Ink and Shadows

Ink and Shadows (2021) Ellery Adams (Secret, Book, & Scone Society)

Book 4 in the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series.

When Nora and Sheldon set up a new window display on books featuring powerful women (and with a Halloween themes) they hope to draw people into the store.

They don’t expect a group of women to protest the window–and several other women-owned businesses–as anti-family.

This is a cozy mystery, and although there wasn’t any gore, the story was rather dark in its way, as we are introduced to–and get to know–the victims before they are killed.

There are many things I like about this series. I love the strong female friendships. I love the representation. I love how Nora’s relationship never quite goes as other stories would lead you to expect. And I love the overarching theme of redemption–that we are more than our worst deeds.

“My papa always said that if you sing while you cook, your food will taste like music in people’s mouths.”

I also adore all the books mentioned throughout the story. So many books!

I did have one thing I didn’t love in this book, and that was a bit of bi-shaming.

When we first met, I knew that he liked men and women. I guess we both believed that he’d put this other interest behind him when he married me.

Ugh. No. He fell in love with someone else. That has nothing to do with sexual orientation.

Aside from that (and it really did feel like an aberration) it was another interesting story that I enjoyed.

Publisher: Kensington Cozies
Rating: 7.5/10

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