The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime

Sherlock Holmes Mystery #10

By Vicki Delany

ISBN 9781639109272

vickidelany.com

Brought to you by OBS Reviewer Jeanie

Synopsis:

Gemma Doyle and her friends have packed their bags and headed to London for her sister Pippa’s wedding. Waiting for her in the hotel lobby is none other than Gemma’s ex-husband, Paul Erikson. Paul has a rare book he wants her to see–calling it “the real deal”–so Gemma agrees to meet him at their old shop, Trafalgar Fine Books, the following day. But when Gemma arrives, accompanied by Grant, a rare book dealer, they find Paul dead in his office.

Paul had been down on his luck, but Gemma never expected this. Had he borrowed money from people he shouldn’t have? And where is the valuable book he was so anxious for Gemma to see? It’s nowhere to be found in the shop. Because of their previous relationship, Gemma feels she owes something to Paul and vows to find his killer.

As Gemma and her best friend Jayne Wilson follow Paul’s trail of friends, enemies, clients, and ex-lovers through London to Yorkshire, she realizes the puzzle of Paul’s last days is more twisted than she originally thought.  

This mystery is anything but elementary, and Gemma and Jayne have to use all their wit to get to the bottom of it before their time in London–or in life–is over. (From Goodreads)

Review:  

This exciting mystery takes Gemma and her American friends adventuring throughout London! Gemma and her West London, Massachusetts friends, Jayne and Donald have returned with her to attend her sister Pippa’s wedding, visit her parents, and play tourist. Gemma grew up in London, moving to America when her Uncle Arthur opened the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, then wanted her expertise to run the shop. They are partners in the thriving bookshop and in Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Shop, which they co-own with Gemma’s best friend Jayne, who manages it with excellence. Ryan, Gemma’s boyfriend, and Andy, Jayne’s fiancé have joined them.

Gemma is an enigma who sees the world differently. When the series began, I found her hard to like or even find mutual commonalities. I enjoyed the mysteries and other characters, then Gemma demanded my attention so much that I began to understand and like her. Her brilliance, pragmatism, and finely-honed skills of observation bring to light what even police detectives miss. Gemma genuinely cares about others, and uses unconventional means to find the bad guy.

Pippa’s and Grant’s wedding ceremony was brief with the reception held at an elegant hotel restaurant in central London. Gemma was leaving the reception early until her ex-husband called her name. She had not seen Paul in several years, and preferred to keep it that way.

While married, they bought a bookshop and Gemma did most of the work. When his affair with one of their clerks resulted in their divorce, she sold Paul her half of the shop. She since heard it wasn’t doing well and that he was in serious financial trouble.

Paul claimed he heard about Pippa’s wedding, and waited at the hotel to see her. He said he still loved her. He also wanted to talk with her and show her a book that might be the “real deal”. He wanted a ballpark estimate despite her lack of knowledge of collectible books. Finally, she agreed to meet him at the bookshop the next day.

Gemma invited Grant, her new brother-in-law and rare books dealer to join her at the bookshop. His beautiful, workaholic bride was working at her mysterious government position. Donald, a proper Sherlockian, joined them in hopes of finding a gem in the used book area. When Gemma and her friends went to Paul’s office, he was somewhat seated at his desk, head thrown back, and strangulation marks around his neck.

Detective Inspector Patel was not happy to see them. Gemma and her friends had been to London some time ago for a Sherlock Holmes convention, and a murder was committed. Gemma’s father, a retired Detective Chief Inspector, was accused of the murder by the detective Patel worked for. Gemma determined to get him off the hook, and did. Gemma, then Donald, reintroduced themselves to DI Patel. Gemma wanted to make sure Paul’s killer was apprehended, and was planning who to converse with for answers.

The characters are a big part of why I enjoy this series! They are described beautifully through their realistic conversations and behaviors. I was delighted when Pippa married Grant. She and Gemma get along much better than in the past, especially since Grant and Pippa met through Gemma. Pippa has a highly classified government position, yet claims to be an admin assistant.

Donald, knowledgeable of most things Sherlock, has a Sherlockian-track mind. He dresses as the Great Detective did, and his eccentricity makes him the comic relief of many scenes. His friends love him for who he is, a good-hearted, gentlemanly, former attorney who now pursues his passion and always wants to help protect Gemma when she looks into murders.

I don’t think anyone could write this series better than Vicki Delaney, so cleverly designed are these challenging mysteries! At first, there were few suspects. Gemma and her friends first considered debt collectors attached to the stacks of unpaid bills. They considered several possible suspects, but neither they, nor I, had definite thoughts of who really killed Paul and why. The killer thought themselves to be clever, but Gemma had a mind that rarely stopped chewing on a case. I enjoyed this cozy mystery very much, and am very pleased with the resolution. I highly recommend this novel and the rest of the series.