The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams

 The Vanishing Type

Book Summary

Entertainment Weekly hails the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series by the beloved New York Times bestselling author as “a love letter to reading.” In this entrancing new story, bookshop owner, bibliotherapist, and occasional sleuth Nora Pennington must enlist the help of her brilliant, brassy librarian friend to unravel the connection between The Scarlet Letter, an obscure 19th century writer, and a dead hiker…

While January snow falls outside in Miracle Springs, North Carolina, Nora Pennington is encouraging customers to cozy up indoors with a good book. Even though the shop and her bibliotherapy sessions keep Nora busy during the day, her nights are a little too quiet—until Deputy Andrews pulls Nora into the sci-fi section and asks her to help him plan a wedding proposal.
 
His bride-to-be, Hester, loves Little Women, and Nora sets to work arranging a special screening at the town’s new movie theater. But right before the deputy pops the question, Nora makes an unsettling discovery—someone has mutilated all her store’s copies of The Scarlet Letter, slicing angrily into the pages wherever Hester Prynne’s name is mentioned.
 

The coincidence disturbs Nora, who’s one of the few in Miracle Springs who knows that Hester gave up a baby for adoption many years ago. Her family heaped shame on her, and Hester still feels so guilty that she hasn’t even told her future husband. But when a dead man is found on a hiking trail just outside town, carrying a rare book, the members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society unearth a connection to Hester’s past. Someone is intent on bringing the past to light, and it’s not just Hester’s relationship at stake, but her life. . .

My Thoughts

The Vanishing Type by Ellery Adams takes us back to Miracle Springs, North Carolina.  Nora Pennington along with her friends June and Estella are helping Deputy Andrews prepare a special proposal for Hester.  While they are working out the details, Sheldon brings something to Nora’s attention.  Someone has mutilated their copies of The Scarlet Letter by taking a knife to Hester’s name.  Nora is worried that someone is intent on harming Hester or exposing Hester’s secret.  Few people are aware that Hester gave up a baby many years ago and the terrible way her family treated her.  Hester has yet to tell her beau, Deputy Jasper Andrews.  A man is found dead on a hiking trail just outside Miracle Springs with no identification, but he does have a rare book in the pocket of his bright orange coat.  The members of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society soon discover that the victim is connected to Hester’s past.  Is someone after Hester or are they trying to expose her secret?  

The Vanishing Type is the fifth A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel (all of them available through Kindle Unlimited).  I believe this series is best read in order.  While you could read The Vanishing Type on its own, you will be missing the background on the characters and the town.  The Vanishing Type is well-written with developed characters.  I like that they are flawed characters which makes them realistic, relatable, and interesting.  I enjoy visiting Miracle Springs with its friendly residents and quaint shops.  My first stop would be the bakery for some of the tasty treats and then I would head to Miracle Books.  I would definitely order the hot chocolate drink with the colored marshmallows, whipped cream, and sprinkles (it sounded so good).  I like that the author has included a character with fibromyalgia.  Many people do not understand the disease nor believe the pain it causes.  Sheldon is such a delightful person, and I am glad that he does not let the condition keep him down for long.  He is a lively individual with a heart a gold.  I had to laugh at what happened at story time with the book involving snakes.  The romance between Nor and Sheriff McCabe is progressing nicely.  I am glad that it is moving at a slower pace.  Fans of the series will love the proposal scene.  It is definitely special and unique.  I love all the book references throughout the story.  There are some great titles mentioned.  Like Hester, Little Women is my favorite book.  The mystery was wonderful.  It is complex with great clues and red herrings.  The secondary storyline was just as intriguing.  I like how everything tied together to give readers a wonderful reading experience.  I was sorry for my visit to Miracle Springs to end.  The Vanishing Type has friendship, mystery, and, of course, books.  The Vanishing Type is a beguiling tale with a remarkable movie theater opening, damaged books, a nameless victim, story time mayhem, beautiful book covers, a special proposal, firm friends, and a bevy of books.  

The Vanishing Type is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other The Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novels here (all of them available through Kindle Unlimited).  Ellery Adams has Murder on the Poet's Walk publishing on September 27.  It is the 8th A Book Retreat Mystery.  Check out Ellery Adams' other cozy creations here.  There are quite a few new books out today.  Here are just a few of them:  Courting Caleb by Kelly Long, The Emerald Tide by David Bunn, Three Tainted Teas by Lynn Cahoon, A Margin for Murder by Lauren Elliott, 'Til Death by Carol J. Perry, The Amish Farmer's Proposal by Barbara Cameron, The Gift of Joy by Kristin McKanagh, Sand Dollar Lane by Sheila Roberts, and Simmering with Resentment by Daryl Wood Gerber.  Which book are you eager to read first?  Thank you for reading my review today.  I will return tomorrow with The Gift of Joy by Kristin McKanagh. I am curious.   Which do you prefer:  book or movie?  I am a book person (of course). I hope that you have a relaxing day where you can read to your heart's content!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader 

*This post contains affiliate links.  As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams

Happy Book Release Day!  The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams is out today along with A Field Guide to Homicide by Lynn Cahoon, A View to a Kilt by Kaitlyn Dunnett, Hannah's Courage by Molly Jebber, Shall We Dance? by Shelley Shepard Gray, Playing the Devil by R.J. Lee, Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay and Statue of Limitations by Kate Collins.  Which book(s) are you adding to your TBR pile?

The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams has Nora Pennington who owns Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina with more business than she can handle courtesy of the continuous rain.  It has left her shelves looking a little bare.  Nora heads to the flea market to pick up some shelf enhancers.  While shopping, Nora purchases a beautiful bowl for Jed’s barren kitchen (her EMT boyfriend) from Cherokee Danny, a local potter.  The rain continues to deluge the town causing the footbridge to collapse.  Thanks to an accident on her bike, Nora is once again at the flea market.  On her way home, she looks into the river to see the debris from the broken footbridge along with a body.  The victim is identified as Cherokee Danny.  Sheriff Grant McCabe and Nora doubt that Danny slipped in the rain and fell into the river.  Nora calls a meeting of the Secret, Book and Scone Society so they can begin searching for answers for Danny’s wife, Marie.  An unexpected discovery at the Inn of Mists and Roses provides Nora with an astonishing clue.  When a second victim turns up, the ladies know they need to solve this case quickly before the killer strikes again.

The Book of Candlelight by Ellery Adams is the third A Secret, Book and Scone Society Novel.  It can easily be read on its own for those new to this charming cozy mystery series.  Nora Pennington started life over in Miracle Springs, North Carolina.  Nora owns Miracle Books, lives in a cute caboose, has four close friends and a handsome EMT boyfriend.  The continual rain has tourists hitting the shops.  Nora is run off her feet with customers.  While she is enjoying the increased revenue, Nora is worn out plus her shelves are barren.  Nora discovers the body of Cherokee Danny in the Miracle River among the footbridge wreckage.  She is baffled as to why anyone would kill the kindly potter.  Nora along with June, Hester and Estella make up the Secret, Book and Scone Society.  They meet each week to chat, discuss books and solve the occasional crime.  I like the diverse cast of characters in The Book of Candlelight.  Each of the four women have issues from their past that trouble them.  I like how close these women have become and that they are there for each other.  They help each other out, are supportive of one other and how they help others.  The mystery was intriguing with two murders for the ladies to solve.  Native American folklore played into the mystery especially the symbolism of the red bird.  I like that the mystery tied into the past.  The author created an interesting whodunit with an abundance of clues to help readers identify the guilty party.  There were additional mysterious elements in The Book of Candlelight with the cagey man in the white t-shirt and someone who was committing outrageous crimes (hate crimes).  Sheldon Silverstein Vega is a new character and he is absolutely delightful.  He is over-the-top with a friendly demeanor.  The poor man suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and fibromyalgia which causes him untold pain at times.  I like Sheldon and understood his pain as I have the same conditions.  I am glad that Sheldon will be staying in Miracle Springs because I want to see more of this extrovert.   I loved the clever banned book display Sheldon created.  It was unique and brings attention to the various (sometimes idiotic) reasons a book may be banned.  The Book of Candlelight is an emotional and realistic story that was over far too soon.  There is about a dozen bad words (aka foul language) in this book which surprised me.  I am not used to finding foul language in books written by this author.  The Book of Candlelight is a charming whodunit with banned books, a gregarious gentleman, a discovered diary, an ingenious exhibition, spooky symbolism, and four familiar friends.

The Book of Candlelight is available at  Amazon* along with other major booksellers (Kobo, iBooks, Barnes & Noble).  You can find The Secret, Book and Scone Society as well as The Whispered Word here.  Thank you for joining me today.  I will return tomorrow to review Buried to the Brim by Jenn McKinlay tomorrow.  It is the sixth A Hat Shop Mystery.  I hope that you have an enchanting day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

*This post contains affiliate links.

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams

Happy Book Release Day!  Cut to the Chaise by Karen Rose Smith, The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams, The Body in the Attic by Judi Lynn, The Coloring Crook by Krista Davis, Eggs on Ice by Laura Childs, How to Knit a Murder by Sally Goldenbaum and Violet Tendencies by Kate Dyer-Seeley are some of the new books out today.  I will be sharing my review of each book soon.

The Whispered Word by Ellery Adams is the second A Secret, Book and Scone Society Novel.  Nora Pennington owns Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina.  A thin young woman with a hospital bracelet on her wrist, bruises on her body and in ill-fitting clothes was found hiding in the store after closing, and she later falls asleep on a mound of bubble wrap in the back room. Abilene (doubt it is her real name) is keeping her secrets to herself.  Nora, Hester, Estella and June offer Abilene a place to live, work and assure her that they are willing to listen.  The four women are making and delivering kindness tote bags to those in need and their first stop is Amanda Frye.  Unfortunately, Amanda is no longer in need because they find her floating in the algae filled pond near her home.  It appears to be a suicide, but Nora has her doubts.  Virtual Genie is the new shop in town run by Griffin Kinsley and his associate, Tamara Beacham.  They buy peoples belongings for cash which is just what some people need during the current economic downturn.  When rumors begin to circulate about Virtual Genie, Nora finds herself looking into their business practices.  Nora soon finds clues that link her three mysteries.  Nora needs Abilene to open up so she can fill in the missing blanks.  When a second person is found dead, Nora and her friends must work quickly to identify the killer before he strikes again.

The Whispered Word can be read as a standalone if you have not picked up The Secret, Book and Scone Society.  Everything a reader needs to know about Nora and her friends is included (but you are missing out on a good cozy mystery).  I thought The Whispered Word was well-written.  My attention was captured right away and was held throughout the book.  The pacing is gentle as the story unfolds and picks up near the ends. The story is rich in details that allowed me to visualize the scenes.  I like Nora who operates Miracle Books in an old train station and lives in a tiny home constructed from a train caboose.  I like how the four women have grown since The Secret, Book and Scone Society.  They have shared their secrets and it has drawn them closer together.  Their friendship will be tested, though, in The Whispered Word when Nora pressures Abilene for answers and one of the ladies feels protective.  The mystery is complex and multilayered.  It is woven masterfully throughout the story with twists that will surprise readers (I always love a good twist).  I like how Nora’s one finger tingles at just the right moment.  The Whispered Word is not a light cozy mystery.  It deals with some disturbing issues, but the author addresses them carefully and respectfully.  I was surprised at how Nora approached Abilene with her questions.  Knowing that Abilene has suffered, I thought she could have handled it differently (a gentler approach).  There is also some foul language.  Nora’s romance with Jedediah Craig is progressing nicely.  He cares for her and wants to protect her.  While I do not feel that Jedediah is the right man for Nora, it is a step forward for her.  I would like to see Nora end up with Sheriff Grant McCabe.  I am giving The Whispered Word 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  The Whispered Word contains humor, romance, secrets, good characters, a charming small town, mysteries, book recommendations, and delectable baked goods. 

Thank you for visiting today.  I am featuring The Amish Midwife's Secret by Rachel J. Good tomorrow. It is the second book in the Love & Promises series. I hope you have a fulfilling day.  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader

The Secret, Book and Scone Society

Happy Halloween!  I wanted to share with you some of the new releases out today.  They include The Quiche and the Dead by Kirsten Weiss, Cremains of the Day by Misty Simon, Slay Bells Ring by Karen Rose Smith, Thread the Halls by Lea Wait, Knit to Kill by Anne Canadeo, The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams and Crazy Like a Fox by Rita Mae Brown.  

The Secret, Book and Scone Society by Ellery Adams is the first book in Miracle Springs, North Carolina series.  Nora Pennington owns Miracle Books in Miracle Springs, North Carolina.  The town is known to be a place of healing and Nora is known locally as a bibliotherapist.  A man in the park wishes Nora‘s help, so she suggests that he pick up a comfort scone from Gingerbread House and come to her shop.  Before he can get to Nora for assistance, Neil Parrish is found dead on the train tracks.  When the police rule it a suicide, Nora along with Estella, June and Hester form The Secret, Book and Scone Society.  Their purpose is get the truth about the man’s demise.  They delve into Neil’s life to uncover what could have gotten him killed.  They knew he came to town ahead of his partner’s and he was wrestling with a problem.  When the four ladies meet to discuss what they have uncovered, each member of the group reveals the secret that brought them to Miracle Springs.   These four women band together to get justice for one man and find themselves embroiled in a corruption scandal.  The best thing to come out of this is four lone woman find friendship, love and acceptance.

The Secret, Book and Scone Society is well-written and engaging.  My attention was captured right away with Nora’s description.  I found the four main characters to be personable yet flawed from life’s tragedy.  They were fleshed out and given life—very realistic.  Each one is unique.  There are also some characters (namely Sheriff Todd Hendricks) that readers will really dislike and wish to maim.  I did not like how the police treated women in this book (I know it was part of the story, but it was offensive).  I liked the description of the town, the Gingerbread House, Nora’s home (it is in a red train caboose) and, most especially, Miracle Books.  My rating for The Secret, Book and Scone Society is 4 out of 5 stars (I liked it).  The book contained more cozy elements than mystery.  I was hoping for a more complex whodunit (like is Ms. Adams Murder in the Mystery Suite).    I did like the authors use of misdirection in this book.  I will be reading the next book in this series.  I am curious what these ladies will get up to next time.  

Thank you for visiting today. By the way--What did the mummy say to the detective?  Let's wrap this case up!   May each of you have a wicked Halloween!  Take care and Happy Reading!

Kris
The Avid Reader