Secret at Skull House

Not as great for me as the first book, but I still found it fun and entertaining. <br /><br />I really like Ellery and his friendship with Jack is really sweet. There were some bumps in the road in this one, but the ending seems promising. <br /><br />I think that the mystery was a bit far-fetched here and I didn't find it that believable. I just hope that <input type="checkbox" class="spoiler__control" aria-label="The following text has been marked spoiler. Toggle checkbox to reveal or hide." onchange="this.labels[0].setAttribute('aria-hidden', !this.checked);" id="91871382-fca3-47f7-8e15-3f9593b2cfca" /><label aria-hidden="true" class="spoiler" for="91871382-fca3-47f7-8e15-3f9593b2cfca">Ellery won't be the prime suspect in every book in the series.</label><br /><br />*******<br /><b>Re-read 1/2022:</b> Enjoyed it more this time around. Changing my initial rating of 3 stars to 4.<br /><b>Re-read 6/2023:</b>

It's kind of funny to find myself returning to the Cozy Mystery genre. I was so DONE with cozies when I cut ties with my mainstream publishers. I couldn't ever imagine writing another. But now... The World is Too Much With Us as Wordsworth said, and it's comforting to turn to this particular literary art form. Sure, it's not every reader's cup of tea, but I find something zen-like in the structure and discipline of creating a world that...makes sense. :-D I'm planning on an eight-book series. The longest series I've done yet--and that's largely possible because of the episodic nature of cozies.

Once more we return to Pirate's Cove where we follow reluctant amateur sleuth <b>Ellery</b> (best character name, seriously) who can't help, like John McClane, but ask himself— <b>"How does the same shit happen to the same guy twice?"</b><br /><br />The stakes are slightly higher than last time because a new detective is on the case and he seems less eager to seek truth than throwing out accusations. As if Ellery's problems aren't enough, local tabloid editor <s>Rita Skeeter</s> Sue Lewis has reignited her vendetta against Ellery because she appears to imagine that there's a contest between them for Police Chief Jack Carson's affections. It was all I could do not to shake her and yell at her with an amplified megaphone <i>HE'S NOT THAT INTO YOU</i>. And in any case, if she thinks writing trash about the person Carson may like is the best way to make him re-like (if he ever did) her, then she is quite plainly: stupid. <br /><br />Of course that is not the last of Ellery's conflicts. There is a secret on the cove. We learn more about its origins, how it was created by the founding pirates, how there are tunnels. But we also learn that while the townsfolk are eager to gossip and gush about the history of the island, they clam up when it comes to Skull House. <br /><br />Ellery confronts his almost outsider status but every time he tries to find out about whatever tragedies occurred at Skull House, he gets ominous warnings. Sometimes even threats. Just what is this secret at Skull House? And why is Ellery so certain that this latest murder he is accused of has everything to do with that decades old murder?<br /><br />This book was just as charming as the first one. The way Lanyon makes the cove's residents interact with each other tells us so much. As economical as Lanyon is with the dialog and descriptions, the story is still immersive, evocative, suspenseful. Of course there isn't any real sense of peril because it's a cozy but that's covered because once more, I think this book is subliminal advertising for Lanyon's other books. This time I was reminded of my personal favourite <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/20738173.Stranger_on_the_Shore" title="Stranger on the Shore by Josh Lanyon" rel="noopener">Stranger on the Shore</a>. <br /><br />And lastly, the romance in this book posed yet another mystery. Just what is going on with Police Chief Jack Carson? <br /><br /><i> <blockquote>It was kind of hard to define their relationship. Friends with possibilities?</blockquote> </i><br /><br />This book was just what I needed to get away from this increasingly chaotic world. A slice of escapist heaven from one of my favourite authors. Ellery has even gone on to become one of my favorite protagonists, his innate strength, his subtle self worth. I am glad and grateful for it all. I can't wait for book 3.<br /><br /><i> <b>Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.</b> </i>

<b>***4 - 4.5 Stars*** for both, audiobook and story</b><br /><br /><blockquote> <i>"How does the same shit happen to the same guy twice?"</i> </blockquote><br />Sorry for being selfish here, Ellery, but I for one am so glad it did! ? I'm totally hooked on this series, although Jack and his idea of "Let's see where this might go" makes me a bit grouchy. ?

<b>Book 2 -Secret at skull house<br />Series- Secrets and Scrabbles<br />Rating- 3 Stars<br />Genre- Amature Sleuth/cozy mystery/ whodunit/cold case</b><br /><br />In the second instalment, we meet Ellery's ex who is a paranormal book writer. He is obnoxious, but hey dont we all know who dies first in a horror flick. ?? I still loved Ellery and his dear puppy, Watson. However, I was hoping for some romance, since we get a glimpse of it in the previous book. But, JL is a tease and she again played the dead ex card for the absence of any romance. Although I had fun reading this book, I am thinking of not continuing this series at this point. Maybe, after few days I will read the rest of the two released books from the series. <br /><br />I can't help but have started listening to another standalone by the author that's going to keep me company while travelling.??

Nobody crafts a story like Josh Lanyon, and this wonderful "cozy" mystery series really shows off her skills. I'm loving Secrets and Scrabble!<br /><br />Ellery is a doll, and there's a fascinating cast of characters to back him up. The mysterious goings-on of Buck Island keep getting more interesting, and if Ellery and Jack just stay friends I think I'll be okay.<br /><br />So much fun, and all I can say is: Josh Lanyon, please write faster!!!<br /><br /><br /><i>a copy of Secrets at Skull House was provided by NetGalley for the purpose of my honest review</i>

<b>3.5 stars</b><br /><br />Ellery Page finds himself in hot water again, when his <i>other</i> ex found murdered after buying Skull House, a 'historic' house at Pirate's Cove, that said to be cursed. Not only that, his friendship progress with Chief of Police Jack Carson also comes to a halt, though Ellery doesn't know if he's the reason behind it...<br /><br />This second book in Josh Lanyon's cozy mystery series has another out of town victim and a murderer from the Cove. If there are so many books in this series being prepared, I'm worry that Ellery actually is living with bunch of serial killers in the small town ?.<br /><br />It's an enjoyable read... although I'm rather miffed with Ellery's love interest, Jack. I think his reason for taking a step back is LAME LAME LAME.

<b> The resemblance in setting between it and Andrien English Mystery series is uncanny. </b> Same serious Cop with past trauma meets Library owner, wannabe scriptwriter and the prine suspect of a murder. Little town, chatty people, nosy neighbour, lots of ex in the frame. It's just the same. <br /><br />But you know where it differs? In seriousness, angst, gruesome, brutal depiction of murder and soul burning smut. In a manner of speaking this series is just the same Adrien English Mystery but with much softer undertone. Josh Lanyon mentioned, It's an experimental project, and do i dare saying It's not exactly what i anticipated. <br /><br />No doubt Josh Lanyon writes some finest mysteries. And I enjoyed reading all of her books I've read so far, so expectations were high. It indeed is a good story. The very non existing romance is also kinda well put, but somehow it failed to reach the bar. <br /><br /><b> So A big piece of cake for Adrien English Mystery series and a tiny cupcake with lilbit frosting for Secrets &amp; Scrabbles. </b><br /><br />Am I ditching this series midway. For now unfortunately yes!

I love <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/49090388.Secret_at_Skull_House__Secrets_and_Scrabble__2_" title="Secret at Skull House (Secrets and Scrabble #2) by Josh Lanyon" rel="noopener">Secret at Skull House</a> by <a href="https://goodreads.com/author/show/359194.Josh_Lanyon" title="Josh Lanyon" rel="noopener">Josh Lanyon</a>! <br /><br />The second in the Secrets and Scrabble series, a cozy mystery novel. I'm very new to the cozy mystery genre, but I'm enjoying them immensely.<br /><br />This is a true series so definitely read <a href="https://goodreads.com/book/show/49090387.Murder_at_Pirate_s_Cove__Secrets_and_Scrabble___1_" title="Murder at Pirate's Cove (Secrets and Scrabble, #1) by Josh Lanyon" rel="noopener">Murder at Pirate's Cove</a> first. I enjoyed the first one, but this sequel is so much better imo.<br /><br />The set up is that Ellery's ex-boyfriend, Brandon, has purchased Skull House and is looking to base one of his novels on the dark secrets it holds. The town of Pirate's Cove is very protective of it's history, very secretive when it comes to it's darker aspects.<br /><br />So when Ellery gets an unusual call from Brandon, he fears the worst. When he can't find Brandon, Ellery calls Police Chief Jack Carson. However, there's nothing Jack can do at the time. <br /><br />But when Brandon's body shows up a day later, Ellery is once again the prime suspect because of their past relationship. It seems someone wasn't happy with Brandon's poking around at a murder that happened 20 years ago. It seems that the murder is still living on the island and is determined to keep their secret... If Ellery is going to clear his name and stay out of jail he needs to get to the bottom of this mystery.<br /><br />Another aspect of this story that I love, is Ellery's and Jack's relationship. This is undeniably going to be a slow burn. It's so realistically angsty. Jack is the chief of police so it's natural to distance himself personally from Ellery while the investigation is ongoing, but Ellery thinks there's more to it. Ellery wants to keep things with Jack slow, because he's had some bad past relationships, but when the two put the breaks on their friendship we see how lonely Ellery is. I can't wait for them to work through their baggage and get together. They both deserve to be happy!<br /><br /><b>Arc provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.</b>

I adored this 2nd Cozy Mystery set in Pirate’s ?‍☠️ Cove! ❤️❤️<br /><br />This one solved a cold case, a new case and stopped a possible murder ?<br /><br />Jack &amp; Ellory get closer ?<br /><br />The townsfolk still gossip. <br /><br />What’s not to love in this murderous little town?