This is one of my favorite cozy mystery series and I loved that Delany took the regular crew to London where of course they have to solve a murder while attending a Sherlock Holmes convention. We get to meet Gemma's sister (love her) and one side character gets a HEA..

Gemma and her friends head to London for a conference of Sherlock Holmes. Meeting her black sheep uncle, who is later found strangled leads her to help solve the mystery. Especially when her father is found next to the body holding part of the rope. Good cozy mystery series, and look forward to the next one. Highly recommend.

When I first received a copy of this book in late 2019 from Netgalley (in exchange for my honest review), I forgot to leave a review. It was no hardship to go back and read this book again in 2022. I've read the current 7 books in the series and this one is my favorite.

Gemma, and a posse of her regulars from West London, are off to London were we get introduced to her family. The author does a good job of letting all the characters have some page time and development. I would like to see some more of her family in future books.

The mystery, given what we learn about the victim, is pretty limited, but the process that Jayne and crew go through to discover all the details and confirm whodunnit is rich with detail. The author sprinkles in a lot of London and Sherlockian detail.

A winner for fans of the series and those who like mysteries set in contemporary London or with a Sherlock Holmes element.

A stellar entry in a stellar series! I have to admit that one has to wonder how many murders can happen in a small town, so I was thrilled that this one is set in London. New settings, new characters (Gemma's parents and sister!), and a great mystery really set this book apart. Highly recommended and now I want more books about Gemma's sister.

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’s lucky, however, that she has more in common with the great consulting detective than she would like to admit, since she seems to regularly become embroiled in murder and mayhem.
This time round, Gemma and various of her West London friends travel to regular London to attend a convention being held to commemorate Sherlock Holmes’ 166th birthday. Gemma intends to catch up with her family and check out new Sherlockania for her store, Jayne aims to see all the famous sights of London, Detective Ryan Ashburton hopes to finally spend some alone time with Gemma, and Donald seeks to astound everyone with her Sherlock-related knowledge. Unfortunately for all of them, the trip takes a turn for the murderous when Gemma’s father spots his estranged brother-in-law at the convention. The man disappeared thirty years previously after stealing a valuable painting from Gemma’s grandparents and has been making a living as a forger ever since. When he is found dead, Gemma and the others have to put their plans on hold to solve the murder and keep her father out of prison.

There’s A Murder Afoot is the fifth book in Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and it’s another cracking cosy murder mystery. Gemma Doyle has the skill and tenacity necessary to be a great detective. She might not be great at human interactions but she is excellent at human observation and deducing the truth behind people’s motivations. Her investigation of the murder involves plenty of twists and turns (to say nothing of Sherlock Holmes references) as well as a good number of red herrings.

I am a huge fan of this series. Gemma, the main character, has a unique personality … a little quirky. The relationships among the family members and friends keep you laughing and rolling your eyes. They are all unique. This book will treat you to an adventure in London and the opportunity to meet Gemma’s family, including her sister, Pippa. She adds to the intrigue. A great mystery with lots of twists and turns.

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

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Gemma, Jayne, Ryan, Donald, and Grant have traveled across the pond for a Sherlock Holmes Convention where Gemma is a featured speaker and she will accept an award on her Uncle Arthur’s behalf. She will also get to spend some time with her parents and her sister Pippa.

She also meets another member of her family, her mother’s brother, Randolph Denhaugh. The black sheep of the family, he disappeared 30 plus years ago after a valuable painting was stolen from her parent’s house. Gemma’s father, Henry, a retired Scotland Yard detective tried to keep tabs on the man who is said to be an art forger of the Old Masters. He wanted Denhough to stay away from his family but he never imagined he would be killed and that Henry himself would be the prime suspect.

Gemma has had a little experience as an amateur sleuth and she sees she is going to have to find the real killer herself because the lead detective has already decided Henry is guilty. Thankfully she has her friends along to help her and maybe her sister Pippa too. They are all committed to keeping Henry out of prison and won’t be flying back to the states until the real culprit is caught.

I loved that these characters traveled to London and that we were able to meet Gemma’s parents and sister. Gemma really traveled around to follow each clue to prove her father’s innocence. I found it quite funny the lengths she went to to keep her friends occupied when they weren’t helping her with the case. Donald was in his glory checking out the Sherlock Holmes sights and Grant became quite smitten with Pippa. It was nice to have Henry and Ryan hit it off and also that Jayne and Gemma’s mother Anne became quite close. Ryan didn’t like that Gemma was off investigating but he knew he couldn’t stop her. Pippa really pushed for Gemma to take on the case and she really couldn’t refuse.

The people back in the states were not forgotten. Gemma and Ashleigh checked in regularly with each call bringing more worry to Gemma. Arthur was definitely not the right person to leave in charge but one of the mishaps made me laugh out loud.

The mystery was a complicated one. Randolph Denhaugh was a man with few friends and plenty of enemies. Pippa was a woman of mystery herself which added some very intriguing twists to the story. She quickly became my favorite character in this book.

As a reader, I donned by virtual deerstalker cap to try to solve the whodunit before Gemma could but I failed miserably. Ms. Delany plotted this story out beautifully and totally surprised me with the big exciting reveal. The whiplash twist was great and pulled me to the edge of my seat. I really enjoyed the brisk pace of the story, there was always something happening.

There’s A Murder Afoot is now my favorite book in this series. I loved the realistic characters and the way Gemma’s friends really supported her throughout the whole adventure with only a few minor complaints. Their vacations definitely didn’t go as planned and I believe all the relationships grew stronger because of that.

Ms. Delany’s vivid descriptions of time and place really made me feel like I was tagging along with the characters the entire way. I do hope Ryan and Gemma get a real vacation soon and that this is not the last we see of Anne, Henry, and Pippa.

In this fifth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, we find Gemma Doyle, her partner Jayne, boyfriend Ryan and friends Garth and Donald have headed off to England for a Sherlock Holmes Convention. While there, they meet up with Gemma's family, her father a retired Scotland Yard Detective, her mother a defense attorney and her sister, Pippa who does something secret for the government. While at the convention she runs into her mother's estranged brother, Randall (Randy), that she didn't even know existed. When someone tries to intimidate her into passing messages to Randall, she is intrigued, but not sure what to do. While looking for things to purchase for her shop, she finds out that Randy is an accomplished artist and has been in prison for art forgery. When Randy ends up dead during the banquet for the convention, and her father is attacked at the same time, he is arrested for the crime. Of course, Gemma and Jayne are ready to step up and help find the real killer.

Even though this story is not set in West London on Cape Cod, the whole gang was here and it fit in nicely with the rest of the series. Gemma is a character that may readers have a hard time connecting with. She is very analytical in all areas of her life and seems to be rather prickly. She is the epitome of a staid British aristocrat, although she is not one of them. I love the way she puts clues together and her powers of observation are amazing. Meeting her family was entertaining and trying to figure out what Pippa does was fun. There was a lot of humour in this story, most coming from phone calls home to find out what was happening at the emporium in her absence. Once again, there are twists, red herrings, clues and several characters that are suspicious. I had no idea what who the culprit was, or why Randy was killed. This one kept me turning the pages until I reached a very satisfying conclusion. I am enjoying how the various relationships between the characters have grown and changed. It looks like Gemma and Ryan might finally be in a relationship that works for them. I definitely recommend not only this book, but the whole series.

This is the 5th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Bookshop owner and amateur sleuth Gemma and her friends head to her hometown of London to attend a Sherlock Holmes convention. However, they get pulled into an investigation when Gemma's father, a retired Scotland Yard detective, is arrested for the murder of her long-estranged brother-in-law, an uncle Gemma never knew existed. During the investigation we meet Gemma's sister Pippa, who has a mysterious but powerful job that opens many doors for Gemma. Her beau Ryan is also in town, trying to prevent her from getting involved. I enjoyed the change of venue for this book, and seeing London through the group's eyes. I still find Gemma a little too bossy and a little too arrogant, but she is extremely observant and very logical. Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an ARC.

Bookstore owner and amateur sleuth Gemma Doyle returns to her hometown of London England to visit her parents while attending a Sherlock Holmes conference. She takes on the investigation of the sudden death of her estranged uncle Randy when his body is discovered at the conference hotel. Her father Henry, a retired police detective, is found standing over the body with no memory of how he got there. The two men were seen shortly before then arguing with each other. Gemma's investigation takes her into Randy's background, a rather unsavoury one, and she encounters several oddball potential suspects. However, the police investigation is led by a detective with a grudge against Henry and he is charged with murder and imprisoned awaiting trial Gemma and her friend Jayne continue to pursue other leads, while working hard to get Henry released from prison.

The whodunit mystery puzzle occupies most of the story. The London setting gives plenty of opportunity for the author is identify "things-to-see" for a first-time visitor, like the Victoria & Albert Museum. Her knowledge of the city lends authenticity to her story-telling too. It's like a visit to the city.

This is the fifth in the Sherlock Holmes Mystery Bookshop series of mystery novels. The previous ones have been set in Cape Cod to where Gemma emigrated after selling her London-based mystery bookshop. There's sufficient backstory in this book to make it readable as a standalone. Several characters from previous books feature here as fellow travellers to London with Gemma.

This is a "comfort" cozy mystery story set against the local colour of London. It is a suspenseful story with an exciting conclusion that demonstrates the author's superior story-telling ability. She knows how to tell a story and makes this an enjoyable read.
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I requested and received a complementary advance reading copy of this book from the publisher, Crooked Lane Books, via Netgalley. The comments are my own. I appreciate the opportunity to review the book.

This was probably my favorite in the series so far. I really enjoyed the setting being in London and the descriptions of everything they visited as they tried to solve the latest whodunit.
I always dislike reviews that regurgitate the same plotline and outcome, so I won't be doing that. However, I did notice an underlying theme throughout this latest caper, that of redemption. Gemma's long lost uncle was many things, but honorable wasn't one of them during his life. As the mystery unfolds, it becomes intertwined with the stories of each of the family members. Redemption of his intentions before his death and what led to it; and redemption on a smaller scale back home with Gemma's crew watching over the Emporium and some of the mishaps it endured As an amateur sleuth, Gemma does goof on a few occasions, but with the help of her friends and family, the killer is finally brought to justice.

Thank you Netgalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC,( watch out on your left)...thoughts and opinions are my own.

Gemma Doyle and her friends travel to London for a Sherlock Holmes convention--but will Gemma's father take the fall for a felonious forger's fatality?

The 6th of January is Sherlock Holmes's birthday, and lucky for Gemma Doyle, January is also the slowest time of the year at both the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, and Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room. It's a good time for Gemma and her friends to travel to England for a Holmes Convention. For Gemma, the trip provides an opportunity to visit her parents, Jayne Wilson is excited about seeing all the sites London has to offer, and Ryan Ashburton just wants to spend some time with Gemma. But the trip is immediately derailed when Gemma's father Henry recognizes his brother-in-law Randolph Manning, who disappeared more than thirty years ago on the night he stole a valuable painting from his own parents.

Henry, a retired detective with Scotland Yard, has been keeping tabs on the man's career as a forger of Old Masters and he warns Randy to stay away from his family. Randy is at the conference selling his own art, a series of sketches inspired by the Holmes Canon. The ever observant Gemma notes that he isn't exactly popular with some of the other conference attendees, but when Randy is found dead after the banquet with a dazed and confused Henry Doyle standing over him, the police leap to assume his guilt. It's up to Gemma, with the help of her friends, to plunge into the lowest and vilest alleys of London to save her father from prison.

The mystery is very well played out with plenty of suspects and several good clues that will lead to a very well thought out resolution. The author does a great job of describing the places and people in the book so the reader can visualize them. It was nice to see the Cape Cod gang out of their element, while also enjoying themselves as they go sightseeing and enjoying London. The subplot of what's happening while Arthur is in charge of the shop back in New London gives the book some nice comic relief. With Pippa's job in the British Government she reminds me a lot of Mycroft Holmes and you never really know what their job is but they have a lot of pull to get things done no matter what.

I hope the author writes more books for this series so we can see what Gemma and the rest of the gang get up to, and what kind of mysteries they find themselves involved in.

I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for my review.

The latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany, "There's a Murder Afoot," features Gemma Doyle, who owns the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium as well as a bakery, Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room, in West London, Massachusetts. Gemma is originally from the UK, and this book has her flying back home to attend a Sherlock Holmes conference and visit her parents. Those joining her on the trip include her police detective boyfriend, Ryan, and her friend Jayne, who is the restaurant manager for the tearoom.

It's always fun when a cozy series sends the main character out of the country, and this time, it's particularly enjoyable to see the sights through the eyes of some first-time visitors to London. And if you're not a Sherlock Holmes fan, never fear. There's just enough of a Sherlock Holmes thread to intrigue Holmes fans, yet those who aren't fans will still be able to follow the plot just fine.

A big reveal happens early in the book when Gemma meets a black sheep family member she'd never even known existed. Soon, this relative is found dead at the conference, and someone close to Gemma is accused of murder, greatly complicating the trip for everyone.

For tea lovers, there are so many cups and pots of tea in this book that you'll be grinning at how tea seems to be the cure for every British ill. And at a time when so many in the world are literally ill, and that's on everyone's minds, how delightful it is to spend a few pleasant hours across the pond with Vicki Delany's charming cozy mystery.

There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany is the fifth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. Gemma and her friends are in London for a Sherlock Holmes convention. What is supposed to be a fun vacation turns into a murder investigation. Gemma discovers she has an uncle she knew nothing about. The uncle is found dead in a coat closet with Gemma's dad who is the prime suspect. Gemma and her friends begin their own investigation to clear her father's name. I enjoy this series although it takes a bit to warm up to Gemma. Her character is curt and condescending at best. The supporting characters help soften the mood and bring the entire book together.

I didn't knew Vicki Delaney previews work and i decided to start with this book There’s a Murder Afoot like standalone, but oh boy i LOVED it!
To my understanding this the 5th book to the series and i must say that i looking forward to read all of them.
Yeah I would recommend this to anyone who loves cozy mystery books!
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Publications!

Vicki Delany has written another gem! In this book we get to see gemma in action in England. I enjoyed getting to know her family. I cant wait for the next book!

This is a new to me series and I LOVED it! How could I not? Many Sherlockian (and Benedict Cumberbatch) references and Gemma being as observant as Sherlock made my mystery loving heart beat extra fast. The author did a great job of referencing some of the characters' back stories, so while I wasn't confused, I will definitely be reading the previous books! The author also did a great job of keeping me guessing so I didn't guess who the murderer was. This was truly a fun cozy and I can't wait to read the next one in the series! I highly recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

There’s a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delaney is the 5th installment in Vicki Delano’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series. When Gemma and her friends travel to England for a Holmes Convention, they find mystery when Gemma’s father recognizes his brother-in-law Randolph who vanished 30 years ago on the night he stole a valuable painting. Gemma’s father wants nothing to do with the black sheep of the family and when that same black sheep, Randall, is found murdered with Gemma’s father standing over him, Gemma needs to find the real killer before her dad disappears for thirty years. Good book with good characters. Description of London and Gemma were very interesting. Thank you to Net Galley for providing an advanced reader’s copy for review.

In this book the gang goes to London. It was nice having the main female character "show" the reader around London, her home town. It did seem to drag on a bit, which was unusual compared to the other books in the series. Looking forward to the next in the series, with the gang back home in the U.S.A.

This is my first attempt at reading a Vicki Delany mystery novel and I would have to say I was happily surprised and equally impressed. I understand that this book is the 5th in the series, and I for one, look forward to reading her first 4 books.

I really enjoyed this Sherlock Holmes Mystery series. The story is fast paced and exciting, and the author has a flair for respecting the old Sherlock, with a surprising refreshness, in her approach. I particularly liked this trip to London and getting to know Gemma's family, though I did miss West London and the bookshop. The mystery was interesting and fun along the way.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advance digital copy.