I loved this book. I was basically drawn into the story within the first few pages and didn't want to put it down.

The characters are continuing to develop relationships and are really becoming like my good friends. (I'd love to be able to visit Nora's Miracle Books to have a cup of tea and spend time browsing the shelves.) I also like the way that the 'Society' members are really beginning to trust each other and lean on each other for support.

The book is well-written and the mystery had just enough twists and turns.

I'm already impatient for the next one in the series!

Note: I was provided an early copy with no expectation of a positive review.

e Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams is the third in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mystery series. It revolves around Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books and her friend Hester, Estella, and June. All women with pasts that they have shared only amongst themselves, creating a special bond. One day a man comes in to the shop and just starts helping. His name is Sheldon and he is a gem: older, a hard-worker, friendly, knowledgeable. Nora offers him and job and he begs off until several days later when she discovers he has rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia and often has bad days. She decides she can live with that and has a new employee. Not only does Nora sell books and coffee, she also sells curios, which she buys at the local flea market and at yard sales. She is on one such buying excursion when she stops at a potter's booth where she buys a bowl from Danny and his wife. The next day as she was trying to get back home from venturing out to the flea market, she looks over a bridge at the river, swollen from the recent rains, and sees a body. She immediately calls the police.

Lots is going on beside the murder: June's house is defaced by a racist slur, the store's window has a brick thrown through it, a mysterious man in a white t-shirt seems to be stalking the town. Danny's widow, Marie, is not doing well, and Nora and her friends take that on as a project, too. There is lots going on...another murder, antique books to value, businesses to run. Sheldon is staying at a new bed and breakfast called the Inn of Mists and Roses and its history and its owners are a source of curiosity. Nora waits on a customer who is having problems with his teenaged daughter. Nora has a reputation and somewhat of a biblio-therapist and he offers Nora is daughter's moped. Nora agrees to consider a loan, in case the daughter wants it back. This is a book with a complicated plot and lots of characters. Nora and her friends and not only caring, but also they are interesting and she has other interesting friendships, as well. Solving the two murders is high on her priority list and it is a very interesting and convoluted crime, which does come together in the end. This is a terrific series and this, in particular is a terrific book. I highly recommend it.

I received a free ARC of The Book of Candlelight from Netgalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thebookofcandlelight

This was a first book for me from Ellery Adams. I plan to look at the other books in this series. I really enjoyed getting to know the characters. I love that it is set in a small town bookstore. I would love to stop in and get lost in the books. Nora Pennington owns Miracle Books. With the recent weather, Nora knows that business has been brisk. The weather brings out everyone including new friend and soon employee Sheldon. He is a delightful fellow who always has a smile. When a body is found in the over swollen river, Nora must find out why he died. With help from the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, Nora works to figure out who killed two people before another one dies. Are they linked to the Inn of Mist and Roses? I really enjoyed the story and look forward to the next. I received a copy through Netgalley. A review was not required.

I love this series and I just love Nora so much. Although I do not have a tragic past, I somehow seem to identify with her. I love her character and how she is always there for her friends and towns folk.

In this installment, Nora and the gang are dealing with a multitude of crimes. Not only is someone defacing the groups' property, its very personal. Add to that, a murder or two, and Nora has her hands full.

There are a few new characters that I hope will be around for the next book. There are also a few relationships developing.

Although the personal connection with this novel was not there like the one I had with Secret, Book and Scone Society, the story was still deep and moving. This is NOT a traditional COZY Mystery Series. Although there is nothing graphic, there are romantic scenes and some of the things discussed in the group are very deep and dark. I only say that because there are a some cozy readers that take offense to anything more than a kiss or a cuss stronger than darn.

I look forward to future journeys with Nora.

I received and read this digital copy of the novel from NetGalley.

Things are dreary in Miracle Springs with all the rain that has been relentlessly falling for days in end. Nora isn't letting it get her down though because business has been great. With a lot of her filler pieces selling out its decides a trip to the flea market is in order. She loves to find just the right items to sell in her shop, things that will fit in well with all the books. She ends up buying a lovely bowl from a local potter named Danny, hoping to make it a gift to her boyfriend. While on her way to the store the next day she sees the local footbridge being washed away down stream, all the rain has caused floodwaters. Looking at the debris from the footbridge, Nora sees something among the wreckage that definitely shouldn't be there. It is a body, she soon realizes that it is Danny, the potter from the flea market. The police think it was an accident but Nora was sure it has to be murder. She gets the ladies together to discuss and come up with a plan to investigate. Finding the clues that they need to prove the death was murder aren't easy to come by and when another person is killed Nora worries that there will be more deaths to come. Will the ladies be able to come up with the truth or will a murderer get away with the killing of innocent people. I love this series!!! With each new book you truly get a feel for who each of the characters are, flaws and all. It's not just a cozy mystery but a look into the lives of each of these women and what makes them who they are. I like that each one feels like a real person, someone that you may know from your everyday life.

By the time you've finished this latest installment in a wonderful series (and don't worry-its fine as a standalone), you'll want Nora to pick a book for you, Hester to bake you something, June to knit you socks, and Estella to give you a makeover. Oh, and you'll have read a lovely cozy mystery that's as much about the characters as it is about the plot. It's raining like crazy in Miracle Creek but Nora went out and bought a bowl from Danny, a potter, for her romantic interest Sheldon. Unfortunately, Danny is later murdered and Nora, along with her friends, work to find out who did it. There's a couple of side mysteries (who is the man in the white t-shirt?) and a slight paranormal (not really- not woohoo) tinge that take this beyond the usual cozy. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. It's an excellent read.

Oh how I love Miracle Springs.
A cozy mystery is always a win for me. Especially when I am in the mood for a comfort read. That is what I got with The Book of Candlelight. From the literary references to the characters....Ellery holds my heart with this series.
I do feel like it took a little while to get in the groove. I'm not sure that wasn't me!

At the end of the day. A very enjoyable read and a great addition to the series.

This is the best book in the series so far. I love the way each character has developed throughout the series and that they embraced their own flaws and accepted one another. It is really nice to read about a group of women who accept one another for who they really are and not bring one another down. I really enjoyed the new secondary character, Sheldon. He is really a good fit to work in the book store for Nora. I thought Sheldon’s book display of banned books was wonderful. The storyline of this book will bring out a lot of emotions while you are reading the book you may feel anything from joy to sadness to anger. The mystery is well-plotted with several suspects and several twists and turns along the way. I recommend this book as well as the two previous books in the series.

I voluntarily agreed to listen to a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and in no way have been influenced by anyone.

I received an ARC from NetGalley and this is my honest review. The first book in this series by Ellery Adams took a hold of me and wouldn't let go and the books just keep getting better. I felt so sorry for everyone having to deal with all the rain and muck that I felt a part of the story. Ellery Adams' writing grabs you by the hand and pulls you right into the book. I, for one, cannot wait for more books to come in this series. Enjoy! 📚

This book weaves together an old story of forbidden romance, thoroughly modern murder and the meaning of family. Another must-read from Ellery Adams.


I received a copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

The Book of Candlelight is the third book in Ellery Adam’s Secret, Book, & Scone Society series. This book isn’t your average cozy but involves an intriguing mystery and is filled with strong emotions that will pull on your heartstrings. There’s stronger adult language than usually found in cozies, and an adult scene in this book. The four main characters are strong women who are very different, each having suffered personal torments and held those secrets close to their hearts, who have developed a unique bond with each other. The storyline is well-plotted, and Ms. Adams’ writing style pulls readers in and keeps them turning pages.

Miracle Springs, North Carolina is a unique town where people move to or visit to find healing at the natural hot springs, a location that has a reputation as being a place to go to relax and heal, but if that doesn’t help, there are other options for troubled souls to explore. Nora Pennington is the proprietress of Miracle Books, which is housed in the old train station, lives in a tiny house that she named Caboose Cottage, and is dating Jed Craig, a paramedic. Nora is a bibliotherapist who helps to heal customers who need it by suggesting books to read. The Secret, Book, and Scone Society was formed by Nora and three other women who each have secrets that brought them together to form a friendship society focused on supporting each other and helping those around them in need. June Dixon works at a luxury spa where the hot springs are located; Estella Sadler owns a hair salon and works magic on her clients; Hester Winthrop owns a bakery, where everything tastes wonderful and offers healing properties, but comfort scones are her specialty.

When Sheldon Silverstein Vega enters Miracle Books, she sees how he loves books and interacts with her and her customers, and offers him employment. Nora meets a talented potter, Cherokee Danny, who she later finds floating in the rain swelled river. She feels a strong pull to find out what happened to Danny after buying a piece of his pottery and seeing him lovingly interact with his wife, Marie. Nora and her friends link Danny to The Inn of Mist and Roses, which is owned by Lou Simmons and her best friend, Patty Meacham. A secondary mystery occurs with the appearance of a man in a white t-shirt who Nora and June think may be dangerous.

I received an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and voluntarily reviewed it.

The third book in the highly addictive Secret, Bone and Scone Society series has Nora and the crew using their special talents to help solve another murder in the quaint town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Nora is a local bookshop owner and bibliotherapist. She uses her special skills to kind books for people that will provide a bit of comfort or guidance to them in their time of need. Also part of the society is Hester, a comfort baker, June, a comfort knitter, and Estella, a local beauty parlor owner that specializes in making women feel uplifted. After a run in with a potter who later turns up dead, Nora feels compelled to learn more about Cherokee Danny's strange death. The town of Miracle Springs may be experiencing record breaking levels of rain and flooding however this won't stop this group of strong and determined women from getting to the bottom of this murder.
The Secret, Bone and Scone Society mysteries are fast becoming one of my favorite cozy mystery series. These books combine all the traditional elements fans expect from a cozy mystery; small town with charm, cozy bookstore, supportive townspeople, and the coziest bookstore. The group member's talents are unique and there are elements of the supernatural scattered throughout the story that add to the appeal. Book store lovers will want to visit Nora's store Miracle Books and indulge in some bibliotherapy of their own. In the newest addition to the series, The Book of Candlelight, the society members grow even closer together and learn to rely on each other in times of need. It's such a delight to read about a group of women supporting each other through turbulent times. The mystery moves swiftly and covers some darker areas however overall it has a lighter feel that will delight those looking for a cozy mystery. I highly recommend this book and the series to those looking for a new cozy to devour.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the chance to read The book of candlelight by Ellery Adams. I loved this 3rd book in the Secret, book & scone society series and I am already dying to know if there will be another book in the series!
Rain has come to Miracle Springs; endless rain which has put the town in a gloomy mood. Nora, owner of Miracle Books, discovers amongst the stranded tourists, a new friend -- Sheldon, who magically has tons of fantastic ideas and starts helping out in her bookstore. While shopping for treasures for her store at the flea market, Nora meets Danny, a Cherokee potter and buys one of his bowls. Nora is horrified the next day to spot his body floating in the river. When another body shows up near the same area, Nora knows she has to figure out who is the murderer (along with the help of the Society girls)
Although this series is considered a cozy mystery, to me it is more that that. I love that Nora is called a Bibliotherapist; someone who uses books to ease the pain, and gives comfort to another. Although not a trained therapist, Nora has a knack for choosing the right book for people. Each woman in the group has a secret but they also have a special knack to help people; Hester baking her special comfort scones; June knitting her comfort socks, which are infused with essential oils, and Estella, with her Beauty parlour to make women feel better about themselves. The books that are mentioned in this publication are wonderful books and I loved Sheldon's creative window idea about books that have been banned. I truly recommend this series for all those who love books - the series should be read in order.

Have you ever read a book that you immediately connected with on so many levels that it made you cry with happiness? The Book of Candlelight was that book for me. I felt so connected to it that I inhaled the book in less than 24 hours and already plan to re-read it many times.

This book gave me hope that a particular family member will find his way back on the path he should be leading. This book gave me comfort that there are people out there who do sympathize and understand what living with a chronic illness that is not visible to the naked eye is like. This book gave me happiness in that friendships can be made from the smallest connection and treasured.

If you find yourself going through a rough patch or need comfort I highly suggest The Secret Book and Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. You may find Nora is able to give you some bibliotherapy. The entire series is one of the best out there but The Book of Candlelight has become my absolute favorite and will make the top of my top ten books for 2020.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher, Kensington, through NetGalley. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

I liked this book even though it is not what I am use to. This is the first time I have read this author. If you have have read this author before and enjoyed it, I am sure you will enjoy this one.

3.5 Stars



The Book of Candlelight is a wonderfully written cozy mystery with a big helping of romance add in.



Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books, has made a few mistakes of which she is not proud of, yet owns up to. She is a book whisperer. Her able to connect a person with a book of their liking is a very nice trait to have. Nora is complex in all the right ways. Learning from her mistakes and moving on with life through new friendships with other holding secrets of their own and her love of pastries and books.



When the death of a local potter during a monstrous storm goes from appearing to be an accident, Nora has other thoughts. With her eye for detail, a newcomer that makes fabulous Cuban coffee and her friends in the Secret, Book and Scone club, Nora takes a few steps into the past to figure out what is happening with someone’s future.



The Book of Candlelight is a highly enjoyable mix of romance and cozy mystery. The characters are Thoroughly developed and you can tell the author spent a lot of time and effort on all things pertaining to those characters. The plot is solid and kept the story moving along nicely. I loved the atmosphere of Miracle Books. The author has easily transported the reader into the pages of The Book of Candlelight giving them a cozy place to settle and take it all in. I enjoyed getting to know and see Nora in action. Ellery Adams made a fan of this reader in one book.

Rainy and unseasonably cool weather in western North Carolina brings more customers than usual to Nora Pennington’s book store. One of those customers is Sheldon Vega who starts out helping Nora out at Miracle Books, but may turn out to be a permanent employee and also a new friend for Nora and the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. On a recent search for interesting items sell along with the books in her store, Nora meets a Cherokee potter and his pregnant wife. Nora is struck by the love between the couple so when Danny’s dead body is found and it’s ruled an accidental drowning, Nora insists on investigating to see if there is more to the young man’s death than it appears.

This is the third book in this series and the second I have read. It was easier to get to know the main characters in this book since I have read the previous book, but think it’s accessible to new readers. Nora, the main character, is strong, but vulnerable. She has made mistakes in her past and now can sometimes be too single-minded without thinking of the consequences of her actions. However, she is still a likable character because of her genuine concern for people, whether they’re her friends, her boyfriend, or strangers. I enjoy the camaraderie between Nora and her best friends June, Hester, and Estella. I have mixed feelings about Nora’s relationship with Jed. Sometimes I think the two are truly in love and are meant to be together, but at other times it seems like Jed is looking for more out of the relationship than Nora. It makes it hard to know if I should be rooting for the two of them or not. I really like their new friend Sheldon. He is charming, funny, and adds some lightness to store and the series, so I hope he sticks around for future books.

The complex characters are a highlight of this well-written book. The discussions Nora and her friends have regarding their pasts and what’s currently going on in their lives is well-done and more like conversations that would occur in a Women’s Fiction novel as opposed to a mystery. The mystery of Danny’s death, however, is interesting and Nora spends a lot of time talking to witnesses and suspects to find out the truth. Because of the rain and the atmosphere, the book has a Gothic feel, with plenty of foreboding of the killer striking again. There are a few twists in the story and I wasn’t able to guess the solution.

Nora doesn’t just sell books, she helps certain customers with book therapy, healing their pain through individualize book recommendations. As an added gift to booklovers, several real books are mentioned throughout the story as Nora helps customers and friends find the perfect book. Nora and her friends also discuss books they have read. There is a readers’ guide with discussion questions for “The Book of Candlelight” that real life book clubs can use. One of Nora’s friends mentions that an incredible book is so disappointing if the ending falls flat. Thankfully, that isn’t the case with this book which ends on a charming, uplifting note. I look forward to spending more time with Nora and her friends in future installments.

I received this book from NetGalley through the courtesy of Kensington Books. The book was provided to me in exchange for an honest review.

This is the third book in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. I was so pleased to be approved for an Advanced Readers Copy from Kensington Publishing and NetGalley.

The first book in this series was one of my favorites of 2017. In the third installment, Nora, the owner of a bookshop returns with her three friends, June, Hester, and Estella. All of the girls have their own secrets but they are a caring group who look out for others who need extra kindness. I loved the introduction of a new male character. He is an older man with chronic pain issues. His name is Sheldon.

The mystery here centers around an old inn which is being renovated to become a bed and breakfast. The mystery goes back to Civil War times.

The beginning of the book opens during a bought of rain. Ellery Adams does a brilliant job of using the steady rainfall to build an oppressive atmosphere. The series is beautifully written. I love the inclusion of quotes at the beginning of every chapter. The information about banned books was included in a very fun way.

I would recommend this book to anyone who likes traditional mysteries. If I could give half stars, I would give it 4 and a half. I look forward to more books in this series.

I wouldn't call 'The Book of Candlelight' a cozy mystery. It is richer and more complex, and perhaps less fun. That being said the latest in Ellery Adam's Secret, Book and Scone Society Novel series is wonderful, and stays with you. There are personal surprises and growth, new and delightful characters and a difficult mystery which stretches over generations. I do recommend reading the previous books in the series, otherwise it might be hard to understand what is going on. You will be richly rewarded if you do.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. The opinions expressed in this review are entirely my own.

The spring rains in Miracle Springs, North Carolina have been relentless. But all this wet weather has been good for business bringing stranded travelers to town. Among them, Miracle Books owner Nora Pennington meets the sixtysomething Sheldon, who starts helping out at the store. Nora goes to the flea market and buys a unique bowl from potter Cherokee Danny. She thinks it will be a great gift for her EMT boyfriend Jed but it's damaged during a fall from her bike. The deluge continues and eventually the Miracle River overflows its banks. Nora is shocked to find a body within the churning water and it's Danny.

Nora and her friends that form the Secret, Book, and Scone Society spring into action to help Danny's pregnant widow Marie. When Nora finds several of Danny's pottery pieces at the Inn of Mist and Roses, she is puzzled that the new owners, Lou and Patty, claim to have never met him. An old diary hidden within the walls of the inn leads to the story of Rose Lattimer, wife of the original owner of the inn and her secret romance with a Cherokee man known as Red Bird.

When another guest at the inn is killed, Nora is convinced the motive lies behind Rose and Danny's hidden connections.

The identity of the killers was a bit of a surprise.

I received an eARC from Netgalley and Kensington with no requirements for a review. I voluntarily read this book and provided this review.