Review of "A Scandal in Scarlet: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery" by Vicki Delany

 

In this 4th book in the 'Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries', bookstore manager/amateur sleuth Gemma Doyle investigates the death of a museum volunteer. The book works fine as a standalone.



*****

British native Gemma Doyle now lives in the town of West London in Cape Cod, Massachusetts. There she manages 'The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium' for her Uncle Arthur, a nonagenarian who likes to travel and sail.



Gemma and her friend Jayne.....



.....co-own 'Mrs. Hudson's Tearoom', which adjoins the bookstore, and both establishments do a lively business - especially during tourist season.



One of the big tourist draws in West London is 'The Scarlet House' historical museum, so the town's residents are concerned when the attraction is damaged by fire.



The museum's new volunteer board chairwoman, Kathy Lamb, quickly organizes an auction to raise funds....



.....and Gemma donates a basket of Sherlockian goodies and - at Uncle Arthur's suggestion - his first edition of The Valley of Fear.



Gemma and Jayne offer Mrs. Hudson's Teashop to hold the fund raiser, and also arrange to serve tea and pastries.



Most local entrepreneurs donate to the auction, except for Maureen, a nasty woman whose art shop sells souvenirs and her own paintings. Maureen never has a good word for anyone, is always snide and sarcastic, and even resents visits from her own relatives.



The day of the fund raiser arrives, and amid the hubbub, with everyone milling around and enjoying the refreshments, board chairwoman Kathy Lamb retreats to the back room. There she keeps an eye on valuable donations like The Valley of Fear, whose opening bid is $12,000; and a diamond ring, which is even more expensive. When Kathy doesn't emerge to start the bidding, Gemma goes to look for her....and finds Kathy's dead body!

The police - including Gemma's boyfriend Detective Ryan Ashburton....



.....arrive to investigate, and seem to suspect Maureen, who argued with Kathy earlier in the day. Fearful of being arrested Maureen (reluctantly) asks Gemma to clear her name, and Gemma agrees to try.

Gemma first step is to interview West London residents, including people who attended the auction; Kathy's ex-husband and his new wife; Kathy's adult children; members of the yacht clubs where Kathy and her ex-husband were members; museum volunteers who resented Kathy becoming board chairwoman; and so on. Gemma thinks she's zeroing in on the killer when another murder muddies the waters. Thus Kathy has her hands full solving the cases.

Part of the charm of these books are recurring favorite characters, including Gemma's dog Violet - who likes to be walked and petted;



and Gemma's cat Moriarty - an arrogant fellow who lives in the bookstore.



I like the book's references to Sherlock Holmes' pastiche novels and other Sherlockiana (mugs; DVDs; coloring books; etc.) which sound like fun. 😊

This is an enjoyable light read, recommended to readers who like cozy mysteries, especially fans of Gemma Doyle.

Rating: 3 stars