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.

If Ink and Shadows is your first Ellery Adam’s mystery, a useful entry point is the series name, Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. The secret refers to bookseller Nora Pennington’s hidden past that led to a new life in the fictional town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Book is self-evident: Nora’s bookstore, Miracle Books, is the heart of the community. Nora and her closest friends have a weekly, after-hours book club. And finally, scone refers to the delicious comfort scones baked by Hester Winthrop, owner of the Gingerbread House Bakery and a member of the book club, but also a stand-in for breaking bread with your closest friends. The other women in The Secret, Book, and Scone Society are Estella Sadler, owner of Magnolia Salon and Spa, and June Dixon, thermal pools manager, Miracle Springs Lodge.

Nora is a bibliotherapist who cures what ails ya with a perfectly chosen book: books for troubled teens, books for reluctant readers in their upper decades, books that cure this and books that cure that. She’s famous for her provocative and enticing window displays that match seasonal themes with appropriate books. Nora and her assistant Sheldon Vega mull over how to spotlight Halloween without going the “ghosts and goblins” route.

“Dracula and Frankenstein. Do they really have a wow factor?” Sheldon pursed his lips. “These stuffed paratroopers failed. They didn’t lure people inside. We need to do better.”



“True,” said Nora. “But in our defense, September is all about back-to-school. I’ve talked to a few of the moms about their schedules, and it stressed me out just listening to them.”

Nora and Sheldon segue from stressed-out moms, with Nora wishing she “could afford to give away a spa voucher with every purchase,” to Sheldon opining that “today’s women are women of power.” Perhaps they’re busy and over-scheduled but they’re also magical. Sheldon isn’t thinking of a display of “hags with hairy warts and pointy hats.” No siree. His vision is wonderous and woke.

“Beautiful witches. Multi-generational. Culturally diverse. What if they brew books in their cauldron? Stories about powerful females?”



Nora was instantly caught up by the idea. “Yes! We could display book covers featuring powerful women. Lady Macbeth. Medusa.”



“Elphaba, Alina Starkov, Matilda.”



“Medea.” Nora could see books flying out of the cauldron. Books with cardboard wings and paper bodies. Colorful, glossy, magical books.

But “colorful, glossy, magical books” about powerful women are not everyone’s catnip and there’s a powerful backlash to Nora’s stunning display: “A family-values group disapproves of the magical themes, though, and wastes no time launching a modern-day witch hunt” … encompassing picketing, spreading gossip, and averted glances. The Women of Lasting Values Society also disapprove of a new shop called SOOTHE. Its proprietor, newcomer Celeste Leopold, is a gentle artist who sells CBD oil, crystals, and all things mystical and mellow, with the assistance of her daughter Bren. Additionally, the Lasting Values ladies criticize Red Bird Gallery and Gifts, which sells a variety of items made by the Cherokee. What a spot-on plot from Ellery Adams, putting a community-face on those who want to inflict their religious and cultural beliefs on others. This plot point is so depressingly familiar, although the reader never doubts that freedom of thought through the aegis of choosing your own books will prevail.

Violence and murder follow in the wake of the street protests. Bren is found dead and the frenzied killer appears to have torn all her belongings to shreds. Nora and her book group resolve to find Bren’s killer, something they have a knack for. Concurrently, a page torn out of a book—apparently an ancient tome—is left under Nora’s welcome mat. Sheriff McCabe thinks it’s important to translate the unknown language on the page. He needs Nora’s help.

“Do you know someone who could identify it? An expert on antique books?”



Roberta Rabinowitz, Nora thought. If anyone can identify that book page, it’s her.



“I could give you a couple of names,” she said.

Tit for tat, Nora has some questions for McCabe. She inquires about why Bren’s house was torn apart and if it could be related to the page she found. Ink and Shadows is an apt title—the secret of Bren’s murder is wrapped up in a mysterious package of shadowy, secretive words, penned in hundreds-year-old ink.

Every long-running series needs an infusion of new blood and Ellery Adams doesn’t disappoint, introducing force-of-nature Roberta (Bobbie) Rabinowitz, who shows up uninvited and unexpectedly after Sheriff McCabe reaches out to her. Bobbie pounds on Nora’s door, saying “We were friends for twenty years and then, poof! You were gone.” How can Nora resist? She knows Bobbie’s way too smart not to put two and two together—only her former college roommate could have known of her obscure research abilities.

“I go by Nora now,” she told the woman on her welcome mat.



“I assumed it’s after the Nara from Ibsen’s play, though I don’t see why. You can explain that to me, among other things. Or you can tell me nothing.” Bobbie held out her hands. “Just let me come inside so I can give you a hug.”

Ink and Shadows is a big hug of a book for bookstore lovers who have been pining to visit their favorite emporiums for the past year. Ellery Adams has penned a cracking good mystery and I have no doubt folks who are new to the series will track down the earlier volumes. Nora is endearingly brilliant and all-too-human, as when she wishes secretly that little kidlets would not munch on goldfish during their story hour at Miracle Books.

Adored this book! I really can't get enough of this series! It's a little harder than a regular cozy, but I love that. I love Nora and Sheldon and her little group of friends and how they help people. This was a great read with surprises, up till the very end. Highly recommend!

Ellery Adams is one of my favorite cozy authors. This latest installment in the Secret, Book and Scone Society Series is set in Miracle Springs where people come to set their troubles aside and get cures for what ails them. Nora Pennington, our protag, finds such solace in the published word and owns Miracle Books. Several of the shopkeepers have their own close knit circle, bonded by personal and past choices, and find themselves victims of unfounded attacks from the local Morality Club in town. One the store owner's grown daughter ends up killed and Nora and the Gang try to provide comfort to that mother, until the mother of the deceased ends up getting killed as well. Nora and the Gang with the help of someone from Nora's past, band together to get to the bottom of why these things are taking place in Miracle Springs, and find out some things about about the town unexpectedly while getting justice for mother and daughter.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington for allowing me to read an ARC in exchange for giving a review in my own words.

Inks and Shadows by Ellery Adams is the 4th A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel. This is my favorite book in the series. It contains developed characters that are realistic. Nora came to Miracle Springs, North Carlina for a fresh start after she was severely burned. Nora has a knack for picking out the books that people need at that moment in time. I enjoy the paranormal element with Nora’s pinkie finger tingling when something is amiss. Sheldon Vega is a favorite of mine. He is a kind, creative man who suffers from chronic pain. Ellery Adams manages to convey how chronic pain affects his life (and how painful it can be). I like how understanding Nora is of Sheldon’s pain and that he cannot always make it to work. The whodunit was interesting with some unique elements. It is one that plays out which disappointed me (I love solving the crimes in the book before the reveal). It is a complex mystery that touches on some dark topics (grimoires, dark magic, cults). This book would be great to read during the month of October (it will get you in the mood for Halloween). I love the book references sprinkled throughout the story. I especially loved that my favorite childhood series was mentioned (other girls wanted to be Nancy Drew, I wanted to be Cherry Ames). I especially liked the window displays that Nora and Sheldon created. They are magical and unique. While I know the Women of Lasting Values is fictional, there are (unfortunately) groups like it in the real world who object to books for one reason or another. I like how this issue was addressed in the story. I did object to the foul language in the story. There is only a small amount, but I would rather it not be included. Nora and Jed have some romantic issues. I am not a fan of the Nora and Jed pairing. I would love to see Nora end up with Sheriff McGabe. I liked how close Nora and Grant became in this book (I am keeping my fingers crossed that they will become a couple). We did get to learn more about Nora’s past and meet an old friend. She was a great addition. Ink and Shadows can be read as a standalone if you have not indulged in the other books in this intriguing cozy mystery series. Ink and Shadows is a clever cozy mystery with dazzling displays, bonanza of books, a disturbing death, a controlling collective, a pagan page, and fine friends.

Ink and Shadows is the 4th book in the Secret Book and Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. Set in miracle springs NC, local bookstore owner Nora Pennington along with several other strong female business owners form the Secret Book and Scone Society. A source of support to one another, active in and for the community, Nora and her friends have a knack of discovering trouble and ferreting out the source of evil behind it leaving the quaint and charming small town of Miracle Springs better off due to their involvement. The first book in the series hooked me because what book lover doesn't love a book about books or a bookstore?! There's also a bakery, local crafters, antiques and now in book number four, a new shop called soothe carrying among other things, CBD oil products. When Nora's display window stirs up disapproval from a local group which then targets several other women store owners with unfounded accusations, and two deaths follow, Nora and the women of the Secret Book and Scone Society step in to help bring the culprit to justice. This cozy mystery series has a bit of a chew and I really enjoy it 😁

Ink and Shadows
Book Four in the A Secret, Book and Scone Society Series
Summary
The first sign something is amiss at Nora Pennington’s home this night is tingling where part of her pinkie should be. The second is the piece of paper someone has placed under the welcome mat. The paper appears to be old. It is covered with symbols written in black ink. A spiral is drawn in the middle. On one side of the spiral is robed figure holding a bowl; on the other side, a second robed figure holding a snake. Spooked, Nora scans her yard and spots a shadowy shape in her grass. Inside of her home, Nora grabs a light and a knife. The knife she sticks in the waistband of her jeans so she can carry her phone in one hand and the flashlight in the other. The flashlight beam reveals the body of a young woman Nora met not long ago. Further investigation reveals that tattoos on the body are like those written on the paper Nora found under her doormat.
As Nora finds out more about the young woman and her mother-another shop owner just moved to town-mysteries deepen and another body is found. Nora must find out the identity of the murderer before he or she strikes again.

Recommendation
I have mixed reactions about this book. The mystery itself was difficult to solve, and that is a good thing. I’m still trying to make up my mind about some of the characters. But overall, I think this is a well-written book with some characters that rub me the wrong way. Probably because they remind me of people and situations I’ve experienced, but not so much I’m put off from reading more in this series.

I think this is one of the best from this series. Of course, I love the whole series and Ellery Adams is a fantastic writer. This book had me hooked before the first chapter was over. I had a hard time putting this book down.

Nora has really evolved since the first book. She has this great group of women friends whom she can call on for anything. They are always there to lend a hand and help anyone out. When a new shop owner moves to town they welcome her & her adult daughter. I think that is what I like about these characters. They want to help others out in any way they can and support each other.

Of course there are a variety of surprises throughout the book to keep the reader on their toes. I like being surprised by finding out who is the killer and why the murder happened to begin with. Also, what all the clues mean when they are revealed at the end of the story. I want to keep guessing as that makes a great mystery story. Ellery Adams does that with her writing. She keeps you guessing and wondering on the "why."

Nora uses her skills to assist the sheriff in finding out who the killer is and why anyone would want to harm the deceased. I like that in this series the police department actually welcomes her help and thinks she has something to offer. Granted Nora ends up in some way involved in finding the body and/or knowing them on some level.

If you haven't read much by this author, then you are missing out. This is a reader on your "must read" list!

It was great to catch up with Nora and her friends again. I've absolutely loved Sheldon's character since he came on board as Nora's friend and employee. There was lots of intrigue which made me want to keep reading, but there's always some lighthearted moments especially now that they have Sheldon as a new friend.

The murder mystery wasn't so much of a whodunit but "when will the killer strike next" and how they'd go about catching said killer. The showdown was really awesome, and finally Nora felt like her friend was at peace. Nora and Jed had a little rough patch along the way, but I think they'll be fine. As always, I look forward to the next book!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book provided by the publisher via NetGalley, and my opinions are my own.

Half way through this book, I realized I had read book one in the series. 🤦‍♀️🙈🤦‍♀️🙈In that book, I wasn't a huge fan of Nora. She was a lot more likable in this book, for sure. Although, I am confused about the Jed/Sheriff triangle. Does she have feelings for them both? Someone enlighten me...😂

Anywho, carrying on, like the first book, this is truly a bibliophile's dream. I love the book quotes at the start of each chapter. The many authors and books listed. It just warms this bookworms heart. The story itself was well written. The mysterie(s) were well plotted. Again, I found this book to be darker than your typical "cozy" mystery. Especially that scene at the end...oy vey, it brought tears to my eyes. The characters themselves are likable. I love how they interact with each other. I love the small-town setting.

I really can't think of anything that I didn't like. 🤷🤷🤷

This is a cozy mystery, and this is the 4th book in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. I have read the other books in this series. I really enjoy the characters in this series, and I also enjoyed the mystery in this book. This series is what started my love for Cozy Murder Mysteries!

Nora Pennington, our beloved local Miracle Springs bookstore owner seems to have settled down quite nicely into her new town. Her store, with help from her new employee an older gentleman named Sheldon, is doing a brisk business. Her relationship with Jed seems to be going well and her friends in the Secret, Book and Scone Society are…well, as Sheldon says “the magical women of this town.”

But none of that will last very long.

With Halloween fast approaching, Nora and Sheldon must decide what type of outdoor window display they want to create. Usually the town appreciates the creative displays, but this year one of the mother’s from an organization has decided the display is unacceptable. Her group decides to cause quite a scene in the town by boycotting the bookstore as well as other shops she feels are inappropriate. With ads placed in the newspaper, picketers outside and vandalism, the stores begin to suffer.

One of these businesses is a new shop named Soothe which sells CBD oils and other products, along with many healing herbs. The new shopkeeper Celeste and her teenage daughter Bren have just moved to Miracle Springs. Celeste is hoping to start a new life for them both while Bren unfortunately is only angered by the move and seems to resent her mother.

When Bren dies suddenly on Nora’s property and she finds pages with symbols on them which seem to have been torn out of a very old book left under her doormat, she begins to think this is may not be the accidental death the coroner has claimed.

So as they do, the Secret, Book and Scone Society jumps into action by assisting Celeste in her shop as she grieves for her daughter. But when Nora finds a threatening postcard addressed to Celeste, she realizes Celeste must be hiding secrets from her previous life with Bren from their former town.

As for those pages with symbols, Nora knows someone who could decipher them. But that would mean calling a person from her own past, a past she would rather not revisit, and friends she has had no contact with since she fled her own former life. But Nora feels responsible in some way for Bren’s death and must make peace with the idea of exposing her new present to someone from her past. What could these pages possibly mean? Where is the book they were torn out of? And how do they connect to Celeste and Bren?

In Ink and Shadows there is murder, mystery, mayhem, chaos and wonderfully empowered funny women who have all gone through major life crisis and who have come out on the other end with a great sense of passion for life and sympathy and understanding for others in this wonderful town Ellery Adams has created.

And finally, just another reason to love Adams, throughout the story she places her own book selections with an appendix at the end of the book. So know that while you read this mystery with a town full of loving and caring people…well most of them, you can perhaps find your next read while trying to solve a murder!

Thank you #NetGalley #Kensington #InkandShadows #ElleryAdams for the advanced copy.

This is the 4th book in the Secret, Book, and Scone society. It’s a cozy mystery series that surrounds a group of women who live in a quaint North Carolina town. They all own businesses and they have a book club. I love the town of Miracle Springs and imagining myself eating a scone in the coziest of bookstores. This installment had a lot of back story for our main character, Nora. I really appreciated the character development. Great series to curl up with on a snowy day! Great if you like books about friends, cozy mystery and lots of literary allusions. I received a complimentary copy through the publisher from Netgalley.

Ink and Shadows: A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Mystery
By Ellery Adams
Kensington
February 2021

Review by Cynthia Chow

After inadvertently burning her life down in a moment of rage and fury, Nora Pennington found healing and her purpose in the town of Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Renowned for their healing springs, Nora does her own bibliotheraphy there for those needing help in her Miracle Books bookstore. Yet though her many customers find bliss through the messages they learn through the books Nora selects for them, there is a very loud contingency less than pleased by her new autumn window display. Rather than jumping on the commerce-driven early Halloween bandwagon, Nora and her employees are celebrating diverse women of power and showcasing books such as Practical Magic, Ella Enchanted, Coraline, The Mists of Avalon, Wicked, Matilda, and The House of Spirits. Since historically many outspoken, independent women were branded as witches, maybe it shouldn’t be too surprising that this collection of books has the Women of Lasting Values Society condemning the bookstore in an opinion article in the newspaper and protesting outside the store.

Nora’s Miracle Springs bookstore isn’t the only target of their judgement, as the newest stress and pain management CBD store Soothe has their angel statue vandalized and written threats left outside. While its owner Celeste Leopold seems to perfectly fit into Miracle Springs’ supportive healing community, her abrasive, angry twenty-something daughter rejects all offers of welcome. Nora and her friend June are alarmed to see Bren Leopold sick outside on the street, and after further spurning their attempts to help they are shocked to later find the young woman dead. The news that Bren had THC and cannabis in her system jeopardizes Soothe’s legal standing, compounding the woman’s trauma and maternal devastation. Rallying the forces of their capable bookclub Secret, Book, and Scone Society, Nora and her fellow storeowners and friends begin investigating whether the attacks on their shops are connected to the death of the rebellious woman.

To paraphrase Ellery Adams from her foreword, those struggling to look for a place in the world can always find it in a book. That is what makes the attacks against Nora’s bookstore and her neighbors so offensive, as they threaten the place where outsiders often find a sense of home. Nora herself is also troubled by her boyfriend Jed’s absence, who while away taking care of his mother is himself irritable, vulnerable, and making demands Nora cannot meet. That means that now more than ever Nora will be relying on her Society members, who along with bakery treats and book selections have shared personal secrets that allow one another to share burdens and heal. The healing aspect of Miracle Springs is always central to the plots of this series, and this fourth celebrates the powerful strength of women as well. A clue from a what is possibly an old medieval manuscript brings in a woman from Nora’s past, the former college roommate who reminds Nora of the woman she used to be before the accident, burns, and scarring. What Nora has come to realize is that she likes who she has become, surrounded by loving friends and able to share the healing power of books with those who need it. This is the perfect book for bibliophiles and those looking for a mystery filled with wiccans, alternative therapies, and the incredible bond between the Secret, Book, and Scone Society.

Nora and her group of specially gifted friends are back, this time investigating the death of a mother and daughter new to their town of Miracle Springs. Celeste and her daughter Bren have recently relocated to the small town of Miracle Springs and are setting up their shop Soothe which specializes in natural remedies such as aromatherapy and CBD. They bring with them a whole host of trouble as their shop catches the ire of the newly formed "family values" group; women from around town who are intent on protesting Soothe, Nora's bookshop and other stores around town who deviate from their traditionally held beliefs. When Bren dies under suspicious circumstances and is followed shortly by the murder of her mother Celeste, Nora and the other members of the secret bone and scone society each lend their unique talents as they work as a team to uncover the killer lurking in their town.
Ink and Shadows is the forth book in the highly entertaining secret, bone, and scone society series. Nora and the gang each have a set of specialized skills they utilize to help each other and members of the community through tough times. From book displays to book discussions, this series is a delight for book lovers as there are many references to books throughout that are sure to bring back a bit of nostalgia from reader's own experiences reading these same titles. Friendship is a central theme throughout each of the books in this series and Ink and Shadows is no different. The special bond the members of the secret society shares continues to strengthen with each successive novel. The mystery was well done, with plenty of clues and although there weren't many suspects to sift through, there were plenty of twists and turns to keep the story engaging. While there are darker themes of cult and dark magic explored in the book, there are plenty of cozy elements from the bookshop to the bakeshop and the town of Miracle Springs to keep the overall feel of the novel light and enjoyable. I highly recommend Ink and Shadows as well as the rest of the books in the Secret, Bone, and Scone society series to those looking for an intriguing and engaging new cozy mystery series to dive into.

This is such a fun series, and I had a great time with this cozy mystery. I loved the plot, the twists and turns, and the characters!

Another wonderful installment in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series. I love Nora and her group of friends, and I also love the Miracle Springs, NC setting. I'd love to take a trip there! This book allows us to get to know more of the community members, and learn more about the ones we've already met. I was more saddened by the murder storyline than usual, but it was a great story and I'm looking forward to the next one! Thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books for the advance digital copy.

I don't usually give raving 5-star reviews. It's just not my nature. 5-star books must be very special. What I write here amidst who knows how many reviews doesn't really matter. So many people love Ellery Adams that I’m not even sure anyone will see it. But somehow, I just feel better about writing down my feelings. This series is the kind that when you sit down and turn on your Kindle or open your hard cover, it's like you're settling in. As if you curled up with a soft quilt and someone brought coffee. You feel calm and you know you're not going to stop reading for a long time.

If you like to read, if you have a love of books or even if you want to hear names of books you might like to read, this is the place. Much humor is woven in this mystery of books. There are all sorts of emotions woven in the pages of titles mentioned and there in the middle is a delightful cozy story to read. A story of festivals, bookshops, a village of people you might know from previous books. It's like you live there.

I want a hug from Sheldon. Good grief, Ellery Adams wrote this part so well even I felt comforted by his hugs. I want some of the delicious food that the society of friends shared. I want the next book in the series!

In Ink and Shadows, I was pleased to meet up with Nora Pennington again. The Miracle Springs, North Carolina bookshop owner is working on her renowned window displays and this time it's a Halloween theme. Unfortunately, not everyone approves of her choices of magical displays including a family-values group and her shop, Miracle Books, becomes a target for vandalism along with new shopkeeper Celeste Leopold's premises, a therapy store called Soothe. Then Nora discovers a body on the damp grass near her home and a note on her welcome mat...

This book is the fourth in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series, but it can be enjoyed as a stand-alone, however, some character development carries over from each book.

There were secrets aplenty in this great cozy. With a super mystery, an eclectic bunch of characters, a compelling plot and a few well-placed 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, such as cults than usual, though still retaining those traditional cozy qualities. I would like to read the first two books I've missed in this series as I thoroughly enjoyed Ink and Shadows. A book lover’s dream, Ellery Adams mingled many book titles into the story and her window and table displays, and I was occasionally smiling with a nostalgic fondness for having read the books or stopping to search for a title. Well done Ellery Adams!

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

Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams is the fourth book in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series. I have enjoyed all the previous books in this cozy mystery series, I love the ladies characters in this series. With each book the author seems to come up with an amazing storyline that keep your interest from start to finish. I keep thinking that Nora should dump her boyfriend, she seems to have more chemistry with the sheriff. I would certainly recommend this book to all my friends.

I received a ARC from NetGalley and Kensington Books and am under no obligation to leave a positive review, all opinions expressed here are my own.