This review is provided as part of the Virtual Book Tour hosted by Zooloo’s Book Tours which runs 21-30 April 2025. Follow along, using the links provided on the Book Tour Schedule
Thank you to the author Gregory Grosvenor, publisher Black Rose Writing and, of course Zooloo’s Book Tours for inviting me to join this book tour and providing a digital copy of the novel to read and review.
About the Book
About the Author … Gregory Grosvenor
Gregory Grosvenor grew up in Ansbach, Germany. He moved to the US, earning an MFA from Old Dominion University. For two decades, he has taught writing and the art of the short story at various colleges in Virginia, Maryland, and Massachusetts. Grosvenor currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts with his three cats, Dinah, Theo, and Bramlet Abercrombie.
Gregory’s website is gregorygrosvenor.com and he can also be found on Instagram @gregory.grosvenor and @second_pocket_first
My review
A Quirky, Heartfelt Crime Comedy
Second Pocket First is a charming and witty read that brings together comedy, crime, and a whole lot of small-town heart. Gregory Grosvenor introduces us to Issey, a self-proclaimed master thief who, despite his stylish turtlenecks and lockpicking skills, might not be quite as slick as he thinks. Returning to his childhood town of Bell River Valley, Issey soon finds himself tangled not just in burglary attempts, but in unexpected heroism, new opportunities, and a dash of romance.
The writing style here is very different from my usual reads — lighter, quirkier, and sprinkled with soft, clever humour rather than big laugh-out-loud moments. I found myself smiling often at Issey’s antics and the wonderfully odd situations he finds himself in.
While the story didn’t completely sweep me away, that’s more a reflection of my reading tastes than any fault of the book itself. Second Pocket First is well-written, with a likeable (if slightly hapless!) main character and a storyline that offers plenty of heart. Fans of humorous, offbeat fiction will no doubt adore it.
For me, this was a solid three-star read (and a four-star elsewhere), and I would happily recommend it to readers looking for a light-hearted, feel-good story with a twist of crime and comedy..
All views expressed are my own. This review, or parts of it, may also be shared on my social media channels and various book platforms. Links are accurate at the time of publication.
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