The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime

Book Summary

Bookshop owner Gemma Doyle heads to London for a wedding, but when a body is found in connection with a rare book, Gemma sets out to sleuth the slaying in bestselling author Vicki Delany's tenth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mystery.

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.

Kensington Row Houses

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.

My Thoughts

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime by Vicki Delany has Gemma Doyle and her friends in London for Pippa’s wedding.  Naturally, a murder occurs, and the victim is none other than Gemma’s ex-husband.  Gemma, Jayne, and Pippa set out to learn what Paul became involved in that got him killed.  I love the characters in this series.  They are an amusing bunch except Pippa who is more serious (and has excellent connections). I enjoyed the descriptions of London and the various places that the group visited.  It was obvious that the author enjoyed writing these sections and I liked reading them.  

The whodunit is one that can be solved not long after DI Patel (she received a promotion) arrives at the dusty bookshop.  The reason for the guilty party committing the murder is weak.  This was a satisfactory story, but it is not my favorite installment in the series.  The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime is the tenth A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery.  It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series.  We get a teaser at the end of what is going to occur in the next book.  The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime transports readers to London with a delightful wedding, an incommodious ex-husband, a grubby bookshop, curious clues, a bar brawl, a troublesome tail, and distressing news from West London.

The Incident of the Book in the Nighttime is available from Amazon as well as other booksellers (such as Barnes & Noble, BAM, Kobo).  You can find the other books in A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mysteries here.  You should check out Vicki Delany's other cozy mysteries.  Vicki Delany has Tea with Jam and Dread coming out July 29. It is sixth A Tea by the Sea Mystery.  Thank you for stopping by today (I really do appreciate it).  I will return on Tuesday, January 21, when I am a stop on the Celebrate Lit Tour for A Year of Flowers by Suzanne Woods Fisher.  I hope that you have a contented day. It is in the 50s today in Florida (too cold).  I am going to lounge on the couch, so I can huddle under my electric blanket and read a book (or two).  Take care, stay warm, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*I voluntarily read an advanced copy of this book.  I am not required to leave a review.  The comments and opinions expressed are strictly my own.