Ink and Shadows (Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4) by Ellery Adams

 

Ink and Shadows

(Secret, Book, & Scone Society #4)

by Ellery Adams

Hardcover, 304 pages

Published January 26th 2021 by Kensington

Goodreads synopsis: 

Controversy erupts in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, when the owner of the local bookstore tries to play peacekeeper—but winds up playing detective instead...

Nora Pennington is known for her window displays, and as Halloween approaches, she decides to showcase fictional heroines like Roald Dahl’s Matilda and Madeline Miller’s Circe. A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes, though, and wastes no time launching a modern-day witch hunt. Suddenly, former friends and customers are targeting not only Nora and Miracle Books, but a new shopkeeper, Celeste, who’s been selling CBD oil products.

Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are doing their best to put an end to the strife—but then someone puts an end to a life. Though the death is declared an accident, the ruling can’t explain the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora’s doormat, a postcard from an anonymous stalker, or multiple cases of vandalism.

The only hope is that Nora can be a heroine herself and lead the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in a successful investigation—before more bodies turn up and the secrets from Celeste’s past come back to haunt them all . . .

***

4.5 stars

This is the fourth book in the Kendra Michaels series by Iris & Roy Johansen.

Nora and her fellow shop cronies have seriously ticked off some vocal church people and are getting their shops banned for local foot traffic as a result. Then one of her customers ends up dead and it is up to Nora and her friends to figure out whodunit.

I couldn’t decide who the love interest was. First it was Jed, then the Sheriff and then back again. It was like watching a relationship ping pong match. I couldn’t connect with Jed and having a sheriff as a boyfriend could only assist in her sleuthing abilities, so that is my pick. Team Sheriff.

I liked the mix of bookstore and murder mystery. It really goes together well.

I am really enjoying Ellery Adam’s books and this one has hooked me for sure! I definitely need to read this from the beginning! Looking forward to another marathon in the near future!

Loved so much about it. If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

I received this as an ARC (Advanced Reader Copy) in return for an honest review. I thank NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me to read this title.