Gigi Pandian

Gigi Pandian is an American mystery author known for her locked-room mystery puzzles and multicultural characters. She writes the Accidental Alchemist series and the Secret Staircase Mysteries featuring Tempest Raj. Pandian is celebrated for her clever plots, historical research, and vibrant representation of Indian and Scottish heritage. Born in Berkeley, California, Pandian grew up between the United States and India, and her bicultural background is woven throughout her fiction. She is a breast cancer survivor whose experience navigating illness is part of her public story. She has spoken extensively about writing under adversity. She won the Agatha Award for Best Contemporary Novel in 2024 and 2025 (for The Raven Thief and A Midnight Puzzle respectively). She also served as Toastmaster of the Malice Domestic convention in 2025. Pandian is a member of the Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime.