The Whispered Word - Ellery Adams

4/5 ⭐

The second installment in the Secret, Book & Scone Society features more book quotes, more baked goodies, and more murder.

I hadn't planned on picking up the second one so soon but when my hold came for it I jumped on and ended up reading it all in one day.

I enjoyed that while this is still clearly a cozy mystery there is enough grit and non-coziness about it that makes it feel different than the rest. It is a good middle ground between a traditional cozy and traditional mystery in my opinion.

Nora and her friends are having an uneventful night when a mysterious young woman shows up at the bookshop. Rail thin and quiet as a mouse, the newcomer is not talking about what secrets she holds.

With her arrival, a new appraisal store opens offering residents a way to make some quick cash but the difference in the business partner's personalities gives Nora a reason to pause.

And of course, we get some more romantic tension built up between Jed and Nora. They finally get to go on a date! I will say it felt like their scenes were just shoved into the story. Like all of a sudden bam! Jed and Nora are kissing. Then a scene change happens and it's back to sleuthing. Their scenes, while good and added to the plot and showed movement did at times feel rushed and shoved in there just to be there.

Beyond that, I like how with each book we get to learn a little more about a member of the society. This time Hester. But more than that, Adams does manage to create a setting that I would love to visit if possible.

All in all a solid installment in the series and I can't wait to read the next one.

10/19/21

*This review was previously posted on my Google Site.

Comments

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