This series is not nearly as cloying as so many other cozies. They are all quick-read brain candy, but this series is quality candy.

I did not care as much for the first book of Adams' Writers Club mysteries but until book 4 of this series is out, I will read other Ellery Adams books if for no other reason than to see how she inserts "diversity," into the next cast of characters. ( )

I liked the first two books and was super disappointed in this one. I didn't even get a hundred pages in before I got bored and frustrated with the story. I just didn't care about the characters and what was going on. That cozy mystery spark was missing for sure. I hate random relationship drama for the sake of adding shock factor or tension. It's unnecessary. I am not sure if it is worth finishing the series now. ( )

3.5 ( )

Several road trips gave me a chance to catch up on this cozy mystery series set in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. Nora Pennington, the local bookstore owner, and her friends in the Secret, Book and Scone society have connected around their shared secrets, healing their past shame by doing good for those in their community, a town known for the power of its healing springs. Each member of the society has a special talent that allows them to connect to others and help them heal.

This book focuses on the Native Americans who make North Carolina their home. Long kept secrets come to the surface and lead to dead and heartbreak that only the society members can fix.

Ellery Adams is a favorite of mine. This series can be a little darker than her others but the circle of women shows the strength that can come from sharing your sorrow and shame.

This book started off pretty slow for me.

The heavy rains in April were a drag on the townspeople of Miracle Springs. It drags on the reader as well!! I actually even put this book down for several days!! But it did get picked up again.

Nora who owns the bookshop visits the local flea market during these heavy rains, and comes across Danny the Cherokee who makes native Indian pottery. The next day, Nora discovers the body of the artisan Danny in the river - the river that was swollen from all the rain.

Around this same time, the ladies from the Secret Book and Scone society also make contact with Lou and Patty - the new owners of the Inn of Mists and Roses - a local hotel that has been around since the Civil war.

It was not until Chapter 7 when an old diary belonging to Rose Lattimer, whose family owned the Inn of Mists and Roses, was discovered, did I perk up any real interest. From there I had no trouble finishing the book in one sitting.

It did not sit well with Nora when Danny's death was officially labelled as accidental. She could not accept that, so she and her friend began to do some digging. Things really began happening once Nora was finally able to read the diary that was discovered up at the inn.

Think genealogy, descendents, dynasty trusts and Inns that stand on large tracts of valuable land. The book ending was very satisfying!!

I gave this book 4 stars because of the slow somewhat boring first few chapters and also for a rather large editing error in chapter 2. Most people might miss it, but it bugs me that an professional editor still missed this one!! ( )