A charmingly quaint new entry into the cozy mystery genre where an Englishwoman, Gemma, transplanted to Cape Cod, to run her Great Uncle's Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore, uses her own whip smart deductive reasoning skills to solve crimes. The rest of the cast of characters are delightful individuals who interact with Gemma in one way or another to bring the story a dimension not often seen within this genre...believability.

The author has a winning combination in the mixture of snappy dialog and banter, just enough tension to keep things real and interesting, and a few expected quirky characters who provide comedic relief...let's not forget the animals who also bring with them their own brand of personality, the bookstore cat aptly named Moriarty (who likes anyone, but Gemma) and sweet Violet, Gemma's Cocker Spaniel (who loves everybody). All in all a winning combination of which I hope to see more of and read in the future.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley, I am voluntarily providing my honest review.

Wonderful selection for mystery fans - especially Sherlock lovers! Truly an entertaining read that has me thinking, "Yeah! A new series!"

The following review will be posted on my blog after March 1:

Book one of a new Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Meet Gemma who runs a Sherlock Holmes bookshop and paraphernalia story though she is not an avid fan herself. The shop is located in West London Cape Cod, and its address is 222 Baker Street go figure. Gemma has a mind like Sherlock did though she will never admit it. She observes everything around her, and just cannot understand why everyone else misses it all. I like how there is a grumpy cat at the store, and sweet dog at the house. The two seem to balance one another. The story develops quite well, and kept me hooked until the end. A great mystery cozy for any Sherlock fans or just a good mystery in general. I give it 4/5 stars.

Elementary, She Read is a fun cozy mystery. I like the setting in a small town on Cape Cod. Gemma Doyle is the main character with a good friend Jayne as a sidekick. The mystery starts with something left behind in the bookshop/emporium that Gemma owns and runs.
Gemma pulls Jayne into all sorts of trouble as she investigates. Gemma bills herself as logical and never offering opinions....until she offers opinions later in the storyline. I didn't like Gemma very well at first because she seems arrogant in her views. She becomes a bit more human later on when her theories don't pan out and it's more likable.
There are a small amount of errors like incorrect word usage or the wrong character name when someone e,she is meant.
I like this cozy mystery and the murderer was a little unexpected. An enjoyable read.

I enjoy Ms. Delany's "Christmastown" books, so I thought I would try this new series, since I am a fan of all things Sherlock. Sorry to say I was less of a fan of this Holmes-related story.

Gemma Doyle, now some distance from her English roots, runs her Uncle Arthur's Sherlock Holmes-themed bookstore in the small town of West London on Cape Cod (Arthur is often away on book-buying jaunts and, Gemma suspects, enjoying himself with the ladies). Her best friend Jayne Wilson, the fluffy one to her more sensible self, runs the tearoom next door. After a busload of women tourists visits the bookstore and the tearoom, Gemma finds what looks like a copy of “Beeton's Annual” magazine hidden in one of her shelves; if it's authentic it will be worth thousands because this is the issue that contained the first publication of Holmes’ debut A STUDY IN SCARLET. However, when Gemma tracks down the owner, the woman is dead by foul means and the police think Gemma had something to do with it--in fact, the detective is so determined to pin the crime on her it's pretty much a vendetta, and Gemma, who is as observant as the sleuth the bookstore is named after (although she's not a Sherlock fan), feels she needs to find the culprit before she's railroaded into jail

Gemma is presented as a sort of brisk no-nonsense type, and while I enjoy stories about independent women, there was just something about her that annoyed me. The "plain" heroine and her attractive best friend/opposites attract friendship is old hat by now, and I don't know how anyone buys books in the Emporium since it seems Gemma is much too busy doing things like breaking into people's homes to run the store. And then there's the handsome police detective in West London who can't take the case because he and Gemma used to be romantically involved. I am so tired of romances in mystery books I could pass out from boredom, and of course the male lead is inevitably hunky. Plus there's a running gag where the ubiquitous bookstore cat, named Moriarty (of course), loves everyone--except Gemma.

In the end, I just felt as if there was a list on which all the numbers had ticked off (determined heroine who notices things others don't, attractive sidekick who'll do anything to help her friend, annoying police detective who doesn't want to do any work but still has that proverbial axe to grind, a fractured romance, greedy relatives, quaint little town, stock pet),

Now the bookstore, the bookstore I WANT. It's everyone's dream of a bookstore, with luscious food right next door. Someday I would love to find that idyllic place.

I loved this one! Gemma Doyle runs a small bookstore that specialized in Sherlock Holmes books, DVDS, and memorabilia. She splits the space with her best friend's tea shop and bakery. During a busy rush, she finds out someone has hidden a valuable magazine among her regular cheapies. Knowing the value, she seeks out the woman who dropped it off to see what's up. Once there, she finds the woman - *gasp!* - murdered, and from there on gets sucked into a whopper of a mystery. Not only is she trying to solve the crime to clear her name from a suspicious detective who clearly WANTS her to be guilty, but she soons discovers her own life may be in danger if she doesn't uncover the fiendish foe.

Love the main character, who is so observant it's creepy and scares others off, much like the original Holmes - yet she's forgetful at hell and is absent minded. Not to mention that while she runs a Sherlock themed shop, she's not even a rabid fan of the author and inherited it. Her fun friend Jayne who runs the tea shop next door is a delightful sidekick - especially the twisted way she gears toward deadbeat boyfriends that drives the MC bonkers. A few funny happenings there with the deadbeat artist hanging around. Throw in oddball characters and characterization wins.


The setting is such fun, even if you're not a Sherlock groupie. Gemma is a clear reader, so she has special reserved reading nooks in the store and at home. The shop has a neighborhood cat who runs the place and loves all guests and patrons - with the exception of Gemma, who gets clawed. The tea shop is fun since it makes me crave scones and strawberry pastries, and unlike some cozies and books it takes the tea seriously. No simple bags, but complex blends and steeping know-how.

What sets this apart is it's an actual, bona-fide mystery. Instead of accidental discoveries adding up to coincidental plotting, Gemma uses her brain to evaluate and take apart every angle. She spends much time investigating and revealing her thoughts and observations to the reader mentally in first person point of view. This walk through the crime, suspects and scenes is one of the most impressive I've seen with a mystery, even compared to non-cozies and straight detective procedurals. Her mind is impressive, even if she's forgetful, and this isn't a mystery that takes you by surprise.


I didn't guess the culprit for the author kept them carefully concealed. Kudos because it wasn't impossible to guess if you'd had a mind to. Despite the fact that Gemma stayed on top of her game throughout, even she didn't guess the villain in time before a final confrontation. Saves may be a little coincidental, but that's okay.

Fun pacing, excellent characters, and a nifty writing style made this one a delight to breeze through. I'll definitely check out more of the series when it continues. Probably my favorite mystery so far this year.

I really lked the book, it is very interesting and easy to read. I had fun.

Gemma moves from England to Cape Cod to take over her uncle's bookshop, which specializes in Sherlock Holmes merchandise. She and her best friend, Jayne, co-own the adjacent tea room as well. When Gemma finds a rare and potentially very valuable magazine hidden among the stock of her bookstore, she feels obligated to find its owner, only to find a dead body. She is determined to clear her name and remove herself from the police's list of suspects, and begins her own investigation.

I've only read a handful of Sherlock Holmes books, and I know next to nothing about rare books/magazines, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of this first book in a new series. Most of the characters seem like people I'd like to call friends, and the town sounds like a great place to spend a summer weekend. It took awhile to establish the background and relationships of all of the characters, but once things started happening, I found it hard to put the book down. I suspected the killer early on in the book, but wasn't sure my guess was right until it was revealed in the story. I will keep an eye out for the next book in this series.

Tries a bit too hard to be like Sherlock. Very predictable.

I was very excited about this book before I started the first page - I really like cozy mysteries, Sherlock Holmes, bookstores, bookstore cats, and tea. All elements prominently featured in Elementary, She Read.
Gemma Doyle is the frighteningly bright, rumored to be related to Arthur Conan Doyle, half owner and proprietor of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium . Her dear friend, Jayne, owns Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room, the tea shop next door.
Gemma and Jayne are drawn into a twisty mystery when a potentially priceless magazine is left in the stacks at Gemma's shop. After finding a body, Gemma is drawn deep into a progressively labyrinthine murder mystery. Jayne, in spunky best friend mode, is gamely along for the ride.
There are complications galore both with the police and love interests, past and present.
I truly enjoyed getting to know Gemma, Jayne, and the rest of the denizens of West London on Cape Cod.
Vicki Delany kept me thoroughly entertained and turning the pages at top speed. I look forward to reading more of her books.

Gemma Doyle manages a small, Sherlock Holmes themed book and souvenir shop in picturesque Cape Cod. The store is owned by Gemma's uncle (who believes he is a distant relative of the author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle), and she's moved from her native England to help out her aging relative. Her best friend, Jayne, runs a tea room right next door.

Although Gemma shares the same keen sense of observation as the famed detective Holmes, she never expects to be part of a murder investigation. One day, Gemma finds a valuable magazine in her shop and knows she didn't put it there. When she and Jayne try to return it to its rightful owner, they become embroiled in a murder mystery. Gemma finds herself a suspect, and things are further complicated when her ex-almost-fiance winds up investigating the case.

This book walked a good line between cozy and mystery. Although the mystery itself was a bit convoluted and the perpetrator very obvious, this book isn't cheesy-- there are no recipes or flower arranging tips or whatever. I did think Gemma was a bit of a witch to her employee, and I don't like the end justification of it. I also didn't like how the police would discuss the case with her just because she asked-- that's not how things work. And, of course, it's hard to suspend reality enough to believe a Sherlock Holmes store would not only exist but remain profitable. That said, this book is a promising start to a cozy mystery series, and I would be interested in continuing.

Elementary She Read by Vicki Delany began well, but plodded almost endlessly along. So much so that it really became a slog to finally get through. The premise is wonderful and has "Cozy" and "Hallmark" written all over it.

The adventure features the niece of a distant relative of Conan Doyle. Said relative owns, and has left for his niece to run - a Sherlock Holmes themed bookshoppe. Add to that our protagonist has deductive talents attributed to the fictional detiective and thus provides a wonderful basis for a mystery.

The plot includes a rare publication mysteriously left in the bookshoppe which appears tied to murders and such going on around the life of a wealthy collector. With all of this are added characters such as a best gal pal who runs the "Mrs. Hudson" themed attached to the bookstore tea room, and ex-beau police detective.

With all the positives which enticed me to pick up this work, there were just too many negatives. The story stretched out unnecessarily with constant or frequent reminders about the rare book and its worth and how the same might rise if there was a signature, in good condition and more. Over and over again. Then, I discovered that this wonderful protagonist with great detective skills, hardly used them.

Though I hold hopes for the series, and the author is a well regarded one, I trust that future endeavors will be more tightly woven.

The newest series by Vicki Delany is lots of fun, especially for Sherlock Holmes fans! I really enjoyed reading about Gemma's bookshop / emporium and the adjoining tea room; what fun! Makes me wish such a place existed! The small town of West London provides a lovely setting, one that will have the readers wishing they could walk the streets and shop before stopping to dine at the Blue Water Cafe. One thing that surprised me is how Delany was really able to portray a real 'fear factor (where I was generally frightened for our heroine)' in certain scenes nearing the end of the book, something I don't often find in cozy mysteries but was welcomed here. A very enjoyable mystery and I will definitely be on the lookout for book two!

Enjoyed the book very much. Definately wanted to keep reading to find out the ending. Well done.

I enjoy Catherine Coulter's FBI series and so far, so good with her "Brit in the FBI" series, too. This novel continues to feature Nick Drummon and his partner/lover Micaela Crane as covert operatives for the FBI. They're running a new division and have a supporting cast of experts to assist them with forensics, surveillance, IT, weaponry, etc. In this book, the team travels the world seeking trying to rescue the husband of one of their criminal informants, only to stumble on a much bigger conspiracy tied to controlling the weather and achieving global domination through the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant. Yes, it's farfetched, but it's amusing and an easy escape read. With each book, the characters and their relationships are more fleshed out. I hope this trend continues as it will make the books more interesting given the kind of outlandish plot lines. Having said all this, I'm ready for book #5.

Delightful Series Start!

Gemma Doyle finds herself running her Great Uncle Arthur's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop & Emporium located where else - 222 Baker Street - only this is in Cape Cod and not London. This fine establishment carries every conceivable item related to all things Sherlock Holmes. Gemma's best friend Jayne runs the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room. One day after a Bus Tour comes through, Gemma discovers an original Sherlock Holmes manuscript has been hidden in plain sight. Gemma and Jayne decide to discover who hid it and when they go to confront the individual they certainly are not expecting to find a dead body! Not was Gemma expecting to be a suspect! What follows is a delightful tale of character discovery, nice plot, clever dialogue and a generally well done start for a new series. I was provided an ARC by NetGalley but the opinions provided here are solely my own.

Elementary She Read is set in a Sherlock Holmes Bookstore & Emporium run by Gemma Doyle who is originally from England she co-owns the shop with her elusive Uncle who spends most of his time traveling.
They also co-own Mrs. Hudson's tea room next store with her close friend, Jayne Wilson.
During the visit of a crowd of customers to the book store what appears to be a rare magazine possibly containing an original publication of a Sherlock Holmes story is hidden on the shelves. Gemma and Jayne manage to track down the owner but only after she's been killed.
This is the first of A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries.
A bookshop/teashop combination is always fun.
Gemma is a no-no sense type personality who notices things most people don't and she just can't stop herself investigating the crimes. This seriously rankles one of the investigating detectives. Throw in her mysterious ex boyfriend as the other detective and you have a recipe for trouble.
I quite enjoyed the fact that instead of stumbling onto clues as many amateur sleuths do, Gemma has a knack for investigating due to the way her mind works. I hope we get to see her Uncle more later on instead of just in passing. He seems like a fascinating person.


I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. All opinions expressed are my own.

Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery
By Vicki Delany
Crooked Lane Books
March 2017

Review by Cynthia Chow

Five years ago, Gemma Doyle moved to New England from actual England to take over half of her Uncle Arthur’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop. Her uncle claimed to have a genealogical tie to the famous author, leading to a fanaticism that led to the purchase of a store on 222 Baker Street, West London, Massachusetts, for a bookstore devoted to all things Sherlockian. Gemma since transformed it to include an Emporium, selling not just books and reprints by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle but Sherlock Holmes souvenirs, television and movie promotions, and other works inspired by the genre. Gemma also became the half owner of Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room, with friend and anglophile Jayne Wilson being the baker and tea shop’s other owner.

Gemma may not be a particularly avid fan of the Great Detective, but she shares more than one of his rather unique traits. Not only does the structured Gemma take a tea break at the exact same time every day, she is extraordinarily organized and a little OCD, which explains why she immediately notices a misplaced book on her shelf. Not only was the bound magazine filed alongside books, the 1887 Beeton’s Christmas Annual featuring “A Study in Scarlet” was never purchased by Gemma for her stock. It just wouldn’t have been feasible, as the first ever published Sherlock Holmes story would be nearly priceless. Gemma’s gift for noticing details has her remembering an earlier customer who entered with a bag and left without one, leading Gemma to the hotel room where its occupant is decidedly dead. Gemma uses the minutes it takes for the police to arrive to photograph the scene and make quick Sherlockian deductions. Her extraordinarily – and correct - conclusions immediately place her at odds with Detective Louise Estrada, who sees Gemma’s insight as evidence of guilt. With her freedom at risk and some ego involved, Gemma devotes herself to solving the case, even as that entails meeting angry heirs, the victim’s just-as-angry-son, and risking her heart to a man she never thought she would meet again.

There have been many adaptations of Doyle’s iconic detective, but this one succeeds in presenting a unique and delightfully entertaining twist on the genre. With Jayne Wilson as her Watson, Gemma outmaneuvers and outthinks the police through her attention to details and her clever deductions. Those same abilities have also unsurprisingly hindered her romantic life, destroying a relationship when he decided that he couldn’t live a life without secrets or surprises. What is refreshing is that Gemma is unapologetic about her skills or dedication to the truth, and is never willing to be less than true to herself. The humor in the novel stems from Gemma’s observations of human nature and the reactions of those who encounter her blunt and often tactless statements of truth. The author of numerous cozy and detective series novels, Delany crafts a mystery that will delight Sherlockian fans by blending together an awkward investigator, a nefarious cat Moriarty, brilliant deductions, and even more brilliant humor.

Sweet cozy mystery with a Sherlock Holmes twist. The characters are believable and engaging, the town is one you will want to visit. Well done!

Elementary She Read was a fun, fast paced, cozy mystery, just what I was looking for! I don’t usually read this genre so I just went with what sounded interesting and I wasn’t disappointed.

The setting is Cape Cope in a quirky, touristy area where Gemma Doyle,formerly of London, is co owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. The shop is connected through a doorway to the cafe next to it where her friend and co owner Jayne serves up fresh pastry and does a proper English tea.

One morning a bus drops off a group tour of around 20+ women who flood both of the shops and keeps Gemma busy, but she is always aware of everyone and everything in her shop. After the crowd leaves she finds a magazine hidden in the shelves of books which may or may not be worth lots of money. The mystery takes off from here with a dead body, lots of suspects and a clever plot which will keep you guessing.

Gemma is such a likable character and exhibits many of the original Sherlock’s attributes of keen observation, intelligence and skills of deduction. Her friend Jayne is a great sidekick. There are many other reviews that will give away more of the plot but I’d rather you read it for yourself.

If you are looking for a literate cozy mystery and have a love of Sherlock, you will definitely enjoy this book. The author has done a wonderful job of researching Conan Doyle and I learned a lot about the original Sherlock series which I have not read. I have enjoyed the TV series most recently on PBS which is so well done.

This is the second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and I will look forward to book number three.

Will also post to Amazon upon publication.