The Sign of Four Spirits by Vicki Delany

 

First Line: I consider myself to be a practical woman.

 

Even though she doesn't want anything to do with the psychic fair that's come to New London, Gemma Doyle has to admit that the fair has been very good for business at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. When she's coerced into attending a séance, Gemma is shocked when she's banned from the room. Naturally, she listens at the door. A voice cut off,  a cry for help, a scream... Gemma bursts into the room to find one of the attendees dead in a room where all the windows were locked and she was guarding the only door. 

 

Someone in that room is a murderer... but who? Gemma is determined to find out.

 

~

 

Vicki Delany's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy series continues to be one of my favorites. In The Sign of Four Spirits, the author uses Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's interest in the occult to bring a psychic twist to a strong locked room mystery.

 

However strong the mysteries are, the characters keep bringing me back to this series. Gemma's Uncle Arthur, who's never home, but feels free to volunteer Gemma for various community projects. Her best friend, Jayne Wilson, who is a marvelous baker and will follow Gemma anywhere even though she's never quite sure what's going on. And what about Gemma's employee Ashleigh, who says, "I've learned not to ask too many questions. Gemma comes, Gemma goes. Gemma does strange things." At least Gemma is in the store often enough to keep bestselling items ordered and delivered!

 

I highly recommend this series if you like bookshops, Sherlock Holmes, strong mysteries, and plenty of quirky, lovable characters. I'm looking forward to Gemma's next investigation. 

The Sign of Four Spirits by Vicki Delany

eISBN: 9781639105403

Crooked Lane Books © 2024

eBook, 304 pages

Cozy Mystery, #9 Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery

Rating: B+

Source: Net Galley