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aspygirlsmom_1995's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
I really enjoyed this book even if it took me sometime to get involved in the plot. It was my first book by Vicky Delany and in this series. The more I read the more I liked both the plot and the characters even if sometimes Gemma, the book heroine, is not so likeable :)
Being a Sherlock Holmes fan I appreciated both the references both Gemma's deductive method.
The book is really well written.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the chance to read this book.
Being a Sherlock Holmes fan I appreciated both the references both Gemma's deductive method.
The book is really well written.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for giving me the chance to read this book.
krisrid's review against another edition
3.0
This was okay. The third book in this series ran out of sparkle a bit for me. It was fine, and I enjoyed it, but it didn't quite hit the level the first two books did for me. I am not sure I will continue with this series.
The same things that I enjoyed in the first couple of books, for some reason irritated me a bit this time around. Gemma's cleverness and complete lack of social skills or understanding of how "most people" behave, which I found entertaining before, grated on me this book.
Jane's cluelessness about men really got on my nerves this time around, and her demands on Gemma with a complete lack of any consideration also grated on me.
Gemma's inability to decide how she feels about Ryan and what she's going to do about it also annoyed me this book.
This may just be a series that doesn't have consistent and long-term charm for me. I really enjoyed the first two books, but I think I'm done now.
The same things that I enjoyed in the first couple of books, for some reason irritated me a bit this time around. Gemma's cleverness and complete lack of social skills or understanding of how "most people" behave, which I found entertaining before, grated on me this book.
Jane's cluelessness about men really got on my nerves this time around, and her demands on Gemma with a complete lack of any consideration also grated on me.
Gemma's inability to decide how she feels about Ryan and what she's going to do about it also annoyed me this book.
This may just be a series that doesn't have consistent and long-term charm for me. I really enjoyed the first two books, but I think I'm done now.
dollycas's review against another edition
4.0
Dollycas’s Thoughts
The West London Theater Festival is staging a production of The Hound of the Baskervilles starring legendary stage and movie star Sir Nigel Bellingham. This is great for Gemma’s Sherlock Homes Bookshop. Everyone will be shopping for Sherlock memorabilia. They have also been asked to cater a fundraising tea for the theater. Sir Nigel himself stops by the shop and Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Gemma can see the aging star is no longer up for the role especially when she observes his cane is also a flask for liquor.
The afternoon of the tea Gemma, Jayne and their crew arrive. Gemma is a little distracted by the home and its library but Jayne gets her back on track and the tea is quite a success. As the guests take their leave Sir Nigel is not to be found. A search is quickly organized and the lost man is found, dead at the bottom of a rocky cliff. Accident, suicide or murder? Jayne’s mother was seen arguing with Nigel so he becomes the prime suspect. Gemma decides to do her own investigation with Jayne and cast a wider net for suspects than the police. West London’s Sherlock and Watson will do all the can to put the real killer behind bars.
I love Gemma but this time I was not entirely happy with her methods. She finds a piece of evidence at the crime scene and removes it. She also tramples all over the area to see if she can help the man who was clearly dead. She has many talents, a keen intellect, and wicked strong observation skills. She is independent, strong-willed and can be very blunt. I know she took the evidence because she thought she was protecting Jayne’s mother, but it just felt beneath her stature to do something so wrong.
Jayne is a great counterbalance to Gemma and the perfect Watson to her Sherlock. She is friendlier and more easygoing than Gemma and is able to smooth over any ruffled feathers. That being said when it comes to her tea shop business she is super dedicated to getting everything just right. From the tea to the scones and finger sandwiches, she knows what she wants and how she wants it. She doesn’t let Gemma run roughshod all over her and I loved seeing this side of her.
The title to the story had me thinking Moriarty, the bookstore cat would play a larger role in the story, but I love that cat even though he clearly hates Gemma.
The story builds slowly as we get to know the new characters and how they fit together. The murder takes about midway into the story which I liked because we get to know the victim and everyone he is involved with to give us insight when looking at the suspects and their motives. The interplay between Gemma and detective Louise Estrada is interesting because the really don’t like each other. Gemma would much rather deal with detective Ryan Ashburton and it is easy to see why. This case had me completely in the dark and was surprised by the final reveal.
As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I get excited each time I pick up a book in this series. Ms. Delany knows how to tell a story. Her characters are unique and complex and are wrapped up in a mystery that kept me guessing.
Another entertaining tale from Vicki Delany! A fine addition to this series.
The West London Theater Festival is staging a production of The Hound of the Baskervilles starring legendary stage and movie star Sir Nigel Bellingham. This is great for Gemma’s Sherlock Homes Bookshop. Everyone will be shopping for Sherlock memorabilia. They have also been asked to cater a fundraising tea for the theater. Sir Nigel himself stops by the shop and Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Gemma can see the aging star is no longer up for the role especially when she observes his cane is also a flask for liquor.
The afternoon of the tea Gemma, Jayne and their crew arrive. Gemma is a little distracted by the home and its library but Jayne gets her back on track and the tea is quite a success. As the guests take their leave Sir Nigel is not to be found. A search is quickly organized and the lost man is found, dead at the bottom of a rocky cliff. Accident, suicide or murder? Jayne’s mother was seen arguing with Nigel so he becomes the prime suspect. Gemma decides to do her own investigation with Jayne and cast a wider net for suspects than the police. West London’s Sherlock and Watson will do all the can to put the real killer behind bars.
I love Gemma but this time I was not entirely happy with her methods. She finds a piece of evidence at the crime scene and removes it. She also tramples all over the area to see if she can help the man who was clearly dead. She has many talents, a keen intellect, and wicked strong observation skills. She is independent, strong-willed and can be very blunt. I know she took the evidence because she thought she was protecting Jayne’s mother, but it just felt beneath her stature to do something so wrong.
Jayne is a great counterbalance to Gemma and the perfect Watson to her Sherlock. She is friendlier and more easygoing than Gemma and is able to smooth over any ruffled feathers. That being said when it comes to her tea shop business she is super dedicated to getting everything just right. From the tea to the scones and finger sandwiches, she knows what she wants and how she wants it. She doesn’t let Gemma run roughshod all over her and I loved seeing this side of her.
The title to the story had me thinking Moriarty, the bookstore cat would play a larger role in the story, but I love that cat even though he clearly hates Gemma.
The story builds slowly as we get to know the new characters and how they fit together. The murder takes about midway into the story which I liked because we get to know the victim and everyone he is involved with to give us insight when looking at the suspects and their motives. The interplay between Gemma and detective Louise Estrada is interesting because the really don’t like each other. Gemma would much rather deal with detective Ryan Ashburton and it is easy to see why. This case had me completely in the dark and was surprised by the final reveal.
As a Sherlock Holmes fan, I get excited each time I pick up a book in this series. Ms. Delany knows how to tell a story. Her characters are unique and complex and are wrapped up in a mystery that kept me guessing.
Another entertaining tale from Vicki Delany! A fine addition to this series.
pussreboots's review against another edition
4.0
The set up of this one reminded me of a Columbo or maybe a Midsommer Murders especially with the victim being elderly and the criminal also being elderly — albeit spry. There's nothing wrong with this type of plot but it did put me in a nostalgic mindset as this plot was far more common twenty or thirty or even forty years ago.
The solution took me by surprise.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_03/cat_of_the_baskervilles.html
The solution took me by surprise.
http://pussreboots.com/blog/2019/comments_03/cat_of_the_baskervilles.html
ssminski's review against another edition
4.0
Loved the character progression the most in this installment, much more than the mystery itself.
natesbookstack's review against another edition
5.0
I have long written reviews about Vicki’s books being just a cornerstone of the cozy genre. The Cat of the Baskervilles is just that in this series and I am delighted that Crooked Lane picked up this series for the first three books. In this story you are guessing the killer till the end and I had absolutely no idea and gasped when the killer was revealed! Gemma Doyle who owns the Sherlock Holmes Emporium is just so clever and knows how to get herself in and most importantly out of sticky situations. I think she is probably one of the strongest female protagonists in the genre. Her cunning deductions and resources keep you turning page after page after page. While this could be read as a stand-alone since there is a lot of backstory covered I think the best way is to start with Book 1.
I always enjoy how cozy authors can make a character so unlikeable and then flip and make them likable I enjoy with this book that Vicki is not afraid to constantly evolve her characters personalities. I will admit I am still not liking Estrada. I would like to see more of dear Uncle Arthur in the future. Maybe he could be home instead of traveling. He is such a mystery!
Synopsis: 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.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and decided to write a fair and honest review
I always enjoy how cozy authors can make a character so unlikeable and then flip and make them likable I enjoy with this book that Vicki is not afraid to constantly evolve her characters personalities. I will admit I am still not liking Estrada. I would like to see more of dear Uncle Arthur in the future. Maybe he could be home instead of traveling. He is such a mystery!
Synopsis: 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.
I received an ARC from NetGalley and decided to write a fair and honest review
kpeninger's review against another edition
4.0
(Review to be added after it has posted on the John H Watson Society website.)
cherylanntownsend's review against another edition
4.0
Gemma Doyle owns a Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore and, whether she intends or not, many of the great sleuth’s knack for observing the obvious. In as such, when the local theater produces an almost star-cast play of one of Holme’s stories, and the past-prime star is found dead, it’s upon Gemma to deduce suicide or murder. Much to the chagrin of local authorities, being one a nemesis and another a previous paramour, her behind the scenes questions lead to target again.
Reading this series always tends to make me look closer, longer and note. They are fun, tight and well plotted. One of my favorite cozy series, by far.
Reading this series always tends to make me look closer, longer and note. They are fun, tight and well plotted. One of my favorite cozy series, by far.
lisaeliza's review against another edition
4.0
Very enjoyable from start to finish with enough twists to satisfy any cozy mystery lover. A must-read for Sherlock devotees.