Ink and Shadows
Ink and Shadows is definitely my new favorite in the Secret Book and Scone Society series, and it was a delight to get to return to the atmospheric setting of Miracle Springs.
Synopsis: 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.
Nora and her friends in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society are doing their best to put an end to the strife—but then someone puts an end to a life. Though the death is declared an accident, the ruling can’t explain the old book page covered with strange symbols and disturbing drawings left under Nora’s doormat, a postcard from an anonymous stalker, or multiple cases of vandalism.
The only hope is that Nora can be a heroine herself and lead the Secret, Book, and Scone Society in a successful investigation—before more bodies turn up and the secrets from Celeste’s past come back to haunt them all . . .
What appealed to you the most in this story?
I really liked how this book took on a darker mood than what you would find in your typical “cozy” mystery, and I think it added to the ambiance and suspense.
I’ve also enjoyed watching the characters develop and grow through their friendships and community from the previous books as they dealt with cults, bullying, addiction, morality, and grief. Adams excels at creating strong, yet flawed, relatable female characters, and book four is no exception. Nora, Hester, June, and Estella’s personalities are so realistically drawn that they leap off the page and stay with you long after the last sentence is read.
This is book 4 in the series, can it be read as a stand-alone?
Yes! You can pick this book up and feel like you are not missing out on anything from the previous books…Buuuutttt…you will find yourself really wanting to know more about this diverse cast of characters, so be prepared to want to start back at the beginning after reading this one.
How was the pace?
This story held a steady and engaging pace and the murder mystery kept me captivated.
Do you recommend this book?
If you are looking for a good mystery or series to read, then grab this one or start at the beginning with The Secret Book and Scone Society. I look forward to heading back to Miracle Springs, North Carolina and seeing what these ladies will be getting up to next.
Thank you, Kensington Books, for this gifted copy in exchange for my honest review.
