Review - The Cat of the Baskervilles

I have read the first in this series, but hadn't gotten to writing the review before I picked up this one (the third in the series) to read.  I am reviewing this one before I end up reading any more in the series!

Author: Vicki Delany

Copyright: Feb 2018 (Crooked Lane) 299 pgs

Series: 3rd in Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries

Sensuality: n/a

Mystery Sub-genre: Cozy mystery

Main Characters: Gemma Doyle, a transplanted Englishwoman, manages her Great Uncle Arthur's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium.

Setting: Modern day, West London on Cape Cod

Obtained Through: Library

Book blurb:  "Legendary stage and movie star Sir Nigel Bellingham arrives on Cape Cod to star in a stage production of The Hound of the Baskervilles put on by the West London Theater Festival. When Sir Nigel, some of the cast, and the director visit the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop at 222 Baker Street, Gemma Doyle realizes that Sir Nigel is not at all suited to the role. He is long past his prime and an old drunk to boot. The cast, in particular the much younger actor who previously had the role, are not happy, but the show must go on.

Before the play opens, Leslie Wilson, mother of Gemma’s best friend Jayne, arranges a fundraising afternoon tea to be catered by Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. The tea is a huge success, but when it’s time to leave, Sir Nigel has gone missing—only to be found at the bottom of the rocky cliff, dead. Along with the dead body, Gemma finds evidence incriminating Leslie Wilson. When the police, in the presence of handsome detective Ryan Ashburton and suspicious detective Louise Estrada, focus their attention on Leslie despite the numerous other suspects, the game is once again afoot and it’s again up to the highly perceptive Gemma and the ever-confused but loyal Jayne to clear Jayne’s mother’s name."

Gemma is very observant, as befits a Sherlock themed book. Ironically, she isn't a big Sherlock fan, that would be the uncle who gave her the shop.  Jayne runs the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room and is Gemma's BFF.  She makes a good sidekick.  

Jayne's mother gets more of a role in this book - but she is keeping a secret that complicates matters.  Police detective Ryan Ashburton is the standard potential love interest who keeps his distance because of issues with her sleuthing.  Ryan's partner, Louise Estrada, doesn't trust nor like Gemma, at all, and makes it clear at every opportunity.

The setting of West London on Cape Cod is quaint.  Much of this book takes place at the mansion where the fundraising tea takes place, giving a great backdrop for the murder.  

The plot is driven by the concept of never knowing what a person's history is, what has happened in ones past.  This concept is highlighted well in this story.  The plot takes that and gives us a tangled web of secrets.

The climax was a classic rounding up of all the suspects and revealing the killer.  Not the nail biting confrontations I love, but it is a standard mystery reveal.  The wrap up answers all questions.

For those days when I want a good  contemporary cozy mystery this is an excellent choice.  I like Gemma, the mysteries are well developed, and have a good cast of characters in an interesting town.  If you haven't given this series a try, I heartily recommend you begin.

Rating:  Excellent - Loved it! Buy it now and put this author on your watch list 

Review - Blast From the Past

Today we go to Cape Cod for a little movie magic - and murder!  If you like cozy mysteries with a confident amateur sleuth then this will interest you.

Author: Toni L.P. Kelner


Copyright: Feb 2010 (Berkley) 294 pgs

Series: 3rd in"Where Are They Now?" Mysteries

Sensuality: innuendo

Mystery Sub-genre: Amateur Sleuth - cozyesque

Main Character: Tilda Harper, freelance journalist specializing in the formerly famous


Setting: Modern day - Cape Cod


Obtained Through: Publisher for an honest review


I had not read the prior two entries in this series but was able to jump right in and understand Tilda and her work easily. Tilda typically writes articles on formerly famous people in the "Where are They Now" features, but this time she is given the golden oportunity to interview John Laryea who is filming his latest movie. Tilda's ex-boyfriend's father owns the company handling security for the location filming and arranged for her to get a prime interview. Laryea had gotten his start on a Saturday morning kid's show.

The producer and director of the film are impressed with Tilda and ask if she would help them out. The movie is based on a comic book that only had 12 issues but has a strong cult following. The fans are already mad, claiming the movie isn't true enough to the original comic. They ask Tilda to please find the elusive writer who did his own illustrations cryptically named Leviathan.

Tilda makes a deal to do her best to find the original comic book author/artist in exchange for some interviews and a pass to the filming. This is why Tilda is still at the five-star resort Glenham Bars Inn when she witnesses Laryea and his assistant run down on the road. The assistant is killed and one of the security company employees is blamed. But Tilda doesn't think so and partners with her ex-boyfriend to prove it.

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by how much I was drawn into the story. Even Tilda's search for the elusive comic book author/artist was interesting with the comic fandom brought to life. The setting of Cape Cod and Monomoy lighthouse was a good backdrop. The descriptions of filming and the harried tension to get a shot of a sunrise etc add to the overall story.

Tilda is a character I easily liked, she is self-disciplined and observant, which pays off for her. Tilda's keen insights into people play well as a writer and a sleuth. I didn't like her roommate and felt the home struggles didn't add to the story. It seemed counter to Tilda's character to be self-disciplined enough to make a living as a freelance writer and yet get a rather flaky roommate who brings nothing but conflict.

The character of her ex-boyfriend Nick is just realistic enough, a bit awkward at times but they are good to each other without petty baggage. The movie star John Laryea was interesting, a good measure of spoiled and insulated while showing a vulnerability that only Tilda seems to have figured out. Even the man blamed for the hit and run, Pete, is well drawn as a recovered alcoholic who fell off the wagon and is tagged as the culprit.

The confrontation of the killer has some good suspense to it. I had suspected who the killer was, but I mostly just sat back and enjoyed the journey. The wrap up had several good revelations - who the real Leviathan was and a door opens concerning Tilda and Nick to keep the reader coming back.

This was a very enjoyable read with a good mix of plot and characters against a great backdrop of Cape Cod. Give it a try, it might surprise you.

Now for a humorous video - enjoy!