ARC Review: Elementary, She Read by Vicki Delany

Elementary, She Read
Author: Vicki Delany
Series: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery (Book 1)
Publication: Crooked Lane Books (March 14, 2017)

Description: Gemma Doyle, a transplanted Englishwoman, has returned to the quaint town of West London on Cape Cod to manage her Great Uncle Arthur's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. The shop--located at 222 Baker Street--specializes in the Holmes canon and pastiche, and is also the home of Moriarty the cat. When Gemma finds a rare and potentially valuable magazine containing the first Sherlock Homes story hidden in the bookshop, she and her friend Jayne (who runs the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room) set off to find the owner, only to stumble upon a dead body.

The highly perceptive Gemma is the police’s first suspect, so she puts her consummate powers of deduction to work to clear her name, investigating a handsome rare books expert, the dead woman's suspiciously unmoved son, and a whole family of greedy characters desperate to cash in on their inheritance. But when Gemma and Jayne accidentally place themselves at a second murder scene, it's a race to uncover the truth before the detectives lock them up for good.

Fans of Sherlock Holmes will delight in the sleuthing duo of Gemma and Jayne in Elementary, She Read, the clever and captivating series debut by nationally bestselling author Vicki Delany.

My Thoughts: Gemma Doyle runs a bookshop on Cape Cod specializing in Sherlock Holmes. When she finds a priceless copy of the first Sherlock Holmes story hidden on her book shelves, she uses her phenomenal and nearly photographic memory to figure out who left it there. When she and her friend Jayne who runs Mrs. Hudson't Tea Room next door go to find her, they discover that she has been murdered.

Gemma is not particularly pleased to find that one of the investigators is Ryan Ashburton. She and Ryan had a close relationship until they unexpectedly broke up and he took a job in Boston. His partner is Louise Estrada who seems to take an immediate dislike to Gemma. Now Gemma not only has to fend off a detective who is certain she is guilty but also collectors who have heard rumors that she has possession of the priceless Sherlock Holmes artifact.

Gemma is busy investigating and has a lot of suspects. Is it the new book dealer who moved into town? Is it someone in the family of the man who left the priceless artifact to the nurse who cared for him in his final illness? Is it the son of the nurse (and murder victim) who inherited the story?

I liked Gemma who was perceptive and clueless at the same time. I liked her relationship with her friend Jayne. When I learned the reason that Ryan left her, I took a real dislike to him but he did grow on me as the story progressed.

I would be eager to read more adventures for Gemma and her friend Jayne.

Favorite Quote:

"I'll do the talking," Jayne said.

"Why?"

"Because you sometimes say inappropriate things."

"Me? I only ever tell the truth."

"My point exactly."

I got this one in exchange for an honest review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.