Nora Pennington, a bookstore owner, is redoing the shop window for the Halloween season. She is moving away from the traditional display and is going for strong women characters. The display causes some turmoil in the community as some don’t believe what these characters stand for. They protest against the bookstore and a new store Soothe. The owner of Soothe and her daughter have recently moved to the community and sell products using CBD oils. They are friendly but closed as to their past ties. When the daughter is found dead outside Nora’s home, Nora has to fight for not only her store but the killer.

I enjoyed this story. I had not read this series before; however, I thoroughly enjoyed the members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society.

The Secret, Book & Scone Society series continues as Ellery Adams weaves a new mystery into the community of Miracle Springs and the lives of four strong women.

Celeste, a new shop owner, and her daughter, Bren, open Soothe, offering products that reduce stress and chronic pain. Nora, Miracle Books owner, and June, Estella, and Hester install a new window display featuring books with strong women on the covers - magical women of all ages. A newly formed group, Women of Lasting Values, warns the community to consider where they shop, which ends up affecting both Miracle Books and Soothe, among others.

Coming home one night, Nora finds an old page under her welcome mat. Looking around her yard, she spots a lumpy shape on the grass. When she inspects the lump, Nora discovers Bren’s dead body. Soon she and her friends are sleuthing. Later, Nora visits Celeste and finds her collapsed, barely breathing.

Ms. Adams’ storytelling skills draw readers into a rich tale of murder, friendship, and the intrinsic value of books. Her characters and relationships are realistic, and the pace steady with plenty of twists and red herrings. The complexity and suspense grow with each new adventure Ms. Adams fabricates.

This series just keeps getting better and better! I loved this latest book set in Miracle Springs, a setting that captured my attention from the first book.

The characters are vivid and true-to-life with relationships that are continuing to grow. I like how that characters are complete with acknowledged flaws that makes them seem very 'alive'. I would love a chance to visit with Nora and her friends.

The mystery flows easily with twists and turns that kept me turning pages late into the night.

This is a well-written series that I'm already looking forward to the next one to be written.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advanced copy of Ink and shadows, the 4th novel in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. Controversy erupts in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, when Nora uses powerful fictional heroines in her window and a family-values group disapproves of the magical theme and starts a protest against her stores and a few others. Before long, a new shopkeeper is found dead, and Nora and the society are back again to solve the mystery. I totally loved this book, it is more than just a cozy mystery, you find how 4 women help each other through their own problems, and also help their community. There is also bibliotherapy in each book, titles that Nora talks about to each of her patrons, and this is found at the end of this novel. I highly recommend Ink and Shadows but if you have not read the other books, I do recommend reading them in order. I suggest you make yourself a cup of tea, and have a scone while you do!

This is the first Secret, Book, and Scone Society mystery I have read, but it certainly won't be the last. I love the focus on character development -- both in terms of the light and the dark. I also appreciated the focus on enduring female friendships, and the sensitivity to diversity issues (both in terms of race and disability status). The author uses the Halloween season to make the argument that strong women and healers were falsely rejected or outcast as "witches" by people like the religious fundamentalists that picket the main character's bookstore. The novel also also speaks to the redemptive power of books, and independent bookstores. I particularly liked the book's dedication: "If you struggle to find your place in this world, know that you're not the only one. Also know that there's a place for you in the work of books. The door's always open. A light always burns. Books don't care about your age, bank account balance, BMI, or relationship status. They want to bestow gifts on you, one story at a time." Highly recommended. .

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing me with an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed this book! I'd read book #1 a long time ago, and hadn't read books #2 and 3 (going to remedy that though), but I didn't feel too disconnected from the characters and storyline. I've worked in bookstores and libraries and so I love, love, LOVE Miracle Books! I wish it was a real place! :) It makes me appreciate my local indie bookstore all the more!

My favorite character is Sheldon, and I loved all the descriptions of food and books. Thanks, Netgalley, for my arc!

Ink and Shadows is the fourth book in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series. It is placed in the cozy mystery category by the publisher but I would say it has many qualities of women’s fiction.
This book is food for the soul. There are so many beautiful quotes about books and friendship.
They counteract the darkness that creeps into the story from groups with insincere motives and evil conspiring men.
This book is best understood if the previous books in the series have been read because there is so much growth in the main characters- Nora, Estella, Hester and June. Nora’s past returns in this book and while you could read this book alone and be able to follow how the story plays out, you won’t understand how deeply the past has changed Nora and why she struggles when the past walks back into her life.
I will ever be grateful for Netgalley and the publisher approving my request to review this book prior to publication. It is amazing. Light and dark need balance and this book has managed in a way I haven’t seen in a while.

I enjoyed this mystery, with its small town feel and a female business owner. As the local businesses clash with a conservative women's group, a new business owner with a shop that focuses on self-care and CBD products loses her adult daughter. I loved the sleuth's own book shop, one with whimsical window displays and a love for books. I think I enjoyed that aspect more than the mystery - reading about the care and thought she put into making the window art, the curated book selections around the store, her recommendations to her customers, the knick knacks she sold as shelf-fillers. It was a mystery that was both sad and heartwarming, keeping the reader emotionally engaged.

I own several books in this series, but this is the first one that I have read. A group of women in town want Nora to change her Halloween window display because they think it is going to lead their young to Satan and are hororrified when Nora doesn't comply with their demands. That leads to Miracle Books being included in a group of businesses that these women are trying to drive out of business. Soon Nora finds a dead body which leads her to another murder investigation. I liked most of the characters with the exception of Nora's boyfriend. There was something about him I didn't like. Looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

I was kindly provided an e-copy of this book by the publisher and/or author via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Secret, Book & Scone Society is the fourth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society series by Ellery Adams.

I haven’t read this series for a while so I appreciated the list of key characters at the beginning of the book and the Bibliotherapy list of books at the end.

There is a new shop opening in Miracle Springs, NC. It is called Soothe and is owned by Celeste and her daughter Bren. Nora welcomes them. Even though she realizes they could in some way be competition with her friends, she supports having another woman owned business in town. Unfortunately, Celeste and Bren have secrets from their past that catch up to them.

It’s always fun to go back to Miracle Springs. I really like the way the members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are there to support each other as well as others in need. These women are flawed, but they don’t let that dictate what they can do.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the free copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving a review.

What a great story that keeps you wondering who “done it” along with tackling issues that are relevant right now. Nora Pennington, a bookstore owner is known for her fabulous window displays until she does a Halloween themed one which causes a family-values group to get their panties twisted and start causing problems for not only Nora but new shopkeeper Celeste, who just happens to sell CBD oil products along with many other things.
Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are trying to end the misunderstanding going on with the family-values group when suddenly someone’s life is cut short. The death is declared accidental, but that makes no sense considering the drawings Nora found under her doormat, all the vandalism and other clues.
Nora hopes she can be a super sleuth lead the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in a successful investigation: Hopefully they can accomplish this quickly, before more bodies turn up and secrets are revealed.
I can’t say enough great things about this book. The story had wonderful flow and great character development. I didn’t want to put it down because I wanted to know who the murderer was but at the same time, I didn’t want the story to end. I was kept guessing, which is always a wonderful thing to experience when reading a book.
I highly recommend this book.
Thank you ##InkandShadows and #NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this wonderful book.

The Secret, Book, and Scone Society series is one of my favorite and it never disappoints or fails to keep me hooked.
This book was no exception and I loved every moment.
It mixes mystery and women's fiction as usual and the mix works perfectly keeping you turning pages as fast as you can.
I love this group of women and I'm always happy to catch up with them and read their stories.
The character development is excellent as usual and I love how the characters change and evolve.
I also loved how the author deals with some important issues and make them part of the plot.
The mystery is solid and kept me guessing.
I can't wait to read the next installment, this one is highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine

All hail Queen Ellery! After reading the fourth entry in her Secret, Book, and Scone Society series, I can say that it remains one of my favorite mystery series ever. Can I give this book ten stars? So, so good.

Ink and Shadows finds Nora and her friends welcoming a newcomer to Miracle Springs. Celeste and her daughter, Bren, open a new store selling CBD products and Bren’s handcrafted jewelry. Trouble starts when Nora’s Halloween window display featuring strong female characters draws the ire of a local conservative values group. The group targets shops they find disreputable, including Miracle Books and Celeste’s shop, Soothe.

More trouble follows when Celeste’s daughter, Bren, winds up dead behind Nora’s house, but before she died, she left a seemingly old paper filled with esoteric drawings and symbols under Nora’s doormat. Bren’s death is declared an accident, but Nora knows there has to be more to it than that. Celeste has mentioned secrets. Her own? Bren’s? Did those secrets lead to Bren’s death? Can they be unraveled before more harm is done?

Ms. Adams’ writing is so engaging! She pulls you into the story, makes you feel like you’re there. She does an excellent job of writing characters that you’d want to get to know. I love Nora, and June, and Estella, and Hester. I want to hug them all. I want to have dinner and talk books with them. They reach out to Celeste when she’s hurting, when other women in the town have targeted her in the name of “family values.” They circle the wagons when one of their own needs it. I want friends like that.

This story touched on some fascinating topics, and one of them, rare books, introduces us to a friend from Nora’s past. Roberta Rabinowitz – Bobbie – was Nora’s college roommate. When Sheriff McCabe needs help learning more about the page that Bren left under Nora’s doormat, Nora directs him to Bobbie. Bobbie doesn’t just provide useful information – she shows up in Miracle Springs. I love that we get to meet her, and I hope we see more of her in future books.

I want to give a special shout-out to June. She is a take no prisoners and take no sass kind of woman. When she sees ways she can address the targeting of Miracle Books, she doesn’t hesitate to speak up. She doesn’t beat around the bush about anything. I approve!

I was a little disappointed that we didn’t see Nora and Sheriff McCabe – Grant – move toward something more than friendship. The potential is there. When we see an uglier side of Jed’s personality (under stress, to be sure, but still, ugly), I thought maybe…? But no. Not this time. In a future book, perhaps. A girl can hope.

I will be anxiously awaiting my next visit to Miracle Springs! When it’s available, I will grab book number five in the series, no questions asked.

Thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an advance reader copy. All opinions here are mine, and I don’t say nice things about books I don’t actually like.

Fair disclosure- I completely loved Ellery Adams previous series, Books by the Bay. I was heartbroken when the series ended (for more reasons than one!) and even wrote my first "fan letter" to her via Facebook to tell her how much I loved them. I was immensely surprised when she responded with a very sweet message that I still have in my inbox.
Now, that being said, I absolutely cannot say enough good things about this book. This is the 1st one in this series that I've read... I actually have the 1st 2 and now I'm kicking myself for not having already started them! The characters are so well-written that I want to pack up and go visit them... especially given that the main character runs a bookshop (my dream job!). The story itself is enthralling and captivating, keeping me up way past my bedtime so that I could finish it.
Needles to say, I'll be going back to read the first three books in the series now and will be anxiously awaiting book 5!

Wowsers!
This is hands down my favorite series. I love all my other books/series', but this is my absolute favorite. There isn't always a happy ending ]thought the ending is very, very good and very fitting, but I was bawling at the end just as an FYI] and it isn't always so tidy [though the bad guy gets his and that is always satisfying] and that is why I absolutely love these. The characters are human, imperfect and exactly who I'd want as friends. I love them and the town they live in and the people they collect. Sheldon coming in the last book just reinforced that and the addition of Celeste and Bren and the three teen readers [especially Vicky] and people who aren't afraid to have their opinions changed [for the better] when they realize they are wrong is what small-town living is all about [there is always good with bad no matter where you live, but small town living is unique unto itself and unless you have experienced it, you will not fully understand what I am saying] and that kind of story-line just make these books even better. Life is messy and sticky and so are the characters in these books. And that makes them absolutely perfect. Even if they do leave you with massive book hangover. And trust me, you WILL have massive book hangover.
Well done Ms. Adams. Well. Done.

Thank you to Ellery Adams, NetGalley and Kensington Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series. The friendship and support system the four women created makes me happy. Opening a new book is returning home in a way. The surroundings, the people... I miss them when I leave. The addition of Sheldon in the last book was fantastic for me. I adore him. I was excited to see Nora spending more time with MCCABE, as I kind of ship them, but no.... To be honest, I am not that into her current love interest/boyfriend and I never have been. Jed showed some pretty ugly traits here- under severe stress, yes, but there we are.
But I digress. Miracle Springs has some new residents. There's a new pastor and his family; and a woman opening a CBD store with her daughter. I liked the pastor's daughter, though I feel like his wife was a bit of a cliché. Celeste, the owner of the shop, is interesting and charming. I was invested in her story. Bren, her daughter, was twenty going on twelve basically. She was angry, rude, often cruel... basically prepubescent. Obviously I found it hard to connect with this one. Nora is, as always, up in everybody's business without ever meaning to be. I love that about her, honestly.
Besides the characters, my favorite thing about this book (and all the books in this series as well her Books By the Bay series) is that each chapter starts with an interesting literary quote, and there is a lot of book talk (makes sense as Nora owns a book store). Someday I am going to start writing down all the books I either look up or buy because I read about it in one of these books (Possible title: Ellery Adams made me do it). This time there was only one book I hadn't read yet, so of course I bought Nuking The Moon by Vince Houton.
As with all her books, this was a fun, fast read with great characters and decent plot. I love these, honestly, and this one did not disappoint. I would give it four stars.
On the adult content scale, there's language, violence and bullying/ a bit of mob mentality. Nothing overly explicit. I would say this one is for readers 15+.
I was given an eARC of this book from Netgalley and Kensington books in exchange for an honest review. My thanks!

First of all, thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Books for an e-galley of Ink and Shadows.

I jumped into this book not realizing that it was the 4th book in a series. That being said, I was not lost in the least bit. I loved Nora and her charming bookshop; as a resident of North Carolina, I loved the setting of the novel.

Nora is loves her bookshop and delights in creating her window displays. However, a group of women in town take offense to her Halloween themed display and decide to include other businesses in town. Celeste owns the newest business selling CBD products and holistic health items, and her daughter has brought some unexpected trouble into town.

Soon enough, Nora has a mob of angry women and a dead body on her hands. Will she be able to keep her business afloat amidst personal crisis as well?

This fourth installment in the series does not disappoint. Nora and her friends have formed the secret, book & scone society, a group of supportive friends and readers. Nora’s bookshop does many special things for the town. In this book, evil comes to town and Nora becomes involved in 2 murders. I love the strong female characters and their strong bonds to each other. They have fun but also help each other out.

This is one of the few series that I’ve read where I feel like I could actually travel to the town and visit Nora and her friends. The characters feel that realistic. And the plot has multiple layers besides the main mystery. I also enjoy Nora’s book recommendations for her customers- I always find at least one that I want to read.

This is the 4th installment in the Secret, Book, and Scone, Society. Nora Pennington is the owner of Miracle Books in Miracle Springs North Carolina. It is a town known for the healing springs and shops to support those who come to the town for healing. Nora is getting ready for the fall and the upcoming festivals that will be hitting the town. She and her co-worker Sheldon work to create a magical display in her window about strong women yet there is a group of “faith” based women who believe it sends the wrong message. This group led by the new pastor’s wife Connie also targets the new store Soothe as well as a native American store. Soothe has just opened and it is an alternative health store with natural soaps, herbals and they also sell CBD oils and products. The store is owned by Celeste and her daughter Bren. Bren is a little rough around the edges and is a sharp contrast to her Mother but Nora senses that she is in danger. Nora’s friends (Hester, Estella and June along with Sheldon) are outraged when an article is written about the business this group is targeting and rally around her and Nora refuses to give in to their tactics. Nora and her friends encounter Bren one night at a festival and see her with a stranger and when Nora tries to talk to her she tells her that she is there if she needs a friend she is there for her. When Nora gets to her home she senses something is off when there is a parchment left on her front porch and then she discovers Bren in the hills behind her house. Nora is shattered and is determined to get justice for Bren and the ladies vow to help Celeste in her grief. More tragedy is to come and Nora and her friends are there to help serve justice. These books are so well written and so heartfelt that it is a loss when the story comes to an end. It was good to see Bobbie and old friend of Nora’s come to her aid in determining what the mysterious page left on her porch was all about. I also wonder if Nora is better suited for McCabe versus Jed but that will remain to be seen. This is a great story that keeps you engaged and wanting more. The next book can not come out soon enough for me. Highly recommend.