Monday, January 06, 2020

There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany


First Line: My sister Phillipa Doyle is a minor functionary in the British government.

Gemma Doyle and her friends have traveled to London to attend a Sherlock Holmes convention. Gemma has to make a speech and accept an award for her Uncle Arthur, and since it's the slowest time of year for the bookshop, she felt she could leave the business in the hands of Uncle Arthur and her assistant.

Gemma gets to visit her parents, Jayne wants to see all there is to see in the city, Ryan wants to spend time with Gemma, Grant is there for his rare books business, and if it has the tiniest connection to Sherlock Holmes, Donald wants to see it. Will everyone get their wish?

It's difficult to say because not long into the convention, Gemma's father is arrested in connection to the murder of his brother-in-law. It's all hands on deck to prove Henry Doyle's innocence-- and that includes Gemma's older (and rather mysterious) sister, Phillipa.

Author Vicki Delany has created a delightful mystery to solve and the perfect way to meet Gemma Doyle's family in There's a Murder Afoot. The mystery kept me guessing while I was enjoying all the humor. Once Gemma gets the quiet go-ahead to investigate and prove her father's innocence, it's so much fun to watch her try to keep all her travel companions occupied and entertained. Then there are the check-ins from the bookshop. Let me just say that Gemma may never leave Cape Cod again. And while we're (sort of) on that subject, I loved the Doyles' dog, Horace, and I'm still saying Moriarty the cat needs to get the boot.

Yes, this is a book (and a series) where readers can have strong feelings about a cat. And a bookshop. And a tea room. And the characters. I hope Vicki Delany has half as much fun writing this series as I have in reading it-- and I hope there are many more mysteries to come for Gemma to solve. This series is so much fun!


There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany
eISBN: 9781643850351
Crooked Lane Books © 2020
eBook, 336 pages

Cozy Mystery, #5 Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery
 Rating: A
Source: Net Galley


 

5 comments:

  1. Vicki Delany has so much talent, I think. She's written several different series, all of them unique, and I'm not surprised that you think this one is really well done, Cathy. She has a way of drawing the reader in, whatever her series is.

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  2. Thanks so much Cathy. Yes, I have enormous fun writing these books. I think they're my favourite of all my books. A Curious Incident will be out in January 2021 and I've just been offered a new contract by Crooked Lane for more.

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    1. This is fantastic news, Vicki! Thanks so much for letting us know.

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  3. I definitely want this one. I'm a fan of Gemma, and the addition of Sherlock Holmes is too good to miss!

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    1. It was really good to see the cast in London, Jenclair.

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