First in the mystery series from the New York Times-bestselling author: “Anyone who loves novels that revolve around books will savor this tasty treat.”—Library Journal (starred review) A quirky club in small-town North Carolina holds the keys to health, happiness, friendship—and even solving a murder—all to be found within the pages of the right book… book…
Strangers flock to Miracle Springs hoping the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. If none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked “comfort” scone, they exchange their stories with owner Nora Pennington in return for a carefully chosen book. That’s Nora’s special talent—prescribing the perfect novel to ease a person’s deepest pain. So when a visiting businessman reaches out for guidance, Nora knows exactly how to help. But before he can keep their appointment, he’s found dead on the train tracks.
Stunned, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, a group of damaged souls yearning to earn redemption by helping others. To join, members must divulge their darkest secret—the terrible truth that brought each of them to Miracle Springs in the first place. Now, determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman’s demise, the women meet in Nora’s cozy bookstore. And as they untangle a web of corruption, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge—proving it’s never too late to turn the page and start over…
“Adams kicks off a new series featuring strong women, a touch of romance and mysticism, and both the cunning present-day mystery and the slowly revealed secrets of the intriguing heroines’ pasts.”—Kirkus Reviews
more
A rollicking fun read
Four middle-aged, independent ladies make excellent sleuths as they try to solve the mystery of a stranger’s death. I’m looking forward to seeing what their next adventure will be.
Four women with tragic pasts bond over books, scones and helping other people. I liked this book. These women have been damaged so badly in the past that they have trouble trusting anyone but the death of a stranger in their small town, Miracle Springs brings them together. They are the only ones who think he was murdered. They work together to uncover secrets and to protect one of their group.
Everything I want in a cozy: mystery, magical realism, romance. I bought the hardback, i love it that much.
I was looking for a good mystery to read and this was it. I love the characters. The story full of mystery and the characters were fun witty and used their sleuthing skills to give me a fun filled mystery.
Great cozy mystery and interesting characters
This was a sweet read about a small town mystery. The sleuths involved are a group of women who consider themselves outcasts. They form a secret society and try to unravel the mystery behind a murder in their tiny town. Author, Ellery Adams, has created quirky characters that entertain the reader throughout. I’m looking forward to her next book!
“No one has ever lost by becoming addicted to stories-to the lessons learned by those who posses enough courage to put pen to paper.”
– Ellery Adams The Secret Book and Scone Society
Ellery Adams has crafted a wonderful story of four women, each with their own secret, coming together after a mysterious man is murdered to uncover the truth surrounding his death. Wounded and a bit battered by their pasts, each is courageous in their pursuit to find a new life and must learn to trust each other with their deepest secrets and regrets. Whip together a little murder, a few conniving criminals, a healthy dose of friendship and toss in a handsome paramedic and you will want to take a trip to Miracle Springs, NC yourself to visit Hester’s Bakery for a specialized scone, chat it up with Estelle in her salon, take a swim in the miracle pools with June and peruse the shelves of Nora’s Bookstore! I absolutely adored this book! It was the first of what will be many more Ellery Adams books on my shelf! If you are a fan of Hallmark Mysteries and Movies you will LOVE The Secret Book & Scone Society!
Wow. I just finished this book, and can honestly say it was not what I expected, it was better. Four women in the tiny town of Miracle Springs, in the mountains of western North Carolina, meet after the death of a stranger. These women are all damaged, some physically, some emotionally, but each and every one has emerged stronger from their past. They decide to share their secrets with each other, and to work together to solve the murder of this stranger, thus forming The Secret, Book and Scone Society. They are more than friends, they are partners, and they are there for each other. The mystery is very well told, but it’s the story of their friendship that kept me enthralled. I thoroughly enjoyed this book by Ellery Adams, and I’m so very glad I read it. I absolutely recommend it. A+++
“If it wants a soul, then yes. Every town needs a bookstore“
I waited so long to get this book from my local library I almost gave up. A bookstore, a mystery, love and friendship. Only thing missing is food (no, there are no recipes in this book)
Nora is a burn survivor. She owns and runs the town of Miracle Springs’ bookstore and lives in the tiny caboose house behind it. As she was coached by books to move beyond victim to survivor, she continues to pay it forward; until one of her patrons is found dead on the tracks having been killed by the train. Quickly ruled a suicide, Nora and her new friends are sure it’s not and they need to learn to trust one another. So, the Secret, Book and Scone Society is formed to “right the wrongs” that lead to the poor man’s death.
As contemporary as today headlines, as old as a gothic novel and as tentative as a new friendship, this book was well worth the wait, and will be one I will put on my used wish list. Ellery Adams is a wonderful storyteller. I highly recommend this book. 5/5
Phenomenal! In my opinion, the best book Ellery Adams has ever wrote! Not much more I can say than that.
Terrific start of a new series. Characters are believable and story keeps you interested right to the end. Can’t wait till November when the next in the series is available.
Lovely new characters and story line. Adams just keeps on giving.
Cannot wait to read the next book!
A wonderful cozy mystery that takes place in the town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. People come here in search of miracles and answers but for four women who will soon join together as friends this place is more than miracles it is the beginning of new lives and friendship. A man meets a woman in the park and upon hearing her name tells her he was about to look for her as she was recommended by someone. He hopes she can help him solve what is bothering him, but before they can meet again he is killed. Nora, the book owner/seller and the woman in the park, Hester, the bakery owner/baker, Estella the hair salon owner/beauty specialist, and June a worker at the thermal pools decide to join together to figure out what the man wanted to share and who killed him. Before they can do this they must also agree to share their secret and which of course leads to becoming friends. I hope you will love these characters and the many book references as much as I did.
After a personal tragedy, Nora Pennington moves to Miracle Springs to start a new life, opening her own bookstore, Miracle Books, and leading a quiet, more sheltered lifestyle. Her new forte is that of a bibliotherapist, matching books to her customers that come in seeking peace, forgiveness or healing. But when one of her potential customers turns up dead, Nora is sure he did not commit suicide, based on their brief conversation together earlier. Circumstances then bring together three more damaged women to Nora’s store and they soon find themselves involved in solving his death. But even more important, they ultimately look for ways to heal themselves. And thus, the Secret, Book and Scone Society is born. This is the first book in a new series by Ellery Adams and as with her other mystery series, immediately captures the reader with its characters, mystery and twists and turns. Each of the four woman has a personal “secret” that has overshadowed their lives, and each needs to find a way to work through this and learn to share and trust again. While the mystery was an important part of this story, it definitely took a backseat (rightfully so) to the journey that Nora, June, Hester and Estelle all are taking together…broken souls in need of healing in a town known for healing strangers. I can’t wait for the next book in this series to learn more about these characters and their relationships with each other.
The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams is set in Miracle Springs, North Carolina which is considered a place of healing. A group of misfits form a tight bond of friendship, two murders and corrupt officials all join together to bring a wonderful story that keeps you going and guessing until the very end. I highly recommend this book to anyone that has or hasn’t read anything by this author.