Title: The Secret, Book & Scone Society

Series: The Secret, Book & Scone Society

By:  Ellery Adams

ISBN: 1496712374 (ISBN13: 9781496712370

Author’s Website:  http://elleryadamsmysteries.com/

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra                   

Summary:

From New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams comes the first in an intriguing new series set within a quirky small-town club where the key to happiness, friendship—or solving a murder—can all be found within the pages of the right book . . .

Miracle Springs, North Carolina, is a place of healing. Strangers flock here hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain and lighten their heaviest burden.

When a visiting businessman reaches out to Nora for guidance, she knows exactly which novels will help. But before he can keep their appointment at Miracle Books, he’s found dead on the train tracks.

Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to gain trust and earn redemption by helping others. To join the society, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place.

Determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cramped and cozy bookstore to share stories and trade support. And as they untangle a web of corruption, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge—proving it’s never too late to turn the page and start over . . . (Goodreads)

Review:

I am a big fan of Ellery Adams, so when I discovered there was a series I had not read yet I jumped at the chance to read the first book, The Secret, Book & Scone Society.  It was truly a fun adventure trying to solve the murder(s) and get to know the townsfolks of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. The town is known as a place of healing. Now if the four protagonists could be healed as well as the visitors to Miracle Springs, I feel all will be good.

Four unlikely women of Miracle Springs (Nora is the owner of Miracle Books, June is a Miracle Springs Thermal Pools employee, Estella is the owner of Magnolia Salon and Spa, and Hester is the owner of Gingerbread House bakery) combine forces to secretly find out why Neil, a visiting businessman has ended up dead, especially as he was on his way to Nora’s bookstore for some healing advice. One of the main reasons for solving resolving cause of his death is because the person accused of “killing” him is Estelle. 

Nora helps to heal her customers who need it, by suggesting books, so she is known as a biblio-therapist and has such an interesting philosophy (as brought forth while she was talking with Neil):

“Stories are just like people. If you don’t approach them with an open mind and a healthy dose of respect, they won’t reveal their hidden selves to you. In that event, you’ll miss out on what they have to offer. You’ll walk through life an empty husk instead of a vibrant kaleidoscope of passion, wisdom, and experience.”

Nora’s thoughts on Neil’s death:

“Neil Parrish’s death had jarred something loose inside Nora. She didn’t understand why, because she hadn’t known him. Still, her determination to prevent his being labeled a suicide had her taking changes she hadn’t been willing to take until now.  That night, as she prepared for the arrival of the other women, Nora ruminated over why she’d become so invested in Neil Parrish. Strangers with broken hearts, injured bodies, and damaged psyches came to Miracle Springs on every train, so why did she care about this stranger? Why did any of them?”

I loved the naming of the beverages that were available at Miracle Books:

“The chalkboard listed the literary names of the beverages Miracle Books offered:

The Ernest Hemingway – Dark Roast

The Louisa May Alcott – Light Roast

The Dante Alighieri – Decaf

The Wilkie Collins – Cappuccino

The Jack London – Latte

The Agatha ChisTEA – Earl Grey”

I appreciated how Estelle had a personal transformation (I just knew there must have been another side to her) as a result of the four gals working to solve the mystery behind Neil’s death. Actually, all the women work through their personal issues that have stunted their ability to live an unencumbered life free of guilt for whatever wrongs they feel they have committed. Each person, in their own time, reveal their secret and get the support from the others to deal with their issues. A melding of these woman into a truly cohesive group of friends.

If there was one thing I am not totally fond of it is the series name: The Secret, Book & Scone Society. 

In true cozy mystery style, it really was about the journey. What I liked about this journey was that there was any array of wonderful characters – from the mystery solvers all the way down to the bad guys. What I really liked about this mystery was that I was not able to figure out ‘whodunit” until the very end – and that truly is the way I like my cozy mysteries ☺

So, if you like cozy mysteries and you like the writing of Ellery Adams (and why wouldn’t you???), then this may just be the next series that you should read! I know I can hardly wait to start book two in the series, The Whispered Word.