There's a Murder Afoot is a wonderful cozy mystery and I enjoyed every minute spent in reading it. While I've read Vicki Delany before, I'm new to this series and eager to begin on previous books. The story is very well written, creatively plotted, and populated with endearing characters.

So many elements propel this story â sights and sounds of London, sightseeing, a polite tea custom where cookies are called biscuits, art galleries and masterpieces of old, and a world of Sherlock Holmes fans. London scenery is vividly conveyed and I loved the Sherlock Holmes convention and all that it entailed â costumes, artwork, souvenirs, etc.

The series regulars are delightful ⦠Gemma, owner of a Cape Cod bookstore; Jayne, her close friend; Ryan, her boyfriend; Grant, a rare book collector; and Donald, fascinated by all things Sherlock. This story, however, takes them to London in a plot revolving around a Sherlock Holmes convention. Gemma's sister, Pippa, is introduced and I found her intriguing â very businesslike, somewhat mysterious as to her job, no real friends. And who exactly does she work for? Possibly the Queen or some highly-placed individual?

There's some delightful humor quietly placed here and there. For instance, if Gemma wanted to enjoy her trip, she probably shouldn't have left Arthur in charge of her shop in West London, Cape Cod.

Another interesting element is that the villain and murder victim just happens to be Gemma's newly-discovered uncle, with a background of art forgery that opens things up to several suspects. The mystery is well crafted and I loved that we don't see one attack after another on Gemma as she prods around seeking to prove her father innocent. As for Ryan, Gemma's police detective boyfriend, I'm not quite sure what I think of him. He seems to care for Gemma, but doesn't want her investigating. While that's probably natural, I'd like for him to be more supportive of Gemma.

There's a Murder Afoot is a wonderful cozy mystery and I'm thrilled to have discovered this series. It's also a clean read â no sexual scenes or profanity.

Highly recommended to cozy mystery fans.

I received a copy of this book through the Review Crew. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

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There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany may be the fifth installment in A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery, but it can be read on its own. The author includes the necessary background a new reader needs. This is my favorite book in the series. I found it to be well-written and it moved along at a steady clip. I enjoyed the author's descriptions of London, the conference and especially the beautiful costumes worn by some of the attendees including Donald. Donald was in seventh heaven with all the Sherlock Holmes people he could talk to and the various places for him to visit including the Sherlock Holmes Museum. Gemma is enjoying spending time with her parent's and being back in London. She just did not count on getting involved in a murder investigation (she really should have anticipated this turn of events). I like the humor injected into the story. The lengths they went to keep her friends occupied while she is out investigating and then there were Arthur's antics at the bookstore. Gemma should have known things would not go smoothly with Arthur. The mystery was thought out with several suspects and good clues. I found it interesting and enjoyed following the investigation. The police in Scotland Yard did not appreciate Gemma's interference any more than those back home in West London, Massachusetts. But Gemma had Pippa on her side. Pippa's may say she is a clerk, but her job is complex, mysterious and suits her intellect (would have suited Gemma as well). I like how the mystery played out and the resolution. I like Gemma's attention to detail and how it plays into the solving of the mystery. While I was not surprised by the guilty party (or who was murdered), I was entertained which is the purpose of this delightful tale. I look forward to the next A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. My one wish is for West London to get a different detective who appreciates Gemma's insights. There's a Murder Afoot is a diverting cozy mystery with a black sheep sibling, a discriminatory detective, surplus of Sherlock, a vexing uncle, a sister's secretive situation, and a parent's puzzling predicament.

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Author Vicki Delany has created a delightful mystery to solve and the perfect way to meet Gemma Doyle's family in There's a Murder Afoot. The mystery kept me guessing while I was enjoying all the humor. Once Gemma gets the quiet go-ahead to investigate and prove her father's innocence, it's so much fun to watch her try to keep all her travel companions occupied and entertained. Then there are the check-ins from the bookshop. Let me just say that Gemma may never leave Cape Cod again. And while we're (sort of) on that subject, I loved the Doyles' dog, Horace, and I'm still saying Moriarty the cat needs to get the boot.

Yes, this is a book (and a series) where readers can have strong feelings about a cat. And a bookshop. And a tea room. And the characters. I hope Vicki Delany has half as much fun writing this series as I have in reading it-- and I hope there are many more mysteries to come for Gemma to solve. This series is so much fun!

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