Skip to main content

Member Reviews

Ellery Adams really knows how to pull a reader into her books. I love reading about Miracle Springs.

Nora has her bookstore and her book club. But more than than that Nora has empathy and she helps whom ever she can....in this book we see Nora welcoming a new business in town and befriending the mother/daughter owners.
Nora struggles with the seasons window display but Nora and Sheldon come up with a wonderful idea. But it is met with some resistance from the town. A few of the people aren't happy about the new business or Nora's window display.
The town of Miracle Springs has another dead body on their hands and it motivates Nora into looking into the death of a young girl. While talking to the sheriff Nora tells him to contact someone about a piece of evidence. This brings someone to Miracle Springs from Nora's past.

I love the all the characters of this series and I was hoping to see Nora and the sheriff get together. They have a great camaraderie. If you love cozy mysteries set in a beautiful town with a book store owner as the main character...you have to read this series.

I love this series and thanks to NetGalley I received a free advanced copy for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

I love this series so much! All of the book references, and at the end, the book lists. Learning more about the Secret, Book, & Scone Society members and how much they care for each other and other people. And, of course, the intrigue and whodunit. You must read this series, if you haven't started it already!

Was this review helpful?

Every time I pick up a book in this series I wish I could really visit Miracle Book's. This book, like the rest of the series, is a bit darker than other cozies, but in a good way. I love the relationships between the characters, the importance of second chances, and the love affair Nora has with books. I'm already looking forward to the next book in the series.

Was this review helpful?

I thoroughly enjoyed this book as much as I did the two before it in the series. Ms Adams describes her female characters as strong and thoughtful. The women in the Ink & Scone Society are supportive of each other in any circumstances, and it’s enlightening to witness the strong friendships. I have enjoyed this entire series, and recommend it to mystery fans. I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and Kensington Books. All opinions expressed are my own.

Was this review helpful?

Once again I was blown away by author Ellery Adams. Her writing style creates a world so believable, the reader is immediately transported to
Miracle Springs, where they find themselves observing the mystery unfolding around them.

I thought the premise for the story was captivating, I enjoy reading about healing, herbal remedies and the power of positive thinking. I can easily picture myself sitting in the bookstore, talking with Nora and the secret book club ladies.

I will admit I was really, really hoping that Nora and Gabe would become an item. Did they? Find out by preordering your copy now! You won’t be disappointed.

InkandShadows #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Nora, the owner of Miracle Books, scrutinizes her shop's autumn window display and feels it does not quite convey autumn and Halloween. She has an a-ha! moment and decides to display magical fictional female heroine characters to inspire others and to attract more shoppers. However, not everyone finds it inspirational, including a family-values group which creates difficulties.

Close by a new shop opens with wares such as homemade soap, art and CBD oil. The delightful owner and Nora become acquainted.

Soon a suspicious death has Nora, an amateur sleuth, floored and perplexed. An old book, mysterious symbols and secret pasts spring to life and Nora uses her experience and skills to probe further.

Nora and the other characters including her co-workers and book club are flawed which lends relatability. Chronic pain and disfigurement are very real and I appreciate their depiction by the author.

I could almost smell and taste the hot drink menu, perfect on a cool autumn day! While I like many aspects the story lacks tension, suspense and twists. Not the strongest by this author, though still enjoyable, which is why I rate it 3.5 stars. Cozy Mystery fans should definitely read this and other books by this author.

My sincere thank you to Kensington Books and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC of this fun book. Much appreciated.

Was this review helpful?

Kindle Copy for Review from NetGalley and Kensington Books.

I received a free, advance copy of this book and this is my unbiased and voluntary review.

Nora is known for her window displays and Halloween is no exception. This year she is focusing on a magical theme but a local family group does not like the concept. Soon other owners are also targeted and one ends up dead.

As the secret society will get involved as they try to stop further havoc. A smart cozy read that you keep guessing.

Was this review helpful?

small-town, small-business, support-system, suspense, superstitions, friendship, bookseller, survivors

The members of the Society are four women who have survived their own personal trials and tribulations and now help others in uncanny ways. It's an unusually hot September but the Halloween decor must go up. A new store is opening up the block and there are other happenings in the area but some of them are certainly not good, especially the suspicious death of the new businessperson. Excellent characters and an interesting yet different plot make this a really good read. I really enjoy the interspersed book quotes!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Kensington Books via NetGalley. Thank you!

Was this review helpful?

The relationships and characters gave this mystery a great homey feel. The mystery itself is fun and fascinating but truly it is the dynamic of the characters that make this a great read.

Was this review helpful?

Insightful, passionate, mysterious and engaging. I loved every minute of Ink and Shadows. The entire series is a must read.

Was this review helpful?

3.5* An enjoyable mystery featuring bookseller Nora with her group of friends drawn into the suspicious death of Bren, a young woman newly-moved into town with her mother, Celeste. Celeste and Bren just opened a new business specializing in natural treatments like aromatherapy and herbal, CBD preparations, Meanwhile, there's a new "family-values" ladies group who are inciting protests against Celeste's store, along with Nora's bookstore and a native-American owned gift shop. Then, Celeste is murdered and Nora has the bad luck to be the one to discover her. So, like it or not, Nora is involved in trying to find the killer. This is not the first book of this series, but it is the first book I have read. Don't think this series has to be read in order. But, I'm assuming earlier books show how Nora's group of friends/ book club came about. Or, how her book shop assistant, Sheldon, came to work with her. That would have given more insight into these side characters, but it's not necessary to understanding and enjoying this book. This book is scheduled for publication in January, but I can't help but think that this would've been a perfect fall release. The book is set in autumn, on the lead-up to Halloween and the atmosphere it invokes is equal parts cozy and spooky/eerie.
**Thank you to Kensington Books for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review!**

Was this review helpful?

The relationships and character interactions were almost better than the mystery! This is a gorgeous book which offers something to please most readers. The mystery itself is strong and fascinating but it is the characters which make this. I am so excited that there are more in the series but this book does stand alone.

Was this review helpful?

Fourth in a series set in Miracle Springs.
I enjoy reading about Nora and her friends. Nora owns a bookshop and has an unusual ability to match just the right book to the customer who come in.
I recommend reading previous books too.

Was this review helpful?

I've been an Ellery Adams fan since forever. This particular series is one of my favorites. I like that the women are friends through thick and thin, and genuinely support one another - along with others they meet and embrace along the way. I also love learning about new to me authors and books from Nora. Ink and Shadows did not disappoint.

Was this review helpful?

This was my first in this series and it didn’t disappoint! Nora is a intelligent, kind and generous MC. When a new shop opens she welcomes them. When the shops daughter is killed Nora takes on the case. I love Miracle Books and I am sure Nora would suggest the perfect titles for me. Her store is also a big hit with her window displays. She goes for a strong women theme when a family values group wants her to take it down. I enjoyed this one and am looking forward to the next.
#InkandShadows #NetGalley

Was this review helpful?

Synopsis from Goodreads:

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.

Notes: I received an Advanced Copy in exchange for an honest review.

This is among the new favorite series. Nora has this knack for matching books with people, including reluctant readers.

Again, the specter of murder arises. I loved the title Ink and Shadows because many novels start with "The" or "A". Thought the title fit the story very well. This is a wonderful cozy mystery. The violence is committed off camera. The characters are engaging.

Was this review helpful?