The Alchemist's Illusion

I love getting lost in the world of this series. The Alchemist's Illusion is the fourth book in this cozy murder-mystery run, and it keeps everything I adore about it intact. Alongside the usual crew - Zoe, Dorian, and Brixton - we meet a few new characters who bring fresh energy and adventure into the story. This installment hits all the right notes: we learn more about Zoe's past, secrets unfold at just the right pace, and there's an even stronger sense of finding a home among this quirky little found family in Portland. The vibes remain unbeatable, filled with tea, cakes, cookies, and French cooking courtesy of a gargoyle who somehow makes it all feel perfectly normal. If anything, the alchemy of this already delightful world feels even richer here. This comforting, whimsical, and gently magical series still charms me every time, the literary equivalent of slipping into a pair of fuzzy socks.