reader can jump right in without prior knowledge of the series. Of course, those of us who read this series can appreciate more nuances and enjoy it even more.
Arriving at the Tanglewood Inn, Gigi Pandian creates a setting evocative of ghost stories and Golden Age mysteries, at once haunting, spine tingling, and cozy! The mystery is fiendishly clever and great fun. A dead body in a locked library with an early edition Agatha Christie mystery and an avenging ghost as a suspect, what's not to love?!? My only gripe is that it's a short story and so is...short! Such an atmospheric setting deserves to be explored more fully and at length. Perhaps Jaya will return for a visit?
THE LIBRARY GHOST OF TANGLEWOOD INN is a cleverly plotted locked room mystery. This short story is a delightful morsel to keep you going until the next full length Jaya Jones adventure is released.
The Fifth and a Half Jaya Jones Treasure Hunt Mystery
Trying to make it back home in time for Thanksgiving, Jaya and Tamarind are grounded by a Colorado snowstorm. A meeting with a man who looks somewhat like a Hollywood styled vampire procures them an invitation to join a group going to an inn off the beaten track in order to avoid sleeping in the airport. The inn has an interesting history, including being home to an avenging ghost. Screams in the night send everyone running to the library which they find locked from the inside. Gaining entry, they discover the vampire looking author quite dead. Has the avenging ghost struck again?
I love getting another glimpse into Jaya Jones' world. What a fun idea to see what happens while not on a big adventure, but rather, returning from one and simply trying to get home in time for Thanksgiving. We only know two characters going in, Jaya and Tamarind, so a reader can jump right in without prior knowledge of the series. Of course, those of us who read this series can appreciate more nuances and enjoy it even more.
Arriving at the Tanglewood Inn, Gigi Pandian creates a setting evocative of ghost stories and Golden Age mysteries, at once haunting, spine tingling, and cozy! The mystery is fiendishly clever and great fun. A dead body in a locked library with an early edition Agatha Christie mystery and an avenging ghost as a suspect, what's not to love?!? My only gripe is that it's a short story and so is...short! Such an atmospheric setting deserves to be explored more fully and at length. Perhaps Jaya will return for a visit?
THE LIBRARY GHOST OF TANGLEWOOD INN is a cleverly plotted locked room mystery. This short story is a delightful morsel to keep you going until the next full length Jaya Jones adventure is released.
March 31, 2018
No Spoilers.
Great read, but way to short! That's one reason I don't usually read short stories, especially when the premise would make a great full length book. 😉
Great read, but way to short! That's one reason I don't usually read short stories, especially when the premise would make a great full length book. 😉
April 17, 2018
Well written. Just wish it had been longer!
December 2, 2017
Quick read. This short story has shout-outs to Mystery on the Orient Express, and is a good example of a locked-room mystery. I thought it was pretty engaging.
August 6, 2022
Review of eBook
Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega find themselves stranded in Denver by a snowstorm. Fortunately, they find rooms in a converted Victorian mansion, thanks to notorious author Simon Quinn. The guests soon learn that Tanglewood Inn has a checkered past: an unsolved 1930s murder supposedly committed by a ghost in the library.
It isn’t long before one of the guests dies in that same library. And what does a copy of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” have to do with the murder?
=========
This short story does not require readers to have read the books in the Jaya Jones series. Readers familiar with the series will instantly recognize Jaya and Tamarind; they and the other characters are both interesting and believable.
The “spooky” setting for the telling of the tale is exactly what readers would expect in a ghost story; atmospheric and cleverly plotted, readers will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
The eBook includes a chapter from the author’s “Under Lock and Skeleton Key,” the first book in her Secret Staircase mystery series.
Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega find themselves stranded in Denver by a snowstorm. Fortunately, they find rooms in a converted Victorian mansion, thanks to notorious author Simon Quinn. The guests soon learn that Tanglewood Inn has a checkered past: an unsolved 1930s murder supposedly committed by a ghost in the library.
It isn’t long before one of the guests dies in that same library. And what does a copy of Agatha Christie’s “Murder on the Orient Express” have to do with the murder?
=========
This short story does not require readers to have read the books in the Jaya Jones series. Readers familiar with the series will instantly recognize Jaya and Tamarind; they and the other characters are both interesting and believable.
The “spooky” setting for the telling of the tale is exactly what readers would expect in a ghost story; atmospheric and cleverly plotted, readers will find much to appreciate here.
Highly recommended.
The eBook includes a chapter from the author’s “Under Lock and Skeleton Key,” the first book in her Secret Staircase mystery series.
December 1, 2018
I would not have picked this up ever based on my previous experience with Jaya Jones, the world's most annoying wannabe Indiana Jones. But I needed an award-winning short story and here we are. I hoped that maybe since this isn't the first in the series the characters would be a little more realistic and tolerable but alas, no. Jaya and her friend Tamarind are both incredibly rude and needlessly aggressive, as are Simon and Kenny. Everyone else has so little personality it's hard to even come up with what to say about them. I know it's a short story, but I've watched episodes of Scooby Doo with better character development. They usually have better mysteries too. This was just stupid.
It won an Agatha Award for best short story and all I can say is it must have been slim pickings.
It won an Agatha Award for best short story and all I can say is it must have been slim pickings.
February 9, 2021
This turned out to be a short story, not a full novel. Though I found parts to be interesting, it is not my usual genre. I am more of a fan of cozy mysteries. This was too modern for me. It seems the two young women, Jaya and Tamarind, are normally treasure seekers, so I didn't quite get the murder solving. I did enjoy that a famous Agatha Christie mystery book (an original copy of "Murder on the Orient Express") figured in the crime. The ending was very unusual and surprising. So, not a bad story, but not enough for me to seek out other books with these characters.
December 10, 2017
Ugggghhhh! Too short!
I love these books and this novella is no exception. It was just over too quickly. I absolutely love the style and instantly get wrapped up in her stories but I prefer a longer book. Gigi Pandian has got to be one of my favorite authors. Jaya is a great main character and the story was really good. The setting was perfect. This was really good but I can't wait for the next full length book.
I love these books and this novella is no exception. It was just over too quickly. I absolutely love the style and instantly get wrapped up in her stories but I prefer a longer book. Gigi Pandian has got to be one of my favorite authors. Jaya is a great main character and the story was really good. The setting was perfect. This was really good but I can't wait for the next full length book.
March 1, 2018
Rec'd free via author's Feb2018 newsletter / gigipandian.com (THANKS!)
39 pages, and I'm convinced Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are fantastic! I've had this series on my to-read list awhile now, but none of the libraries near me have them :( Have the first one on my wishlist...maybe this birthday.
Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are stuck in the airport after a snowstorm strands passengers. They luck out when the man in front of them in line strikes up a conversation, then his companion comes back saying he has secured not only a taxi but also rooms for the night and invites them along. Turns out these rooms are in a haunted B&B on the outskirts of town. It's had its haunted reputation since there was a locked-room murder years ago...and when someone in their group gets murdered in the locked library again, Jaya gets on the case.
Fantastic dialogue and description. Even a gargoyle (I've read Pandian's Dorian/AA series). I imagine Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are even better in a longer story, whether in an academic setting or in the jungle.
39 pages, and I'm convinced Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are fantastic! I've had this series on my to-read list awhile now, but none of the libraries near me have them :( Have the first one on my wishlist...maybe this birthday.
Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are stuck in the airport after a snowstorm strands passengers. They luck out when the man in front of them in line strikes up a conversation, then his companion comes back saying he has secured not only a taxi but also rooms for the night and invites them along. Turns out these rooms are in a haunted B&B on the outskirts of town. It's had its haunted reputation since there was a locked-room murder years ago...and when someone in their group gets murdered in the locked library again, Jaya gets on the case.
Fantastic dialogue and description. Even a gargoyle (I've read Pandian's Dorian/AA series). I imagine Jaya Jones and Tamarind Ortega are even better in a longer story, whether in an academic setting or in the jungle.
November 20, 2021
I thought I'd take a break and try a short cozy mystery, 45 pages and this was nominated for some awards! This was a good book, 7 people stranded (Heavy Snow) at an out of the way hotel known to be haunted. All the people are suspects! Murder occurs in a locked library & you have to figure out why and how!
I have to start looking for more short mysteries, I try to keep my book sizes to around 250 too 380 Pages, reading 10% of a book each day!
Try this book for a quick 2 hr read, David N.
I have to start looking for more short mysteries, I try to keep my book sizes to around 250 too 380 Pages, reading 10% of a book each day!
Try this book for a quick 2 hr read, David N.
January 29, 2018
Excellent Jaya Jones novella. It starts up where the last book left off, with Jaya coming home for a belated Thanksgiving. But you don't have to have read the previous books to enjoy this one. Very cleverly written locked room tale. Jaya uses her historical knowledge abilities to figure it out. Looking forward to the next novel in the series.
June 17, 2022
An homage to Agatha Christie and her locked room puzzles
Jaya Jones and her friend Tamarind are embroiled in a murder mystery in an allegedly haunted snowbound hotel in Colorado reminiscent of The Shining. Like all of Pandian's mysteries, the writing is crisp and the background and characters well drawn. It's a nicely plotted story.
Jaya Jones and her friend Tamarind are embroiled in a murder mystery in an allegedly haunted snowbound hotel in Colorado reminiscent of The Shining. Like all of Pandian's mysteries, the writing is crisp and the background and characters well drawn. It's a nicely plotted story.
November 26, 2017
A clever mix of Murder on the Orient Express and In the Name of the Rose--snow bound potential killers and poison where it doesn't belong (basic story from the Arabian Tales).
Add in Gigi Pandian's unique style and you have a very satisfying short story.
Add in Gigi Pandian's unique style and you have a very satisfying short story.
January 30, 2018
Locked room mystery
Gigi Pandian presents a good locked room mystery starting Jaya Jones. It's plausible and well-written. I didn't know who did it until the end. I give it 4 stars for originality and a good mystery.
Gigi Pandian presents a good locked room mystery starting Jaya Jones. It's plausible and well-written. I didn't know who did it until the end. I give it 4 stars for originality and a good mystery.
February 12, 2018
I liked this novella featuring Jaya Jones and a delightful locked room mystery. The characters were pretty well drawn for such a short novel, and the solution - while requiring a little latitude - worked for me.
I look forward to reading the full-length novels in this series.
I look forward to reading the full-length novels in this series.
July 9, 2018
What twisty fun! I adore the Jaya Jones mysteries, and this is no exception. It's short, so the publisher's blurb will have to do, but be assured that it has all the suspense, twists, and red herrings you want!
November 17, 2018
A Ghostly Encounter
Snowstorm, an isolated inn, a ghost story, 7 strangers, a murderous past; this is the setting of Tanglewood Inn. Can you figure out what happens? I'll give you a hint; a fun mystery to be engaged in! Join Jaya and discover the ghost of Tanglewood Inn!
Snowstorm, an isolated inn, a ghost story, 7 strangers, a murderous past; this is the setting of Tanglewood Inn. Can you figure out what happens? I'll give you a hint; a fun mystery to be engaged in! Join Jaya and discover the ghost of Tanglewood Inn!
December 10, 2018
Not a short story fan, as a rule. But this was a good one, and it completed the last prompt for my "Around the Year in 52 books" challenge! Recommended by someone in the challenge, I actually purchased the Kindle edition which I have never done before.
May 11, 2020
Enjoyable story but it doesn't make sense. The victim really had nothing to fear because he could not have been tried again for murder because of the double jeopardy clause. At best a charge of perjury could be possible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 21, 2022
An extremely short very intense story! A big thanksgiving weekend snow storm…..the kind that shuts everything down…a mystery from 1930, a haunted hotel, and now a brand new mystery. Curl up in your comfy chair with your tea and enjoy.
November 18, 2017
My review of The Library Ghost of Tanglewood Inn
I loved it! Another great book from Gigi! This series is a must read! I can’t wait for the next book!
I loved it! Another great book from Gigi! This series is a must read! I can’t wait for the next book!
January 11, 2018
Fun novella side story in the Jaya Jones story. I loved the logic of the murder once it was revealed. What a fun "ghost" story.
February 26, 2018
My first (short) read from author Gigi Pandian. An enjoyable, entertaining, easy to read mystery.
June 2, 2018
Really good locked room short story! Reads like a Miss Marple. I will be reading the Jaya Jones series now. I am already a fan of the Zoe and Dorian series; The Accidental Alchemist.
June 4, 2018
short but good
April 23, 2020
Lovely "locked room" novella.
December 26, 2020
An entertaining and intriguing short story. I've enjoyed the other Jaya Jones 'locked room' mysteries
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews