I always look forward to a new book in the Secrets and Scrabble series by Josh Laynon. This one has our beloved amateur sleuth Ellery Page in possession of actual pirate treasure and asked to find out the truth about what happened to its owner.

This story diverts from the usual set up by giving Ellery a break from starting a book stumbling across a dead body. The mystery of this one is less life or death than past ones, but still with its own twists and turns while Emery digs into the past of the small town's inhabitants.

Reader's get to know more about Emery's aunt who left him her bookshop and there's plenty of meetings with the members of the Silver Sleuths . We are also given some quality Ellery and Jack one on one time that is sweet and brings a big step for the couple's relationship.

Death at the Deep Dive was a fun continuation to the Secrets and Scrabble series, and I look forward to devouring the next book when it comes out in the future.

A complimentary copy was provided in exchange for an honest review.

I really love this series! Jack and Ellery are so cute! And Watson! I am not a dog person but I look book dogs because they are always so perfect, and Watson is just such a cutey patootty.

This is a very dangerous town to live in, lol. Murder left and right, thieves, blackmail, ghosts, busy bodies, and a very mean and out for blook reporter. Ellery learns more about his Aunt Eudora who left all her belonging's to Ellery, hence his move to the island. It's sad to hear what happens at the end of the story and how would her life have been different if things had gone according to her plan at that time.

I knew what was going on between Jack and Ellery [it was so obvious Jack was trying to propose but then he was thrown off when Ellery mentioned he had been offered to revive his character in the Happy Halloween movies and play the father of the new lead "teen." Ellery doesn't want to do it, but the money is good, which I say go for it! Get that money, then call it quits. By the end of the book Jack proposes, Ellery says yes, and we don't know about the movie. Jack wants Ellery to do it if it will make him happy. Time will tell. :) (hide spoiler)]

I highly recommend this series, and side note, this book was released before the book prior and I was just find reading it. I didn't feel like I missed anything so feel free to read this one now.

4 stars.

I really enjoy Josh Lanyon's cosy detective fic stories and this is no exception. It's really refreshing to read an MM-centric detective fic, and reading Death at the Deep Dive has encouraged me to go back to the start of Lanyon's series and give this one a go from the start. Thank you to NetGalley for providing this enjoyable ARC.

Pirate booty...in the form of gold doubloons. A cold mystery from the sixties that's tied to said doubloons. A possible link to Ellery's great, great, great aunt. Add in a potential ghost at the family homestead and there's a lot going on that needs some explaining, just as Vera needs answers on what happened to her brother Vernon all those years ago.

I really enjoy this series. It's the perfect cozy and I love the characters. It's nice to see a cozy featuring two men and and it includes all the usual things I love about cozies...including an adorable pup, quirky supporting characters, and a solid mystery each and every time. I've read all the books in this series and never have been disappointed. I'll keep reading as long as Ellery and the gang keep on sleuthing too!

Treasure and mystery, what a winning combination.
A well written book that is part of a series.
I recommend reading the previous books.
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.