Nora Pennington is the owner of Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. The store is extremely busy with the cold January temperatures and Nora is busy with her bibliotherapy sessions. Nora's friend, Deputy Andrews has asked her to help plan a wedding proposal, so she arranges a special screening of Little Women, a movie that Hester loves. Before the event, Nora notices that someone is vandalizing all the store's copies of The Scarlet Letter, slicing the pages where Hester Prynne's name is mentioned. What most people don't know is that Hester had a child years ago and gave the baby up for adoption. She has felt so guilty that she hasn't told Jasper, her future husband. When a man is found dead on a hiking trail outside of town with a rare copy of a different book, The Secret, Book and Scone Society go to work and uncover a connection to Hester's past. Not only is her secret at stake, but maybe her life.

I really enjoy this series and its touch of magic. I suggest you read this series in order to get the full character development and friendships, but each book has a self-contained mystery and can be read as a standalone. Each of the ladies has a special touch to help people who need it. They have all been through something in their past that gives them an understanding of others. Even Sheldon, the newest employee at Miracle Books gets in on the act when solving a mystery or crime. In this story, Nora has to do a lot of research and stitch together the clues she finds and more books are found to tie to the murder. I had no idea who the culprit was and enjoyed the story as Nora and her friends solve the crime and have to get out of a dangerous situation before the final, exciting ending. This is a well written and plotted story, which I highly recommend. There is a bit of magic, a mystery, friendship, secrets and romance.

"No one keeps every book they read, which means the ones we do keep are important. A person's library is like a fingerprint. The books on their shelves are a collection of memories and wishes. They're as unique as a snowflake."
Ellery Adams, The Vanishing Type


Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. All opinions are my own.

Sigh. I love this series. I have said it before and I will say it again. So fantastic. Let's do a list of the best (imo) points.

*Bookish
*Baked goods
*Characters
*Setting
*Characters...yes, it bears repeating.

I love having the gang all together for the Winter in Miracle Springs. I wanna live right there.

Start at the beginning because, all of them are amazing.

Ellery Adams ALWAYS delivers and I absolutely love the world she has created in Miracle Springs with the Secret Book and Scone Society, true cozy perfection

This is a more serious cozy series when compared to others. The story combines rare books, a mysterious dead body, and a secret. The book had a little too much extra stuff and dragged at times. The secret was blown out of proportion unless we are going back 75 years. The ending felt a bit rushed after all of the filler. It was a good mystery but not one of my favorites.

Everything that Ellery Adams creates is beautifully done. It is perfect for this time of the year when the weather changes and everything turns crisp. And nothing is better then a budding romance and a secret wedding proposal.

Another hit in the series, and one that was hard to put down. Nora is asked to help Andrews propose to Hester, until things go wrong. Good cozy mystery. Highly recommend this book, series and author.

Each visit to Miracle Springs has made me enjoy this series more. I love all the bookish references, from quotes starting out the chapters to the many just right recommendations Nora gives, and there are always enticing descriptions of the community and the incredible friendships Nora has made with the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. In this one Hester's secret is in the hot seat, as she has to reconcile her secret past heartbreak with her present life and future, and things come to a head and connections in ways that make for a really interesting story- one that made me want to hug Hester and made me glad she had the friends she did to make for a new found family.

I really enjoy a cozy mystery series with more mature characters. The women of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in Miracle Springs are wise, supportive, and intelligent. Their friendship has grown strong… and that’s really needed in this story, as one of their own is about to have a long held secret be shattered wide open. This installment is emotional and has a lot going on, and it’s a good storyline. I’m pleased with the character development and hope that the series continues.

Thanks to Net Galley and Kensington for the complimentary digital review copy of this title.

I love when Ellery Adams lets me wander back into her world of the Secret, Book, & Scone Society in her fifth in the series, "The Vanishing Type." And I was so happy to come back for what is probably my favorite of this cozy mystery series so far.

These characters, new and old, grow on you more and more until you feel like you are one of the society ladies sitting in the bookshop eating a tasty magical pastry.

As always, I highly recommend The Secret, Book, & Scone Society. Not to be read out of order, though you won't mind one bit as your heart becomes a member of this town through its pages.

I was first introduced to this series back in November 2020 when my virtual foodie book club, Cook the Books, read the first book, The Secret, Book, & Scone Society. I downloaded books 2 through 4 in the series but never quite got around to reading them until I signed up for the book tour and then I spent April and May catching up in time to read book 5 a couple of weeks ago. (It's good that cozy mysteries tend to be short reads.) All the books are delightful and although I will say this with most series, you really need to read them in order as the lives and details about the secrets of the main character and her circle of friends gradually unfold and you will want to be there for all of it.

The series centers around Nora Pennington who running away from an unhappy life and a big mistake that left her physically and emotionally scarred, opens up a book store in an old train depot in the quirky town of Miracle Springs in western North Carolina. Miracle Springs is full of hot springs, spas, quaint stores, and tourists arriving looking for ways to cure their aches, pain and illnesses. Nora provides bibliotherapy, helping people by suggesting books suited to whatever is ailing them--physically, mentally, and emotionally. initially a loner, Nora bonds sharing deep secrets with three other women in town, Hester, June and Estella. Oh, and the group also solves crimes 9usually murders) in their spare time. Because as appealing as Miracle Springs sounds, the body count is pretty high as happens in cozy mystery locations.

In this book, Hester, a talented baker whose specialty is "comfort scones," (she finds the perfect ingredients to help you relive your past and get out your emotions and bring comfort), gets a romantic marriage proposal for her deputy boyfriend. Hester has not yet told him her secret, that she was made to give up her baby as an unwed team and she's afraid it will tear them apart. Nora finds some copies of The Scarlet Letter with Hester's name cut out in her store and then a man is found just outside of town with a rare old book in his jacket pocket. Is it related? Nora thinks so and she and her posse are on the case.

I won't give away more details but the mystery is engaging, Nora, Hester, Estella and June endearing and they are supported by other likable characters. It's set in February so romance is in the air with book store events and displays celebrating all kinds of love. That's what this series does especially well--love. It's about the love of friends and the families we choose for ourselves and the love of books, there is even some romance in there too, and I like the direction Nora's is going. The only downside to spending a few weeks immersing myself in the series is that now I am impatiently waiting for book 6!

Nora Pennington is content with her life in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. She has her bookstore that she runs with her buddy Sheldon; great friends; her Secret, Book & Scone Society; and a new man in her life. She cares about those around her and is an interesting person, who even lives in a refurbished train caboose.

When the boyfriend of Hester, one of Nora’s best friends, asks for her help in setting up the perfect proposal scenario, she’s all in, wanting to help him make it a memorable evening. But Hester has a secret her boyfriend doesn’t know and when someone vandalizes copies of The Scarlet Letter in Nora’s shop, Nora begins to worry her friend is in danger.

Then the body of an unknown man turns up, which complicates things even more. Adding to the mystery, an old book is found on his body, which leads Nora and friends to several other old books, each with a different flower featured on the book’s cover art. Is this somehow linked to any threat to Hester?

The Vanishing Type features smart characters and a mystery that will challenge you to figure out what’s going on.

What I Loved:

Hester's Story. For people who love this series, Hester's story has been looming in the background like an unknown elephant. Hester is one of the four women that form Nora's book club and core group of friends, rounded out by June and Estella. Each of the women have compelling backstories and rich personal lives, but Hester's story has only been hinted at until now. Now that Hester is engaged to be married, someone is out to tell her story - whether she likes it or not. And when she is connected to a recent murder, nothing will stop the Secret, Book, and Scone Society from finding out "whodunnit" to make sure Hester doesn't come to harm. Hester is my favorite. She is a sweetheart, she bakes, and she is the most supportive of the group. It felt like vindication to finally hear her story.Nora's New Romance. Ah, Grant McCabe. They say nice guys finish last, but in this case, I think Grant finished exactly as he was supposed to. Nora was with Jed the paramedic who seems perfect on paper, but by the end of book four, Ink and Shadows, Jed's true colors shone through. I was pretty worried that Nora, Jed, and Grant would be a love triangle, but Jed and Nora called it quits, and Grant is now her leading man. Phew. Sheriff McCabe is solicitous and patient, kind and with a dose of humor that comes through, and I love seeing him and Nora blossom together. The Books. I admit it. I am a sucker for cozies that have books, bookstores, and bookish themes. The Secret, Book, and Scone Society books are no exception, and The Vanishing Type incorporated its literary elements in multiple different ways. From the slashed copies of The Scarlet Letter, to the fictional Lady Artist book series that gives clues into the murders and Hester's past, to the events held at the bookshop - everything was infused with a love of literature.

What Didn't Work as Well:

The Melodrama. This goes in almost direct contrast to my praise above about Hester's story. However, Hester's family insanity - rich parents dying mysteriously, wealthy aunt/grandmother figure that no one knows more about, wastrel brother, and Amish baby daddy - was all more than a bit over the top. By the end at the big reveal (nothing further on that), my head was spinning and I almost wished Ellery Adams had included a picture family tree. I had a lot of empathy for Hester's pain and her crazy past, but it got lost in confusion and an inability to suspend disbelief.The Pace. Like with most cozies, there are some slow parts where people just enjoy tea or arrange book displays. However, then we are rushed headlong into bodies and attempted murders, with little buffer between the two extremes. I felt the ending was rushed, after such great build up.

Nora Pennington owns a bookshop in the small town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. It's not only a bookshop, it's a meeting place for her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. While her relationship with her boyfriend Jed is done and finished, she still has June, Estella, and Hester in her life -- three women who are damaged as much as she is, all in their own way. But a surprise soon enters in the form of Deputy Jasper Andrews, who wants to propose to Hester in a special way. When Nora hears of his plans, she's delighted and enlists the help of Estella and June. The proposal, like the town, is going to be magical.

However, before the proposal, Nora is stunned when her employee Sheldon finds copies of The Scarlet Letter vandalized, with the word 'Hester' scratched out in each one. But even this is not as disturbing as when Sheriff Grant McCabe finds a dead man with no identification on his person, but a book by Elmer Freeman, Miss Delphinium. It turns out that Elmer Freeman was a pseudonym for Enid Elton, who wrote eight books in her series. When another of the books turns up in Hester's bakery, Nora begins to suspect something else is going on.

When more of the books start appearing around town, it's apparent to Nora that these all relate to Hester. Could her secret from long ago be found out? Who would be sending the clues? And why now, after all these years? On top of this, a young friend is injured in a car accident, and Nora thinks it could be related. But how can she tell Sheriff McCabe, just when it seems their friendship might be turning into something more? Nora knows she has to act, and turning to McCabe, whom she must learn to trust, might help her find the puzzle pieces and put them together. Or will Hester's life be forfeit instead?

This is the fifth book, and perhaps even the best, in the series It gives us more insight into Hester's past, and shows that the friendship between the four women is a strong bond. When there is a crisis or two, they pull together and act as each other's anchor. It's both charming and heartwarming; it brings a sort of calm to the series, and the want to read the other books. This one is indeed my favorite.

We have a puzzle to figure out, and I did figure it out early on, but watching Nora and her friends put their minds together to save Hester was worth everything. Their determination to keep each other buoyed while they worked through their problems with humor, love, strength, and friendship was the heart of the book.

When the ending comes everything comes together nicely; but at a cost. Some things are never meant to be regained, while others will stay with us forever. Well done, Ms. Adams. Highly recommended.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.

This was just what I was in the mood for! Perfect cozy, comfort reading with lots of small town charm, strong female friendships, and so much book love!
Ellery Adams is an author that I really enjoy but I've only read one book in this series and now I'm thinking I'll have to go back and read the earlier instalments.

Princess Fuzzypants here: In the village of Miracle Springs, the greatest miracle of all is love and friendship. The damaged ladies who have joined together and faced their demons are delighted when one of them, Hester, is engaged. Expectations of happy ever after are dashed when mysterious messages keep threatening Hester’s future. They all seem to point to The Scarlett Letter but the ladies only know Hester as a wonderful friend. What secret could there be that would change their opinion?

As the story evolves, it seems there were events in her younger years that she thought she had put behind her. But events and people can catch up. And when they do they may be upsetting, they may be disheartening or they may be deadly. It is up to Nora and her friends to make sure that Hester stays safe.

Good series with very interesting characters. I love how they have grown as the books have developed the characters. This one is no exception. Four purrs and two paws up.

This was an enjoyable cozy. Easy to read and understand the background of the characters even if you haven't read the previous books. Nora and her friends are celebrating the engagement of one of their own. However, something isn't right. A body is found soon after the engagement. Then books are defaced in Nora's store. Soon books turn up with letters hidden in the artwork.

Satisfying ending with twists and turns along the way.

While this is the fifth book in the series, it is only the second one I've read. I read the first in the series, and now this fifth one. It was fine to skip around, I had no problem catching up. The Vanishing Type focuses on the character Hester; It digs into her past. This series revolves around four women who become friends later in life Their ages range from probably their early 30's to early 60's.

While this lists as a cozy mystery, it is on the heavier/deeper side. I read a lot of cozy mysteries and prefer the lighter ones, but I do occasionally enjoy ones like this. If you are going to dabble into a "heavier" cozy, this is a good series. It has lots of book references and the friendship aspect is very rewarding. There is some romance too. The mystery in this book was very good - lots of characters and twists and turns. I'm sure I'll be picking up books 2-4 to fill in while I'm waiting for book 6.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Books for this wonderful ARC. I’m submitting my honest review and opinion. I will post this review to my blog, Goodreads, Bookbub, & Amazon accounts.

Yet another very interesting and intriguing book from the author. Highly recommend this book; the series; and this author!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my are my own.

Four friends (founding members of the Secret Book and Scone Society) share their backstories, secrets and love of great writing while enjoying tempting palate pleasers in THE VANISHING TYPE by Ellery Adams.

The group, led by bookstore owner Nora Pennington are literally swept into a whirlpool of vandalism, greed and murder with an appropriate amount of the three “R’s” (romance rejection and revenge) thrown in for good measure, when an unidentified male body is discovered on a hiking trail outside of town. Who was the man and what was he doing in Miracle Springs, N.C.? Did his arrival pose a potential threat to any or all of the friends? The answer to these and other questions can be found between the pages of this captivating cozy, so lean back, buckle up and enjoy the ride.

I love a good cozy mystery, and this one did not disappoint! I really enjoyed the beautiful writing, especially all of the quotes about books!

Nora was a perfect main character! I loved all of the other characters as well. They were all such amazing friends (Sheldon was hilarious!!). I just loved how they all owned businesses in the small town and were so supportive of each other!! Nora- owner of Miracle Books, Hester- owner of the Gingerbread House Bakery, Estella- owner of Magnolia Salon and Spa, June- Miracle Springs Lodge. The little bookclub they run in the charming bookstore was perfect. Also, I live in North Carolina, so I always enjoy books set there. I definitely loved the little town of Miracle Springs and would love to visit! I look forward to reading more of this series.

The quotes at the beginning of each chapter were e v e r y t h i n g 😍 "A new book smells great. An old book smells even better. An old book smells like ancient Egypt. —Ray Bradbury"

Read if you enjoy:
• cozy mystery
• small town romances
• books about book lovers
• supportive friendships

"Nora loved talking books. Her face shone like the sun whenever she had the chance to share her thoughts on characters, plot, setting, title, or quoteworthy lines. She took in every part of a book, from its cover design to its copyright page. She read every word, including author notes, dedications, and biographical info."