A Secret, Book, and Scone Society Novel Book 7
Author: Ellery Adams
Genre: Mystery
Hardcover; Paperback; Digital Book
ISBN #: 9781496743794; 9781496743800
Kensington Cozies
320 Pages
$11.43; $17.95; $10.86 Amazon
October 22, 2024
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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 agoraphobic, 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 finds rooms bursting with books and a lifeless Lucille at the foot of the 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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Nora Pennington owns a bookstore in Miracle Springs, North Carolina. She's built a good life for herself with friends and the love of Sheriff Grant McCabe. She has a great love of books, and regularly delivers them to the town recluse, Lucille Wynter. Lucille lives in Wynter House, and doesn't ever leave it. Nora isn't even allowed in the house after years of bringing her books. They sit in the boot room, have tea, and talk about books.
But one day her delivery doesn't go right. Lucille doesn't arrive on time, and Nora gets worried. She calls her from the boot room and Lucille answers, asking for help. Nora breaks down the door and finds Lucille at the bottom of the stairs, recently deceased. When the police arrive, they find a house filled with books everywhere, and discover that Lucille was a hoarder.
But Officer Andrews gives Nora a package that Lucille had left for her. Inside is a small book, and a note that tells her there is a little lost library in the house, and she must find it with clues. But how is she to get into the house? With the help of her antique dealer friend Bea, and Bea's niece Cricket, who owns a junk hauling business, Nora makes the decision to find the library, even if it puts her in danger...
I absolutely loved this book best out of all in the series. Maybe because I love mysteries, but this was more a mystery within a mystery -- who killed Lucille, and where is the library -- and that intrigued me to no end. Unfortunately, Nora doesn't realize how dangerous a game she is playing. It isn't until another tragedy occurs closer to home that Nora realizes she has to involve McCabe, who isn't happy that she didn't let him know right away.
On top of it all, someone is stealing books from her store, and she can't figure out who it is. But with the help of good friends around, nothing is impossible...
Nora is digging through the crowed house for clues, and they aren't easy to find; especially since the house is in such bad shape and filled to the brim. But when she starts digging, she finds that the clues are leading to a deeper tragedy still, and that makes all the difference in this story. We are pulled into the tale, wanting to know the truth, and being given answers slowly, which only make us want more.
I will say that I knew the murderer very quickly, but the reasons eluded me, which isn't a bad thing, as I love to probe for the truth as much as Nora. When the ending comes, it all weaves together tightly, and the story has a very nice ending, leaving us waiting for the next in the series. Highly recommended.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher and NetGalley but this in no way influenced my review.
More on Ellery Adams's Books: https://www.fantasticfiction.com/a/ellery-adams/
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