This series is so good. The way that Vicki weaves the original Sherlock Holmes elements into a completely unique cozy mystery proves that she is a master of the craft.

I really enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. While not necessarily a huge Sherlock Holmes fan, the way they use Sherlock Holmes items, crime solving techniques, etc. is entertaining. This one really has you guessing until the end. The characters are well developed and there are some you love and others … not so much! But you get pulled into the story and find yourself immersed in an entertaining read that will satisfy any cozy mystery fan. This is a series to enjoy from the beginning. You’ll be anxiously waiting for the next book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

"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."

Unfortunately, the auction doesn't go as planned when a dead body turns up in a storeroom. Luckily, Gemma decides to help the police out, much to the chagrin of her cop boyfriend, Ryan. Gemma and her best friend, Jayne Wilson, are on the case, much in the vein of Holmes and Watson.

A Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in the 'A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery' series by Vicki Delany. I haven't read the first 3 books in the series, yet, but I'm definitely going to after reading this one. You don't have to read the preceding books, though, to understand and follow the story.

I loved the town of West London, as well. Being a small town, everyone seems to know everyone else's business, and since I've lived in a small town before, I could relate. The characters were well fleshed out and the setting was believable.

In summary, I loved this book and recommend it to all lovers of cozy mysteries.

5/5 stars

I received a copy of this book free of charge from NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A good book. Well written with great characters and a good plot. The storyline flows and the mystery is enjoyable. I highly recommend.,

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Gemma Doyle owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop on Baker Street in West London Massachusetts. While out walking her dog, Violet one evening outside of the West London Museum she smells smoke. The fire department arrives and saves most of the house but the furnishings and collectibles are destroyed. To rebuild and refurnish the Scarlet House an auction and tea is held at Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room with prizes donated by the Baker’s Street shopkeepers and other friends of the museum.

After the tea service ends the auction is set to start everything comes to a halt when museum board chair and auctioneer Kathy Lamb is found dead in the storeroom. Police arrive to an entire room of suspects including the deceased ex-husband and his new wife. One of the shopkeepers, Maureen MacGregor, is pegged as the prime suspect though because of a verbal altercation with Kathy prior to the start of the tea that was witnessed by everyone. She has asked Gemma to help prove her innocence. This doesn’t make her boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton, or his partner Detective Louise Estrada happy but with the vast array of suspects, her insights could be helpful.

Gemma Doyle is a fantastic protagonist. She has a keen sense of observation, is smart and independent, and speaks her mind, sometimes to her own detriment. She may be viewed as a little harsh but by this fourth book in the series, she is softening a bit. I think we have the good detective to thank for that. He has learned she can be helpful in solving his cases because she sees and picks up on things other people don’t. Her friend Jayne is the perfect Watson to her Sherlock. Gemma sometimes forges ahead quickly while Jayne does her best to keep Gemma out of trouble. Gemma has a unique assistant in Ashleigh that frees her up and gives her plenty of time to sleuth out clue after clue.

The author has written a very complicated mystery. The deceased wasn’t well-liked and at times was as subtle as a bulldozer when it came to the changes she wanted to make at Scarlet House. Hence, the plethora of suspects. The investigation takes Gemma and Jayne from one end of Baker Street to the other and visiting not one but two yacht clubs. The current mystery may have ties to an old cold case which brings even more intrigue to the story. I was totally kept guessing until the very end and then wanted to kick myself. The K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple Stupid) theory totally applied in this case and I missed the clues completely.

The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and the attached Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room sounds like a fabulous place to visit for Sherlock Holmes lovers. Gemma carries several book titles and all types of memorabilia related to all the versions that have evolved over the years. Someone is always taking a new twist on the famous fictional detective and his sidekick.

A Scandal in Scarlet is an excellent addition to this series. As a fan of the Basil Rathbone Holmes portrayal and a fan of Vicki Delany, I don’t know how I got so far behind on this series but I am working to rectify that now. I hope to read and review There’s A Murder Afoot and A Curious Incident soon.

I like this author and I love anything Sherlock Holmes. AKA This book is a total winner! This is the 4th book in the series and I can't wait to read all the others.

Gemma and Jayne a modern day Sherlock and Watson. When an auction is to be held for the West London Museum damaged in a suspicious fire murder gets in the way. Small town politics will provide plenty of suspects and even another murder to muddy the waters. Plenty of red herrings in this mystery will have you puzzled till the end.

Gemma and Jayne are once again involved in another cozy mystery. With a hint of Holmes and Watson, you can’t go wrong. Fun series, but can be read alone. Would recommend this book and author.

This is definitely on of the better Holmes pastiche series, I think fans will love looking for clues that relate to the acutal Doyle story too. Gemma takes some getting used to, although she has softened a bit and her powers of observation can't be beat.

Gemma Doyle owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop in Cap Cod, and is half-owner in the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room, along with Jayne Wilson. While walking her dog Violet one evening, she sees a fire at the historical society, Scarlet House. After the fire is extinguished it's determined it was accidental. Now the society members need to raise money to restore the building.

Gemma is once-again roped into helping Jayne, and they meet with Leslie, Jayne's mother, and Kathy Lamb, the chair of the society. While they are talking, Maureen McGregor enters. She owns a shop across from Gemma and is disliked by everyone in town. Once they decide to hold an auction, Kathy tells them that Maureen is the only person who didn't donate anything. Gemma, in her way, convinces Maureen to donate something.

But the day of the auction, Maureen brings in a hideous painting and has a verbal altercation with Kathy. Later, when Kathy can't be found, Gemma looks for her and discovers her dead in the storage room of Mrs. Hudson's. Most people think Maureen killed her, and Maureen grudgingly pesters Gemma for help in proving her innocent. But Gemma doesn't really think Maureen killed anyone, and decides to go along with it - upsetting her boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton. There's a killer on the loose, and if one person is dead, it's easy enough to figure out there might be another...

I've read every book in this series and I think this one is my favorite. Probably because Gemma isn't as annoying in this book, talking down to everyone around her. She actually listens to her employee Ashleigh, and doesn't hound Jayne constantly to help her. She also spends more time with her Cocker Spaniel, Violet, and that's the biggest plus. So the woman is coming around a bit.

I also like the fact that perhaps Detective Estrada is beginning to let up a little on her dislike of Gemma. I know people don't mind a 'nemesis' in books, but I find them tiring. The constant sniping at people gets old, so this was a nice change. I do wish, though, that Gemma could make friends with Moriarity, especially since he proved his worth in this book. I have several cats, and the only people they've ever disliked have turned out to be worth disliking. I trust them implicitly when it comes to their 'radar' on people.

I also liked the fact that while there were plenty of suspects, it took awhile before you come to the conclusion of who the murderer is. Many times you can figure it out almost immediately, but this book took longer, and that's always interesting. The mystery itself was done nicely, and while there were clues, it took some time to decipher them. Because of this, I will read the next in the series. Recommended.

RATING: 4 STARS
2018; Crooked Lane Books

After reading book four, I am in for the series. It has been a solid 4 out of 5 star read for me. I enjoy the characters, town and mysteries. In book four, Gemma tries to steer away from getting involved in murder cases. When the museum chair is found dead at Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room during an auction, Gemma walks away from finding the killer. Yet, when fellow shop owner (and very ornery) Maureen is suspected, Gemma has to step in. I am glad I read this a bit later as book five will not be out till January 2020. You have time to catch up!

***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***

Gemma Doyle, relocated Englishwoman, proprietress of the Sherlock Holmes bookshop located at 222 Baker Street, West London, Cape Cod area of Massachusetts and quite possibly a distant cousin of Sir Doyle is a modern day She-rlock Holmes. Being extremely knowledgeable about all things Sherlock including the Great Detective's modus operandi, Gemma is ready to find the facts. Gemma has a great personality, very British and straight to the point. Jayne, her best friend and owner of Mrs. Hudson's Tea Shop (the scene of the strangling) makes a perfect Watson by always going along with Gemma because she would "hate to think what trouble" Gemma might get into without her. It looks like there is plenty of trouble to go around. From the mysterious fire that devastated the local Museum to the death by teacup swag followed by an additional murder and the rehashing of an unsolved murder from years before. Not to mention that regardless of how logical Gemma may be it won't stop someone from violently warning her to mind her own business, much to the chagrin of Gemma's guy, Detective Ryan Ashburton. Poor Ryan, he appreciates her wit and ability to size up a situation as well as a crime scene but he would much rather she not do things to endanger her life. While some people do not do well with Gemma's style of questioning you have to admit that she gets the job done and done well and in a very proper fashion. An excellent story with excellent characters but I do wish there were recipes for those tasty tea related treats that Gemma goes looking for at the daily partners' business meeting.

I really enjoy this series and this latest one did not disappoint. Gemma and Jayne are great as a modern day Holmes and Watson. Gemma's observational skills are on point again which leads to trouble with her detective boyfriend and his partner. It was nice to see the three of them dealing with the changing dynamics of their relationships. I highly recommend this series and am now inspired to read the original Sherlock Holmes stories. Look forward to the next one.

A Scandal in Scarlet is the fourth book in Vicki Delany’s entertaining Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, which features Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson as a dynamic detective duo. British ex-pat Gemma Doyle runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium located at 222 Baker Street in West London, Cape Cod, while Jayne Wilson is in charge of the adjoining Mrs Hudson’s Tea Room. Gemma is highly analytical and has an eye for detail, while Jayne is more the friendly face of the pair. Between the pair of them, they have all the skills, charm and downright pushiness needed to solve even the most nefarious of crimes.

The case that will be taxing their little grey cells this time round concerns the murder of Kathy Lamb, chairperson of the board of the West London Museum. Kathy is killed during an auction (which includes a copy of Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Valley of Fear donated by Gemma’s uncle) being held at Mrs Hudson’s Tea Room to raise funds for the museum following a fire. Gemma’s policeman beau Ryan Ashburton and his partner Detective Louise Estrada are soon on the case, but Gemma isn’t going to let them have all the fun. She’s determined to solve the case and to see if Kathy’s murder is linked to a murder for seven years ago.

A Scandal in Scarlet is another intricately plotted and intriguing mystery from Vicki Delany. Gemma Doyle is on top form as a socially awkward and undeniably stubborn know-it-all with an uncanny ability to derive all manner of facts from the most scant of details. Her insights, to say nothing of her tendency to dive into things head first, place her in danger on a number of occasions, but she doesn’t let the threat of physical violence put her off probing into people’s secrets, nor does it deter her from a spot of law breaking when the need arises. It’s just as well she has an uncanny knack for thinking outside the box, as this case is packed with so many twists and turns that it might even have given Sherlock Holmes a run for his money.

Gemma owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and co-owns  Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room next door, so she is always being roped into helping with things and it seems like something always happens. This time the Scarlet House a historical landmark catches fire and burns a bit of it and so they are having a fundraising auction. Jayne donates the use of the Tea Room for their auction and of course that means Gemma must help.

At the auction the lady handling it is murdered and one of the suspects happens to be the one lady who doesn't seem to get along with anyone especially Gemma. It surprises Gemma when she comes asking her for help because she swears she didn't do as she really had no reason too and Gemma believes her. 

Gemma is a bit like Holmes in the way that she is very detail oriented and can see things others never pay any attention too which has helped her solve cases in the past. This doesn't make her friends with Detective Louisa but her boyfriend Detective Ryan has had a lot of practice getting aggravated at her and then asking what she knows...lol.

I am fond of the characters as Gemma and Jayne are a lot of fun. Gemma's sarcastic banter with Detective Louisa cracks me up. There was just something about this one that seem to take me awhile to get through it. Normally cozies are quick reads but for some reason this one dragged and I am not sure why. I am just thinking that maybe it was just not one of my favorites in the series and that is okay.

I did think it had a pretty good mystery even though I figured it out before Gemma did. :)

I would recommend this series is you like cozies or Sherlock Holme themed books.

Love this series featuring Gemma and Jayne. Once again Gemma drags Jayne into solving a murder. It’s Jayne’s job to try and keep Gemma out of trouble.
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Of all the book-related cosy mysteries that have become my go-to ‘palette cleanse’, easy-read choice, this series is almost certainly my favourite. Gemma Doyle is smarter than me, but I relate to her logical way of looking at the world, and both her love-life and dog ownership are thankfully kept as just a backing piece to the stories of murder and books.

The Scarlet of the title refers to a historical museum, popular with school parties and tourists in Gemma’s peaceful (well…!) little town. When a fire destroys a large part of it, local residents rally round to help raise funds for the restoration. But as Gemma soon learns, the volunteer board isn’t all sweetness and light behind the scenes…

There are a few over the top, unbelievable moments here – Gemma disguising herself to poke around asking questions, for instance – but they are played with tongue in cheek humour that does lift the slightly darker elements, from murders to adultery, and downright pantomime-ly unpleasant fellow shop owners. The author does perhaps over-do telling us about all the “dark red – scarlet” clothing etc that highlights the museum and book name, but not too irritating!

The crime element is played out very well, with plenty of twists and red herrings. More than most cosy mysteries, this really is the main thrust of the narrative. The background of location, bookstore, cake and friendship is lovely, but unlike other series I’ve tried, we’re not mainly following the romance woes, or getting minutiae of the ins and outs of pet ownership…!

Hit all the right buttons. Excellent example of the genre!

Gemma Doyle has a great job as the owner of a Sherlock Holmes bookshop connected to a tea room, Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room, owned by her best friend, Jayne Wilson. Gemma has a way of figuring out mysteries, in particular murder mysteries, much to the frustration of her boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton. One night after work, Gemma and her dog, Violet, are walking in her neighborhood in West London, Massachusetts on Cape Cod when she smelled smoke coming from the West London Museum. Unfortunately, it was beyond saving and seems to an accident. Someone left a candle burning with a window open, blowing the flame around. Gemma and Jayne, along with other patrons, work to help with a auction fundraiser held at the tea room. There are some pricey items in the auction, including a donated diamond necklace and a rare Sherlock Holmes book that her Uncle Arthur gave from his private collection. Before the auction started, Kathy Lamb, museum director and auctioneer for the event is found dead in the storage room where the auction items were being kept. Gemma is asked to find the killer by a store owner across the street from the bookstore and tearoom. She was seen in an argument with Kathy before the event and is a person of interest to the police. Gemma has her work cut out for her and sidekick, Jayne, as they question a pool of possible suspects, including Kathy's ex-husband, his new wife, Kathy's children, the museum director that Kathy booted out of office and many others. There are many rivals in the story, especially members of rival yacht clubs, West London Yacht Club and Cape Cod Yacht Club. This an area of wealthy people whose existence is centered around their club. Before long, another murder is committed complicated her pool of suspects.
This was a fun mystery to read through twists and turns of many suspects. Gemma, a former Brit, is an interesting character with her dialect and way of thinking through clues. She has to balance her stern warnings from Ryan and her desire to find answers. I had my own ideas of whodunit but was surprised in the end. Things are certain to keep you guessing.
I received a complimentary ARC from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley. All thoughts expressed are mine only.

I received an Advanced Reader's Copy (ARC) of this novel courtesy of Crooked Lane Books via NetGalley.

Release Date: November 23, 2018

Publisher: Crooked Lane Press

Genre: Mystery & Thriller, Cozy Mystery

Rating: 4 / 5 

Storyline:

This is the fourth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series.  Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop, witnesses a local museum fire and is unable to call in for help fast enough to save the beloved museum.  In an effort to raise money for the museum restoration, Gemma offers to host an auction with local shopkeepers at her bookshop.  Unfortunately, the auction never takes place, as a member of the museum board is found murdered the bookshop's backroom just before the auction.  Gemma does not want to get involved in another investigation, but when a fellow shopkeeper comes begging for her help, Gemma can't help but get involved.

The Good:

This was my first time reading a book in this series, but I really enjoyed the characters, their development and the progression of the plot.  The story fit the mold for a cozy mystery, but had its own unique spin with the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop theme.  The budding romance between Gemma and Ryan felt realistic in its pace and worries.  Gemma didn't feel as if she was unrealistic "nosy", but still gave the impression she was purposefully investigating within her civilian boundaries.  The mystery had a great pace and held my attention fully during every reading session.  I look forward to reading more books in this series.

The Bad:

The character of Maureen seemed a little far fetched in her attitudes and actions, but this personality did lend itself nicely to the mystery at hand, so I understand where it came from. I'm sure the beginning novels also develop the character more so that her behavior didn't seem so abrupt compared to the other characters.  Some of the Sherlock Holmes references went over my head, as I'm not fully versed in the books, but it made it fun for me to do some research while reading.

Bottom Line:

A great addition to the cozy mystery genre and the perfect novel to pick up for any classic mystery lovers as well.

I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Crooked Lane via NetGalley. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.

A Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in a Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery' series by Vicki Delany. There was Sherlock and Watson, no it was Gemma and Jayne. But this book was so great. The characters are really interesting and more I liked Jayne even more than Gemma. I really enjoy this series or well this book. And it made me want to read 3 other book for this series. And this was one of the best cozy mystery book which I have read in this year. A fun book and it made me thinking like Sherlock. I love the plot and whole story.