I was surprised at how much I enjoyed the first book of this series, and was quite happy to discover that the second book was soon available as an ARC. I plunged into it, reading it whenever I could find the time. Body on Baker Street is a quick, fun read, with many enjoyable moments and characters. I thought the mystery was interesting, or at least all the factors of it. A popular but disputed (at least in the Holmesian community) author dies during a book signing, and a Holmesian is the suspect? Yes, please, sign me up!

I thought this book was weaker than the first, though, in that Gemma doesn't do a ton of "detective" work in the classic sense. Instead, she spends a lot of time inserting herself into conversations, listening, and asking leading questions. To be sure, that is a vital part of being a detective, but after the more classic housebreakings and stealthy encounters of the first book, it's almost a letdown to just listen to conversations, no matter how interesting they are. To be fair to the author, the conversations are truly interesting-- I read this book as quickly as I could, despite my hectic schedule, because of those conversations. But part of me kept hoping that at some point, Gemma would do some legwork rather than armchair detecting, just for the sake of something new.

I was also disappointed at Jayne's diminished role in this book. I love Watson figures, and generally find them as interesting, if not more interesting, than a Holmes figure (which Gemma Doyle is). Jayne played a vital role in the first book, as sounding board and co-conspirator. In this book, however, she was barely present, except for one of the daily business meetings and one aborted attempt at breaking into an office. I would have liked more of her, and her adventurous streak, and hope that she will return more fully in the third book.

The author continues to succeed in creating fun, interesting secondary characters. As a Holmesian, I winced and cringed at certain descriptors used for Donald, while also recognizing some of the extremes of his hobby. I am eternally fascinated by Renalta and her relationship with the Holmesian community (it reminded me SO MUCH of the contentious relationship that some other, real women authors have, although none of them are as outre as Renalta!), and I am intrigued by Linda Marke and what will happen to her after the end of the book. I was pleased to see the return of Louise Estrada, and I so hope the author will develop the antagonistic relationship between her and Gemma into something more three-dimensional. I think Estrada has some real potential to be one of those antagonists that grudgingly works with the protagonist, and I'm interested to see where the author takes her. I continue to be bored with Ryan and his relationship with Gemma, but then again, I'm not the ideal audience for the will-they-won't-they romances.

Although I do think this was a weaker book than the first, I still enjoyed it. I'm thinking of getting the series for my future mother-in-law, who loves cozy mysteries, and would certainly enjoy Gemma and Jayne and, most of all, Moriarty the cat. I'm looking forward to the third book, and will definitely be looking for an ARC of it!

Body on Baker Street is the second of the Sherlock Homes Bookshop Mystery books. Overall, the book was interesting. I was engaged quickly, trapped by the plot, and couldn't let go. It's also extremely rare for me not to know the guilty party. The author did a great job of keeping it hidden. I like that the series in a bookstore. And I absolutely loved the cranky cat that launched himself directly at the equally cranky author.

That being said, what stopped me from loving this was Gemma. Good lord, that woman is obnoxious. She is such a complete arrogant know-it-all. It's one thing to be a great observer and intuit things before you are told. It's another to be a total b*tch doing it. Seriously, the audacity of that woman. She was going to break into the police detective's room! And when her best friend pointed out to her her flaws, all she thought was: "Clearly, some people simply can't handle a frank exchange of information." Ugh. But somehow, despite her annoying behavior, I still enjoyed the book.

As owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, Gemma Doyle finds herself scrambling to provide enough seating for a book signing by the well-known popular author, Renalta Van Markoff. Though her high selling books are a page above those torrid bodice rippers, Gemma is excited to be hosting the author. Her best friend and co-owner of the attached Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Shop has offered to close for an hour to help provide seating area for the event. The book signing stands to be one of Gemma’s most popular events yet. The local dedicated Sherlockian, Donald Morris, attends and proceeds to challenge Renalta and her audacity to publish such stories about the popular sleuth. As the group proceeds to line up for the signing, Renalta Van Markoff falls face down upon the signing table. Donald is their primary suspect but Gemma knows Donald couldn’t have killed Renalta.

Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery has a winner in this sophomore release for the series. The characters are realistic and the story is believable. It has a quick pace and doesn’t lag. This is a great addition to the series and I’m sure fans will be eagerly awaiting the next installment.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book, the second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series. Vicki Delaney gives us a well-written cozy mystery with interesting characters and a suspenseful plot. The first book was great, but this one was even better.

Gemma Doyle owns a Sherlock themed bookshop/teashop in West London, MA with her eccentric uncle. Out of the blue, a bestselling author calls and wants to hold a book signing at Gemma's shop. Renalta Van Markoff reinterprets the Sherlock stories to such a degree that some Sherlock fans are outraged at the liberties she's taken with the originals. Gemma's friend Donald is one of the angry fans, and he comes to the book signing intending to confront Renalta.

Unfortunately, Renalta collapses during the signing and is pronounced dead. Donald is accused of the crime, and Gemma wants to solve the murder to prove his innocence. Gemma has a knack for finding the truth, sometimes to her personal peril. She has a somewhat adversarial relationship with the police, including her ex-boyfriend.

The characters were interesting and the plot was excellent. I didn't know who the murderer was until the very end, which I think is a bonus in a mystery!

I highly recommend Body on Baker Street, and I'm looking forward to the next book.

This book was a delight. Even better than the first, this book has a nice mystery, reminiscent of Murder, She Wrote in the best way. I hope there will be more sequels!

Second in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series, Body on Baker Street begins with a request to schedule a popular author's book signing at the shop. Gemma Doyle (the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop & Emporium's half owner) quickly organizes the event. Word quickly spreads of the coming appearance of the flashy author Renalta Van Markoff. The day of the event she appears to a packed shop of eager readers. While her books has many fans, Donald Morris, a member of the more literal Sherlockian Society challenges her interpretation of Sherlock Holmes. She continues her talk and later collapses unexpectedly during the book signing and later dies. Gemma suspects it was not an accident.

Donald asks for Gemma's help when he is accused of harming Ms. Van Markoff. Gemma, who has a discerning ability to see details, has a limited amount of time to sift through the various characters: a creepy fan, a would-be author who accuses Van Markoff of stealing her ideas, the publisher, the personal assistant, and the publicist. Meanwhile, the public-loving shop cat Moriarity continues to hiss and punish Gemma whenever she is in the shop.

Interesting mystery with a glimpse into running a bookshop, setting up a author event, Sherlock Holmes adoration/mania and several mentions of various books and authors of Holmes- and Victorian-themed stories. An enjoyable quick read.

Review courtesy of advanced reader's copy (ARC) from Net Galley.

Body on Baker Street is a well written mystery. The book has a great plot and cast of characters.

Contemporary book with characters with ties to Sherlock Holmes (run a bookstore or read him). A fun read where the author does give you the clues needed to solve it for yourself.

Likable cozy which doesn't require the reader to be a Sherlock Holmes fan to enjoy. Gemma, the main character, is not the most likable protagonist though. I'm not sure if the author is trying to show that british people are different from Americans or if it's just my personal reaction to Gemma. She's definitely self absorbed.

Despite the limited number of suspects, I was surprised at whodunnit.

I received my copy from Netgalley in exchange for my honest review.

Absolutely LOVED this book. The characters were great and I enjoyed the humor. This is the first book by Vicki Delany and I can't wait to read more!

I read this after reading Elementary, She Read. I love that Gemma is very smart and observant. It's always refreshing reading about a smart, capable heroine. The storyline was excellent, I didn't see the killer until the reveal. Awesome story. Looking forward to the next one!

Vicki Delany introduced us to Gemma Doyle and the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in her first novel which I loved. Happily she continues her new series with this follow up which proved to be just as delightful.

I ended up blissfully binging my way through this well-written mystery deep into the night without a regret. I adored her first book and unbelievably liked this one even more with its suspenseful plot, fast pace and charming characters. I hope Delany keeps this series going as it’s hard to find books with this kind of fun, easy going charm; a more modern clean mystery in the vein of the beloved Father Brown Series.

I love how detailed she makes her settings from the way a character looks to the food they eat which adds to the fun as Delany makes you feel like you’re a part of Gemma’s world. I liked that her writing made it difficult to know the answers until the end so my curiosity was piqued at her latest page turning mystery with her female version of a Sherlock Holmesesque archetype.

A fun little Easter Egg: If you look on the cover, which is a picture of the Bookshop’s window, on the far left of the bottom shelf is her first book on display. I thought that was a cute addition to the illustration.

If you love Sherlock Holmes or anything related to him, you will love this cozy. Gemma Doyle is the manager of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street. Author Renalta Van Markoff is set to do a talk and signing at the store. Renalta's books are controversial in the world of Sherlock Holme's lovers so there is no shortage of people who would want Renalta dead or who would benefit from her death. I enjoyed trying to figure out who did it and not really knowing until the very end. I did realize when the murder weapon was introduced that it would be the murder weapon, but that was all I could figure out. I am looking forward to more installments of this wonderful series.

So far I really like this series, the main character is smart and the mysteries are engrossing, highly recommended for the cozy mystery fan.

I enjoyed returning to West London on Cape Cod for the second book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series. The mystery surrounding the death of a flamboyant mystery author was well crafted. I like the cast of characters, especially the main character, Gemma. She has the ability to notice and deduce things like Sherlock Holmes, but she easier to relate to than the great detective. I look forward to Book 3!

This was a fun, relaxing book. I like the way the author didn't expect the reader to be a Sherlock Holmes expert, but she's good at slipping in the information that you need without you feeling like she thinks you're an idiot.

Body on Baker Street by author Vicki Delany is the second book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series. This cozy mystery was so well-written that I stayed up way past my bedtime to finish it - not something I do very often! Gemma Doyle and her Uncle Arthur Doyle (possibly related to the great Sir Arthur Conan Doyle) own the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop in West London, Massachusetts. Whilst Uncle Arthur is travelling down the East Coast in his vintage Triumph, Gemma is left at home running the bookshop and emporium, as well as their half interest in the adjoining Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room (which they co-own with Gemma's best friend, Jayne). Celebrated bestselling author Renalta Van Markoff (love the name!!!) is unfortunately murdered during her book signing at the shop, and West London resident and dedicated Sherlockian Donald is arrested for the crime. It's up to Gemma, once again, to discover the murderer and clear Donald's name. I really liked the first book in this series - Elementary, She Read, but I think that I enjoyed this follow up even more. It was very well-written, fast-paced, suspenseful, and as I mentioned it kept me up reading until the wee hours of the morning. Very highly recommend this book, and I'm looking forward to future installments in this series. Nicely done, Ms. Delany! :-)

Body on Baker Street is the second book in this fun series by Vicki Delany. The series involves Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. It is a fast, fun murder mystery series for fans of Sherlockian lore. I look forward to the next addition to the series.

Synopsis

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are busy (managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium (which she co-owns with her Great uncle) on Baker Street and adjoining Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Reanlta VAn Markoff's assistant calls and asks Gemma to host her mother, who is Renalta Markoff, a hugely popular author, for a book signing with the illustrious with Renalta Van Markoff, author of the controversial Hudson and Holmes mystery series. A dedicated Sherlockian, Donald Morris verbally attacks Renalta and her series for disgracing Sherlock’s legacy, only to be publicly humiliated when the author triumphantly lashes back and gains the upper hand. That is until Renalta collapses on the table—dead.

Book Review 4.2 stars

This book was much better than the first book, maybe it was because I better understood the main character. The book was well written and if didn't have a sagging middle, the whole book just flowed from the first page until the very end of the story.

Having not read the first book in this series, I enjoyed it so much and can't wait to read book 1 and any other book by this author.