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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
3.0
Gemma Doyle is surprised when she gets an unusual request from the board of the historical Scarlet House. Strange things have been happening at Scarlet House which is a historical site open to the public. Some people believe that Scarlet House is haunted and that a ghost is behind the mysterious incidents. Gemma agrees to spend the night at Scarlet House to see what she can uncover. Gemma does not see any ghosts, but she does stumble upon a dead body. The death looks like an accident, but Gemma suspects foul play. Gemma along with her bestie, Jayne begin asking questions and searching for clues. Gemma’s boyfriend, Detective Ryan Ashburton is displeased with her sleuthing. Can Gemma discover who is behind the incidents at Scarlet House and what happened to the victim? The Game is a Footnote by Vicki Delany is the eighth A Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery. It can be read as a standalone for those new to the series. I found The Game is a Footnote to be a slow starter as we are given the detailed history of Scarlet House in West London, Massachusetts. I normally enjoy each new addition to this series, but I could not get into The Game is a Footnote. The author gave detailed descriptions of people’s attire along with their hairstyles (do I really need to know what each person is wearing down to their socks). In one scene, Gemma notes what is on the nightstand in an individual’s bedroom. We are even told the title and author of the book along with the placement of the bookmark. Gemma is a smart woman who is quick to notice details. I found two scenes that were out of character. Jayne mentions to Gemma that spending the night at Scarlet House reminds her of childhood sleepovers and pajama parties. Gemma is clueless and needs an explanation (you cannot tell me she did not read about it in a book or see it in a movie). The other scene is regarding Moriarty and a lily plant. Gemma has no idea that a lily is poisonous to cats (would you let a cat chew on a plant). The mystery is straightforward. The whodunit can easily be solved. The why is a no brainer thanks to certain details being mentioned a few times. There is a subplot that did not fit. It distracts Gemma from the main mystery. I thought the person involved acted out of character. The romance between Gemma and Ryan baffles me. There does not seem to be any chemistry and he does not appreciate her problem-solving abilities. Gemma’s sister, Pippa comes to town for a visit. Pippa is one smart cookie. I like what she added to the story and the mystery. It made the whodunit more intriguing. The Game is a Footnote has a spooky mystery with a historic house, a bruhaha in the barn, shifting items, a displeased detective, an absent assistant, and a sleuthing shopkeeper.
29kelly29's review against another edition
lighthearted
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
ms_cmendonca's review against another edition
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
It was a fine book, but I found the main character very unlikable. She just came off as very pompous, like The author wanted you to think she was cool, but didn't really write anything to show us why she's cool. Furthermore, there was a lot of irrelevant details that kind of pulled us away from the mystery, and muddied up the clarity of the story.
kimlb's review against another edition
5.0
This was fabulous! As always, each title in this series has a very cleverly crafted mystery and very likable characters. I am always sad when I finish a book in the series and eagerly look forward to the next one.
kimdavishb's review against another edition
5.0
THE GAME IS A FOOTNOTE is the eighth book in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series by Vicki Delany. As usual, the author pens a captivating tale filled with memorable characters and well-plotted mysteries. The protagonist, Gemma Doyle, is clever and a focused amateur sleuth. Asked to look into the supposedly haunted manor house turned museum, she enlists the help of her best friend, Jayne, and Jayne’s fiancé. Ms. Delany’s descriptive voice and solid writing had me believing that a ghost could be inhabiting the museum as the evidence mounts. The spine-tingling scenes kept me on the edge of my seat. But Gemma wasn’t so easily convinced, especially when a dead body turns up. On top of the murder mystery, Gemma’s sister turns up for a mysterious visit and Gemma’s Sherlock Holmes Bookshop shop assistant vanishes. There are clues for the armchair detective to follow, but I find this series so entertaining that I prefer to sit back and enjoy the story as it unfolds. This newest release lived up to, and exceeded, my expectations. I can’t wait for the next book in this delightful series!
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I was provided with an advance copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
lprosch's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
deanapotter's review against another edition
4.0
The Game is a Footnote is a fun and entertaining cozy mystery with a stellar performance from narrator Kim Hicks.
Gemma and her best friend/business partner Jayne have been pulled into some rather unusual situations. The Game is a Footnote has Gemma and Jayne checking out what could be considered ghostly activities at a local historic reenactment museum. The mysterious disappearance and reappearance of objects is only the beginning to what begins a series of mysteries that come to follow. Mystery, murder, and mayhem are all a foot. The ever observant Shema has decided that there is no paranormal activity in play, but yet a person who thinks themselves clever, until Gemma puts the clues together.
I enjoy Vicky Delaney’s take on Sherlock style mysteries. The Game is a Footnote is my first forte into this series however, it is not my first read with Miss Delaney. She has a very unique style of writing. It engages the reader in a way that makes them want to race through the story to figure out what happened, but yet savor each and every page. I loved the back-and-forth banter with Gemma and her sister. I hope we see more of that in future books. I love how Gemma is observant and picks up on things that most people don’t. She is a natural at what she does, even if she gets herself into some pent up situation.
Gemma and her best friend/business partner Jayne have been pulled into some rather unusual situations. The Game is a Footnote has Gemma and Jayne checking out what could be considered ghostly activities at a local historic reenactment museum. The mysterious disappearance and reappearance of objects is only the beginning to what begins a series of mysteries that come to follow. Mystery, murder, and mayhem are all a foot. The ever observant Shema has decided that there is no paranormal activity in play, but yet a person who thinks themselves clever, until Gemma puts the clues together.
I enjoy Vicky Delaney’s take on Sherlock style mysteries. The Game is a Footnote is my first forte into this series however, it is not my first read with Miss Delaney. She has a very unique style of writing. It engages the reader in a way that makes them want to race through the story to figure out what happened, but yet savor each and every page. I loved the back-and-forth banter with Gemma and her sister. I hope we see more of that in future books. I love how Gemma is observant and picks up on things that most people don’t. She is a natural at what she does, even if she gets herself into some pent up situation.
booklovingmom_'s review against another edition
4.0
The Game is a Footnote is the eighth mystery in the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop Mystery series and Gemma Doyle, owner of a Sherlock Holmes themed bookshop and amateur sleuth, finds herself pulled into another murder investigation. With the help of her best friend Jayne, Gemma uses her observation skills to get to the bottom of the strange happenings at Scarlet House.
I have loved this series from the beginning and am always excited when I see a new mystery is being released. The Game is a Footnote starts out differently than the others in the series and pulls in the supernatural element that hasn’t been seen before. I found this to be a fun read, but it was a little different than the others in this series. This isn’t a bad thing, just not exactly when I expected when joining Gemma Doyle on her adventures. By the end of the book, I was starting to feel the normal vibes again and loved seeing how everything tied up. Overall this was a really enjoyable read with characters I love and a setting that I really want to visit! If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan who loves cozy mysteries, this is for you!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
I have loved this series from the beginning and am always excited when I see a new mystery is being released. The Game is a Footnote starts out differently than the others in the series and pulls in the supernatural element that hasn’t been seen before. I found this to be a fun read, but it was a little different than the others in this series. This isn’t a bad thing, just not exactly when I expected when joining Gemma Doyle on her adventures. By the end of the book, I was starting to feel the normal vibes again and loved seeing how everything tied up. Overall this was a really enjoyable read with characters I love and a setting that I really want to visit! If you are a Sherlock Holmes fan who loves cozy mysteries, this is for you!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!
hmhurst's review against another edition
4.0
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I had only discovered this series last month when searching for a new cozy mystery series but immediately fell in love with Gemma Doyle and her Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore. I listened to all the available books and was excited to see that the next one would be available January 10th. I immediately added it to my Audible preorders.
Then I noticed the audio ARC on NetGalley the other day and requested it and was happy to be approved.
I had only discovered this series last month when searching for a new cozy mystery series but immediately fell in love with Gemma Doyle and her Sherlock Holmes themed bookstore. I listened to all the available books and was excited to see that the next one would be available January 10th. I immediately added it to my Audible preorders.
Then I noticed the audio ARC on NetGalley the other day and requested it and was happy to be approved.