Scan barcode
holly_keimig's review
4.0
I really love this series. Gemma once again gets drawn into town politics and a murder when she and Jayne offer up their shop/restaurant to host a charity auction to help raise money for a museum that burned down. Tensions are high and Gemma must be careful not to push Ryan too far with her investigating. Can't wait for the next installment of this series to come out!
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
A SCANDAL IN SCARLET, the fourth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany, is probably my favorite in the series so far! I’ve enjoyed watching the protagonist, Gemma Doyle, grow over the course of the stories and with this new release, she seems to have come into her own. She is still overly observant, but has learned to tone down her abruptness which makes her more relatable. Ms. Delany captures the spirit of Sherlock Holmes by developing Gemma’s orderly sense of intellect in noticing clues and helping to solve murders. I especially enjoyed the Sherlockian vibes portrayed with her foray into disguising herself in this book. I hope to see more of the disguises in future books, whether or not it helps Gemma find clues.
Not only is Gemma a terrific character but the author has also developed good supporting characters, such as Gemma’s best friend, Jayne Wilson. They have a great friendship and work relationship since Jayne is part owner in Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom. I love how Jayne is willing to drop everything in order to protect and help Gemma out to solve the mystery while providing a bit of comic sidekick humor. Detective Ryan Ashburton is another welcome addition to the story, helping to bring out a tender side of Gemma. I’ve enjoyed watching their relationship blossom in a sweet manner while he’s learned to be more accepting of Gemma’s intellect and deducing skills. Ms. Delany intertwines a long ago, unsolved crime and a current day murder with great skill. She provides plenty of suspects for the crimes which kept me guessing. She also provides plenty of action with good pacing, keeping the reader engaged and turning pages. The exciting conclusion wrapped up the threads of the story and has me waiting impatiently for the next installment!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Not only is Gemma a terrific character but the author has also developed good supporting characters, such as Gemma’s best friend, Jayne Wilson. They have a great friendship and work relationship since Jayne is part owner in Mrs. Hudson’s Tearoom. I love how Jayne is willing to drop everything in order to protect and help Gemma out to solve the mystery while providing a bit of comic sidekick humor. Detective Ryan Ashburton is another welcome addition to the story, helping to bring out a tender side of Gemma. I’ve enjoyed watching their relationship blossom in a sweet manner while he’s learned to be more accepting of Gemma’s intellect and deducing skills. Ms. Delany intertwines a long ago, unsolved crime and a current day murder with great skill. She provides plenty of suspects for the crimes which kept me guessing. She also provides plenty of action with good pacing, keeping the reader engaged and turning pages. The exciting conclusion wrapped up the threads of the story and has me waiting impatiently for the next installment!
I was provided an advance copy with the hopes I would review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
karinlib's review against another edition
4.0
Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, and I think this the best of the series so far.
lizrozanski's review against another edition
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lunaeclipse's review against another edition
5.0
July 17th, for “The Cat of the Baskervilles” I wrote, “I love this series, but really did it have to end the way it did? Can I have the next book now?” and the book gods delivered with an advanced galley of “Scandal in Scarlet”. It’s a series set in a small Cape Cod town of West London where Gemma Doyle and Jayne Watson are co-owners in the Sherlock Holmes Emporium and Mrs. Hudson tea room. Gemma Doyle is smart and notices things that others don’t, much like her shops namesake.
The fourth book in the series focuses on a woman who is murdered in Mrs. Hudson’s tea room. Gemma is recruited by her awful neighbor and shop owner of Beach Fine Arts at 221 Baker Street to investigate and clear her name. Like the previous three books this is a light entertaining read, and if she writes more I’ll gladly read them.
One of the best things about this series is that it has opened a whole new reading list for me. Gemma Doyle, being the owner of a bookstore, regularly recommends books to her customers. These books are real and on more than one occasion I have bought said books to read.
I'm gonna try my luck - can I have the next book now please?
The fourth book in the series focuses on a woman who is murdered in Mrs. Hudson’s tea room. Gemma is recruited by her awful neighbor and shop owner of Beach Fine Arts at 221 Baker Street to investigate and clear her name. Like the previous three books this is a light entertaining read, and if she writes more I’ll gladly read them.
One of the best things about this series is that it has opened a whole new reading list for me. Gemma Doyle, being the owner of a bookstore, regularly recommends books to her customers. These books are real and on more than one occasion I have bought said books to read.
I'm gonna try my luck - can I have the next book now please?
kerrireads's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
hidingzeus's review
3.0
I liked this one more than the last one, even though I still think Gemma should have taken up with Grant instead of Ryan. Still fun.
tsenko2's review
4.0
I’m really enjoying this series. Cute setting, likable characters, but best of all the Sherlock references.
novelesque_life's review
4.0
RATING: 4 STARS
2018; Crooked Lane Books
After reading book four, I am in for the series. It has been a solid 4 out of 5 star read for me. I enjoy the characters, town and mysteries. In book four, Gemma tries to steer away from getting involved in murder cases. When the museum chair is found dead at Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room during an auction, Gemma walks away from finding the killer. Yet, when fellow shop owner (and very ornery) Maureen is suspected, Gemma has to step in. I am glad I read this a bit later as book five will not be out till January 2020. You have time to catch up!
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
2018; Crooked Lane Books
After reading book four, I am in for the series. It has been a solid 4 out of 5 star read for me. I enjoy the characters, town and mysteries. In book four, Gemma tries to steer away from getting involved in murder cases. When the museum chair is found dead at Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room during an auction, Gemma walks away from finding the killer. Yet, when fellow shop owner (and very ornery) Maureen is suspected, Gemma has to step in. I am glad I read this a bit later as book five will not be out till January 2020. You have time to catch up!
***I received an eARC from NETGALLEY***
My Novelesque Blog
annieb123's review
4.0
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
A Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy series by Vicki Delany. Due out 14th Nov, 2018 and published by Crooked Lane books, it's 213 pages and available in hardback, ebook and audio formats.
One of the things that a lot of pastiche bookshop/library cozies have in common is title dropping. This series is no exception but it's fine with me since I've honestly found a number of authors with whose work I was previously unfamiliar because they're mentioned in these books. It does add verisimilitude for fictional librarians or bookshop owners to be able to recommend titles to their patrons. I just jot down notes whilst reading and go back at the end and sample the mentioned books. I've found a lot of new favorites that way. That's a little bonus.
The pacing is good and the story arc is entertaining and readable. The dialogue is well written.
This book can easily be read as a standalone. It's an undemanding read and full of 'cozy'. Suitable for all audiences, the language wouldn't make anyone blush.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
A Scandal in Scarlet is the 4th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop cozy series by Vicki Delany. Due out 14th Nov, 2018 and published by Crooked Lane books, it's 213 pages and available in hardback, ebook and audio formats.
One of the things that a lot of pastiche bookshop/library cozies have in common is title dropping. This series is no exception but it's fine with me since I've honestly found a number of authors with whose work I was previously unfamiliar because they're mentioned in these books. It does add verisimilitude for fictional librarians or bookshop owners to be able to recommend titles to their patrons. I just jot down notes whilst reading and go back at the end and sample the mentioned books. I've found a lot of new favorites that way. That's a little bonus.
The pacing is good and the story arc is entertaining and readable. The dialogue is well written.
This book can easily be read as a standalone. It's an undemanding read and full of 'cozy'. Suitable for all audiences, the language wouldn't make anyone blush.
Four stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.