This cosy mystery is set in a Sherlock Holmes themed bookshop with attached tea shop . It is the fourth in the series, but can stand alone. Gemma Doyle is a quirky character who notices more things than most, so it is a natural fit for her to investigate anything that goes on in her adopted Cape Cod town. This time there was a murder in the back of the tea shop. I enjoyed the clues sprinkled throughout the book as well as the interaction between the characters and the Cape Cod setting. It was an easy enjoyable read. I read an ARC thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books.

Definitely for lovers of Sherlock Holmes. The whole Sherlock environment is very catchy. I could live in an environment like that quite easily. The plot start off a little slow, but gains momentum and speeds up during the unfolding... to a very interesting and totally unexpected conclusion. A very easy read that kept me awake, not wanting to put it down . Lovable, believable characters, with a certain flair for mysteries

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an advance copy of A Scandal in Scarlet by Vicki Delany. This is the fourth in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and my first encounter with the series. The mystery in this book stands alone and can be read without having read the previous ones and is completed within this novel. There appear to be continuing threads of relationships between the protagonist and other secondary characters in the novel and the reader might enjoy reading them in sequence, although that isn’t required.

The book is well plotted, with clues sprinkled throughout the book for the most part. There is one vital clue that is essential, however, which is withheld until the final few pages of the book and allows for the unmasking of the murderer. Throughout the book, I had my belief of who the murderer was, and although I was correct,I had to reach my conclusion based on a combination of information and unsubstantiated suspicion.

Secondary characters in the book are interesting and serve to help advance both the story and deepen the personality of the protagonist for the most part. I would enjoy seeing them developed even more fully in future books within the series. The one “off note” for me was the on again-off again sharing of information between the protagonist and her police department boyfriend. I question whether or not someone in law enforcement would encourage a private individual in the way he does. At the same time, he does not share sensitive information with the protagonist and the way they share investigative information.

Overall I found this book an interesting, enjoyable read and a good summertime or beach read. It is populated with likeable characters in a town that sounds like an interesting place to visit. As a vacation spot, it has many appealing features including a walking community, picturesque streets and buildings and enough activities to please a wide range of individuals. All in all, it sounds attractive enough to make me interested in planning a vacation to the Cape Cod area.

I enjoy a book that includes cute and cuddly animals. This one has just that. The interactions between characters are well done. The book has a nice small-town atmosphere with a good mystery. Plus, you don't need to read the prior books to enjoy this one in the series, but I'll probably check out the others. A fast-paced, good read.

Not a big Shakespeare fan, but I do enjoy this series. I'd liked how this one involved the tea shop and the museum. Warm characters and a well developed mystery, not disappointed with this one.