The Cape Cod Mystery

By: Phoebe Atwood Taylor, Otto Penzler - introduction

Brought to you by Penguin.

The first novel from one of the of the most beloved authors of the American Golden Age mystery - the perfect beach read for the summer.

Meet Asey Mayo, Cape Cod’s answer to Sherlock Holmes, a Jack-of-all-trades who uses his worldly knowledge to solve the most puzzling crimes to strike the peninsula.

A massive heatwave is scorching the coast, and a journalist is found murdered in the cabin he’s rented for the season. The police believe that beloved local businessman Bill Porter is the murderer – it’s up to Asey Mayo to prove him innocent and find the true killer.

'Asey Mayo possesses more common sense and personal charm than any other detective in fiction.' Times Literary Supplement

'Phoebe Atwood Taylor can get more fun into a detective story than any writer at present producing books of this sort.' New York Times

'Delightful, light, witty and vivacious.' Chicago Tribune

'The real atmosphere of the Cape is here.' Boston Globe

© Phoebe Atwood Taylor 2026 (P) Penguin Audio 2026

Critic reviews

'Phoebe Atwood Taylor can get more fun into a detective story than any writer at present producing books of this sort.'

'Delightful, light, witty and vivacious.

'Asey Mayo possesses more common sense and personal charm than any other detective in fiction.'

'The real atmosphere of the Cape is here.