The Game is a Footnote is part of the Sherlock Homes Bookshop mystery series. The main character, Gemma Doyle, is the manager and part-owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, while her friend, Jayne Wilson, is the head baker (and part-owner with Gemma) Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room, located just through the sliding door that connects the two shops. Gemma and Jayne are asked to investigate some puzzling incidents at Scarlet House, a historical re-enactment museum, that having people thinking there is a ghost on the loose.

An overnight visit includes a visit from the ghost and discovering some secrets in Scarlet House. Gemma and Jayne begin gathering clues to solve this puzzle, which gets even trickier when one of the museum board members is killed. Was it an accident or murder?

I enjoyed how the history of Scarlet House and its inhabitants were interwoven with current events. This book kept my interest and I couldn’t put it down until I found out who was behind all of the mysterious events and their motivation.

This book was my introduction to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. I was left wanting more and will be reading the previous books to learn more about Gemma, the Bookshop and Emporium, and the residents of West London, Massachusetts. A thoroughly enjoyable read that I would recommend to cozy mystery and Sherlock Holmes fans.

Thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

The Game is a Footnote is the 8th book in the Sherlock. Holmes Bookshop Mysteries by Vicki Delaney. This cozy mystery bring back Gemma and her good friend Jayne. The two friends get caught up in a murder mystery that involves a historical house, a possible ghost and of course murder. There’s twist and turns and it keeps you guessing until the very end.

I love cozy mysteries and this one didn’t disappoint. The Game is a Footnote is due out January 10/23. Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for my ARC.

As always the stunning Vicki Delany has created another captivating story for readers of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries. This time we find our heroine being voluntold to investigate a haunting at a old manor, as puzzling as it seems, the story takes flight at the turn of the page and is hard to put down. I love the characters' in the novel and the dynamics that play in this series, nothing to but love for this cozy series!

3.5 stars rounded to 4. I've read all of the books in this series and while I love the main character, Gemma, and the cast of characters, this book fell a bit flat for me compared to the others. I'd still recommend the series and will read the next book that comes out though!

The Game is a Footnote is the latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery and is better read as part of the series. The local museum, the Scarlet House, appears to have a ghost problem. Of course Sherlock Holmes Bookshop owner, Gemma Doyle is ready to investigate. Once gain Gemma stumbles her way over a dead body in a twisted case where a ghost would be the least of her problems. Deception and lies run rampant as the real cause of the mysterious haunting comes to light in this cozy whodunnit that will keep you guessing until the end for another enjoyable installment in the series. My voluntary, unbiased review is based upon a review copy from NetGalley.

A Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore, tucked into the small town of West London, Massachusetts, is the center of much drama and adventure; at least a large percentage of what's available on the short Main Street.

Gemma is the proprietor and co-owner with her absentee traveling uncle Arthur, and a pastry cafe is adjoining (by sliding doors), giving readers a lovely place to stop after buying books. Gemma's best friend, Jayne co-owns the cafe, thanks to an investment by the bookstore.

Scarlet House Farm and Museum is an historic place where volunteers reenact simple period appropriate tasks. (Don't eat the cookies!) Things seem fine until objects are moved during the night, and a volunteer dies! Are the ghost rumors true? What did Gemma see?

Readers become more familiar with the characters, and Gemma's sister, Pippa comes for a "casual visit," which is simply not possible. Gemma doesn't believe Pippa's cover story. But what could bring Pippa from England for a first time visit? (Sherlock Holmes fans will notice similarities between the sisters and the Holmes brothers--Sherlock and Mycroft.)

Gemma's days and nights are full, investigating ghosts, a death, a missing person, a suspicious person, plus a pushy sister, and an uncooperative policeman (boyfriend), etc. And...will the museum's head board member drive everyone to madness or violence against her perfectly-dressed person? What's behind her mania?

This was a fun and engaging story. The investigations were not as logical and thorough as I had hoped, but understandable. I was surprised by how unprofessional Gemma was in her bookstore sometimes (disappointing). I suppose she has to have some flaws, but it's not a good precedent.

3.7/5 Good fun!

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the temporary ebook preview; any review is voluntary, and completely my own opinion.

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Note to publisher:
Chapter 2
Decimated does not mean completely destroyed, it means one-tenth removed or damaged, etc. A cheese board would only look "slightly picked over."

For reasons she's not too sure about, Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop in West London, Massachusetts, is checking out why the oldest building in town suddenly seems to be haunted. Open to the public, Scarlet House offers locals and tourists alike a sanitised re-enactment of life in West London's equivalent of the landed gentry. Gemma and best friend Jayne Wilson find themselves volunteering to stay in the house overnight to dispel the rumours once and for all. Unfortunately that becomes almost impossible when, instead of the ghost's identity, they discover a dead body.

When one of the bookshop's assistants goes missing and a member of Gemma’s family she hasn't seen for years turns up on her doorstep she finds herself pulled in all directions, especially as she has a business to run! Boyfriend Detective Ryan Ashburton tries to keep his investigation separate from Gemma’s problems but, knowing her only too well, isn't at all surprised to find her as deeply involved as ever but even he can't realise just how desperate things are about to become.

In book eight of Vicki Delany's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series the main protagonists are familiar and welcoming with Gemma and Jayne ghost hunting when they're supposed to be planning a wedding! Written from Gemma’s point of view there is humour alongside her internal confusion and eventual enlightenment all of which I thoroughly enjoyed.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a fun read, not easy to work out, but satisfying throughout. Recommended.

Smart, truly fun, and engaging, TGIaF, is a well written addition to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, which I have not read any other titles from. I had no trouble keeping up, however, and I do plan on reading more of the back catalog of this fun series.

I enjoyed this one.

Tricky, tricky. Vicki Delany’s latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery takes an unexpected turn two thirds of the way through the book with the arrival of Gemma Doyle’s sister, Pippa. The Game is A Footnote went from a small local mystery of a haunted house and murder to an international story with Pippa’s arrival. Well done!

Gemma Doyle professes to be hardhearted and not a consulting detective, but she’s a softie for friends. That’s the only reason she always finds herself in odd predicaments. Gemma is the co-owner of Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, and also Mrs. Hudson’t Tea Room. Jayne Wilson, the baker and co-owner of the tea shop is also caught up in the latest adventure in West London, Massachusetts because it’s her mother, Leslie, who asks the two of them to investigate Scarlet House. The house is a three hundred seventy-five-year-old living museum owned by the West London Historical Society. It never had a reputation for being haunted, but the barn and the house have been the scene of strange activities. Leslie Wilson told the society that Gemma would investigate the paranormal activities.

Although Gemma insists she’s not a paranormal investigator, she finds herself camping out in the house with Jayne and Jayne’s boyfriend. Is it the thunderstorm that kicks off the screams and noises in the house, and upsets the animals in the barn? Gemma doesn’t believe there’s a ghost in the house, and advises additional security. But, there’s worse trouble in the barn when Gemma finds a body.

In fact, Gemma has nothing but trouble. Her reliable clerk, Ashleigh, disappeared from work, leaving the bookshop unlocked and open. Although Gemma worries about her, the police are not concerned about an adult’s disappearance. But, Gemma is convinced it’s not like Ashleigh to just walk out.

It’s also not like Pippa to just show up at Gemma’s. Pippa, Gemma’s older sister, lives in England, where Gemma is convinced her sister is a powerful force in the British government. So, why is she in West London?

The Doyles will solve all sorts of crimes, historical and current ones, before they move on with their lives. Delany’s latest mystery is a puzzling one with an unusual cast of characters. Just right for a series loosely based on Sherlock Holmes.

Enjoyable mystery involving a historical museum and its caretakers. The suspense builds as they search for a killer or a ghost. Who is "haunting" the Scarlet House Museum?

The Game is a Footnote is the latest book for the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany. Gemma Doyle owns Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. She also helps solve mysteries. When the Scarlett House, which is a historical museum appears to be haunted, the board members ask Scarlet if she could help them figure out what is going on. Gemma does not believe in ghosts; however, when someone is murdered, she decides to investigate.

The Game is a Footnote is full of interesting characters and a few plot twists. However, I found that the story seemed to drag a little bit in the middle.

The Game is a Footnote is the eighth book in the Sherlock Holmes Book Shop Mystery series. The series is going strong. Gemma is asked to look into suspicious activities at the re-enactment museum Scarlet House. It was a really good mystery with lots of interesting characters. Gemma is her usual no-nonsense self and her BFF Jayne brings the cuteness.

This is a great book (& series). I like Gemma’s logical comments (like a female Sherlock Holmes), and the friends around her have lots of heart (and patience with her curt comments). There is a nice bit of New England early history in this story. As always with this author, the book is well written. The story moves at a nice, brisk pace. Gemma has two cute dogs, and a bookshop cat (which I wish she would finally warm up to and be more careful with). The romance aspect of the book is light, without a bunch of drama – which is nice.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this fabulous ARC. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts on the publication date, 1/10/23.

This is the 8th book in the Sherlock Holmes Book shop mystery and what a fun cozy read it was!
Things start moving around the museum which brings on ghostly suspicions but then when a body is discovered, Gemma and Jayne have to figure out is there really something supernatural going on?
I really enjoy this series but I do find these books a little slower paced with some twists towards the end. The setting of this series is lovely and the mystery of this book was a little harder to piece together. I would recommend to give it a listen on audio!
Thank you for the arc, netgalley and Kensington books!

Setting the Scene: Well, this is a first for Gemma, co-Owner of The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and well-known amateur sleuth. The board for the Historical Society solicits her services to investigate possible paranormal activity at Scarlet House. Gemma does not even believe in ghosts, much less have experience as a paranormal investigator. However, as a favor for friend, she acquiesces, and the game is afoot, as they say.

What I Thought: This is an entertaining read with a well written and somewhat challenging mystery. Gemma is one of the few female protagonists that did not win me over easily. Even so, I continued the series because it is both well written and plotted, and Gemma is an intelligent female lead. As I continued, I began to understand Gemma better.. She is a true "stiff upper lip" Brit. While her no nonsense confidence can be mistaken for arrogance, she has a good heart, and is quite entertaining, though she would be appalled to know it. Her best friend and partner in Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room, Jayne Wilson, is a much more relatable character and the perfect Watson to Gemma's Holmes. I also enjoy Gemma's relationship with Ryan, and would love to see more of him written into the storylines. All in all, this book and series are worth your time. Get to know Gemma and the assorted characters that combine to make for a good mystery.

What an amusing and intriguing read. Gemma was a great character who captivated your full attention. Although the death looked accidental, she wasn’t buying it. Gemma and her friends made it an exciting and amusing story. It was fun and exciting.

This was a light, easy read, cozy mystery. While I enjoy all the books in the series, this one was a little slower at the start than the others, but quickly picked up pace within the first few chapters.
I always have mixed emotions about the main character, Gemma. Do I love her wit and sarcasm, or is it annoying? In this latest book I actually enjoyed her and felt she had toned things down a little.
Enjoyable series, and this last book can be read as a standalone or enjoyed in order.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoy this series. It's always a fun cozy read.

Thanks to NetGalley for letting me read an early copy!

The Game is a Footnote is the perfect example of a cosy mystery. It tells the story of Scarlet House in the charming town of West London, Massachusetts. When strange things start happening in the old building now turned into a museum, Gemma Doyle is asked to investigate. What first seems like someone trying to pull a prank suddenly turns dangerous when a body is found.

The book begins at a medium pace, telling the story of the building and the sighting of an elusive old pop star. However, around midway, the pace picks up and a lot happens in the second half of the book.

I was not surprised when I found out that this is the eighth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. I was slightly lost at the beginning with who was who and their background stories. But I must admit I am late to this party so this is partly on me. As a stand-alone book, The Game is a Footnote is solid, cosy, interesting and an overall easy read. I do have the suspicion that it might be even better if this series is read in order, however, I did enjoy this book by itself.

The main relationship portrayed in this book is Gemma and Jane's friendship, which is fun. But my favourite is Gemma and Pippa's relationship. I was left longing for more of these two sisters interacting with each other. Luckily for me, there are 7 other books I can read next.

There is a smaller plot of Gemma's bookstore employee and her connection with the previously mentioned old-pop star. I don't want to spoil this storyline but I will say I felt sorry and cared about Ashleigh.

I would recommend this book to someone interested in an easy read, a murder in an old charming town, with a lot of references to Sherlock Holmes (both book and BBC tv show).

Thank you NetGalley, Vicki Delaney, and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. The Game is a Footnote will be published in January 2023.

I enjoyed this latest installment in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. I have read the other books in the series, so I am familiar with the characters and the previous storylines. I like that Vicki Delany briefly references previous plot elements to provide additional context for the characters' actions and comments. I also appreciated the brief reference to Delany's A Lighthouse Library Mystery series (written as Eva Gates).

I often visit historic house museums on my travels, so the concept of setting the mystery within one appealed to me. I recommend reading A Scandal in Scarlet (Book 4 in the series) first because this book is a sequel of sorts.

The supporting characters are interesting, as is the mystery itself. Delany does a wonderful job of slowly revealing the truth nature of the characters and the events of the novel. The pacing is good and the story kept my attention.
I did not immediately suspect the culprit, which is good. I wish I had a friend like Jayne Wilson.

I was pleasantly surprised at how toned-down Gemma Doyle is in this book. I often found myself disliking her in the other books in the series because of her pompous nature and know-it-all attitude. In this book, it seems as if Gemma has developed a bit of self-awareness. She actually makes mistakes in this book, which is refreshing in some ways. I wonder what Gemma and Jayne will get up to next.

Ms. Delany is an extremely prolific cozy mystery author, with currently 6 series in publication. I always worry when an author puts themselves in this position, because quality goes right out the window as they struggle to meet all the deadlines for all their different series. Or worse, they employ a ghostwriter who can't recreate the original style that earned the second and Thord contracts. I enjoy her Tea by the Sea series, and being a mystery lover, couldn't resist trying a title in the Sherlock Homes Bookshop series. I'd enjoy living in a community that not only supported a mystery bookstore (our local mystery bookstore closed shop in December 2020 because of the pandemic) but one that was so specialized that it only dealt with books of and about Sherlock Holmes. Gemma Doyle (get it?) owns the bookstore, located in the small town of New London (get it?) on Cape Cod, and after some success in solving local mysteries, she has been called in to investigate the potentially paranormal activities going on at the local historical museum, Scarlet House. She is certain that a very alive human is behind the unexplained incidents, but before she can convince the board of directors to implement her practical advice to change the locks, someone dies. Was it murder by a human or a ghost? To complicate matters, Gemma's sister Pippa, who works for some mysterious British government agency (get it?) shows up unannounced and in pursuit of something. I wish Gemma's boyfriend, policeman Ryan Ashburton, maintained the lines between public and police a little more, but overall that trespassing back and forth was handled quite well. There were a few coincidences that stretched belief, but the setting was well done, the pace never slacked, and overall I enjoyed the book and will look out for others titles.