I apprecitate the publisher allowing me to read this book. I found this a really interesting mystery and the characters are quite engaging. it kept me guessing until the end. I highly recommend.

I love this series. The romance is moving at a glacial pace which fits the characters perfectly (although I had several squee moments in this one) but the romance is just a lovely backdrop to the mystery story.
Clever cosy mystery with a reluctant amateur sleuth. Ellery's love of puzzles and natural inquisitiveness is the driving force behind him solving the mystery. As always in these type of books Ellery has TSTL moments, but at least he acknowledges that he 'should have phoned Jack ten minutes ago'.
Putting another romantic interest in Jack's eye line moves the romance forward in this one, even if Julien verges on stalkerish behaviour.
I wish I could say that I solved the murder early in the book but I didn't realise until Ellery did so the author placed the clues perfectly.
Highly recommend this series.

Not my cup of tea - I was going into this book with low expectations. Unfortunately the story wasn’t that great in my opinion, I thought the characters were too pushy and over the top.

I'm a big fan of Lanyon's and have enjoyed this series immensely this book continues the tradition. Some mystery, some romance, and a bunch of fun!

I love this series as a whole, and this installment was no exception. Lovely setting, compelling mystery, and easy-to-love sleuth.

Crime has hit the island once again as a series of burglaries rocks the community. But Ellery, aspiring screenwriter and owner of the mystery bookstore, the Crow’s Nest, is more intrigued by his invitation to the annual Marauder’s Masquerade, the biggest social event of the season. Julian, the hostess’ son, wants to get to know Ellery more. With his relationship with Police Chief Carson stalled, Ellery is open to some introductory reading. But things get stormy, when Julian is accused of murdering his mother’s second husband during the party…

A really engaging group of characters. I would love to be able to live in a community like this. I would definitely be a regular at this book store. There is also development of characters in this book. The reader finds out more about why Police Chief Carson is hot and cold about a relationship and it is enough to break your heart. It feels true without being overindulgent.

That’s not to mention a cute but very rambunctious puppy.

Then, there is a good mystery to top it off. This is a series you should definitely have on your radar and it is a great summer read.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review.

Mystery At The Masquerade by Josh Landon

Love is in the salt sea air and so is murder..

This was an interesting murder mystery. It showed what island living is about. I liked the history, murder, robberies, and gay men. Great characters. I recommend this book.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Screenwriter and former actor Ellery Page is finally settling into quaint but active Pirate's Cove. He's got himself an unexpected invitation for the party of the season, a masquerade ball at the Bloodworth house--one of the many pirate mansions dotting the cove. It turns out that Julian Bloodsworth-Ainsley is a big fan of Ellery, finding him both mature and attractive, and he wanted a chance to spend some time with Ellery that could be fun and lead to frisky times. Though Ellery is a bit smitten with Police Chief Jack Carson, it doesn't seem that Jack is ready to make any true advances, due to his long-standing heartbreak and fear of commitment. Besides, Jack's pretty busy investigating the rash of burglaries that have been plaguing the grand houses and wealthy of Pirate's Cove for the past few months.

Flattered by Julian's attention, Ellery mostly enjoys the masquerade, until Julian's uncouth and mean stepfather turns up dead. While the man's mistress and wife are both suspects it's also Julian that Jack has his eye on--after finding the body and messing up the crime scene. Ellery feels terrible for Julian, because he believes the young man is being set up, and Jack seems pretty resolute on developing a case against Julian. And, of course, Ellery is still plagued by the editor of the local paper, who thinks that it's Ellery's activity which deserves far more scrutiny.   

I loved how Ellery is now becoming a man of the town in his own right. His friends are all in his corner, and his eye for detail is definitely a point in this amateur sleuth's favor. He's willing to go the extra mile for his friends, new and old, and it shows in all his actions. I love that he finally takes on the editor of the paper, and stands up to Jack for Julian's sake when it's necessary. His bookshop is a hub of fellow sleuthers--though they are more overt than Ellery, who, more often than not, stumbles into scenes and clues as opposed to LOOKING for a mystery to solve. 

This case leave a lasting mark on Ellery, one that gives both him and Jack pause. Recognizing (again for Jack) the shortness of life spurs them both on to becoming a bit more serious. Don't expect steam, it's a cozy mystery with a dash of a romance. 

I flew through this story, much like the previous books in this series, and I recommend it to fans of cozy mysteries, especially those starring LGBTQ characters.

Murder at the Masquerade features gay male cozy characters

Posted on May 21, 2021 by michellelovatosbookreviews, world's first book color commentator, book reviews with a twist

I’m not sure how I feel about male cozy mystery protagonists. The truth is, I can’t remember ever reading one before. I guess that makes me a male cozy virgin. Josh Lanyon defiled me with Ellery Page, the hunky hero of Mystery at the Masquerade, an M/M cozy, Secrets and Scrabble mystery, book 3, by Josh Lanyon.
Oh, I love the nerds. And Ellery is so perfectly stacked to be my kind of Scrabble geek too. Here’s the stack up; he is the reigning champion Scrabble player, the Crow’s Nest Bookstore owner in his village of Pirate’s Cove, and he’s an aspiring screenwriter. And I’m not the only one who thinks this handsome hero is as cute as a puppy.
Let me introduce you to the story. See, Ellery is invited to a masquerade party by the wealthy Marguerite Bloodworth-Ainsley.
That sounds fun—sort of Cinderella near the seaside.
When Ellery gets there, looking all slick and hidden, he learns that he’s not so secret after all. It turns out that Marguerite has a son who has the hots for Ellery too.
SCRATCH! What?! Is he gay? Oh, man, what a bummer. Well, I guess I’m out for falling in love with this fiction fashion model.
But, Julian, Marguerite’s son and descendant of a pirate is right on track to take over in the love department.
That is, of course, a problem. Ellery must simultaneously fend off the feigning frenzied friend as he works to solve the recent murder of Julian’s stepfather. Complication. Ellery’s big nose is sniffing around Police Captian Jack Carson’s case. Oh, and Jack is Ellery’s on-again, off-again love interest during the past two books.
Oh, what will this cozy king do? What Watson? Is it elementary? Hmm. I thought you were Ellery’s puppy?
I’m sure we all know what comes next, and that is the fun of all cozy mysteries, of which this one is no exception.
I was surprised to see a gay male protagonist in Ellery, but I am glad to see that this book doesn’t have any stereotypical church fanatics with signs and waggling fingers following him around. Jack and Julian are enough. And I’m relieved to report that life in Pacific Grove progresses normally.
Will Ellery find the killer? Will Jack commit to Ellery as much as he commits to his job? Will young, handsome Julian be out on the street or wrapped up in a warm, knitted blanket next to Ellery and a cozy fire?
I guess we’ll all have to read this JustJoshin Inc. publication to find out.

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Happy are those who respect the Lord and obey him. You will enjoy what you work for, and you will be blessed with good things. Psalm 128: 1-2

This was a quick afternoon read. Mystery and the Masquerade was the first book that I have read of the series. I was surprised at how little time was spent on the murder mystery and how much more of it was spent on relationships. It was okay but not strong story.

While I think this a little "darker" than most cozy mysteries, it was still enjoyable.
This is the first book I've read in this universe, and got the self insert small town vibes for it, in the type of place that no one really lives. Ellery owns a bookstore, and has a somewhat hot and cold relationship with the new chief of police, Jack. Ellery has a reputation for being somewhat of an investigator (backstory that I don't know) but everyone talked about it enough that I felt caught up. The mystery was kind of disappointing in the resolution, but in the end it turned out fine.

I loved this book. It's such a break from everything going on with the world, and basically just a cozy mystery where the main character is gay. The supporting characters are all your typical cozy mystery oddball, lovable people. There are no crazy twists but it's not that the story is predictable, but rather that it flows in a way that keeps you engaged but not guessing. It was very sweet! If you're looking for car chase and bullets flying, this isn't for you. If you're looking for the gay version of murder she wrote, here it is!

I received an advance copy of the book to provide a review, but that didn't impact the substance of the review.

Prior to starting Josh Lanyon's Secrets and Scrabble series I had never read a "cozy mystery." I was vaguely aware of the concept -- nice small towns beset with murders and an armchair detective type who inevitably saves the day. I'm more of an action/car chases/thriller sort of mystery reader so I didn't quite see the appeal but now I'm hooked on the Secrets and Scrabble series!

As a new cozy mystery convert, here's what I loved: Ellery Page, new arrival to the island town of Pirate's Cove and owner of the mystery book shop, the Crow's Nest. Ellery is a genuinely nice guy who does not deserve any of the messes he gets into as murder after murder stacks up on the island. And yet he continues to muddle through, helping solve crimes with the assistance of Nora, his nosy shop helper; Watson, his adopted puppy; and Police Chief Jack Carson, his enigmatic new friend and love interest. Each new mystery introduces the reader to a new aspect of island life and drama, bringing in a cast of recurring characters (some you love, some you despise) and locations.

Mystery at the Masquerade introduced the high society of the island and landed Ellery in a bit of a romantic quandary with a new suitor. For once, Ellery is not the top suspect in this book's murder and has more leeway to do his amateur sleuthing, much to Police Chief Carson's chagrin. As usual, I enjoyed reading about Ellery's adventures and finding out more about Pirate's Cove. As a lover of queer romance, Ellery and Jack's story has been a bit of a departure from what I usually read -- it's slow and tentative but very sweet and I'm eager to see what happens with them next! I highly recommend this series if you want to a legitimately cozy read filled with great characters and a good mystery.

One of those books that you plan to only read a chapter before bed then next you know you're on the last chapter.

Ellery has an ideal job at the Crow's Nest bookstore which is the only place in town to find mystery books and after two murder investigations under his belt, he's a pro at solving mysteries. The story is decked out in pirate finery with the whole town themed in piracy and the upcoming ball is no exception. Now Ellery gets a chance at some romance with a mask, a pirate costume, and a handsome bachelor that actually seems interested in him. The ball adds a touch of Cinderella to the plot. If Cinderella was filled with piracy, murder, and a nosy sleuth. Jack doesn't want him to investigate another murder, but Ellery can't quit his curiosity and this lands him into just a bit of water. But as he dives into this new mystery, he seems to get a chance at getting closer to Jack in a way that he's been hoping for. The writing is witty, clever, and charming, driven out of the voice of Ellery and the characters that surround him. The romance elements shine through and you'll find yourself rooting for the complex dynamic of Jack and Ellery.

On the surface, Julian is everything that Ellery hoped for. He's a regular prince charming and seems to reciprocate interest, but Ellery's thoughts still seem to venture to Jack. Though that relationship has been a tangled web since the beginning. The connection with Jack is at the core of his drama, frustration, and tension that creates a charming mystery that has the undercurrent of romance. The story opening a side of vulnerability to the chief that allows a chance to get to know the character on a deeper level. Their connection is at the heart of the story and adds a sweetness that is addicting with every page making you want to know how they'll end up.

Lanyon has a talent for witty and entertaining characters that fill Ellery's life. Nan, Dylan, and Nora create a unit for him that acts in the vein of "mother hens" that take care of him, support him, encourage him, and even give him advice on his love life. They're also a great source of gossip about the town that comes in handy for his investigation and create a family unit that helps to ground him in the community. The characters make you feel like part of the story and make you want to take your own trip into the town to shop at the Crow's Nest, don a pirate's costume, and eat at the Salty Dog.

Loved every second of this mystery and can't wait for the next one!

Mystery at the Masquerade is the perfect antidote to today’s troubling times. Fun, sexy, and unpredictable, this cozy mystery had me reading every chance I got. I can’t wait for the next “murder”! This series is definitely something to savour.

Ellery certainly has a way of finding trouble… or trouble usually finds a way of finding him. Regardless of how it happens, Police Chief Jack Carson is not impressed. But, since Jack has made it pretty clear that friendship is the only thing he’s interested in from Ellery, impressing Jack is the least of Ellery’s concerns.

Jack’s one of those characters that I really wanted to like, but because of the way he’s treated Ellery since the beginning of the Secrets and Scrabble series, I really can’t. I’ve spent a lot of time so far feeling that Ellery could do so much better. For the record, Julian was interesting, but I couldn’t quite see him with Ellery either. *sigh*

Ellery is flattered by Julian’s interest at first, but it becomes increasingly clear that a real relationship with the man isn’t in their future. Having Julian being accused of murder didn’t help, but it was pretty obvious before that. Regardless, Ellery feels bound to help Julian when he asks for it and once again gets drawn into an investigation he never intended to become a part of, as well as landing in the middle of all the danger surrounding the case. Hence, Jack’s frustration.

I enjoyed spending time with Ellery again, who is becoming one of my favorite amateur sleuths. The mystery was intriguing and the characters were witty and fun. Even the quaint setting is a place I’d love to visit, if not for all the unfortunate murders. I also have to admit that by the end of Mystery at the Masquerade, Jack was even beginning to grow on me. Time will tell and I can’t wait for their next adventure. 😉

Mystery and the Masquerade is the 3rd installment in the m/m Cozy Mystery series Secrets and Scrabble. However, it's the 1st book I've read in the series. Ellery lives in Pirates Cove, owns a mystery bookstore, and always seems to find himself in the middle of a murder mystery. However, in this book. the mystery seemed to take a back seat to develop the relationship between Ellery and Pirate's Cove handsome police chief Jack. Their relationship was sweet and fun to read about and I'm sure fans of the series are rooting for these two to become a couple.
Overall I enjoyed it's characters, setting, and mystery. It wasn't hard to follow the character relationships but I don't feel like I got "to know" the characters aside from Ellery and Jack but that's probably because I haven't read the earlier books.

3.5 stars

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and author for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was amazing.

I am a big fan of this author, she always entertains me with her crime cases, but above all with her beloved characters. I love the dynamics of Ellery and Jack. There is drama but at the same time there are touching and funny moments.

Also, I love the dynamics with the secondary characters and this picturesque town that seems to have the worst luck in the world hahaha

It's so easy to imagine everything, to watch the characters move around Pirate’s Cove, especially to imagine Ellery getting into every possible trouble. That's why I love Josh Lanyon's storytelling so much.

This book has humor and enough action to keep you glued to the pages until the end.

MYSTERY AT THE MASQUERADE is a fun, light-hearted cozy mystery set in a quaint New England town. The characters in this story are thankfully more complex and interesting than the stock characters often found in cozy mysteries, but they never steal focus from the whodunnit aspect of the story. This mystery is also unafraid to get dark psychologically and bring some scary situations to life on the page. As far as cozy mysteries go, this one is closer to reality than many but still has plenty of comic and sweet moments.

Pirate's Cove is full of colorful characters and pirate-y locations that can become difficult to track. You might consider starting from the beginning of this series for the best experience. Amateur sleuth, Ellery, also manages to solve this mystery after spending precious little time with the main suspects. The solution seems a bit simple and the clues too obscured to feel like the reader has a fair shot at this one.

This was a fun, fast paced and overall good addition to the series. The characters are well developed and the story is easy to follow. Ellery is the MC and he is very curious by nature. Overall not bad.
#MysteryattheMasqueradeAnMMCozyMystery #NetGalley