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Welcome to Deep Cove
At thirty-one, Garrett Willigins has finally earned his private investigator's badge. Unfortunately, the bills haven't stopped coming and building a solid reputation won't happen overnight. Forced to take employment wherever they can, Garrett and his miniature dragon partner Merle, must dirty their hands any way possible to make a buck.
Shoveling manure, chasing cats, and dock duty seem to be the order of the day. Working off back rent for a notorious gangster isn't the safest of jobs on a good day, but when the other workers start turning up dead, Garrett finds himself elbow deep in a mystery that could spell a quick end to his short P.I career.
Shoveling manure, chasing cats, and dock duty seem to be the order of the day. Working off back rent for a notorious gangster isn't the safest of jobs on a good day, but when the other workers start turning up dead, Garrett finds himself elbow deep in a mystery that could spell a quick end to his short P.I career.
254 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 16, 2014
20 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
About the author
Grant T. Reed
10 books57 followersGrant Reed has a background in business management, computer programming, and computer networking. He would much rather be out fishing though, so he spends his time writing and exploring the lakes in his backyard. He lives in Lively Ontario, Canada with his wife Robin, and their two children Aidan and Megan.
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Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
May 29, 2014
There is something brewing in Deep Cove, and there’s no better heroes to figure it out than the private investigator Garrett, a dragon named Merle, and their robotic friend. This book is a delightful surprise that seriously injects some fun and humor into the fantasy genre, and Welcome to Deep Cove has enough action, suspense, and laughs that it could satisfy even the most discerning reader.
First of all, the author’s descriptions are incredible. They really suck you into the world of Deep Cove, and little of it seems to be there without reason. Most of the description piggybacks into character development or exposition that actually furthers the story, and that which doesn’t illuminates the scenery in a veil of imagination that is living, breathing, and undeniably realistic despite the fantastic subject matter.
The characters in this story are memorable. I especially loved the dragon, Merle. His laugh-out-loud antics and dubious wit combined with snark makes him lovable in addition to providing comic relief to the story.
My favorite aspect of Grant Reed’s setting has to be the way that he effortlessly combines the fantastic with modern day ideas and subject matter. Dragons, kings, robots, and crime families can all be found in Deep Cove, and they are unabashedly interconnected in a world that has been brought to life by excellent diction.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy novels, especially the young adult demographic. However, I’d also lend this book to friends who like lighthearted adventure stories, and more. There’s something in this book for everyone.
First of all, the author’s descriptions are incredible. They really suck you into the world of Deep Cove, and little of it seems to be there without reason. Most of the description piggybacks into character development or exposition that actually furthers the story, and that which doesn’t illuminates the scenery in a veil of imagination that is living, breathing, and undeniably realistic despite the fantastic subject matter.
The characters in this story are memorable. I especially loved the dragon, Merle. His laugh-out-loud antics and dubious wit combined with snark makes him lovable in addition to providing comic relief to the story.
My favorite aspect of Grant Reed’s setting has to be the way that he effortlessly combines the fantastic with modern day ideas and subject matter. Dragons, kings, robots, and crime families can all be found in Deep Cove, and they are unabashedly interconnected in a world that has been brought to life by excellent diction.
I would recommend this book to anyone who likes fantasy novels, especially the young adult demographic. However, I’d also lend this book to friends who like lighthearted adventure stories, and more. There’s something in this book for everyone.
December 23, 2014
Finding a modern fantasy book that is well written and suitable for children whilst being packed with adventure and action should not be a tall order with the number of books available today but short of the Narnia works of C.S. Lewis there are few books that have been written since then that are able to capture the imagination and thrill all at the same time.
Welcome to Deep Cove is one book that manages this with a healthy addition of wit added into the mix. On the whole the book is really well written and manages to strike an excellent balance of excitement with the delight that classic adventure stories are famous for.
Dragons are always a welcome site in fantasy aimed at children and young teens as well as adults, but none are so vividly portrayed as those that appear in Welcome to Deep Cove.
Like all good fiction that is designed for a wide range of ages there are many layers to it. The fantastical elements are enough to delight the younger members of the audience and have them engaged from start to finish. Whereas the wit nature of the writing and the politics that come across in the narrative will have older readers laughing to themselves and enjoying the tale all the more.
The pace of the book is well done so that it doesn’t drag in many places and the writing style is far from dry and boring. The characters are well written and imaginative if there are a few that are so creative it is hard to identify with them.
This book is a wonderful tale of adventure that is perfect for the whole family and can be enjoyed from when it is first discovered and loved for different aspects as the reader grows up.
Welcome to Deep Cove is one book that manages this with a healthy addition of wit added into the mix. On the whole the book is really well written and manages to strike an excellent balance of excitement with the delight that classic adventure stories are famous for.
Dragons are always a welcome site in fantasy aimed at children and young teens as well as adults, but none are so vividly portrayed as those that appear in Welcome to Deep Cove.
Like all good fiction that is designed for a wide range of ages there are many layers to it. The fantastical elements are enough to delight the younger members of the audience and have them engaged from start to finish. Whereas the wit nature of the writing and the politics that come across in the narrative will have older readers laughing to themselves and enjoying the tale all the more.
The pace of the book is well done so that it doesn’t drag in many places and the writing style is far from dry and boring. The characters are well written and imaginative if there are a few that are so creative it is hard to identify with them.
This book is a wonderful tale of adventure that is perfect for the whole family and can be enjoyed from when it is first discovered and loved for different aspects as the reader grows up.
May 9, 2014
Wit and Adventure at its Finest!
I loved this book! The author, Grant Reed, has created an action-packed story filled with some really lovable and funny characters. Creative and delightful to the core, this first book in what hopefully the author will continue as a series is reminiscent of a combination of A Confederacy of Dunces and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with dragons.
My favorite aspect of this book is the author’s exquisite descriptions of the action and landscapes of the story. His ability in crafting descriptive, but not boring, prose is a gift that he displays in this book and is the mark of a true storyteller. I was able to vividly conjure up images of the characters and setting in a way that added to the intrigue and engagement I felt while reading. Mr. Reed also did a fine job of weaving together several equally-fascinating story lines into a tale that is rich, humorous and a delight to read.
Though full of whimsy and fantastical enough to capture the hearts of any younger reader, the humor and politics that are silver linings to this tale will be best received by adult readers. For the fast-paced, engaging plot and the cross-genre appeal of this unique story, I give this book a much-deserved 5 stars. Mr. Reed, please let us hear from your pen again soon.
I loved this book! The author, Grant Reed, has created an action-packed story filled with some really lovable and funny characters. Creative and delightful to the core, this first book in what hopefully the author will continue as a series is reminiscent of a combination of A Confederacy of Dunces and The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, with dragons.
My favorite aspect of this book is the author’s exquisite descriptions of the action and landscapes of the story. His ability in crafting descriptive, but not boring, prose is a gift that he displays in this book and is the mark of a true storyteller. I was able to vividly conjure up images of the characters and setting in a way that added to the intrigue and engagement I felt while reading. Mr. Reed also did a fine job of weaving together several equally-fascinating story lines into a tale that is rich, humorous and a delight to read.
Though full of whimsy and fantastical enough to capture the hearts of any younger reader, the humor and politics that are silver linings to this tale will be best received by adult readers. For the fast-paced, engaging plot and the cross-genre appeal of this unique story, I give this book a much-deserved 5 stars. Mr. Reed, please let us hear from your pen again soon.
May 12, 2014
This book is about Garrett and his tiny pet Dragon Merle. I have to say that first off... Merle is someone I want to hang with... coffee drinking, newspaper reading and pouring beer all down a lady's cleavage so he can slurp it up.... love the little dragon :)
Garrett has money problems in the beginning of the story, so Merle and Garrett are forced to take jobs that really have nothing to do with being a private investigator.... like chasing down cats.
When Garrett is forced to work for a bad guy in town things start to get really good.
This leads to a tale of robots, talking animals, murder and mystery that had me clicking page after page with tons of laugh out loud moments. The characters are developed really well, and you can't help but giggle at all the antics of the robot PC and the dragon Merle.
This was a VERY fun book to read that never got boring... a roller coaster of mystery, fantasy and comedy that kept me in front of my computer long after I should have been asleep :) I can't wait to read all I can find by this author!
Garrett has money problems in the beginning of the story, so Merle and Garrett are forced to take jobs that really have nothing to do with being a private investigator.... like chasing down cats.
When Garrett is forced to work for a bad guy in town things start to get really good.
This leads to a tale of robots, talking animals, murder and mystery that had me clicking page after page with tons of laugh out loud moments. The characters are developed really well, and you can't help but giggle at all the antics of the robot PC and the dragon Merle.
This was a VERY fun book to read that never got boring... a roller coaster of mystery, fantasy and comedy that kept me in front of my computer long after I should have been asleep :) I can't wait to read all I can find by this author!
June 30, 2014
Right off the bat, I’ll be honest: I’m not really that much into fantasy. I’m also not much for mystery novels. I’m a fair-weather, casual fan of both. I like the basis for the genres, but I generally leave it up to others to tell me what’s good before I invest a lot of my time into it. The two genres as a whole usually bore me because it’s a lot of the same old, rehashed content. I think that, in and of itself, fed into my fascination with this book. It’s such a strange take on fantasy and mystery, mixing in a lot of humor and eccentric, eclectic style that really sets it apart from the rest of the crowd. There’s also a lot of memorable, fleshed-out characters, and an interesting plot, which are generally lacking in a fantasy genre that is so quick to jump to played-out archetypes and to rely on the usual tropes. I really enjoyed the novel, and would recommend it to fans of any of the constituent genres.
June 23, 2014
I really like the cover of this book, and when I got into it, I loved the book even more. Welcome to Deep Cove (Vellian Mysteries Book 1) by Grant T. Reed is a not only well, but intelligently written mystery done by an author with a true talent for unfolding the story in a way that sucks you in, keeps you on the edge of your seat, and has you dying to finish it to see the plot completely laid out. I didn’t want to put this book down and completed it in one sitting. The characters are also well thought out and you will find yourself completely involved in their lives. This was just all around a wonderful read and way to escape life a bit! I highly recommend this book!
March 9, 2015
I find the idea of a PI becoming a mob boss's lackey funny for some reason, especially in the case of this book. While the fight between two countries threatens to destroy the world around him, Garrett still has to deal with fish and unruly clients day in and day out - its enough to make you want to stay home.
A fast-paced and engaging plot, much better than Shadow of the Makarios, keeps the reader going, even as you feel that it's 130am and you kind of have to go to bed for work tomorrow.
World building is top notch again, I think some of the character are hilarious (alas, a few felt a bit flat), and wit coming out the wazoo. Go on, take a read. You'll like it too.
A fast-paced and engaging plot, much better than Shadow of the Makarios, keeps the reader going, even as you feel that it's 130am and you kind of have to go to bed for work tomorrow.
World building is top notch again, I think some of the character are hilarious (alas, a few felt a bit flat), and wit coming out the wazoo. Go on, take a read. You'll like it too.
May 27, 2014
I loved this book! Welcome to Deep Cove had me hooked from the very first page. P.I Garrett and his mini dragon Merle will have you laughing out loud. The author's writes scenes that are so vivd it almost feels as though you are right there in the book. You can see the expressions on their faces and feel the chemistry between the characters. This is a must read and I cannot wait to get started on books 2 and 3 to see where they end up.
September 21, 2016
A great story wonderfully written
I absolutely love this book. It is so unique because it takes place in a world that might exist if magic and dragons were real and the world had taken a little different turn. You have magic globes instead of computers and ogres work along side humans in the employ of a mob boss. The story is terrific and the writing and the characters pull you in. Can't wait to read the next one.
I absolutely love this book. It is so unique because it takes place in a world that might exist if magic and dragons were real and the world had taken a little different turn. You have magic globes instead of computers and ogres work along side humans in the employ of a mob boss. The story is terrific and the writing and the characters pull you in. Can't wait to read the next one.
April 21, 2014
An enjoyable and often roller-coaster ride with the enduring character Garrett Willigins and his miniature dragon partner Merle. A great book to forget your troubles and just immerse yourself in the story. This is book 1 of the Vellian Mysteries series and I can happily report author Grant T. Reed has delivered it superbly. A happy fun read for all.
June 10, 2014
From the other reviews I had read on this book, I was expecting some colorful characters and exciting plot twists. But no one warned me how much fun I would have as I turned the pages. I was laughing one moment, and filled with suspense the next. Reed certainly has a talent for enveloping the reader in a detail-filled world. A world that I much enjoyed visiting.
May 15, 2014
Welcome to Deep Cove is an engrossing and hilarious book. Garrett and his mini-dragon Merle are vibrant characters and Merlin is someone I definitely would want to spend time with.
I look forward to reading more in the Deep Cove Series. Its absolutely fantastic.
I look forward to reading more in the Deep Cove Series. Its absolutely fantastic.
August 31, 2014
First of all, it’s hard to accurately label this book. There are elements of sci-fi, fantasy, humor, mystery, coming-of-age, adventure, detective novel, and this eclecticism could work out clumsily if the novel was conducted in the wrong way, which isn’t the case. There are two main storylines: one is about Rowgar, to whom we are initially presented. There is a more serious tone, if we compare the plot of collusions, imprisonment and an underlying sense of urgency, to the more lighthearted, humorous history of Garrett and his dragon, Merle. To me, when I first read about the partnership between Garrett and Merle, they struck my mind as being some sort of Jon Arbuckle and Garfield, but involved with robots, ogres, minotaurs and other mythological creatures. They also have to deal with a rather impatient landlord, and literally shove manure to scrap a few pennies, while Garrett doesn’t feel respected for his position as a private investigator (most people seem to think of him as some sort of… insurance man). The best lines of dialogue belong to them, as well. The mental picture of a “pet” dragon being sarcastic and stubborn easily made me laugh.
Speaking of dialogues, this is definitely one of the strongest points of the book. Accents and character’s idiosyncrasies are made evident through the explicit presentation of their lines. JRR Tolkien resorted to this in The Hobbit and other books, and thanks to that, many characters and scenes became unforgettable. I like how Grant Reed balanced the prose, avoiding excessive adjectives and adverbs, not to mention how the paragraphs and sentences are evenly distributed. That’s a strong point to me, since I don’t like never-ending paragraphs and verbose sentences. The relatively short chapters are a plus, too.
In the beginning, I felt a little overwhelmed by the profusion of characters, but soon I got the storytelling rhythm and I was remembering the names. After 2 chapters I was glued to the book and its immersive universe. I definitely recommend this book.
Speaking of dialogues, this is definitely one of the strongest points of the book. Accents and character’s idiosyncrasies are made evident through the explicit presentation of their lines. JRR Tolkien resorted to this in The Hobbit and other books, and thanks to that, many characters and scenes became unforgettable. I like how Grant Reed balanced the prose, avoiding excessive adjectives and adverbs, not to mention how the paragraphs and sentences are evenly distributed. That’s a strong point to me, since I don’t like never-ending paragraphs and verbose sentences. The relatively short chapters are a plus, too.
In the beginning, I felt a little overwhelmed by the profusion of characters, but soon I got the storytelling rhythm and I was remembering the names. After 2 chapters I was glued to the book and its immersive universe. I definitely recommend this book.
July 23, 2016
In the beginning, I was slightly confused with the actual premise of this book.
The book cover made the book seem like a modern day mystery and the synopsis states the book was about a P.I. (which is a modern term to me) … then came a dragon. Huh.
It was intriguing enough for me. I started reading and was still slightly confused because I didn’t quite get what was going on through the synopsis. But it could simply be because I wasn’t used to such genre.
But I got into the book rather quickly.
The book has an interesting mix of characters: humans, dragons, robots, ogres, and more. It's really fresh for me to have both fantasy and sic-fi characters in one book.
My favorite character is the tiny little dragon, Merle. I love the witty dialogue between him and Garrett. It makes me laugh and the dialogues helps to lighten the mood when things get too intense. I didn’t quite like the robot. I understand that the author makes the robot speaks in a staccato manner to portray the characteristic of a robot, but I find that it makes the dialogue difficult to read.
Storyline wise, I love how the author weaves mystery into this world. The author holds back just enough information amid the action, and that kept me turning the page to find out what in installed.
Overall, despite the few things I didn’t like, I find the book an enjoyable read for both young adults and adults.
The book cover made the book seem like a modern day mystery and the synopsis states the book was about a P.I. (which is a modern term to me) … then came a dragon. Huh.
It was intriguing enough for me. I started reading and was still slightly confused because I didn’t quite get what was going on through the synopsis. But it could simply be because I wasn’t used to such genre.
But I got into the book rather quickly.
The book has an interesting mix of characters: humans, dragons, robots, ogres, and more. It's really fresh for me to have both fantasy and sic-fi characters in one book.
My favorite character is the tiny little dragon, Merle. I love the witty dialogue between him and Garrett. It makes me laugh and the dialogues helps to lighten the mood when things get too intense. I didn’t quite like the robot. I understand that the author makes the robot speaks in a staccato manner to portray the characteristic of a robot, but I find that it makes the dialogue difficult to read.
Storyline wise, I love how the author weaves mystery into this world. The author holds back just enough information amid the action, and that kept me turning the page to find out what in installed.
Overall, despite the few things I didn’t like, I find the book an enjoyable read for both young adults and adults.
May 23, 2014
The first thing that struck me about Garrett Willigins was: he has a dragon—a dragon named Merle? Mmm…. And he talks, too!
The pair was kind of like an odd couple, like the roommates on the comic strip, The Duplex, and the two were set in a scene straight from King Arthur’s court. Knights, kings, goblins, and princesses are all things you’ll expect to find in this book.
I’m not that much into fantasy, but what encouraged me to try this book was that it dabbled in the mystery genre, even though I couldn’t figure out why there would be a private investigator in King Arthur’s court when they had wizards to do the bidding. This story presented a light-hearted dialogue with humorous quips; however, my interest was deterred by the complexity of the plot. There also may have been a few too many characters to keep track of. Percy, Pacorro, Don Fergani, Omik, Kaxaun—who can remember these? If I can’t say the name, I usually don’t remember it.
And I honestly couldn't quite understand the need to work at a fisherman's dock.
I trudged on until about a quarter of the way before I stopped all together. I just didn't get it.
The pair was kind of like an odd couple, like the roommates on the comic strip, The Duplex, and the two were set in a scene straight from King Arthur’s court. Knights, kings, goblins, and princesses are all things you’ll expect to find in this book.
I’m not that much into fantasy, but what encouraged me to try this book was that it dabbled in the mystery genre, even though I couldn’t figure out why there would be a private investigator in King Arthur’s court when they had wizards to do the bidding. This story presented a light-hearted dialogue with humorous quips; however, my interest was deterred by the complexity of the plot. There also may have been a few too many characters to keep track of. Percy, Pacorro, Don Fergani, Omik, Kaxaun—who can remember these? If I can’t say the name, I usually don’t remember it.
And I honestly couldn't quite understand the need to work at a fisherman's dock.
I trudged on until about a quarter of the way before I stopped all together. I just didn't get it.
July 26, 2014
When I saw the cover, I wasn't expecting a fantasy world with great comedy. This was a nice breath of fresh air from the typical dark fantasy/mystery genre.
The story has superb detail that helps suck you into Deep Cove. Each conversation and interaction seems believable. Even Merle, a magical dragon, seems natural in this world along with the other creatures. In a way it's odd how normal the interactions are between fantasy creatures. Normally, when you hear of dragons and minotaurs, you imagine evil creatures that need to be slayed. Here though, they're as normal as humans, and that's always funny. This creative approach towards the typical fantasy creatures gives a new sight on how these ideas can be toyed with.
Overall, I would buy this book if you love fantasy/mystery books. It's well written, has great character development, and you'll be glued to it until you reached the end.
The story has superb detail that helps suck you into Deep Cove. Each conversation and interaction seems believable. Even Merle, a magical dragon, seems natural in this world along with the other creatures. In a way it's odd how normal the interactions are between fantasy creatures. Normally, when you hear of dragons and minotaurs, you imagine evil creatures that need to be slayed. Here though, they're as normal as humans, and that's always funny. This creative approach towards the typical fantasy creatures gives a new sight on how these ideas can be toyed with.
Overall, I would buy this book if you love fantasy/mystery books. It's well written, has great character development, and you'll be glued to it until you reached the end.
May 13, 2014
Great & entertaining read!
“Welcome to deep cove” is great and entertaining fantasy story about Garrett Willigins and his miniature dragon Merle. It is captivating fantasy telling with interesting plot, many twists and turns, likeable characters, with a lot of action, adventure, suspenseful moments and much more - so everything what you expect from any good fantasy. Overall, the story is well written, entertaining, exciting and great to read. I recommend it to any fan of fantasy stories, both young and adult readers!
“Welcome to deep cove” is great and entertaining fantasy story about Garrett Willigins and his miniature dragon Merle. It is captivating fantasy telling with interesting plot, many twists and turns, likeable characters, with a lot of action, adventure, suspenseful moments and much more - so everything what you expect from any good fantasy. Overall, the story is well written, entertaining, exciting and great to read. I recommend it to any fan of fantasy stories, both young and adult readers!
September 29, 2016
I might be biased, but I liked it ;)...Of course I'm not going to seriously rate my own book!! (or I'd give it an 11 out of 5!)
I thought I would use this spot to share the Kirkus Review of "Welcome to Deep Cove."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Grant
I thought I would use this spot to share the Kirkus Review of "Welcome to Deep Cove."
https://www.kirkusreviews.com/book-re...
Grant
September 11, 2016
Good story with likeable characters. The author has a unique sense of humour. His books remind me a little bit of Christopher Moore's "Fool".
It's not my first choice in Genre and so I couldn't lose myself in the story.
April 3, 2017
4 stars despite the lack of editing. A+ would lol again.
April 4, 2017
Not sure I'm gonna finish this one. Just a bit too out there for me with miniature talking dragons and such. Also the story was a bit canned like an old PI story from the 60's. Just couldn't hold my interest.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews