On the Hook: A Cozy Boat Club Mystery

by Rea Keech

Genres: Mystery

280 pages, Paperback

Published April 15, 2026

About the author

I love fiction and nonfiction. Lately I've been reading books set in countries outside of the U.S.
I've been a teacher all my life--at the University of South Carolina, Voorhees College, and the University of Tehran, as well as schools in Japan and Greece.
I taught English and World Literature at a community college for many years. My doctorate is in Comparative Literature.

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great start to a new series! I loved the setting and enjoyed learning more about sailing through Anne’s job at the marina. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing, though the writing style often took me out of the story as it was heavy handed with the explanations where the mystery was concerned and a little light when it came to sailing terminology. Additionally, while Anne may be attractive, that seemed to be the only thing people commented on when meeting her; this felt odd. Otherwise, I look forward to the next in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Real Nice Books for the review copies.

[Alylally⛰️⛺️⛈️]

A cozy Boat club mystery??? Sign me up!! 🤩

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc!!

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ann Bateman has been a teacher at the local elementary school in Westport for the last 18 years, since she moved back. The small village on the Chesapeake Bay is big on sailing and regattas.

The Laser Regatta, for women over 40, brings a big crowd to the small town. It also brings in murder.

Anne finds herself in the middle of solving the mystery of another local teacher’s death; also as a possible suspect due to false gossip of her being involved with the deceased’s husband. A man that comes nowhere near the husband she lost 15 years ago.

Tim, the dock master at her boat club, offers to help her debunk the gossip and show she isn’t involved in the murder. Not only do they learn some interesting secrets of the locals, Anne also finds Tim to be more interesting than she expected.

This is a fun read with a good assortment of characters, action, clues and red herrings, along with a little bit of romance.

I have read another of Rea Keech’s books, “Saint Sergey’s Head”. It is a combination of comedy, romance and mystery taking place in Istanbul. A little espionage and mystery are part of it too. Another fun read I’ve reviewed on this site.

I received this book through Library Thing Early Reviewers.

[June Price · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a dreary, overcast day when I first spied the sunny breeziness of this cover. On impulse, I requested to review it and am glad I did. I immediately liked the main character and quickly lost myself in Anne Bateman's world. While I don't sail and, in fact, as much as I enjoyed cruising Alaska's Inland Passageway, I enjoy the water, just from the shore. Anne is a teacher, too, as I once was, and seems quite involved in her community. She also lost her husband years ago but has never quite felt the need to couple up. Well, maybe until now. Tim, the dock master at the local boat club, has been a friend for years but it isn't until they both get caught up in looking into the murder of a pushy local busybody who was also a teacher at Anne's school, that they gradually realize there is a spark there. I definitely liked Tim, too, especially as we learn his backstory and that he's a writer, albeit of what he'd probably label niche books. Even the gossipy neighbor, who unintentionally creates a problem for Anne, making her a potential murder suspect, is likable, well, at least if you aren't caught doing something she deems iffy by her.

There are definitely some not particularly likable people, too, including the wannabe Romeo husband of Ruth, the victim. His common sense is definitely lacking, if nothing else, while he overestimates his charm. Money and greed rear their heads, too, leading to complications and a seemingly ever expanding suspect list. Since the book is out now, I won't teasing the plot but will say the author does an excellent job setting the scene and introducing the various characters, not to mention Anne's seemingly hard-of-hearing mother who lives in Florida. Don't worry, you'll get to meet her and her romantic interest, too. I'm hoping the author is thinking series here as I definitely would like to know more about the characters and the quirky residents we meet in this small town on Chesapeake Bay. Hope I spelled that right. You'll also get a dose of natural and animal preservation, too, via Anne and friends. I'll just say there's a young eagle involved. The police sergeant was very curt and tended to find Anne a nuisance although I definitely grew to like his office secretary, Mrs. Trimble. She helped make him a bit more human and added to the intriguing cast. Oh, what am I missing (admission, I didn't take notes), oh, the hurricane Anne and Tim go through together. Having grown up in Florida, I knew that scene all too well.

Bottom line, and intriguing mystery and intriguing, largely likable characters that I'd like to get to know better. Sure Anne makes some rookie sleuth mistakes but being a reader drawn by character driven books, that was a huge plus for me. The setting added to the charm and, hey, even picked up some knowledge about not just sailing but Olympic level rules and qualification techniques, not to mention the importance of adhering to those rules. Thanks #RealNiceBooksLLC and #IndependentBookPublishersAssociation(IBPA) for introducing me to a new author that I thoroughly enjoyed and hope to read more of his works. Hey, Tim even had a fun dog, Molly, another plus for me that I almost forgot to mention. Grin.

[Barbara Schultz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Title: On the Hook
Series: A Cozy Boat Club Mystery
Author: Rea Keech
Format: 🎧
Narrator: Maggie Ross
Publisher: Real Nice Books | Independent Book Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Audiobooks
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Audiobook Pub Date was May 23, 2026
My Rating: 5 Stars
Pages: 280

Ann Bateman has been a fifth-grade teacher at the local elementary school in Westport for the last 18 years.
Her husband Neil died fifteen years ago at the age of twenty-eight- when collapsed and died after a routine run. She still misses him and has not gotten remarried.
Ann had returned to the quaint maritime village where she grew up. She loves teaching in the multi-cultural environment in the quaint maritime village where she grew up – true many of the town’s elite sent their children to private schools. Additionally, Ann loves to race her small sailboat in the local regattas. Yes! This small village on the Chesapeake Bay is big on sailing and regattas.

The Laser Regatta, is for women over 40, and brings a big crowd. However, the next morning Ruth Newcome, a teacher from Ann's school, is found at the boat club hanging dead ‘on a hook’ .
Things get worse. Ann is questioned about having coffee with John Newcome and overheard talking about plans for his divorce from Ruth. Rumors soon fly.
We know Ann didn’t do it but is John guilty? If not who hated Ruth enough to kill her in such a nasty way?


I was drawn to this cozy mystery as I loved the cover. However, I soon found I was loving the story
It got more involved than many of the cozy mysteries I have read.
I enjoyed the characters, not just Ann and Tim of course was hoping for a serious romantic relationship but the other characters as well, including Molly Tim’s dog. Police Sergeant Kars was annoying but the office secretary Mrs. Trimble did a fun job keeping him in line.
Whodunit wasn’t expected nor was I expecting Author Ree Keech to be a guy. Few cozy male authors can do the great job he did with Ann’s POV.
I am now anxious to read his next story!
About the Author: Rae Keech has personal experience with sailing and regattas. He has been a teacher --at the University of South Carolina, Voorhees College, and the University of Tehran, as well as schools in Japan and Greece.
He taught English and World Literature at a community college for many years. His0 doctorate is in Comparative Literature.
This was his first cozy mystery.

This story also reminded me of growing up near the Ohio River. When I was young the River that was active with Sailing Regattas in the summer. I still have a vivid memory of the fireworks every 4th that the Yacht Club sponsored.

Want to thank NetGalley and Real Nice Books for granting me this audiobook.
Publishing Release Date was May 23, 2026.

[Carol · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was hoping this would be my introduction to cozy mysteries. While the genre may simply not be the best fit for me, I can appreciate what the author was trying to do.

The sailing setting is distinctive, and it's clear the author knows the sport well. The regatta scenes, boat clubs, and sailing community give the mystery an authentic backdrop, and I appreciated seeing a diverse cast of characters. The mystery itself follows the familiar cozy formula, with an unlikely amateur sleuth gradually uncovering the truth.

Where the book lost me was in the writing style. This is largely a matter of personal preference, but I prefer stories that trust readers to make connections on their own. Here, information was often repeated multiple times. A character would explain something, Anne would mentally restate it, and then the same information would be repeated again in another conversation. I found that constant reinforcement pulled me out of the story rather than drawing me deeper into it.

I also never fully connected with Anne. Although the story stays firmly in her point of view, I rarely felt like I was experiencing the world through her unique perspective. Instead of revealing her character through what she noticed, how she interpreted events, or the choices she made, the narration frequently summarized who she was and what she believed. That kept me at a distance emotionally.

There were also moments where some sailing concepts were explained repeatedly, while others were left largely unexplored. I found myself wishing the story trusted readers a little more—both emotionally and intellectually.

Ultimately, this one wasn't for me, but readers who enjoy traditional cozy mysteries with a strong community setting and straightforward storytelling may have a very different experience.

I received an advance audiobook copy through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Carol Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think this might be the first sailing cozy mystery I’ve read. Anne is a teacher at the elementary school in her hometown and is a member of the local boat club. Following the women laser regatta, one of the competitors is killed and Anne becomes a suspect. She and her friend, Tim, the dockmaster at the club, start to investigate.

The mystery was good. We had several plausible suspects, good clues and a few red herrings. I do wish the author had trusted the reader a bit more, instead of repeating points over and over.

I liked Anne, but I didn’t quite understand her. She’s been a widow for 18 years, her husband died suddenly when they were in their twenties. Why is she now, right when a murderer is loose in town, becoming interested in Tim, whom she has known for at least a couple of years. And the whole couple of chapters where he leaves town and somehow his cellphone becomes unusable were just silly. I don’t need my protagonist whining over the boy not calling her. You are taking care of his dog he adores. Clearly he would call if he could to check up on her if nothing else. The narrator did a good job bringing Anne to life. Her mother was a hoot, too. So, yes, we have quirky family and friends, a potential love interest, a cute pet, and lots of food, mostly crab-based – all the elements for a good cozy mystery.

I found the information about sailing and boats interesting, but maybe uneven. We had a lot of detail about some things and little about others. For example, I had to look up what a laser was.

Overall it was a read/listen. I’ll probably pick up the next one when it comes out.

[Mary Heather · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this cozy mystery book set in the world of regatta sailing in a quaint little maritime village. Anne is a 5th grade public school teacher who enjoys regatta sailing in her spare time. When another teacher at her school is murdered after a race, she finds herself in the middle of the mystery as a suspect! Surrounded by friends and community members, they work together to clear Anne (and others who are wrongfully accused because the police in this town are unsurprisingly inept...).

This was a really cute first book in a cute cozy mystery series. I enjoyed most all of the characters- there are some colorful and nosy neighbors but also a real sense of community. I loved some of the author's description, especially reference to a "triste house". This reminded me a lot of the "Murder, She Wrote" community and I look forward to other books in this series. It is very clean with minimal swearing and no sexual situations. This was a 3.5 star read.

I listened to the audiobook version and I found the narrator to be pleasant and easy to understand.

Thank you NetGalley and Real Nice Books for the opportunity to listen to this ARC.

[Kayla · Rating 3 out of 5]

I received an ARC of On the Hook in exchange for my unbiased and honest opninion.

I would give this book 3.5 stars

While I enjoyed the story as a whole, I found the writing style to be a little stilted for me. At the beginning of the book, I struggled to figure out the flow of the story and found dialog/ how scenes were written to be slightly abrupt in nature. As I became more accustomed to the authors particular writing style, I was able to become more engrossed in the story.

I've up to the point never read a book were sailing was a key component of the story and found it interesting. I also enjoyed the slow burn romance and red herrings thrown into the story throughout the plot.
I'm undecided at this time if I would read anymore of a series from this universe as of yet but might give it a try if there are more.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes sailing, whodunit murder mysteries and middle age characters.

All in all, a fun read to start my summer reading list.

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Anne Bateman, a widowed schoolteacher has returned to her quaint childhood home of Westport, a maritime village on the Chesapeake Bay. On her return she spends her time teaching and racing her sailboat in local regattas.
When a teacher from Anne's school is found dead, Anne finds herself a suspect from the gossip of a nosey neighbourhood claiming she is involved with the dead womans husband. Anne now sets about proving her innocence as she tries to piece together what really happened.

On the Hook was the 1st book I have read by this author. Unfortunately, it was not for me and it is down to personal preference.
​My usual types of books are fast paced and keep me on the edge of my seat and I love a plot twist that leaves my jaw on the floor. This book was a bit too slow-paced for me and not enough surprises.
The author did a good job with the characters and storyline. If you enjoy a cozy mystery in a small town with plenty of gossip this book will be for you.

Thank you to Real Nice Books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Summer · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first cozy mystery! Cozy murder mystery, to be precise. Anne is a caring and observant resident of a boating community. She enjoys sailing and regattas and general small boat shenanigans. But when a woman in town turns up dead, she might have to take up a new hobby: sleuthing! And luckily, there’s a handsome single man named Tim to team up with.

This book was kind of silly. Some of the characters, like Anne’s mother, were too ridiculous to take seriously. And of course Anne and Tim being cleverer than the police is far-fetched. But if you’re looking for a no-spice novel that won’t make your heart race at bedtime, this could be for you.

CC: a lesbian relationship is discussed, including disapproving parents; a heterosexual couple in a relationship share a bedroom; some murdering has happened at some point, but it’s very low-adrenaline; one villain is found to be liaising with many women in an empty property, and the word tryst is used an alarming number of times, triggering my monologophobia!

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC!

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Hook by Rea Keech is a fun and engaging cozy mystery that mixes small-town drama with the unique vibe of competitive sailing. Set in the charming maritime village of Westport, the story follows Anne, a teacher and avid sailor, whose quiet life gets turned upside down when a fellow teacher is found dead after a women’s regatta.

.The mystery moves along at a nice pace, with plenty of suspects and small-town secrets to keep you guessing. Ann is a likable and easy-to-root-for main character—smart, independent, and determined to clear her name after getting pulled into the investigation. The relationship between Anne and Tim, the dockmaster helping her with the investigation, grows naturally and adds a nice bit of warmth without taking over the story. The short chapters and conversational writing style make it an easy, enjoyable read that’s hard to put down. Hopefully this will be a series.

Thank you Netgalley and Real Nice Books for my ALC in exchange for my honest review.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a local teacher turns up dead after the Westport Sailing Club’s women’s regatta, the town gossip puts a fellow teacher, Anne Bateman, in the crosshairs by erroneously telling the police that Anne and the deceased’s husband were having an affair. Now Anne has to join forces with Tim, the local dockmaster, to try and find the real killer.

Although I’m not very knowledgeable about boats or sailing the author provided enough information for me to understand what was going on without overwhelming me. There were enough multiple plot lines and suspects to kept me guessing. And I liked Anne and Tim but my favorite character was Mrs. Beatrice, the town gossip. I hope the author is planning a sequel.

[Sheri Strba-Brozovich]

As someone who loves murder mysteries of all kinds, this one just didn't work for me. I ended up DNFing it at 30% because it honestly felt like a lot of word salad with very little keeping me engaged. The story never seemed to find its footing, and I struggled to stay interested.

One thing that really frustrated me was the main character's constant decision to withhold information from the police. I know amateur sleuths often bend the rules, but this felt excessive and unrealistic, and it made it hard for me to connect with or root for the character.

The setting was enjoyable, and I did appreciate all of the sailing details—they added a unique atmosphere to the story. Unfortunately, that wasn't enough to keep me listening. In the end, this audiobook just wasn't worth my time.

[Abigail · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read! The author tries his hand at cozy mysteries for the first time, and the results make me want to check out his earlier works. Anne is a teacher and races sailboats in Westport, where she finds herself ensnared in a murder investigation, alongside Tim, the sailing club's dockmaster. The author's sailing background is clear, as the book provides enough detail to interest the sailing-knowledgeable, although without teetering into tedium for the determined landlubber. Plot and character development were on par for a cozy mystery and held my interest to the end. If Anne and Tim take on another mystery in Westport, I will want to tag along.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small towns have nosey neighbors and they usually get things wrong. Anne has that problem after a woman is found dead following the Westport regattas. She is linked with the dead woman's husband, who believes he is the most important person that no one can resist! Anne and the dockmaster are determined to aid the man charged with the murder and things get even murkier when the woman that thought she could win everything is found dead. Loved the short chapters and the storyline was well written.

[Lori French · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️

Set in the charming sailing town of Westport on the Chesapeake Bay, this cozy mystery blends small-town gossip, a maritime setting, and a touch of slow-burn romance. Although I know very little about sailing, the author includes just enough regatta detail to create an authentic atmosphere without overwhelming readers unfamiliar with the sport.
The story unfolds at its own leisurely pace, and once I settled into its rhythm, I enjoyed following Anne and Tim as they worked to unravel the mystery. The layered plot, colorful cast of characters, and the delightfully nosy Mrs. Beatrice kept me guessing. The book has a nostalgic, Nancy Drew-style charm, with amateur sleuthing and a close-knit community at its heart.
While this series may not be the perfect fit for my personal reading tastes, I can certainly see why it has such a devoted following. Readers who enjoy cozy mysteries with mature characters, seaside settings, and gentle whodunits will likely feel right at home in Westport.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for providing a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. On the Hook is available now.

[Marissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley, Real Nice Books LLC and Independent Book
Publishers Association (IBPA), Members' Titles.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Set in the background of a marina this cozy mystery. Anne a teacher returns to hometown to teach but soon finds herself in a murder when a school girl is found dead during a regatta. The water holds more than just a dead body . The water will reveals secrets in this promising series.

[Dallas Updyke · Rating 1 out of 5]

I had really high hopes for this book. I love cozy mysteries, and one that involves sailing seems like a lot of fun. It wasn't. I DNFd at 50 percent. The main character seemed to lack common sense and just kept getting herself deeper into things by not telling the cops all the information she had. I just couldn't get into the story when I wanted to give the main character a swift kick to the backside. It was way too unrealistic. You'd think someone who is a murder suspect would do anything to clear her name. Such as telling the cops important information.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

On the Hook by Rea Keech is the first book in A Cozy Boat Club Mystery. I listened to the audiobook and Maggie Ross the Narrator was excellent.
I don’t know anything about sailing but that did not keep me from reading and getting into who was guilty and why. I thought I had the guilty person was until another twist was tossed in. I am looking forward to the next book in this series. I liked the characters and the way the interacted with each other.
Thank you NetGalley, Rea Keech and Real Nice Books for the Audiobook of On the Hook. This is my personal review.

[Lorie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anne returned to Westport where she grew up, to teach and race her sailboat. After a women's regatta, a teacher from her school is found dead. This was a really good book and kept you guessing on who the murderer was. Tim is a nice partner for Anne in helping solve the murder and they get to know each other better and grow closer. When you find out who the murderer is, it kind of makes you happy who did it.

[Jennifer Williams · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn’t the worst cozy mystery I’ve ever read, but it wasn’t anything special either. Some of the characters were written as overly dramatic and I just wasn’t invested in the story. If I had quit reading it at any point, I wouldn’t have cared how it ended.

This audiobook was provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Mary C · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a good mystery and set in a beautiful seaside town in Maryland, very similar to the town of Westport MA where I live. That is what drew me to want to read this and the story was great and I'm so happy I won it as an ARC from LibraryThing!

[Carrie]

A captivating and flowing mystery centering around the deaths of Ruth and Petra in Westport Maryland. The first question to be resolved is, were these deaths accidental or murder? Readers will feel involved in discovering and eliminating possible suspects as they also become a part of a community group led by Tim and Anne, an unofficial team alongside the official investigation led by the police and their support team. Enjoy not only the investigations, both the official and community-led, but also social life of the residents of Westport, including sailing, parades and social interactions in the coffee shop. Overall, an engaging and absorbing read with multiple connecting plot developments.