Review of "Elementary, She Read: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery" by Vicki Delany

In this first 'Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery', a new book store manager has to hustle to avoid being arrested for murder.

*****

Gemma Doyle moved from England to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to manage 'The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium.'





Gemma co-owns the establishment with her 90-year-old great uncle Arthur Clive Doyle, who claims distant kinship with Arthur Conan Doyle - the creator of Sherlock Holmes. Spry Uncle Arthur is often off on excursions (or with lady friends), leaving Gemma in charge of the business.

Gemma also co-owns the adjoining shop, 'Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room', which is run by her best friend Jayne Wilson.



The Emporium and the Tea Room do good business, especially during the tourist season, when customers flock in to enjoy shopping and refreshments. (I wouldn't mind having some of the café's scones with butter, clotted cream, and strawberry jam myself. LOL)



Like Sherlock Holmes, Gemma is very observant and has exceptional deductive abilities - which she demonstrates at every opportunity. For instance, when Gemma's beau (at the time) showed up at a restaurant with his best suit, a new tie, a fresh shave, polished shoes, and a sweaty brow - and reached toward his bulging pocket - Gemma pre-emptively announced "Yes, I'll marry you"..... ruining the entire occasion. Thus, Gemma is still single (ha ha ha).



One day, a tourist group consisting of 28 bridge-playing ladies visits the Emporium, and - while they're shopping- Gemma notices a small middle-aged woman come in and mingle with the crowd. After everyone leaves, Gemma finds a rare 1887 copy of Beeton’s Christmas Annual - the magazine that published the first Sherlock Holmes story - hidden on a bookshelf. If authentic, the Beeton's would be worth around HALF-A-MILLION DOLLARS!



Thinking back on the afternoon, Gemma is convinced the small woman hid the magazine, and meant to retrieve it at a later time. Gemma carefully places the valuable publication in a plastic bag and - to keep it secure - locks it in Uncle Arthur's household safe. Then, having traced the small woman to a local hotel, Gemma and Jayne Wilson (à la Holmes and Watson) drive over to speak to her. For various reasons the two friends sneak up to the woman's room - and find her murdered in her bed!



Jayne goes off to tell the hotel manager and call the police, and Gemma - who fancies herself an amateur sleuth - scurries back to photograph the victim and her belongings. Subsequent investigations reveal that the Beeton's magazine was owned by an elderly gentleman who collected Sherlock Holmes memorabilia. The old fellow recently died, and his nurse (the murder victim) claimed the magazine was left to her. The man's family, however, say it's theirs. Thus, there's a whole parade of people after the precious publication.



As things play out Gemma becomes a suspect in the small woman's murder. After all, Gemma discovered the body and 'hid' the magazine in her house. Before long, Gemma and Jayne find ANOTHER dead body, and Gemma knows she'd better clear her name.....or she'll end up in prison.

Unlike many cozy mysteries - where the amateur detective inserts herself directly into the police investigation - Gemma is ordered to STAY OUT OF IT. Thus, she works on the periphery, eking out information using her smarts and intuition.



To solve the case Gemma utilizes her traditional Holmes-like skills: her excellent memory, powers of observation. and deductive abilities. She also uses a smartphone, IPAD, and computer (like the Jonny Lee Miller/Benedict Cumberbatch versions of Sherlock).

The story has a variety of interesting characters, including: Moriarty - the wily Emporium cat who loves everyone except Gemma (he smirks when Gemma's almost arrested);



Ryan - the detective who has a history with our heroine; Louise -the tough cop who wants to arrest Gemma; Grant - the handsome book collector;



Robbie - Jayne's shiftless boyfriend; Andy - the successful restaurateur; Irene - the local journalist looking for a story; and more.



I'm a fan of Sherlock Holmes and I liked the references and homages to the great fictional detective. The author also does a great job describing Cape Cod, with its ocean setting; historic homes, tourist shops, and fine restaurants.



I enjoyed the book but some parts of the story line seem a little unlikely, and a couple of characters behave in a less-than-realistic fashion (IMO). This lowered my rating.

Still, all in all this is a good cozy mystery, recommended to fans of the genre. 

Rating: 3 stars