What can I say about The Secret Book & Scone Society books that I haven’t already said? I close the cover of each one and I feel like I’ve been ejected from my favourite place in the world. There’s just something about Miracle Springs that makes me want to be there - all the time.

In the fourth instalment of the series, Nora and her friends find themselves face to face with prejudice, grief and murder when the potential to make new friends turns into an investigation into their deaths. And this time, Jed is out of town, Sheriff McCabe is away and a bunch of church going nitpickers want to the town to boycott the bookstore! Just another day in Miracle Springs.

I love how tender and nuanced this story was; there’s always so much more than a straight up murder mystery going on. There’s the relationships forged in the sharing Le secrets and those still burgeoning; there’s the small town dynamic and the wonderful fringe characters that you come to love more and more with each instalment and there’s the books; the all pervading love of books and reading and cherishing the written word... Am I rambling? I’m rambling... I’m just truly in love.

Thank you so so much to NetGalley, Kensington Books a d the wonderful Ellery Adams for me Arc of Ink & Shadows; due out in January 2021. A brilliant edition to an already captivating series.

I really enjoy this series featuring a main character, bookstore owner Nora, who loves books as much as I do! This one felt a little too flowery for me at times, but it still kept me reading. Sheldon is kind of annoying a couple of times, but it actually makes me like him more that he's not so perfect. Nora's friends felt a little bit less present in this book than they usually do. I'm not sure why that is, but it's my perception of the book. All that said, I tore through it :>) Adams is a wonderful storyteller, and I always look forward to her titles!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Nora Pennington is known for her window displays, and as Halloween approaches, she decides to showcase fictional heroines like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Madeline Miller’s Circe. A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes, though, and wastes no time launching a protest. Suddenly, former friends and customers are targeting not only Nora and Miracle Books, but a new shopkeeper, Celeste, who’s been selling CBD oil products. Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are doing their best to put an end to the strife—but then someone puts an end to a life. Though the death is declared an accident, the ruling can’t explain the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora’s doormat, a postcard from an anonymous stalker, or multiple cases of vandalism.

I am a huge fane of Ellery Adams and have read many of her series. This one is a favorite, I have read all the ones in this series so far, and love how the author continues to develop the characters personalities. Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the chance to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley for the early release copy of Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams. This book struck a personal chord to me as the main character loves books, coffee and pastries. Nora Pennington runs a bookstore, Miracle Books, along with Sheldon Vega. She has a few good friends that help each other. Her store is one of several being targeted by the "Women of Lasting Values Society". Devils are put on some stores signs. A young woman dies behind Nora's home. Her house is ransacked and we don't know how or why the woman died. Nora will need her friends to help solve this mystery.

Nora and the Secret, Book & Scone Society are back in their fourth mystery. A new shop opens in town, the mother is welcoming but the daughter appears to just want space, not new friends. After a festival in town Nora finds the daughter dead near her home plus an old page from a very old book, stuck on her front porch. Once again the book club and Sheldon work together to help the mother and find the killer.
Goodreads

When a new shop owner and her daughter move to town, Nora Pennington welcomes her and her daughter. The woman intrigues Nora with how she responds when one of her sculptures is damaged in the move. Shortly after, the daughter is found dead outside Nora’s little house and the Mother dies not long after. Since Nora was the one who found both women, she feels a personal responsibility to helping find the killer and the Secret Book and Scone Society members will help any way they can.

I have loved this series since I read the first one. The way the author weaves in books and quotes from other authors across all genres makes it that much more pleasurable for this bibliophile. She also has a character with Fibromyalgia and as a fellow Fibro warrior, I love how she has Nora approach it, understand it, and treasure her employee and friend who lives with it. CANNOT wait for the next book to come out and see what the folks of Miracle Springs are up to next.

With thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.
Description
Ellery Adams, the author of multiple New York Times bestselling mystery series and a perennial B&N bestseller, offers the fourth in a beguiling cozy mystery series featuring librarian-turned-bookseller Nora Pennington with a penchant for bibliotherapy and a sideline in solving crime. While people visit Miracle Springs for healing treatments, it's Nora who helps them find peace by prescribing the perfect book along with a fresh-baked scone. After all, sometimes the key to happiness, friendship--or solving a murder--can simply be found within the pages of the right book...
Review
I was alittle unsure about this one initially, although I love a good cozy mystery I do not usually go for mystic related books. I was swayed to give it a try because I have read a couple of other titles by Ellery Adams from her Antiques and Collectibles series which I thoroughly enjoyed. I am very glad I chose to read
Ink and Shadows. Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book and Scone Society are a pleasure to get to know. Indeed, all of the characters from assistant Sheldon, Sheriff Grant and boyfriend Jed to the unfortunate Brenna and Celeste, were believable and flawed just like all of us. I loved the way each of their stories came together in quite an engaging and well paced mystery. Overall a good pace, good structure and a satisfying conclusion. I also appreciated the 'reader's guide' and 'bibliotherapy' at the end! Would definitely recommend.

Ellery Adams really knows how to pull a reader into her books. I love reading about Miracle Springs.

Nora has her bookstore and her book club. But more than than that Nora has empathy and she helps whom ever she can....in this book we see Nora welcoming a new business in town and befriending the mother/daughter owners.
Nora struggles with the seasons window display but Nora and Sheldon come up with a wonderful idea. But it is met with some resistance from the town. A few of the people aren't happy about the new business or Nora's window display.
The town of Miracle Springs has another dead body on their hands and it motivates Nora into looking into the death of a young girl. While talking to the sheriff Nora tells him to contact someone about a piece of evidence. This brings someone to Miracle Springs from Nora's past.

I love the all the characters of this series and I was hoping to see Nora and the sheriff get together. They have a great camaraderie. If you love cozy mysteries set in a beautiful town with a book store owner as the main character...you have to read this series.

I love this series and thanks to NetGalley I received a free advanced copy for an honest review.

I love this series so much! All of the book references, and at the end, the book lists. Learning more about the Secret, Book, & Scone Society members and how much they care for each other and other people. And, of course, the intrigue and whodunit. You must read this series, if you haven't started it already!

Every time I pick up a book in this series I wish I could really visit Miracle Book's. This book, like the rest of the series, is a bit darker than other cozies, but in a good way. I love the relationships between the characters, the importance of second chances, and the love affair Nora has with books. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as I did the two before it in the series. Ms Adams describes her female characters as strong and thoughtful. The women in the Ink & Scone Society are supportive of each other in any circumstances, and it’s enlightening to witness the strong friendships. I have enjoyed this entire series, and recommend it to mystery fans. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

Once again I was blown away by author Ellery Adams. Her writing style creates a world so believable, the reader is immediately transported to
Miracle Springs, where they find themselves observing the mystery unfolding around them.

I thought the premise for the story was captivating, I enjoy reading about healing, herbal remedies and the power of positive thinking. I can easily picture myself sitting in the bookstore, talking with Nora and the secret book club ladies.

I will admit I was really, really hoping that Nora and Gabe would become an item. Did they? Find out by preordering your copy now! You won’t be disappointed.

InkandShadows #NetGalley

Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, scrutinizes her shop's autumn window display and feels it does not quite convey autumn and Halloween. She has an a-ha! moment and decides to display magical fictional female heroine characters to inspire others and to attract more shoppers. However, not everyone finds it inspirational, including a family-values group which creates difficulties.

Close by a new shop opens with wares such as homemade soap, art and CBD oil. The delightful owner and Nora become acquainted.

Soon a suspicious death has Nora, an amateur sleuth, floored and perplexed. An old book, mysterious symbols and secret pasts spring to life and Nora uses her experience and skills to probe further.

Nora and the other characters including her co-workers and book club are flawed which lends relatability. Chronic pain and disfigurement are very real and I appreciate their depiction by the author.

I could almost smell and taste the hot drink menu, perfect on a cool autumn day! While I like many aspects the story lacks tension, suspense and twists. Not the strongest by this author, though still enjoyable, which is why I rate it 3.5 stars. Cozy Mystery fans should definitely read this and other books by this author.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this fun book. Much appreciated.

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Nora is known for her window displays and Halloween is no exception. This year she is focusing on a magical theme but a local family group does not like the concept. Soon other owners are also targeted and one ends up dead.

As the secret society will get involved as they try to stop further havoc. A smart cozy read that you keep guessing.

small-town, small-business, support-system, suspense, superstitions, friendship, bookseller, survivors

The members of the Society are four women who have survived their own personal trials and tribulations and now help others in uncanny ways. It's an unusually hot September but the Halloween decor must go up. A new store is opening up the block and there are other happenings in the area but some of them are certainly not good, especially the suspicious death of the new businessperson. Excellent characters and an interesting yet different plot make this a really good read. I really enjoy the interspersed book quotes!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

The relationships and characters gave this mystery a great homey feel. The mystery itself is fun and fascinating but truly it is the dynamic of the characters that make this a great read.

Insightful, passionate, mysterious and engaging. I loved every minute of Ink and Shadows. The entire series is a must read.

3.5* An enjoyable mystery featuring bookseller Nora with her group of friends drawn into the suspicious death of Bren, a young woman newly-moved into town with her mother, Celeste. Celeste and Bren just opened a new business specializing in natural treatments like aromatherapy and herbal, CBD preparations, Meanwhile, there's a new "family-values" ladies group who are inciting protests against Celeste's store, along with Nora's bookstore and a native-American owned gift shop. Then, Celeste is murdered and Nora has the bad luck to be the one to discover her. So, like it or not, Nora is involved in trying to find the killer. This is not the first book of this series, but it is the first book I have read. Don't think this series has to be read in order. But, I'm assuming earlier books show how Nora's group of friends/ book club came about. Or, how her book shop assistant, Sheldon, came to work with her. That would have given more insight into these side characters, but it's not necessary to understanding and enjoying this book. This book is scheduled for publication in January, but I can't help but think that this would've been a perfect fall release. The book is set in autumn, on the lead-up to Halloween and the atmosphere it invokes is equal parts cozy and spooky/eerie.
**Thank you to Kensington Books for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!**

The relationships and character interactions were almost better than the mystery! This is a gorgeous book which offers something to please most readers. The mystery itself is strong and fascinating but it is the characters which make this. I am so excited that there are more in the series but this book does stand alone.

Fourth in a series set in Miracle Springs.
I enjoy reading about Nora and her friends. Nora owns a bookshop and has an unusual ability to match just the right book to the customer who come in.
I recommend reading previous books too.