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theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition
4.0
Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams is the 4th A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel. This is my favorite book in the series. It contains developed characters that are realistic. Nora came to Miracle Springs, North Carlina for a fresh start after she was severely burned. Nora has a knack for picking out the books that people need at that moment in time. I enjoy the paranormal element with Nora’s pinkie finger tingling when something is amiss. Sheldon Vega is a favorite of mine. He is a kind, creative man who suffers from chronic pain. Ellery Adams manages to convey how chronic pain affects his life (and how painful it can be). I like how understanding Nora is of Sheldon’s pain and that he cannot always make it to work. The whodunit was interesting with some unique elements. It is one that plays out which disappointed me (I love solving the crimes in the book before the reveal). It is a complex mystery that touches on some dark topics (grimoires, dark magic, cults). This book would be great to read during the month of October (it will get you in the mood for Halloween). I love the book references sprinkled throughout the story. I especially loved that my favorite childhood series was mentioned (other girls wanted to be Nancy Drew, I wanted to be Cherry Ames). I especially liked the window displays that Nora and Sheldon created. They are magical and unique. While I know the Women of Lasting Values is fictional, there are (unfortunately) groups like it in the real world who object to books for one reason or another. I like how this issue was addressed in the story. I did object to the foul language in the story. There is only a small amount, but I would rather it not be included. Nora and Jed have some romantic issues. I am not a fan of the Nora and Jed pairing. I would love to see Nora end up with Sheriff McGabe. I liked how close Nora and Grant became in this book (I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will become a couple). We did get to learn more about Nora’s past and meet an old friend. She was a great addition. Ink and Shadows can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in the other books in this intriguing cozy mystery series. Ink and Shadows is a clever cozy mystery with dazzling displays, bonanza of books, a disturbing death, a controlling collective, a pagan page, and fine friends.
lynguy1's review against another edition
4.0
Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams brings a fresh setting and engaging characters to this southern cozy mystery. An independent book store, Miracle Books, is owned by Nora Pennington. She’s known for her window displays and her ability to match customers with the perfect book. As Halloween approaches, she decides to showcase fictional heroines. A family values group disapproves of her choices and when she won’t remove the display, they target her business as well as a couple of other local businesses.
Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society book club try to end the discord, but soon Nora finds a dead body. Was it an accident, murder or suicide? Does it relate to the protests or is something else happening in the small town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina? Of course, Nora and her friends investigate.
Nora, as well as several of the other characters, are well developed, flawed, and complex. There’s also a lot of chemistry between Nora and Jed and between Nora and Sheriff Grant McCabe. However, romance is a very minor part of the story. The secondary characters provide additional interest and conflict.
Secrets, misunderstandings, difficult pasts, greed, family, friendship, tragedy, romance, and humor keep the story moving at a good clip. This novel isn’t super twisty, but had a few surprises along the way. A lot of loose ends were tied up at the end, but the reader has no clues to a couple of them other than through the reveal. I would have preferred some clues along the way. I enjoyed all of the literary references. How many of the books mentioned have you read? Additionally, the novel contains a list of books mentioned in the novel.
Overall, the novel was engrossing and entertaining. Each chapter starts with a quote. Which will be your favorite? This is the fourth book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel series and I am looking forward to reading the next one. However, I also want to go back and read the first three novels in the series.
I received a physical copy of this book from Kensington Books and the author in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 26, 2021.
Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society book club try to end the discord, but soon Nora finds a dead body. Was it an accident, murder or suicide? Does it relate to the protests or is something else happening in the small town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina? Of course, Nora and her friends investigate.
Nora, as well as several of the other characters, are well developed, flawed, and complex. There’s also a lot of chemistry between Nora and Jed and between Nora and Sheriff Grant McCabe. However, romance is a very minor part of the story. The secondary characters provide additional interest and conflict.
Secrets, misunderstandings, difficult pasts, greed, family, friendship, tragedy, romance, and humor keep the story moving at a good clip. This novel isn’t super twisty, but had a few surprises along the way. A lot of loose ends were tied up at the end, but the reader has no clues to a couple of them other than through the reveal. I would have preferred some clues along the way. I enjoyed all of the literary references. How many of the books mentioned have you read? Additionally, the novel contains a list of books mentioned in the novel.
Overall, the novel was engrossing and entertaining. Each chapter starts with a quote. Which will be your favorite? This is the fourth book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel series and I am looking forward to reading the next one. However, I also want to go back and read the first three novels in the series.
I received a physical copy of this book from Kensington Books and the author in a Goodreads Giveaway. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way. Publication date was January 26, 2021.
brianne_k's review against another edition
4.0
*4/5*
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Thoroughly enjoyed this one.
Spoiler
is this the start of a love triangle??birdybookwormleslie's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
4.0
raynac's review against another edition
2.0
Officially done with this series. It’s not getting any better. The main character is just annoying AF, her romance is dull, and this time, the added mischaracterization of all witches as malevolent spell casters with evil grimoires has done me in. I actually stuck through the whole book in the (vain) hope the author would turn that atrocious stereotype around. Sadly, I was wrong.
Goodbye Nora Pennington…. I will not miss you at all.
Goodbye Nora Pennington…. I will not miss you at all.
enticingtitles's review against another edition
5.0
This series is perfectly cozy with just enough mystery and PERFECT for book lovers! This 4th installment is just as good as the previous three. And with a release date in January, that gives you plenty of time to catch up on their earlier hijinks.
This time, Nora and the gals of the Secret, Book & Scone society have a face off with a family-values group that takes offense to Nora's latest beautiful window display. In addition to targeting Nora's bookstore, they also target the new CBD product store and a store run by a Native American. So they're basically classy people (she says sarcastically).
Nora knows how hard it is to start over and offers the new shop owner's daughter a helping hand. Then, the girl is found dead near Nora's house, there's a mysterious paper left under Nora's mat and once again, Nora is thrust into the middle of an investigation.
This time, Nora and the gals of the Secret, Book & Scone society have a face off with a family-values group that takes offense to Nora's latest beautiful window display. In addition to targeting Nora's bookstore, they also target the new CBD product store and a store run by a Native American. So they're basically classy people (she says sarcastically).
Nora knows how hard it is to start over and offers the new shop owner's daughter a helping hand. Then, the girl is found dead near Nora's house, there's a mysterious paper left under Nora's mat and once again, Nora is thrust into the middle of an investigation.
gamz's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
notartgarfunkel's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hanseah's review against another edition
5.0
A great mystery that plays out in a small southern town. Small businesses buzz with life as the tourists come through town and shop. Miracle Books attracts so many customers by detailed displays and an owner that can utilize bibliotherapy to help people connect with the written word. If you are a fan of mystery and truly love the written word then I recommend this wonderful title. I will be going back and reading the other three books in this series.