The seventh installment in a “fast, fun” cozy mystery series “full of Sherlockian lore” and starring “a charming, intelligent heroine as observant as The Great Detective Himself” (Carolyn Hart, New York Times–bestselling author)

Sherlockian bookshop manager and frequent amateur sleuth Gemma Doyle is back on the case when a poisoned dart ends in demise . . .

It’s a crisp, early October weekend, and business is slowing down as fall descends at the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium and adjacent Mrs. Hudson’s Tea Room. Wealthy philanthropist and prominent Sherlockian David Masterson has rented Suffolk Gardens House, where he plans to entertain his friends in a traditional English country house weekend.

As the chosen caterers, Jayne Wilson and Gemma Doyle get to work preparing lavish meals and setting up Sherlockian books and props for entertainment. Meanwhile, police detective Ryan Ashburton has taken time away from his duties to assist in the kitchen. It quickly becomes apparent that David’s guests don't like each other—or their host. Plus, some of them aren't even acquainted with the adventures of the Great Detective.

Before Gemma can ponder their relationships a poisoned dart sails through the window of the library, presenting Gemma Doyle with a three-book problem.

Vicki Delany began her writing career as a Sunday writer: a single mother of three high-spirited daughters with a full-time job as a computer programmer. The years passed, as they tend to do, and the three daughters, somewhat hesitantly, flew the coop, leaving Vicki more time to devote to her writing. She was able to write three novels of suspense, set in Ontario, two of which, Scare the Light Away and Burden of Memory, were published to critical acclaim by Poisoned Pen Press of Scottsdale, Arizona. In 2007, In the Shadow of the Glacier, the first book in a police procedural series set in the British Columbia Interior was published. Born in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Vicki was raised mostly in Ontario. Vicki majored in modern history at Carleton, her interest more in the lives of ordinary women and men and the circumstances of their times than ‘big men’ and their wars. It was on a canoeing trip in Algonquin Park that Vicki, realizing that she was doing for fun what people in the past would have considered a hardship, told her trip mates stories about the incredible difficulties people endured in their attempts to get to the Klondike in search of gold, and the idea for a series of Klondike Gold Rush mysteries was set.

Vicki Delany's profile page

Praise for A Three Book Problem:
“Plenty of Sherlock-ian lore and local color make for an enjoyable read.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“[Captures] the feel and discourse of a gathering of Sherlockians. This is her best series entry to date.”
—Publishers Weekly

“[An] entertaining follow-up to A Curious Incident.”
—Library Journal, starred review
“[For] cozy-friendly fans of The Great Detective [Sherlock Holmes] and his creator.”
—Booklist

“An extraordinarily fun read from cover to cover.”
—Midwest Book Review

“A great book to curl up with on a cold day . . . [recommended] for anyone who enjoys cozies, mysteries, and Sherlock Holmes.”
—Manhattan Book Review

“Delany keeps readers on the edge of their seat.”
—Cozy Mystery Book Reviews

Praise for the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop mysteries:
“I enjoyed every well-crafted word of this Sherlock Holmes infused tale. A must read for lovers of all things Sherlock Holmes.”
—Jenn McKinlay, New York Times and USA Today–bestselling author of Better Late Than Never

“Vicki Delany is one of my favorite mystery authors and with Elementary, She Read, she has outdone herself. This first book in her intriguing new series features Gemma Doyle, a wonderfully appealing protagonist who runs the Sherlock Holmes Bookshop and Emporium, where delightfully quirky characters and fascinating old books flourish. I loved everything about this story! The Cape Cod setting was enchanting and the intricate mystery kept me turning pages late into the night. Easily one of the best new mystery series on the market.”
—Kate Carlisle, New York Times–bestselling author of the Bibliophile mysteries

“A delight, fast, fun, and full of Sherlockian lore. Cheers for a charming, intelligent heroine as observant as The Great Detective himself.”
—Carolyn Hart, New York Times–bestselling author

“Thoroughly delightful.”
—Laura DiSilverio, bestselling author of the Readaholics Book Club Mysteries

“Huzzah for Vicki Delany who’s created vivid characters, a setting that will whet the appetite of mystery readers, and a who-dun-it well worth investigating.”
—Kylie Logan, nationally bestselling author of the League of Literary Ladies mysteries

“A treat for Holmes fans with plenty of twists and turns in the best Sherlock-ian style.”
—Kirkus Reviews

“Each new entry in this series has been better than the last.”
—Kirkus Reviews

"Well-plotted... Delany’s liberal sprinkling of references to real pastiche novels and reference books makes this cozy a treat for Holmes buffs.”
—Publishers Weekly

“Not only will this latest in the series delight Holmes fans, it will also engage armchair travelers as the group visits many of London’s best-known tourist sites.”
—Booklist
“Delightful...sure to please fans of Holmes pastiches and bookstore mysteries.”
—Library Journal

“An enjoyable and clever cozy mystery...a great summer or beach read.”
—San Francisco Book Review