The Whispered Word features a fantastic mystery and was a fun read from start to finish.

Nora Pennington, owner of Miracle Books, as well as the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society know that sometimes people need a bit of help every now and then. Such is the case when a thin girl covered in bruises is found hiding in Nora’s bookstore. Though Nora and her friends offer their assistance, Abilene is reluctant to share her secrets. After a local woman is found dead and signs point to Abilene having contact with the woman, Nora is determined to investigate.

The mystery in this book was much better than the first book in the series which was a relief as I was disappointed with the mystery in the first book. Abilene’s story was fascinating and I was curious to see how she would end up being connected to the woman found dead. The connection was surprising and led to us learning some interesting things about Abilene’s past. The introduction of the auction business added a surprising element that led to some intriguing developments towards the end of the book.

I continue to really enjoy the friendship between Nora, Hester, June, and Estella. Their bond is wonderful and I was happy to see them grow even closer in this book. Despite their closeness, there is a bit of tension in the friendship after Abilene is introduced as they don’t all agree on how they should handle her secret past and her connection to the dead woman. My only complaint was the blind trust one of the women had for Abilene and how she refused to see reason. Once you find out why she behaved that way it made sense but that didn’t stop me from being annoyed.

I definitely enjoyed The Whispered Word more than I did the first book in the series and I’m excited to see where the author takes these characters next.

The Whispered Word is the second book in A Secret, Book, And Scone Society Novel series.

One evening as Nora and the members of the Secret, Book, And Scone Society are helping Nora to close the bookstore for the night they notice a very thin young lady with ill-fitting clothes, visible bruises and hospital braces hiding between some bookshelves. The young lady isn’t willing to share much except that her name is Abilene Tyler. The ladies of the Society know that this young person, but with no idea what her problem is, they stymied as to how to help. Finally, Nora agrees to let Abilene spend the night in the storeroom, hoping that Abilene will be willing to share more with her. When Nora arrives the next morning, Abilene still isn’t willing to share anything about her life. Nora and the others of the Society certainly understand as they all have secrets of their own that they had been reluctant to share. After a few days and very little headway with Abilene, Hester agrees to try Abilene at her bakery and soon finds that she is very adept at baking and added some very good item to Hester’s menu. About this time Griffin Kingsley opens Virtual Genie and there is a small apartment above the shop. Hester is able to convince Kingsley to rent the apartment to Abilene and offset a portion of the rent for Abilene working at the Virtual Genie.
Also going on in Miracle Springs is the Society has decided to put together Secret Kindness tote bags which will have items that will help them deal with the tough economic times many of the residents are experiencing. As they about to deliver their first package to Amanda Fyre, Nora notices a small pond off to the side and what appears to be a body floating in the pond, which turns out to be Amanda Fyre. They find the front door unlocked and enter to call the police. The police feel that they are looking at a suicide based on a note left on the kitchen counter, but Nora sees other clues that point to it being murder. A couple of days later Kenneth Frye, Amanda’s son arrives in town and wants to have a couple of books appraised, but Nora knows that Amanda’s doesn’t leave the books to him. She wonders how he got them, but soon he ends up dead under suspicious circumstances.

Nora had her doubts that Abilene is involved, but still, there are clues that can’t be ignored. As more information is found Nora and the other Society members go undercover to provide a very exciting ending.

Once again Ellery Adams provides a well-written and plotted story with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing until the end.

Miracle Spring is a beautiful small community with wonderful and believable residents. The relationship between Nora and Jed continues to bloom and Jed is finally able to discuss his secrets, that he has been uncomfortable to talk about.

I love this series and am anxiously awaiting the next book in this exciting series.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. I loved the first book but felt book 2 just didn't have the excitement that the first one had. I had trouble getting into the book because I felt like it was not as interesting as the first book. Ellery Adams is a fantastic author but this book just did not make the grade for me. Hopefully you will enjoy it more.

I love this book. The comradery of the group of women and how they take up for Abilene is wonderful. This book is full of strong, courageous women who look after each other. I felt very touched by their stories. This is a wonderful book. #TheWhisperedWord #NetGalley

There's something so comfortable about this new series from author Ellery Adams (this is the second Secret, Book, and Scone Society book) that it made me want to savor and prolong the reading of the book as long as I could at the same time I was rapidly flipping pages because the story kept me on the edge of my seat.
Another lost soul has found her way to Miracle Springs, and Nora believes she is somehow connected to one of her customers who was found dead by presumed suicide, but which Nora believes was actually murder. Newcomer Abilene is skittish, scared, and very mum about her past, and the ladies take her under their collective wing and allow her to heal and encourage her to share her secrets when the time is right. The Whispered Word is a wonderful story, expertly told, and I'm so very glad that I read it. A+

Ellery Adams does it again with another carefully crafted cozy. There is so much deliberate and delicate storytelling in this book and she addresses trauma in such a respectful way. I can’t sing Adams’ praises high enough. If you prefer cozies with more depth and world building than is typically found, you’ll adore this series.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. I was not paid for this review.

A well -written and thought-provoking cozy mystery. This is the second book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series and an enjoyable read. The setting, Nora's bookstore, gives you all the fuzzy and warm feelings that you expect from the cozy mystery genre.
Personally, I would categorise it as a mix of women's fiction and a cozy murder mystery with more emphasis on the "heavy" than on the "light" side as it deals with some issues of abuse and neglect.
I liked the character development and the growing relationships and friendship of the four friends. I was intrigued and I thoroughly enjoyed the notion of "psychotherapy through books" that the author describes when she makes recommendations to her clients. I sure made some notes of the books myself!

The Whispered Word feels less murder mystery and more the story of women recovering from abuse. Both the main character, Nora, and the girl she meets, Abilene have both been abused. Nora was cheated on while Abilene was raised by an uncle who apparently hated human interaction. This had a profound effect on her psyche and I liked how the book dealt with it.

A lot of The Whispered Word revolves around these two women learning how to trust and how to open up to others. At the same time, they're also portrayed as human beings who can make mistakes and who learn from them. Throughout the course of the novel, Nora does do some things which alienates her friends and she owns up to it, she apologizes. She shows a lot of character growth and I really liked the fact that women's relationships and friendships is so central and important in the book.

Yes, I feel like the mystery part could be more. I do feel like the author kept a lot of clues and that there could be more of it. However, I also understand that the mystery is very intertwined with the characters and their own stories.

The Whispered Word is kind of quiet, really. A murder mystery set in a spa town. I did like the other things going on though- like the book-based therapy Nora advocates.

Overall, I'd say I liked the character relationships better than the actual mystery, although I did like how books were so central to the mystery.

Thank you Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC.

How I would love to visit Miracle Books with its purple chairs, writer inspired beverages, delicious book pastries and pretty shelf enhancers. Oh yes, it's the ultimate hangout for booklovers.
It is also where the four ladyfriends of the The Secrets, Books and Scones Society gather to solve everyday mysteries and share a snack or two. Their next case arrives one day in a hospital dress, a young girl hiding among the books. Who is this girl, where does she come from, why doesn't she talk?
And what about the two deaths that upset the calm of Miracle Springs, are they accidents or related to the girl?
This cosy murder mystery is a gem, filled with interesting characters, set in gorgeous surroundings, moving at great pace. I couldn't put it down.
I also loved the opening quote at each chapter and all the title recommendations in between.

"In the company of a thousand stories, of a thousand voices, she felt at peace."

Wow! Take that for a comfort scone!

Once again, Ellery Adams applies her exceptional writing skills to tell the story of the Secret, Book & Scone Society and the group’s determination to help a lost and abused young woman who stumbles into Miracle Springs, NC.

Working to help the young woman, who finally says her name is Abilene Tyler, the four friends, Nora, Hester, June and Estella, who make up the Society are also preparing Secret Kindness tote bags to distribute. During their first delivery they find Amanda Frye drowned in the pond in her yard.

When Amanda’s death turns out to be murder, the four now face two challenges: find out who Abilene is and where she comes from; and who killed Amanda Frye.

What makes this series so special is the way Ms. Adams uses the cozy mystery genre as a foundation upon which she creates richly developed characters and complex relationships. The mystery is an integral piece of the story, but the story deepens as she delves into her characters’ feelings and experiences. The mystery is well plotted and engaging. The real magic is the sensitive portraits Ms. Adams draws so well with her words. Not only is the book hard to put down, the writing evokes strong emotions.

The Whispered Word is an okay mystery book. It's the second book in the series. I loved the first book a lot, but I found this one kind of tedious to get through. To be honest, I find it very difficult to like Nora. She's very abrasive and judgmental of others. Where the first book was very uplifting and encouraging, this one was more dismal and boring. The mystery itself was very easy to figure out, so I couldn't even enjoy the challenge of figuring out who the killer was. I likely won't read the next one in this series.

Note: I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of this book through Netgalley in exchange for my fair and honest review.

This series just touches my soul. The way the author describes the troubles, secrets, and traits of the characters makes them the forefront, almost instead of the actual mystery. I feel like I know these characters, as if they are real. The story itself was full of twists and turns, and I was enthralled from the first page until the end. This is definitely a unique story, a unique series and I hope there is many more to come.

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams takes place in the imaginary, small North Carolina town of Miracle Springs, a place where people come for healing of mind, body, and spirit. The central characters are Nora, Hester, June and Estella who together form the Secret, Books, and Scone Society. As the story opens, Nora discovers a young woman who says her name is Abilene, hiding in her bookstore.
The book manages to convey a sense of mystic and healing that makes the town a desirable place for tourists who are seeking healing waters at the local springs or solace and renewal within the retail spaces throughout the area. Nora’s bookstore is one of the central destinations for visitors, where she offers what she calls bibliotherapy for those in need. Likewise, Hester offers baked goods with healing properties and June is connected to the local hot springs. All four women have secrets of their own that have brought them together to form a friendship and society focused on supporting each other and helping those around them in need.
Abilene’s appearance is a complete mystery, as she shows up in clothes that are clearly not her own, wearing a hospital bracelet and refusing to talk to Nora or her friends. She demonstrates hidden skills in designing a beautiful window display overnight and in baking some unexpected, delicious treats in Hester’s bakery. Still, most of the women’s questions about Abilene go unanswered as other mysteries develop, such as was the woman in the pond a victim of suicide or murder, what does she have to do with Abilene, who are the new business owners who’ve moved in to offer consignment selling to the town’s residents who have recently experienced financial hardships, and how are they connected to the dead woman’s son.
This is the second book in the series and initially it felt as thought I was trying to play catch up in terms of the backstory for the four central characters. As the book progresses, some of Nora’s past and the reasons for her disfiguring burns are revealed as are some details for Hester and Estella. It is unclear if this information was more fully revealed in the first of the series. While the mystery itself is completely self-contained and does not require having read the first book in the series, at first there was a feeling of a few missing details. As the book continued, this became less important and the current mystery and its resolution became the central focus of the novel.
The book was well paced and provided an intriguing description of a town that beckons you to at least visit, if not consider moving there. Adams has created an atmosphere that conveys a sense of place that would provide soothing and peace, even in the midst of struggle and pain. The three friends are central to this feeling as they seek to heal wounds to the townspeople through anonymous gifts left on doorsteps in the evening along with the books from Nora’s shop, delicious treats that delight the taste buds from Hester’s bakery.
There are multiple threads throughout the novel that tie together into one cohesive story. These are well placed and serve to pull the reader through the book at a good pace and at the same time fit together smoothly to form a complex tale.
The conclusion of the book is thoroughly satisfying. I was intrigued enough to want to read the initial book in the series as well as being interested in following any future adventures of the Secret, Books, and Scones Society. There were ample opportunities to solve the mystery itself, if you weren’t so lost in the tale you just went along for the ride, as well as a nice, if somewhat predictable twist at the end. Overall, this is a series I would recommend to anyone who is looking for a new cozy series.
My thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Books for supplying an advanced digital copy with no requirement for a positive review. The opinions stated here are entirely my own.

I received free copies of this book both on netgalley and directly from the author. Thanks to both for the chance to read early!

I knew I was excited to revisit Miracle Springs, but Whispered Word exceeded expectations. Characters both new and old brought intriguing depth to the story. I couldn’t pin down the bad guy right away. Less temptation to bake while reading this one, but the mystery definitely impressed.

This book was both thought provoking and intriguing. A seemingly innocuous cozy mystery takes a back seat to character development; characters who have dark pasts but brighter futures.

I took the time to linger over every wood and enjoy reading as such as Nora would want me to. Although I don't think books have quite the healing powers described in the book, they are still a highlight of my day.

I would read more books from this author.

There is an intensity about this series by Ellery Adams that launches it beyond a traditional cozy mystery. Four women are bonded together by desperate secrets, all united in their support of a young stranger named Abilene who lands in Nora's book shop. The tension is unrelenting. I appreciated the development of Nora's character and the progress of her romantic relationship. I am just so intrigued by the Secret, Book & Scone Society, and hope there are many more.

In The Whispered Word we get to learn more about Nora, Estella, June and Hester, the four women first introduced in The Secret, Book, & Scone Society. The Whispered Word sets the scene right from the start. A new store, which is basically a glorified pawn shop, opens in the town of Miracle Springs. Then a young woman, Abilene, mysteriously appears in Nora's bookstore, burdened with her own secrets. Shortly after Abilene's arrival, a woman is found dead. This is followed by other strange events which draw the attention of Nora and her friends. Together the four of them face danger and threats to their lives as they strive to figure out who's responsible for the nefarious actions going on in Miracle Springs. There are plenty of red herrings and twists in the narrative, all of which kept my attention throughout. Romance and occasional humorous situations provide a break from the women's more serious sleuthing.

This series presents mysteries that are being solved not just by local law enforcement but also by the women of the Secret, Book, & Scone Society who seek solutions on their own. The women in these novels are all strong, resilient, and determined to get to the bottom of things. Their methods of snooping around are unique to their different personalities. Individually they are constantly trying to figure things out but together they are a force to be reckoned with.

I hope that there are many more novels in this series. I look forward to reading more of the adventures of Nora, Estella, June and Hester and the people of Miracle Springs.

Nora owns a book store and likes to be on her own unfortunately fate has other plans. She finds her store becoming the home of a scared young lady. What is she hiding and who is she hiding from? An awful surprise is sin store for the residence of the town though. Will it be solved or is it what it appeared to be? Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this and write about it.

This is another great book in the Secret, Book & Scone Society Series. You could start the series with this book, but I suggest reading Book 1 to fully appreciate the depth of the flawed but likable characters. The mystery was well crafterd and the setting, Miracle Springs, sounds lovely. I wish I could visit!

What a great cozy series! I felt kindred spirits with the members of the Secret, Book and Scone Society members. Each member has her secrets, yet each member is there for each other to help and aid as needed. It makes a visit to Miracle Springs a pleasure.

When book store owner Nora Pennington finds herself helping a young woman who seems to be running from her own secrets, the other members of the society step up and take her under their wing. With three murders in the small town, Nora has to wonder if the young girl’s secrets are worth killing over. But is it Abilene or someone else that is guilty of murder? The society ladies will find out and protect their newest young member, keeping her secrets and taking care of her as best they can.

I truly enjoyed this book and have added this series to my favorites. Of course the author is a favorite of mine as well.