After finishing a rather harrowing mystery this morning, I felt the need to read something lighter, fluffier, cozier. This book filled the bill. By this point, book 8, the reader will be pretty familiar with Gemma Doyle. We also know her boyfriend Ryan, her BFF Jayne, her employee Ashleigh, and various other members of the supporting cast. We know Gemma's methods and so do her neighbours. So when mysterious (possibly ghostly) things start to happen in a historic building, who do you call? There aren't any ghost busters in West London, so Gemma's presence is requested. Gemma doesn't believe in ghosts, so she starts a skeptical investigation. And things not only continue to happen, someone is killed, escalating the matter.
Now don't get me wrong, Gemma is still a know-it-all, but she isn't as obnoxious about it anymore. She seems to realize that her friends and relatives don't care for being talked down to or told what they ought to be doing. It helps that Jayne has found a guy that Gemma approves of, so there's no need to try to steer her straight. Gemma is actually committed to helping with their wedding planning. I also used to object to Gemma's treatment of her dog Violet. Now she has two dogs, having added Peony in the last book. And they seem to get well fed and well exercised. Gemma has issues with her shop cat Moriarty, but he is successfully rushed to the vet. He survives although he may have become even more vindictive.
Somehow this book doesn't feel final. I have a feeling that the next installment may feature Jayne's wedding and possibly a bit more commitment between Gemma and Ryan. I have a hunch that Delany will see them definitely attached before she declares the series done. Time will tell.
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