These books are so cozy and delightful. I just want to live in Miracle Springs and hang out with the SBSS ladies. They are all flawed, but all loveable.

Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.

The Whispered Word is the second book in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. Released 27th Nov 2018 by Kensington, it's 224 pages and available in hardcover, paperback, ebook, and audiobook formats.

This is a comfortable cozy mystery series set in a fictitious small town in North Carolina. The town is renowned for its therapeutic healing, both physical and mental. There is a very slightly magical 'vibe' to the healing, with sort-of magical baked & knitted goods and book therapy as an integral part of the deal.

The book is sweetly written and the secret society spends a fair bit of time making anonymous gifts to distribute to sad/lonely/needy people they know. As they're delivering one of these "secret kindness tote bags" to a local woman, they discover her face down in a pond. That's the first murder. There are a few more in the course of the book.

As my late grandmother would've said, 'There's nothing here to shock a parson'... There is very mild language (a 'sh*t' and a couple of 'd*mn's). There is also some mild sexual content (straight, and consensual). All of the above are in context in the story and not gratuitous.

There is a fair bit of description integral to the plot of (non-sexual) abuse of a child and imprisonment. I found it somewhat difficult to read in places. It's -not- specifically graphic, but it is there and it is quite distressing.

The story as presented is self contained and any necessary back story and characterizations are included in the narrative, so it works well as a standalone novel. I hadn't read the first book, and I had no trouble following the plot or keeping the characters separate.

It's a good, warm, comfortable, cozy series with a mostly female cast and a good denouement.

Four stars, recommended to fans of very lightly paranormal cozy mysteries. It would make a good book-club read and in fact, there is an included reader's question guide to help along a discussion group.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

In this second installation of the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series, we meet old friends Nora, June, Hester, and Estella as they help a newcomer to Miracle Springs.

Abilene enters their lives unceremoniously as she escapes a life devoid of love. Neglected and abused, she finds her way to Miracle Springs and into the perfect circle of friends who can help her heal old wounds and build a new life.

With other, new strangers in town, the women find themselves in the middle of murder and intrigue once again. Fighting for themselves, their quiet town, and their new friend, they take on danger the only way they know how: grit, determination, good food, books, and a deep friendship.

Listened for Fun (Audible Purchase)
Overall Rating: 4.25
Story Rating: 4.00
Character Rating: 4.50

Audio Rating: 4.50 (not part of the overall rating)

Why I purchased this: The Whispered Word is a bookclub read for Feb and I love Ellery Adams. She wrote two of my favorite cozy mystery series (Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries & Books by the Bay Mysteries ) so this was an easy sell. I have not read/listened to the first one but I am going to go back and do that. As always, her books are filled with a solid mystery and even better characters. I like they each have flaws but work through them the same way we do. I also really like Abilene and how the society rallied around her. Overall, a really great listen!

Audio Thoughts: I am a huge fan of Cris Dukehart (I think that comes to as no surprise to anyone) and she again delivered. She brought humanity, individuality, and beauty to each of these characters!

#BookClubRead #OffMyShelf

What an excellent book!

Be warned - talks about violence against women