Book #Review ~ A Scandal in Scarlet (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book #4) by Vicki Delany ~ #CozyMystery

About the Book:

Sherlockians will delight at the latest charming installment of national bestselling author Vicki Delany’s fourth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery.

Gemma and Jayne donate their time to raise money for the rebuilding of a burned out museum—but a killer wants a piece of the auction.

Walking her dog Violet late one night, Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, acts quickly when she smells smoke outside the West London Museum. Fortunately no one is inside, but it’s too late to save the museum’s priceless collection of furniture, and damage to the historic house is extensive. Baker Street’s shop owners come together to hold an afternoon auction tea to raise funds to rebuild, and Great Uncle Arthur Doyle offers a signed first edition of The Valley of Fear.

Cape Cod’s cognoscenti files into Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room, owned by Gemma’s best friend, Jayne Wilson. Excitement fills the air (along with the aromas of Jayne’s delightful scones, of course). But the auction never happens. Before the gavel can fall, museum board chair Kathy Lamb is found dead in the back room. Wrapped tightly around her neck is a long rope of decorative knotted tea cups—a gift item that Jayne sells at Mrs. Hudson’s. Gemma’s boyfriend in blue, Ryan Ashburton, arrives on the scene with Detective Louise Estrada. But the suspect list is long, and the case far from elementary. Does Kathy’s killing have any relation to a mysterious death of seven years ago?

Gemma has no intention of getting involved in the investigation, but when fellow shopkeeper Maureen finds herself the prime suspect she begs Gemma for her help. Ryan knows Gemma’s methods and he isn’t happy when she gets entangled in another mystery. But with so many suspects and so few clues, her deductive prowess will prove invaluable in A Scandal in Scarlet, Vicki Delany’s shrewdly plotted fourth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery.

Book Details:

Print Length: 296 pages
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: November 13, 2018
ASIN: B079DWNBV7

Amazon

My Review:

A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Scandal in Scarlet is book 4 in Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma Doyle discovers the local museum on fire while walking her dog at night. Many objects were destroyed and much of historic house is damaged. Fortunately, no one was injured since the museum was empty. In an effort to restore the building, the local shop owners come together to hold an auction at Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Everyone donates toward the event but just prior to the start of the auction, Kathy Lamb, the chair of the museum board is found dead. The murder weapon? - a decoration sold in the Tea Room.

Gemma plans to stay far away from the investigation. She doesn’t even want to get involved to help Maureen Middleton, the shopkeeper from across the street, when she asks Gemma for help. Contrary to her plans, Gemma finds herself neck-deep in what is another murder mystery much to the annoyance of her boyfriend, Ryan Ashburton, and Detective Louise Estrada.

The character development continues in A Scandal in Scarlet. Gemma is painfully observant, and she tends to alienate herself and the people around her. She does so without malice and that's what makes her character quirky and lovable. The supporting characters round out this great cozy mystery. Gemma's best friend Jayne is her partner-in-crime and she has Gemma's back. Ryan is one of the police officers assigned to the cases in all four books in the series. Their relationship history sometimes gets in the way of the investigation. The chemistry between them is strong, undeniable, and believable. I enjoy their dynamics and love romances that don't take over the book but are there in the background. It makes the characters more realistic to me.

The plot for A Scandal in Scarlet was laid out well and the world building was as great in this book as it was in the previous three. I was able to visualize everything that was described, and I felt like I was there at the bookshop, tea room, and auction. The author did a great job masking who committed the murder and bringing in other contenders who had motive. I really enjoyed A Scandal in Scarlet and highly recommend the entire series to lovers of cozy mysteries.

I was given a copy of the book to read.

View all my reviews

Book Review: The Cat of the Baskervilles (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery #3) by Vicki Delany #CozyMystery @vickidelany

Book Details:

Print Length: 304 pages

Publisher: Crooked Lane Books

Publication Date: February 13, 2018

ASIN: B0719PN1GY

Amazon

Goodreads

About the Book:

The show is coming to town on Cape Cod. The West London Theater Festival is putting on a stage production of The Hound of the Baskervilles. Gemma Doyle is excited and participating with her friend Jayne Wilson, whose mother, Leslie, just happens to be volunteering with the company. Leslie arranges a fundraising tea party at the home of the festival organizer, catered by Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. The tea is a rousing success, but Sir Nigel Bellingham, the famous star cast as the lead of Sherlock, goes missing. And Gemma finds him at the bottom of the cliff. Dead.

Before the tea, Sir Nigel had come by the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, only for Gemma to realize that he’s not at all suited to the role. But as Gemma and Jayne investigate, the list of suspects just grows longer. Long past his prime, Sir Nigel was second to a younger actor who had first been given the role. The festival’s executive director also expressed that he had been hired over her objections. Then there are the slew of people to whom Sir Nigel was rude. They all have motive, but then a scrap of Leslie’s apron caught on a bush by Sir Nigel’s body is found. And the police are set to pounce as she becomes suspect #1.

I am enamored with the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. I love the concept of a bookstore that caters to lovers of Sherlock Holmes. I'm not a devoted fan but I do love me some Robert Downey Jr. and his portrayal of Holmes and Jude Law's Watson. A bookshop of the nature would be very interesting to visit. 

The Cat of the Baskervilles a wonderful third book in a series that just keeps getting better with every book. The book is full of quirky characters, red herrings, and twists and turns. The reader is kept fully engaged and sitting on the edge of their seat as they meet the cast of the theater production of The Hound of the Baskervilles. The lead is none other than famous star, Sir Nigel Bellingham. Except, Sir Nigel isn't at all who one would expect to be playing such a prominent part in the production. He's an alcoholic and quite rude. 

When an elaborate tea party is organized on his, and the rest of the cast's, behalf, Sir Nigel disappears and is later found dead in what appears to be anything but normal. Statements are made and suspects are gathered, including Leslie, who happens to be Gemma's business partner Jayne's mother. There is evidence to indicate she was in the vicinity but as Gemma explores the murder, it appears others have motive. There are a multiple threads within the mystery and many characters who could very well have taken Sir Nigel's life. The author does a great job weaving the mystery in a way that doesn't clue the reader into who committed the act. 

The character development continues in The Cat of the Baskerville. Gemma is painfully observant to the point that she tends to alienate herself and the people around her. She does so without malice and that's what makes her character quirky and lovable. The supporting characters really round out this great cozy mystery. Gemma's best friend Jayne is her reluctant partner-in-crime but in the end she has Gemma's back. Ryan is one of the police officer's assigned to the cases in all three books in the series. He and Gemma have a history that sometimes gets in the way of the investigation. The chemistry between them is strong, undeniable, and believable.  I enjoy their dynamics and love romances that don't take over the book but are there in the background. It makes the characters more realistic to me. 

The plot was laid out well and the world building was as great in this book as it was in the first two. I was able to visualize everything that was described and I felt like I was there at the bookshop, tea room, and tea party. The author did a great job masking who committed the murder and bringing in other contenders who had motive. I really enjoyed The Cat of the Baskervilles and highly recommend the entire series to lovers of cozy mysteries.

I was given a copy of the book to read.

My Rating:

Book Review: Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2 by Vicki Delany

Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

by Vicki Delany

I had no idea who the villain was until he/she was revealed. As Gemma explained her logic behind her deduction, I could see the way the clues lined up, but the villain definitely wasn’t on my radar before that.

~Valerie’s Musings

What’s not to love about this series – a Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore, a tea shop, and murder!

~The Book’s the Thing

Body On Baker Street provides an entertaining read.

~My Reading Journeys

In addition to a solid mystery, Delany provides delightful references to Sherlock Holmes throughout—from the store’s street address and merchandise; to a cat named Moriarty and a dog named Violet; to the mention of other books with Sherlock themes.

~Book Club Librarian

Subtle wit, great characters, and nods galore to everyone’s favorite Baker Street detective – these are the qualities that make Body on Baker Street a must read.

~Reading Is My SuperPower

I could not put this book down. One of her best yet in my opinion.

~Babs Book Bistro

This has been a great read, everyone had motives and with some funny characters this book will make you remember the great Arthur Conan Doyle books!

~Varietats

I love this series! I love Gemma and her quirky little bookshop selling Sherlock Holmes books, merchandise, anything connected with Arthur Conan Doyle, along with lots of other mystery books set in Sherlock’s era.

~CAROLE’S BOOK CORNER

The ending is dramatic and tense and even if you’ve figured some of it out, will still surprise you.

~Laura’s Interests

After only two books, I am totally in love with this series. I love Gemma, Jayne, Uncle Arthur, Ryan, Grant, and so many other folks around town–and let’s not forget Moriarity, the bookshop cat!

~Book Babble

Book Information:

Body on Baker Street 

A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2

Cozy Mystery

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1683312994

E-Book ASIN: B06XW3K7F5

About the Book:

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in anticipation of the store’s upcoming book signing with the illustrious Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. But during the author Q&A session, dedicated Sherlockian Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table―dead.

Donald insists he didn’t do it and pleads to his friends to clear his name. Fortunately, Gemma and Jayne have no shortage of suspects between author’s bullied personal assistant, her frustrated publicist, the hapless publisher, a handsome rare book dealer, an obsessively rabid fan, and a world of other Sherlock enthusiasts with strong objections to Renalta’s depiction of the Great Detective. It’s up to the shrewd sleuthing duo to eliminate the impossible and deduce the truth before the West London police arrest an innocent man in Body on Baker Street the second Sherlock Homes Bookshop mystery perfect for fans of Miranda James and Kate Carlisle.

My review of book 1, Elementary, She Read can be found on Amazon.

My Review:

Body on Baker Street is a great addition to Vicki Delany's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. When Renalta Van Markoff, a famous author, drops all of her engagements and wants a book signing at the last minute, Gemma makes it happen.  She puts up posters, spreads the signing via word of mouth, and makes sure to have a bunch of the authors books on hand and ready to go. The town is excited to have such a spectacular author visiting them - well, most of the town.  After Donald Morris and Renalta get into a verbal sparring match after Renalta's speech, Renalta falls face town on the table during the subsequent book signing event. Donald is the prime suspect having not only threatened the author to her face but also spreading his views around prior to Renalta's arrival.  Gemma knows that Donald didn't do it but proving that is a bit harder than she anticipated.  

 The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series is wonderful and keeps getting better.  I really liked book one but I love book 2. Full of quirky characters, red herrings, and twists and turns, I was kept fully engaged and sitting on the edge of my seat throughout the entire novel. There are a multiple threads developed within the mystery that seem unrelated then, masterfully, everything comes together into an "A-ha" moment.  I enjoyed every bit of Body on Baker Street.

Gemma is painfully observant but unlike in book one, it isn't to the point that she tends to alienate herself and the people around her. She does, perhaps do it on purpose when one specific police officer is involved though.  Her bluntness isn't intended to be malicious most of the time and that's what makes her character quirky and lovable. She pulls some hair-brained schemes that put her in a lot of danger but ultimately the bad guy/gal is caught. Our cozy mystery heroine lack common sense sometimes but it all works out in the end.

The supporting characters really round out this great cozy mystery. Gemma's best friend Jayne is her reluctant partner-in-crime but she has Gemma's back regardless of the situation. Ryan is one of the police officers assigned to the case involving the death of  Renalta Van Markoff. He and Gemma have a history that sometimes gets in the way of the investigation. The chemistry between them is definitely there, even if the pair try not to acknowledge those feelings.  I hope to see a bit more development between the two of them in the next book. They don't have to get right back into a relationship but I'd like to feel by the end of the book that they are make headway. I like them together and don't mind romances that don't take over the book but are there in the background. It makes the characters more realistic to me.

The plot was laid out well and the character development and world building continued on nicely. I did NOT suspect who was behind everything or the reason. The author did a great job masking all of that and bringing in other contenders who fit the bill, too.

I enjoyed Body on Baker Street and can't wait to see what Gemma gets involved in next.

I voluntarily reviewed a copy of the book provided by the publisher via NetGalley.

My Rating:

Meet the Author:

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than twenty-five books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. Under the name of Eva Gates, she writes the Lighthouse Library cozy series for Penguin Random House. Her latest book is Body on Baker Street, the second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane.

Vicki is the past president of the Crime Writers of Canada. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.

www.vickidelany.com Facebook: Vicki Delany & Eva Gates and twitter: @vickidelany and @evagatesauthor

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N

Enter the Giveaway:

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Book Tour & #Giveaway ~ Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2 by Vicki Delany

Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

by Vicki Delany

I had no idea who the villain was until he/she was revealed. As Gemma explained her logic behind her deduction, I could see the way the clues lined up, but the villain definitely wasn’t on my radar before that.

~Valerie’s Musings

What’s not to love about this series – a Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore, a tea shop, and murder!

~The Book’s the Thing

Body On Baker Street provides an entertaining read.

~My Reading Journeys

In addition to a solid mystery, Delany provides delightful references to Sherlock Holmes throughout—from the store’s street address and merchandise; to a cat named Moriarty and a dog named Violet; to the mention of other books with Sherlock themes.

~Book Club Librarian

Subtle wit, great characters, and nods galore to everyone’s favorite Baker Street detective – these are the qualities that make Body on Baker Street a must read.

~Reading Is My SuperPower

I could not put this book down. One of her best yet in my opinion.

~Babs Book Bistro

This has been a great read, everyone had motives and with some funny characters this book will make you remember the great Arthur Conan Doyle books!

~Varietats

I love this series! I love Gemma and her quirky little bookshop selling Sherlock Holmes books, merchandise, anything connected with Arthur Conan Doyle, along with lots of other mystery books set in Sherlock’s era.

~CAROLE’S BOOK CORNER

The ending is dramatic and tense and even if you’ve figured some of it out, will still surprise you.

~Laura’s Interests

After only two books, I am totally in love with this series. I love Gemma, Jayne, Uncle Arthur, Ryan, Grant, and so many other folks around town–and let’s not forget Moriarity, the bookshop cat!

~Book Babble

Book Information:

Body on Baker Street 

A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, Book 2

Cozy Mystery

Crooked Lane Books 

September 12, 2017

Hardcover: 304 pages

ISBN-13: 978-1683312994

E-Book ASIN: B06XW3K7F5

About the Book:

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in anticipation of the store’s upcoming book signing with the illustrious Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. But during the author Q&A session, dedicated Sherlockian Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table―dead.

Donald insists he didn’t do it and pleads to his friends to clear his name. Fortunately, Gemma and Jayne have no shortage of suspects between author’s bullied personal assistant, her frustrated publicist, the hapless publisher, a handsome rare book dealer, an obsessively rabid fan, and a world of other Sherlock enthusiasts with strong objections to Renalta’s depiction of the Great Detective. It’s up to the shrewd sleuthing duo to eliminate the impossible and deduce the truth before the West London police arrest an innocent man in Body on Baker Street, the second Sherlock Homes Bookshop mystery perfect for fans of Miranda James and Kate Carlisle.

Saph's Note:

I had this tour written down in my planner incorrectly; therefore, I won't be posting my review until Saturday or Sunday instead of today.  I apologize for my error.

Meet the Author:

Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She has written more than twenty-five books: clever cozies to Gothic thrillers to gritty police procedurals, to historical fiction and novellas for adult literacy. Under the name of Eva Gates, she writes the Lighthouse Library cozy series for Penguin Random House. Her latest book is Body on Baker Street, the second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series from Crooked Lane.

Vicki is the past president of the Crime Writers of Canada. Her work has been nominated for the Derringer, the Bony Blithe, the Ontario Library Association Golden Oak, and the Arthur Ellis Awards.

www.vickidelany.com Facebook: Vicki Delany & Eva Gates and twitter: @vickidelany and @evagatesauthor

Purchase Links

Amazon B&N

Enter the Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway