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The Pirate Festival Killing: A Secret Identity Coastal Small Town Cozy Mystery
Costumes, cannon fire, and a dead body that wasn’t part of the performance…
When the Sand Key Shores Pirate Festival takes over the harbor, inn owner Paisley Penrose expects smooth sailing. After all, she was the one who recommended the visiting pirate troupe.
She does not expect to find one of them dead inside the brig after a routine staged arrest.
The victim, Daniel Brooks, had only just joined the troupe—but he was already making waves. He clashed with the irascible dockmaster, Gavin Rourke, and sought out openly critical historian Everett Pierce, whose interest in pirate lore and ship manifests seemed to run deeper than curiosity.
With her reputation and the festival on the line, Paisley, her sharp-nosed Labradoodle, Noodle, and her quirky crew of friends start digging into a mystery no one wants uncovered.
Because this was no performance gone wrong.
And if Paisley steps too close to the truth, she may not make it off the ship alive.
When the Sand Key Shores Pirate Festival takes over the harbor, inn owner Paisley Penrose expects smooth sailing. After all, she was the one who recommended the visiting pirate troupe.
She does not expect to find one of them dead inside the brig after a routine staged arrest.
The victim, Daniel Brooks, had only just joined the troupe—but he was already making waves. He clashed with the irascible dockmaster, Gavin Rourke, and sought out openly critical historian Everett Pierce, whose interest in pirate lore and ship manifests seemed to run deeper than curiosity.
With her reputation and the festival on the line, Paisley, her sharp-nosed Labradoodle, Noodle, and her quirky crew of friends start digging into a mystery no one wants uncovered.
Because this was no performance gone wrong.
And if Paisley steps too close to the truth, she may not make it off the ship alive.
357 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
9 people are currently reading
3 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
April 25, 2026
A Festival, a Brig, and a Body
Cheryl Marlow brings readers back to Sand Key Shores just in time for the Pirate Festival, where the cannon fire is loud, the costumes are flashy, and the murder is very much unscripted. When a member of the visiting pirate troupe is found strangled inside the brig during what should have been a harmless performance moment, Paisley Penrose once again finds herself pulled into a mystery she never asked for.
Daniel Brooks was new to the troupe, but he’d already managed to irritate the wrong people and leave behind a notebook full of questions with no clear answers. His death sets off a chain of discoveries involving a prickly dockmaster, a historian with sharper opinions than manners, and a trail of clues that Paisley can’t help but follow—especially when Sheriff Grant keeps trusting her instincts, whether or not either of them will admit what’s going on between them.
The Salty Spoon crew plays a smaller role this time, mostly keeping the town gossip flowing, which lets the investigation stay tightly focused on Paisley, Noodle, and the festival chaos. The mystery itself is well‑plotted, with details that seem throwaway at first but turn out to matter later. I didn’t guess the motive until the reveal, and while the final explanation introduces a new element late in the game, it ties everything together cleanly.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable, well‑paced read with a fun festival backdrop and a satisfying mystery. My only lingering complaint: it’s time for Paisley and Sheriff Grant to make some actual progress in their relationship. At this point, I’d be thrilled with hand‑holding.
Cheryl Marlow brings readers back to Sand Key Shores just in time for the Pirate Festival, where the cannon fire is loud, the costumes are flashy, and the murder is very much unscripted. When a member of the visiting pirate troupe is found strangled inside the brig during what should have been a harmless performance moment, Paisley Penrose once again finds herself pulled into a mystery she never asked for.
Daniel Brooks was new to the troupe, but he’d already managed to irritate the wrong people and leave behind a notebook full of questions with no clear answers. His death sets off a chain of discoveries involving a prickly dockmaster, a historian with sharper opinions than manners, and a trail of clues that Paisley can’t help but follow—especially when Sheriff Grant keeps trusting her instincts, whether or not either of them will admit what’s going on between them.
The Salty Spoon crew plays a smaller role this time, mostly keeping the town gossip flowing, which lets the investigation stay tightly focused on Paisley, Noodle, and the festival chaos. The mystery itself is well‑plotted, with details that seem throwaway at first but turn out to matter later. I didn’t guess the motive until the reveal, and while the final explanation introduces a new element late in the game, it ties everything together cleanly.
Overall, it’s an enjoyable, well‑paced read with a fun festival backdrop and a satisfying mystery. My only lingering complaint: it’s time for Paisley and Sheriff Grant to make some actual progress in their relationship. At this point, I’d be thrilled with hand‑holding.
April 28, 2026
When an actor in the Pirate trope ends up dead in the brig, questions and rumors start their usual path around Sand Key Shores. Having been partially responsible for bringing them to town, Paisley can't help but want to get to the bottom of it. With Grant by her side, the duo set out to investigate not only those who knew the victim, but the victim himself. The Shoreline Circle holds the fort, and keeps the gossip and rumors in perspective, while Aunt Dottie focuses on the inn's stuardship. Grant and Paisley make a dynamic team, and seem to grow closer with every mystery solved. It's a complex puzzle with a well thought out plot. Recurring characters start feeling like old friends, yet each new mystery presents unique and creative challenges. I've enjoyed this series greatly and look forward to the next mystery.
I was gifted a copy of this book as part of the author's ARC team and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚
I was gifted a copy of this book as part of the author's ARC team and voluntarily provided this review. Happy Reading Y'all 📚
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another great murder mystery with numerous clues, Noodle's ability to find things others miss, and Grant & Paisley solving the murder. Each of them has a wonderful gift for solving crimes, and they work well together.
The Sandlin Inn is a wonderful backdrop in the town of Sand Key Shores. The Shoreline Circle is made up of some of the town residents and seems to keep the mystery going. The more books in the series I read, the more the characters become like old friends. There are times of many laughs, danger, and a wonderful way of watching the mystery unfold. I never know what will happen next. This is not your average murder mystery series. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author via BookSirens; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
The Sandlin Inn is a wonderful backdrop in the town of Sand Key Shores. The Shoreline Circle is made up of some of the town residents and seems to keep the mystery going. The more books in the series I read, the more the characters become like old friends. There are times of many laughs, danger, and a wonderful way of watching the mystery unfold. I never know what will happen next. This is not your average murder mystery series. Highly recommended.
I received a complimentary ARC copy from the author via BookSirens; a positive review is not required. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Author
The Pirate Festival Killing is a Superb story and series about Paisley Penrose and her very clever sleuthing dog Noodle and Aunt Dottie they both run the Inn. A Pirate Troupe are guests at the Inn and they are performing at the Pirate Festival. Unfortunately during the performance one of the Troupe dies.
Detective Grant Galloway comes to investigate and Paisley with Noodle assist him. They are also helped by the Shoreline Circle which includes Aunt Dottie and friends who also gather information.
But can they discover all the pieces of this puzzle and uncover the truth?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Detective Grant Galloway comes to investigate and Paisley with Noodle assist him. They are also helped by the Shoreline Circle which includes Aunt Dottie and friends who also gather information.
But can they discover all the pieces of this puzzle and uncover the truth?
I enjoyed reading this story very much and I highly recommend that you read.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
April 30, 2026
Paisley Penrose is settling in working at the Sandlin Inn just in time for the Pirate Festival. She had volunteered to help amd the Inn was actually hosting some of the cast members from the pirate troup. She and Noodle go down to the boardwalk at the dock to watch the group perform and there is an incident that causes the festival to be put on hold. One of the members is murdered. Paisley is working with Detective Grant Halloway to find the person behind the murder. What they find and what they do while they are looking makes this a story that you want to read.
I received an arc and this is my review.
I received an arc and this is my review.
April 28, 2026
Festival fatality
Sand Key Shores Pirate Festival is to bring entertainment and financial gain to Sand Key Shores, and for a while it does. However when a member of the show ends up dead during a performance, the excitement ends and the investigation begins. Paisley and Noodle are on the case assisting Detective Grant Halloway. It is a case of follow the timeline and clues as Noodle sniffs out papers and Paisley details how the timing of people's interactions can lead to the truth.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Sand Key Shores Pirate Festival is to bring entertainment and financial gain to Sand Key Shores, and for a while it does. However when a member of the show ends up dead during a performance, the excitement ends and the investigation begins. Paisley and Noodle are on the case assisting Detective Grant Halloway. It is a case of follow the timeline and clues as Noodle sniffs out papers and Paisley details how the timing of people's interactions can lead to the truth.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 4, 2026
The mystery begins as the title suggests at a pirate festival and the main charachters as always gather at the coffee shop to piece together all the clues and gossip. You have to just love Leo who of course has a theory~well maybe more than one ~ treasure, conspiracy, smuggling..".or?? Paisley, Aunt Dottie, and The Shoreline Circle are on one track and suddenly another avenue opens up and the narrative jumps the track. It's a very cleverly written mystery and I love Marlowe's style of writing. As always love Noodle!
May 6, 2026
When Pirate Festival comes to Sand Key Shores, the community is excited about the events, but when one of the cast is found dead in the brig, innkeeper Paisley Penrose teams up with Detective Grant Halloway. As they investigate the scene and learn more about the victim, they try to put the pieces together to find the murderer. Yet the more Paisley digs, the more danger might be following her.
As a member of the author's ARC team, I received this directly from her.
As a member of the author's ARC team, I received this directly from her.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Another wonderful story starring Noodle and his investigating skills and nose. This was an action packed seaside murder at a pirate festival. This had suspense and stress on Sand Key Shores. Great read, recommend the book and series. Very likable characters that keep you engaged.
This was a complimentary ARC read that I reviewed voluntarily.
This was a complimentary ARC read that I reviewed voluntarily.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews