I'm a Sherlock Holmes fan, and this fan fiction cozy mystery kept me reading straight through. It was a unique plot with entertaining characters. I like a clean read with not much blood and gore, and this provided that and didn't need it to make their case. It moved fast enough to keep me engaged and left enough bread crumbs to keep me guessing until the big reveal. I love it and will definitely read more of this author in a cozy nook with a cup of tea.

Gemma Doyle has moved to West London, New England to work as part owner/manager of her uncle's store, Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. But after a recent bus tour, she notices an item out of place on one of the shelves...an item that may turn out to be a valuable collector's item. Convinced she saw the person who may have left the item in her store, she and her friend, Jayne, follow clues to a hotel where they indeed find the owner, dead in her room. When Gemma becomes the prime suspect, she knows she needs to help solve this crime. This is the first book in a new series. I initially found the in-depth details slightly off putting, but Gemma's character soon endeared itself to me. Like a female version of Sherlock on the TV series "Elementary," she is extremely observant and deductive, but overly blunt and a bit socially inept when dealing with others. The other characters in the story were also interesting, including her long time friend,
Jayne, the chief detective on the case and a former beau, and his partner who seems intent on proving Gemma's guilt. And of course, let's not leave out her dog, Violet, and the store cat, Moriarity. The mystery itself provided several fun twists. I am looking forward to the next book in this series to see how these relationships develop. Disclosure: I am voluntarily reviewing this ARC through Net Galley.

One of the best books I have read thus far this year. This isn't your ordinary mystery it's more than that. The lead character is very special. I felt that I was in the shop when it was being described. There were scenes in the book that you can just close your eyes and think that you are right in the middle of it.

I am looking forward to more by this author.

Any book with a bookstore as a character is a good book. Gemma Doyle is too much like Sherlock Holmes for her own good when helping solve a local murder.
Goodreads

Gemma Doyle runs a bookshop on Cape Cod specializing in Sherlock Holmes. When she finds a priceless copy of the first Sherlock Holmes story hidden on her book shelves, she uses her phenomenal and nearly photographic memory to figure out who left it there. When she and her friend Jayne who runs Mrs. Hudson't Tea Room next door go to find her, they discover that she has been murdered.

Gemma is not particularly pleased to find that one of the investigators is Ryan Ashburton. She and Ryan had a close relationship until they unexpectedly broke up and he took a job in Boston. His partner is Louise Estrada who seems to take an immediate dislike to Gemma. Now Gemma not only has to fend off a detective who is certain she is guilty but also collectors who have heard rumors that she has possession of the priceless Sherlock Holmes artifact.

Gemma is busy investigating and has a lot of suspects. Is it the new book dealer who moved into town? Is it someone in the family of the man who left the priceless artifact to the nurse who cared for him in his final illness? Is it the son of the nurse (and murder victim) who inherited the story?

I liked Gemma who was perceptive and clueless at the same time. I liked her relationship with her friend Jayne. When I learned the reason that Ryan left her, I took a real dislike to him but he did grow on me as the story progressed.

I would be eager to read more adventures for Gemma and her friend Jayne.

I often enjoy characters that have some quirks. The co owner of the Sherlock Holmes gift shop set in Cape Cod in Vicki Delano's Elementary, She Read, has a photograph memory and an extreme attention to detail. This can come in handy when stocking shelves of her book and gift shop, but be very trying to the police investigation of a murder with ties to her shop. I read this book in exchange for a review. As someone who has read my share of Sherlock Homes I found the twist of the shopkeeper and her friend following in his footsteps. I would like to read more to see what these characters get up to next.

Gemma Doyle runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium located at 222 Baker Street (221 Baker Street not having been for sale at the time her uncle started the business) in the town of West London, Massachusetts. Jayne Wilson, her best friend, runs Mrs Hudson’s Tea Room, which adjoins the bookshop. While Gemma certainly loves most books, she is decidedly less than fond of the Sherlock Holmes stories and she positively dislikes the Sherlockian paraphernalia that she stocks.

It is fortunate, however, that she has more in common with the great consulting detective than she would like to admit, since West London is about to become the scene of murder and [literary] mayhem. Gemma discovers a copy of the 1887 edition of Beeton’s Christmas Annual, that is, the edition that marked the first publication of Arthur Conan Doyle’s A Study in Scarlet, tucked away on a shelf in her shop and, when she and Jayne attempt to return it to the most likely owner, they discover that she has been murdered. Her almost preternatural powers of observation and ability to determine the mechanics of crime mean that Gemma is viewed as a likely suspect in the crime by most of the West London Police Force, although Detective Ryan Ashburton, her former boyfriend, seems to think that she can help solve the case.

Elementary, She Read is the first book in Vicki Delany’s new Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and it certainly represents a great start to the series. Gemma Doyle has the skill and tenacity (to say nothing of the pig-headedness and willingness to break the law) necessary to be a great detective. She might not be great at human interactions – she certainly manages to rub many people up the wrong way, which is not a helpful characteristic when some of those people are investigating her involvement in a murder – but she is excellent at human observation and deducing the truth behind people’s circumstances and motivations. Plus, she has Jayne Watson to help her out when the investigation requires a more delicate, human touch.

Gemma’s investigation of the murder involves some nice twists and turns, as well as a fair bit of action for what is essentially a cosy mystery. There are a good number of suspects lurking around West London (and that’s without counting Moriarty, the shop cat) as anyone who knew the potential value of the Beeton’s Christmas Annual might be willing to kill for it. In addition to the many entertaining Sherlock Holmes references (some subtle, some not so subtle), there’s certainly a lot of evidence for Gemma (and readers) to puzzle through, which helps to make Elementary, She Read such a hugely entertaining read.

A really fun read about the adventures of amateur detectives Gemma and Jane. It is well-paced and the characters are funny, opinionated and veritable Sherlock Holmes.

A delightful new cozy mystery that weaves a wonderful tale. Looking forward to further books in this series.

I really enjoyed this book. It's wonderfully written, with great well developed characters, an interesting theme, fun storyline and intriguing murders. I love Sherlock Holmes, so the underlying theme of this book appealed to me. I wish there was such a store in my town!

I'm hoping that the author plans to continue on with this cast of characters and move ahead with a series.

*I'd like to thank the author/publisher/Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange got a fair and honest review.*

I enjoyed spots in this book but I didn't enjoy the book as a whole. Mystery was solid the protagonist need something to make her more likable

Gemma owns a bookstore that specializes in Sherlock Holmes, complete with memorabilia and odds and ends for the tourist trade. Her best friend, Jayne, owns a bakery and tearoom next door. Business is booming and a touring group of bridge-playing ladies come to the bookstore and tearoom. The mystery begins when a priceless book in found on the shelves in the bookstore after the ladies leave. Add a murder here and there, a former boyfriend detective back in town and you have a fabulous story that is full of fun and action. I loved this cozy mystery! The author has developed rich, realistic characters to go with a carefully woven plot. I recommend this book to anyone who loves mysteries with a great plot to have you reading long into the night!

Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany will be available March 14, 2017 by Crooked Lane Books. An egalley of this book was made available by the publisher in exchange for a honest review.

Gemma Doyle has been transplanted from London to the US to run her uncle's Sherlock Holmes bookstore. But, she doesn't seem very happy in that role. It's often mentioned how she really isn't a fan. Perhaps it's my bias, but Gemma's character seems not very likeable. Even her cat doesn't like her (that's telling me I'm not far off!) She's bossy, judgmental, stubborn, and a know-it-all. I can't even see any chemistry between her and the police detective who she used to date. Even he dumped her after she interrupted his marriage proposal before he'd finished. I guess I'd prefer a protagonist that's more likeable. So, that's my reason for not giving this mystery all the stars. The story line was great. Other characters were fine. But, I was hoping that the cat would play a bigger role and also that Gemma would be more likeable.

While I enjoy Sherlock Holmes, I'm not a dedicated fan. Fortunately, that's not necessary to enjoy the first book in this new cozy mystery series. Gemma Doyle, proprietor of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, finds herself a suspect in the murder of a woman who mysteriously left a potentially very valuable piece of Sherlock Holmes history in her shop. With lots of subtle (and not subtle) nods to Sherlock Holmes canon, this book will entertain fans of the great detective, as well as being just a great new cozy series. I kicked myself a bit at the end of the book- I definitely should have picked up on the murderer sooner. With plenty of source material, I hope to see more in this series soon.