We’re joining Ellery, Watson, and police chief Jack Carson in the fourth installment to Lanyon’s “Secrets and Scrabble” series at Pirate’s Cove where summer was the busiest season for the island; with mysteries and shenanigans couldn’t seem to stay away from reluctant amateur- sleuth Ellery Page. With Ellery settling in as one of PC’s respected denizen along with his relationship with Chief Carson, life should be cracking good for him and Watson. Alas, when people started to look at him to solve peculiar happenings, peace went out the window. It didn’t help that Ellery’s friends excitedly wanted to get involved.

SCANDAL AT THE SALTY DOG was such a hoot of an adventure. The interactions between Ellery and Watson the pup were often the source of cackle (for me throughout reading) while his developing romance with Jack for once showing promise for the future. Jack seemed to relax in coping with Ellery’s penchant to trouble, even helping somewhat. It’s heartwarming if a tad bittersweet how the pair starting to really open up to each other.

Puzzle and the subsequent death on this book might not be as numerous as the previous (cases) in the series. But I’m really warming to the Pirate’s Cove crew and they fast becoming my favorite gang to follow, especially Watson and his hooman. I can’t wait for the next titles to be released and found what more mischief await Ellery.


Copy of this book is kindly given by the author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Josh remains one of my favorite mystery authors!
Again we meet Ellery who has gained the fame of being an amateur sleuth in the picturesque town of Pirate's Cove.
He will now face, inadvertently, a stranger who is scaring Juliet Blackwell, who in past books we met as an eccentric old woman, he will also investigate the strange thefts that occur in the Salty Dog Pub, with the help of Jack, the adorable watson and the Silver Sleuths
We also see Jack and how the relationship between him and Ellery progresses but at a snail's pace, these books do not focus so much on romance, what catches you is the mystery that is revealed on each page.

Another enjoyable episode in the Pirate’s Cove cosy mystery series and probably my favourite so far. It was great to see Ellery and Jack as a newly established couple finding their way and starting to work out their relationship.

Ellery can’t seem to avoid trouble while acting as a somewhat reluctant sleuth, but Jack is always there for when he gets himself into sticky situations.

There's lots going on in this story, with two mysteries that apparently need solving this time around, plus there’s another contender for Ellery’s attention.

There are also some very entertaining and amusing scenes where Ellery interviews prospective employees at his bookshop. I couldn’t help thinking that if he wasn’t running around solving mysteries he probably wouldn’t need another employee, but where’s the fun in that?

A delightful mix of characters (good and bad) and a quaint seaside setting made all the more enjoyable by the marvellous writing. Recommended.

Rating 4.5
This is the fourth book in the Secrets and Scrabble cozy mystery. I am loving this series, though cozy mysteries are not really my jam. The characters are so lovable and well developed. I really enjoy seeing how their lives have developed. The mystery is always fun and the humor of Ellery getting sucked into more detective work makes me laugh. I love his little dog and all their exploits. I can’t wait for another installment.

Scandal at the Salty Dog is the 4th book in the Secrets and Scrabble series by Josh Lanyon. While technically it can be read as a standalone, it would be much better enjoyed having read the others because the series revolves around one core group of characters.

In Scandal at the Salty Dog Ellery finds himself once again playing detective even though he wishes for anything but that. Yes he's still curious, but he isn't thrilled when Libby asks for his help with discovierng who is breaking into her families bar at night stealing food. In the middle of that "case" he finds himself in the another where his own life gets once again put in danger.

The mystery in this one is easy but fun with an eerie atmosphere as the rest of them have had. With twists and turns but nothing to complicated, just the way a cozy mystery should be. The thing that makes this series for me is the characters themselves, from Ellery and Jack to all the members of the Silver Slueths bookclub.

My favorite part of this installment was the advancement in the personal relationship between Ellery and Jack. I loved that they were honest and talked about things regarding their situation and didn't assume. Seriously they were precious together and I liked the fact that Jack actually went "sleuthing" with Ellery in this one even if it was just because he wanted to keep an eye on him lol

The Scandal at the Salty Dog is another fun cozy mystery in the Secrets and Scrabble series. Filled with underground tunnel explorations, cozy dinners, nosey friends, ghosts, secrets and Ellery landing himself in more dangerous situations accidentally.

I was provided an ARC but my opinions are my own.

This is another grand slam for Josh lanyon on the cozy mystery genre. Ellery and the quirky silver sleuths remain lovable and the kind of people you wish you had in your life. Ellery especially- Josh has a talent for writing the every day person we can all relate to.

The romance here is not as explicitly sexual as in many of Josh's other books but is very definitely at the core of the book. It's lovely to see the progression to the negotiation part- not will we or won't we, but what are we now. I'm invested. I want to read the next book immediately.

Well, Josh Lanyon does it again. I really adore this series: it's adventurous and easy to read, it's got the small-town (or in this case, small-island) vibe that I always love, and it's also got Lanyon's particular brand of humor that always leaves me grinning.
I think "Scandal at the Salty Dog" might be my favourite out of the four, at least for now.

Ellery Page, Pirate's Cove resident bookseller/reluctant amateur sleuth, wants to enjoy being finally back to work after his concussion-inducing sleuthing at the end of book three, and also maybe enjoy his burgeoning relationship with Police Chied Jack Carson. He definitely does NOT want to get himself involved with yet another mystery, one that revolves around ghosts and weird nocturnal burglars. But refusing to investigate when half of Pirate's Cove's citizens wants him to is difficult to do and he soons finds himself involved, much to his chagrin.

One thing I seriously love about Ellery is how much of a reluctant and exasperated sleuth he is: he just wants to live his life, but he keeps coming across bodies and murderers and getting hit on the head and being shoved in secret basements and crypts. I love that about him, and I also love how hilarious he is. He's easy to like and he's just so nice. I also adored that we get to see a bit more of how his relationship with Jack is going, even though I really wanted to hit Jack with a shovel a few times. I love him and Ellery together, and I'm really hoping the next book will be their turning point. And also, I want to see Jack Carson jealous: he needs to get his act together and really fight for his exasperating boyfriend.
The best part of this book was, hands down, the Silver Sleuths. I was crying from laughter during those last few chapters. I love them so much.
I'm so so looking forward to reading the next one.

Ellery Page has settled into Pirates Cove and life is business is doing well. When Ellery drops off some books to a reclusive, elderly customer, he hears her scream and answers the call. Is the old woman seeing ghosts of her ancestor pirate or did someone attack her in her home? While the woman claims she saw a ghost, neither Ellery nor Jack believe that is the case.

At the request of the hospitalized Miss Blackwell, Ellery drops by her house to pick up her books for her to read in the hospital. While there, he is attacked by an intruder in the woman’s house. There’s more to the story and Ellery and Jack can’t understand who would want to harm an old woman. But will they solve the case or will the guilty party get away like the ghosts of pirates from the past?

I really enjoy this series and the whodunits. With a sweet dog, bibliophiles, and a history of pirates, this series has a lot to offer and is a great diversion from real life. Give it a try, I think you’ll enjoy it as much as I do.

I became hooked on this cosy mystery series over the weekend and was lucky enough to get a copy of the most recent book off Netgalley. There's something charming about this series that absolutely reels me in, whether it's the ocean-side view of Pirate's Cove, or the way the town/island's rich history is part of the series, or maybe it's the relationship between Ellery and Jack and the way it slowly progresses but it always moving forward. I deeply appreciate that the two of them will actually sit down and communicate like adults, and each book sees them inching closer to something long-lasting. Part of the purpose for reading a cosy mystery series is comfort, and one of the things I look for and find the most comforting when reading a series like this is the progression of a relationship. Give me a good slow burn with people who are actively communicating (and aren't dicks to each other) and I'm hooked.

My one issue with Scandal at the Salty Dog, and actually the first thing in the entire series that I came across that made me pause, was the way Ellery questioned Libby asking him for help as though she was being a hysterical teenage girl. It seemed a bit unfair and mildly sexist for him to keep focusing on how much stress Libby was under and reluctantly help in an attempt to prove her wrong, rather than to consider other possibilities from the get-go.

I wasn't aware this was part of a series. However it was easy to gather what was going on. And it definitely can be read on its own. I definitely want to go back and check this series out from the start now.
Ellery is a very interesting character and I really enjoyed his relationship and interactions with Jack.

This series is such a delight and a way to escape the real world for awhile. I’ve always loved cozy mysteries and Lanyon has created this series to embody that genre. From the quaint, small island setting to the close knit, nosy and quirky town folks, this series has it all.

While this book wasn’t as exciting as the previous ones it was still a solid mystery that included a reclusive spinster in a large, old mansion and a shady intruder in not just the old house but also in the town pub. Ellery has gotten quite the reputation as an amateur sleuth and is caught up once again in another mystery.

Ellery and Jack are finally seeing each other and poor Jack has his hands full with a town of residents poking their noses into every investigation. He isn’t crazy about Ellery becoming involved in yet another mystery but he respects Ellery’s opinions and worries about his well being. They may not be there yet in terms of a fully committed relationship but they are well on their way.

I love reading about Ellery’s new island life. In the next few books I expect to see more ups and downs for him in both his personal and professional life. He is a great character and it’s always fun to follow him on his journeys!

I love Josh Lanyon's books. Entertaining crime stories with characters that are impossible not to love. Humor, action, great dialogues and much more.

And this series has my favorite books by the author. I had the biggest smile in the world reading this book. And now I want to buy the paperback and re-read it

I liked the case of this book so much (perhaps my favorite so far), because it reveals more secrets of the community and this island that I adore. And my screams regarding Jack and Ellery's relationship could be heard for miles. I love them so much.

I love that Ellery and Jack take their time with each step of their relationship, I love that their problems are communicated and that although they sometimes fight they can reach a common agreement. Communication is the key to a healthy relationship and these two have taken expert classes on the subject. Plus, I never tire of their stolen kisses, the smiles they always share and the conversations about everything and nothing.

I can't forget to mention the starring role of Watson. I don't want him to be offended and complain to me. The cutest puppy ever and the best partner in crime.

I am very excited to continue reading this series.