Prose Supplements - Shop now
$2.99

Promotions apply when you purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Some promotions may be combined; others are not eligible to be combined with other offers. For details, please see the Terms & Conditions associated with these promotions.

Sold by Amazon.com Services LLC.
Read with our free app
You've subscribed to ! We will preorder your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we'll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle App

Follow the author

Kirsten Weiss
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

The Alchemical Detective: A Magical Midlife Mystery (A Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mystery Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Kirsten Weiss (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,121 ratings
See all formats and editions

This metaphysical detective has a murder to solve. But will a devilishly handsome casino owner get in the way?

There’s a storm on the horizon. Riga’s lost her magic and has come to Lake Tahoe for a fresh start and to spend quality time with her new love. But life for a metaphysical detective is never that simple.

Someone’s killing psychics in Lake Tahoe, and the police think Riga may be connected to the murders. The best way to prove her innocence? Catch the killer herself… if she can escape the monster-hunting “reality” show she’s committed to for long enough. And as the killer circles closer, she may become his next target…

If you love talking gargoyles, smart mysteries, and mature heroines with complicated lives, you’ll love this midlife mystery series. Pick up this page-turning paranormal women’s fiction today! Because this complicated, Gen-X detective isn’t like the others... Start reading now!

★ WHY READERS LOVE THE ALCHEMICAL DETECTIVE. ★

“Five-star book!”

“Did I mention her best friend is a gargoyle? Loved this!”

“Couldn't put the book down!”

“Weiss gains my loyalty!!!”

“Great magical detective...”

“Should not be missed…”

Categories: Witch mystery series kindle, mystery novels paranormal, urban fantasy mystery novels, paranormal women's fiction, later in life.

Previous slide of product details
  1. Book 1 of 7
    A Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mystery
  2. Print length
    254 pages
  3. Language
    English
  4. Publication date
    May 23, 2012
  5. File size
    2.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
Next slide of product details

Shop this series

See full series
This option includes 7 books. See included books
Shop this series
There are 7 books in this series.
Bundle price: Kindle price
$10.97
Bundle price: Kindle price
$20.95
Bundle price: Kindle price
$28.93
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

This option includes 3 books.

This option includes 5 books.

This option includes 7 books.

Something went wrong.
Please try again.
A Riga Hayworth Paranormal Mystery Book 1 - Book 7
Bundle price: Kindle price
$10.97
Bundle price: Kindle price
$20.95
Bundle price: Kindle price
$28.93
By placing your order, you're purchasing a license to the content and you agree to the Kindle Store Terms of Use.

Customers also bought or read

Page 1 of 1Start overPage 1 of 1
Previous page
  12. The Royal Occult Bureau
    Kindle Edition
    $3.99
  18. Waifs And Strays (The Cat Lady Chronicles Book 1)
    Just released
    Kindle Edition
    $5.99
  21. Dying for a Living
    Kindle Edition
    $2.99
Next page
Loading...

From the Publisher

urban fantasy,mystery,murder,paranormal women's fiction,midlife,whodunit,magic,occult,crime

Welcome to the World of Riga Hayworth!

Paranormal mysteries with a no-nonsense heroine, a talking gargoyle, and supernatural adventures that prove you’re never too old to start over. Are you ready to be enchanted? Just turn the page and… voila!

Riga Hayworth Reading Order:

Prequel: The Metaphysical Detective

The Alchemical Detective

The Shamanic Detective

The Infernal Detective

The Elemental Detective

The Hoodoo Detective

The Hermetic Detective

Unbound

Riga Hayworth shorts:

The Sigil Detective

The Gargoyle Chronicles

The Metaphysical Detective
The Alchemical Detective
The Shamanic Detective
Riga Hayworth Mysteries 1-3
The Infernal Detective
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Buying Options
Customer Reviews
4.3 out of 5 stars 1,121
4.4 out of 5 stars 241
4.5 out of 5 stars 205
4.6 out of 5 stars 20
4.5 out of 5 stars 150
Price $2.99 $2.99 $4.99 $6.99 $4.99
A Twisty Mystery for You to Solve, with the Solution at the End ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Talking gargoyle ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Paperback ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Mature, Complicated Heroine ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Magic Based in Current or Historical Practices ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A high-voltage, cleverly-spun mystery that I couldn't putdown. Riga Hayworth is addictive."
- Diana Orgain, USA Today Bestselling Author of theMotherhood is Murder mysteries

From the Author

Explore the paranormal mysteries of Riga Hayworth today!

The Alchemical Detective #1, ASIN: B0085XCDL8
The Shamanic Detective #2, ASIN: B009TX16H0
The Infernal Detective #3, ASIN: B00CRJDWRA
The Elemental Detective #4, ASIN: B00HCNDGPY
The Hoodoo Detective #5, ASIN: B00OTYN6HM
The Hermetic Detective #6, ASIN: B015YTJVAG
Unbound #7, ASIN B08YMYK6QW
The Metaphysical Detective Prequel, ASIN: B005ZHBD3G
The Gargoyle Chronicles, ASIN: B07JG7452D

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0085XCDL8
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Misterio Press; 3rd edition (May 23, 2012)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ May 23, 2012
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 2.0 MB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 254 pages
  • Page numbers source ISBN ‏ : ‎ 1944767053
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 1,121 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Kirsten Weiss

Kirsten Weiss

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Amazon bestselling author Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries. Her heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop. She's best known for her cozy and witch mystery novels. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Customer reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars
1,121 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book engaging and enjoyable. They appreciate the suspenseful storyline and world-building, which keeps them hooked. The characters are interesting and well-developed, with a likable heroine. Readers praise the author's talent and skill in creating a compelling world. They also appreciate the strong female lead character with her unique skill set and fortitude.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Select to learn more

ReadabilitySuspenseful storyCharacter developmentPacingTalentFemale lead
74 customers mention "Readability"72 positive2 negative

Customers find the book easy to read and engaging. They say the author keeps them in the loop and immerses them in a fantasy world.

"...read book #1, and yet the main characters were well introduced and characterized without a lot of "in previous episodes" explanation...." Read more

"...She’s a realist with a strong sense of right and wrong. There’s a fun subplot that involves Riga and her niece working on a reality TV show that..." Read more

"I ran across this book looking for something to read. It sounded interesting and it actually was! An interesting book. I liked all of the characters...." Read more

"...There is enough detail that I never felt lost with the ongoing plot. The only issue for me, a cliffhanger ending, which I hate!..." Read more

73 customers mention "Suspenseful story"70 positive3 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story. They find it more detective-oriented than a full-blown thriller. The author builds a world of magic within a murder mystery, and readers never feel lost in the plot. They appreciate the well-written mystery with elements of murder and magic woven through. However, some readers felt the story played out predictably at the end.

"...but was along for the ride, and the tension and dynamics in their relationship felt believable, and felt like that aspect added some colors and..." Read more

"...I appreciated the adult nature of the relationship between Riga and Donovan, the casino owner...." Read more

"There are many layers to this book. On the surface, this is a cozy mystery, with both a supernatural reality TV series and a metaphysical slant...." Read more

"...This book has substance. A good storyline, and good characters. It also brought a different aspect to paranormal books. Alchemy." Read more

43 customers mention "Character development"43 positive0 negative

Customers find the characters interesting and strong. They are drawn into the story by the likable heroine and realistically portrayed ghosts.

"...of which I have not yet read book #1, and yet the main characters were well introduced and characterized without a lot of "in previous episodes"..." Read more

"...book had a nice balance of magic, storytelling, mystery, and character development...." Read more

"...An interesting book. I liked all of the characters. I could never pronounce Riga in my head correctly so I had to refer to her as Rita...." Read more

"...detective than bodice-ripper, which I appreciate, and the characters are interesting and well-drawn...." Read more

39 customers mention "Pacing"39 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has good pacing and an engaging storyline. They appreciate the well-built world and interesting topics. The book series is described as vibrant and real by readers.

"...the author has done quite a bit of research and has included enough academic material to satisfy my tastes without (hopefully) overdoing it or being..." Read more

"...She’s a realist with a strong sense of right and wrong...." Read more

"...It's also a book about re-examining one's priorities, and how family - whether that of blood or of the families and communities we choose for..." Read more

"...This book has substance. A good storyline, and good characters. It also brought a different aspect to paranormal books. Alchemy." Read more

5 customers mention "Talent"5 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the book's talent. They praise the unique skill set of the protagonist, Nancy Drew-like spirit, and Riga's self-analysis.

"...This wonderful new paranormal deective has the indomitable spirit of Nancy Drew and a gargoyle sidekick. Loved it" Read more

"...Riga is endearing in her self analysis and her humor keeps you in the moment...." Read more

"...Riga was an interesting protagonist with a unique skill set." Read more

"...A really good who done it." Read more

4 customers mention "Female lead"4 positive0 negative

Customers like the strong female lead. They say she's an independent woman who isn't afraid to lean on someone at the end.

"...series, with the metaphysical and the magical intertwining with female grit and fortitude . I love Bridget and Pen and the ghosts who help...." Read more

"I'm liking this metaphysical mystery series, and its strong female lead! Interesting, magical, lots of plot twists, romance...." Read more

"Solid independent woman MC...." Read more

"A page turner filled with intrigue and suspense. A strong female lead who isn't afraid to lean on someone at the end of a rough day." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Susan
    5.0 out of 5 stars An incredibly good book
    Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2012
    Verified Purchase
    Riga Hayworth is a metaphysical detective, who used to have very strong magical powers herself. Due to events not fully explained in this book - this book makes repeated references to a previous death match with a psychotic necromancer who summoned a demon to kill her (although the demon killed the psycho), but now that I have read the first of this series that is not the cause of the disruption in her powers - she has mysteriously had her magical abilities damaged. Now at Lake Tahoe for some R&R and time with her love interest, a casino owner, Riga is trying to recouperate and recover her powers.

    Unfortunately a murder of another local psychic labels her a "person of interest" to the local police, and she finds herself in a quandry of unable to ethically investigate without a client, and unable to investigate without implicating herself.

    Along comes a Supernatural Channel Reality TV show that wants her to be the host, doing a special on Tahoe Tessie, a supposed Loch Ness Monster style Lake Tahoe monster.

    Riga takes the job, and by theorizing that the supposed monster sightings and the murder may be connected, finds herself investigating the murder and <spoiler alert> harrassment activities against other local psychics, including yet another murder.

    Riga's sidekick is a Brigitte, a Gargoyle made of concrete yet able to talk, fly, walk about etc. Kind of a different twist on the sidekick theme!

    The nemesis in the story is a local pastor of a splinter-group church picketing in front of the businesses run by these local psychics and playing the part initially of prime suspect (to Riga and the readers, if not to the police). Unfortunately, he too falls victim to what can only be described as a serial killer leaving evidence of involving summoning of demons.

    As this is a series, Riga no doubt is triumphant in the end, but the reader would be hard pressed to figure out just how. Who the killer is, maybe could be guessed; I didn't, but I didn't try tooo hard. For me in murder mysteries, the killer's identity is kind of like having a baby - you know it will be a boy or a girl but I just like to be surprised ;)

    Basically, what an INTERESTING murder mystery-detective story! This is the second of a series, of which I have not yet read book #1, and yet the main characters were well introduced and characterized without a lot of "in previous episodes" explanation. That is a definite plus.

    The paranormal and occult aspects were laid out with sufficient detail that the reader can grasp what the author's construct of the magical aspect is all about while not being copycat of the generic popular trends. Clearly the author has done quite a bit of research and has included enough academic material to satisfy my tastes without (hopefully) overdoing it or being boringly pedantic. I certainly did not find it to be boring at all. Another Great Plus.

    I love a female sleuth who is not simpering, man crazed, mother obsessed, uber-suburbanite housewifey, and who also has both positive and negative aspects to her personality like a real person. The leading man played a definite back seat role but was along for the ride, and the tension and dynamics in their relationship felt believable, and felt like that aspect added some colors and nuances to the story.

    Lastly as an indie Kindle offering, I want to mention that typos were not a problem and story editing appeared to have had a good deal of attention as well.

    This was a marvelous read.

    I hope there is more to come of the Riga Hayworth series!
    4 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • D. Zendel
    4.0 out of 5 stars Entertaining read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Riga Hayworth (named by her parents because she looks like the actress Rita Hayworth) is a metaphysical detective and California-licensed private investigator. A case goes wrong and she loses her powers and goes to Lake Tahoe to lick her wounds and spend time with her hot boyfriend/casino owner. Someone is killing psychics in Tahoe and the deputies think Riga may be connected. She investigates to save her own skin.

    This was a fun book. Some of the metaphysical stuff bored me, but I just paged past those parts, and some of the “magic” was a little hard to swallow, but I liked the characters enough to let those roll off me.

    Riga is intriguing – 40-something, with a French gargoyle familiar named Bridgette. Bridgette is a great sidekick. Riga’s been around more than one block more than one time and is frequently the only adult in the room. She’s a realist with a strong sense of right and wrong. There’s a fun subplot that involves Riga and her niece working on a reality TV show that chases monsters. In spite of her quirky talents, or maybe because of, she has a good working relationship with the police, which is a breath of fresh air.

    This book had a nice balance of magic, storytelling, mystery, and character development. I appreciated the adult nature of the relationship between Riga and Donovan, the casino owner. And by adult I mean that they shared each other’s lives, and had each other’s backs. He never tried to do the “there, there,” pat her on the head thing. The characters drew me in and I grew to care about them quickly. I will read more in this series.

    Weiss also writes the Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum Mysteries, the Tea and Tarot Cozy Mysteries, the Wits’ End Cozy Mysteries, the Pie Town Cozy Mysteries, and my personal favorite, the Doyle Witch Mysteries. Something for everyone.
    2 people found this helpful
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kindle Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars More Than Worth The Read
    Reviewed in the United States on October 29, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    There are many layers to this book. On the surface, this is a cozy mystery, with both a supernatural reality TV series and a metaphysical slant. But the meat of this book is tied up in Riga's pursuit of her lost magical abilities. The examination of Alchemy as it relates to psychology and theology, and the process of the search for The Philosopher's Stone and what it all really means is at its core, as well. It's also a book about re-examining one's priorities, and how family - whether that of blood or of the families and communities we choose for ourselves - is of vital importance. It definitely gave me more education and food for thought than I was expecting from a cozy mystery novel.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Jo Perry
    3.0 out of 5 stars A good read
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    There are very few authors that can bring a story to life through only the use of works. I would indeed recommend this book to young adults and up.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Patricia W
    4.0 out of 5 stars Different type of story
    Reviewed in the United States on May 6, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    I ran across this book looking for something to read. It sounded interesting and it actually was! An interesting book. I liked all of the characters. I could never pronounce Riga in my head correctly so I had to refer to her as Rita. This book has substance. A good storyline, and good characters. It also brought a different aspect to paranormal books. Alchemy.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

  • Maureen Neuman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Thoroughly enjoyed it
    Reviewed in Canada on August 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    I have a fondness for police procedural television - it can be fun to try to figure out the killer before the writers want you to.

    Such is the case with this book, although I have to say that in this case, I didn’t see it coming. Anytime I had a suspect, the trail petered off … and there were lots of trails that lead off into the deep woods, never to be seen again.

    Our MC is a metaphysical detective; she can see ghosts, summon demons and perform magic. Problem is - she’s losing her magic. Even small acts have unintended outcomes, like the time she wants to pick a lock - unobtrusively, of course - but ends up melting it into a batch of slagged metal.

    She’s been haunted by the death of a demon that she killed, worried that she didn’t really end his life. Also stressed about money, she accepts a short-term job as an expert for a tv show investigating the paranormal.

    The show, persecution of a group of tea-and-tarot readers, unusual deaths, a new romance, suspicion by the police that she knows more than she’s letting on because “isn’t it convenient that you’re always here where the warm bodies are” create an exciting muddle to sort through for amateur armchair sleuths like me.

    I found the style of writing enjoyable, the characters believable, the plot interesting to follow and the situation unusual. Thoroughly enjoyed it.
    Report
  • Amazon Customer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Well written
    Reviewed in Australia on December 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Well written, interesting and unusual.
    Report
  • Garry
    4.0 out of 5 stars Interesting
    Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Interesting
    Report
  • Wildfly56
    4.0 out of 5 stars An intriguing tale
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 6, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    A suitable Halloween read as it is full of witches, ghosts, demons and gargoyles, all up to mischief. Well there are a few murders thrown in for good measure. A fun but at times gruesome read, with a bit of romance.
    Report
  • Trish G
    4.0 out of 5 stars Book 1 or not Book 1?
    Reviewed in Australia on November 24, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    According to the cover this is book 1 but apparently there is a book before this one. This is the first book I have read in this series about a metaphysical detective who has lost her powers. Interesting read about Riga Hayworth and her boyfriend Donovan, Riga's annoying gargoyle Bridgette, bodyguards and film crew. Riga is trying to find the murderer of women in the Tea and Tarot club, at the same time as being filmed trying to locate a possibly mythical lake monster, Tessie Tahoe.
    Recommended for fans of paranormal mysteries, demons, magic, alchemy etc. I did enjoy this book but admit I got a little lost with the intricacy of the alchemy text parts. I was a bit disappointed it ended on a cliffhanger which means I would be forced to get the next book. (I found this as a free promotion through BookBub, which is a great way to find new authors)
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report