Every book I have read by Vicki Delany is a fun, great read and The Game is a Footnote is no different. The Game is a Footnote is the 8th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series (of which I have read the entire series). Gemma and Jayne are on the case again, “helping” out the Scarlet House. When they first agree to help out the historical site of Scarlet House, it’s because the volunteers believe the place is full of ghosts. But, they soon find out it is anything but, when a dead body is found on the premises. I have enjoyed seeing the characters evolve through the series and enjoyed reading The Game is a Footnote. It was trying to figure out the case with Gemma and Jayne. If you are looking for a fun mystery to read then I highly recommend The Game is a Footnote by Vicki Delany! Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for the opportunity to read this book. My review is also on Goodreads.

Scarlet House, now a museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to spend the night with her friend Jane, but when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat. Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum, and they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit. Despite Gemma's determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot.

This is a delightful series. I am a fan of Vicki Delany and have read most of this series as well as others she has written. Her descriptions and character development are excellent. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read the latest book by one of my favorite authors.

This is the eighth story in Vicki Delany’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series and, as you would expect, there’s a murder to solve.

Gemma Doyle, the owner of the bookshop, is a level-headed English woman living in West London, Massachusetts. When strange things start happening in Scarlet House, an historical re-enactment museum, the board members call in Gemma to investigate. She doesn’t believe in ghosts but agrees to try to get to the bottom of the apparent ‘haunting’ of the building.

When she and her friend Jayne stumble upon a dead body in a barn on the property, they realise there’s human intervention and start to track down the murderer.

Delany’s cosy mysteries are a delight to read. I enjoy that Gemma is a sensible character and not easily put off by the obvious. The story is well plotted and meaty enough to draw you further into the story. Looking forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the opportunity to read an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

THE GAME IS A FOOTNOTE is the eighth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany. As usual, the author pens a captivating tale filled with memorable characters and well-plotted mysteries. The protagonist, Gemma Doyle, is clever and a focused amateur sleuth. Asked to look into the supposedly haunted manor house turned museum, she enlists the help of her best friend, Jayne, and Jayne’s fiancé. Ms. Delany’s descriptive voice and solid writing had me believing that a ghost could be inhabiting the museum as the evidence mounts. The spine-tingling scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. But Gemma wasn’t so easily convinced, especially when a dead body turns up. On top of the murder mystery, Gemma’s sister turns up for a mysterious visit and Gemma’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop shop assistant vanishes. There are clues for the armchair detective to follow, but I find this series so entertaining that I prefer to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolds. This newest release lived up to, and exceeded, my expectations. I can’t wait for the next book in this delightful series!

Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for providing an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

With The Game is a Footnote, author Vicki Delany has once again penned a fascinating and intricate mystery that keeps the reader turning the pages and guessing up until the very end.
The latest book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, this instalment stands alone well for any readers unfamiliar with the series. The characters are well-rounded and relatable, the mystery morphs from whether there are ghosts in the museum to who killed the volunteer in the barn, and it all connects in the end in a way that wasn't obvious throughout.
I did find some of the descriptions in the book, particularly of the clothing characters were wearing, to be long-winded and unnecessary, but overall the book is well-written and intriguing to read.
#TheGameisaFootnote , of which I was happy to receive a copy from #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks , has a lovely cover that is sure to draw the reader in.

Another winner in Vicky Delany's Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, The Game is a Footnote was a pleasure to read, and great fun to solve the mystery along with protagonist Gemma Doyle. Gemma has softened over the series, which is nice, and I very much enjoy her interactions with her friends, boyfriend, and even (after a surprise visit from!) her sister. When investigating ghostly happenings at the historical Scarlet House leads to a possible murder, Gemma knows that the game is afoot (wink, wink!), and must discover what really took place. A+++

Scarlet House, now a historical re-enactment museum, is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts. When things start moving around on their own, board members suggest that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, might be able to get to the bottom of it. Gemma doesn’t believe in ghosts, but she agrees to ‘eliminate the impossible’. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat.
Gemma and Jayne suspect foul play as they start to uncover more secrets about the museum. With the museum being a revolving door for potential killers, they have plenty of options for who might be the actual culprit.
Despite Gemma's determination not to get further involved, it would appear that once again, and much to the displeasure of Detective Ryan Ashburton, the game is afoot.
Will Gemma and Jayne be able to solve the mystery behind the haunted museum, or will they be the next to haunt it?
This is an interesting mystery. There isn't a ghost but it seems as though there is. I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley. This in no way affects my opinion of this book which I read and reviewed voluntarily.

Review I really enjoyed this book. It had an intriguing mystery and some unexpected plot twists. I look forward to the next book..

Title: The Game Is A Footnote
Publisher: Crooked Lane Books
Publish Date: January 10, 2023
Rating: 4 stars

An interesting and enjoyable cozy mystery. Plenty of extra characters and red herrings kept me guessing until the end. The main characters, Gemma and Jayne, and Moriarty the cat, continue to be a delight.

Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

A really enjoyable addition to this great cozy mystery series. Gemma continues to evolve into a very likeable and admirable main character and the storyline in this entry was great.

A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery #8

A Cozy Mystery

When I want to read something smooth and not too stressful story I know that Vicki Delany’s mysteries answer to my wishes. Although I have read a few of her books I never read any of the Sherlock Homes. I was looking forward to this one.

In a few words:

When at Scarlet House, a historical re-enactment museum, things started moving around on their own, boards members suggested that Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, may be able to get to the bottom. Gemma didn’t believe in ghosts and agreed to look into it. Till the day, she and her friend Jayne Wilson stumbled across a dead body on the property.... foul play or not... secrets about the museum are uncovered and plenty of options might point to the actual culprit.

My Thoughts:

In many ways this was a fun read even if you pick this series at this point you won’t be lost. Seems the books stand well by themselves. The main story is finding the truth: who or what are behind those strange happenings, are there really ghosts at Scarlet House? Why were the animals in the barn so spooked, why killed David the man taking care of them?. How does one lock oneself in a barn? Why was Pippa, Gemma sister, in town?....some many questions...and there is Ryan the love interest in the mix.....and we are deep set in mystery..

We also have a parallel story with Bunny Leigh, a wash out popstar, wintering in a rented house. She comes to Gemma bookstore to snoop around but she really wants is to get close to her estrange daughter Ashleigh who is Gemma sales clerk...what are her intentions....the story tells us. Piece by piece we discover through a multitude of red herrings what is what.

The development is very slow moving. We have an excess of details describing the inside of house, the period costume one wears, what one set at tea time, who comes to visit, etc. This story turns in circles and I fast lost interest, some parts didn’t work for me and other were confusing at times... maybe my mind was too often someplace else...Gemma although in most part is fairly smart, at time she seemed to be comes out of a cracker box....There are a few too many players in here to muddy the soup and had a hard time remembering who they were by the end...maybe again my mind was not totally there by that time. The book started off interestingly but petered out by the end.

This one may not have been my favourite but that is my opinion others do not share this by a long shot ...so it is up to you to judge.

Good addition to the series! I enjoy that our MC always solves the mystery through observations and clues instead of just stumbling into the murderer. The side characters are well fleshed out and I always love when Pippa stops by. I also always get annoyed at certain points with how smug and assuming she is, but then I always remember that Sherlock was the same way that’s why she is the way she is. But, I will say that the Ashleigh subplot annoyed me a bit. Not the whole overall, because that was super easy to guess right away, but the whole over reaction portion.

Another great installment in this series! Gemma is always fun and amusing from her love/hate relationship with her cat Moriarty to her logical, Sherlockian approach.

A quick and charming cozy mystery with lots of great side-stories and character development and a really enjoyable supernatural twist!

Thank you to #NetGalley and #CrookedLaneBooks for allowing me to read another entertaining adventure with Gemma Doyle.

Gemma Doyle, owner of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, is a sleuthing bookstore owner who is asked to provide her thoughts on some recent experiences at the local historical society's museum. While some might chalk things up to paranormal activities, Gemma is not fooled. And what starts out as some innocent incidents eventually turns into murder.

The question is, will Gemma uncover what's going on at Scarlet House or will she become the next victim?

I found this to be an enjoyable mystery with quirky characters.

It's clear from my reading, though, that this book is part of a series. It did work alright as a standalone, but I do wonder if some of the characters who felt weak and flat, like the detective-boyfriend Ryan, would feel more significant if I'd read the earlier books in the series.

Overall, a fun book to read!

Vicki Delany once again delivers a delightful mystery. Gemma has been given the most questionable task. She is asked to investigate the Scarlet House which has had a few strange happenings that have led a few of the board members into believing it's haunted. A return stay makes Gemma question if things really do go bump in the night when she and her friends can't explain a mysterious scream and a possible intruder in the night. The mystery only goes deeper when a body is discovered. This astounding plot would make Holmes proud with its many twists and turns that will send you to a satisfying conclusion.

The plot is so delightful. The cozy world that Gemma lives in is influenced heavily by classic sleuths (specifically Sherlock Holmes) and grounded in reality though this installment in the series pushes the boundary in a fun way that lets you question whether or not ghosts are really at the Scarlet House. The mysterious incidents create a unique setup for the mystery that immediately draws you into this historic location and the secrets it holds. The plot also delves more into Gemma's delightful worker Ashleigh (who wears a different outfit every day that ranges from a business executive to a middle-aged enthusiast with limited vision). When she disappears, Gemma starts to dig into her life and realizes how little she actually knows about the young woman. Delany always has great descriptions in her writing such as "lips too plump for the fine bones of her face" that give stunning visuals to each of these characters.

Humor is always subtly added to the narration such as feeling the need to point out when her boyfriend found out he would kill her (rhetorically speaking). These moments successfully add to Gemma's personality. Subtle attitude in the way the words are phrased such as Gemma thinking about her uncle checking on the dogs though not her or the jointly owned business. Highly recommended!

Gemma and Jayne invited to help investigate a haunted historic museum. Gemma believes there is something or someone behind the mysterious thing that are happening beside a ghost. When Gemma and Jayne stumble over a dead body despite Gemma is pulled into the investigation despite trying to her determination to stay out it it.

I love this series and this book is no exception. Gemma is my favorite character. She see things that others completely overlook and sometimes rub people the wrong way. But even though even kept tell her to not worry about her employee she didn't give up on her. The mysteries, both the haunted museum and the murder, are full of twists and turns and well plotted and paced. I recommend this to fans of the series, Sherlock Holmes inspired mysteries, and cozy mysteries.

All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.

*I received an ARC of this book from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

When I saw the ARC for this one pop up, I had to try and be selected and I am so happy I was. This series is amazing and Vicki Delany is an amazing author. This is the 8th book in the series and I would recommend reading this one in order. Not so much because you have to, but this series is just was too good to read at random.

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson are being called to Scarlet House which is the oldest building in West London, Massachusetts, but is used now a historical re-enactment museum. Some board members are experiencing strange things and believe the place might be haunted. But Gemma, a woman who like Sherlock Holmes deducts things and doesn't believe in ghost, has big doubts about this. But when Gemma and Jayne stumble across a dead body on the property, they’re forced to consider an all too physical threat.

The characters are just fantastic, I really love Gemma and the way she sees things others don't notice. The story again is amazing, I had no idea who did it or why! I really and highly recommend this series!

As a fan of Vicki Delany’s cozy mysteries, I have read all of them with gusto, and I was anticipating this eight adventure of Gemma, the proprietress of the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium in West London, MA. I was hooked from the first page, and loved all the colorful characters, and the interesting historical facts that I know Vicki must have done so much research on.

The plot is intricate, and will keep you guessing and intrigued all along.

What I love about this author’s books is that they are fun, funny, but also educational in that you learn something, so they are not just silly stories about a murder, how it is resolved, and then that’s it…next book please… You actually have food for thought and you become ‘friends’ with the heroines/sleuths.
I highly recommend this book and the previous books in the series, and thank Net Galley and Crooked lane Books for allowing me to read an advance copy. Be on the lookout for the book’s publishing date of 10 JAN, 2023.

Gemma, who manages a Sherlock Holmes-themed bookshop is asked to investigate when a series of minor, but disturbing, events happen at the museum nearby.

This was my first book in this series. I thought the writing of the main character was really strong, and I enjoyed the mystery. I would have liked for the community and the secondary characters to be expanded on a bit more - my favourite cosies spend lots of time dwelling on the everyday goings-on of their small town so you're really desperate to go back to them as quickly as possible when you're done reading - but this was a good cosy and I wouldn't mind reading more books in the series.

Gemma and Jayne find a body in scarlet house. They must find out who did it . This story was brilliant. I really enjoyed the sweet and likeable characters.The plot was a bit complex and it's twists were well placed throughput the plot. I thought it was very entertaining. I would love to read another one .