Ellery Adams

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 . . .

The Secret, Book & Scone Society

Celeste Richardson

Actual rating: 2.5 stars rounded up

I picked this up on a recommendation for a light cozy mystery. This isn’t what I’d call light. There are some big issues in this book. Unfortunately, they’re mostly hinted at without being properly addressed. While the mystery was vaguely interesting, the main draw of the story for me was the bookshop, as well as the bakery. Both had just a touch of magical realism to them, and strangely I found the shops as entities more intriguing than their owners, two of the four main characters of the book. While the characters were fun on paper, so to speak, they were far from three-dimensional. I think this is in large part due to the writing. The dialogue was almost painfully trite. The author tried for casual but was unsuccessful, coming across instead as forced. I very much liked what the author had to say about the power of books and how important they are to the lives of readers, I enjoyed the characters even if they weren’t believable, and the plot didn’t drag. But I don’t think this is a series I’ll be returning to. I think perhaps cozy mysteries as a genre simply aren’t for me.

Sahi K

“No one has ever lost by becoming addicted to stories—to the lessons learned by those who possess enough courage to put pen to paper.”

Miracle Springs is a small town hidden between the mountains in North Carolina where people come to heal. Nora is the owner of Miracle Books and she uses her bibliotherapy skills to introduce the right books to the right people and help them heal from whatever has broken them. Hester, the owner and baker from Gingerbread House is famous for her custom scones which bring back memories for each of the customer and make them smile. Estella, the serial dater is beautiful and helps everyone realize their own beauty and confidence through the work in her spa. June is an employee at the Thermal Pools, whose waters are supposed to be miraculous. All these women have secrets from their past which they are trying to forget but are forced to confront them when not one, but two murders rock this little town. They become fast friends, call themselves the Secret, Book & Scone Society and decide to find the culprits themselves because the local law enforcement seems incompetent or even complicit.

“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.”

I fell in love with the book from the first page. Even though this is supposed to be a cozy mystery, all the four women characters are well developed. They are all scarred by their past but it doesn’t stop them from trying to help and better the lives of others. The mystery is also quite good and I really couldn’t guess some of the villains till the end. But the best part of the book is the love that almost all characters share for books. Everyone is a book lover which is awesome. Miracle Books is an amazing store and the way it’s nooks and crannies are described, I fell in love with it. I love everything about it – the books, the shelf enhancers, the coffees named after authors, Nora’s collection of coffee mugs with amazing quotes on them and so on and so forth. I just want to go there, order a Louisa May Alcott coffee, pick up a cozy mystery and relax. What bliss would that be!!!

“It’s always that way when you’re looking at books. An hour goes by in a minute: you don’t know where the hell the time went.”

Note: This book has so many book recommendations within the story that your TBR pile will become just unmanageable. But hey, it’s just Books – the more, the merrier.

PS: Thank you so much Kensington Books and Netgalley for providing me an opportunity to read and review the ARC of this wonderful book.

In this intriguing new series from New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams, a quirky club in small-town North Carolina holds the keys to health, happiness, friendship--and even solving a murder--all to be found within the pages of the right book . . . Strangers flock to Miracle Springs 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, 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. So when a visiting businessman reaches out for guidance, Nora knows exactly how to help. But before he can keep their appointment, he's found dead on the train tracks . . . Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to earn redemption by helping others. To join, members must divulge their darkest secret--the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place. Now, determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman's demise, the women meet in Nora's cozy bookstore. 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 . . .

Niraja Suresh

A fun mystery - a little preachy on occasion but the plot had me hooked 

Ashlie Reifer

DNF at 70%
I was so hopeful for this book because "cozy mystery" sounded like an interesting genre to pick up. Unfortunately, after 40% it all went downhill. It was a much slower pace than the beginning and the beautiful details of the surroundings and characters we got at the beginning didn't follow through the entire book. Oh, well.

Kelsey Mcdaniel

A Freckled Bookwyrm

Sonia Grgas

In this intriguing new series from New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams, a quirky club in small-town North Carolina holds the keys to health, happiness, friendship—and even solving a murder—all to be found within the pages of the right book . . . Strangers flock to Miracle Springs 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, 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. So when a visiting businessman reaches out for guidance, Nora knows exactly how to help. But before he can keep their appointment, he’s found dead on the train tracks . . . Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to earn redemption by helping others. To join, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place. Now, determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cozy bookstore. 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 . . . “Anyone who loves novels that revolve around books will savor this tasty treat.” —Library Journal, Starred Review

The Secret, Book & Scone Society

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