Ellery Adams latest is an intriguing mystery with gothic elements!
A wonderful addition to one of my favorite mystery series! Adams always surprises me with her clever twists and turns and makes me feel welcome and cozy when I visit the fictional small town of Miracle Springs, NC.
With this series, I can always count on great writing, emotional depth, an intriguing mystery, compelling characters, and fun literary references. The world-building across the series has been excellent, and this book is particularly atmospheric, with a crumbling old mansion playing a huge role.
Nora is a sincere, smart and nuanced character with a heart of gold, surrounded by a supportive friend group that epitomizes 'found family.' She owns an incredible bookstore that serves as a welcoming hub for the community. The characters are diverse, well-developed, and warm, with relatable lives and backstories. A new character is introduced, and I am excited to see where his story will lead. You'll feel a strong connection to these characters.
One aspect that stood out to me was the chilling, gothic vibes. It was very well done, with a fun homage to Nancy Drew, and just delightfully creepy. The victim is a recluse living in a historic mansion overflowing with stuff. She leaves Nora a note with riddles that lead to a treasure and possibly a lead to finding the culprit. I wasn't expecting how macabre some of the clues and finds were, but I loved it! The storytelling was fantastic, with mounting danger and suspense. As Nora became increasingly more invested in uncovering the secrets of this house, so did I.
Rounding out the story is a sweet dash of romance for Nora and Grant, as well as fascinating info on collectible miniature books. A bibliotherapy list is also included. It's a must-read for cozy mystery fans and perfect for spooky season. I loved it!
Thank you so much to author Ellery Adams and Kensington Books for the beautiful gifted PR box and signed copy!
Publication date: October 22, 2024
My steep was Pumpkin Spice from The Republic of Tea, kindly provided by the author. It's delicious and perfect for the book and the season!
PUBLISHER'S SYNOPSIS:
Big clues come in small packages as Miracle Books owner Nora Pennington and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society attempt to solve a series of murders connected to a bibliophile’s missing books in the latest cozy mystery from New York Times bestselling author Ellery Adams . . .
When an elderly Miracle Springs resident, Lucille Wynter, arranges for Nora to deliver an order of books to her creepy, crumbling Southern Gothic mansion on the outskirts of town, Nora doesn’t expect to be invited in. An agoraphobe, Lucille doesn’t leave Wynter House. But when Lucille doesn’t come to the door to collect her books, Nora begins to worry.
Forcing her way into Lucille’s dilapidated home, Nora is shocked to find rooms bursting with books and a lifeless Lucille at the foot of her stairs. After reading a note left behind by Lucille, Nora wonders if her death was an accident. Did she fall or was she pushed by someone seeking a valuable item hidden within Wynter House? Lucille’s children are clearly confident the house contains something of value, because they hire Nora to sift through the piles of books.
Nora’s obsession with Lucille’s collection becomes cause for concern among her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society—she’s even neglecting her bookshop! But Nora does find something valuable deep inside Wynter House—a revelation about Lucille’s terrible past . . . and a secret worth a small fortune. But there’s someone who’d do anything to keep the truth buried amid the moldering tomes, and it’s up to Nora and her friends to track down a murderer before Wynter House’s lost library claims another victim . . .
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