My rating: 5 of 5 stars, I LOVED it!

Book 3 in the series.

This is my favorite of the series so far! I loved the ladies of the Secret, Book & Scone Society, but I think adding Sheldon to the mix is wonderful. I absolutely adore him and his attitude even in the face of debilitating chronic pain. Even when he's "cranky," he's likable and easy to relate to. As in the previous books, Nora and her friends, are well fleshed out and interesting. They each have secrets and emotions and aren't always likable or smart because of that, just like real people.

I loved the touch of Native American folklore, and the storyline moved quickly. I devoured the book in one night, not wanting to put it down. I hope this series continues for many more books!

Princess Fuzzypants here: In Miracle Falls four broken women with dark secrets become close friends and solve crimes. The almost constant deluge of rain over days has swollen the river and turned the town into a soggy quagmire stranding several lost souls whom the new inn keepers welcome into their soon to be opened B & B. The ladies embrace the newcomers especially one older gent. He is a gift to Nora as she needs to hire help and she could not have found a more ideal candidate.
As the B & B ladies sort through things that they find in the building, there are diaries written around the Civil War. Nora tries to help them put the diary into perspective only to discover there are family secrets that will shake many to the core. But what do these secrets have to do with the drowning of a local Cherokee artist whose pottery is gaining in value. Could it be his death was not an accident and there is someone with nefarious objectives for which they are willing to kill?
This is a great story that spans a century and a half that deals with matters of race, family and loyalty. The characters are all the more endearing and fascinating for their flaws and sad backstories. It’s a good story with a definite twists.
Four purrs and two paws up.

This is the third book in the series but was the first book that I read and I never felt disadvantaged as a first-time series reader.

The Book of Candlelight is a classic cozy without being overly sweet or pun-laden, while also having characters who swear, make mistakes, have sex - they feel real.

An easy to read mystery full of strong female characters and lots of progressive values - I enjoyed it a lot and am definitely going to read the first two books so I'm all caught up on the lives and shenanigans of the members of the Secret, Book & Scone Society.

Many thanks to Ellery Adams, Netgalley, and Kensington Books for providing me with an advance copy in exchange for my thoughts, and also for reigniting my dream of owning a bookstore.

First in this series that I have read was drawn in to the mystery quickly. Nora , owner of Miracle Books finds two dead bodies, Danny and Micah. Nora and the woman in the Secret Books & Scone Society have grown close through shared secrets. Danny is tied to a long ago love affair and Micah murdered is to cover up Danny’s murderers. The Secret Book Scone Society is targeted by a mysterious man that is June’s long lost son. Nora and her friends figure out the connection between the Inn of Mist and Roses and the murders. Community and friendship are what saves more people from coming to harm. The killers are out for money which in all reality they would never receive even though the connection to the Inn of Mist & Roses is factual.

Rain, rain go away – come again some other day is a song we sang as kids. Now with the rain unceasing in Miracle Springs NC, Nora Pennington, owner of the local bookstore, finds that her means of transportation (a bicycle) is less than accommodating as she sets off to the local flea market in search of “goodies” to feature on her shelves of her shop along with the books. At one of the booths meets a local Indian artisan named Danny who turns up dead the following day via an “accidental drowning”. Nora senses there is something more to the death and this, of course, sets the scene for the story.

Along with Nora’s friends at the Secret Book and Scone Society (most with pasts they’d rather forget and secrets they share only with their tight little group) we are introduced to an assortment of local shoppers and business owners as well as visitors to the area. My favorite character is Nora’s newest acquaintance Sheldon, a multi-talented visitor staying at the local Inn of Mist and Roses who jumps into the fray of Nora’s tumultuous life, lending a helping hand and quickly becoming Nora’s employee, friend and ministering angel.

With multiple murders, an abundance of suspects and a dab of the paranormal thrown in for good measure, secrets from the past and present merge to produce a clever and well plotted narrative with characters whose lives have traveled far rockier paths than those found in the average cozy.

The Book of Candlelight: A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mystery
By Ellery Adams
Kensington Books
January 2020

Review by Cynthia Chow

After North Carolina’s heavy April rains drive a deluge of customers into Miracle Books for warmth and even more comforting reads, Nora Pennington decides to venture out to restock her supply of popular shelf enhancers. The striking bowls Nora finds at the tobacco barn flea market are irresistible, and she finds them as memorable as their creator “Cherokee Danny.” So when Nora stumbles into Danny Amo-adawehi’s body in the river near his home, she’s devastated for what the loss means both to the art world and his wife. Having discovered a talent for using “bibliotheraphy” to ease the pain of her customers through books, Nora is unable to ignore the despair she sees in the eyes of Danny’s widow. While evidence indicates that he drowned either by accident or suicide, further attacks and acts of violence lead Nora to conclude otherwise.

Their sorrow resulting from “shameful” secrets is what first united Nora with her friends Hester Winthrop, June Dixon, and Estella Sadler. Together they are learning to move past their perceived shame, which for Nora she wears as a banner in the form of burn scars on her hands. Welcomed in flawlessly to this Secret, Book, and Scone Society is Sheldon Silverstein Vega, whose abundance of joy and creativity hides bouts of debilitating chronic pain. As they are menaced by a figure from one of their pasts and Nora continues to redefine her relationship with a man she feels she doesn’t deserve, the bond between the women grows as they continue to open up about the secrets they have shared only with one another.

I absolutely adore the women of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society, who counsel one another as they face each new challenge. Estella is finding that her brash exterior scares away clients from her salon, Hester is fearful that her boyfriend will never accept her true imperfect self, and June’s estranged relationship with her son haunts her. Sheldon is the perfect addition to their supportive group, as his clever wit and genius with book displays is sometimes shadowed by the pain that turns him into a cranky hermit. The appeal of bibliotheraphy is undeniable, whether when used to ease tensions between a father and rebellious daughter or counsel a young widow. While one may wish that all of life’s answers could be found in between the pages, who hasn’t sought comfort and solace in a cherished book at some point in their lives? One never feels lectured to as readers are gracefully and entertainingly educated about banned books, are presented with a historical diary, or are gifted with a clever Cherokee tale. The vulnerable yet strong residents of Miracle Springs will keep readers coming back for more as their trust grows as strong as Nora’s love of books.

THE BOOK OF CANDLELIGHT by Ellery Adams is another mystery story in a series that features four strong women (a bookshop owner and bibliotherapist, a baker, a salon owner, and a local spa employee) who formed the Secret, Book, and Scone Society and who rely on each other for support in the face of financial and personal problems. They live in Miracle Springs, North Carolina and are active community members, stepping up to offer solace to Marie, whose husband Danny (a Cherokee potter) has drowned in questionable circumstances. I eagerly anticipated this newest installment, but found that THE BOOK OF CANDLELIGHT seemed to "drag" a bit in the middle, before offering perspective on the impact of prejudices, both past and present. Like others in this series, there are plenty of references to reading and book titles and appeal for cozy fans so do look for Adams' work, particularly if you prefer a less violent mystery set in a small town.
3.5 stars

Wonderful addition to Ellery Adams's cozy mystery series. Miracle Springs is such a feel good place where all the characters have their own flaws and things to overcome. My favorite part of this series, besides the wonderful, relatable characters, is the book lists that Nora, a bibliotherapist recommends to her customers. The Secret, Book and Scone Society must solve a questionable death when a body is found new the river. The intriguing mystery in combination of the best setting, interesting characters that you care about, and such wonderful dialogue makes this a great addition to the series.

This was a little edgier than my usual cozy choices. I had not read the previous book but did not feel that I was out of the loop and in fact it looked like at least one new main character was added as well as a few side characters. I liked how it wove a forgotten history into the modern mystery. The addition of Cherokee lore as part of the story makes it stand out as well. I would absolutely LOVE to see a bookstore set up like Nora's Miracle Books complete with train car effect and with similar staff. I have always used the world of cozy fiction to brighten my day or relax after a bit of stress, so I can see how of bibliotherapy would be a viable and remarkable talent. Nora has a great depth of character and chances are that I will search out the earlier book to get her whole back story. She seems very "girl power" and her book club friends are like family, while at the same time she doesn't discount Jed's attention and efforts but shows a vulnerable side that has doubts. Without giving away too much I will say that several poignant topics are approached from honesty, hate (and not the way you might think), to greed, the stigma of having a debilitating autoimmune issue that flairs and subsidies, as well as redemption, and hope. The Reader's Guide at the back of the book makes this a great choice for any book club. My only request would be that the recipe for the Comfort Scones and the book pockets be included in the next edition.

In the new Secret, Book, and Scone Society novel from New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams, the rain in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, has been relentless—and a flood of trouble is about to be unleashed . . .

As the owner of Miracle Books, Nora Pennington figures all the wet weather this spring is at least good for business. The local inns are packed with stranded travelers, and among them Nora finds both new customers and a new friend, the sixtysomething Sheldon, who starts helping out at the store.

Since a little rain never hurt anyone, Nora rides her bike over to the flea market one sodden day and buys a bowl from Danny, a Cherokee potter. It’ll make a great present for Nora’s EMT boyfriend, but the next day, a little rain turns into a lot of rain, and the Miracle River overflows it banks. Amid the wreckage of a collapsed footbridge, Danny's body lies within the churning water.

Nora and the sheriff both doubt the ruling of accidental drowning, and Nora decides it’s time for the Secret, Book, and Scone Society to spring into action. When another body turns up, it becomes clearer that Danny’s death can’t be blamed on a natural disaster. A crucial clue may lie within the stone walls of the Inn of Mist and Roses: a diary, over a century old and spattered with candle wax, that leads Nora and her friends through a maze of intrigue—and onto the trail of a murderer . . .

This is the third book in the series, and as I hadn't read the previous two, I struggled for a little while separating out Nora's female friends. But once I had, I enjoyed this thoroughly. It's another cozy mystery with a bookshop at the centre of it, which is fast becoming one of my favourite set-ups. There was plenty of mystery here, too, in addition to the central crime, and one twist that I didn't see coming at all, but which was very satisfying. This is a feel-good read with enough genuine emotion to keep it from feeling superficial. If you're a fan of cozy mysteries, I recommend it.

Description
As the owner of Miracle Books, Nora Pennington figures all the wet weather this spring is at least good for business. The local inns are packed with stranded travelers, and among them Nora finds both new customers and a new friend, the sixty-something Sheldon, who starts helping out at the store.

Since a little rain never hurt anyone, Nora rides her bike over to the flea market one sodden day and buys a bowl from Danny, a Cherokee potter. It’ll make a great present for Nora’s EMT boyfriend, but the next day, a little rain turns into a lot of rain, and the Miracle River overflows it banks. Amid the wreckage of a collapsed footbridge, Danny's body lies within the churning water.

Nora and the sheriff both doubt the ruling of accidental drowning, and Nora decides it’s time for the Secret, Book, and Scone Society to spring into action. When another body turns up, it becomes clearer that Danny’s death can’t be blamed on a natural disaster. A crucial clue may lie within the stone walls of the Inn of Mist and Roses: a diary, over a century old and spattered with candle wax, that leads Nora and her friends through a maze of intrigue—and onto the trail of a murderer . . .

My Review
Book 3 - The Book of Candlelight has all of the ingredients necessary for a winner!

The novel starts off with Nor not realizing how much rain can change someone's life. A whole week of rain brought customers to her bookstore, Miracle Books. Her stock almost all gone Nora decides to visit the flea market to re-stock. Buying a beautiful bowl from one of the vendors as a gift to her boyfriend turns out to be very interesting.

The next day as the floods cause the wreckage of a footpath it reveals the dead body of that vendor that sold Nora the bowl. Not being able to let it go, she investigates and tries to get to the bottom of what really happened to him. Is Danny's death an accident or murder?

This ARC was provided in exchange for my honest opinion, thank you.
It was a great cozy mystery with twists and turns and just the right ingredients for a great read.

I give this a 5 Star!

This is the third book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. I read the first two of the series and anxiously awaited the third. It didn’t disappoint. The ladies of a certain age: Nora, Hester, June and Estella continue to evolve throughout the series. Each has a talent for helping each other and people in need using their own special gift. Sheldon Vega joins the series in this book. He is a leprechaun (I can’t think of a better description) like man with special talents of his own: charisma, empathy and magical ideas for problem solving. He stole my heart and hope he will steal yours as well.

I really like this series, and especially this one. The characters are complex and the plots unusual. The humor is often subtle, but in this book Nora riding her “flower power” scooter cracked me up. I can just see this normally reclusive lady on her scooter.

I am giving it five stars because I can’t think of anything to improve it. It is perfect just the way it is.

Dollycas’s Thoughts

Secret, Book, and Scone Society Members

Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, tries to heal people woes with a unique set of books she personally selects for them.

Hester runs the Gingerbread House bakery. Customers tell her a little bit about their lives and what brought them to Miracle Springs. Then she bakes them up a “comfort scone”.

June works at the hot springs spa where people come to rejuvenate themselves.

Estella is a beautician who tries to help her clients find their true selves.

The rain keeps falling in Miracle Springs and it is putting a damper on everything, but customers are searching for refuge in the shops, like Miracle Books.

Nora tries to keep up with her errands but the weather sure isn’t conducive to someone with only a bicycle to get her around. I really have to give Nora props through. She dons her rain gear and heads to the local flea market to purchase shelf enhancers. The current crush of buyers is clearing them as well as books from her shelves. There she meets Cherokee Danny, a phenomenal potter and snaps up a bowl that will make a fine present for her boyfriend. She also fills her backpack with a few shelf enhancers too. Sadly she takes a tumble on the way home and the bowl gets chipped. She heads back to the flea market the next day but the potter is absent. On her way home, she travels near a footbridge that has collapsed due to the heavy rains. She peers over the side and finds the missing potter among the footbridge wreckage.

Accident or murder? The Secret, Book, and Scone Society decides to find out. When another body is found there is no doubt the deaths are connected and definitely not accidental. Then an interesting clue is found in a surprising place and the Society steps up their game to solve the mystery before any more bodies spring up.

____

The woman of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society all have their own strengths and come together not only to support each other but to help others too. Ms. Adams has given these women so much depth while allowing the room to grow not only within the book but over the series. They are flawed and realistic. Their friendship and compassion are things to envy. Readers, like me, quickly get invested in their lives and cheer and hope their trials can be conquered. The way they take on trying to find a killer at that same time just shows all the strengths.

I do have to mention a new character, Sheldon Silverstein Vega. He just kinda popped up in this story and stole my heart. He has his own trials, rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia, but he is a jovial man and a perfect addition to this series. I hope we see much more of him in future stories.

In The Book of Candlelight, Native American lore plays a huge part and part of that folklore has become part of my everyday life not knowing where it originated. Cardinals have always been my favorite bird and that is quite evident to anyone looking around our home. I have collected prints, plates, figurines, magnets, etc. my entire adult life. We even had a live pair nest in a tree in the backyard of one of our homes and we have always put out seed to welcome them to our yard wherever that may be. When my son died I was told that the red cardinal is believed to bring messages from our loved one in the spirit world, so I always watch for them. Now I know that belief came from Native American folklore.

The red bird is very important to potter, Cherokee Danny and it plays a significant part in finding his killer. The clues are placed liberally throughout the book but there are also many red herrings too. Like Nora and her friends, I was spinning my wheels for most of the story. There are many events that need to fit into a theory and it wasn’t until an important clue is revealed that things started to fall into place. I really enjoyed the way the author plotted this story in a way that kept me guessing until the very end. Her vivid descriptions really brought the people, times, and places to life.

I loved everything about The Book of Candlelight. Engaging characters and a marvelous mystery. I was anxious to get to the end to find out the guilty party but at the same time didn’t want the story to end. Even with the rain Miracle Springs, North Carolina is a fantastic place to visit.

This is the first book of 2020 to receive my Paradise Rating because I think it deserves more than 5 stars!

Ellery Adams carries the Secret, Book and Scone Society into the Book of Candlelight. Nora's bookstore, Miracle Books, is the centre of the community. Rain has kept everyone indoors. Nora discovers a new store helper Sheldon. She sells a lot of books and knickknacks, but out in the rain she comes across the dead body of the local Cherokee potter in the river. How did he get there? What is the connection with the local inn, the Inn of Mist and Roses? Cherokee symbols are connected to both the Inn and the dead man. Charming town and ruthless murders. Can you find whodunit?

The Book of Candlelight is book three in the 'Secret, Book, and Scone Society' series by Ellery Adams. Each book of this series contains it’s own mystery so the instalments can be read as a standalone or in any order. However, some character development carries over from each book.

In rainy Miracle Springs, North Carolina bookshop owner Nora Pennington meets a handsome and charming gentleman named Sheldon Silverstein Vega and later discovers the body of a local floating in the Miracle River, after if overflows its banks.

There were secrets aplenty in this great cozy. With a unique mystery, an eclectic bunch of characters, a compelling plot and a few red herrings added to the mix, this was a fantastic read that kept me on my toes. While classified as a cozy mystery, this for me, was what I would describe as a more mature and sophisticated cozy than most, as it delves into some more serious topics than usual, though still retaining those traditional cozy qualities. I would like to read the other books in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed this one. Well done Ellery Adams!

I received a complimentary digital copy of this novel at my request, from Kensington Books via NetGalley, and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

Rainy and unseasonably cool weather in western North Carolina brings more customers than usual to Nora Pennington’s book store. One of those customers is Sheldon Vega who starts out helping Nora out at Miracle Books, but may turn out to be a permanent employee and also a new friend for Nora and the other members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. On a recent search for interesting items sell along with the books in her store, Nora meets a Cherokee potter and his pregnant wife. Nora is struck by the love between the couple so when Danny’s dead body is found and it’s ruled an accidental drowning, Nora insists on investigating to see if there is more to the young man’s death than it appears.

This is the third book in this series and the second I have read. It was easier to get to know the main characters in this book since I have read the previous book, but think it’s accessible to new readers. Nora, the main character, is strong, but vulnerable. She has made mistakes in her past and now can sometimes be too single-minded without thinking of the consequences of her actions. However, she is still a likable character because of her genuine concern for people, whether they’re her friends, her boyfriend, or strangers. I enjoy the camaraderie between Nora and her best friends June, Hester, and Estella. I have mixed feelings about Nora’s relationship with Jed. Sometimes I think the two are truly in love and are meant to be together, but at other times it seems like Jed is looking for more out of the relationship than Nora. It makes it hard to know if I should be rooting for the two of them or not. I really like their new friend Sheldon. He is charming, funny, and adds some lightness to store and the series, so I hope he sticks around for future books.

The complex characters are a highlight of this well-written book. The discussions Nora and her friends have regarding their pasts and what’s currently going on in their lives is well-done and more like conversations that would occur in a Women’s Fiction novel as opposed to a mystery. The mystery of Danny’s death, however, is interesting and Nora spends a lot of time talking to witnesses and suspects to find out the truth. Because of the rain and the atmosphere, the book has a gothic feel, with plenty of foreboding of the killer striking again. There are a few twists in the story and I wasn’t able to guess the solution.

Nora doesn’t just sell books, she helps certain customers with book therapy, healing their pain through individualize book recommendations. As an added gift to booklovers, several real books are mentioned throughout the story as Nora helps customers and friends find the perfect book. Nora and her friends also discuss books they have read. There is a readers’ guide with discussion questions for The Book of Candlelight that real life book clubs can use. One of Nora’s friends mentions that an incredible book is so disappointing if the ending falls flat. Thankfully, that isn’t the case with this book which ends on a charming, uplifting note. I look forward to spending more time with Nora and her friends in future installments.

~ Christine

I would like to thank Ellery Adams for creating this brilliant series . This is a series that transports the reader to Miracle Springs and the world of Nora Pennington. The author seamlessly incorporates mystery, strong women friendships and the love of books to the reader's delight. . I only wish I could stay in her world. I read each book in the series cover to cover and loved it from start to finish.. This is a outstanding series that won my heart from book one. I have to admit that as a avid cozy reader this is one of my top favorite series of all time. The Book of Candlelight is the Third book in the " Secret, Book, & Scone Society series." I recommend the series of the utmost recommendation for your reading enjoyment.

Nora Pennington moved to Miracle Springs North Carolina after a devastating life event . Miracle Springs is known for healing its visitors and each shop owner contributes to healing of people in their own way. Nora is a talented "Biblotherapist" who can instinctively know what books people need to read to heal. She owns and manages her bookstore in a charming vintage railroad car. Her bookstore is beloved by the community and has a atmosphere of healing . Nora has a great instinct for her bookstore and customers. She created a unique bookstore that is a delight to know through the author. She not only stocks books but has "shelf enhancements" she chooses from local stores for her customers and creates book themed window displays that the town adores. It is a shelf enhancement purchase that sets the tone for the mystery within .

The Secret Book, & Scone Society are Nora and her close friends June, Hester, and Estella. June knits comfort socks which she infuses with scents to heal . Hester is a wonderful baker who can bake “comfort scones" that can help a person heal. She runs the local bakery. Estella owns the local beauty parlor. They created their society in secret to do good works in their community, help those in need and solve mysteries together. Each woman has shared their deepest secrets with the group and they are great friends who can count on each other. How I wish I could join one of their meetings in the bookstore ! They each contribute their own unique gifts to the community and have all come to trust each other. Knowing these women through their trials in life and how they built their great friendships with each other is absolutely inspiring. You will adore how they support one another and are the friends we wish we all had in life.

In this next in series the author created a atmospheric setting with heavy rain that has affected the town and local business. When a Native American Potter Danny is murdered the society decides to investigate as this was someone beloved by the community. New charcters are introduced and supporting charcters return including Nora's love interest. Nora and her friends find themselves embroiled in twist and turns that lead them in many directions . They also step up to help his widow and take on delivering blessing bags to others in town in secret. The blessings bags contain gift certificates and helpful items to bless the receiver . This good deed the society does under cover of nightfall in secret. The mystery deepens as a mysterious appearance of a red cardinal and Native American history with the cardinal figure into the murder clues. Nora and her friends are soon on the right path to find answers and solve Danny's murder. Nefarious people enter into the mystery of the murder as the clues become even more mysterious.

I loved this next in series . The sleuth was so well crafted I was happily guessing until conclusion. The returning charcters are delightful and I love the introduction of new charcters. Each book in this series is a thrilling read. I look forward to the next in series. I hope this series will continued for many more years. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My personal review opinions are my own. I loved this book !

The Book of Candlelight is the next installment of the Secret, Book & Scone Society series. Adams once again outdoes herself with a great cozy mystery and a subplot of a group of tough women who must deal with their past mistakes, which they do by relying on each other for help.

Our heroine, Nora Pennington who owns the Miracle Books store in Miracle Springs, North Carolina finds the body of a pottery maker, Danny, a Cherokee. Although the death has been classified as accidental, Nora does not think it was. Danny was found near a rock with a painted red bird, a symbol Danny always used on the bottom of his pottery. His wife Marie has no idea why he was at the spot he died.

Meanwhile, with a new inn opening up in town, and a new friend, Sheldon, who has offered to assist Nora at the store, and the Secret, Book & Scone Society seeming to be targeted by someone who has vandalized their property, the town, which has been deluged by rain for weeks, seems a bit unsettled.

The new owner of the Inn of Mist and Roses, Lou and her best friend Pat discover while doing renovations a mysterious diary which had been hidden. Then they find a picture of a red bird on a newly located wall. Could this red bird, the bird on the stone and the one on Danny's pottery be connected? But why?

Then a second body is discovered and this one was no accident. The Society begins to research the diary and the birds. But could their investigating get someone else killed? Or can the strength of some tough, intelligent women take down a murderer?

One thing is for sure. What they find will change many lives in the small town of Miracle Springs.

Thank you #NetGalley #KensingtonBooks #TheBookofCandlelight #ElleryAdam for the advanced copy.

This was the first cozy mystery book I read. I got a free copy from netgaley. I was attracted by the cover of the book more than the storyline itself because the cover looks very sinister like a murder is going to happen at the scene of the cover art.

I heard of Ellery Adams. She writes cozy mysteries. So I decided to start with this one even though is not the first in the series. Her scene description is very vivid. I can imagine being at her bookstore and the pastries that the girls indulged it which made me very hungry imagining the aroma from it. The author scored on that . This book is certainly suitable to be read during winter, snuggling in bed with the scenes of the storm brewing.

The story was well-paced and interesting. I don't like mysteries that are slow-moving and having a lot of unnecessary stuff in it. The writing was good though I hope the English is more simple. Not that it wasn't but I was comparing it to Shari Lapena's writing which I absolutely love. There is sufficient character development given that the book is not thick and the characters are very likable which always are in small towns. 200 over pages is just nice for a cozy mystery.

I like Nora. She is very kind and a warm person. Too bad she has scars on her body but that makes her even more amazing. I like how the diary stuff is linked to the murder as I find journals/ diaries in a murder case very interesting to read bringing the setting of the story into a more dark and sinister plot.

I have my suspicions on who the murderer was and I was not wrong.

Overall I give this book a 4 star as I really enjoyed it because it was a classic cozy mystery it even though there is no big twist in the end. I would read her other books, definitely.

I absolutely love the characters of this series! While Nora is the main character, her close group of three friends that make up the book club with her are integral to the plot and overall feel of the story. You have 4 extremely strong women who have each endured a terrible secret and/or treatment from others and have traveled through life on their own until they found each other. The 4 women and the sidekicks that make up their individual circles, whether it be June's cats or significant others, really bring the plot to life and make you feel connected to the people involved. Each woman has an individual intuition that makes them great business owners/employees, but also excellent amateur sleuths! This was one book that I didn't have the killer pegged from the first page and that made it all the more interesting to me. I can't wait to read the next adventure that the ladies find themselves involved in!