Book Review: The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams
This cosy mystery follows the rules of that genre but does so with enough charm that it’s sure to become many people’s favourite.The book sets up a series starring four women who have moved to Miracle Springs, a small North Carolina town which promises its residents and visitors peace along with physical and mental remedial treatment.
The women strike up a friendship when a man they’d all met, albeit briefly, is found dead. Deciding the man’s death is not a suicide but murder, they form the society of the title and work together to solve the case.
All women get to reveal their secrets which have drawn them to Miracle Springs, but Nora, the owner of Miracle Springs’s bookstore, is easily the most interesting and fully fleshed out of the four. Nora is scarred, inside and out, having being burnt in a car accident; the details of which are finally revealed towards the end of the book.
Like all cosy mystery heroines, Nora has a ‘special power’. No ridiculous paranormal skills though; Nora’s skill is choosing books as therapy for her customers. I really enjoyed this more unusual and realistic but heartwarming talent. In addition to the books Nora recommends, Adams adds many more literary references throughout the novel. Beware, you might end up adding way too many books to your TBR pile whilst reading.
The mystery/murder plot itself was okay, but I would complain that the villains of the piece were quite one-dimensional and stereotypical despite the one small twist at the end in this department. While speaking of the ending — it offers us a new mystery to tempt the reader into seeking out the next book in the series, just as you’d imagine it should.
There is also a touch of romance which I expect might be explored further in the subsequent books in the series.
All in all this was a strong debut of the characters and Miracle Springs. Recommended if you’re looking for an introduction to cosy mysteries and/or a new series.
4 out of 5
Advertisements Share this:
