Once the summer tourist hordes leave Cape Cod, I look forward to a chance to slow down, take a breath and take stock. And to restock the shelves of my shop, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium. I love having the time to read some of the marvellous (and sometimes not so marvellous) Sherlock pastiche novels, new works of non-fiction, and gaslight mysteries I don’t have the time to get to when we’re so busy.

But before I can do all that, this weekend my business partner, Jayne Wilson, and I are doing something a bit different. We’ve been invited to an event at Suffolk House Gardens, a replica of a grand 18th century English county house located just outside of West London.

Almost no one from West London has ever been on the grounds of the house never mind inside the house itself. The owners are outsiders who used it for a vacation property. They never so much as shopped at the grocery store in West London so the family is not exactly popular in the community. Not that they cared, as no one ever saw them. They guarded their privacy so much, even the garden club couldn’t get admittance to see the (supposedly) fabulous formal English gardens.

The owner died a short while ago, and the house is now up for sale. In the meantime it’s being rented out for short-term stays. They’re still not allowing anyone in who can’t afford the exorbitant rent or the cost of the house itself, so interest is high.

Prominent Sherlockian and wealthy philanthropist David Masterson has rented the house for a week and he plans to entertain his guests to a traditional county house weekend. Instead of riding to the hounds or engaging in shooting party, they’ll be discussing the life and times of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (no relation), debating the details of the Holmes Canon, playing brain puzzle games, watching movies. And eating. Lots and lots of eating. That’s where Jayne comes in. She’ll be catering and cooking. My role is to help with the lively spirited discussion and provide all the decorations and props. And wait table as assigned. We managed, although I still don’t quite know how, to talk Ryan Ashburton, West London’s lead detective, to come along and spend the weekend as a scullery maid. (He does look awfully cute in the pink frilly apron from Mrs. Hudson’s.)

The guests are assembling, the games are laid out, the table is set, the drinks cart ready in the drawing room. I’m dressed in the 1920s era outfit I bought specially for tonight and thoroughly in the mood for a fabulous party.

After all. What can possibly go wrong in such a perfect setting?

A Three Book Problem, A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery #7
Genre: Cozy
Release: January 2022
Purchase Link

Gemma Doyle is back on the case in bestselling author Vicki Delany’s seventh Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery when a poisoned dart ends in demise.

It’s a crisp, early October weekend, and business is slowing down as fall descends at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and adjacent Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Wealthy philanthropist and prominent Sherlockian David Masterson has rented Suffolk Gardens House, where he plans to entertain his friends in a traditional English country house weekend.

As the chosen caterers, Jayne Wilson and Gemma Doyle get to work preparing lavish meals and setting up Sherlockian books and props for entertainment. Meanwhile, police detective Ryan Ashburton has taken time away from his duties to assist in the kitchen. It quickly becomes apparent that David’s guests don’t like each other–or their host. Plus, some of them aren’t even acquainted with the adventures of the Great Detective.

Before Gemma can ponder their relationships a poisoned dart sails through the window of the library, presenting Gemma Doyle with a three-book problem.

About the author
Vicki Delany is one of Canada’s most prolific and varied crime writers and a national bestseller in the U.S. She’s currently writing four cozy mystery series: the Tea By The Sea mysteries for Kensington, the Year Round Christmas mysteries for Penguin, the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop series and, as Eva Gates, the Lighthouse Library books for Crooked Lane.

Vicki is the 2019 recipient of the Derrick Murdoch award for contributions to Canadian crime writing.

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