“The Whispered Word” by Ellery Adams is an exceptional five-star addition to the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series that captivates readers with its irresistible blend of mystery, friendship, and the transformative power of books. Adams’ masterful storytelling transports you back to the enchanting world of Miracle Springs, where the bond between the four dynamic heroines deepens and their own personal growth intertwined seamlessly with the cleverly crafted mystery at hand. The characters come alive on the pages, each with their unique struggles and vulnerabilities, making it impossible not to root for them. The intricate plot is filled with unexpected twists and turns, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the very last page. Adams’ love for books and their healing influence permeates the narrative, creating a heartwarming and inspiring reading experience. “The Whispered Word” If an absolute gem within the series, leaving you eagerly anticipating the next installment.

I absolutely love this series. Ellery has brought to life an incredible group of women that even my introverted soul wouldn’t mind having coffee with.

I couldn't get into this mystery. Not sure why but this author's books don't work for me as much as I try! Good premise but this one wasn't grabbing me so it was a DNF.

Ellery Adams has done it again with another great book to add to the collection! I absolutely adore her work and am addicted to the fact that she creates settings that are remarkably bookish and swoon worthy. I love all of her books and she is one of my favorite authors. I can't wait to see what she comes out with next! Whispered Word is highly recommend for your bookish & cozy needs!

The Whispered Word, is the second installment of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series by bestselling cozy novelist, Ellery Adams. Miracle Springs, North Carolina is the setting for this series; it is a small town that is supposed to have healing properties. The four protagonists who are members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society all have secret pasts and have come to the small town to heal and start new lives. Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books, discovers a waif-like girl hiding in her bookstore who says her name is Abilene. Abilene has a hospital tag and plenty of bruises, but is very secretive about her past and what has happened to her. Unfortunately, there is a death in the small town that may be a murder, and Abilene is the most prevalent suspect. Nora, et al, must not only find the murderer so that Abilene goes free, but also help Abilene heal. In addition, there is a new business in town that helps customers sell their unwanted goods, and the owner is a bit suspicious to Nora, who keeps herself busy looking into him and a new murder.

This novel includes all of the elements of a good cozy: suspense, a murder, relatable characters, danger, and an amateur sleuth. No graphic sex, violence or language, so the novel is suitable for all ages. Adams is a bestselling author for good reason: she knows how to tell a story and knows how to make it interesting with ups and downs and fascinating scenarios. She is also skilled in developing her characters so that they seem believable and are real people that readers can relate to.

While this series is a bit more serious than many of the cozies that are humorous and light, this one has a bit more to it, and seems closer to a bonafide thriller. It is well-written and interesting; cozy and thriller fans will enjoy this novel.

Special thanks to NetGalley for supplying a review copy of this book.

Enjoyable second book in the "Secret, Book, and Scone Society" series. This time around, a stranger has come to town and brings more secrets to Miracle Springs. Will the Society let her into their lives and help her overcome her past? Check this one out and see!

I wasn't sure Mrs. Adams would be able to live up to the magic she managed to capture in the first Secret, Book, and Scone Society novel, but she totally exceeded my expectations. This is a wonderful series that takes the cozy mystery to whole new level. I love everything about these books. The characters are real and likable, the story is superbly written, and the setting is absolutely perfect. Adams knocked it out of the park with both books from the series, and I can't wait to read what's in store for book three.

Princess Fuzzypants here: Nora and her friends of the Secret, Book and Scone Society are all strong women who have joined together in the town of Miracle Springs. Each carries deep scars from wounds, some physical and some psychological, that might have destroyed them but made them stronger instead. These kindred spirits want to help a young woman whom Nora finds hiding in her bookstore. One friend, Hester, becomes even more deeply involved while Nora tries to discover what is Abilene’s secret and how it connects to two murders.
These remarkable ladies each have an almost magical gift that they are able to share with others including Nora’s remarkable talent for finding just the right books to help troubled souls find answers.
It’s a good solid mystery with lots of dark crannies and twists and turns. It turns out that Abilene’s connection is even more surprising than the reader might imagine at first. It certainly kept my attention. The ending felt like there was somewhere else the story was going to lead. However, it did not impede my enjoyment.
Four purrs and two paws up.

The Whispered Word is the second entry in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series. The main characters' secrets were fully described in the first book but a reader can still enjoy this one as a standalone novel.

What I enjoyed most about this book were the characters and the setting. Yes, belief has to be suspended, but I would love to visit and spend time with Nora and her three closest friends. Nora's town, Miracle Springs. attracts people in need of saving and second chances. Nora owns the local bookstore and is a very astute and well-versed bookseller. There are many references to both fiction and non-fiction titles throughout the novel. Nora herself is named for the character in Ibsen's play. Just a few of the titles mentioned in the novel include The Witch of Blackbird Pond, A Doll's House, Harry Potter, One Snowy Day and a number of books on adoption and tidying up.

But of course, there is more than just books in this book. Abilene comes to town and is a young girl who has had a difficult life and clearly has secrets of her own. Has she committed crimes including murder? There is also a shop, Virtual Genie that is offering to consign goods for people in the town. It looks like a fantastic service but is there more to it? You can probably answer these questions but finding out the answers is still fun.

The Whispered Word is about friendship, relationships, taking risks...and solving mysteries. It is an excellent cozy.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher. I enjoyed my second visit with these characters and am eager for book three.

My rating: 5 of 5 stars, it was fantastic!

Book 2 in the series.

I LOVE this series and this book was possibly even better than the first one. It's got just enough different going on from other cozy mysteries to make it stand out. The main characters, bookstore owner Nora and her friends, are well fleshed out and interesting. They each have secrets and emotions and aren't always likable or smart because of that, just like real people.

I read this with a friend and co-worker that I introduced to the first book in the series, and we both spent all our breaks reading, and maybe even accidentally extended our breaks as a result, not wanting to put it down.

I am very much looking forward to the next book in the series!

Thank you to Ellery Adams and NetGalley for allowing me to read and review this book. I loved the first book in the series and this one was also very fun to read :)

This is the second book in the series and I just love it. To read again about these four women and how they not only solve a murder, but in this book, help a young lady who was held in the basement by a serious nut case. A nut case who wanted money. The killer is found, but you really have to wait until the end and you will be surprised. Also a new or maybe a final love interest for Nora. That was beautifully written. I hope she continues this series with these same women, they have become a big part of my Christian Book Club members and we enjoyed the writing. Awesome Book!!!!! Please let there be another one. I’ve sold many copies of this and the first and my customers enjoyed it.

This is the second book in the series and it begins right where the first book ended. Nora and her friends find another body and set out to solve the murder. The stranger who showed up at Nora's bookstore has some connection to the dead woman. I did not like this book as much as the first. I have a hard time warming up the main characters, everyone is depressing. The mystery was only OK, there were not many suspects and it was easy to solve. I do like the town and the bookstore and I find the idea of a bibliotherapist interesting. The writing is good and it was a quick easy read. This series should be read in order

I usually enjoy Ellery Adams' cozies but this one didn't grab my attention. It is book 2 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series and I didn't read book 1, Secret, Book and Scone. I might have enjoyed the story more if I had. Nora runs a book store and she and her friends find a young girl hiding behind the shelves and it's not long before they find a dead body. Nora and her friends help the new sheriff with the investigation. The mystery is good and the characters seems real but maybe they just seemed to sad for me. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

This is the second in a new series by Ellery Adams, who has at least three other series on the go. This one is set in the town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. I haven't read the first one (but will!).

The idea behind the Secret, Book & Scone Society is something that seems to suit the character of the place - and definitely something that women would set up - and extending their kindness to others in the town, which has apparently suffered quite an economic setback with the collapse (?) of the bank, seems in keeping with that. The death of one of the townsfolk is a shock and a surprise, and angers them, despite the victim not being particularly popular. They get involved in the investigation with the new sheriff, and it seems to hinge on the arrival of a mysterious, emaciated young lady in the bookstore the day after they find the body of their neighbour. Along with the murder, the townsfolk are intrigued by the opening of (what is basically) a pawn shop, offering online auctions for goods that folks might be willing to part with in order to earn some money. It appears legit, but is it all that it seems?

The characters are quite intense, and there didn't seem to be a lot of laughter and joy amongst the friends which gave the book a slightly muted feeling overall. People seem to openly share their problems to Nora which is convenient (but necessary because otherwise there'd be no story, so...) and she's able to find exactly what books they need to resolve their problems. After these instances, she feels satisfied but not HAPPY. She loves her bookstore and believes with every fibre of her being that books can heal, but she's just content. It feels a bit deflating after all the work she puts into getting things just right - like an item on a list, 'find right books for customer: check!' Next!

Anyway, I read this more or less in one sitting and enjoyed it immensely. It's a series that's going on my TBR pile and I will be searching out the first in the series because there's a lot referred to in this book that I think must be covered in that and which I didn't 'get'.

The Whispered Word, the second in in Ellery Adams Secret, Book & Scone Society series, reintroduces the reader to Miracle Springs and four friends with painful secrets who bring kindness and caring into the lives of others. (I received an advance copy of this book from in return for an honest review.). In this book a young women, who is emaciated and dressed in clothes that clearly aren’t hers, appears in town. She seems to be hiding from someone or something. Are the two murders that occur around this same time a coincidence? Or could Abilene have something to do with them? Although a bit slow at the beginning, the plot is well thought out and will keep the reader engaged until the last page is turned.

THE WHISPERED WORDS takes readers back to Miracle Springs, where Nora Pennington is not only the owner of Miracle Books, but also a co-founder of "The Secret, Book, and Scone Society". When the SBSS finds a woman who committed suicide, something feels off to Nora. The next morning, when she discovers Aibiline in her bookstore, she feels that the two events are connected.

When I finished the first book in this series, I felt that it was a bit darker than I normally am drawn to in the cozy mystery genre, and so I would tentatively check out this book and see if I would continue with the series. The pain that has led all the members of the SBSS to join is palbable; they are all incredibly strong in their own ways and have built lives for themselves separate from the pain of their pasts. I just feel like it's...too much for a cozy mystery. I read the genre to escape and while there is always a murder, it's usually studded with light hearted moments. I think this is my last book in the series.

I want to say that I really liked the writing itself. I like the characters. For someone else, this series would be great.

I'm so glad the two books in this series didn't end right after the killer was caught and brought to justice. With these characters, there is always just so much more to be learned and time to be spent with them. I love how this book ended after the showdown. There was absolutely no disappointment here! I hadn't seen this killer coming at all!

At the end of the Secret, Book and Scone Society, a girl had shown up at Miracle Books after Nora had put up a Help Wanted sign. This book started right up telling about her and how she was a huge help to Nora, but moreso to Hester, since she was an accomplished baker. The girl called herself Abilene, and she continued to be a mystery. The four friends realized she was running from something or someone. When three murders struck within just a few weeks, Nora couldn't help but wonder if their new friend had some connection to them. There was also a new business in town, one that took valuables on consignment. Nora couldn't help but be suspicious of that as well, since their town had just undergone an economic crisis and people were anxious to sell items they had just to keep food on their tables.

It was great visiting with these four friends again. The interim sheriff was a breath of fresh air compared to the old one and it was sweet that Nora and Jed were becoming a lot closer. I enjoyed the little side stories of Nora doing her bibliotherapy for people. For any book clubs wanting to have a discussion on this book, there are some questions in the back that the author has provided. I have a book hangover now...not sure when I'll want to start another one, this one was that amazing.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley and my opinions are my own.

Nora Pennington, the owner of Miracle Books, is startled when she finds a battered young woman hiding in her bookshop. Nora, Hester, Estella and June offer the young woman a job and a place to live and try to reassure her that they are there to help. Their kindness tote bags are a sample of their efforts to help others and while on a delivery, they discover Amanda Frye floating in the algae filled pond near her home.

Virtual Genie, a new shop in town where people in need of cash can sell their items. However, Nora hears about some problems with their business practices and after some investigation, sees the three mysteries are connected. A second person is found dead, so Nora and her friends need to quickly to persuade the young woman to tell her secrets before another person is harmed.

I loved the weay the stories were woven together and led to a very interesting conclusion.

The Secret , Book and Scone Society ladies are at it again in the Whispered Word; handing out mystery gift bags in secret to help town people in need, helping Abilene, a stray young woman who carries a scarred and tormented past, solving murders and supporting each other. Ellery Adams dishes up a magical cozy with the books at Magical Books and its proprietor Nora Pennington; Nora chooses therapy books for people needing a good read to solve their problems: fiction, non fiction whatever will soothe their soul. A whimsical and wise series.
Murders follow the young Abilene as she starts to unburden her past to the Secret, Book and Scone Society ladies; whodunit???