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Crescent Cove Mystery #1
The Body in the Back Garden: A Crescent Cove Mystery, Book 1
Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt's sudden death, he's inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can . . . but Crescent Cove isn't done with him just yet.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke's aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he's lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke's aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he's lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.
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First published August 20, 2023
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 244 reviews
August 22, 2023
This is the author's debut novel and apparently the first in a series.
Luke Tremblay returns to his hometown after many years when he inherits property from his Aunt. He rediscovers things from his youth including old friends, one of whom is Sergeant Jack Munro. When a body is found in his garden Luke is the chief suspect and he begins to try and clear his name by finding the murderer himself.
This is a well written cosy made slightly unusual by having a male main character and a gay relationship. I enjoyed the characters and the setting on Vancouver Island and I will certainly look out for more in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Luke Tremblay returns to his hometown after many years when he inherits property from his Aunt. He rediscovers things from his youth including old friends, one of whom is Sergeant Jack Munro. When a body is found in his garden Luke is the chief suspect and he begins to try and clear his name by finding the murderer himself.
This is a well written cosy made slightly unusual by having a male main character and a gay relationship. I enjoyed the characters and the setting on Vancouver Island and I will certainly look out for more in this series.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
February 19, 2023
The Body in the Back Garden is the first of A Crescent Cove Mystery. It takes place in the town of Crescent Cove on Vancouver Island, Canada. Luke Trembley , the main character, has come to the island as he has inherited a cottage and antique shop named Forget Me Not Antiques that he inherited from his aunt Marguerite who was killed in a hit and run. He is planning to put the cottage and business up for sale. After he comes back from a walk on the beach he encounters a man named Joel McKenzie who tells him that he is here to pick up something that he bought from his aunt. He becomes unruly and gets into an altercation with Luke.
The next morning Luke goes outside with his coffee and finds a body in his backyard face down in the pond. It is Joel. He calls the police. Sargent Jack Munro from the Canadian Mounted Police comes to investigate. When he goes to the police station that afternoon Jack tells Luke that they were friends when young. Always looked forward to Luke's visit with his aunt. He was bullied and was upset when he didn't come back. He indicated that Luke was the prime suspect as he had fought with Joel. Luke also met Juliana Kestenbaum the local doctor when she came to see the body. Luke realizes that he must find the killer since he is the first suspect. Luke had been a investigation reporter at one time. This story takes Luke on an adventure which I will leave to the reader to read and enjoy. There are other characters to the story that add to the adventure. The story builds up to an exciting ending.
The story is considered a queer cozy series. Did not realize this when I started to read it but found the story a good mystery.. I look forward to see what is instore for Luke and the other people in the town of Crescent Cove in book two of the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
The next morning Luke goes outside with his coffee and finds a body in his backyard face down in the pond. It is Joel. He calls the police. Sargent Jack Munro from the Canadian Mounted Police comes to investigate. When he goes to the police station that afternoon Jack tells Luke that they were friends when young. Always looked forward to Luke's visit with his aunt. He was bullied and was upset when he didn't come back. He indicated that Luke was the prime suspect as he had fought with Joel. Luke also met Juliana Kestenbaum the local doctor when she came to see the body. Luke realizes that he must find the killer since he is the first suspect. Luke had been a investigation reporter at one time. This story takes Luke on an adventure which I will leave to the reader to read and enjoy. There are other characters to the story that add to the adventure. The story builds up to an exciting ending.
The story is considered a queer cozy series. Did not realize this when I started to read it but found the story a good mystery.. I look forward to see what is instore for Luke and the other people in the town of Crescent Cove in book two of the series.
Thank you NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC.
August 22, 2023
This is the first in the Crescent Cove queer cozy series. It's a good start!
Description:
Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt’s sudden death, he’s inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can…but Crescent Cove isn’t done with him just yet.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke’s aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he’s lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a good cozy murder mystery. I liked the characters and the story moved well and kept my attention. As Luke becomes the main suspect in the murder, he feels he has to investigate to find the real killer and get that cute Mountie's focus off of Luke as the prime candidate. The flirting between Luke and Jack is fun to read. I'll look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
Description:
Crescent Cove, a small hamlet on Vancouver Island, is the last place out-of-work investigative journalist Luke Tremblay ever wanted to see again. He used to spend summers here, until his family learned that he was gay and rejected him. Now, following his aunt’s sudden death, he’s inherited her entire estate, including her seaside cottage and the antiques shop she ran for forty years in Crescent Cove. Luke plans to sell everything and head back to Toronto as soon as he can…but Crescent Cove isn’t done with him just yet.
When a stranger starts making wild claims about Luke’s aunt, Luke sends him packing. The next morning, though, Luke discovers that the stranger has returned, and now he’s lying dead in the back garden. To make matters worse, the officer leading the investigation is a handsome Mountie with a chip on his shoulder who seems convinced that Luke is the culprit. If he wants to prove his innocence and leave this town once and for all, Luke will have to use all his skills as a journalist to investigate the colorful locals while coming to terms with his own painful past.
There are secrets buried in Crescent Cove, and the more Luke digs, the more he fears they might change the town forever.
My Thoughts:
This is a good cozy murder mystery. I liked the characters and the story moved well and kept my attention. As Luke becomes the main suspect in the murder, he feels he has to investigate to find the real killer and get that cute Mountie's focus off of Luke as the prime candidate. The flirting between Luke and Jack is fun to read. I'll look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books through Netgalley for an advance copy.
September 1, 2023
4.5 stars rounded up
This was delightful! A cozy mystery set in Canada with a gay protagonist, it was a very quick and enjoyable read. I would definitely read more in this series!
Luke's estranged aunt has died and left him her cottage and antique story in a small town on Vancouver Island, but he wants to sell everything and get back to his city life in Toronto. Unfortunately, after an intense encounter with a man looking for something his aunt supposedly sold him, that man turns up dead in the titular back garden and Luke is the prime suspect. Leading the investigation is his childhood friend who is now a very attractive indigenous Mountie, but to clear his name Luke begins to investigate on his own...
This was filled with small town secrets and deals with a past of homophobia and racism and how they still impact the present. I thought this was excellent and would read more from the author. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
This was delightful! A cozy mystery set in Canada with a gay protagonist, it was a very quick and enjoyable read. I would definitely read more in this series!
Luke's estranged aunt has died and left him her cottage and antique story in a small town on Vancouver Island, but he wants to sell everything and get back to his city life in Toronto. Unfortunately, after an intense encounter with a man looking for something his aunt supposedly sold him, that man turns up dead in the titular back garden and Luke is the prime suspect. Leading the investigation is his childhood friend who is now a very attractive indigenous Mountie, but to clear his name Luke begins to investigate on his own...
This was filled with small town secrets and deals with a past of homophobia and racism and how they still impact the present. I thought this was excellent and would read more from the author. I received a copy of this book for review from the publisher, all opinions are my own.
February 9, 2023
Luke has just broken up with his cheating boyfriend in Toronto when he learns that his aunt has died and left him property in Crescent Cove, in western Canada. Joel, an aggressive man, accosts him at home and demands a box which he says Aunt Marguerite had sold him at her antique shop. When Joel is found dead, Luke is a prime suspect, and Jack, the handsome Mountie who interviews him, is someone he remembered as a childhood friend, I guessed who the villain was early on, but I liked these characters and their small town, so I hope to read more of this LGBT cozy series. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.
May 31, 2024
I’ve had this cozy mystery sitting on my virtual bookshelf for far too long and I’m glad I finally make time to read it. Luke is called back to Vancouver Island (not to be confused with the city of Vancouver!) after his aunt dies and leaves her home and antique shop to Luke. When he was young, he loved spending summers in Crescent Cove, but he had a falling out with his family when he came out as gay and hasn’t been back in years. He has made a life for himself as an investigative reporter in Toronto but is currently out of work and has broken up with his cheating boyfriend. I really enjoy cozy mysteries when the main character has a background that means they will actually be intelligent about investigating, and Luke certainly has that going for him. Luke figures he will get the house and shop ready to sell and head back to Toronto, but of course, that is not what happens.
I enjoyed the mystery and all the interesting side characters. I loved Jack, the Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) who used to be friends with Luke when they were kids. They shared a history of being bullied. The story also illuminated the prejudice against First Nation people in Canada. I’m looking forward to more books in this “quozy” mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed the mystery and all the interesting side characters. I loved Jack, the Mountie (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) who used to be friends with Luke when they were kids. They shared a history of being bullied. The story also illuminated the prejudice against First Nation people in Canada. I’m looking forward to more books in this “quozy” mystery series.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read a review copy of this book. All opinions are my own.
June 15, 2023
The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell is like finishing a cup of warm tea, and now all you want is another.
This queer cozy mystery debut is about Luke Tremblay, an investigative journalist gone freelance, learning that his aunt has died. She left him a cottage and an antique shop in the small hamlet of Crescent Cove. When Luke arrives to sell the properties, he has a slightly violent altercation with a stranger sneaking around the cottage. The next morning, he finds this stranger dead in the back garden. The local Mountie, an old friend of Luke’s, seems to believe he’s the murderer. Luke takes matters into his own hands, determined to clear his name. Thus many shenanigans ensue.
This truly is a cozy mystery. While the murderer was quickly decipherable, that didn’t lessen the intrigue. I still asked myself why they resorted to these drastic measures and how they went about it.
Luke’s investigations were fun too. He has a knack for getting into trouble, and getting out of it. There are plenty of side characters in this book, too. The author’s excellent at giving them all distinct personalities, making them feel fully fleshed out in a couple of words.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the adorable slow burn romance between Luke and Jack Munro, the local Mountie. I ate up every interaction they had. Mark Waddell does an excellent job combining intriguing mystery, a pinch of action, and fun flirting. Luke and Jack made for an excellent investigative duo.
Even if you aren’t a fan of mysteries, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s truly fun meeting all the potential suspects, hearing why Luke suspects them, and how the truth comes to light. All the while, a little romance happens in the background. I won’t spoil the ending, I’ll just say I love the choices Luke makes.
This is the first ARC I’ve ever received, and I’m delighted to say that I had a blast. This is a series I will definitely be keeping my eyes on.
Thank you, Crooked Lanes, for sending me this ARC.
This queer cozy mystery debut is about Luke Tremblay, an investigative journalist gone freelance, learning that his aunt has died. She left him a cottage and an antique shop in the small hamlet of Crescent Cove. When Luke arrives to sell the properties, he has a slightly violent altercation with a stranger sneaking around the cottage. The next morning, he finds this stranger dead in the back garden. The local Mountie, an old friend of Luke’s, seems to believe he’s the murderer. Luke takes matters into his own hands, determined to clear his name. Thus many shenanigans ensue.
This truly is a cozy mystery. While the murderer was quickly decipherable, that didn’t lessen the intrigue. I still asked myself why they resorted to these drastic measures and how they went about it.
Luke’s investigations were fun too. He has a knack for getting into trouble, and getting out of it. There are plenty of side characters in this book, too. The author’s excellent at giving them all distinct personalities, making them feel fully fleshed out in a couple of words.
Oh, and don’t get me started on the adorable slow burn romance between Luke and Jack Munro, the local Mountie. I ate up every interaction they had. Mark Waddell does an excellent job combining intriguing mystery, a pinch of action, and fun flirting. Luke and Jack made for an excellent investigative duo.
Even if you aren’t a fan of mysteries, I’d highly recommend this book. It’s truly fun meeting all the potential suspects, hearing why Luke suspects them, and how the truth comes to light. All the while, a little romance happens in the background. I won’t spoil the ending, I’ll just say I love the choices Luke makes.
This is the first ARC I’ve ever received, and I’m delighted to say that I had a blast. This is a series I will definitely be keeping my eyes on.
Thank you, Crooked Lanes, for sending me this ARC.
October 29, 2023
3.5 stars
Luke Tremblay returns to Crescent Cove after years of leaving when he inherited his aunt's house and business after her sudden death. Luke doesn't plan to stay long but after a dead body is discovered behind the house, and he cannot exactly leave town. AND apparently, the Mountie who investigates the case used to be Luke's childhood friend.
This is nice start to new cozy queer mystery series - the mystery was interesting, Luke had the "background" to investigate as well because he used to work as investigative reporter... AND this start of Luke reconnecting with Jack Munro, the RCMP, was something I would LOVE to read more.
So yes, this one was good enough for me to keep eyes on the next book.
Luke Tremblay returns to Crescent Cove after years of leaving when he inherited his aunt's house and business after her sudden death. Luke doesn't plan to stay long but after a dead body is discovered behind the house, and he cannot exactly leave town. AND apparently, the Mountie who investigates the case used to be Luke's childhood friend.
This is nice start to new cozy queer mystery series - the mystery was interesting, Luke had the "background" to investigate as well because he used to work as investigative reporter... AND this start of Luke reconnecting with Jack Munro, the RCMP, was something I would LOVE to read more.
So yes, this one was good enough for me to keep eyes on the next book.
July 8, 2023
Sometimes I just get a craving for a good cosy mystery, but it can be hard to find queer ones, so I was very excited to come across this one. And I had such a good time reading it, this gave me exactly what I wanted from it.
The book is set in a small seaside town in Canada, where the main character used to spend his summers at his aunt's house. When his aunt unexpectedly passes away, he inherits her cottage and her antiques store, and he visits the town with the intention to sell this inheritance. One morning, he finds a dead body in his garden, but through investigating the murder, he may also just find a reason to stay.
Like I already said, this book gave me exactly what I wanted from it. It's a quick read, with a mystery and lots of cosy vibes. I loved the setting of this seaside town with a lot of interesting characters. There's a love interest as well, and I have a feeling the romance will progress more in future sequels, but I already really liked the setup of it. I just loved seeing these estranged childhood friends reconnect.
This queer cosy mystery series starter has left me wanting more. I definitely want to read the sequels when they're released!
The book is set in a small seaside town in Canada, where the main character used to spend his summers at his aunt's house. When his aunt unexpectedly passes away, he inherits her cottage and her antiques store, and he visits the town with the intention to sell this inheritance. One morning, he finds a dead body in his garden, but through investigating the murder, he may also just find a reason to stay.
Like I already said, this book gave me exactly what I wanted from it. It's a quick read, with a mystery and lots of cosy vibes. I loved the setting of this seaside town with a lot of interesting characters. There's a love interest as well, and I have a feeling the romance will progress more in future sequels, but I already really liked the setup of it. I just loved seeing these estranged childhood friends reconnect.
This queer cosy mystery series starter has left me wanting more. I definitely want to read the sequels when they're released!
February 5, 2023
Thanks to Netgalley and Crooked Lane Books for the ARC.
With the winter weather being so terrible right now, this quozy mystery set in a small seaside Canadian town was a welcome escape. It was a quick read because I found the setting so comforting and the characters so intriguing that I got through the whole ARC in just a few sittings.
The mystery itself was well-executed--enough clues along the way that once the reveal happens, it feels like a satisfying conclusion but not so obvious that you see it coming from early on.
Luke was a smart and very loveable protagonist. It was cathartic to see him return to his hometown and heal from the pain in his past while also finding a chance at love with an old friend. Crossing my fingers that a sequel's out soon to see where both of those journeys take him.
With the winter weather being so terrible right now, this quozy mystery set in a small seaside Canadian town was a welcome escape. It was a quick read because I found the setting so comforting and the characters so intriguing that I got through the whole ARC in just a few sittings.
The mystery itself was well-executed--enough clues along the way that once the reveal happens, it feels like a satisfying conclusion but not so obvious that you see it coming from early on.
Luke was a smart and very loveable protagonist. It was cathartic to see him return to his hometown and heal from the pain in his past while also finding a chance at love with an old friend. Crossing my fingers that a sequel's out soon to see where both of those journeys take him.
August 19, 2023
Dollycas's Thoughts
Former investigative journalist Luke Tremblay has returned to Vancouver Island following the death of his aunt. He used to spend summers with her until his family found out he was gay and turned their backs on him. He can't believe she left him her seaside cottage and the antique shop she has owned for 40 years. He had no intention to return to Crescent Cove so now all he wants to do is sell all her properties and belongings as quickly as possible and return to what's left of his life in Toronto.
Then a stranger comes to his aunt's door claiming her had purchased something from her before her death and he wants it now. With no idea what he is talking about and him without any kind of receipt Luke roughly sends him away.
The next morning he finds the stranger dead in his aunt's back garden. When the authorities arrive the lead officer appears to think Luke is his prime suspect. It isn't until Luke goes to the station for questioning that he learns he has a past with the handsome Mountie. The man in front of him was his best friend whenever he came to visit his aunt all those years ago. A man who was really hurt when Luke stopped coming to Crescent Cove. But that old friendship doesn't get Luke off the hook. If he ever wants to get back to Toronto he is going to have to tap into his investigative skills and clear his name on his own. The small town has plenty of secrets. Secrets that may explain his aunt's death and why a man ended up dead in her back garden.
_____
I enjoyed meeting Luke. I really felt bad for him, the way his family treated him and for the way his relationship with his aunt came apart. The fact that she died before they could reconnect was heartbreaking. We also see it not only affected them but his friend Jack. I know she was trying to make amends by leaving him her entire estate and that it would bring him back to a now more open-thinking Crescent Cove but I wish they could have been closer before she was killed. She meant so much to him and clearly him to her.
I am happy that Luke and Jack reconnected and that their best sleuthing moments were when they worked together. Their interactions and flirtations were so true and at times very funny. As you can see, these characters felt so genuine that they found a place in my heart pretty quickly.
The setting of Vancouver Island was new to me but Mr. Waddell's descriptions painted wonderful pictures in my mind. The cover is also beautiful and gave me some cozy feelings before I started to even read the story.
The mystery was pretty straightforward and I was able to hone in on the killer much earlier than Jack and Luke but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. Tagging along with Luke and Jack was very entertaining. Following the clues, and looking for a key item, along with the secrets that sent the whole book into motion were so interesting. The reveal was exciting and emotional.
The Body in the Back Garden is a well-written "queer cozy mystery" with engaging characters and a compelling mystery, set in a charming small town on an island that in real life is now one of the areas plagued with wildfires. It is a place a would love to visit someday but for now, I will settle for another trip there via the next book in this series. I am very curious to see what he has planned for Luke, Jack, and the rest of the residents of Crescent Cove.
Former investigative journalist Luke Tremblay has returned to Vancouver Island following the death of his aunt. He used to spend summers with her until his family found out he was gay and turned their backs on him. He can't believe she left him her seaside cottage and the antique shop she has owned for 40 years. He had no intention to return to Crescent Cove so now all he wants to do is sell all her properties and belongings as quickly as possible and return to what's left of his life in Toronto.
Then a stranger comes to his aunt's door claiming her had purchased something from her before her death and he wants it now. With no idea what he is talking about and him without any kind of receipt Luke roughly sends him away.
The next morning he finds the stranger dead in his aunt's back garden. When the authorities arrive the lead officer appears to think Luke is his prime suspect. It isn't until Luke goes to the station for questioning that he learns he has a past with the handsome Mountie. The man in front of him was his best friend whenever he came to visit his aunt all those years ago. A man who was really hurt when Luke stopped coming to Crescent Cove. But that old friendship doesn't get Luke off the hook. If he ever wants to get back to Toronto he is going to have to tap into his investigative skills and clear his name on his own. The small town has plenty of secrets. Secrets that may explain his aunt's death and why a man ended up dead in her back garden.
_____
I enjoyed meeting Luke. I really felt bad for him, the way his family treated him and for the way his relationship with his aunt came apart. The fact that she died before they could reconnect was heartbreaking. We also see it not only affected them but his friend Jack. I know she was trying to make amends by leaving him her entire estate and that it would bring him back to a now more open-thinking Crescent Cove but I wish they could have been closer before she was killed. She meant so much to him and clearly him to her.
I am happy that Luke and Jack reconnected and that their best sleuthing moments were when they worked together. Their interactions and flirtations were so true and at times very funny. As you can see, these characters felt so genuine that they found a place in my heart pretty quickly.
The setting of Vancouver Island was new to me but Mr. Waddell's descriptions painted wonderful pictures in my mind. The cover is also beautiful and gave me some cozy feelings before I started to even read the story.
The mystery was pretty straightforward and I was able to hone in on the killer much earlier than Jack and Luke but that did not hinder my enjoyment of the story at all. Tagging along with Luke and Jack was very entertaining. Following the clues, and looking for a key item, along with the secrets that sent the whole book into motion were so interesting. The reveal was exciting and emotional.
The Body in the Back Garden is a well-written "queer cozy mystery" with engaging characters and a compelling mystery, set in a charming small town on an island that in real life is now one of the areas plagued with wildfires. It is a place a would love to visit someday but for now, I will settle for another trip there via the next book in this series. I am very curious to see what he has planned for Luke, Jack, and the rest of the residents of Crescent Cove.
February 22, 2024
This gay cozy mystery was JUST what I needed when I couldn't decide what to read next. I thought this was the perfect amount of cozy, perfect amount of gay, and it almost felt like a Murder She Wrote episode.
Despite kind of guessing "who did it" quite early, I still enjoyed that the story offered a range of characters, suspects, and for the MC and his love interest, some depth by giving them a shared past.
An easy, chill and fun read and can imagine even better during the summer or at the cottage.
Despite kind of guessing "who did it" quite early, I still enjoyed that the story offered a range of characters, suspects, and for the MC and his love interest, some depth by giving them a shared past.
An easy, chill and fun read and can imagine even better during the summer or at the cottage.
June 17, 2023
As a child, journalist Luke Tremblay spent idyllic summers on Vancouver Island staying in his Aunt Marguerite's cottage and whiling away hours on the beach, just a stones throw from the back garden. Real life intervened just before he left for college, however, and it's been two decades since he spent any time at her home in Crescent Cove. Now he is back but his aunt is dead, the cottage and her antique shop are his and the sooner he can sell them and leave the island for good the better!
Luke’s decision to stay in the cottage for the few days he's on the island seemed like a good idea until he finds a dead body messing up the neat and tidy yard! Considered a main suspect by the officer in charge, Luke is told he can't leave, but sitting doing nothing has never been his style. Gradually piecing things together and annoying the handsome Mountie in the process, Luke is sure he's getting close to a solution but someone has him in their sights and is determined to make this Luke’s last trip anywhere.
This is the first in a new cosy series, and I loved it from the start. Luke isn't your 'normal' main protagonist in this genre. He's male, for a start, unemployed, and gay. He is also determined, focused, and very easy to like and root for. The author, Mark Waddell, lives on Vancouver Island, and his knowledge of the area and inhabitants shines through. I hope there won't be too long to wait for book two as this promises to be a great cosy series in the making.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it highly.
Luke’s decision to stay in the cottage for the few days he's on the island seemed like a good idea until he finds a dead body messing up the neat and tidy yard! Considered a main suspect by the officer in charge, Luke is told he can't leave, but sitting doing nothing has never been his style. Gradually piecing things together and annoying the handsome Mountie in the process, Luke is sure he's getting close to a solution but someone has him in their sights and is determined to make this Luke’s last trip anywhere.
This is the first in a new cosy series, and I loved it from the start. Luke isn't your 'normal' main protagonist in this genre. He's male, for a start, unemployed, and gay. He is also determined, focused, and very easy to like and root for. The author, Mark Waddell, lives on Vancouver Island, and his knowledge of the area and inhabitants shines through. I hope there won't be too long to wait for book two as this promises to be a great cosy series in the making.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Crooked Lane Books, but the opinions expressed are my own. I thoroughly enjoyed this and recommend it highly.
March 26, 2023
Body in the back garden is the first of A Crescent Cove Mystery. It takes place in the town of Crescent Cove. Luke , the main character, has inherited a cottage and antique shop that he inherited from his aunt Marguerite who was killed in a hit and run. He is planning to put the cottage and business up for sale. After he comes back from a walk he encounters a man named Joel who tells him that he is here to pick up something that he bought from his aunt. He becomes aggressive and gets into an altercation with Luke.
The next day Luke goes outside with his morning coffee and finds a body in his backyard face down in the pond. It is Joel. He calls the police. Sargent Jack from the Canadian Police comes to investigate. When he goes to the police station that afternoon he indicates that Luke was the prime suspect as he had fought with Joel. Luke realizes that he must find the killer since he is the first suspect. Luke had been a investigation journalist at one time. This story takes Luke on an adventure which has quite a few twists and turns. The story builds up to an exciting ending one I never saw coming.
Overall, I enjoy this book as quick and easy read. I loved all those characters especially Luke. I look forward to see what is instore for Luke and the other people in the town of Crescent Cove in book two of the series.
Nevertheless, I would like to read more of his works in the future because his writing style quite good.
The next day Luke goes outside with his morning coffee and finds a body in his backyard face down in the pond. It is Joel. He calls the police. Sargent Jack from the Canadian Police comes to investigate. When he goes to the police station that afternoon he indicates that Luke was the prime suspect as he had fought with Joel. Luke realizes that he must find the killer since he is the first suspect. Luke had been a investigation journalist at one time. This story takes Luke on an adventure which has quite a few twists and turns. The story builds up to an exciting ending one I never saw coming.
Overall, I enjoy this book as quick and easy read. I loved all those characters especially Luke. I look forward to see what is instore for Luke and the other people in the town of Crescent Cove in book two of the series.
Nevertheless, I would like to read more of his works in the future because his writing style quite good.
February 2, 2024
A sweet and lovely cozy mystery! This was such a relaxing read. I enjoyed the writing a lot! Things I especially appreciated:
- the sleuth was a man
- the sleuth and the love interest were queer
- the setting was on Canada’s west coast
- the sleuth was a man
- the sleuth and the love interest were queer
- the setting was on Canada’s west coast
March 1, 2023
I absolutely loved reading The Body in the Back Garden by Mark Waddell!
This book is first and foremost well-written, with characters who are easy to care about and an intriguing mystery with plenty of suspects that guarantee that readers will be eagerly turning the pages to the very end. I found it difficult to put down and read far beyond my bedtime.
I also enjoyed the fact that it is unapologetically set in Canada, with references to not just one but three provinces.
Finally, having read a number of mysteries with gay characters portrayed as caricatures and stereotypes, it was refreshing to read a book in which all of the characters are portrayed as people, with hopes and dreams and desires and challenges that are relatable to all, thanks again to wonderful writing.
I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of #TheBodyintheBackGarden from #NetGalley.
This book is first and foremost well-written, with characters who are easy to care about and an intriguing mystery with plenty of suspects that guarantee that readers will be eagerly turning the pages to the very end. I found it difficult to put down and read far beyond my bedtime.
I also enjoyed the fact that it is unapologetically set in Canada, with references to not just one but three provinces.
Finally, having read a number of mysteries with gay characters portrayed as caricatures and stereotypes, it was refreshing to read a book in which all of the characters are portrayed as people, with hopes and dreams and desires and challenges that are relatable to all, thanks again to wonderful writing.
I will definitely be looking forward to the next book in the series.
I received a copy of #TheBodyintheBackGarden from #NetGalley.
August 29, 2025
This was a great, fun read! I really liked the plot and the diversity of characters in Crescent Cove, especially the relationship between Luke and Jack, as well as the ending I didn’t see that coming!! Definitely recommend!!
March 31, 2023
I received a copy from Crooked Lane Books through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
When Luke Tremblay discovered his partner of four years was cheating on him, his life was turned upside down. Then he gets a call informing him that his aunt was killed in a hit and run accident, and that she left her home and business to him. Luke doesn’t know what he’s more shocked by: her untimely and violent death, or the fact that she left her home and business to her estranged nephew. The only thing Luke can see coming out of this is that selling the house and business in Crescent Cove will help him buy out his ex’s share of their townhouse, but then someone gets murdered at his aunt’s house and he’s the number one suspect!
I was excited to pick up this book because I love cozy mysteries and wish there were more LGBT protagonists in the genre. Plus, the book sounded interesting and I was excited to dive into the story. Unfortunately for me, it was a total miss, though I think the basic plot had something going for it. Luke is a freelance investigative journalist who is now saddled with investigating his aunt’s murder, which is connected to the murder of the man who just turned up dead on her property who previously tried to break into her house! However, Luke seems far more interested in selling her house and business even though she just passed away. I don’t know what the laws are in Canada, but Luke is about to list his newly inherited assets for sale when it’s been under two weeks since his aunt’s passing. It took me straight out of the story because I doubt the time frame is anywhere close to the one Luke is working with.
On top of that, Luke’s investigation is pretty careless for someone who is an investigative journalist. I could go into details, but then I’d have to drop some spoilers. Let’s just say that some of the mistakes he makes are pretty big for someone who should know at least a little better. I wouldn’t expect amazing sleuthing skills, but I’m having a hard time believing he’s as great of an investigative journalist as he’s supposed to be based on how about half of his investigation went.
I did like the romance plot, though. It’s a very slow burn and it hasn’t gotten much wind yet, but I think there’s definitely something there. By the end of Luke’s second meeting with Jack, I was rooting for them. I think that there’s a lot of potential here and I really like Jack as a character. In fact, I actually like Jack a lot more than Luke and would like to read a series following him instead. The romance could’ve done without the strange almost love triangle setup. However, it did make me realize who was behind the killings long before there was much information to go on to form a theory, so I guess it did serve a purpose.
Speaking of the characters, I really like Jack and some of the other supporting characters. They each had a lot of personality, including the few that rarely made an appearance. A few of them ran circles around poor Luke, who doesn’t have much of a personality and appears to have checked out some time ago. I almost wish the book was told through rotating narrators so that we got to follow a cast of characters, which would be pretty interesting to read. Instead, we follow Luke, who is pretty bland and lacks any kind of charm that makes one want to follow his perspective.
All in all, there were more low points than high points. I really liked the descriptions of Crescent Cove, some of the supporting characters, the basic plot, and the groundwork for a budding romance. However, Luke isn’t a believable investigative journalist and the mystery just does not add up. There were also several passages that read like it came from a book set on Earth that’s sitting in a UFO somewhere in deep space, which kept taking me out of the story. I think it’s a rocky series opener, but I also think that there could be some potential here if the next book tightens a lot of the screws that are either loose or missing.
When Luke Tremblay discovered his partner of four years was cheating on him, his life was turned upside down. Then he gets a call informing him that his aunt was killed in a hit and run accident, and that she left her home and business to him. Luke doesn’t know what he’s more shocked by: her untimely and violent death, or the fact that she left her home and business to her estranged nephew. The only thing Luke can see coming out of this is that selling the house and business in Crescent Cove will help him buy out his ex’s share of their townhouse, but then someone gets murdered at his aunt’s house and he’s the number one suspect!
I was excited to pick up this book because I love cozy mysteries and wish there were more LGBT protagonists in the genre. Plus, the book sounded interesting and I was excited to dive into the story. Unfortunately for me, it was a total miss, though I think the basic plot had something going for it. Luke is a freelance investigative journalist who is now saddled with investigating his aunt’s murder, which is connected to the murder of the man who just turned up dead on her property who previously tried to break into her house! However, Luke seems far more interested in selling her house and business even though she just passed away. I don’t know what the laws are in Canada, but Luke is about to list his newly inherited assets for sale when it’s been under two weeks since his aunt’s passing. It took me straight out of the story because I doubt the time frame is anywhere close to the one Luke is working with.
On top of that, Luke’s investigation is pretty careless for someone who is an investigative journalist. I could go into details, but then I’d have to drop some spoilers. Let’s just say that some of the mistakes he makes are pretty big for someone who should know at least a little better. I wouldn’t expect amazing sleuthing skills, but I’m having a hard time believing he’s as great of an investigative journalist as he’s supposed to be based on how about half of his investigation went.
I did like the romance plot, though. It’s a very slow burn and it hasn’t gotten much wind yet, but I think there’s definitely something there. By the end of Luke’s second meeting with Jack, I was rooting for them. I think that there’s a lot of potential here and I really like Jack as a character. In fact, I actually like Jack a lot more than Luke and would like to read a series following him instead. The romance could’ve done without the strange almost love triangle setup. However, it did make me realize who was behind the killings long before there was much information to go on to form a theory, so I guess it did serve a purpose.
Speaking of the characters, I really like Jack and some of the other supporting characters. They each had a lot of personality, including the few that rarely made an appearance. A few of them ran circles around poor Luke, who doesn’t have much of a personality and appears to have checked out some time ago. I almost wish the book was told through rotating narrators so that we got to follow a cast of characters, which would be pretty interesting to read. Instead, we follow Luke, who is pretty bland and lacks any kind of charm that makes one want to follow his perspective.
All in all, there were more low points than high points. I really liked the descriptions of Crescent Cove, some of the supporting characters, the basic plot, and the groundwork for a budding romance. However, Luke isn’t a believable investigative journalist and the mystery just does not add up. There were also several passages that read like it came from a book set on Earth that’s sitting in a UFO somewhere in deep space, which kept taking me out of the story. I think it’s a rocky series opener, but I also think that there could be some potential here if the next book tightens a lot of the screws that are either loose or missing.
June 25, 2023
*I received a copy in exchange for my honest review*
This was a surprisingly edge-of-your-seat thrilling cozy mystery. I was drawn in immediately by the descriptive language that brought me right into the wooded beachfront town where a series events leads our main character to rediscover what was lost after leaving in his teen years.
The natural inclusivity of a gay main character and other towns folk made the story feel like it was set in a real-life town rather than the overly fluffy spaces that so many cozies take place.
This book in in my top 5 for 2023 for sure!
This was a surprisingly edge-of-your-seat thrilling cozy mystery. I was drawn in immediately by the descriptive language that brought me right into the wooded beachfront town where a series events leads our main character to rediscover what was lost after leaving in his teen years.
The natural inclusivity of a gay main character and other towns folk made the story feel like it was set in a real-life town rather than the overly fluffy spaces that so many cozies take place.
This book in in my top 5 for 2023 for sure!
March 27, 2023
I absolutely adored this story. With a personal, gripping murder to solve, main character Luke is funny, engaging, and someone you for to find happiness. The small town setting on an island gave a quaint and delightful feel to the whole story--making me want to read a lot more mysteries set in Crescent Cove! Waddell does an amazing job with past and present storylines, and the love interests abound. A hugely enjoyable read.
February 10, 2023
I was intrigued with the cover then the title picked my interest because who doesn’t curious about the cute cover but with “mystery” title anyway (?) I would say, I was expecting this as a cute cozy mystery because this one was quite normal and the writing style not that bad either. The storyline probably seems interesting even though I was assuming that “this person” is the one who did it.
For a mystery thriller book, I don’t think this one could be categorize as one. I prefer this one much more like mystery-romance. Then, the issue this book brought quite impressive such as: (1) small town, (2) The Wealth, (3) Queer, (4) Racism, (5) Family love. However, only several issues written in details. Even though that’s should be all covered but that’s where my disappointment begin. If the author could written down those traits more vividly, maybe it will make the story more interesting.
The story took place in Crescent Cove and the author truly deserve an appreciation on how he describe this beautiful town and the cultures. Also, he mention about the specific policeman Canadian had which I had no knowledge about before reading this book. The storyline gave me a pov of crime-journalist! The main focus of this story for me is re-kindled with the past. Each of characters in the storyline connected with each other in a way and the name chosen for the characters quite uncommon for me, that’s where I get a bit confused about who is who and so on. However, the storyline give all the answer I need every time questions pop up into my mind while reading.
Overall, I enjoy this book as quick and easy read. I’m in love with those characters especially Luke (the MC) and that stupid box. Nevertheless, I would like to read more of his works in the future because his writing style quite good.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me privileges for reading the book before publication — Full review will be posted after release date
For a mystery thriller book, I don’t think this one could be categorize as one. I prefer this one much more like mystery-romance. Then, the issue this book brought quite impressive such as: (1) small town, (2) The Wealth, (3) Queer, (4) Racism, (5) Family love. However, only several issues written in details. Even though that’s should be all covered but that’s where my disappointment begin. If the author could written down those traits more vividly, maybe it will make the story more interesting.
The story took place in Crescent Cove and the author truly deserve an appreciation on how he describe this beautiful town and the cultures. Also, he mention about the specific policeman Canadian had which I had no knowledge about before reading this book. The storyline gave me a pov of crime-journalist! The main focus of this story for me is re-kindled with the past. Each of characters in the storyline connected with each other in a way and the name chosen for the characters quite uncommon for me, that’s where I get a bit confused about who is who and so on. However, the storyline give all the answer I need every time questions pop up into my mind while reading.
Overall, I enjoy this book as quick and easy read. I’m in love with those characters especially Luke (the MC) and that stupid box. Nevertheless, I would like to read more of his works in the future because his writing style quite good.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me privileges for reading the book before publication — Full review will be posted after release date
July 9, 2023
[I received an arc from @Pridebooktours for an honest review]
The Body in the Back Garden is the debut novel of Mark Waddell. A Queer small town cozy mystery that hopefully is the first of many based around freelance investigate journalist Luke Tremblay.
"I'm not doing anything but stumbling across evidence and handing it over to the police."
This book has everything I love about a cozy mystery. A small town setting with nosey gossiping townsfolk who always know everything before it happens. A main character who takes a murder investigation into their own hands in order to clear their name and makes questionable choices. Whose stay in the small town from his past was only ment to be temporary. The start of a slow slow burn secondary romance arc that I can't wait to see blossom.
"Are you really going to walk away from this?" he asked quietly when our eyes met. "Again?"
I swallowed convulsively. "This?". I repeated huskily.
He gestured with one big hand . "This house. This town." He touched the center of his chest, then pointed at me. "This."
Overall, I enjoyed myself immensely while reading The Body in the Back Garden. With Queer main characters with heartfelt backstories, a murder mystery that's easy to follow along with as it's being investigated by our amateur sleuth, secrets, blackmailers, and cases closed.
The Body in the Back Garden is the debut novel of Mark Waddell. A Queer small town cozy mystery that hopefully is the first of many based around freelance investigate journalist Luke Tremblay.
"I'm not doing anything but stumbling across evidence and handing it over to the police."
This book has everything I love about a cozy mystery. A small town setting with nosey gossiping townsfolk who always know everything before it happens. A main character who takes a murder investigation into their own hands in order to clear their name and makes questionable choices. Whose stay in the small town from his past was only ment to be temporary. The start of a slow slow burn secondary romance arc that I can't wait to see blossom.
"Are you really going to walk away from this?" he asked quietly when our eyes met. "Again?"
I swallowed convulsively. "This?". I repeated huskily.
He gestured with one big hand . "This house. This town." He touched the center of his chest, then pointed at me. "This."
Overall, I enjoyed myself immensely while reading The Body in the Back Garden. With Queer main characters with heartfelt backstories, a murder mystery that's easy to follow along with as it's being investigated by our amateur sleuth, secrets, blackmailers, and cases closed.
March 20, 2023
I absolutely adored this story. With a personal, gripping murder to solve, main character Luke is funny, engaging, and someone you want to root for. The small town setting on an island gave a quaint and delightful feel to the whole story--making me want to read a lot more mysteries set in Crescent Cove. Waddell does an amazing job with past and present storylines, and the love interests abound. A hugely enjoyable read.
August 18, 2023
After the passing of his estranged aunt, Luke has to leave his life behind in Toronto to sort out all things related to his inheritance; her aunt's house and an antique store. Things go south when a body shows up in his backyard. Luke, his childhood friend now Sheriff Jack, must solve this mystery before it all blows up in Luke's face. A cozy queer detective novel that will make readers devour this book in one sitting.
July 25, 2024
I did not set out to buy a novel written by a homosexual author but that's what I bought. I did not set out to buy a novel in which the protagonist is gay but that's what I bought. My goal in preparing for a fortnight exploring the eastern coast of Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada, was to buy several not-too-gory murder mysteries set on that island. Murder novels which are not too violent, not to grisly, without much profanity, no explicit sex, no torture, no cruelty to children, and a setting in a small town, village, camp, resort, or other insular place are often called cozy. This is now a well-recognized and well-established sub-genre of crime fiction. Think: Jessica Fletcher, Father Brown, Miss Marple, Diane Mott Davidson's Goldy Schulz, and Joanne Fluke's Hannah Swensen, all of which are cozies. In recent years, a sub-sub genre of crime fiction has emerged known as "quozy." A quozy novel is a cozy one in which includes homosexual themes and characters. Large publishing houses were disinterested in literature with a queer bent. Agents found such works hard to place. This was despite Armistead Maupin's success with his "Tales of the City" novels in which a gay man, Michael "Mouse" Tolliver, is centre stage. In the 21st century, there are quozy book lists, quozy book awards, imprints and publishing houses which specialise in quozies. Which leads inexorably to author Mark Waddell and the first Crescent Cove Mystery "The Body in the Back Garden" (2023). It meets all of the criteria: Crescent Cove is a hamlet, protagonist Luke Tremblay is gay, as is his childhood friend, the Mountie in charge of the local police, the murder takes place off-stage, nothing too violent, no explicit sex, hardly any profanity, no torture nor cruelty to children. Your sweet maiden aunt Hilda could read and enjoy this book, so long as she accepted homosexual people as just another part of the remarkable variety of people. This story is well plotted, engaging, linked nicely to the land and culture, and moves rapidly to a satisfying conclusion. It is marred by the frequent words and phrases which are cliché, trite, and/or passé. A stern and rigorous editor could have remedied this fault. Despite these quibbles, I enjoyed the book and I'm glad that I bought and read a quozy by a gay author with a queer protagonist.
August 30, 2025
rating: ★★½
audio narrated by Daniel Henning
audio narrated by Daniel Henning
January 12, 2024
Until a few years ago, queer characters in cozy mysteries—outside of a few series—were often relegated to friends of the sleuth or over-the-top villain roles. Thankfully, authors like Mark Waddell are changing the landscape.
In The Body in the Back Garden, Waddell introduces us to Luke Tremblay, a recently single journalist, whose estranged aunt has passed and left him both her antique shop and cozy cottage. Luke, still stinging from painful family memories, can't wait to sell everything and move on. However, when a pushy stranger is found dead in his garden, Luke must stick around to both clear his name and reexamine his past. Pretty standard fare for a cozy, right?
And yet Waddell has a few refreshing twists that have nothing to do with the mystery itself. Luke's return to a community he practically grew up in is marred by complicated feelings for his aunt who cut him off after he came out as gay. Waddell understands the need to balance this with plenty of levity, and there are a ton of fun moments stemming primarily from a really charming cast of secondary characters, but there's also an underlying sense of hurt throughout a lot of Luke's investigation. His identity resulted in an unrollable friction that he carries with him and Waddell masterfully explores those complicated feelings and how they influence Luke's actions.
However, it is a cozy, and the usual hallmarks are still there. Everyone seems to have a secret, and I found myself constantly changing just how I thought the mystery would unravel. Luke's investigative skills often put him in overly dangerous situations, though his antics remain entertaining without ever going too over-the-top. And of course, there's even a potential love interest in the form of a mildly grumpy and utterly handsome Mountie who also shares a connection with Luke's past. Normally I'm not a fan of cozies where the sleuth works too closely with law enforcement, but Waddell finds the right (and very sweet) balance.
Ultimately, The Body in the Back Garden is a cozy with a ton of heart. It's the perfect start to a hopefully long series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
In The Body in the Back Garden, Waddell introduces us to Luke Tremblay, a recently single journalist, whose estranged aunt has passed and left him both her antique shop and cozy cottage. Luke, still stinging from painful family memories, can't wait to sell everything and move on. However, when a pushy stranger is found dead in his garden, Luke must stick around to both clear his name and reexamine his past. Pretty standard fare for a cozy, right?
And yet Waddell has a few refreshing twists that have nothing to do with the mystery itself. Luke's return to a community he practically grew up in is marred by complicated feelings for his aunt who cut him off after he came out as gay. Waddell understands the need to balance this with plenty of levity, and there are a ton of fun moments stemming primarily from a really charming cast of secondary characters, but there's also an underlying sense of hurt throughout a lot of Luke's investigation. His identity resulted in an unrollable friction that he carries with him and Waddell masterfully explores those complicated feelings and how they influence Luke's actions.
However, it is a cozy, and the usual hallmarks are still there. Everyone seems to have a secret, and I found myself constantly changing just how I thought the mystery would unravel. Luke's investigative skills often put him in overly dangerous situations, though his antics remain entertaining without ever going too over-the-top. And of course, there's even a potential love interest in the form of a mildly grumpy and utterly handsome Mountie who also shares a connection with Luke's past. Normally I'm not a fan of cozies where the sleuth works too closely with law enforcement, but Waddell finds the right (and very sweet) balance.
Ultimately, The Body in the Back Garden is a cozy with a ton of heart. It's the perfect start to a hopefully long series.
Note: I received a free ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley.
Review also posted at https://pluckedfromthestacks.wordpres...
September 30, 2024
DNF @ 58%.
I love a good queer cozy mystery… unfortunately, this was wasn’t very good.
Luke isn’t really likeable. He hasn’t much of a personality, makes quick judgments of people, and isn’t believable as having had a background in investigative journalism.
His behaviour towards Barnabus, in particular, was off putting. Mocking his clothes, his dress, his hair (can we stop with the “man-bun” already? A bun is a bun), his speech. Calling him Barney when Barnabus specifically asked him not to call him that. Ick.
Coming back to Luke’s investigating… fixing to a potential crime scene, not wearing gloves, and removing evidence… before the cops even arrive isn’t really amateur sleuthing… it’s obstructing an investigation, and just plan dumb.
Why does the ME send the report to the gossip town doctor, who then informs the RCMP? Why would the ME not send the report to the RCMP directly?
And why is Jack so sure the good doctor would not gossip about the case when she is a self-described gossip and said that while she cares about patient confidentiality, it didn’t apply in this case. I mean, she already told Luke case details that were none of his business, especially as a suspect.
But then, Jack also keeps calling Luke to give him details on the investigation. Why are you telling this random civilian case details? Especially a) if he is a suspect b) he fucked with your investigation and c) it’s none of his business. And then Luke just asks to tag along on Jack’s investigation and Jack is just like “sure”.
Also:
> “I live in London. In the UK,” he clarified, in the way that all Canadians do so as not to confuse one of the world’s great cities with the distinctly smaller municipality of London, Ontario.
>
As a Canadian, if you say London, most people are going to presume you meant London, England. Because, if you are talking about London, Ontario, you say, “London, Ontario.” It’s essentially just one word: London-Ontario. I’ve never in my life heard someone talk about the Ontario London and not just say, “London, Ontario”.
To say this book annoyed and disappointed me is obvious.
I love a good queer cozy mystery… unfortunately, this was wasn’t very good.
Luke isn’t really likeable. He hasn’t much of a personality, makes quick judgments of people, and isn’t believable as having had a background in investigative journalism.
His behaviour towards Barnabus, in particular, was off putting. Mocking his clothes, his dress, his hair (can we stop with the “man-bun” already? A bun is a bun), his speech. Calling him Barney when Barnabus specifically asked him not to call him that. Ick.
Coming back to Luke’s investigating… fixing to a potential crime scene, not wearing gloves, and removing evidence… before the cops even arrive isn’t really amateur sleuthing… it’s obstructing an investigation, and just plan dumb.
Why does the ME send the report to the gossip town doctor, who then informs the RCMP? Why would the ME not send the report to the RCMP directly?
And why is Jack so sure the good doctor would not gossip about the case when she is a self-described gossip and said that while she cares about patient confidentiality, it didn’t apply in this case. I mean, she already told Luke case details that were none of his business, especially as a suspect.
But then, Jack also keeps calling Luke to give him details on the investigation. Why are you telling this random civilian case details? Especially a) if he is a suspect b) he fucked with your investigation and c) it’s none of his business. And then Luke just asks to tag along on Jack’s investigation and Jack is just like “sure”.
Also:
> “I live in London. In the UK,” he clarified, in the way that all Canadians do so as not to confuse one of the world’s great cities with the distinctly smaller municipality of London, Ontario.
>
As a Canadian, if you say London, most people are going to presume you meant London, England. Because, if you are talking about London, Ontario, you say, “London, Ontario.” It’s essentially just one word: London-Ontario. I’ve never in my life heard someone talk about the Ontario London and not just say, “London, Ontario”.
To say this book annoyed and disappointed me is obvious.
January 19, 2024
Synopsis: Luke Tremblay is forced to return to the small town of Crescent Cove after his aunt dies and leaves him his cottage and antique shop. He is set on selling the house and shop and going back to Toronto, however his plans are completely ruined when he find a dead body in his aunt's garden. Having to clear his name off suspicion he goes to investigate on his own, hoping to prove to Jack Munro - the handsome investigating officer - that he is innocent.
Review:That was quite disappointing. It wasn't completely terrible but none of the elements fully coalesced into a story I could read with pleasure. The characters were one-dimensional and the mystery was so predictable that even I, as a relative newcomer to the mystery genre, could tell who the killer is.
Luke came off as annoying and all his actions seemed completely illogical. And that would be fine if he wasn't supposed to be an experienced investigative journalist. It was as if his actions weren't guided by his character, motivation and conflict but by the author's need to get from point A to point B in his outline. He never stopped to even take notes or organise his thoughts. He kept making silly mistakes like forgetting details of the circumstances that an actual journalist would probably never make.
I find the way the official investigation was written quite disappointing. There are so many ethical boundaries being crossed and Jack's behaviour was almost completely illogical. He was obviously letting his personal relationships with suspects influence his actions. I still can't believe he actually let Luke (a man who was a suspect and purposefully interfered with the investigation) be directly involved with the case. I feel like both of the characters' actions were designed to move the plot forward rather than develop their personalities, so I wasn't at all invested into them or their budding romance.
Review:That was quite disappointing. It wasn't completely terrible but none of the elements fully coalesced into a story I could read with pleasure. The characters were one-dimensional and the mystery was so predictable that even I, as a relative newcomer to the mystery genre, could tell who the killer is.
Luke came off as annoying and all his actions seemed completely illogical. And that would be fine if he wasn't supposed to be an experienced investigative journalist. It was as if his actions weren't guided by his character, motivation and conflict but by the author's need to get from point A to point B in his outline. He never stopped to even take notes or organise his thoughts. He kept making silly mistakes like forgetting details of the circumstances that an actual journalist would probably never make.
I find the way the official investigation was written quite disappointing. There are so many ethical boundaries being crossed and Jack's behaviour was almost completely illogical. He was obviously letting his personal relationships with suspects influence his actions. I still can't believe he actually let Luke (a man who was a suspect and purposefully interfered with the investigation) be directly involved with the case. I feel like both of the characters' actions were designed to move the plot forward rather than develop their personalities, so I wasn't at all invested into them or their budding romance.
July 16, 2023
In this new series starter, we meet freelance investigative reporter Luke, who has inherited his Aunt's seaside cottage and antique store in small-town Canada. He's determined to sell off the properties as quick as possible and return to Toronto, but when a dead body appears in his backyard and he becomes a person of interest, he's forced to stay in town. Determined to clear his name and satisfy his curiosity, he can't help but poking his nose into the death, much to the chagrin of his former childhood friend and now super handsome Canadian Mountie.
This a a great series starter! Very classic vibes, hitting all the standard marks, and not trying to do too much--in a good way. Cozy mysteries are notorious for their lack of diversity, but with an LGBTQ lead (and the hint of romance on the horizon) and racially/ethnically diverse cast of townspeople, this one takes its old-school vibes into the modern era in all the ways that matter. Some of Luke's involvement I'm surprised the police let fly (but I guess a handsome face will do that to you), but it was overall a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Pride Book Tours for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 8/10
This a a great series starter! Very classic vibes, hitting all the standard marks, and not trying to do too much--in a good way. Cozy mysteries are notorious for their lack of diversity, but with an LGBTQ lead (and the hint of romance on the horizon) and racially/ethnically diverse cast of townspeople, this one takes its old-school vibes into the modern era in all the ways that matter. Some of Luke's involvement I'm surprised the police let fly (but I guess a handsome face will do that to you), but it was overall a fun read and I look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Pride Book Tours for my ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
5 stars - 8/10
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