There's a Murder Afoot by Vicki Delany

"There's a Murder Afoot" by Vicki Delany is the delightful fifth installment in a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery series. Main character Gemma Doyle runs a Sherlock Holmes-themed bookshop. Like the great detective, Gemma is also incredibly observant and detail-oriented, which makes her quite competent at investigating when her estranged uncle is found dead at a Sherlock-themed event, and her father is accused of the murder. This book is extra-enjoyable because Gemma and her friends are in London this time around to attend a Sherlock Holmes conference at which Gemma is scheduled to speak. As a result, we finally get to meet Gemma's family....her parents, plus sister Pippa. I've loved the character of Gemma since Book 1, but getting to know more about her family and earlier home life brings added dimension to her character. I feel like I now have a better understanding of her, and an even greater appreciation! The author obviously either knows London well, or has done considerable research. The locations, customs, and people are all rendered beautifully, and I felt like I was actually there with the characters. As always, the mystery itself was well thought-out, with plenty of clues (and red herrings) for the reader to follow. The pacing was just right, and I LOVE the way Gemma pro-actively and rationally investigates, instead of just waiting for clues to fall into the lap. This time around, she had some subtle help from Pippa, which raised as many questions as it answered, and was a great deal of fun. As a Sherlock fan myself, I enjoyed the references to the great detective, and loved reading about the various events, vendors, and merchandise at the conference. It's always a treat to spend time with Gemma & Company, and I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series, when everyone is back at home. I just hope the bookstore is still standing by the time Gemma returns!