I love a good cozy mystery! One that incorporates all of my favorite topics (i.e. genealogy, bookstores, libraries, cooking, painting, inn keeping, animals, etc.), throwing in some action-suspense, a who-done-it, interesting characters, and a plot that keeps me guessing, then you’ve got me hooked. I will say, I am one of those people who like to read a series from the beginning, but I often find you don’t have to… either way I highly recommend reading Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams.

*I received a complimentary copy of this novel from NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.*

BOOK REVIEW ALERT – Review, Recommendation, Rating & Opinion are my own.

Title: Ink & Shadows

Author: Ellery Adams

Genre: Mystery

The book centers around Nora Pennington, the owner of Miracle Books in the small town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Nora, along with her close-knit group of friends known as the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, is known for helping people heal through the power of books and baked goods. However, the peaceful town is disturbed when newcomers to the town become targets of a series of disturbing incidents.

The plot thickens when a dark secret from the past is unearthed, leading to the discovery of a body. As the incidents escalate, Nora and her friends must use their unique skills and deep understanding of human nature to uncover the truth.

What is happening to the new comers in this town?
Whose body is found?
What incidents take place here?
Does it all get solved in the end?

Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
Recommendation – Moderately High

This read is delightful and intriguing with its mix of mystery, friendship, and a dash of magic. A must-read for fans of cozy mysteries and those who enjoy a touch of the supernatural in their reading.

Ellery Adams’ writing is both lyrical and engaging, drawing readers into the world of Miracle Springs with vivid descriptions and a warm, inviting tone. Her skillful weaving of mystery and character development keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. The pacing is well-balanced, with enough suspense to keep the pages turning, while also allowing for moments of reflection and character introspection.

As a serious fellow book lover and bookstore owner, you can understand why I’m such a hugh fan of the ‘Secret, Book and Scone Society Girls’ series by Ellery Adams. It's always exciting to see characters you love go on more adventures and solve more mysteries. And it sounds like the latest book in the series is no exception!
It's unfortunate that there are still groups out there that try to restrict what people can read and enjoy. It's important to remember that everyone has different tastes and interests, and just because someone doesn't approve of something doesn't mean it's wrong or immoral. I'm glad that Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are there to stand up for what they believe in and defend their right to read and sell the books they choose. Of course, with a murder mystery thrown into the mix, things are sure to get even more interesting. It's always intriguing to see how authors weave together different plot threads and clues to create a captivating story. I just love it!!!

I was given a copy of this book by Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Nora and friends are back at it in this fall themed entry in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. When Nora and Sheldon decorate the bookstore window with a display celebrating strong women, they face the ire of the morality brigade of local women who demand they take it down, when Nora refuses, she and two other stores are targeted in hateful vandalism, but all that pales when the daughter of one of the other store’s owner is found dead.

I like this series, which is a little bit spicier than most cozy mysteries. Nora trusts the police to do their job, but that doesn’t stop her from jumping in to help with the rest of her friends. This series encourages female friendships and strength. Definitely recommend.

A great addition to the series! I appreciate that Adams has chosen to add the topical issue of attempted book banning to the cozy genre- and it fits perfectly with her characters and setting (which is, after all, a bookstore). Love Nora, love her posse. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

With all the book banning going on in the world, especially the US, right now, this is a very timely premise for a story. Nora Pennington, the owner of Miracle Books, has decorated her store windows with fictional heroines like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Madeline Miller’s Circe. There is a new family-values group in town that object to the magical themes in the books. Nora tries to explain it is to empower girls to no avail. Her store becomes a target of vandalism and they also scare off potential customers. They are also targeting other stores they object to, such as the new store selling CBD oil and products owned by Celeste. When Celeste's daughter is found dead, it is originally thought it was an accidental overdose, but Celeste asks Nora for help. Can the Secret, Book & Scone Society find out what is really going on? What does the death have to do with the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora’s doormat? Does any of this explain the stalker like postcard that Nora finds addressed to Celeste?

I really enjoyed the themes in this book. The book banning, forgery, drug addiction and recovery are all themes that interest me and are very timely and realistic. Nora has now hired Sheldon (we met him in the last book) and he fits in well. He picks up the slack while Nora is busy investigating. Celeste is the center of this mystery. She has a lot of secrets from her past that Nora must uncover to solve the mystery. The mystery is very well plotted with some interesting suspects, but not a lot of clues. I love how this series empowers women and places them front and center. The town of Miracle Springs fits this series perfectly with its healing powers, quirky and interesting characters and a lot of caring for one another. I definitely recommend this book and series. I don't read a lot of Halloween books, but this one certainly fit the bill for this October holiday.

This series is an exceptional and slightly different sort in the cozy genre. It's slightly (very slightly) eracier, and a little more magical realism than the standard in the genre. This one is full of delightful book references and a great mystery and story when deaths quickly follow the appearance of some mysterious new residents of the town. The additional challenge Nora faces as her business is targeted by a conservative sector of the town is all too realistic. Love this series.

While we struggle with banned books in our school libraries, so does the bookshop! People refuse to patronize a bookstore that has witchcraft books on display. Then there is a murder! This is a great addition to the series.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Secret, Book, and Scone Society Members

Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, tries to heal people’s woes with a unique set of books she personally selects for them.

Hester runs the Gingerbread House bakery. Customers tell her a little bit about their lives and what brought them to Miracle Springs. Then she bakes them up a “comfort scone”.

June works at the hot springs spa where people come to rejuvenate themselves.

Estella is a beautician who tries to help her clients find their true selves.

The latest amazing window display at Miracle Books highlights a group of fictional heroines and their stories that are perfect for Halloween. While many find the display fantastic a small group of women taunting family values have found the display offensive and plan to protest and boycott the store and make sure others do the same. It is not just Nora’s shop feeling the group’s ire. They are also targeting Red Bird Gallery and Gifts, and Soothe, a new shop that has just opened selling CBD oil products. Nora is livid and calls for a Secret, Book, and Scone Society meeting to find ways to thwart the “Women of Lasting Values Society”‘s efforts.

Meanwhile, Celeste Leopold and her daughter Bren are busy getting everything in Soothe the way they want it, hoping to draw in plenty of customers that can be helped by their products. Bren does not seem to be happy with their move to Miracle Springs though.

Later at the Farm to Table Festival Nora and her friends notice Bren sitting with a man they don’t recognize. After an altercation, the man takes off. Nora tries to talk to Bren and lets her know that she was there if Bren ever needs to talk. But before Bren can take her up on the offer Nora finds the young woman dead near her home and a very old page from a book filled with strange symbols and drawings under her doormat. The death is ruled accidental but Nora knows there is much more to the story. The Secret, Book, and Scone Society has a new case and they believe their key to finding the killer is in Bren and her mother’s past.

Ellery Adams is a treasure and so are her characters. The women of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are so cleverly crafted. They all have their strengths and huge hearts supporting each other through thick and thin but also reaching out to help others in need.

In Ink and Shadows, they take Celeste under their wings as she deals with the death of her daughter. Helping out in her shop, bringing her dinner, and staying to share time with her. They also use their sleuthing techniques to try to find out who killed Bren and why. While these women have special “gifts”, they are so real, genuine, compassionate, and empathic even when they are facing their own drama. I quickly became invested in their lives while reading the first book in this series and with each subsequent book they draw me in even more.

I just have to say also that Sheldon is an excellent addition to this series. He is a perfect fit among this strong group of women. He is dealing with his own trials every day but fights to live his life to the fullest.

The mysteries included in this fourth book of the series were so interesting and intriguing. I really found myself caught up by the book page with the symbols and the mysterious book it came from along with Celeste and Bren’s life before coming to Miracle Springs. The book was very well-plotted with several surprises. I enjoyed the way so many members of the community were involved in the story. I was cheering when Nora got help with the family values group from some unexpected people and the way their ideas changed the landscape of many people’s thoughts.

Ms. Adams continues to feature some hot-button topics in her stories. I loved a scene where bullying was discussed. Nora continues to deal with the aftermath of her fire and that took a big step within these pages too, I hate to mention other topics because I don’t want to give too much of the story away.

The author drops a lot of diverse book titles throughout these books and she thoughtfully includes a full list at the end of the book. I always find myself highlighting several while I am reading to investigate later. The quotes at the beginning of each chapter are often very thought-provoking as well.

There was also one passage voiced by June that I would love to make into a poster:

“To me getting lucky is reading something so magical that I’m put under the book’s spell. That book owns me. I can’t think of anything else until I finish it. And I can’t think about anything else for days afterward. And the next book I read is doomed. It can’t take the place of the magic book. But I keep reading. I keep reading because I know that feeling will come along again.”

I totally agree with June.

Because of the theme of the series and the subjects presented I know a lot of research goes into each book so the length of time between each book release is very understandable. This book originally came out while I was dealing with my cancer treatments and I didn’t get to read it until now. The good thing about that is I only have to wait about a month before The Vanishing Type is released and I am so happy about that. Stay tuned I will be sharing my thoughts about that one soon.

Note – book does include some explicit language.

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley in exchange for an honest review. This book is well written and the characters are described well. This is the fourth book in this series and it is just as good as the first book. I adored all of the characters within this series. I recommend reading the first book in this series to get to know the characters better but overall this book is wonderful. I highly recommend it to anyone and everyone. This book is in stores for $26.00 (USD).

I appreciate the publisher allowing me to read this book. If you like a good mystery like me you will enjoy this book. Read it you won't be sorry.

This cozy mystery is primarily set in an independent bookstore in a small town--it's a booklover's dream. With an intriguing story and (mostly) likeable characters, this was overall a feel-good read. I could have done without the Jed conflict and whatever the interest in the Sheriff was, but maybe that's my own issue since this is the first book I've read in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC digital copy. I have not been compensated for my opinion and this is an honest review.

Unfortunately, I was unable to finish reading this ARC digital copy before needing to switch to other books that were being archived. The book is no longer on my Goodreads "want to read" list, but I will update my review to reflect an updated opinion if I decide to finish at a later date.

Nora Pennington and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society book club are the main characters in the 4th book in this series. They live in Miracle Springs and would do anything for one another.

Nora's book store is the heart of the community and she's known for her creative book displays. This month she decides to showcase fictional heroines in a Halloween theme. A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes and begin a hate campaign against the bookstore and a few other shops including a new shopkeeper who’s selling CBD oil products.

Nora and her friends try to be peacemakers, but end up being detectives when the murders start.

I liked the characters and setting in this book, but the darkness of the crime really disturbed me. I needed to take several breaks when Nora was researching the devil and evil spells. I did finish the book and decided that I would have really liked it if the occult wasn't a part of the crime. If that subject doesn't bother you, then it would be a good cozy mystery for you.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. I like a good mystery as anyone. I had not read anything by this author and I have to say I was not disappointed. I love Nora and her friends. This book centers around Nora making display for her book store of female characters from books. Then a group targets her place and a few other locations around the town. There was just a little property damage but then bodies start showing up. But is the group or someone else and what is the reason behind the murders. Nora and her friends are on the case. I enjoyed this book a lot. I want to make a return trip to Miracle Springs.

Everyone needs a Nora, Hester, June and Estella in their life. The Secret, Book and Scone Society crew just keeps getting better and better. Ink & Shadows is the 4th in the series and it does not disappoint.

Nora Pennington owns Miracle Books and is a bibliotherapist -- she has a knack for selecting books for customers to read that help them with any situation they may be experiencing. Nora and her employee/friend Sheldon have created a window display that features strong female characters. Unfortunately the local 'family values' group takes offense at this and lashes out at Nora. A new shop has opened in Miracle Springs that sells CBD products and its owner Celeste also becomes a target. Nora reaches out to Celeste's troubled daughter Bren, inviting her to her home should she need to talk to someone. Shortly after this conversation, Bren is found dead in the yard beside Nora's house. Bren's death is ruled accidental, but Nora quickly discerns that Breen was murdered. She, Hester, June and Estella take Celeste under their wing and Nora is determined to find out why Bren was murdered and by whom.

The characters created by Ms. Adams have substance and are complex - each book always leaves me wanting to know them a bit better! The mystery is complex as well and draws you in from the start. This is a book, as are all in the series, that you want to read in one setting, but you know you must read it slowly to capture not only the nuances of the mystery but the message each character is conveying. Ink & Shadows is a book you do not want to see end - of course you are elated that the true murderer was captured, but you also want to stay in the story because it seems so real - what are Nora and her friends going to do next? How will the relationships that have blossomed continue to grow?....this is a mark of an excellent book (in my opinion) and is what makes this series stand out amongst the sea of others.

I highly recommend Ink & Shadows, as well as the entire series, and will purchase the next as soon as it is available!

I absolutely loved this book, the fourth in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society! I have read every one with great anticipation, and I think they just keep getting better and better.

This story is about Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina and her friends, that make up the Secret, Book and Scone Society. These characters are near and dear to my heart. Everyone has a little something magical about them. Nora is known for her amazing window displays, but her Halloween display, focusing on strong women brings about the ire of a local "morality" group spearheaded by the new -t0 -town pastor's wife. Determined not to let the group bring her down, Nora and her friends come together to overcome it.

Then , Nora finds a dead body by her home, someone she had invited if they ever needed help. A mysterious paper with unusual writing shows up at the shop, and another murder happens in town.

I enjoy the way the author really pulls you in to Miracle Falls and makes the characters seem real. None of them are perfect, they all have their secrets and histories.

I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in a great cozy mystery series.
I received an advance copy of this book from #NetGalley and the publishers in exchange for my honest review.

I read this book in February. Later I realized there was a #3 in the series and I eagerly read that. While reading it, I kept thinking back to this story, but I guess thought it was part of the first two books. Then having forgotten that I'd read this book, in July I started to read it again. I again recognized the plot, but was certain some of the things had been in a pervious book and that I had never read #4. After a short time, it came clear to me that I had read them out of order.

Now, reading out of order is not terrible although one of the characters in this book was introduced in #3 and it's nice to have that backstory to draw on.

But here's the thing. I don't think I enjoyed this book much the first time I read it and I wasn't wild about it the second time either. I can't quite put my finger on what I didn't like. It was a pretty dark story, but then the third book in this series was, too. I guess that Ms. Adams has just taken this story places I don't want to go. Miracle Springs is no longer a happy place for me.

I'm afraid that I am done with the Secret, Book, & Scone Society books.

Another wonderful book in "The Secret, Book & Scone Society" series.. I highly recommend this book (and series) to anyone who loves books about books with a good mystery thrown in!

Wow wow wow! Just when I thought I could not love this series anymore and somehow I do! Not only are the characters engaging and storyline amazing this is a series I never want to end! I love it. Can't wait to read what's next!