by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of Body on Baker Street. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson own the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium on Baker Street. Gemma takes care of the bookshop; Jayne runs Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room in the adjoining space. Gemma is one of those people who notices every little detail and can sometimes be annoying about it without understanding why. Jayne is a good contrast for her as well as being a great baker.

One phone call changes things. Renalta Van Markoff, popular author of Holmes books that take a different slant on Holmes’ life, wants to do a book signing—on Saturday, two days away. Gemma has reservations but agrees, and the event takes off like a runaway train.

Sherlock fans have definite ideas of how he lived and worked, as well as those who were around him—his sidekick and foil, Watson and his landlady, Mrs. Hudson. In Renalta’s books, Mrs. Hudson and Sherlock Holmes were lovers. Romance readers love the idea while hardcore Sherlockians are outraged.

Emergency orders for more books are sent, extra food for the tea shop is prepared, a hundred chairs rented, signage posted, every detail thought out. The event is going to be the talk of the town.

Renalta has few demands. Four bottles of water, two at the podium, two at the signing table. Her bullied assistant, publisher, and publicist are all on hand. Gushing fans, including one who verges on stalker, and an outspoken Sherlockian are among the crowd.

During the signing, Renalta falls ill, so ill, she’s later pronounced dead. Is it natural causes or cause for alarm? It’s flat out murder. Donald, the outspoken traditional fan of Holmes, is a suspect since he made some ill-considered comments about stopping Renalta’s blasphemy on a permanent basis. He asks for Gemma’s help to keep him out of jail. Always ready to solve a puzzle, Gemma is on the case. The game is afoot!

The bookshop would delight any Holmes fan. The tea room offers tiny sandwiches, pastries, and more. Be prepared to get hungry just reading about it. Gemma is an ever-so-logical person, surrounded by normal people, with puzzlement on both sides. Their story is an enjoyable read, Holmes fan or not.

This is the second book in the series; Elementary, She Read is the first. It’s not necessary to read them in order, but it is enjoyable. Delany also writes the Year Round Christmas mysteries (2), Constable Molly Smith books (8), Klondike Gold Rush series (4), and as Eva Gates, the Lighthouse Library books (3).

To enter to win a copy of Body on Baker Street, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “baker,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 18, 2017. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & short stories in our mystery section.

Use this link to purchase the book & a portion goes to help support KRL & indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Body on Baker Street: A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery

You can also use this link to purchase the book on Amazon. If you have ad blocker on you may not see the link:
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Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She writes about eco-friendly topics, pets and wildlife for magazines and reviews mysteries and thrillers for KRL. A collection of her short stories, published by Untreed Reads, From Hay to Eternity: Ten Tales of Crime and Deception can be found at all the usual outlets. Each one is a little weird and all have a twist you won’t see coming.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases using those links. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.