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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
I got this book as an ARC and unfortunately my download expired and I couldn’t re download it to finish it. But was loving the book!
lighthearted
mysterious
slow-paced
Honestly, I always thought that if Gemma’s ex-husband were to show up, there would be more drama. I was a bit disappointed with this one. For example, I was surprised at the lack of interaction with Ryan as well as the British police department. There are a couple of interactions, but this is mostly just Gemma and Jayne wondering around handling things.
I will say that I was happy to be back in modern day London. I laughed at Pippa and how she used her own wedding. If anyone needed to see the parallel of Pippa and Mycroft, it was at the wedding.
Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
I will say that I was happy to be back in modern day London. I laughed at Pippa and how she used her own wedding. If anyone needed to see the parallel of Pippa and Mycroft, it was at the wedding.
Overall, I rate this novel 4 out of 5 stars.
The 10th in the Sherlock Holmes Bookstore mysteries and it took me a minute to remember the history of the characters as they were back in London and not in their normal West London, MA location. Gemma finds herself in another murder mystery while back in London for her mysterious sister’s wedding. Finding her long-ago ex-husband outside the wedding was not a happy meeting and finding his dead body the following day, even less such. A lot of time is spent discussing the various characters' touristy outings while they are balancing enjoying their visit with tracking down clues. Throughout Gemma seems to be struggling with how much to share with her boyfriend, Ryan, who is spending time with her father on a fishing trip, and who did not know she had previously been married. The family and friends interactions feel light and friendly despite the murder, Gemma’s sister’s likely job as a spy or secret government official, a bar fight, being tailed around London, and solving a murder. The outcome was not too much of a surprise despite the twists and turns. I do enjoy this series but I had a harder time getting into this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.
This time around Gemma and the gang are in London for her sister, Pippa’s, wedding. Her ex-husband, Paul, asks her to meet him in his bookstore to see a rare used book, but when she and Grant arrive, they find him dead in his office. Gemma feels like she owes it to Paul to help find the killer.
I’ve read enough of the series to know most of the characters so I didn’t feel overwhelmed by all the people we only meet briefly before they get sidelined for most of the story.
Gemma and friends traipse all over London, to mansions and nightclubs and coffee shops. The clues lead in several directions, but at the same time Pippa is dealing with a government situation and it’s no surprise when Gemma’s case and Pippa’s job overlap. The story is a little far-fetched and the motive a little weak, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I would rather have been on the Holmes tours with Donald than solving the mystery, though, I’m ashamed to say.
I’ve read enough of the series to know most of the characters so I didn’t feel overwhelmed by all the people we only meet briefly before they get sidelined for most of the story.
Gemma and friends traipse all over London, to mansions and nightclubs and coffee shops. The clues lead in several directions, but at the same time Pippa is dealing with a government situation and it’s no surprise when Gemma’s case and Pippa’s job overlap. The story is a little far-fetched and the motive a little weak, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. I would rather have been on the Holmes tours with Donald than solving the mystery, though, I’m ashamed to say.
I was thinking, "Man, I'm really in the mood for a new Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery" and Netgalley was like "here you go bestie" and I'm very thankful for that haha! This was, unfortunately, one of my least favorites of the series so far, but that's okay! I missed the West London crew very much, and being back with them was good for my heart. (Grant Thompson is the light of my life, I love him so much) It took me awhile to get into the mystery of this one, but whether that's the book or me I'm not sure. I did like it, though, it was intriguing. Gemma is an icon, and I already can't wait for the next adventure with her and Jayne.
3.5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
3.5 stars from me!
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
TL;DR this is my favorite book in the series!
Gemma and the West London crew are visiting London for her sister and her friend's wedding. While exiting the hotel where the wedding is taking place, Gemma's ex-husband is waiting for her to ask her to come and look at a book that is "the real deal" according to him. Gemma along with some of the crew goes to see him the next morning where he is found murdered in his office. Gemma must put together the clues to figure out who killed him before returning home to West London.
This book was so good! I really enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries but I thought this was a step above the rest. The story moves fast, the characters were compelling, and the mystery was challenging. I liked that we got to go to London again and it wasn't this massive scene at the end. I was also happy to see some characters coming back like Pippa who I absolutely adore. I was also excited to meet some of the new characters that I hope make their way back into the books like Genevieve. I had a lot of fun reading this book. I don't think it is necessary to read every other book but the characters would be familiar if you have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and amateur sleuths.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Vicki Delaney for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
Gemma and the West London crew are visiting London for her sister and her friend's wedding. While exiting the hotel where the wedding is taking place, Gemma's ex-husband is waiting for her to ask her to come and look at a book that is "the real deal" according to him. Gemma along with some of the crew goes to see him the next morning where he is found murdered in his office. Gemma must put together the clues to figure out who killed him before returning home to West London.
This book was so good! I really enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries but I thought this was a step above the rest. The story moves fast, the characters were compelling, and the mystery was challenging. I liked that we got to go to London again and it wasn't this massive scene at the end. I was also happy to see some characters coming back like Pippa who I absolutely adore. I was also excited to meet some of the new characters that I hope make their way back into the books like Genevieve. I had a lot of fun reading this book. I don't think it is necessary to read every other book but the characters would be familiar if you have. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mysteries and amateur sleuths.
Thank you to NetGalley, Crooked Lane Books, and Vicki Delaney for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC. All opinions are my own.
adventurous
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
A lovely and very cosy whodunnit novel.
Easy to read, the characters are mostly quite loveable and the story unfolds not too linear, hence you won't know whodunnit after the first 50 pages (usually my qualm with whodunnit stories) but it still makes sense in the end.
A very enjoyable story for a relaxing read.
The current state (July 13th) of the ARC is unfortunately that it still needs a proper proofreading, my version has oddities like "egg yoke" in it (and many, many more typos, misplaced commas, etc.). If those would remain for the published story (release date: 14th January 2025) I would have to take two more stars off, unfortunately.
--
Transparency disclaimer: Receiving a free ARC version of this book via NetGalley did not influence my review in any way, shape or form.
Easy to read, the characters are mostly quite loveable and the story unfolds not too linear, hence you won't know whodunnit after the first 50 pages (usually my qualm with whodunnit stories) but it still makes sense in the end.
A very enjoyable story for a relaxing read.
The current state (July 13th) of the ARC is unfortunately that it still needs a proper proofreading, my version has oddities like "egg yoke" in it (and many, many more typos, misplaced commas, etc.). If those would remain for the published story (release date: 14th January 2025) I would have to take two more stars off, unfortunately.
--
Transparency disclaimer: Receiving a free ARC version of this book via NetGalley did not influence my review in any way, shape or form.
mysterious
medium-paced