I love a good cozy mystery and this was quite a good one. I hadn't read any of the previous, and didn't feel like I had needed to - there were a few references, but none that I needed to understand.

The basic story is that Gemma and friends have come from the US to Gemma's old home city of London for a family wedding. Leaving early, she finds her ex waiting for her in the hotel foyer, and he asks her to see him tomorrow about a book. Of course, tomorrow comes and Gemma finds him dead (not a spoiler - it's in the description and pretty early in the book).

As is the case with most cozy mysteries, we now follow Gemma as she talks to people, finds clues and eventually (with help from her friends) figures out what happened. One of my favourite parts of cozy mysteries is seeing what the author does about the fact that a regular person is running around doing what the police also should be doing. In this case, it's not ridiculous (it sometimes is) as Gemma is primarily chatting to family and people she can easily reach.

The ending makes sense, wasn't easily guessable and was interesting.

Overall, a good read. I suspect if you've been reading the series, you'll see some good character development and will enjoy the latest edition.

Gemma and Jayne go to England for Gemma's sister's wedding to Grant. Ryan and Andy come along for the ride, along with Donald and a few other extended characters we've come to adore. But when Gemma's ex-husband pops up (surprise, did we even know she had one?), things take a deadly turn. They once owned a bookshop together, and he notes a rare book (possibly) but its just a ruse to a larger scheme he had going. Who wanted him dead? While I enjoyed the story, and all the characters are well written, Ryan was super washed out in this one... he was pushed off to the side (a detective in the US) so Gemma could investigate and he seemingly was fine with it. I kinda felt that was too strange... would rather have seen him help instead of Grant who was newly married to Pippa. Other than that, it was a fun ride, and I am intrigued to see where things go next.

This book is set in London where Gemma is once again caught up in another murder investigation. Gemma agrees to meet her ex husband in the bookstore they once owned together. He claimed to have a valuable book he wanted her to see. After finding Paul dead in his office, Gemma decides to do her own investigating to try and find justice for him. Gemma butts heads with the PI in charge of the case as well as her sister Pippa, who has a secretive high level job in the government. This book seemed a bit slower paced than usual, but it had a great cast of characters, especially the mysterious Pippa and Gemma's feisty best friend Jayne. I can't wait to read the next book in this delightful series!

In the latest book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookstore Mystery series, Gemma Doyle finds herself back in her native London for her sister Pippa's wedding. But things start going wrong when she encounters her former husband, Paul. He tells her he has something to show her. She agrees to meet him at his store (their former store) on the next day. Big mistake. When she arrives, Paul is dead. And the investigating inspector is her old nemesis from previous mysteries.

The case seems to be connected with plenty of Gemma's relatives. On the one hand, she wants to have fun in her return trip. She can just leave the investigating up to the police. But on the other hand, say what you like, Paul was her husband. She feels like she owes it to him to find his murderer.

As always, Vicky Delany's mysteries are well-written and enjoyable. The plots are carefully constructed and unpredictable. Her characters are well-developed and fun to follow. I highly recommend this book, as well as the whole series.

The book was great. I liked the overall plot and i did not guess who the murderer was till the end. For me its a 3.5 stars. I really liked the characters and felt connected to them but i felt like the book was very descriptive at times. I loved how everything connected finally at the end and it did take a while to get there. Its a simple cozy mystery and i really wish to see more of this characters in the future.

The writing and pacing were good, but Gemma was unlikable in every way. I read about different women of every kind, so I don’t care about relatability, but the way she was written made it hard for me to continue the book until the end, and I usually finish books in a day or two. Still, two weeks and plenty of chances later, I could not keep my focus, and I love books set in Britain. I was so excited about it, but sadly, I was disappointed.

I appreciate the mystery in this book. I will say it did not draw me in as much as I'd of liked it too. However it was still a decent read. I do plan to read more from this author and actually have gotten recommendations for a few of her other books to try that I may enjoy.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime", the latest in the always-delightful Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany. I've been working my way through the series, but jumped at the chance to read and review the latest instalment.
Gemma Doyle and her friends have packed their bags and headed to London for her sister Pippa’s wedding. On her way home from the wedding dinner, in the lobby of the hotel she runs into her ex-husband, who hints that he has come upon something valuable (the real deal) and asks her to come see him the next day at the bookshop that they had co-owned before their divorce.
When Gemma and Grant arrive at the store the following day, they find Paul has been murdered sometime in the night; and Gemma has no idea what it was that he had been alluding to.
Needless to say, Gemma doesn't wait for the police - in the person of DI Patel, who we were introduced to in a previous story - to investigate the death, and she and her friends - Jayne, her business partner, Ryan, her cop boyfriend, and even her sister (who does 'something important in the government') - all become involved in the investigation, which takes Gemma back into her past but also unravels a complicated scheme in the present.
Peppered with current affairs and international tensions as well as simple larcenous intentions, this one will keep you guessing right until the very end.
This is an excellent addition to the series and you need not have read all of the previous nine instalments; there's enough back story to satisfy. Recommended for fans of cozy mysteries, book-oriented mysteries, etc.

I really enjoy this series and was thrilled for another trip to London in this one. I think the author has done well making the characters interesting and likable. Gemma can come across as a bit of a know it all but for me, that's better than immature and weak. I really like Gemma's parents and sister as well as Gemma's friends. This mystery did move just a little slow in places but the location made up for it and kept me caught up in the plot. I hope there are many more books in this series to come and I would to see Pippa in all of them!

I really like this series, and this book is no exception. This one is set in London with Gemma and friends visiting for Pippa's wedding. Pippa is one of my favorite side characters and I love the connection between her and Mycroft Holmes. The mystery was intriguing with many interesting red herrings and forays into Pippa's top secret government job. All in all, a really fun read!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for this ARC!

This light mystery is full of well drawn characters, but is perhaps most memorable for its look at London. Through the eyes of some first-time visitors. The city is a major character in the book, and is appealing in every way.

The mystery itself was not particularly interesting or satisfying, but all of the elements of the book combine to make it a pleasant summer read.

I love a bright protagonist and self-reliant woman, but I am not sure I need to encounter this leading-lady in other books in the series.

Netgalley provided me a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for a candid review.

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime is the 10th book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. I have read this series from the beginning. Gemma Doyle is the main character who has moved to West London, MA to help her great-uncle, Arthur Doyle run his store, Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and is now part owner. She is also part owner of Mrs. Hudson's Tea Room with her best friend, Jayne Wilson. Most of the book takes place in London, England, Gemma is there for her sister Phillipa (Pippa) wedding to Grant Thompson who is a dealer of rare books. Pippa holds a high position with the goverment and does not discuss what she does. Gemma is staying with Ryan at her parent's home Stanhope Gardens in South Kensington which her mother inherited from her parents. Her mother, Anne is a barrister and her father, Henry Doyle is a retired detective chief superintendent with the Metropolitan police department. Also staying with them are Jayne and her fiance, Andy Whitehall and Donald Morris who had been a lawyer but gave it up to devote his life to study Sherlock Holmes. He even dresses like him. After the wedding her father, Ryan and Andy were going on a planned fishing trip.

The wedding receception is at a hotel and Anne's second cousin, Alistair Denhaugh, the 8th Earl of Ramshaw is also at the wedding with his wife, Also at the wedding reception is Grant's parents,Genevieve and his son, Lawrence. After the dinner, etc. Gemma decides that she is tired and leaves the wedding early. While in the lobby of the hotel she runs into her ex-husband, Paul Erikson who runs the bookstore that he and Gemma had when they were married and bought her out when they divorced. He tells her that he has a book that he wants to show her and she agrees to meet him the next day to see it.

The next day Gemma goes to the bookstore with Grant and Donald to see the book. The store has seen better days. They go into the store and speaks to his two emloyees, Faye Forgate and Tamera O'Riordan saying Paul is expecting them. They go back to the office to speak to Paul and find him dead. The police are called. DI Jasmine Patel, who Gemma knows from when her father was accused of murder, and her partner, detective Sam Morrison. They are kept there most of the day and when finished with their interviews they decide to directly to Grant's and Pippa's apartment for the dinner with the family. She tells them about Paul's death and Ryan finds out for the first time that Gemma has been married before. The men decide to continue with the fishing trip. Ryan is concerned as he knows Gemma will look into Paul's death with Jayne which she do
This is where the book takes off but is too much to put on paper, I will leave this to the reader to enjoy with all the suspense, and a little espionage to the exciting ending with some slapstick incidents that make you laugh.

I enjoy this series and look forward to the next adventure of Gemma and her friends.

Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.

Thank you Vicki Delany ( @vicki.delany ), Crooked Lane Books ( @crookedlanebooks ), and NetGalley ( @netgalley ) for allowing me to read The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime early (comes out January 14, 2025).

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime is the latest installment in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series.

Bookstore proprietor, Gemma Doyle is back. This time she and her friends have crossed the pond again to attend the wedding of their friend, Grant, to Gemma’s sister, Pippa, in London.

While there, Gemma has a run in with her ex-husband, who she later finds dead! To help offer some closure on that part of her life, Gemma decides she is going to find his murderer, which is easier said than done.

This is a great addition to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery series. I love Gemma’s attention to detail.

#TheIncidentoftheBookintheNighttime #NetGalley #VickiDelany #CrookedLaneBooks

While I love London, I prefer the books in this series set in West London, MA. When she is around her family, Gemma just seems even more obnoxious than usual. I like the mystery and the other characters, but I really dislike Gemma. She is a difficult character to support. She needs to meet her Moriarty soon.

#TheIncidentoftheBookintheNighttime #NetGalley grabbed my attention from the beginning and kept me reading until that last page.
Gemma and her family are in London for her sister's wedding, and even a hop across the pond can't stop her from getting involved in a murder investigation.
There were so many twists and turns that kept me guessing and this book proved to be a winner from the beginning.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy of this book.

Another great book. Gemma is always just an interesting character to read about and Vicki does such a great job bringing her audience in

I really enjoy the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries, but this is not one of Vicki Delany's best. The plot seemed to have a hard time connecting and seemed to drag on into nothingness until the last 50 pages or so. The killer, when revealed, seems to have very little motivation for the actual killing and the solving of the crime relies on tenuous connections. All in all, I prefer the books in the series set in Gemma's hometown of West London much more than those set in her original home of London, but I will still plan to add this to my collection.

On a positive note, the group of Gemma's West London friends were at their best and most hilarious, and I really enjoyed reading about their loyalty and love for one another. Overall, I enjoyed being back in Gemma's crime-solving world, but hope to see the next book back in West London where Gemma is more in her element.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this copy!

**Review of "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime" by Vicki Delany**

Rating: 3.5/5

Vicki Delany returns with another intriguing installment in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime". Set against the backdrop of London and Yorkshire, this cozy mystery captivates with its blend of literary intrigue and amateur sleuthing.

Bookshop owner Gemma Doyle finds herself embroiled in a murder mystery while attending her sister Pippa’s wedding in London. When her ex-husband Paul Erikson is discovered dead in his office at Trafalgar Fine Books, Gemma is drawn into a complex web of secrets, rare books, and old debts. Determined to uncover the truth and find justice for Paul, Gemma teams up with her best friend Jayne Wilson to navigate through Paul’s tangled past.

Delany excels in creating a richly detailed setting, from the bustling streets of London to the serene landscapes of Yorkshire. The author’s love for books and literature shines through, especially in the descriptions of rare bookshops and literary references peppered throughout the narrative. Fans of Sherlock Holmes will appreciate the homage to the iconic detective, woven seamlessly into the plot.

Gemma Doyle is a compelling protagonist, balancing her love for books with her sharp intellect as she unravels clues and interrogates suspects. Her relationship with Jayne Wilson adds a layer of warmth and humor to the story, offering moments of levity amidst the tension of solving a murder.

The mystery itself is well-crafted, with twists and turns that keep readers guessing until the final reveal. Delany skillfully intertwines the personal lives of the characters with the investigation, exploring themes of loyalty, betrayal, and second chances.

However, some readers might find the pacing a tad slow in parts, particularly during the investigative phases. Additionally, while Gemma’s dedication to uncovering the truth is admirable, certain plot developments may feel somewhat predictable for seasoned mystery enthusiasts.

Overall, "The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime" is a satisfying addition to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series, offering a cozy and engaging read filled with literary charm, intriguing characters, and a compelling mystery at its core.