This sixth book in the excellent, "A Secret, Book and Scone Society" cozy mystery series was every bit as good as its predecessors. Yet, as for it being a cozy, it holds a bit more gravitas than others of its genre. The "Society" is a small group of women, each dealing with their past and personal brokenness which, in shared friendship, seeks to serve its community well through kindness and generosity. In this installment, Nora, our chief protagonist, has become an object of hatred, distrust and a frame-job. But why? Just when her life is moving forward, her ex shows up out of the blue. Does that play into what's going? Is it purely coincidental? It's up to the Society to figure it all out, but can they?

The bookish quotes leading into each chapter are fun reminders of books once read and much loved. Each one is carefully chosen in preparation for the chapter's subject matter. This book deals tenderly with the challenges of neurodivergence, terminal illness, unbidden duty to family and anger at life's unfairness. The writing is fine and well crafted. Through the hearts of the well-developed characters, life's lessons are taught in a gentle and informative manner. Author Ellery Adams has yet again given readers a well-written tale with a lot of heart. I eagerly await the society's next mystery-solving tale.

Publication Date: 04/25/2023
Publisher: Kensington Books
ISBN: 978-1496726476
No. of pages: 304 ( )

Paper Cuts by Ellery Adams is an engaging story. I always enjoy returning to Miracle Springs, North Carolina. I thought Paper Cuts was well-written with realistic, developed characters. Nora Pennington has a special bookstore. I love the atmosphere. Sheldon creates a delightful story time for kids. I appreciate that Ellery Adams created a character who has fibromyalgia. It allows people to see that it is not a fake disease. It is painful and debilitating. I was surprised by Nora’s reaction when she realizes Kelly Walsh is the woman for whom her ex-husband left her. I was hoping that the mature Nora would manage the situation differently, especially after what happened in the past. We get to catch up with all the ladies (Nora, Estella, June, and Hester) in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. The mystery was interesting. Nora becomes the top suspect much to her dismay. The newest addition to the police department, K9 Handler Paula Hollowell seems to have it out for Nora. Nora’s beau, Sheriff Grant McCabe is forced to take a backseat on the investigation, and he needs to stay away from Nora (just when she could use his comforting presence). Nora’s friends are there for her and gather helpful intel. The whodunit was fun to solve. I felt bad for Kelly’s sweet son, Tucker, who loves origami. Estella Sadler’s father is being released from prison. Estella is excited, but she is also worried. She hopes her father will have an easy time reintegrating into society. I enjoyed the literary quotes at the beginning of each chapter. I also liked the books and authors mentioned throughout the story (and the bibliotherapy and books lists at the end). There is humor sprinkled throughout the story that had me chuckling. Paper Cuts is the sixth A Secret, Book, and Scone Society novel. It can be read as a standalone, but you will miss getting to know the characters (their background, how their friendship forms). Paper Cuts is my favorite book in the series. The author crafted a special story with good friends, a clever mystery, humor, good food, scrumptious coffee, and books galore. Paper Cuts is a captivating tale with a blast from the past, a beautiful blossom, an annoying K9 officer, a caboose for an abode, glitter galore, and a killer to catch. ( )

Another largely rewarding visit to Miracle Springs. However, the adventure gets off to an unflattering start when the main protagonist, who presumably has put her past behind her, literally falls to pieces, and violently so, when confronted with the "other woman" her former husband left her for a decade earlier. This is not the behavior of someone who has moved on, who has gotten over her philandering ex-husband. Apparently her own romances in recent years have been somewhat insincere, if she is still this sensitive about a long ended relationship. Fleeing the assault with nary a look backwards to see how she landed, Nora becomes the main suspect when the woman is found dead. The setup just struck me as wholly out of character, and made her an unsympathetic character. She quickly bounced back, but knowing that just underneath her compassionate veneer is such an irrational, and again, assaultive personality was an unpleasant discovery. ( )

One of my favorite cozy mystery writers is Ellery Adams. Paper Cuts is the latest installment of her Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. Set in a small town in western North Carolina where tourists come for the healing springs, the series revolves around a group of four women who connect around their secrets and form a friendship that leads them to support their community in creative ways. Nora Pennington, the main character, owns the bookstore and is known for always finding the right book for the right person. Adams has created a group of compelling characters in a lovely setting and I am happy to sink into Miracle Springs every time a new book arrives. I have taken to listening to these and enjoy the narrator's voice and style.

Paper Cuts is the sixth book in the Secret, Book, and Scones Society Novel series by Ellery Adams.

Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society members believe in supporting local businesses. A new shop, Tea Flower, has recently opened. Val and Kirk Walsh own the shop. Val makes Nora uncomfortable by constantly staring at her burn scars, and Nora will explain them.

Kelly Walsh, Kirk’s sister who has cancer, enters Nora’s bookstore with her son, Tucker. Kelly tells Nora that Tucker has Aspergers Syndrome and has recently become interested in origami and asks if there are any books on origami. Nora finds some books and paper for Tucker and offers to order others. When Kelly returns for the other books, she tells Nora she has seen her before. Kelly explains that she is the woman Nora’s ex-husband, Lawrence, had left her for. She adds that Lawrence had done the same to her and left her with Tucker to raise.

Nora was dining at The Pink Lady and wanted to ask Kelly about a flower arrangement left at Nora's home. Nora gets upset and pushes Kelly away. Early the next day, Nora finds Sheriff Grant McCabe McCabe. McCabe informs Nora Kelly Kelly is dead, and a witness puts Nora in the Walsh backyard. When Nora’s fingerprints are found on some valuable first-edition books that Tucker’s grandmother had given him, Nora is arrested for the murder of Kelly. McCabe will have to step away from the investigation. A new hire, k-9 handler Deputy Paula Hollowell has been assigned to investigate the case. It’s clear from the beginning that Hollowell has it for Nora and appears to do whatever it takes to have Nora convicted. In addition, Hollowell looks most intent on pursuing McCabe. Nora must gather her Society members to help her find the murderer and clear her name.

Also going on in and around Miracle Spring. More is going to be learned about Society member Estella with the release from prison of her father. Estella is concerned about how her father will adjust to being released, how the residents will accept him, and how easily Gus can obtain employment. Some of the residents of Miracle Springs are upset with the possibility of a casino being built outside of Miracle Springs. Two groups are seeking support for the casino; investors from out of state and a local Cherokee Nation tribe.

Ms. Adams is an excellent storyteller who provides a great, well-developed, descriptive story. She offers a cast of well-developed, believable, and exciting characters. Especially the Society members are exceptionally caring and willing to go a little extra for those in need.

I’m looking forward to the next book in this great series. ( )