As preparations for Jayne and Andy’s wedding are made, their exes come out of the woodwork to create drama and then one of them is found dead in the water (literally). It was great to go back and visit the familiar characters of New London. Gemma is always enjoyable to follow.

I loved the new cast of characters in this book- the aged gossip columnist, the GenZ social media influencer, the potentially mobbed-related uncle, and a cast of irksome exes. There was a lot going on here, but I thought the story had some clever turns and wove the suspects together nicely.

Thanks to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for an ARC

The Devil in the Details is the latest Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery by Vicki Delany. I really enjoy this series and this book was no different. It’s interesting to watch Gemma work her way through the mystery and solve it with her usual combination of intelligence and intuition. I enjoy visiting Gemma and her friends and finding out what they are up to now. The wedding in this book was especially fun and it’s nice to see Gemma relax and have a little fun! I hope this series continues on for a long time. I’m sure there are many more mysteries she could solve.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

I didn’t like this book as well as the others in the series. I’ve read all of the previous books in then series and enjoy the characters and the location being on Cape Cod. This story seemed to have too many characters and each had their own history which was brought to the current story. Many of these stories didn’t seem very relevant. Many red herrings were also tossed around and most didn’t amount to anything. I guess I should be used to this, but why do female characters in cozy mysteries do things like drop by the apartment of a suspected killer at 10:00 pm, alone? I look forward to the next book in this series and hope that I like it better.

I was given a free copy of this book by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The Devil in the Details is a typical small town mystery. Well written.

Yet another winner in the Sherlock Bookstore series for Vicki Delany! This is my favorite of her ongoing mystery series, and the characters continue to delight me! (With one small exception in this book).

My favorite thing in this series is that the characters grow and change (even if it is slowly). Each mystery for the book is also different from the last. We've gone from government wide conspiracy theories to accidents to small town petty grievances - this keeps the series fun and interesting as it continues to go on. I don't think we've had a repeat yet.

The one thing in this book that annoyed me a touch (hopefully without spoilers) was Jayne. At one point I wanted to shake her and say "You CANNOT continue being this willfully naive!" She never really course corrected. Part of me thinks that that's just who she is at this point, but the rest of me continued being annoyed. I'm happy that after this moment, Jayne and Gemma actually sat down and had open conversation. In the past books, Gemma would have held back to spare feelings, but at this point they are such good friends that they aren't afraid to be open. I loved that for them!

The only other downside to this book is that it's not coming out for another year, which means I have to wait even longer for the next book! Thank you so much to NetGalley and the Publisher for this ARC.

what a comfy murder mystery yay i also really love the cover. thank you so much to the publisher for this e-arc!

🔎✨ Book Review: The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany

Cozy mysteries are my comfort read, and this one delivered exactly what I hoped for: charm, wit, and just enough danger to keep me flipping pages late into the night.

We’re back with Gemma Doyle, the whip-smart owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop & Emporium, and her best friend Jayne Wilson, baker extraordinaire. What should have been a joyful week of birthday parties and wedding plans quickly tangles into something darker: old flames, jealous rivals, family secrets, and—of course—a murder that threatens to ruin everything.

💡 What I loved:

The setting: West London, Massachusetts is so vividly drawn, you can practically smell the sea breeze and Jayne’s cakes.

The characters: Gemma’s sharp observations and dry humor make her the perfect Holmesian stand-in, while Jayne balances her with warmth. Even side characters (yes, including Moriarty the cat 🐾) sparkle.

The mystery: deliciously twisty. Just when you think you know whodunnit, another clue (or red herring) turns up.

🎂 This installment blends the cozy joy of birthdays and weddings with the sharp edge of secrets resurfacing. Vicki Delany keeps the tone light and witty, but never forgets the emotional stakes—especially for Gemma and Jayne’s friendship.

📚 Perfect for fans of:

Cozy mysteries with bookish settings

Sherlock Holmes re-imaginings

Authors like Jenn McKinlay, Ellie Alexander, or Cleo Coyle

✨ Verdict: The Devil in the Details is everything I want in a cozy—clever, comforting, and compulsively readable. A perfect companion with a cup of tea (or maybe a slice of Jayne’s cake).

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

💭 “To know me is to love me,” Jayne jokes at one point—but in this series, to know Gemma and Jayne is to want to follow them into every mystery.

Even with murders occurring, this was such a happy book where we finally get to see Jayne & Andy's wedding. Though it sometimes felt like something could get derailed, Gemma kept pushing forward to solve the mystery so her best friend could have her special day. There are a lot of interesting family and former friend/boyfriend/girlfriend dynamics that complicate everyone's lives and suspicions of who might have a secret past. Gemma is unafraid to leap into the fray (or the water) to discover their secrets and protect her friends. This 11th installment of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries doesn't disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

The newest installment in the Sherlock Homes Bookshop Mystery series did not disappoint! I love revisiting with Gemma and the gang, who I've come to think of as friends through all the books over the years. Gemma's best friend Jayne's wedding is finally here, but something is amiss when her ex shows up as one of the servers. To make matters worse, a woman from Andy's past arrives as a surprise guest at their rehearsal dinner. When she's later found dead, the police think Andy may be to blame. With no time to lose, Gemma must race to prove his innocence so the wedding can go on. The plot thickens when a second body is found, none other than Jayne's ex this time. A fun mystery with lots of twists and turns. Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for the opportunity to read and review this book.

Winter weddings, especially if there's a dusting of snow, are wonderfully romantic and magical occasions. Bookshop owner Gemma Doyle's best friend Jayne Watson's nuptials are just a week away, but first, there's her birthday to celebrate. With relatives arriving early to enjoy both special days, fiance Andy's restaurant, the Blue Water Café, is full of excellent food, happy, excited guests, and a huge pile of gifts. Getting some fresh air, Gemma is horrified to spot someone in the quay and dives in to try and save them but to no avail. Was it an accident, or was the unexpected party guest pushed? With Andy considered a prime suspect and boyfriend Detective Ryan Ashburton having to take an investigative back seat Gemma is soon on the case but, with a second death and the big day getting ever closer, can she prevent Andy being jailed while Jayne’s life falls apart right in front of her?

I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this. A cosy with a wedding included is always fun, and the guests Gemma gets to know were great to read about. This is definitely worth a read.

"The Devil In the Details (A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery #11)" by Vicki Delany is set in midwinter just before Jayne and Andy's Wedding. Most of the guests are in town a bit early for a long winter vacation and to celebrate Jayne's birthday. Unfortunately, both Jayne's and Andy's exes are in attendance at the birthday party.

One ends up over board and another is on the verge of going overboard with their attentions. Andy ends up a suspect, putting the wedding in jeopardy. Gemma can't let this happen to her best friend and business partner. As usual she ends up figuring it all out. Lucky for her Jayne doesn't mind her pulling focus at the wedding reception. I know lots of brides that would have preferred she get cleaned up before showing up, even if she would be later. But, Gemma will do as Gemma does.

Devil in the Details is the latest book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series featuring Gemma Doyle, a bookseller with Sherlock-like detective skills who assists the police in her hometown of New London. In the 11th book in the series, we finally get to see Gemma’s beloved friend and business partner Jayne tie the knot. Unfortunately at the pre-wedding drinks for Jayne’s birthday, an ex of the groom is found drowned behind his restaurant. Was it a murder or accident? Then someone else turns up definitely murdered and Gemma is left to put together the pieces and solve the case.

I enjoyed this addition to the series, although I do think the arc was a bit choppy in places which will likely be smoothed out in the final version. I plan to purchase this for my shelf to rest with the other books in the series as they are perfect to cozy up with in the fall. Read this if you enjoy Sherlock Holmes smarts, cozy settings, and well-developed characters.

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this early copy! All
opinions are my own.

First and foremost, I thank Crooked Lane Books for providing me with this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions in this review are my own.

Two reasons prompted me to pick up The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany. First, I’ve been a Sherlock Holmes aficionado for over four decades. Second, I have, on occasion, discovered some excellent stories among the many Holmes pastiches written in recent years, so I continue to read promising ones in the hope of unraveling more.

Gemma Doyle, a great-niece of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, narrates the story. Part of the cast, she plays the role of Sherlock Holmes as an amateur detective. The other main characters include Andy and his fiancée, Jayne; their respective exes, Tina and Robbie; and two police officers—Louise Estrada and Ryan Ashburton, the latter being Gemma’s own fiancé.

The story takes place in West London, a fictional seaside town in Massachusetts, USA. Jayne and Andy plan to marry a week after Jayne’s birthday, but trouble begins at the birthday party. Tina, Andy’s ex-girlfriend, crashes the party to win him back, but fails. She dies by accident, drowning in the sea near the party’s end, triggering the action. Someone murders Robbie soon after in his flat. Officer Estrada suspects Andy of it. Determined to clear his name, Gemma steps in to investigate. Using her keen observation and investigative skills, she steers the story toward the dramatic arrest of Robbie’s true killer.

Honestly, I was a little disappointed with the story, and here’s why:

—This isn’t a true Holmes story. There’s no Sherlock Holmes, Dr. Watson, Mycroft Holmes, or Inspector Lestrade in it. So, you won't get to see Holmes' piercing, lightning-fast deductive skills in action. Neither do you come across occasions when he burns the midnight oil to track culprits down.

—The change of locale diminishes the story’s appeal. British and American cultures differ significantly. A die-hard fan will notice—and surely wince—when confronted by some differences. Reimagining Holmes’ London in America is next to impossible: there’s no 221B Baker Street, Buckingham Palace, the river Thames, Scotland Yard, or familiar London railway stations on the map. Holmes’ familiarity with every nook and cranny of London was owing to its tiny size (and looking at the city through his eyes made you feel comfortable). By contrast, you feel lost on the unfamiliar Massachusetts coastline. The seashore setting lacks the atmosphere of Holmes’ native ground. There are more disturbing differences, but I'll just say the disorientation broke my heart, and I didn't quite recover from my heartbreak!

—The plot is not as powerful or complex as I would have liked.

That said, the story has its strengths too. It's original, and the narration is excellent. In leveling the man-woman dynamic, there are more women playing roles higher or equal to those of men, which is commendable. Gemma scores above Sherlock Holmes in probing/ collecting evidence/data because she’s sociable and friendly, unlike the reclusive Holmes. Starting with the initial crime scene data, in cycles, she gathers info/data from social sites/people (and progressively evaluates the branches each cycle creates). Her friendly nature makes meeting/eliciting info from possible suspects a cakewalk. Holmes would resort to books, newspapers, influential contacts, his “Irregulars,” etc., to achieve the same, but doubtlessly, with far less efficiency/speed.

With a warning for purists, I recommend this book to all Holmes fans and, additionally, crime fiction readers.

A fabulous addition to the series , Vicki Delany has a knack for pulling you in to her settings and making you love it there

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the chance to read and review this book

The Devil in the Details by Vicki Delany is the 11th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series featuring Gemma Doyle and her best friend Jayne Wilson.

This story revolves around Jayne’s birthday party thrown by her fiancé, Andy Whitehall, owner of the Blue Water Café, where the party is held. Things are a little tense during the party with the arrival of an unwanted guest (Andy’s ex-girlfriend Tina) and Jayne’s ex-boyfriend (Robbie) who is working the party. Things are also tense in the kitchen with Andy’s new sous chef, Martin, acting like it is his kitchen. The party ends with the discovery of a body in the water, which ends up being Tina. Was it an accident or did someone kil her? Obviously, Andy is the prime suspect because she had been bothering him to get back together and showed up at the party to which she wasn’t invited.

When Robbie ends up murdered, once again Andy is a prime suspect because Robbie made it pretty clear he wanted Jayne back. Things aren’t looking so good for Andy, but Gemma knows he is innocent and works hard to discover Robbie’s killer. She is fairly sure Tina’s was an accident, but maybe the killings are linked. Time is ticking because Jayne’s and Andy’s wedding is in less than a week.

I love the characters in this series and how they relate to each other. I also love how Gemma’s boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton’s partner Detective Louise Estrada has come to terms with Gemma being part of an investigation because she will snoop. I feel Louise is long-suffering in her dealings with Gemma and I love Ms. Delany’s description of these interactions.

I think the killer will come as a surprise to most readers until you read more about the type of person Robbie is and then you might have a clue as to the killer. This series is so much fun and the description of West London, Massachusetts makes you want to visit the town.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Vicki Delaney always—always—ALWAYS manages to surprise and delight me! Gemma Doyle is, as ever, brilliant. In this installment, Jayne is looking forward to her upcoming wedding to Andy. The setting this time feels extra intimate — a close circle of wedding guests, all corralled together for Jayne’s birthday dinner in what should have been a picture-perfect week. And for Holmes aficionados, here’s an irresistible bit: Jayne’s birthday falls on January 6th, the very same day celebrated as Sherlock Holmes’s own birthday. It’s these sorts of playful details that make this series such a treat for mystery lovers.

But the evening takes a shocking turn when Gemma discovers a body. Even worse, Andy becomes the prime suspect—giving Gemma an urgent and deeply personal reason to investigate. Saving Jayne’s wedding might just depend on solving this murder in time.

The friendship between Jayne and Gemma is the soul of this book: those quiet, heartfelt moments had me misty-eyed. I adore Gemma, her sharp curiosity, her quick-thinking mind, and the way she channels Sherlock Holmes himself. Delany’s nod to Sherlock, especially with the birthday tie-in, is pure genius, making Gemma a sleuth Holmes fans will cherish. The pacing sings, and the cozy chaos is irresistible.

I had the privilege of reading an ARC, and I can confidently say this is one to add to your TBR right now. The Devil in the Details releases January 6, 2026—don’t forget to place a pre-order. It’s so worth it.

I love this series and eagerly await each new release. I will admit that I feel this series is best read in order. I believe I would find it difficult to just jump in to the series this many books. in. And the author has worked hard to develop the characters in depth. Gemma does come across as quirky but is really quite complex. This was a great mystery leading up to Jayne and Andy's wedding. Of course, Andy had to be a suspect leaving you to wonder whether or not the wedding would actually take place. Great read and very well written!

Vicki Delany’s eleventh entry in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series is a charming, clever whodunit that invites you to linger rather than race through. The Devil in the Details blends cozy mystery vibes with a dash of seaside drama, making it a delightful read to savour over a few evenings.

Gemma Doyle is back, and this time she’s juggling birthday celebrations, wedding chaos, and—of course—a murder. The setting is as atmospheric as ever, with the Blue Water Café and the chilly ocean deck providing the perfect backdrop for secrets to surface. When a party guest turns up dead and Jayne’s fiancé becomes a prime suspect, the stakes rise—but the tone remains light, witty, and engaging.

Delany’s strength lies in her character work. Gemma and Jayne’s dynamic is warm and believable, and the cast of unruly guests adds just the right amount of mischief. The mystery unfolds with satisfying twists, and while I didn’t read it in one sitting, I found myself happily returning to it, eager to see how it all unravelled.

A cozy, clever mystery with heart and humour. Perfect for fans of classic whodunits and anyone who enjoys a little sleuthing with their tea.

with thanks to Vicki Delany, the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC.

Jayne and Andy are getting married…or are they? The big day won’t happen if Andy is arrested for murder. Luckily, Jayne’s best friend, Gemma Doyle, is on the case and wants to make sure her friend has the wedding of her dreams. The wonderfully blunt and highly observant Gemma may not be everyone’s cup of tea at first glance, but her devotion to those she loves serves to smooth any and all of her prickly edges. Both a wonderfully strong and entertaining protagonist and an intriguing mystery make this a recommended read for fans of the series as well as new readers.

I love this series! I love it so much that I always break my iron clad reading rule ("I will wait until two months before the book publication date to read the ARC") when they come out. This book is no exception. In this, we finally get Jayne's wedding and, of course, things don't go smoothly. Gemma is a fantastic character and, as the series has gone on, I've come to really appreciate Delany's sympathetic portrayal of a person on the spectrum. Highly recommended, but for the best impact, start with the first book in the series. I bet you won't be able to stop with just one.