A CURIOUS INCIDENT is the sixth book in the Sherlock Bookshop Mysteries by Vicki Delany, and with this newest addition, confirms why this series is one of my favorites! Protagonist Gemma Doyle, may at times, be an abrupt quirky character and can be a bit off-putting to some. From my viewpoint though, I’ve found her to be a refreshing change from the typical amateur sleuth in cozy mysteries. And with the Sherlock Bookshop that she co-owns with her uncle, her personality fits into the character of the great detective himself: hyper-observant, methodical analyzation of facts, and no hesitation in offering opinions. That said, in this newest book, the author has expanded Gemma’s personality and shown a softer, more caring side via her interaction with 10-year-old Lauren. Plus there’s a greater interjection of humor throughout the storyline. British Gemma’s misuse of American words had me laughing several times and overall the book has a cheerful feel, despite the murder.
The story starts out with Lauren deciding she has to hire Gemma to find her cat, no matter that Gemma says she can’t do it. But Gemma’s dog, Violet, comes to the rescue and solves the case. Shortly thereafter, Lauren is back and hires Gemma to prove her mom’s innocence in a murder she’s been accused of committing. From there the reader is taken on an engaging page turner as Gemma struggles to do what’s best for Lauren and keep her detective boyfriend from getting angry over her investigations. Not only does Ms. Delany write a strong character-driven story, her well-plotted mystery is solid. With some twists and turns I didn’t see coming and plenty of suspects unearthed to keep me guessing, I was entertained with each turn of the page. I didn’t want to put it down even though I wanted to slowly savor the read since I’ll have to impatiently wait another year before the next book releases.
While there aren’t any recipes in the book, Gemma’s best friend and co-owner of Mrs. Hudson’s Teashop attached to the bookshop, Jayne, creates all sorts of delectable eats. Jayne is shocked that Lauren has never baked anything with her mother and is determined to rectify that. Jayne says she learned to make Oatmeal Cookies day one in cooking school and is sharing the Delany family favorite oatmeal cookie which couldn’t be easier! With the addition of molasses and cranberries to give the cookies an added depth of flavor and texture, these just might become my family’s newest favorite too. Thanks to Vicki for creating another yummy recipe to add to my collection and letting me share!
Amazon Synopsis
“I am not a Consulting Detective,” Gemma Doyle reluctantly tells 10-year-old Lauren Tierney, when the little girl comes to the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium to beg Gemma to find her missing cat, Snowball. Gemma might not be able to follow the clues to find the cat, but her dog Violet follows her nose to locate the missing kitten in a neighbor’s garden shed. Gemma and Violet proudly return Snowball to her grateful owner, and Gemma basks in praise for a job well done. But a few days later Lauren is back with ten dollars in hand, wanting to once again hire a consulting detective, and this time for a far bigger job: Her mother has been accused of murdering her garden club rival.
Sheila Tierney’s garden, which everyone said was the one to beat for the West London Garden Club trophy, had been vandalized the night before the club’s early summer tour. Sheila confronted her former friend and gardening partner Anna Wentworth in a towering rage, and the women nearly came to blows. Later that night, after having won the trophy for best garden, Anna is found murdered and Sheila Tierney is the police’s prime suspect. Despite herself, and despite the disapproval of her police detective boyfriend Ryan Ashburton, the game is once again afoot, and Gemma finds herself and Jayne Wilson using their powers of deduction to ponder yet another curious incident.
A special thanks to Vicki Delany for providing a winner with a print copy of A CURIOUS INCIDENT. Contest ends Wednesday, January 20, 2021 at 11:59 pm PST and is limited to U.S. and Canadian residents. Please use the Rafflecopter box located below to enter. The winner will be announced on this page and on Cinnamon & Sugar’s Facebook page, as well as notified by email (so check your spam folder!)
In A Curious Incident, the sixth Sherlock Holmes Bookshop book, Gemma Doyle and Jayne Wilson take an eleven year old girl under their wing. Jayne is shocked to find out that the girl has never baked with either of her parents. Jayne is determined to rectify that, and as she says, she learned to make Oatmeal Cookies day one in cooking school. This is the Delany family favourite oatmeal cookie. It couldn’t be easier!
- 1 cup butter softened
- 1 cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 teaspoons vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons cinnamon
- 1-3/4 teaspoons baking soda
- 2 cups rolled oats
- 2/3 cup dried cranberries
- 2/3 cup chopped walnuts
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees (F).
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Mix all ingredients in order given.
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Drop by teaspoon on a greased (or parchment-lined) cookie sheet.
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Bake for 10 – 12 minutes. Cool on a wire rack.
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I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Congrats on the new book release! I really enjoy this series. I’ve never been to a garden club event but I have been to botanical gardens. And my Dad and Grandma both had amazing gardens.
Living in a small town, I’ve not had the opportunity to tour any garden club events. However, my BFF works for the Missouri Botanical Gardens in St. Louis and I’ve had the privilege to tour it many times. Gorgeous!
Can’t wait to try the Molasses Oatmeal Cookies recipe. Makes my mouth water just thinking about combining molasses in an oatmeal cookie.
There aren’t garden clubs around here but I like to garden myself. It’s always fun picking out seeds and plants for the year.
I really enjoy this series. Excited to read the latest.
I have not toured any garden club events. Always thought it would be fun to do so, though! Besides reading, gardening is one of my passions. Oatmeal cookies are my FAVORITE cookie!! I will have to try this recipe…never made them with molasses. Sounds delicious! And the Sherlock mystery series is one of my favorite cozy series! Love Gemma 🙂 Thanks for the chance to win!
I have never attended garden event but it sounds like fun!
I used to be in a garden club and participated in several garden shows and enjoyed it very much. Once, I was able to accompany the judges and take notes of their comments on participant’s entries, and it was so interesting and informative. I learned so much from this experience, and I especially liked that they started all of their critiques with something positive and only used constructive criticism ~
I have never been to a garden club event and I’m not very good at growing things in general. I am good at reading and would love to read this book!
No, I have not. But it would be fun.
No I have not. i know the work that goes into these types of gardens. I have watched my mom and her friends for years with their flower gardens. We have visited the Botanical Gardens many times and have just loved taking our time admiring their work. One huge section is just for citizens who want to come and plant and upkeep. I love the peace places like these exude. We have learned many things about gardening from them that we use in our own garden.
I have never toured a garden club.
I live in a small rural town so no garden club but we do have a perennial swap which is fun ! I can’t wait to make these cookies Thank you.
Those cookies look and sound amazing. Definitely going to try them. Thanks for the opportunity!
I’ve never attended a garden club event. Thanks so much for this giveaway and congratulations on the new release!
No, I haven’t but have visited various “gardens” in the area. Cookies sound so good!
Not that I really remember but my Mom was an amazing gardener (maybe why I’m not–too much weeding as punishment as a child) and I vaguely remember going to shows with her when I was young
I love the recipe and the book
I’ve never been to a garden club.
Oh yes when living 20 miles south of Sf, Ca we used to go on tours all the time and the best one was the one at the fair grounds when the fair wasn’t going on the orchid club and the rose club had the best showings then when the fair was going on landscapers were able to show off what they could do with a med area and they really rocked it ! Loved going to them here in Iowa I haven’t been to any and that is one of the things i miss going to.
I’ve never did a garden tour, maybe some day. Thanks for your great generosity.
No I have never toured any Garden Club events. Thanks for the chance.
No garden club events, but I have been on some house tours.
I’ve never been to a garden club event.
No, I have never toured a garden club event. Thank you for the recipe, and this chance!
No, so far I have never toured any garden club events.
I have toured public gardens, but not any garden club events.
Yes, I have.
Yes, I have been to a couple of book club events.
I have not. Thanks for the chance.
I have never been to a garden party but it sounds like fun!
I never toured any garden club events. Thank you for a chance to win a print copy of A Curious Incident.
No, I have not.
no i have never done any garden party events.
I wish but we do not have anything Of this nature around me. Maybe one day!
I have never attended a garden club event.
I have never attended a garden club event, but I have toured some beautiful gardens when traveling!
I have not toured any garden club events. There are none where I live.
I have not, but I would love to attend a tea in a garden. And, consider sending some of those cookies to us!
I haven’t toured any garden club events as of right now, but I do plan on to when it gets warmer outside.
I have toured gardens but not a garden club. One of my favorites is in Chicago with the trains running through it.
i have not, but it sounds fun!!
No but I would like to!
I haven’t there aren’t any around here. I’d like to. Your recipe sounds delicious.
Unfortunately no… but I’d love to.. given the chance!
No
I e never been involved in a garden club. But one of my best friends is in one. She loves it!
Your book sounds very good! Thank you for the giveaway!!!
I enjoyed garden club events but sadly as I’ve aged my allergies have made going nearly impossible.
No, never had the chance to visit a garden club event.
Never been to a garden club event but would like to visit one.
Those look so good!
those cookies look good.
I’ve toured numerous public gardens but haven’t attended a garden club event per se. legallyblonde1961@yahoo.com
Not yet but I plan on it
I have not been a part of a garden club. I do try to plant (and keep alive) a small garden.
What fun- garden club and cookies. My gran lived next door to me and was a fabulous gardner, prized roses and vegetables. I love my flowers but have trouble since we moved down South. This book sounds delicious. Recipe on my list to do. Thanks so much 🙂
Blessings for much success
Gkathgoldin@yahoo.com
No, I have never toured any garden club events, but I would love to. The book sounds delightful and I would love to read it. Oatmeal cookies are one of my favorites. Thank you for the giveaway chance.
This book sounds like so much fun. I’m interested to read from this series. I have NOT attended a garden club event!
I have never toured Ny garden club events but think it would be something I would love to do someday. Thank you for the chance.
lilyanngill56(at)gmail(dot)com
. I have toured several garden club events, teas, flower shows, always fun & interesting. Thanks for the recipe!! Yum, yum! I love oatmeal raisin/ cranberry cookies.
I haven’t toured any garden club events but I’ve enjoyed visiting botanical gardens in many different cities. It’s wonderful to see the variety from city to city and country to country.
Congratulations to Leslie!