Reviews

The Secret, Book & Scone Society by Ellery Adams

teas_tales_toebeans's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious fast-paced

4.0

anigoose's review against another edition

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2.0

read for distraction 

didn’t care for the disability narrative it felt very hallmark and like the author is not disabled themselves nor do they know anyone who is. 

abutler's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted mysterious fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

martinhope19's review against another edition

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4.0

Audiobook. This mystery was adorable. Just the right amount of friendship, literary references, and solving crime. I’m pretty sure I’ll end up continuing onto book two!

missyjohnson's review against another edition

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3.0

Ho Hum, really simple somewhat juvenile book. Kind of like a poor Hallmark movie. Four women living in a small town have different “secrets” that make them feel that they are outcasts. The murder of a stranger brings them together and they decide to form a club and trust each other with their secrets. Book store owner, baker, hairdresser, resort spa employee. Good looking EMT and deputy that fall in love with a couple of them.

theavidreaderandbibliophile's review against another edition

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4.0

The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams is the first book in Miracle Springs, North Carolina series. Nora Pennington owns Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. The town is known to be a place of healing and Nora is known locally as a bibliotherapist. A man in the park wishes Nora‘s help, so she suggests that he pick up a comfort scone from Gingerbread House and come to her shop. Before he can get to Nora for assistance, Neil Parrish is found dead on the train tracks. When the police rule it a suicide, Nora along with Estella, June and Hester form The Secret, Book and Scone Society. Their purpose is get the truth about the man’s demise. They delve into Neil’s life to uncover what could have gotten him killed. They knew he came to town ahead of his partner’s and he was wrestling with a problem. When the four ladies meet to discuss what they have uncovered, each member of the group reveals the secret that brought them to Miracle Springs. These four women band together to get justice for one man and find themselves embroiled in a corruption scandal. The best thing to come out of this is four lone woman find friendship, love and acceptance.

The Secret, Book and Scone Society is well-written and engaging. My attention was captured right away with Nora’s description. I found the four main characters to be personable yet flawed from life’s tragedy. They were fleshed out and given life—very realistic. Each one is unique. There are also some characters (namely Sheriff Todd Hendricks) that readers will really dislike and wish to maim. I did not like how the police treated women in this book (I know it was part of the story, but it was offensive). I liked the description of the town, the Gingerbread House, Nora’s home (it is in a red train caboose) and, most especially, Miracle Books. My rating for The Secret, Book and Scone Society is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it). The book contained more cozy elements than mystery. I was hoping for a more complex whodunit (like is Ms. Adams Murder in the Mystery Suite). I did like the authors use of misdirection in this book.

ginka's review against another edition

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medium-paced

3.0

megan451128's review against another edition

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mysterious medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

tessa3768's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious 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

frankie7toes's review against another edition

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I was just aggressively uninterested. Neither the writing nor the story called my interest.