In this cozy mystery by a New York Times–bestselling author, a gifted bookstore owner can find the right book for any patron, but can she find a killer?The proprietor of Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, Nora Pennington believes that a well-chosen novel can bring healing and hope. But she and the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society know that sometimes practical … that sometimes practical help is needed too. Such is the case with the reed-thin girl hiding in the fiction section of Nora’s store, wearing a hospital ID and a patchwork of faded bruises. She calls herself Abilene but won’t reveal much else. And when a customer is found dead in an assumed suicide, Nora uncovers a connection that points to Abilene as either a suspect—or another target. After a second death hits town, Nora and her intrepid friends must help the new, greenhorn sheriff discern fact from fiction—and stop a killer intent on bringing another victim’s story to a close…
“A love letter to reading, with sharp characterizations and a smart central mystery.”—Entertainment Weekly
more
The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams was another complex mystery that was also an emotional journey for the reader into a new character’s shattered life.
Ms. Adams’ descriptive writing welcomed me back into Nora’s beautiful world of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Nora’s bookshop is such a blessing for me as I walk into the store and want to stay forever surrounded by the books and Nora’s penetrating but loving embrace.
With a mystery surrounding the young woman who has walked into the store, new insights for Nora into her own life, and a mystery that includes two murders and a tightly woven plot, I couldn’t put the book down until the conclusion. I do enjoy Nora’s friends who also had some new issues to deal with during the story. This book was rich with emotions – humor, grief, anger and love. Ms. Adams has penned another winner in The Whispered Word.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from Kensington via NetGalley. All of the above opinions are my own.
An excellent story! As this superb murder mystery begins to unfold, it’s completely absorbing and hard to put down. The mystery is awesome! Clue after clue is revealed until all the connections are made and readers can understand who all the players are and why they acted as they did.
What captures my attention in this story (as it did in the first story) is the generosity of giving that each woman in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society cultivates. Through books, baking, knitting, etc., they all reveal their inner spirits and help each other and those they come across enduring hard situations.
The cast of characters is diverse and savvy. Many emotions are experienced during the storytelling. This novel can stand alone, however, I believe it is more enjoyable if you’ve read book 1 first and are familiar with the protagonist, Nora, and the other prominent characters. I highly recommend the Secret, Book, and Scone Society cozy mystery series.
Thanks to the author for a galley arc. This review is my honest opinion.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Secret, Book, and Scone Society Members
Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, tries to heal people woes with a unique set of books she personally selects for them.
Hester runs the Gingerbread House bakery. Customers tell her a little bit about their lives and what brought them to Miracle Springs. Then she bakes them up a “comfort scone”.
June works at the hot springs spa where people come to rejuvenate themselves.
Estella is a beautician who tries to help her clients find their true selves.
Working together they try to help people, like Abilene, a young woman that has found her way to Nora’s shop wearing a dress that is way to big for her, a hospital ID bracelet and visible bruises. The ladies try to take her under their wing by offering a job and finding her a place to stay. Abilene has secrets and she is nowhere close to being reading to share them. Nora has a feeling one of her secrets connects her to a woman found dead from an apparent suicide.
There is also a new business in Miracle Springs. A business that helps customers sell their collectibles and other goods online. The grand opening had people lined up and down the street. The shop seems to be on the up and up but Nora is keeping an eye on the place. She doesn’t have a lot of confidence in the new sheriff, and she has no trouble barging into any of his investigations, especially after another body is found.
As in the first book another victim of an apparent suicide until The Secret, Book, and Scone Society digs deeper. Until my son took his life I never realized how many deaths in mysteries are first categorized as probable suicides. Each time I come across this now in a book I have to pause and tell myself that 99% of the time, that is not the case and to keep reading. I don’t want to spoil anything but the woman did not take her own life. In fact, what unfolds is a well-plotted mystery that tangles around and around and around again before the real culprit becomes clear. And again, like in the first book, the wonderful core characters of The Secret, Book, and Scone Society grow and learn more about themselves in the process.
I love the compassion these women have for almost everyone they meet. People in Miracle Springs are struggling due to the poor economy and immediately they try to do something to help. They have come up with a nice little idea to help some folks a bit. Also, the way they opened their hearts to a complete stranger in Abilene was so telling and heartwarming. These are flawed characters, with their own issues, yet they can set them aside for others in need.
Miracle Springs sounds like a perfect place to visit. A town based on healing the body, soul, and mind. It also a perfect place to set a cozy mystery series because there is always a new batch of people coming to town. Our family’s best vacation ever was to North Carolina, days spent by the ocean had their own healing effect, so I can totally understand why Ms. Adams has chosen this locale for this story and others.
Another great read from this author. It can be read all on its own too!
“The unique and magical nature of books is their ability to grant us temporary escape from our reality while also providing us ways to cope with that reality when we are forced to return to it.” The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams
As tourists pour into town,
Ellery Adams once again invites us into the lives of Nora, Estella, Hester, and June and the quaint, magical town of Miracle Springs. When the sudden appearance of a young stranger named Abilene coincides with the death of one of Nora’s Miracle Books customers ,Amanda Frye , the ladies of The Secret Book and Scone Society have a mystery to solve. I absolutely love this series. The strengthening friendship between the women reveals a little more insight into the each of their pasts while enticing the us with a peek into their futures. Ellery Adams not only gives us a wonderful murder mystery but book lovers will devour the many wonderful quotes and little quips of wisdom throughout The Whispered Word.
“…though the past colors our present, it doesn’t have to dictate the future . Love and faith can change one’s course forever. “
After reading the first book in this series, The Secret, Book, & Scone Society, I couldn’t wait to get into this one. This series is more than a great mystery with twists and turns, it’s women’s fiction meets mystery. The characters are realistic and feel like old friends that I can’t wait to spend time with. They have their flaws and disagreements, but in the end, they always support each other and give each other strength.
The mystery kept me guessing and the story had me so engrossed that I couldn’t put it down. If you love a good mystery, come spend some time in Miracle Springs with Nora Pennington and her friends. They won’t disappoint. This book in another true winner from Ellery Adams!
The Whispered Word is the second book in A Secret, Book, And Scone Society Novel series.
One evening as Nora and the members of the Secret, Book, And Scone Society are helping Nora to close the bookstore for the night they notice a very thin young lady with ill-fitting clothes, visible bruises and hospital braces hiding between some bookshelves. The young lady isn’t willing to share much except that her name is Abilene Tyler. The ladies of the Society know that this young person, but with no idea what her problem is, they stymied as to how to help. Finally, Nora agrees to let Abilene spend the night in the storeroom, hoping that Abilene will be willing to share more with her. When Nora arrives the next morning, Abilene still isn’t willing to share anything about her life. Nora and the others of the Society certainly understand as they all have secrets of their own that they had been reluctant to share. After a few days and very little headway with Abilene, Hester agrees to try Abilene at her bakery and soon finds that she is very adept at baking and added some very good item to Hester’s menu. About this time Griffin Kingsley opens Virtual Genie and there is a small apartment above the shop. Hester is able to convince Kingsley to rent the apartment to Abilene and offset a portion of the rent for Abilene working at the Virtual Genie.
Also going on in Miracle Springs is the Society has decided to put together Secret Kindness tote bags which will have items that will help them deal with the tough economic times many of the residents are experiencing. As they about to deliver their first package to Amanda Fyre, Nora notices a small pond off to the side and what appears to be a body floating in the pond, which turns out to be Amanda Fyre. They find the front door unlocked and enter to call the police. The police feel that they are looking at a suicide based on a note left on the kitchen counter, but Nora sees other clues that point to it being murder. A couple of days later Kenneth Frye, Amanda’s son arrives in town and wants to have a couple of books appraised, but Nora knows that Amanda’s doesn’t leave the books to him. She wonders how he got them, but soon he ends up dead under suspicious circumstances.
Nora had her doubts that Abilene is involved, but still, there are clues that can’t be ignored. As more information is found Nora and the other Society members go undercover to provide a very exciting ending.
Once again Ellery Adams provides a well-written and plotted story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.
Miracle Spring is a beautiful small community with wonderful and believable residents. The relationship between Nora and Jed continues to bloom and Jed is finally able to discuss his secrets, that he has been uncomfortable to talk about.
I love this series and am anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.
Another five star visit to Miracle Springs, NC with Nora and the Secret, Book and Scone Society.
Summer is ending but visitors to Miracle Springs is still going strong. One such visitor has made Nora and her group of friends really think about their own pasts. Nora finds “Abilene” curled up in her stock room in a too large dress and flip flops, hospital ID bracelet and bruises with a story to tell. Abilene does not want to talk but is willing to work for exchange of food and place to lay her head.
A new shop has opened as well that seem like a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow for a town hit hard by the closing of the local bank (read the Secret, Book and Scone Society to learn more). Virtual Genie will appraise your family heirlooms and any other treasures you may have and offer to sell them online for a 60/40 split.
Nora and Society has decided to help those affected by the bank closing and put together Secret Kindness bags and leave them on the doorsteps. One particular person has been on Nora’s mind, Amanda Frye, a not so nice visitor to the bookstore but Nora is trying to see the good behind the pain that makes Amanda so tough to deal with. Unfortunately, Amanda never reaps the benefit of the kindness bag. The Society finds her floating in the pond in front of her house. at first it looks like suicide but Nora sees flaws in the plan.
Can Nora and the Secret Society find out the truth of Amanda’ death while helping out Abilene? Is Virtual Genie everything is appears or are they trying to steal what is left of the people in Miracle Springs?
I absolutely LOVED the first book in the series and the second did not disappoint. In fact it was even better. When I enter the world of Nora and the Society, I get lost and do not want to return. I am perfectly happy being lost in Miracle Springs. Particularly the bookstore. My copy of The Whispered Word looks like a post-it note factory exploded on the pages. I have marked every page where a book or author is mentioned. I would love to be able to read every book mentioned in both books of the series.
As I was reading this book it hit me that Hester has similarities to Ella Mae (Charmed Pie Shoppe series), another wonderful character from Ellery Adams. I truly believe in the cooking with feeling and others will feel it. Imagine being able to sit outside on a lovely park bench with fall swirling around you, a comfort scone from Hester next to you, a book recommended by Nora in your hands and maybe a pair of stress relief socks knitted by June on your feet to keep you warm. Are you interested in a visit yet?
If the answer is yes you have two chances. You can run to your favorite bookseller or library and grab The Secret, Book and Scone Society now and on November 27 you can buy The Whispered Word. While you are at it you may want to buy copies for your best friends as well. No sense in keeping your visits to yourself.
I received a complimentary copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review. Any and all opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.
In book two of this new series, readers get to travel back to Miracle Springs and see not only how the town has been affected by the events in book one, but how Nora and her friends continue to help each other and the town. Oh, and of course there is a new mystery that they fall into! Abilene is a young runaway in need of their help, a new business has opened in town, and there has been a death that appears to be a suicide. Are they connected? Will Nora and her friends be able to help Abilene? You have to read to find out. I read this book in about three sittings because I did not want to put the book down. I enjoyed reading about Nora and her friends and their own continued healing and how their friendships are growing stronger. I purposely slowed down near the end though as I just did not want to leave Miracle Springs. Give this book a try and you will see what I mean.
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. The Whispered Word continues to echo in my mind. This was an emotionally intense read…not your typical cozy. Don’t get me wrong, plenty of cozy elements are present, but the reader delves deeper into the lives of Nora, Hester, June, and Estella; plus we meet Abilene. Adams’ characters encounter extremely unpleasant situations and justice is not always served, but the characters grow, as did I, the reader. I very much enjoyed the first book in this series, but The Whispered Word pulled me in and still hasn’t let me go. The detailed setting and description of these characters as well as the delivery of emotions was awesome. In every scene, I felt as though I was seated in armchair in the bookstore, or dining in the same booth, or curled up on a bed in a jail cell. I intentionally read slowly to live a little longer in Miracle Springs.
“She came to Miracle Books in search of escape. Why would she want to drag her hard, ugly reality into her beautiful, warm, cozy escape place. I would have liked to combine the two,” Nora said smiling at her friend. “The unique and magical nature of books is their ability to grant us temporary escape from our reality while also providing ways to cope with reality when we’re forced to return to it.” ~ page 94
I cannot recommend this read enough. Spend some time in Miracle Springs, you’ll relish the trip!
This has got to be one of the best cozy series that I have ever read, hands down. I have a hard time with it even being classified as a cozy because it just doesn’t feel like your typical cozy – the real life element of it, the non-snoopiness of the 4 main characters, the love and compassion that is shown – so many aspects of this make it so different than your average cozy mystery.
Nora, Hester, June and Estella are just fantastic characters; I love them all – for their quirkiness, for their gifts, for their love and compassion and for their willingness to share the secrets that still form who they are at their very cores in a time when sharing such things usually results in being stabbed in the back worse than you first were. Their willingness to continue to trust each other and build on that friendship is so fantastic and at times made me very sad, which seems like a crazy emotion right? Makes me sad that this cannot happen more in real life. I have 1 friend I trust beyond words and several friends that I truly enjoy, but to have three friends who will do anything for you? That is a rare gift indeed and if you have that, make sure you do everything in your power to not lose it. It is so precious.
This story centers around a young girl who finds refuge in Nora’s bookstore and the becomes an assistant to Hester while she [clearly] heals from whatever trauma she is running from. As the women shelter her and work with her and as her secrets start to come out, it will take all four of the women and their gifts to get through all that happens. Throw in several murders and some very unsavory people and you have an excellent story. A very excellent story.
I will tell you to be prepared to have strong emotions while reading this; I cried a lot. I felt these people’s pain. I commiserated with their issues. I felt what they were feeling because I have dealt with some of these very things in my own life. And the quotes at the beginning of each chapter alone were enough to often bring me to tears. This is a very real book and I had serious tears and book hangover at the end. You will not be sorry if you take the time to read this; I promise you that.
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for a chance to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This cozy doesn’t just flaunt words. Every word and detail has meaning. For example, the title. Believe me there is meaning there. The Whispered Word is about the lives of women. It’s not about perfect women. It’s about women who have suffered.
These women who are members of The Secret, Book And Scone Club reach out to a new woman who arrives in hospital clothing. Can they trust her? Should they ask this question or that one? Is she truthful? In the book, we learn the new woman’s story. Her name is Abilene. Will you care about her? Yes! You will care about her life before and after the crime.
The novel takes place in the North Carolina Mountains. There is one business named The Gingerbread House. Of course, there is the bookstore named Miracle Books. This cozy is really scary and can really happen. There is a surety you, the reader, will want to return to Miracle Springs, North Carolina again. By the way, look for a little steam.
Not simply just a mystery, this novel has a beautifully written romantic element that also features themes of loyal friendship, female empowerment, charity, and healing. Although not a standalone, this book can be read on its own without the prior book of the series because of well developed characters and plot. Fans of the mystery and women’s fiction genres will love this book.
I really enjoyed The Whispered Word, a book that wraps you up in a cozy blanket of friendship, compassion, food, and mystery and holds you within its spell throughout the story. It is the story of Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, who can find just the right books for a customer who may be going through a rough patch or just need a little spark in their lives. To Nora, books are healing, and her bookstore brings in lots of lost souls. She has a special bond with her friends, Estella, Hester, and June, who each have their own special talent/gift along and, like Nora have troubled pasts. Then they meet Abilene Tyler, a waif of a girl with secrets of her own, who will change both them and their town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina.
This book is the second in The Secret, Book, and Scone Society series, and while it can stand alone, it makes you want to read the eponymous first book to learn more about the wonderful, yet flawed, characters of The Whispered Word. The Whispered Word is truly a lovely read.
I received a copy of this book from the author. All thoughts and opinions are solely my own.
Finally a mystery that I hadn’t figured out The Who done it before the end. Complex and likeable characters. Some that you would actually like to meet and call your friend. Waiting ( not so patiently) for the next book to visit Miracle Springs again!
I recommend this book to mystery cozy readers as a very entertaining read. It is the second book in the series, and while readers would not necessarily have to read book #1 I think it would be beneficial for background detail.
Miracle, North Carolina is the setting for “The Whispered Word”. It is a fictional small town known for healing springs and local shops selling wares and services to aid in healing. The local bakery even makes custom scones with a pinch of healing magic!
The main character, Nora Pennington, owns Miracle Books, a new and used book store decorated with unique “shelf enhancers”. Nora chooses books for customers and friends designed to heal their hurts by “bibliotherapy”. She also serves coffee and pastries, and creates a cozy atmosphere. Book lovers will enjoy many literary references throughout this story.
Nora is joined by 3 friends who make up the secret, book, and scone society. The four women are interesting characters with scarred pasts who are trying to help a young woman, Abilene, who came to Miracle Books in dire need of help. And then one of Nora’s customers is found dead, a questionable new business opens, and a deadly fall takes place, leaving the ladies to wonder if the events and the appearance of Abilene are related somehow. The society meets over yummy comfort food to solve the mysteries and to help their new friend, Abilene.
Add to the mix Nora’s love interest, Jed, the new town sheriff and his deputy, and you have very good mystery cozy! I’d like to thank Ellery Adams for an ARC copy of “The Whispered Word”.
I very much enjoyed this book. We learn more of the backgrounds of the Society women and their lives. Adeline a waif like young woman becomes part of their lives when she is found hiding in the bookstore owned by Nora Pennington.Nora is upset at the death of customer she had not liked but now regrets her feelings.Amanda Frye was not a likeable person but Nora felt something wasn’t right about her suicide. Finding the connections between these people makes for a good read. The abusive uncle , the new consignment shop hidden talent and a suprise ending all make me look forward to the next book.
This is the second book in the series and it begins right where the first book ended. Nora and her friends find another body and set out to solve the murder. The stranger who showed up at Nora’s bookstore has some connection to the dead woman. I did not like this book as much as the first. I have a hard time warming up the main characters, everyone is depressing. The mystery was only OK, there were not many suspects and it was easy to solve. I do like the town and the bookstore and I find the idea of a bibliotherapist interesting. The writing is good and it was a quick easy read. This series should be read in order
Nora and her friends have each experienced events in their lives that have made them who they are, and with each other, they find inner strength. They accept and support each other, and help their community the best way they can. I wish there really was a Miracle Springs, because I would love to visit. Nora and her friends are people I wish I knew in real life. Ellery Adams is a phenomenal author, and I could not stop reading this book. The story flowed, and I didn’t want it to end. The Whispered Word is an absolute must read, and I highly recommend this book!
An interesting set of characters who share their life secrets and become a supportive group who will get involve in a murder mystery.
From the beginning I could hardly wait to read the next chapter. It was an easy read for me, and I’m excited and looking forward to reading another book by this author. As someone who loves vintage and antiques, it was a perfect book for me.