The Secret, Book & Scone Society
By: Ellery Adams
Narrated by: Cris Dukehart
Series: The Secret, Book & Scone Society, Book 1
Length: 8 hrs and 31 mins
Release date: 11-03-17
Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
Genre: Amateur Sleuths, Cozy Mystery, Woman Sleuth
My Rating: 4.25 of 5.0 Overall; Story 4.25; Narration 4.25.
Publisher's Summary
Miracle Springs is a place of healing. Strangers flock there hoping that the natural hot springs, five-star cuisine, and renowned spa can cure their ills. And, if none of that works, they often find their way to Miracle Books, where, over a fresh-baked scone from the Gingerbread House bakery, 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 and lighten their heaviest burden.
But when a visiting businessman reaches out to Nora for guidance, he's found dead on the train tracks before he can keep their appointment. Determined to uncover the truth behind the businessman's demise, Nora forms the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, and, as the society works to untangle the web of corruption surrounding the murder, they also discover their own courage, purpose, and a sisterhood that will carry them through every challenge.
©2017 Ellery Adams (P)2017 Dreamscape Media, LLC
Review:
Nora Pennington is the owner of Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, a town known for resting and healing. The bookstore is in the old train station and her tiny home is a former caboose. Nora has a special talent for getting patrons to share their stories while she picks just the right books for their situation. She has become known as a local “bibliotherapist”. She isn’t trained in psychology, but she is well trained in observation and empathy, especially after experiencing a traumatic event in her own past that left her emotionally and physically scarred. Although she welcomes sharing stories in exchange for book ‘therapy’, Nora tends to remain on her own with books as her best friends.
Nora has just met a visiting businessman and is anticipating his visit to the bookshop. Instead, the man is found dead, having been pushed onto the train tracks. At first Nora is afraid the police department will treat the incident as a suicide. Then she is concerned when they arrest a local woman.
Nora soon gathers several other local shop owners or employees into a group they name ‘Secret, Book and Scone Society’. Hester runs a bakery across the street and makes "comfort scones," that fit the customers. Estella is a trashy hair stylist, with a blatant tendency to flirt. June works at the hot springs hotel where tourists are attracted. These women are initially a loose group willing to help investigate and solve the murder. Along the way they agree to share their own secrets and solidify their friendship.
The women get some help from other locals. One is a nice paramedic who, to her surprise, seems to be interested in Nora. Another it a town deputy who is involved in the case but is willing to listen to the conjectures of Hester and the other ladies. Finally, there is a bartender who expresses great affection for Estella.
I enjoyed the characters and their unique ‘abilities’ which might be a bit magical, or just insightful and led by experience. The mystery winds around with greed and corruption and one of the evil does stands out pretty quickly, while another appears in a twist. I enjoyed the mystery and plan to read more in the series. I recommend this to fans of cozy mysteries and small town settings.
Audio Notes: I enjoyed the narration by Cris Dukehart. The voices are sufficiently clear and distinct for each character. The audio enhanced my enjoyment of the story.
Source: 5/6/18 Audible Daily Deal $2.95. This qualifies for 2022TBR and 2022Audiobook goals.
