Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Books In Order

Publication Order of Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Books

Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series

The Canadian author Vicki Delany is extremely well regarded due to her ability for crafting well plotted mystery alongside well developed characters. Both entertaining and compelling in equal measure, she really knows and understands how to immediately grab the attention of her audience. Largely focusing on cozy mysteries, she understands exactly what it is that her audience are looking for when it comes to her books. This goes some way towards explaining how she has become so successful over the year, attracting readers from all around the world. It’s also her many mystery series that keep the readers coming back for more time and time again, with several well known recurring characters.

One particular series that she’s well known for is that of her ‘Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery’ series of novels. Set in Arizona, they follow the character of Gemma Doyle and her friend Jayne Wilson as they solve mysteries in and around the Sherlock Holmes focused bookshop they manage. Featuring a new mystery with each title, they usually go about solving a murder in the local community, finding the real culprit behind the crime.

Elementary, She Read

Initially published through the ‘Crooked Lane Books’ publishing label, this would first come out on the 14th of March in 2017. Setting up the franchise, this would be the first book in the ‘Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery’ series, introducing the characters for the first time. There would also be a self-contained mystery, as it would tell its own story, along with establishing the series to follow.

One of the main things that really stands out here is the ability that Delany has when it comes to crafting fully fleshed out characters. Coming across as extremely easy to relate to, she definitely gives them a three-dimensional personality that feels wholly real. The setting is well established too, as it almost becomes a character in its own right, allowing the reader to fully inhabit it.

Moving from England to Massachusetts, Gemma Doyle is now living in West London on Cape Cod, whereby she manages the ‘Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium’ of her Great Uncle Arthur. The shop itself, which is at 222 Baker Street, specializes in everything to do with the classic fictional detective Sherlock Holmes, with all his canon and everything surrounding the name. That’s when Gemma discovers a rare book hidden within the bookshop, as she finds a magazine containing the very first Sherlock Holmes short-story. Then her and her friend Jayne discover a dead body, and they realize there’s more to this case than first meets the eye, as Gemma sets about clearing her name. Will she be able to find the real killer in time though? Can she hope to clear her name and prove her innocence? What will become of the elementary, she read?

Body on Baker Street

First brought out on the 12th of September in 2017, this was once again published through the ‘Crooked Lane Books’ imprint. Following on from the previous novel, it would provide the next ‘Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery,’ this being the second book in the series. It would also pave the way for the following books, while being a stand-alone story that can be read out of order potentially.

With excellent plotting throughout, Delany excels once more, combining strong well written characters with a carefully crafted narrative. This carries the reader along at a brisk pace, making sure that they have fun along the way, really making the most of its premise throughout. Bringing her mysteries to life on numerous occasion, Delany continues to grab the attention of her ever loyal audience.

Working together now, Gemma Doyle is managing the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium alongside her friend Jayne Wilson. Hosting a signing at their bookshop, the famed author Renalta Van Markoff is arriving, and she’s written the ‘Hudson and Holmes’ series which is causing controversy in the Sherlock Holmes community. Turning up at the signing, the well known Sherlockian Donald Morris shouts at her for supposedly disgracing a legacy, and she answers back embarrassing him, only to then drop dead. Looking to clear his name, Gemma and Jayne set about diving into the past of the author, getting to the truth of what happened and why she was really killed. Can they find the killer and clear Donald’s name? What was their motivation? Just who is behind the body on Baker Street?

The Cat of the Baskerville’s

This was the third book in the ‘Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery’ series, and it would provide another cozy mystery set in the same world. Brought out in 2018 on the 13th of February, it would again come out through ‘Crooked Lane Books’ just as with the others. It would also make way for the fourth book, which was titled ‘A Scandal in Scarlet’ and was brought out 2018 as well.

The mystery itself is fairly straightforward, although there plenty of twists and turns making for several surprises. What really stands out is the characters themselves, as they’re continually evolving, and the reader really feels like they get to know them. This is something that Delany really excels at, building on the arcs and friendships that came before, taking them forwards.

There’s a stage production of ‘The Hound of the Baskerville’s’ set to be taking place in Cape Cod, and Gemma Doyle is excited to be participating, along with her friend Jayne Wilson. Organizing a fundraising tea, Jayne Wilson’s mother Leslie is a part of the proceedings, but later the lead actor playing Sherlock, Sir Nigel Bellingham, is found dead at the bottom of the cliff. Everyone seems to have a motive for murdering him, but that’s when a shred of Leslie’s apron is discovered nearby the victim’s body torn on a bush. Looking to clear her name Gemma and Jayne work together once more, looking into who the real killer could have been. Can they really find them in time though? Is there too many suspects? Just who was the cat of the Baskerville’s?

The Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery Series

As cozy mystery series go, this is definitely one of the better ones, as it contains a number of recurring characters who become a welcome sight with each release. Making for an intriguing collection of mysteries, they really manage to draw the reader in and hold them there. With more and more readers discovering the series every day too, it’s going to continue to grow, as it has the potential to carry on indefinitely.