3.5* Stars - I really liked this story, it was fun and I read it pretty quickly within two days. The mysteries were interesting enough to keep me engaged throughout the book and the characters were entertaining. The most fascinating plot point is actually the stalker mystery, which has me hooked to continue onto the next instalment. I need to start the series from the beginning as I was confused by several of the references from the previous books.

Ellery and Jacks relationship intrigued me and I wanted to spend more time with them. I enjoyed Jack as a character and agreed with him many times especially when it came to Ellerys irritating penchant for not taking his safety seriously. Ellery being a former actor and now bookshop owner spoke to me deeply, books and acting are two things we have in common. I enjoyed the dynamics between Ellery, his parents and his friends especially Nora and the Silver Sleuths. They were humorous and ridiculous in a fantastic way, I laughed quite a bit.

There wasn’t much that I can say was worth complaining about, aside from a few editing errors. The only thing that could’ve raised my rating would’ve been a hundred more pages. I felt the wrap up of the mysteries happened too quickly and ended easily without much involvement from Ellery, the solving of the mysteries needed a bit more fleshing out.

Rocky and Jesse have been friends since they were teenagers, but when they took their relationship to the next level it destroyed their friendship.
Two month after their breakup, Jesse tries to re-connect. What was planned as a romantic setting in an isolated mountain cabin gets messed up by an unexpected visitor.

This was a lot of story to pack into a 60 page novella, and I give it to the author that she did a good job with her story telling.
Unfortunately, I did not feel it. I did not feel the connection these guys had or have, and the third wheel in the story was neither funny nor helpful to the narrative, he was more of an annoying hindrance.
Add to this that second chances are one of my least favorite tropes, I would rate it a polite 3 stars for good story telling, but nothing more.

Humor: 3 stars (some fun banter)
General writing style: 4 stars
Story line idea: 3 stars
Story line execution: 2 stars
Plot: 2 stars (nothing unexpected, but not really a convincing new start either)
R-rated content: none
Narration: 1st person Jesse’s POV, past tense
Main Location: some mountain Cabin at Christmas
Main protagonists: Rocky, TV show chef, ~32, Jesse, food blogger and author, ~28

Body at Buccaneer’s Bay was another great addition to the Secrets and Scrabble series. I’ve enjoyed this series since the very first book, but I have to admit that I’m liking it even more now that things between Ellery and Jack are more settled. Basically, the only tension for the couple this time around was the official meeting of Jack and Ellery’s mom and step father. Of course, there was the matter of finding another body, but that’s pretty much expected. 😉

Trouble seems to find Ellery wherever he goes, even if it’s on an off day spent diving with Jack. The fact that Jack was with him kept him from being blamed for trying to get himself in trouble. It was the events that took place afterword that got him in just a little bit of trouble.

Body at Buccaneer’s Bay had everything that I’ve come to expect from the Secrets and Scrabble series. A touch of danger, a few twists and turns, a sweet romance, some well meaning friends and a “fun” mystery. I can’t wait to see what Josh Lanyon has in store for Jack, Ellery and friends next. 😉

Mystery Bookshop owner Ellery Page and Police Chief Jack Carson are diving for the legendary pirate galleon Blood Red Rose when they discover an old-fashioned diver’s suit, water-damaged and encrusted with barnacles. Further examination reveals that the twentieth century suit contains a twenty-first century body.
Who was the mysterious diver? No one seems to be missing from the quaint and cozy town of Pirate’s Cove. Was the victim really diving for pirate’s gold? And if not, what exactly did he do to earn that bullet hole in his skull?
Fun, fast paced and amazing characters!

#BodyatBuccaneersBay #NetGalley

Ellery once again finds a dead body, this time while diving with his boyfriend, Chief Police Officer Jack Carson. The body is sealed into an old diving suit they find in a shipwreck. Then, Odette Wallace, a wealthy widow, hires Ellery to find out who is trying to kill her. Apparently, she’s a big believer in the ability of amateur sleuths. Of course, the two mysteries are connected

The mystery was interesting. Everyone on the island has an idea about who the man in the suit was, but no proof. Odette and the step-children are not the nicest people, and Ellery probably shouldn’t have taken the case but he needs the money. Ellery figures out the solution in the end, just a step or two behind Jack. The wrap-up was a bit anti-climactic though.

Ellery is his usual smart, but bumbling self. Jack is very competent, and to me his concerns regarding Elliott getting swept up in cases make sense. I like them as a couple, but I could do with a little less arguing. We’re 5 books in and it feels like the same arguments from book 2. We get to meet Ellery’s parents in this one, and they are awesome. Winston is there too and just adorable.

While diving an old shipwreck, Ellery and Jack find a dead body - hardly a surprise anymore due to Ellery's proclivity for murder and mayhem on Buck Island - however, this one is in an old-fashioned diving suit and there are no outstanding missing person reports. And all this in the midst of Buck Island's annual Race Week.

And yet all this faded into the background for me personally as I was enthralled by Jack finally meeting Ellery's parents, a resolution of sorts in the feud between Nora and Kingston Peabody at the Crow's Nest bookstore, Jack meeting one of his exes, Watson's continuing doggy antics, and most importantly the comfortable domesticity between Jack and Ellery:

"Hey, I've been thinking about what you were saying last night," Ellery leaned against the counter, watching Jack pour coffee into two mugs.
Jack threw him a quick look.
"Er, not that," Ellery said hastily, "Although, yes, that. For sure."
Jack bit back a smile. Then his brows rose and he held up Ellery's "I woke up like this" Disney Princess mug.

And not to mention, the news that Christopher Holmes (from Lanyon's excellent Holmes & Moriarity series) will be coming to the Crow's Nest for a book tour. Or as Nora and Ellery discuss (excerpts from their conversation):

"Christopher Holmes."
"Never heard of him."
"He wants to come here? Won't any other bookstores let him sign?"
Nora didn't bother denying it was an odd choice.
"He must be crazy."
"Probably."
"Well, I mean, if he wants to come, okay," Ellery said reluctantly.
Nora murmured, "I'll let them know how thrilled we are."

In the midst of all this, I must admit the murder mystery plot had a lot of competition! This is such an enjoyable series that I anxiously await the next two books (slated for publication in 2022) in the series. Keep 'em coming!

I liked it a lot, Ellery's story is still entertaining, although I must emphasize that it is irritating to see how he continues to be dragged into mysteries, it is clear that he likes to investigate, so he should do something about it. Every book has the typical "I don't want to be involved in this" but still does nothing to disengage.

This book focused more on her relationship with Jack than on the mystery, which was very good, I really liked the development in this book.

(scroll down to read review in english.)

"Murder?" Ellery was not surprised."

Eu adorei o livro, ter mais de um mistério acontecendo ao mesmo tempo foi muito bom!

A conexão entre os dois casos foi bem aproveitada, não diria que a pessoa culpada é um mistério mas pode sim surpreender!

Adorei os pais do Ellery, foi muito legal ver a dinâmica deles, queria até mais.

A construção do relacionamento entre Jack e Ellery tem me agradado muito! Os dilema de Jack e como ele tenta ser muito honesto, eles são pessoas bem diferentes e como eles sempre conversam da para acompanhar o desenvolver, conforme a conexão vai ficando mais segura.

Nora, sempre maravilhosa! Adoro demais ela, e já esperava esse plot pra ela mas adorando mesmo assim.

E o nome citado? Será que vem croosover? Animada demais para os próximos!!

/

"Murder?" Ellery was not surprised."

I loved the book, having more than one mystery happening at the same time was really nice!

The connection between the two cases was well taken advantage of, I wouldn't say that the guilty person is a mystery but it can surprise!

I loved Ellery's parents, it was really cool to see their dynamics, I wanted even more.

The relationship building between Jack and Ellery has pleased me a lot! Jack's dilemma and how he tries to be very honest, they are very different people and as they always talk it's to follow the development as the connection gets more secure.

Nora, always wonderful! I love her so much, and I already expected this plot for her but loving it anyway.

And the name mentioned? Is it coming croosover? Too excited for the next ones!!

I love this series so much! I envy the people who haven't started it yet; They get to binge read five books. While I have to not-so-patiently wait for book six.

Body at Buccaneer's Bay by Josh Lanyon is another perfect entry to this cosy mystery series. We get an ineresting mystery with some odd characters. Ellery and Jack's relationship developes further, with Jack meeting the parents. Even though the mystery is the main focus, both mystery and romance is really enjoyable!
__
Ellery "the dead body magnet" page, discovers a vintage diving suit while diving with his boyfriend Police Chief Jack Carson. This would be a great treasure find, if not for the dead body occupying the suit...

While Jack begins the official police investigation, Ellery is approached Odette Wallace. She wants to hire Ellery to put his amateur sleuthing experience to work, and find out who's trying to murder her.

Ellery doesn't want to actively put himself in dangers path, despite what jack says, but he really could use the funds to purchase a security system for his bookshop and home.

Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Solid and enjoyable. Like a few other reviewers, I thought the ending was rushed, but I am reading for the romance/relationship rather than the mystery! I enjoy Lanyon's knowing take on rich people and liked the fact that Elliot's mother and stepfather were featured in the story. The bookshop scenes are always so well done, too. All in all, this is becoming a cozy mystery take on Lanyon's earlier Adrien English series, which I find amusing!

Rating 4.5
This is the fifth book in the Secrets and Scrabble series. This was a wonderful addition to this cozy mystery series. I love the characters in this series, not just the main characters, but the whole island has some wonderful characters that make up the cast of the book. This story introduced us to new characters and adventures. Such a great series, I can’t wait for the next installment.

FOCUS ON Body at Buccaneer’s Bay

Lanyon, Josh. Body at Buccaneer’s Bay (Book 5 of the Secrets and Scrabble series). Just Joshin Publishing, Inc., Palmdale, CA. 2021. [ISBN: 978-945802768]

Aye, matey, it’s easy to see how people who scuba dive Florida catch the treasure-hunting bug. Many a visitor who visits the Mel Fisher Maritime Museum in Key West, Florida and sees the gold, silver, emeralds, and silverware gets that gleam in their eyes. Fisher’s team is most known for recovering artifacts from the Nuestra Señora de Atocha shipwrecked during a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622 (the museum also houses items from the Henrietta Marie and the Santa Margarita). It cost Fisher a fortune (he had investors), fifteen years of his life and the loss of a family member to make his discovery. The score from the Atocha is purported to be around $400 million. It is said that Fisher, previously a farmer, was worth about $100 million when he died. But the truth is, most salvors spend more than they recover. But that may not matter to some—the marine archaeologists—who are in it for the historical value.

In Body at Buccaneer’s Bay, Ellery Page, proprietor of the Crow’s Nest mystery bookstore, and Jack Carson, Police Chief of Pirate’s Cove, set out in search of the renowned but no-one-has-found-it-yet pirate’s galleon off the coast of Rhode (Rogue’s?!) Island from the 1700s known as the Blood Red Rose. However, they get sidetracked and end up on the Roussillon, from the 1900s. But what they find there gives them a different kind of bug: the what-the-heck-happened-and-whodunit bug.

Ellery and Jack are sort of a happy couple. They have issues that they usually get past after thoughtful conversation and consideration. Usually. But as far as murder is concerned, Ellery, the bookstore owner and amateur sleuth, has a penchant for connecting the dots; Jack, the Police Chief, doesn’t like Ellery playing the part of an unlicensed private eye and putting himself in harm’s way.

Like, for instance, getting sucked into working for Mrs. Odette Wallace who thinks her stepchildren are trying to murder her; Odette’s stepchildren think she killed their wealthy father. Ellery has had a personal connection to all the other cases he’s worked; this one, not so much. And he’s got a stalker who sends him death-threat letters on a regular basis.

And there is the Silver Sleuths Book Club. It is a book club. It’s a social club. Plus, the members take a great deal of pleasure in solving murders and humoring Ellery Page.

Lanyon brilliantly creates 3-D characters just as cleverly as she weaves a tangled web of murder and mayhem. As an avid scuba diver, boating enthusiast and reader of mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed this page-turner. If you’re a kindred spirit, maybe you, too will get that gleam in your eye and catch the whodunit bug!

Josh Lanyon titles are available on Amazon.

JOSH LANYON
Secrets and Scrabble
M/M Cozy Mystery Series

Murder at Pirates Cove (2020)
Secrets at Skull House (2020)
Mystery at the Masquerade (2021)
Scandal at the Salty Dog (2021)
Body at Buccaneer’s Bay (2021)
Lament at Loon Landing (May 2022)

Lanyon has “nearly ninety titles” [p. 166] under her belt (novels, novellas, short stories); please see the Website for additional information: https://joshlanyon.com/

JOSH LANYON AWARDS

Eppie Award Winner
(E-publishing)

4X Lamda Literary Award Finalist
(2X for Gay Mystery)

Edgar Nominee

Goodreads All-Time Favorite
M/M Author Award

Peggy McGibney is an avid reader, performance enhancement consultant, professional and personal development coach, and published author of numerous articles about healthcare, education and business. She also served as chair and member of Writers’ Bloc. This organization provided information about writers and writing in the Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties in Florida, and sponsored lectures and workshops. PM has a master’s degree in educational psychology and in systemic studies with expertise in cognitive, behavioral, systemic and linguistic disciplines, and was a previous faculty member in health sciences, communications and faculty development disciplines. She is a NetGalley member and professional reader. Her interviews and reviews may be found at Peggy McGibney Authors and Books on Facebook.

I truly enjoy this series. The author doesn't write fast enough for me so I'm reading other books written by the author. We find Ellery and his significant other police chief Jack diving, when of course Ellery finds a body, yet again.
We meet Ellery's parents and get a little more info on Jack's past.
I have to read the books in order and this is the 5 book in the series which book getting better and the author growing and developing each main and secondary character along the way. Pirate Cove is full of intriguing history since it was founded by what else pirate's. Murder is everywhere and Ellery is the murder magnet. I highly recommended this series .

Another charming intallment set in Pirate's Cove. Ellery (as always) gets himself into hot water with Jack as a result of his amateur sleuthing and tension builds for a time between the couple again. We do get snapshots of their domestic life, with several bedtime kisses and morning cuddles. Yet Ellery still goes on dates with Robert, plus a possible old flame of Jack’s stirs up a jealous reaction in Ellery.

There are several interwoven cases here and Ellery's stalker appears to step up their game. There’s quite a bit of internal questioning on Ellery’s part as he considers the various suspects and cases, and the Silver Sleuths add their two pennies’ worth. The mystery is wrapped up pretty swiftly and all is well again in Pirate's Cove.

I’m hoping the reference to Christopher Holmes means there’ll be a guest appearance by him (along with JX) in the next book. I'm sure that will be fun.

Well, this was fabulous. I don't know how Josh Lanyon does it, but every single one of the books in this series is fantastic: witty and compelling, heart-warming and addicting, with a well-structured mystery and a dash of romance, both of which will keep you on your toes. She's a truly marvelous storyteller and I've loved every book I have read of hers: "Body at Buccaneer's Bay" is no exception. I'm still not sure which one of the five books in this fantastic series I loved more, so I'll definitely have to do a re-read to refresh my memory: I loved this one to pieces.

Ellery and Jack are finally settling into the steadily-and-happily-together stage of their relationship when yet another mystery comes along to ruin their amateur-sleuthing-free peace: they (accidentally, of course) find a body in a diving suit and well, Ellery tries really hard to resist sleuthing, but all of Pirate's Cove's inhabitants (minus Jack), but especially Nora and her Silver Sleuths, conspire to get him involved. PLUS, there are other mysterious incidents happening all around him, so Ellery doesn't stand a chance: sleuthing and some major relationship drama ensues. It was an addicting story, one I managed to devour in two sittings and that left me craving more.

Ellery was, as usual and by far, my absolute favourite: he's a terrific protagonist, witty and sarcastic, but also low-key and genuinely very very nice. I loved seeing him a bit more of his internal struggles, his insecurity and self-doubts, and I loved seeing more of his past, since his parents are on the island for a visit. Jack, on the other hand, even though he's finally gotten over his doubts about being in a relationship with Ellery, acted a bit like a big jerk a times: he's stubborn and candid and sometimes, that leads to him being harsh, even when Ellery does not deserve it. His behavior was all in good faith though: he's worried. And seeing his protective streak (and even some hints at his jealous one! Josh Lanyon, if you're reading this review, PRETTY PLEASE, more of that) left me swooning all other the place. I wanted to kick him, but I still adored him.
Their relationship is beyond cute and even though there's (*wishful sighing*) virtually no heat whatsoever other than a few kisses and hugs and innuendo, their chemistry is still very palpable.
Pirate's Cove, and its quirky and gossipy people, was, as usual, a joy to behold: I spent the whole time giggling at the antics of its inhabitants, the ceaseless gossiping, the bloody and frankly absurd history of the island and its obsession with pirates (and murders). A special mention to Nora, because she's a riot: I absolutely love her.
I can't wait to read the next book. If I could speed up time to when it's finally published and in my greedy hands, I would. I'm excited for what's to come (especially since there are a couple open ends that are very intriguing, and possibly worrying *evil cackle*) and I can firmly state I'd never grow tired of Pirate's Cove and Ellery Page's adventures.

Body at Buccaneer's Bay is a great addition to the Secrets and Scrabble series by Josh Lay non. It was exactly what I expect from of a book in this cozy mystery series.

This one finds our bookstore owner Ellery bumping into yet another body while diving with his boyfriend police chief Jack and finding himself reluctantly agreeing to be hired on as an amateur sleuth once again. The mystery body and his new side job cross paths and sends his relationship with Jack swaying and his own safety at risk again.

Body at Buccaneer's Bay has the expected dead body and amateur sleuthing but also deep sea diving, break-ins, meet the parents, threatening notes, a bit of jealousy, and another step in the slowly progressing relationship of Ellery and Jack. Can't wait for the next one!

I'm always happy to return to Pirate's Cove and catch up with Ellery and Jack! In this newest book, the story gets nautical and focuses on creepy shipwrecks, fancy yachts, and the hectic Buck Island Race Week. Ellery and Jack start off with the discovery of a body in the bay (of course Ellery found it, of course he did!) and it only gets more twisty from there. Before long Ellery is up to his neck in drama -- break-ins, family visits, and being hired to investigate threats against a rich and rather unpleasant widow. As with the other books in the series, there's a lot going on, and both Ellery and Jack have their hands full chasing down clues, but in this case they're in opposition which leads to a different type of drama.

I enjoyed all the various story lines, the recurring cast of characters (as well as the new ones), and meeting Ellery's parents. I keep forgetting that Ellery hasn't been in town all that long, especially considering all he's been through, but he's definitely become an important part of the community and I love that. It's also a good reminder when I get anxious about the slower pace of Ellery and Jack's relationship -- they haven't been together that long, either. While they had major disagreements in this book, they also had some important conversations and were able to work through some of their issues. I have such a soft spot for them, the town, and all the quirky folks who live there, and I'm looking forward to more of their shenanigans and mysteries!

Imagine diving and finding what turns out to be a body in an old diving suit? Yeah, it's enough to freak out anyone. But soon Ellery finds himself working on another case as a amateur sleuth and stranger things begin to happen. Is it a stalker? Is it the murderer? Is it something else? Ellery has had enough of looking over his shoulder, but he really needs the money that was offered for him to take this case and he's going to get answers, one way or another...if it's the last thing he does.

I adore this series! From the location setting, to the characters, to the dog, and even the family history. Add to that an awesome whodunit each time and you've got one of my favorite Cozy series! Can't wait for the next book to drop!

Thanks Netgalley and Publisher for the opportunity to read and review.
It turns out this is the fifth books of a series, so I definitely need to catch up on the previous four.
I very much liked the book. The emphasis felt more on the character development rather than the mystery of two connected cases that needs solving, but I loved the growth of the main protag. His relationship with Jack is intriguing to observe, although it still has some way to go until it reaches the point of "happily ever after", but I appreciate the obstacles that still stand between them - mainly the lack of complete trust. The side characters are also very interesting and have their own purpose for the plot development.
Will definitely check out the rest of the series!

The fifth book in Lanyon’s cozy series, Secrets and Scrabble, Body at Buccaneer’s Bay is a fun, fast read, although more satisfying for the relationship and the town than for the mystery itself.

Like the other books in Secrets and Scrabble, Body at Buccaneer’s Bay takes place in the fictional town of Pirates Cove. The protagonist, Ellery Page, owns a bookstore that specializes in mysteries, where he is assisted by two part-time employees who engage in low-scale conflicts about various issues. His relationship with police chief Jack Carson continues to develop in this book, with Jack meeting Ellery’s parents and with both men continuing to work out the issues that arise from Ellery’s amateur sleuthing.

Unfortunately, Ellery’s sleuthing, which ought to be at the heart of a cozy mystery, is sidelined for most of the book—in fact, in a trend that has increased over the course of the series, Ellery does less and less actual investigating and more and more sitting around until someone shows up with new information. While the book starts with the promise of a mystery (they find a body in an antique diving suit), the mystery itself doesn’t advance for almost a quarter of the book, when a woman shows up to hire Ellery to find out who is trying to kill her. Ellery’s reasons for taking the job seemed weak, especially by book five, when he knows how Jack will react. Lanyon’s decision for how the mystery is solved was also something of a letdown.

That being said, the book was still a great deal of fun to read. Ellery and Jack’s relationship is a joy to read, and the world needs more cozy gay mysteries. Lanyon does a wonderful job of including romance without venturing into territory that would make cozy readers uncomfortable. It’s also fun to see nods to other series by Lanyon, such as the Christopher Holmes series. The town of Pirates Cove provides its own pleasure, with familiar characters from previous books showing up and, in some cases, moving on with their lives. Nora and the Silver Sleuths are less frustrating than in previous books and more endearing. And Ellery’s parents manage to be supportive while also being believable characters.

Readers of Lanyon’s cozy series will devour this latest installment, in spite of the relative paucity of the mystery itself.