I love everything Ellery Adams writes and am an avid collector of her books. This one does not disappoint . Highly recommend.

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams brings protagonist Nora Pennington and her friends in the Secret, Book and Scone Society full circle when a young woman, Kelly, arrives in town and brings Nora's past crashing into her present. When Kelly is discovered murdered the morning after an argument with Nora, the police department takes a strong look at Nora as a suspect especially since Kelly was the pregnant lover whose discovery ultimately caused both the breakup of Nora's marriage and the accident that changed Nora's life forever.

Each of the characters in this series are very realistic and multidimensional in that they bring their flawed pasts to the table and enrich the stories that much more. As the series has developed, the addition of extended family members for each of the main characters have strengthened the bonds between them and made them into well-rounded individuals that leave the reader rooting for a positive outcome and happy ending for all. By bringing in the people from Nora's past, the author has created a vehicle to enable Nora to look to the future and continue to build on the life she has now. Within this book, the author has also given the other characters a chance to demonstrate to Nora the strength of their commitment to her so she no longer needs to always be strong for everyone else. I sincerely hope the author continues this series as I can see that there is far more exploration and growth within each of these characters and their various relationships.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Brought to you by OBS reviewer Andra

Paper Cuts is the sixth book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Series by Ellery Adams. I must say, each book I read that is penned by Ellery Adams is a true delight in reading. I escape and fully immerse myself in the storytelling. In essence – my happy place.

The members of The Secret, Book, and Scone Society (Nora Pennington-owner of Miracle Books, Hester Winthrop, Estella Sadler, June Dixon) once again are involved in sleuthing…no surprise there since this is after all a cozy mystery ☺.

In the small town of Miracle Springs, Nora Pennington runs her bookstore Miracle Books. What is unique is that Nora just seems to know which book a customer needs when they enter the store and have a brief discussion. Pretty cool talent if you ask me! In this story, Nora must deal with a blast from her past – and not in a good way. Nora comes face-to-face with Kelly Walsh – the woman that her ex husband left her for. What is she doing in Miracle Springs? And with her special young boy who has a real gift for origami. Kelly is very ill, hence the move to Miracle Springs, and wishes to make amends with Nora for the strife she caused previously with Nora’s ex and their relationship. The murder victim ends up being Kelly. This does perplex Nora as who would want a terminally ill person dead? Given their “history” it is no surprise that Nora is pegged as a likely suspect. So to clear her name the Secret, Book and Scone Society get to work to clear Nora’s name.

The challenge with Nora being a possible suspect is that she no longer has the obvious and overt closeness of her beau, Deputy Grant McCabe. Naturally, he believes she’s innocent; however, being in law enforcement means they must stay apart during the investigation. Now that is very tough on Nora!

There is also a sub storyline which I feel was written very well and certainly added a dimension to the story. This deals with Gus and his re-entry into life after being incarcerated and how he reacts to being reunited with his daughter Estella. I applaud Ellery for bringing to light the challenges faced by ex-offenders to find work and restart their lives… and how difficult that can be.

With respect to the book jacket, who doesn’t love a few rows of books? Very eye catching.

I found the mystery complex enough, with many red herrings, to keep my interest throughout. I shall not get into specifics because that is half the fun of reading cozy mysteries – figuring out whodunit yourself! In fact, I did not figure out the whodunit until the very end – which is how I like my cozy mysteries!

I highly recommend this sixth installment in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Series by Ellery Adams.

Number 6 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries. This is a strong series set in Miracle Springs, NC. the Society friends have to help Nora after she becomes a suspect in a murder. Years before Nora came to Miracle Springs, she got a DUI after her husband left her and was disfigured in the resulting car accident. She is thankful she only harmed herself in the accident. When her ex-husbands second ex-wife, Kelly, shows up in town Nora becomes a suspect in her death. He boyfriend, the local sheriff, can't help her. But her friends in the Society can.

This book series is always a bit deep for a cozy series. That is not a bad thing, but it is simply a different style. Nora thought she left her old life behind. It comes back in a rush when her ex-husband's wife comes to ask for forgiveness. When the woman ends up dead, Nora is the prime suspect. The mystery kept me guessing until the end. This is a well written addition to the series.

Ellery Adams once again proves that cozies aren’t fluffy and that cozy characters have an amazing amount of character development, depth, and diversity. Nora had started over in Magic Springs after a horrific life experience and she has the scars to prove it. She has a new business, a new home, a new group of supportive friends, and even a new romance. The last thing she expected was to come face to face with half of the reason for the night that changed Nora’s life forever. And yet it is about to be forever changed yet again as Nora who has been deemed a person of interest and is hounded by the new K9 detective who seems to have a bone to pick with her. Nora must dig deep, quite possibly deeper than she ever has before to not only forgive but to also find justice for the victim. The twists and turns of this plot almost make one dizzy but because the backstory is laid out so well you can follow along without getting lost. You may be able to figure out who did it but can you figure out why? So grab a pot of flowering tea and some Earl Grey Scones before settling to read this newest Secret, Book, and Scone Society mystery.

I love this author's books as they are always so unique and fabulous! She writes a fun filled cozy mystery that also deals with a few serious real life issues that we all may face at some time in our lives. Another five star read from me!

This book is the 6th in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, however, some character development carries over from each book. In Paper Cuts, I was pleased to meet up with Nora Pennington again. The Miracle Springs, North Carolina bookshop owner was busy in her shop, Miracle Books.

There were secrets aplenty in this great tale. With a super mystery, an eclectic bunch of characters, a compelling plot and a few well-placed red herrings added to the mix, this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. While classified as a cozy mystery, this for me, was what I would describe as a more mature and sophisticated cozy than most with relevant social themes though still retaining those traditional cozy qualities. I would like to read the first two books I've missed in this series and I thoroughly enjoyed Paper Cuts.

Paper Cuts offered an early twist, which I didn't see coming, and I was surprised by this unexpected turn of events. The book also addressed the one thing which had always bothered me about this series. How did Nora avoid serving jail time for a previous fiery DUI accident?

Compared to the previous installments, I enjoyed this book more. The author avoided a preachy or judgmental tone and instead focused on exploring the theme of the family with the added bonus of sprinkling various book titles and authors throughout.

Overall, I am eager to continue reading this series. The strong sense of community and friendship between the women is refreshing and keeps me invested in their stories.

This is the 6th installment in the A Secret, Book and Scone Society. Nora Pennington has established a nice life in Miracle Springs North Carolina. She has a group of trusted friends, a good relationship with her boyfriend Sheriff Grant McCabe but of course Nora is in for some drama. A new tea shop opens up and the ladies (Estella, June, Hester, Nora) go there Nora gets some strange vibes from the new owners. Then she meets a nice lady (battling cancer) Kelly and her son Tucker who is autistic and they hit it off but Kelly implies they have meet before which leaves Nora confused. Nora receives a flower arrangement from the new store and wants to know who it is from. When she is at dinner with Estella, she runs into the owners and Kelly who is the owners sister. When she asks about the floral basket, Kelly speaks up and says it is from her and that she needs to apologize. She has met Nora before in former life as she was the women her husband had an affair with and he left her for. This is the night Nora was in the terrible car accident and was burned. Nora freaks out and does not want to talk to her and pushes Kelly away and takes off. Nora cools down and realizes that she overreacted and wanted to apologize to Kelly but she learns she is deceased when she is picked up by the police as a person of interest. Sheriff McCabe has to step away from the case, however, the new K-9 officer Hollowell seems to have an issue with Nora and even said that Nora hit Kelly the night in question which of course is not true. Hollowell seems to make it her personal mission to put Nora behind bars. Grant can’t help so it is up to Nora and her friends to solve the case. Estella’s Father has also been released from prison and is staying with her and Estella has some secrets going on right now too (good ones). This is such a great series and this was a good mystery. Nora really had to challenge herself as she faced her past and her ex as well as always do the right thing with such a big heart that she and all the ladies have. Great series.

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams is the sixth installment in the A Secret, Book and Scone Society cozy mystery series.

Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Book store in Miracle Springs, NC is a bibliotherapist. She recommends the perfect book to her customers to help give them understanding and comfort for whatever is happening in their lives.


Miracle Springs, North Carolina is a fictious small town where people come to from all over to get away from it all. They come to heal mentally and physically and to begin anew. That’s why Nora Pennington came to Miracle Springs after tragedy struck; she needed to heal.

Nora’s bookstore, Miracle Book is a tourist attraction, but the locals love to shop there, too. You see, Nora is a bibliotherapist. She recommends the perfect book to her customers that will give them comfort and understanding for whatever is going on in their lives. She becomes friends with three other women with deep, dark secrets of their own and they form the Secret, Book and Scone Society.

As the story unfolds, a past which Nora ran from has come to Miracle Springs. Old wounds have opened up and brings turmoil to her quiet life. When she is accused of murder, she does whatever she must to clear her name.

I love this mystery series. Adam’s storytelling is comfortable and cozy, even when there’s always a murder in the story. I guess it’s because of the way she portrays the characters. They’re all flawed, with deep secrets, but she makes them believable people. They’re supportive and comforting to each other and the community. I like that the romance isn’t a focal point in her stories and when it comes to solving the murders, the characters don’t get in the way.

Paper Cuts was an enchanting reading for me. The story was strong and held my interest from page one to the end. The subplot flowed effortlessly within the story and didn’t miss a beat. Although, Paper Cuts is the sixth installment in the Secret, Book and Scone Society mystery series is can be read as a standalone. Adams has a tendency to add a little flashback in all of her books however, I suggest reading them in order to continue with the author’s growth throughout the series.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington for an advanced readers copy for a honest review.

An interesting cozy mystery with a bit of a complicated storyline. It all came together at the end, and definitely kept me guessing. Great characters and setting as well. This is the 6th book in the series, but only the second I've read. Looking forward to reading more books in this series.

Many thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book. My thoughts and opinions are my own and without bias or favor or expectation.

I enjoyed this book in the series and look forward to more. I liked the characters and the setting. The mystery kept me guessing.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

The sixth in the secret scone society series, this installment gives the reader more of a glimpse into Nora’s past. When someone from Nora’s past is murdered, Nora becomes the prime suspect! It takes all of her wit and strength to prove her innocence, while dodging an unreasonable police officer and a ruthless killer.

Filled with the trademark book references and the cast of friends who provide unconditional support, the story is less about the killer’s identity and more about the cast of players. There is a secondary storyline involving Estella and her father, which intertwines with the main plot. Additionally, we see Nora continue to trust, both her friends and her romantic partner.

Though it could stand alone, it is a better story having read the earlier books in the series. I have read many of Adams’ cozy mysteries and like this one the best, as the plots, besides the murders of course, are realistic.

(I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and have written an objective review)

Loved this book. A lot going on but it was easy to follow and keep up with everything. I love Nora's circle of friends and how they support each other. Fantastic read.

I always like when books or bookstores are incorporated into a mystery. This book even has so.e fun nods to a rare collection of books.

Nora thought she had moved on from her ex, but another one of his wives shows up in town. Nora somehow find herself a main murder suspect.

This book has a nice amateur sleuthing part and unfolds nicely when another murder happens.

The characters were well developed and some of Nora's friends added some nice additions to the plot. The only character that was a bit much was Detective Holloway, she almost gave women a bad name. Being powerful and strong is one thing, but she goes way too far.

Overall a nice cozy mystery that has a twisted cast of suspects.

Thank you to Kensington and Netgalley for providing me a copy of this ARC for my honest review.

Starting Paper Cuts was like coming home after a long time away. Oh how I missed these ladies and the town of Miracle Springs. This book focuses on Nora Pennington and her past more than other books have delved into it, and I loved learning more about her and her ex-husband.
When Nora is the suspect in the murder of the woman he left her for, you know Hester, Estella, June, and Sheldon aren’t going to sit back and let her go to jail for a crime she didn’t commit.

I love the sense of community while reading these books. It makes me want to pack up and move to a cozy little town. The friendship between these characters is the best part of the books though. I just love how close knit and supportive they all are of each other. This is now my favorite in the series, and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes us.

This book is the sixth in The Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. It could be read as a stand-alone, but I highly recommend you read the books in order. It helps with back stories and this series is just so wonderful that you won’t regret it. So grab a scone and a hot cup of tea and cozy up with these mysteries.

Thank you Ellery Adams, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for advanced copies in exchange for my honest review.

I have enjoyed all of the books in this cozy mystery series, with the strong friendships of the women in a small town. In this one, Nora’s past comes back to haunt her and a series of murders happen, pointing to her as a suspect. it’s a complicated story, but quite intriguing. The presence of a young boy with Asperger’s adds another dimension.

Ellery Adams, one of my favorites, continues to impress in Paper Cuts, the latest in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. Nora's past comes face to face with her present in this one, and it's tense and intriguing, and, of course, a bit bookish. The community and the friendships Nora has are on display really nicely in this one, and it feels like it furthers everyone's story authentically.

I'm truly enjoying this series and the characters in it. I love the idea of "bibliotherapy," and how there's a book that's suitable for every occasion.

In this installment, Nora finds herself in deep water when her past comes back to haunt her. The woman Nora's husband left her for has come to town, and their lives become intertwined in more ways than one.

Of course, the rest of the Secret, Book and Scone Society have their own challenges to face as well during this time. But they've always got one another to see them through, and I love that about this series. It's a tight-knit community that looks after its own in times of need, and exactly the kind of town that makes the world a better place to live in.

Thank you to Ellery Adams, Kensington Books, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.