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 … 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.
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One of my favorite features of the cozy mystery genre is the ability to weave together multiple themes and story-lines that carry over throughout each successive book in the series. In ‘A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery’ series by Vicki Delany we have just that and so much more. I have read a couple of the author’s series and find myself on a kick to catch up on them all in the next few months so that by 2019, I’m ready for the latest releases. I just finished Body on Baker Street and give it 4.5 stars for its clever plot, witty dialog, and memorable characters.
Gemma and Jayne run a book shop and tea room with an ode to Sherlock Holmes. Gemma’s got an on-again/off-again relationship with a local detective, but it also puts her in conflict with another detective who doesn’t like Gemma very much because of her amateur sleuth activities. It makes for good conflict. In this caper, a famed author holds a signing at the store, but all is not as it seems. The author isn’t truly the author, and her closely-kept staff have bigger connections than we initially realize. The books compromise some characters in the Sherlock Holmes canon which angers a few readers and fans, but it also ignites some passionate ones who love the changes. Which person took their emotions too far and killed the author with a lovely dose of poison?
As characters, Gemma and Jayne are both likable and well-drawn. Jayne is the more reasonable one as Gemma thinks of things like breaking into a policewoman’s desk to find clues. That’s guts! The cat wandering the store makes for fun antics. The literary tones and references always make me smile. I enjoy the side stories and always look forward to the red herring clues. With at least 5 or 6 possible suspects, each has a true motive and were near the tainted water bottle. It makes for a solid mystery where it’s less about alibis and more about who couldn’t help themselves but commit murder.
Delany’s style is always fun and easy to read. It’s got chops, too. I enjoy the story’s developmental progress as it draws us in. I am reading the next book in the series in a few weeks so I’ll be ready for the one she is about to publish – number 4, A Study in Scarlet!
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are back and again find themselves in the middle of another murder investigation. This time an author, Renalta Van Markoff, comes to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium for a book signing and dies while signing a book. All eyes fall on the man, Donald Morris, that questioned her about her content during the Q & A Session. He is a huge fan of the original Sherlock Holmes and cannot abide by what she has done with the characters. Gemma knows he has strong beliefs about Holmes but she knows he wouldn’t kill anyone. She again teams up with her friend Jayne for a little sleuthing of their own.
Gemma is a unique character, very independent, strong, and super observant. She notices things everyone else seems to miss and she has no trouble at all speaking her mind, not only giving her opinions but pointing out the facts as she sees them. She can be a little much at first but readers quickly realize how much like Sherlock Holmes she really is. Jayne is the perfect Watson to her Sherlock and together they make a wonderful team.
The new cast for this story was very well fleshed out. The larger than life Renalta Van Markoff, her mousey personal assistant, Linda, and her protective publicist all come to life quickly in these pages.
The bookshop the author has created for Gemma is fantastic and it is described in great detail making it very easy to imagine in my mind. I love that is has a tea room connected. It is the perfect place to pick up a book and venture next door to read while enjoying a pot of tea.
The mystery was very well plotted and written but I had an alternate theory pop into my head almost immediately after the victim died and that theory was never realized in the story which surprised me. Instead, there was a clear set of suspects that emerged and there were several twists and turns before the actual killer was revealed. Once I let my theory go I narrowed down my suspects and figured out whodunit right before Gemma. But I was wrong about the motive It was a fun mystery to read and follow along with Gemma. I will say Gemma is like a dog with a bone when she sets her mind on something. She puts herself into dicey situations because of that.
I love Gemma and Jayne and am Sherlock Holmes fan so this story/series really shines for me. I don’t think you can go wrong with any book by this author. She is a great storyteller who does her research to bring her readers fabulous stories. This one is no exception.
Body on Baker Street by Vicki Delany is the second cozy mystery in A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma Doyle co-owns (and manages) Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in West London, Massachusetts. Gemma is surprised when author Renalta Van Markoff wishes to set up a last-minute book signing. The day of the signing the store is packed with fans and things are going smoothly until Donald Morris starts in on Renalta about her portrayal of Sherlock Holmes in her novels. The author counters Donald’s arguments successfully and proceeds with signing books. After taking a drink of water, the author starts gasping and collapses—she is dead. Donald ends up being the prime suspect in the author’s murder when it is discovered he had the means, motive and opportunity. Gemma with Jayne’s assistance sets out to find the killer. One thing not lacking in this case is suspects. Which one of them disliked Renalta enough to do her in?
Body on Baker Street is the second book in the series, but it can be read alone. Everything the reader needs to know is included in this story. The mystery was intriguing and I think that many people will be surprised by the killer’s identity. There are good clues that will aid readers in solving the crime (armchair sleuths should have no problem in figuring it out). My rating for Body on Baker Street is 3 out of 5 stars. My main problem with the series is Gemma Doyle. Gemma is a difficult character to like (rude, obnoxious, know-it-all). Gemma’s attitude is off-putting (I am surprised someone has not killed her off). Her way is the right way and she is always right. I especially did not like her mocking the police. I wish the author had made Jayne the main character (and we did not get much of Jayne in Body on Baker Street). Most of the investigation involved Gemma talking to people. I know this is vital to a good investigation, but it can get tedious (and frustrating). Gemma’s rude attitude when talking to people was a turnoff (I could not figure out why anyone answered her questions). I can understand why Moriarty (the shop cat) lashes out at Gemma!
The game is afoot! Originally part of a quote from a play be Shakespeare, these words have a positive, if at times gleeful, meaning to followers of Sherlock Holmes. It also has meaning to some of Gemma’s customers at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. Vicki Delany packs a punch in another delightfully intellectual, logical mystery that doesn’t fail to baffle armchair Sherlocks, demonstrating her talent for combining mystery, humor, and suspense while celebrating the friendships of women.
Gemma was startled to be asked if Renalta Van Markoff, a best-selling author, could have a book signing at her shop with a scant two-day notice. Renalta writes novels about Sherlock Holmes and his landlady, Mrs. Hudson in a light that Doyle certainly did not ever intend. Women loved them. True Sherlockians did not, and wanted the series ended. Including Donald, the local Holmes scholar, who threatened to get Renalta to end the series.
Renalta and her entourage of her personal assistant, Linda, and her publicist Kevin, arrived at the appointed time. Many, many books awaited her autograph and there was standing room only in the bookshop and the adjacent Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Renalta finished her speech, and Donald made what sounded to many to be a threat. Renalta opened her third bottle of a specially-requested bottle of water, took a huge swig – and collapsed. Within a short time, she was dead. Donald’s threat came back to haunt him quickly. Gemma, who had unsealed the special bottles of water before the signing for Renalta, had a possible opportunity, also. The unsealed bottles had been left untended several minutes before Renalta’s talk began. Donald asks Gemma to please clear his name, so Gemma is on the trail of another killer.
I like the assorted characters in this series! Gemma is secretly a romantic, but her intelligence most often shows her as pragmatic and a bit too straightforward and tactless. The eclectic group of people who are closely in Gemma’s life share various things: Jayne, best friend and romantic, gives her mothering when needed and sometimes is Ethel to Gemma’s Lucy, Grant shares friendship and as a fellow bookseller and would-be suitor, Ryan…continues to give mixed signals. Moriarty, the shop cat, adores almost everyone except Gemma, so going home to sweet pawsonality pup, Violet, is a wonderful treat. The people specific to this mystery, Renalta, Linda, Kevin, Robert, Paige, and Nancy, bring their own dimension of eccentric to the mix.
This is a very well-written, challenging mystery. Each plot twist provides a change to the number of suspects – either adding or eliminating them. The clues are masterfully placed to continually challenge Gemma and the reader. While I sometimes shake my head at Gemma’s determination to follow the clues in spite of the risks, I do admire her loyalty to her friends and desire for justice to be done. I did figure out who the culprit is, but didn’t have the right motive so there were still surprises. A couple plot twists almost changed my mind as the new clues presented were so compelling! What a great mystery! I highly recommend Vicki Delany’s newest offering in her Sherlock Holmes Mystery series. Well worth the read!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Vicki Delany, one of my favourite authors, has once again crafted an intricate tale that kept me hooked until its glamourous finale.
The setting in the Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore connected to the English Tearoom next door is absolutly charming and the characters are well drawn. Renalta Van Markoff is my favourite – such a diva! My feelings about Gemma are mixed. On one hand she is reliable and caring in her friendships but on the other hand sometimes quite off-putting when talking to suspects or the police.
A very well written, enjoyable mystery with an abundance of information on Sherlock Holmes related books.
I requested this book from NetGalley and am thankful that Crooked Lane Books and the author provided me with a copy.