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Secrets and Scrabble #1
Murder at Pirate's Cove
Ellery Page, aspiring screenwriter, Scrabble champion and guy-with-worst-luck-in-the-world-when-it-comes-to-dating, is ready to make a change. So when he learns he's inherited both a failing bookstore and a falling-down mansion in the quaint seaside village of Pirate's Cove on Buck Island, Rhode Island, it's full steam ahead!
Sure enough, the village is charming, its residents amusingly eccentric, and widowed police chief Jack Carson is decidedly yummy (though probably as straight as he is stern). However, the bookstore is failing, the mansion is falling down, and there's that little drawback of finding rival bookseller--and head of the unwelcoming-committee--Trevor Maples dead during the annual Buccaneer Days celebration.
Still, it could be worse. And once Police Chief Carson learns Trevor was killed with the cutlass hanging over the door of Ellery's bookstore, it is.
**This story contains NO on-screen sex or violence.
Sure enough, the village is charming, its residents amusingly eccentric, and widowed police chief Jack Carson is decidedly yummy (though probably as straight as he is stern). However, the bookstore is failing, the mansion is falling down, and there's that little drawback of finding rival bookseller--and head of the unwelcoming-committee--Trevor Maples dead during the annual Buccaneer Days celebration.
Still, it could be worse. And once Police Chief Carson learns Trevor was killed with the cutlass hanging over the door of Ellery's bookstore, it is.
**This story contains NO on-screen sex or violence.
240 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2020
365 people are currently reading
3199 people want to read
About the author
Josh Lanyon
249 books5,446 followersAuthor of 100+ titles of Gay Mystery and M/M Romance, Josh Lanyon has built her literary legacy on twisty mystery, kickass adventure, and unapologetic man-on-man romance.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
Her work has been translated into twelve languages. The FBI thriller Fair Game was the first Male/Male title to be published by Italy’s Harlequin Mondadori and Stranger on the Shore (Harper Collins Italia) was the first M/M title to be published in print. In 2016 Fatal Shadows placed #5 in Japan’s annual Boy Love novel list (the first and only title by a foreign author to place on the list). The Adrien English series was awarded the All-Time Favorite Couple by the Goodreads M/M Romance Group. In 2019, Fatal Shadows became the first LGBTQ mobile game created by Moments: Choose Your Story.
She’s an EPIC Award winner, a four-time Lambda Literary Award finalist (twice for Gay Mystery), an Edgar nominee, and the first ever recipient of the Goodreads All Time Favorite M/M Author award.
Josh is married and lives in Southern California with her irascible husband, two adorable dogs, a small garden, and an ever-expanding library of vintage mystery destined to eventually crush them all beneath its weight.
Find other Josh Lanyon titles at www.joshlanyon.com
Follow Josh on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 689 reviews
May 31, 2023
This was fun. I really liked the setting and the characters, and the mystery was interesting.
Ellery and Jack remind me a lot of Adrien and Jake. They are the same type of characters, though the dynamics between them is more 'lighthearted', with only a hint of romance. Definitely a promising start to the series. And there's a puppy. 🥰
Every audiobook I've listened to so far by this author has excellent narrators, and this one was no exception. I think that Matt Haynes captured the characters and the feel of the quaint village of Pirate's Cove perfectly.
*********
Re-read 1/2022
Re-read 5/2023
Ellery and Jack remind me a lot of Adrien and Jake. They are the same type of characters, though the dynamics between them is more 'lighthearted', with only a hint of romance. Definitely a promising start to the series. And there's a puppy. 🥰
Every audiobook I've listened to so far by this author has excellent narrators, and this one was no exception. I think that Matt Haynes captured the characters and the feel of the quaint village of Pirate's Cove perfectly.
*********
Re-read 1/2022
Re-read 5/2023
July 12, 2022
I wanna move to Pirate's Cove. Simply for the delight of meeting Ellery. What a lovely name. It just rolls right off the tongue. Ellery... Elle.. Er... Rrrry...
My god Josh Lanyon is back! Well, she never left but she has stopped rushing endings. I'm still not over the conflict resolution in Slay Ride. But what a delight this book is! A piping hot cup of comfort tea... A warm hug from a teddy bear... A kiss on the forehead... I am such a pile of goo. Yes from a locked room murder mystery where 2.5 people died.
Ellery Page moves to Pirate Cove after inheriting a book store and a cool castle from a great great great great aunt Eudora. An old eccentric he didn't even know existed until the opportune time. After his ex cheats on him, and his acting career fades like my attention when I see a kitten he decides to take on the timely escape provided by great great great aunt Eudora.
Things aren't smooth sailing. The house is in need of endless repairs and the bookshop is in the red. I actually don't really get what that is but I know it's commerce speak for the business is broke?? (I got a D in econ). Ellery is facing pressure from a mayoral election candidate local wannabe Drumpf but he won't sell. He won't give up his new reason to live so easily. And soon enough, after he finds a dead body in the bookshop, he can't sell anyway.
Ellery is thrust into a world of intrigue, mayhem and amateur investigations when he finds out that "Murder seems like something that happens to other people" is a belief best left to people who don't find dead bodies in their shops.
This book is so charming. I was getting my hair done as I was reading it and Lanyon's witticisms gave me such a severe case of the smiles my hairdresser had to wonder whether she wasn't yanking my scalp hard enough (trust me, box braids are a pain). But I was in no pain. How could I when the endorphins were being released by such lines:
I'm displeased that the sequel will take so long to come (It's coming in April 2020) and as we all know, Lanyon's series always leave you panting and pining for more. This book is very formulaic of a Lanyon book. It is also a very subliminal ad for Lanyon's other books. I can't tell whether it was so genius it was unwittingly deliberate but I don't care. This book reminded me of Adrien, perhaps because of how aggressively lovable Ellery is.
Ugh, just read the book.
This book was provided for me by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
My god Josh Lanyon is back! Well, she never left but she has stopped rushing endings. I'm still not over the conflict resolution in Slay Ride. But what a delight this book is! A piping hot cup of comfort tea... A warm hug from a teddy bear... A kiss on the forehead... I am such a pile of goo. Yes from a locked room murder mystery where 2.5 people died.
Ellery Page moves to Pirate Cove after inheriting a book store and a cool castle from a great great great great aunt Eudora. An old eccentric he didn't even know existed until the opportune time. After his ex cheats on him, and his acting career fades like my attention when I see a kitten he decides to take on the timely escape provided by great great great aunt Eudora.
Things aren't smooth sailing. The house is in need of endless repairs and the bookshop is in the red. I actually don't really get what that is but I know it's commerce speak for the business is broke?? (I got a D in econ). Ellery is facing pressure from a mayoral election candidate local wannabe Drumpf but he won't sell. He won't give up his new reason to live so easily. And soon enough, after he finds a dead body in the bookshop, he can't sell anyway.
Ellery is thrust into a world of intrigue, mayhem and amateur investigations when he finds out that "Murder seems like something that happens to other people" is a belief best left to people who don't find dead bodies in their shops.
This book is so charming. I was getting my hair done as I was reading it and Lanyon's witticisms gave me such a severe case of the smiles my hairdresser had to wonder whether she wasn't yanking my scalp hard enough (trust me, box braids are a pain). But I was in no pain. How could I when the endorphins were being released by such lines:
The pup yawned in his ear and tucked his head more comfortably beneath Ellery's chin. "Isn't he adorable?" the mayor said in the polite tone of a cat person.
I'm displeased that the sequel will take so long to come (It's coming in April 2020) and as we all know, Lanyon's series always leave you panting and pining for more. This book is very formulaic of a Lanyon book. It is also a very subliminal ad for Lanyon's other books. I can't tell whether it was so genius it was unwittingly deliberate but I don't care. This book reminded me of Adrien, perhaps because of how aggressively lovable Ellery is.
Ugh, just read the book.
This book was provided for me by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
June 3, 2025
I've been looking forward to reading this for a while and it did not disappoint.
If you like cozies you will probably really enjoy this - if you like m/m and have not read a cozy before... I'm not so sure, but give it a go! Cozies are different sorts of books with specific rules a writer works under. Josh Lanyon followed the rules and turned in a very charming mystery with great characters that I cannot wait to read more about. This is going to be a great, fun series!
Just as much fun the second time around!
August 23, 2020
Yes, I love Josh Lanyon's work.
Yes, I am a HUGE fan of Adrien and Jake.
And yes, the skill and experience of a seasoned author is an amazing reading delight and I found myself loving many many parts of this book.
Am I a fan of the cozy mystery genre?
Definitely not.
I started to be put off when romantic interest Police Chief Jack Carson asked for more distance from Ellery in order to stay unbiased for the investigation. I mean, MORE distance?? As compared to, what, the five words he spoke to him before??
So he actually vanished off page until the very end of the story and we didn't even get a kiss - much like Adrien and Jake during the first book (when I was dumb enough not to realize that Jake WAS in fact the romantic interest. Yeah, insert eyeroll)
And while I LOVED Adrien as a main character because of his extremely well developed background, Ellery Page fell more or less flat. A failed actor who doesn't seem to have much talent for anything but scrabble ends up inheriting a bookstore on a quaint island that is big on pirate references. While I admit that works quite well in some stories, it was a bit overdone here. The theme holiday where everybody dresses up as pirates, the house names of 'Captain's Seat' and 'Crow's Nest', the murder weapon itself?
Everything was a tad too much for me.
However, what I am looking for the most in these mysteries was decidedly lacking: No romance, no sexy times, but we get a puppy, because...of course. All that's missing was a bunch of kittens that keep Ellery's feet warm at night...
Also, and please tell me if I am simply too blind to see it... did that mystery plot make the least bit of sense??
I don't want to whine too much, because I understand that this genre may have great appeal to a lot of readers, especially bringing readers from mainstream literature to the m/m genre, which I greatly appreciate.
Also, it's probably unfair to even compare this to Adrien English, but come on, with that set-up it's hard to ignore the similarities...
Still, for me, it is definitely and utterly boring after having read so many absolutely excellent books, especially those written by Josh Lanyon.
Of course, the writing is definitely stellar. A star author knows their craft, no doubt about it.
But yeah, only 3 stars from me this time.
Yes, I am a HUGE fan of Adrien and Jake.
And yes, the skill and experience of a seasoned author is an amazing reading delight and I found myself loving many many parts of this book.
Am I a fan of the cozy mystery genre?
Definitely not.
I started to be put off when romantic interest Police Chief Jack Carson asked for more distance from Ellery in order to stay unbiased for the investigation. I mean, MORE distance?? As compared to, what, the five words he spoke to him before??
So he actually vanished off page until the very end of the story and we didn't even get a kiss - much like Adrien and Jake during the first book (when I was dumb enough not to realize that Jake WAS in fact the romantic interest. Yeah, insert eyeroll)
And while I LOVED Adrien as a main character because of his extremely well developed background, Ellery Page fell more or less flat. A failed actor who doesn't seem to have much talent for anything but scrabble ends up inheriting a bookstore on a quaint island that is big on pirate references. While I admit that works quite well in some stories, it was a bit overdone here. The theme holiday where everybody dresses up as pirates, the house names of 'Captain's Seat' and 'Crow's Nest', the murder weapon itself?
Everything was a tad too much for me.
However, what I am looking for the most in these mysteries was decidedly lacking: No romance, no sexy times, but we get a puppy, because...of course. All that's missing was a bunch of kittens that keep Ellery's feet warm at night...
Also, and please tell me if I am simply too blind to see it... did that mystery plot make the least bit of sense??
I don't want to whine too much, because I understand that this genre may have great appeal to a lot of readers, especially bringing readers from mainstream literature to the m/m genre, which I greatly appreciate.
Also, it's probably unfair to even compare this to Adrien English, but come on, with that set-up it's hard to ignore the similarities...
Still, for me, it is definitely and utterly boring after having read so many absolutely excellent books, especially those written by Josh Lanyon.
Of course, the writing is definitely stellar. A star author knows their craft, no doubt about it.
But yeah, only 3 stars from me this time.
March 22, 2020
I'm a simple girl; if Josh writes it, I'mma read it.
April 7, 2026
This has absolutely everything I love about a cozy crime mystery:
Check, check, CHECK!! 😍
This was a genuinely well crafted mystery that kept me guessing, with characters I can’t wait to get to know further. The reveal at the end there could have maybe been a bit more exciting or rounded out (especially the motive) but all in all, a very satisfying start to this series!
I listened to the audiobook with my bf during long car rides this past weekend (his verdict is ‘this was quite good’ and ’Jack was hot’ so take that as the genuinely glowing review that it is lol) and it was absolutely perfect for that! The narrator did a fantastic job and now I kinda wanna listen to the whole series 😍🏴☠️
4,5 ⭐️
A bookshop inherited from a long lost family member?
A big city guy in a quirky small town?
A crumbling mansion with secret passageways?
An eccentric town festival?
British flair?
A grumpy detective with a broken past?
An Agatha Christie style whodunnit?
And a sloooow burn romantic subplot that already makes you swoon?
Check, check, CHECK!! 😍
This was a genuinely well crafted mystery that kept me guessing, with characters I can’t wait to get to know further. The reveal at the end there could have maybe been a bit more exciting or rounded out (especially the motive) but all in all, a very satisfying start to this series!
I listened to the audiobook with my bf during long car rides this past weekend (his verdict is ‘this was quite good’ and ’Jack was hot’ so take that as the genuinely glowing review that it is lol) and it was absolutely perfect for that! The narrator did a fantastic job and now I kinda wanna listen to the whole series 😍🏴☠️
4,5 ⭐️
June 4, 2025
Audiobook: ***4 Stars***
Story: ***4.5 Stars***
Nothing better than to curl up on your couch with a classic Lanyon in this sh*te of a weather! ❤
#cozymysteriesforthewin
#pupnamedwatsonisthecutest
Story: ***4.5 Stars***
Nothing better than to curl up on your couch with a classic Lanyon in this sh*te of a weather! ❤
#cozymysteriesforthewin
#pupnamedwatsonisthecutest
June 23, 2020
2.sth rounded up to 3
This is a quick, entertaining and comfortable read with some funny moments but it never went above ok for me. As an avid Lanyon reader, I've been wondering for a while if Josh Lanyon's pen name has been hijacked by an AI that's been fed too many Lanyon books, and this book has only made me more suspicious. Lanyon likes her tropes and I mostly like them too but this book is too similar to Fatal Shadows (or a lot of her other books) and the similarities only highlight that missing spark. All the familiar elements are there but they're just weak outlines of the older books I fell in love with. The writing while not bad is nowhere near as good as Josh's best, the characters are not fleshed out, there's not much chemistry and even the mystery is less thrilling. There are also too many fourth wall breaking moments and despite the book's insistence that it's a cozy mystery, it's not that cozy. Mostly cause none of the characters are very appealing. I still enjoy this author's books and occasionally find one of them pretty good, but her recent work just seems less inspired and (very impressive machine learning aside) I'm afraid I'm not going to like any of them as much as the old stuff. I still hope the future installments are better.
PS witches would've really improved this book.
This is a quick, entertaining and comfortable read with some funny moments but it never went above ok for me. As an avid Lanyon reader, I've been wondering for a while if Josh Lanyon's pen name has been hijacked by an AI that's been fed too many Lanyon books, and this book has only made me more suspicious. Lanyon likes her tropes and I mostly like them too but this book is too similar to Fatal Shadows (or a lot of her other books) and the similarities only highlight that missing spark. All the familiar elements are there but they're just weak outlines of the older books I fell in love with. The writing while not bad is nowhere near as good as Josh's best, the characters are not fleshed out, there's not much chemistry and even the mystery is less thrilling. There are also too many fourth wall breaking moments and despite the book's insistence that it's a cozy mystery, it's not that cozy. Mostly cause none of the characters are very appealing. I still enjoy this author's books and occasionally find one of them pretty good, but her recent work just seems less inspired and (very impressive machine learning aside) I'm afraid I'm not going to like any of them as much as the old stuff. I still hope the future installments are better.
PS witches would've really improved this book.
February 25, 2024
Josh Lanyon’s new Secrets & Scrabble series starts of with Murder at Pirate’s Cove. As a fan of Lanyon’s incredibly stunning love scenes I was afraid I might miss the physical romance in this cozy mystery series, but I didn’t even notice. The characters are interesting and creative, plus the whole thing is beautifully written. I can’t wait for the next episode of the series!
a copy of Murder at Pirate’s Cove was provided to me for the purpose of my review
a copy of Murder at Pirate’s Cove was provided to me for the purpose of my review
July 19, 2023
It was a lovely cozy mystery
I enjoyed the plot and the writing was great as always by the author. The romance part was slow slow burn, almost non existent, but that’s the usual way with the author. I was expecting it and I wouldn’t want otherwise. The small setting was charming and I found the side characters interesting too. It’s a long series, so yay! A lot to read:)
I enjoyed the plot and the writing was great as always by the author. The romance part was slow slow burn, almost non existent, but that’s the usual way with the author. I was expecting it and I wouldn’t want otherwise. The small setting was charming and I found the side characters interesting too. It’s a long series, so yay! A lot to read:)
January 19, 2023
welcome to 202-Queer 🌈✨, the year where i only read queer books🌈✨
i listened to this to fall asleep and it worked both times so i won't complain
i think the beginning is really boring and so is the end but the middle part kept me on the edge of my seat a bit
i don't believe in romance in thriller/mystery books so i couldn't care less about the couple
overall a decent experience
i listened to this to fall asleep and it worked both times so i won't complain
i think the beginning is really boring and so is the end but the middle part kept me on the edge of my seat a bit
i don't believe in romance in thriller/mystery books so i couldn't care less about the couple
overall a decent experience
March 3, 2020
Bring on the cozy.
I had so much fun. A light and entertaining read. Just what the doctor ordered.
I had so much fun. A light and entertaining read. Just what the doctor ordered.
Want to Read
July 26, 2020Kindle freebie 7/26/20
August 4, 2023
**Note: I’m so sorry. I was going to write a blurb as I always do but the original one is so good I don’t feel like embarrassing myself trying🙈
Murder at Pirate’s Cove is the introduction to a new COZY MYSTERY romance series to get obsessed with. The capital letters are there because the author wrote this focusing on the mystery-which was so good-, while the romance is going to be more in the background. As someone who always misses romance when I pick up a thriller, this sounds like pure perfection, but maybe don’t pick this up if you want a mystery ROMANCE.
I’ve heard in some reviews this is a softer, lighter version of Adrien English, and now that I’ve read it I understand the description. Police Chief Jack Carson seems to have a lot less issues than Jake (hero in Adrien English) which made me feel so light because, as much as I loved Jake, following a gay homophobic character gave my poor heart enough anxiety for this season. I adored how Jack Carson tried to be serious and unbiased when he was clearly into Ellery, how he always tried to protect Elley while he kept having bad ideas that only incriminated him further. I can see another crush coming and this time there is nothing anybody can say about it because Carson is a good guy whom I know will treat Ellery right from the beginning please don’t fail me
As Adrien English, Ellery Page is a charming POV to follow. You’ll smile at his jokes, grimace at the terrible ideas and enjoy every single second of the ride. He’s so genuine, so full of flaws yet so relatable, I can’t wait to keep following him as he proceeds to give Jack migraines.
While the ‘romance’ was a mere introduction of the future couple-similar to Adrien English #1-, it was more than enough for me to make me want to keep reading without losing the focus on the case. Not that it was a difficult task, because the mystery was so damn good! I have to humble myself and admit I didn’t see it coming-my guess was the same as the main character who was wrong-so I was very delighted when they figured it out.
Overall, I’m really excited that I may not need therapy to survive this series while still having the time of my life following Ellery and Jack’s future adventures and trying to gather the clues before Josh Lanyon solves the mystery for me. I’d highly recommend this first book if you love great mysteries, small town gossip, a charming POV and also appreciate having a bit of romance added on the background.
As a side note, WHY do characters never seem to remember people can be bisexual? Ellery’s thoughts: ‘i thought there was chemistry between us, but he has been married to a woman so obviously he has to be straight and obviously I must have imagined everything because I have such a crush on him it’s all i can think about…’ *sighs*
🎧read as an audiobook
Murder at Pirate’s Cove is the introduction to a new COZY MYSTERY romance series to get obsessed with. The capital letters are there because the author wrote this focusing on the mystery-which was so good-, while the romance is going to be more in the background. As someone who always misses romance when I pick up a thriller, this sounds like pure perfection, but maybe don’t pick this up if you want a mystery ROMANCE.
I’ve heard in some reviews this is a softer, lighter version of Adrien English, and now that I’ve read it I understand the description. Police Chief Jack Carson seems to have a lot less issues than Jake (hero in Adrien English) which made me feel so light because, as much as I loved Jake, following a gay homophobic character gave my poor heart enough anxiety for this season. I adored how Jack Carson tried to be serious and unbiased when he was clearly into Ellery, how he always tried to protect Elley while he kept having bad ideas that only incriminated him further. I can see another crush coming and this time there is nothing anybody can say about it because Carson is a good guy whom I know will treat Ellery right from the beginning
As Adrien English, Ellery Page is a charming POV to follow. You’ll smile at his jokes, grimace at the terrible ideas and enjoy every single second of the ride. He’s so genuine, so full of flaws yet so relatable, I can’t wait to keep following him as he proceeds to give Jack migraines.
While the ‘romance’ was a mere introduction of the future couple-similar to Adrien English #1-, it was more than enough for me to make me want to keep reading without losing the focus on the case. Not that it was a difficult task, because the mystery was so damn good! I have to humble myself and admit I didn’t see it coming-my guess was the same as the main character who was wrong-so I was very delighted when they figured it out.
Overall, I’m really excited that I may not need therapy to survive this series while still having the time of my life following Ellery and Jack’s future adventures and trying to gather the clues before Josh Lanyon solves the mystery for me. I’d highly recommend this first book if you love great mysteries, small town gossip, a charming POV and also appreciate having a bit of romance added on the background.
As a side note, WHY do characters never seem to remember people can be bisexual? Ellery’s thoughts: ‘i thought there was chemistry between us, but he has been married to a woman so obviously he has to be straight and obviously I must have imagined everything because I have such a crush on him it’s all i can think about…’ *sighs*
🎧read as an audiobook
July 28, 2020
Have always loved cosy mysteries, I really enjoyed this. It's ridiculous but engaging. A lot of recent Lanyon's haven't worked for me but got this as a promo freebie and it proved a light fun read, really looking forward to more of the verse.
Ellery's new house sounds great, stiffling the pique at a non mystery-book-lover running a mystery book shop. I like chief Carson though there's barely whiff of romance to this, it's a series, we'll see where that goes.
Some lively characters to suspect although got to be honest I guessed the villian almost immediately, which didn't stop it being a fun read. Not one to take seriously this embraces tropes and echoes familiar tv detectives from Columbo's 'one more thing' to a direct reference to Jessica Fletcher.
Had a few niggles she was his great, great, great aunt? really? a Spaniel mix with a squishy face? Nora frequently wiping tears...
But. Books, murder, clues, high-jinx and a Buccaneer week - count me in.
Ellery's new house sounds great, stiffling the pique at a non mystery-book-lover running a mystery book shop. I like chief Carson though there's barely whiff of romance to this, it's a series, we'll see where that goes.
Some lively characters to suspect although got to be honest I guessed the villian almost immediately, which didn't stop it being a fun read. Not one to take seriously this embraces tropes and echoes familiar tv detectives from Columbo's 'one more thing' to a direct reference to Jessica Fletcher.
Had a few niggles she was his great, great, great aunt? really? a Spaniel mix with a squishy face? Nora frequently wiping tears...
But. Books, murder, clues, high-jinx and a Buccaneer week - count me in.
June 29, 2023
There simply isn’t anything new here. It’s a pale shadow of the author’s older works, especially The Adrien English Mysteries. I nearly DNFd it but chose to mush on.
* Characters lacked depth
* Dialogue is uninspired
* World building is muddy
* Mystery barely held my attention
The author’s AE Mysteries is for all intents and purposes my favorite MM romance series amidst the several thousand genre books I’ve read over the past decade. This book is not of that quality.
* Characters lacked depth
* Dialogue is uninspired
* World building is muddy
* Mystery barely held my attention
The author’s AE Mysteries is for all intents and purposes my favorite MM romance series amidst the several thousand genre books I’ve read over the past decade. This book is not of that quality.
July 11, 2021
I was definitely in the mood for something like this. On the other hand, when I'm not in the mood for another Josh Lanyon story. Anyway, I was looking for a good cozy mystery and I was not disappointed. The mystery was interesting, and the characters, as always, excellent.
Let's start with the characters. The main character of the story is Ellery, a former New York screenwriter who moved to a small town on the island in Rhodes Island after inheriting a house and a run-down bookstore. As always with Lanyon, Ellery is a complex three-dimensional character that is very easy to like. His actions are thoughtful and consistent with his character. Maybe Ellery takes unnecessary risks sometimes, but at least he doesn’t do it out of stupidity and is aware of the danger.
The book begins with a scene where Ellery argues with Trevor, the owner of the second bookstore in this small town, and soon finds Trevor dead in his own bookstore. This is a strong and very promising start to the book. The investigation is conducted by Police Chief Jack Carson, with whom Ellery would be happy to go out. The action is fast and the stakes are high all the time because someone is clearly trying to frame Ellery for this murder. And there is no shortage of suspects.
This is one of those Lanyon books that is part of a series. So we don't have much here in terms of Ellery's love life. It's a pity. Because while Trevor's murder mystery is very interesting, I'd like a little more romance as well. Even if it's understandable why Carter can't have a love affair with his prime suspect in a murder case.
This is the perfect book to take with you on a beach. I'm really curious to see what else Ellery will get into, so I will probably read more books in this series soon.
Let's start with the characters. The main character of the story is Ellery, a former New York screenwriter who moved to a small town on the island in Rhodes Island after inheriting a house and a run-down bookstore. As always with Lanyon, Ellery is a complex three-dimensional character that is very easy to like. His actions are thoughtful and consistent with his character. Maybe Ellery takes unnecessary risks sometimes, but at least he doesn’t do it out of stupidity and is aware of the danger.
The book begins with a scene where Ellery argues with Trevor, the owner of the second bookstore in this small town, and soon finds Trevor dead in his own bookstore. This is a strong and very promising start to the book. The investigation is conducted by Police Chief Jack Carson, with whom Ellery would be happy to go out. The action is fast and the stakes are high all the time because someone is clearly trying to frame Ellery for this murder. And there is no shortage of suspects.
This is one of those Lanyon books that is part of a series. So we don't have much here in terms of Ellery's love life. It's a pity. Because while Trevor's murder mystery is very interesting, I'd like a little more romance as well. Even if it's understandable why Carter can't have a love affair with his prime suspect in a murder case.
This is the perfect book to take with you on a beach. I'm really curious to see what else Ellery will get into, so I will probably read more books in this series soon.
November 14, 2021
Cozies are not my favorite kind of stories, but one thing they always have going for them is that you can put your money on things turning out okay and the good guys getting their happy ever after. Plus...if Josh Lanyon has her name on the cover...you know 100% that it’s going to be an outstanding story. The characters will be engaging...the dialogue intelligent...and the main characters are not going to do anything making them too stupid to live. I really enjoyed this great start to a new series...at least for me. So....I have my tea... I have my new to me series and I’m going to spend some time in Pirate’s Cove at Ellery’s bookstore. Feel free to come and join me.
December 22, 2025
Reread- Actually I am listening this series on audiobook and loving it.
Book 1- Murder's at Pirate Cove
Series- Secrets and Scrabbles
Rating- 3.5 Stars
Genre- Amature Sleuth/cozy mystery/ whodunit
Although many books by JL have an Agatha Christie vibe, I have never felt it more than this series. These books are based in a village called Pirate cove, near Rhode Island. The setup of mystery around a picturesque setting and armature sleuthing surely gives Agatha Christie vibes without the problematic contents.🤭🤭
Ideally, the mystery plot only deserves 3 stars. Plus although we have a potential love interest in the form of detective Jack Carson, we do not have any actual romance in this book. But, the MC, Ellery Page'spersonality, internal monologues and his love/hate relationship with mysteries was so much fun that I could not help but enjoy every second of it.
Ellery had worked as an actor, screenwriter in the past but failed to be successful anywhere. Then after the death of his great-great-aunt Lenora(this was repeated at least 50 times in the book 😂😂), became the owner of a small mystery book shop in Pirate Cove. Not, to say his take as an outsider towards the eccentricities of small-town people is amusing.
Ellery is both charming and funny. And, then he named his newly acquired puppy, Watson.🥰🥰🥰 that was the exact moment, I decided to keep reading this series.
Book 1- Murder's at Pirate Cove
Series- Secrets and Scrabbles
Rating- 3.5 Stars
Genre- Amature Sleuth/cozy mystery/ whodunit
Although many books by JL have an Agatha Christie vibe, I have never felt it more than this series. These books are based in a village called Pirate cove, near Rhode Island. The setup of mystery around a picturesque setting and armature sleuthing surely gives Agatha Christie vibes without the problematic contents.🤭🤭
Ideally, the mystery plot only deserves 3 stars. Plus although we have a potential love interest in the form of detective Jack Carson, we do not have any actual romance in this book. But, the MC, Ellery Page'spersonality, internal monologues and his love/hate relationship with mysteries was so much fun that I could not help but enjoy every second of it.
Ellery had worked as an actor, screenwriter in the past but failed to be successful anywhere. Then after the death of his great-great-aunt Lenora(this was repeated at least 50 times in the book 😂😂), became the owner of a small mystery book shop in Pirate Cove. Not, to say his take as an outsider towards the eccentricities of small-town people is amusing.
Ellery is both charming and funny. And, then he named his newly acquired puppy, Watson.🥰🥰🥰 that was the exact moment, I decided to keep reading this series.
March 13, 2025
Going in, I had high hopes for this book/series. Remarkably, it exceeded those expectations! I read a lot of "cozy" mysteries as well as traditional mysteries. If you're not specifically familiar with the cozy mystery genre, you may have a different experience, but this checks every single box of what a "cozy" mystery should be ... right down to the requisite adorable pet. Seriously, this was an absolutely delightful reading/listening experience! 😊
My first Josh Lanyon tale and I'm now a fan. Oh, and I did this as an audiobook since it was included in my Spotify subscription and the Kindle books are not available on Kindle Unlimited ... and Matt Haynes did an excellent job with the narration. 👍👍
My first Josh Lanyon tale and I'm now a fan. Oh, and I did this as an audiobook since it was included in my Spotify subscription and the Kindle books are not available on Kindle Unlimited ... and Matt Haynes did an excellent job with the narration. 👍👍
August 4, 2021
3.5 🌼✨
Josh Lanyon always does it to me. I remember listening to Adrien English Mystery Series, the whole 5 books+the novella in one go. I'm sure this series is gonna be the same.
RTC
Josh Lanyon always does it to me. I remember listening to Adrien English Mystery Series, the whole 5 books+the novella in one go. I'm sure this series is gonna be the same.
RTC
August 6, 2021
This was a perfect blend of a cozy mystery and a entertaining romance. I don't see m/m romance cozy mystery hardly enough! Loved the village and the charming tone but intresting mystery.
March 3, 2025
Reread March 2025
I know I swore I was done with this author but here we are and I didn't dislike it at all. I know I could write a better review but I'm still in a review funk.
I know I swore I was done with this author but here we are and I didn't dislike it at all. I know I could write a better review but I'm still in a review funk.
June 14, 2024
Story: 4 Stars
Audio: 4 Stars
I really didn’t know what cozy mystery meant and had to Google it. Despite not knowing what it was, turns out I have read many of these old fashioned cozy mysteries.. and loved them. 😍. This book too had an interesting plot and quite a number of characters around a classic whodunnit 🤔 The protagonist Ellery Page is intelligent but also a little naive and trusting. Through no fault of his, he becomes the prime suspect in a murder and gets further entangled in the investigation when he tries to prove his innocence. I didn’t like Jack Carson that much.. but maybe it’s because there was no romance in this story at least.. but I hope things heat up in the next one 😉
Audio: 4 Stars
I really didn’t know what cozy mystery meant and had to Google it. Despite not knowing what it was, turns out I have read many of these old fashioned cozy mysteries.. and loved them. 😍. This book too had an interesting plot and quite a number of characters around a classic whodunnit 🤔 The protagonist Ellery Page is intelligent but also a little naive and trusting. Through no fault of his, he becomes the prime suspect in a murder and gets further entangled in the investigation when he tries to prove his innocence. I didn’t like Jack Carson that much.. but maybe it’s because there was no romance in this story at least.. but I hope things heat up in the next one 😉
Want to Read
July 25, 20207/25/20 Currently FREE via Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0826X61C9
February 29, 2020
3.5 stars
In her other pen name, Lanyon wrote cozy mystery series. So, this must be a familiar territory 😉 ... I thought it had the right ingredient. A "common citizen" gets involved in a murder case, becoming a suspect, the love interest is the chief of police, and there are townies characters that will be source of gossips.
It was enjoyable first start of a series! I look forward to see Ellery becoming more and more entangled with the community life in Pirate's Cove; for example I haven't seen him playing scrabble with the scrabble club!! I also look forward to see the romance with Chief Carson blossoming.
In her other pen name, Lanyon wrote cozy mystery series. So, this must be a familiar territory 😉 ... I thought it had the right ingredient. A "common citizen" gets involved in a murder case, becoming a suspect, the love interest is the chief of police, and there are townies characters that will be source of gossips.
It was enjoyable first start of a series! I look forward to see Ellery becoming more and more entangled with the community life in Pirate's Cove; for example I haven't seen him playing scrabble with the scrabble club!! I also look forward to see the romance with Chief Carson blossoming.
January 30, 2023
3.5 stars rounding up.
This is a solid, light murder mystery with a gay main character. Fun without too much camp which can make cozies cheesy.
This is a solid, light murder mystery with a gay main character. Fun without too much camp which can make cozies cheesy.
March 9, 2026
March 2026 audio
I did not remember this book starts sort of in the middle. Ellery is already moved in and working the book store. The story of how he got there is explained but I kind of wanted to experience it first hand. Still love it!!!!!!💜
2024 audio review
Another series to add to the annual re-read list.
Below all still true, and I liked the audio. There were a few moments (I forget now where) that I kind of gave the side eye to the narration, BUT, still a great listen.
2020 ebook review
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
So cute! I am a huge JL fan so it should come as no surprise that I enjoyed her latest. Murder at Pirate's Cove is a Cozy mystery and I have not read many of those, mainly because the opportunity never presented itself. It's a great genre of mystery/romance, where the main focus is on the mystery, and the character/romance is secondary, although in Pirate's, the potential for romance was very front and center.
Ellery is the new guy in town, and wouldn't you know it? A dead body is discovered in his bookstore. But never fear! The police are on it, and of course suspect Ellery. Thankfully police chief Jack Carson is no dummy and sees that Ellery is innocent. Now the fun, er, murder investigation is on!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and am so excited to read the next book! There was no on page romance (nor off page) and our MCs are dancing around each other (they are essentially strangers after all), and things are getting interesting when the book ends. They have subtly admitted to the potential for them to get together. When and what that would look like is still in the air, but delightfully adorable.
It's clear that while the murder is solved, there is still a mystery to figure out. Not sure if book 2 will touch on that; based on the blurb it doesn't sound like it but you can't give everything away in the blurb.
I had figured out what was going on before the big reveal, which was fine. I do enjoy a good who-dun-it that keeps me guessing, but proving I could have had a career as a detective is satisfying too. :)
Yep, I do give this 5 stars simply because it was too cute not to deserve it. And the puppy! Baby animals are always an adorable plus, and book puppies are just too cute for words! No, puppy didn't save the day but he did save Ellery's heart from turning to stone (he might have hardened it after leaving his boyfriend, Todd).
Personal comment, not a spoiler:
I did not remember this book starts sort of in the middle. Ellery is already moved in and working the book store. The story of how he got there is explained but I kind of wanted to experience it first hand. Still love it!!!!!!💜
2024 audio review
Another series to add to the annual re-read list.
Below all still true, and I liked the audio. There were a few moments (I forget now where) that I kind of gave the side eye to the narration, BUT, still a great listen.
2020 ebook review
A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.
So cute! I am a huge JL fan so it should come as no surprise that I enjoyed her latest. Murder at Pirate's Cove is a Cozy mystery and I have not read many of those, mainly because the opportunity never presented itself. It's a great genre of mystery/romance, where the main focus is on the mystery, and the character/romance is secondary, although in Pirate's, the potential for romance was very front and center.
Ellery is the new guy in town, and wouldn't you know it? A dead body is discovered in his bookstore. But never fear! The police are on it, and of course suspect Ellery. Thankfully police chief Jack Carson is no dummy and sees that Ellery is innocent. Now the fun, er, murder investigation is on!
I thoroughly enjoyed this and am so excited to read the next book! There was no on page romance (nor off page) and our MCs are dancing around each other (they are essentially strangers after all), and things are getting interesting when the book ends. They have subtly admitted to the potential for them to get together. When and what that would look like is still in the air, but delightfully adorable.
It's clear that while the murder is solved, there is still a mystery to figure out. Not sure if book 2 will touch on that; based on the blurb it doesn't sound like it but you can't give everything away in the blurb.
I had figured out what was going on before the big reveal, which was fine. I do enjoy a good who-dun-it that keeps me guessing, but proving I could have had a career as a detective is satisfying too. :)
Yep, I do give this 5 stars simply because it was too cute not to deserve it. And the puppy! Baby animals are always an adorable plus, and book puppies are just too cute for words! No, puppy didn't save the day but he did save Ellery's heart from turning to stone (he might have hardened it after leaving his boyfriend, Todd).
Personal comment, not a spoiler:
March 29, 2020
A cozy mystery, indeed!! I think this is my first cozy mystery—I never even knew this was a genre! I like it!
I REALLY enjoyed this one, even if I figured out who the perp was early on. As always, Lanyon’s writing and characters are a joy for me as a reader.
While I would have enjoyed more romance, I like the slow pace this took and very much look forward to the next books in the series.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.**
I REALLY enjoyed this one, even if I figured out who the perp was early on. As always, Lanyon’s writing and characters are a joy for me as a reader.
While I would have enjoyed more romance, I like the slow pace this took and very much look forward to the next books in the series.
**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review.**
September 10, 2024
Reread 09/2024 review- 3.5 stars?? Idk, I just didn't really like it much this time... although,to be fair, I didn't really want to reread it, I just couldn't think of anything else to read either 🤷♀️. Also, some of the things that have happened with this series have made me a bit sour towards it, so 😒
Reread 02/2023 review- 4.2 stars??
Reread 11/2021 review- 3.8〜4 stars. 🤷🏻♀️ The lowered Rating might possibly be influenced by the fact that I was going to try to wait for books 3, 4, and 5 to come out so that I could re-read the series once and for all [well until book 6 came out anyway]. Anyways the issue is I’ve been waiting all year to re-read the series but I’ve been putting it off because I wanted five to be out and longer story short, it was supposed to come out in October so I was looking forward to it, then it was November, and now it’s theoretically going to come out in December... And I’m just a bit peeved😑😒
Reread 12/2020 review- 4.4 stars.
Original 09/2020 review-4 stars.
-This was such a pleasant surprise, I’m glad I decided to give it a try!!
-There was one scene that gave off Jake x Adrien vibes and it was so bittersweet 🥺😢.
-(& it feels like it never fails but when I want there to be a little bit of romance between characters it doesn’t happen and when I don’t want it, the characters lose their minds over each other...and clothes😬😑)
-Anyways, I’m currently reading book 2, so that should give you an indication of my enjoyment 🙂
Reread 02/2023 review- 4.2 stars??
Reread 11/2021 review- 3.8〜4 stars. 🤷🏻♀️ The lowered Rating might possibly be influenced by the fact that I was going to try to wait for books 3, 4, and 5 to come out so that I could re-read the series once and for all [well until book 6 came out anyway]. Anyways the issue is I’ve been waiting all year to re-read the series but I’ve been putting it off because I wanted five to be out and longer story short, it was supposed to come out in October so I was looking forward to it, then it was November, and now it’s theoretically going to come out in December... And I’m just a bit peeved😑😒
Reread 12/2020 review- 4.4 stars.
Original 09/2020 review-4 stars.
-This was such a pleasant surprise, I’m glad I decided to give it a try!!
-There was one scene that gave off Jake x Adrien vibes and it was so bittersweet 🥺😢.
-(& it feels like it never fails but when I want there to be a little bit of romance between characters it doesn’t happen and when I don’t want it, the characters lose their minds over each other...and clothes😬😑)
-Anyways, I’m currently reading book 2, so that should give you an indication of my enjoyment 🙂
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