A review by dollycas
A Curious Incident by Vicki Delany

funny mysterious

5.0

 

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Is Gemma Doyle a Consulting Detective? A lot of people sure think so. Including 10-year-old Lauren Tierney who wants Gemma to find her missing cat which she did with a big assist from her dog Violet. So when her mother needs help Lauren comes back to Gemma. Her mother, Sheila, is part of the Garden Club and was predicted to take home the trophy but someone had ripped her garden to shreds a few hours before the competition was to begin. She knows Anna Wentworth, her former friend and gardening partner is the one that vandalized her garden. She tracks the woman down and voices loudly her outrage, the two had to be separated before punches were thrown and hair was pulled. Later Anna Wentworth is found dead and Sheila is the prime suspect. So Lauren begs Gemma to save her mom. Ryan Ashburton, Gemma’s detective boyfriend isn’t happy when Gemma and her best friend Jayne start investigating and find there is something very curious about the whole incident.

Vicki Delany creates such strong characters. They are well-developed and continue to grow. Gemma’s relationship with Lauren was a great addition. We learned more about Gemma and are introduced to Lauren who really needs a person like Gemma in her life. I think Lauren has helped soften Gemma’s staunch behavior. Her relationship with Ryan was different this time, he had a few iffy moments that were troubling. I had liked them as a couple but now I am on the fence. I do enjoy Gemma’s neighbor Mrs. Ramsbatten, she has lived a very interesting life. The other new characters in this story developed nicely over the course of this story too.

The mystery was very well-plotted and written. Gemma really has a knack for piecing the clues together or twisting them as the case may be. Very like Sherlock Holmes. She asks the right questions and notices things other people miss. I am always delighted to tag along as she investigates. This time I was kept guessing right up to the end.

I appreciate Ms. Delany’s descriptive writing style. She sets a scene with an expert hand. It is so easy to visualize Gemma’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and Jayne’s Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. She also really brings life to her characters. They feel so genuine.

A Curious Incident is a wonderful addition to this series. I was entertained from the first page to the last.

Now, I am curious to see what these fantastic characters will get involved in next. A Three Book Problem is screaming at me from my TBR stacks. I promise to get to it soon.