Esmé de LaForet, a playwright on the cusp of her first Broadway debut, stumbles into a web of intrigue when a seemingly innocent act of returning a lost watch propels her into a whirlwind of murder, mobsters, and nerve-wracking opening nights. As she tracks down the watch's owner, a man named Scavullo, Esmé becomes entangled with a mysterious stranger, private investigator Graydon Chase.
Juggling the complexities of Graydon's enigmatic persona, Esmé navigates the labyrinth of mobsters, meddling reporters, and the sizzling chemistry that sparks between them. The plot thickens as Esmé's life hangs in the balance and an unknown killer lurks in the shadows, adding an extra layer of suspense to the unfolding drama."Crook Tales for Two" unfolds as an effervescent narrative. The story encapsulates the spirit of the era, where champagne corks pop, jazz melodies echo through the night, and the glittering lights of Broadway cast their glow on a city pulsating with life.

This novel promises an enchanting journey, offering the warmth of a cozy mystery while delving extensively into women's issues. Within its pages, the delightful chemistry between Esme and Graydon resonates with the allure of Hollywood's glamorous detective duos, creating a captivating narrative ambiance. Ellen Byerrum's writing style proves to be both engaging and immersive, skillfully guiding the reader through a bygone era. Amidst the comforting familiarity of a cozy mystery, the narrative surprises with unexpected plot twists and the nuanced exploration of romance, leaving readers eagerly anticipating more. Byerrum's adept storytelling weaves together the threads of mystery, romance, and societal reflections, making this novel a compelling and thoroughly enjoyable read.
I just reviewed Crook Tales for Two by Ellen Byerrum. #CrookTalesforTwo #NetGalley

Book Review
Crook tales for two by Ellen Byerrum
4 stars out of 5

This book left me puzzled as I was reflecting upon my review. I was expecting a cozy mystery, but it did not give me the vibes I usually get from this genre. There were indeed crimes, but the main character was less into finding the murderer than your traditional whodunit and actually was more interested in staying away from the action. There was romance indeed, and I really enjoyed the chemistry between the two protagonists, but it was more a secondary plot. Therefore, I also do not feel like it was a romance.

I think the reason why this book ends up not fitting anywhere (and the reason why it gets 4 stars out of 5) is that the author developed every single subplot in depth, leaving us with some longueurs. It's like the author had writing ADHD. It would mention a character's parents, and then instead of being a sentence, it would turn into a whole chapter on their relationship with them. There was no focus. That being said, it was still a smooth and enjoyable read. I enjoyed it for what it was.

If you want to see it for yourself, Crook Tales for Two comes out January 20th. I received an early copy from #netgalley in return for my honest opinion..

I absolutely this book! It was such a cozy mystery. The plot was very well thought out and the plot twists were very well done.

“Crook Tales for Two” was everything you wish to find in a book. Engaging and lovely writing with humor, suspense and romance charged with lots of chemistry between the main characters.

The story is set in New York city around 1934. Esmé de LaForet has worked as a reporter for quite sometime but at heart she’s always being a playwright. Finally, she gets her break at the theater she’s working at. But everything gets no complicated after Esmé tried to return the gold watch of a mob member who in a hurry left it at the table before eating his lunch. She follows him and that’s where she meets the mysterious Graydon Chase who will against her wishes accompany her during this adventure.

I just enjoy the book very much. There were complete paragraphs I reread just for the thrill of it. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did. I love epilogues so, I did miss it in this story.

The idea of the book itself was very good, yet I would've prefered if it was a bit shorter. I loved that the book combined the genres of romance, mystery and crime but at some point I lost interest in reading due to pacing and unnecessary long passages. The characters were great and the story to enjoy overall!

I would like to thank Netgalley and Victory Editing Netgalley Co-op for an advance copy of Crook Tales for Two, a stand-alone romantic suspense comedy set in New York in 1934.

Esmé de LaForet is on the brink of having her first play open on Broadway and is taking a stress busting break in a local diner, when she sees a man she knows from church, Dante Scavullo, leave his watch on the counter. She picks it up and follows him to give it back, even when he enters a school. A burst of gunfire and an encounter with a stranger make her regret her good intentions. Dante Scavullo is dead and the stranger introduces himself as PI Graydon Chase.

I quite enjoyed Crook Tales for Two, but it is too long for what it is, a humorous, romantic suspense with all the tropes - distrust between the protagonists, ample opportunity for misunderstandings, sizzling chemistry and a good mystery. Somehow, it misses out on frothiness.

The novel has a story to tell. Esmé de LaForet is no shrinking violet and can be feisty when annoyed, so when the Mafia takes an interest in her she’s not best pleased, but she’s also not cowed. But then, she’s also annoyed at Graydon Chase on a regular basis and she has a sharp tongue. There are more murders with everyone proclaiming their innocence and what is it with the watch? It’s silly and great fun and I must admit that I didn’t see the solution coming, especially in the way it does.

I didn’t get a great sense of period from the novel and felt that in some ways Esmé is a modern day transplant in her attitudes and actions.

Crook Tales for Two is a fun read that I can recommend.

This is a whole bunch of fun, a thirties New York set murder mystery with a plucky playwright heroine and a British private eye who is more than he seems. It leans nicely into various areas of pulpiness, both the post-prohibition period of organised crime and the slightly rarified air of the industrial Broadway complex. Byerrum has created a fully fleshed-out heroine in (admittedly extravagantly named) Esmé de LaForet, heiress but not like you think, ex-journalist and now having her first play put on. She is a natty dresser because she inherited the clothes from the previous flop, and whilst she doea have a woman who does for her in her little apartment, you couldn't call it staff. She stumbles across a murder and then she stumbles across the sauve Graydon Chase, and the game is afoot.

Whilst Byerrum builds a perfectly serviceable mystery here, which trots out reveals and reversals at all the right points, it really catches more fire as a romance. About halfway we get let into Graydon Chase's secret, and I must admit I did spend some time considering it from his perspective but written as a P.G.Wodehouse novel (there may be a manservant involved). Indeed that stuff is so good that it is almost a pity when the mystery intervenes. It's plenty of plucky fun in and out of the murder investigation, and this certainly has legs as characters to run and run if so desired.

I fell in love with this book from the first chapter. The way the main characters were introduced was just perfect. The setting for this book, 1930's post-Prohibition New York City, is done so well that I felt like I was walking down the fall streets. This book was a combination of mystery, romance, and fun banter. All the characters were unique and a joy to read. This was my first book by this author but I'm sure to put her to the top of my list in the future.

Well done story. I totally loved the vibe and I’m a sucker for cozy mysteries which this def felt like. Would recommend.