REVIEW: A Scandal in Scarlet

 A Scandal in Scarlet
Author: Vicki Delany

I'm enjoying this series! A Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series. If the main character's Sherlock themed book store was a real shop, I would definitely be a customer! 

This time, Gemma Doyle is out walking her dog and discovers the local history museum is on fire. The flames are put out before the entire building burns, but the damage is extensive. To help with the cost of repairs, Gemma and her business partner volunteer to host an afternoon tea and auction event. But plans go awry when a woman is murdered before the auction even begins! 

This story kept my attention from start to finish. There was plenty of amateur sleuthing, many suspects and a couple twists that I didn't see coming. Nice addition to this series!! 

I'm working to read titles from my shelves and then donate the books. I'm on a book buying ban until I have some empty shelf space! I was missing four books in this series, so checked them out of my local library. Had to get them in large print edition. At first it took me awhile to get used to the large type face, but by the end, I actually liked it. My copy of the next book is a regular paperback from my shelves....it's going to take me awhile to get used to small print again!  

Moving on to the next book -- There's a Murder Afoot! 

 

 

REVIEW: The Cat of the Baskervilles

 The Cat of the Baskervilles
Author: Vicki Delany

An aging actor past his prime comes to West London, MA as the main draw for the annual theater festival. Gemma Doyle doesn't care that much about theater, but the play The Hound of the Baskervilles and Sir Nigel Bellingham ought to bring good business into her Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. Flash forward to the obligatory public appearances and an afternoon tea fundraiser and Gemma learns Sir Nigel is not only way past his prime but a drunk and then......dead. 

Uh oh. 

And then on top of it all, her best friend's mother is the prime suspect.....

I enjoyed this book. I'm finally getting into this series. It took me a couple books to start liking Gemma as a main character. She's still a bit annoying, to be honest.....but the plots and sleuthing in this series keep bringing me back.  

It's getting a bit tiresome when the author sprinkles in British English and then feels the need to explain what it means. The explanations aren't needed and I just find it annoying. It just adds to my difficulty in liking the main character in this series, as the books are from her point of view. I just concentrate on the main plot and ignore the annoying bits. :) 

Moriarty, the sometimes cantankerous shop cat, is growing on me, although he plays only a minor part in the stories. I will count him as my favorite character in this series as he's the only one that hasn't given me an eye-roll moment. Him....and Uncle Albert....who is always away and only shows up for brief conversations with Gemma. 

 Moving on to Book 4 -- A Scandal in Scarlet! 

One more book read and off my shelves in my quest to clear bookshelf space for new books! :) 

 

 

REVIEW: Body on Baker Street

 Body on Baker Street
Author: Vicki Delany

As I read my way through this series, I keep finding myself thinking that if the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium were a real shop I would definitely have to go there! Not to mention Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room right next door. :) I would definitely be able to lose myself in the book store for an extended amount of time....then next door to read and sip tea! 

Body on Baker Street is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. 

The Basics: A well-known author demands a signing event at Gemma's shop with little notice. Gemma does her best to get everything set up and the shop is packed for the event. But....before the author has signed all the books and talked to all her fans....the author drops dead. Once again, Gemma finds herself investigating a suspicious death....much to the chagrin of the local police. 

I liked this second book much more than the first. Gemma seems much more mellowed out in this story. The cast of characters is growing on me. I'm still not enjoying the-local-female-detective-doesn't-like-the-MC angle very much....and the shop cat not liking Gemma isn't really working for me either. But....I'm going to continue reading this series...mostly because the plots are really good so far! 

There are some minor hints at a possible love triangle side theme. Just hints so far. I hope this doesn't become part of the plot. I'm really burnt out on the love triangle trope in cozies after a long-running series appears to be abruptly ending without any conclusion to the issue. Very hopeful this series does not move in that direction.  

Moving on to book 3! I have several books in this series on my bookshelves, and the ones I don't own I put on hold at the library. I am now committed to reading them all! :)  

REVIEW: Elementary, She Read

 Elementary, She Read
Author: Vicki Delany

I'm reading my way through series that have been on my bookshelves for a long time, but haven't been read yet. And, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series finally made it to the top of my TBR list! 

I read this first book in the series years ago when it first came out, and then lost track of the series. So, I just picked back up at the beginning again and re-read this one. 

The basics:  Gemma Doyle has moved from England to the American upper east coast to help her Uncle Arthur run his Sherlock Holmes bookshop. Adjoining the shop is Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room run by Gemma's friend, Jayne. 

Trouble starts when a strange woman hides something of value in Gemma's shop and then is subsequently murdered. Gemma finds herself in the midst of a murder investigation where she is a suspect. Can she use her high perception skills to catch the killer, and avoid being arrested herself? 

The plot of the story kept my attention from start to finish. There was plenty of amateur sleuthing and suspects. I just wish I liked the characters more. I found Gemma a bit annoying. From her constant remarks about Americans not being able to make tea to her hating her best friend's romantic partner, I just found her whiny and irritating. Jayne came off as a bit rude. The antagonism from the female detective character seemed without reason and overly dramatic. It got old by the end of the book.  

I'm going to continue reading and see if the characters develop a bit more and if the series grows on me as I progress. So far.....I'm not really a fan.  I think I'm realizing why I stopped reading this series. But, the concept is just too awesome for me to give up after only one book. But, I've set a limit. I'm going to read the first 3 books.If I'm not a fan by then, I have given myself permission to stop reading and move on. It might just be a great series that is just not for me....    But giving it a full chance before I make that call. 

 

REVIEW: The Quantum Revelations

 The Quantum Revelations
Author: Stuart Heinrich

I found myself really wanting to read something different...something off my usual genre path. So, I went looking for a review book to break me out of a reading rut. So glad I did. This book was a very enjoyable read and definitely got my brain thinking! 

The plot combines science, philosophy, religion and mystery. The world is being destroyed by severe climate change. As everything goes to hell around them, two scientists are working to create a quantum computer in an attempt to save humanity. They accidentally discover something that will totally change everything. 

Wow. Just wow! I really really love it when I stumble on a new-to-me author who just wows me with such a complex idea and a totally different, very intelligent, story. I really needed this book right now and I couldn't put it down once I started reading! I was getting stuck in a complete rut with my reading....and this pulled me right out of it. Nothing more enjoyable than a hard-hitting sci-fi book!  

I will definitely be reading more by this author! This story will have me thinking deep thoughts for a long time! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Endless Tree Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own** 

REVIEW: The Sea Captain's Wife

 The Sea Captain's Wife
Author: Tilar J. Mazzeo

I'm always up for reading an adventurous, exciting true story. And this tale of survival on the sea definitely was exciting! 

I had never heard of Mary Ann Patten before reading this book. She was 19 years old and onboard ship with her husband and captain, Joshua, in 1856. During the voyage, her husband became sick, the crew began contemplating mutiny, and a heavy storm hit. Mary did what she had to do, and took over as captain, working with the crew to sail the ship to safety. 

What an exciting and awesome story! The first woman to captain a merchant vessel! 

I loved this book. The story kept me riveted the entire time. I read each night after work, excited to find out what was going to happen next! 

This is the first book I've read by this author. I will definitely be reading more! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from St. Martins Press. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.** 

REVIEW: Death on Dickens Island

 Death on Dickens Island
Author: Allison Brook 

I have Allison Brook's Haunted Library series on my bookshelves and coming up next in my series TBR list!  I read the first book years ago, and then lost track of the series. So happy to be soon picking back up again and reading her books!

When I saw this first book in a new series pop up for review, I had to grab a early copy. I remember enjoying her characters and writing style so had to jump on this new series from the start. 

The basics -- Della Dickens is in her thirties, newly divorced and trying to start over again. She comes home to Dickens Island where she grew up to help with the family business and heal some family rifts. When her Uncle and Aunt end up suspects in a murder investigation, Della finds herself in the middle of secrets, lies and danger. 

I loved the setting, the characters and the suspense. The Dickens family has more than a little family drama going on and that aspect really heightened the suspense. I liked the ghostly/supernatural edge as well. I love the cover art!

Great start to a new series, and I will definitely be reading more! Can't wait for the next book! 

**I voluntarily read a review copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books. All opinions expressed are entirely my own.**