The Liars' Book Club

Secret, Book, & Scone Society #9

by Ellery Adams

In the latest installment of Ellery Adams’ USA Today bestselling series, as clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains, an absent groom, a stolen historical document, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm in this engaging mystery. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?

As the townsfolk of Miracle Springs, North Carolina, know all too well, water can be healing—or devastating. With a big storm coming, residents are stocking up on essentials. Hoping to beat the storm, Nora is sitting in the Unitarian Church with her fellow wedding guests, all of whom belong to Sheldon’s Blind Date Book Club. As rain hammers the stained-glass windows, the bride, Jess, waits in the back of the church—but where is the groom? When a branch crashes through a stained-glass window, Jess finally tells the guests to go home.

With the help of her friend Sheldon, Nora escorts Jess to the Lodge. It’s now become clear that Jess’s fiancé Ravi is missing. But there’s no searching for him now, as the Miracle River has flooded and they’re stuck on this side of town. By morning, they awaken to widespread devastation and a call from Sheriff McCabe. A body has been pulled out of the river, dressed in a tux.

On top of this tragic turn of events, Jess returns home to find her house has been spared from the raging water, but ransacked, with an extremely valuable folio from an illuminated manuscript now missing. As Miracle Books becomes the community hub for information, shelter, and hope, Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society put their heads together to solve the murder and the theft.

But then a second body is pulled from the river . . .

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

288 pages, Hardcover

Expected publication October 27, 2026

About the author

USA Today and New York Times bestseller author Ellery Adams has written over forty novels. A Native New Yorker, she now lives in central North Carolina.

Ellery's Series Include: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).

Ellery also writes genre-blending fiction focusing on women and their inner monsters. Her first release in this exciting new direction is Invasive Species (2026). Friends in Dark places will follow in 2027.

For book club guides, bibliotherapy lists, and recipes, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com

Reviews

[Amy]

Every time I read another book in this series I feel like I am back home with family and friends. There is just something about Miracle Springs that feels so special.
A hurricane has made its way through Miracle Springs and has left flooding behind. Homes are ruined, some floating away. Businesses filled with flood water. What will it take to get the community of Miracle Springs whole again?
What I love about the characters is the relationships they have. They are always there for each other during good times and bad times. The community pulling together to help. The first responders what they deal with.
A missing groom, secrets, a dead body, a historical document that disappears.
This was an emotional read as I have seen the destruction first hand of what a hurricane can do.
I love this series, and the friendships between Nora, Hester, June, Estella and Sheldon.

Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the opportunity to read this book.

[Emma]

Nora Pennington, a book store owner and biblotherapist in Miracle Springs, North Carolina is one of my favourite characters in any cozy mystery series.

Nora, along with her three best friends Hester, Estella, and June, form the Secret, Book, and Scone Society - a book club based in trust, loyalty and female friendship.

The four ladies have been through a lot across the series, and this ninth instalment is no exception.

The book starts with Nora attending the wedding of two of her bookstore regulars: Jess and Ravi who met at Miracle Books’ Blind Date with a Book Club. When Ravi doesn’t show up, Jess is devastated and convinced something has happened to him.

And she’s not just being paranoid: a tropical storm has rolled through Miracle Springs and has destroyed so much of the town and caused a number of fatalities. However, it’s possible that some deaths may actually have been caused by foul play… Will Nora and her friends be able to find out what happened while also supporting their community through this natural disaster?

Another excellent read by Ellery Adams. I will read every single book in this series and hope it never ends. This series is just cozy and feels like being curled up with a cup of tea, warm socks, and a kitty cat.

Thank you to Net Galley and Kensington Publishing for an e-ARC of The Liar’s Book Club in exchange for an honest review.

[Betcei]

A severe storm hits Miracle Springs damaging the dam and flooding the town leaving behind destruction everywhere. On top of this a murder is committed, and the book club is involved. Ellery Adams has been able to include a touch of how bad it can be after terrible storms and flooding, and brings hope writing about the town supporting neighbors. Murder, missing folios and secrets create a story you will enjoy to the very end.

[Christian Domenicci]

"A powerful emotional storm that leaves you heartbroken yet profoundly healed. A masterpiece of cozy mystery."

​I finished The Liar's Book Club, the ninth installment in this beloved series, and it absolutely captivated my soul. Ellery Adams has done it again, proving why she is a master storyteller.

​This story begins with a literal storm descending upon the charming town of Miracle Spring, changing the lives of many inhabitants forever. While the characters of Miracle Spring always manage to bring a smile to my face with their warmth and quirks, this specific entry carries a weight and depth that is profoundly moving.

​We are presented with a gripping new mystery to solve, and I adore how Sterling and her friends, with their brilliant minds and compassionate hearts, navigate the darkness to find the truth.

​As a reader who lives these stories genuinely and feels every emotion alongside the characters, this book took me on a rollercoaster ride. I have cried deeply, shed genuine tears, and yet I have laughed just as much. The ending, while beautiful and impactful, is also deeply sad and has left a permanent mark on my heart.

​Ellery Adams always knows how to weave a spell that keeps me completely captive from page one. This is not just a cozy mystery; it is a profound exploration of community, loss, and resilience.

​Five well-deserved stars. I wish the author continued success with this extraordinary series. It is an absolute must-read. ⛈️📖❤️

[Jill Elizabeth]

I love this series! Ellery Adams does such a lovely job crafting unique mysteries to be solved in each book, while simultaneously continuing to allow her main characters to grow and develop both individually and as a friend group. The writing is easy to fall into and the characters are an absolute delight. Things felt a little darker this time around, but the secrets and lies were teased out with the same gentle touch as in previous books and I found the reading experience absolutely enjoyable.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my obligation-free review copy.

[Karen Stallman]

"The Liars' Book Club by Ellery Adams” the 9th instalment in the "The Secret, Book & Scone Society" Mystery series by Ellery Adams. This book can be read as a standalone but I highly recommend you read in order to get the full background.

As usual I was utterly drawn in by the story, making it impossible to put down. I devoured it in one day, curled up with a hot cup of tea and snuggling Lindi - completely absorbed! Clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains, an absent groom, a stolen historical document, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?

The mystery is interesting and well plotted, and had just enough twists and turns to keep you engrossed in the story till the end. This series never fails to evoke strong emotions and leaves me feeling fulfilled.

I'm eagerly awaiting book 10! If you're a fellow mystery lover, do yourself a favor and dive into this series - I highly recommend it!"

I requested and received an advance reader copy of this book from Kensington Books and Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Scilla]

Nora Pennington is the owner of a bookstore in Miracle Springs. Her employee Sheldon Vega is all dressed up to walk the bride Jess down the aisle to marry Ravi who hasn't arrived yet and isn't answering either. It's past time for the wedding to begin, a big storm is starting, and Ravi is not at home. The next morning they find that houses have flooded, some have fallen down hills into the river, Ravi has been killed, and Jess's house has been trashed. The police find Ravi who has been shot in the back seat of a very old car.

Nora's friend Estella, her husband, and her baby have lost their house and Nora sets them up in the Caboose, her old house behind her store. They are all happy when Nora's friends from New York show up in a big van with lots of food of different kinds. Bobbie, her best friend from New York has brought Jonah, the youngest dean of the Cullinary Institute.

Jess and Ravi had met in Seldon's book club, and they believe that someone in the book club was responsible for Ravi's death. We gradually learn more about what happened, but I don't want to spoil things for new readers.

I thank Netgalley and Kensington Books for the ARC so that I could read this book before publication.
It's a great series!

[Randi Sampson]

A missing groom, a body, a hurricane, and a stolen manuscript... phew, this story sure had a lot going on within its pages. Right from the start, I found myself drawn into all the mysteries unfolding in this small town. I've said in the past that I love in a suspense read when the weather adds its own sense of danger on top of the manmade danger, and this was true in this one too... making everything feel all the more urgent. But the feeling of community and amateur sleuthing still made this one feel perfectly cozy too. It kept me guessing and wondering what would happen next through to the end. This is the ninth book in the A Secret, Book, and Scone Society series, and I personally had not read any of the previous books. While I was still able to enjoy it, I must admit there were a lot of characters to keep track of, and I do think I would have better been able to do so if I'd read some of the previous books too.

The Liars' Book Club is a cozy mystery. It does have some mild-moderate language... not excessive but does include several uses of God's name in vain.

**ARC received for consideration. All opinions are my own.

[J.]

Nora is at the wedding of two young people from Sheldon’s book club, but the groom is a no-show and the brewing storm just shattered a window in the church. The storm is devastating the town, flooding homes and businesses. Nora and her friends begin gathering supplies and offering hot coffee to the townspeople. When the groom is found murdered and a valuable manuscript page the bride was working on is missing, McCabe must push the investigations aside to deal with the emergency conditions, finding and rescuing people from the flood’s rampage after a dam burst. Nora and her friends aid in the search for motives and suspects.
The storm and the personal losses affect the town and the bookclub friends, but their strong ties and friendships will help them heal.
The book was sad and powerful, with a hopeful, upbeat ending and I loved this book.
Thanks to Kensington Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

[Nikki]

Rating: 🤗/4.25
Source: #netgalley
Review: These books are not cozy mysteries in the sense of light topics or fluff. The setting is small town cozy with yummy food references and tons of real book references, but in Miracle Springs the hard realities of life impact these characters. The bookstore is such a central character I was getting impatient waiting for us to get there. Enjoyed the second half of the book more than the first. The author’s note at the end really added to the story. This book (and the series) is about the love and healing power of books, community, friendships, food, laughter and love.

[Jess Hunter]

When a storm comes through town, a wedding is ruined when a groom never shows up at the altar. What unravels is lost houses and businesses, dead bodies, town grudges, and missing historical manuscripts.

I enjoy this series, particularly Sheldon and Nora. The characters in the book are a treat to follow. It was hard for me to get into this installment, but I liked the storyline and cast of characters. I wish there had been more air missing manuscript itself.

Thank you to #Netgalley and #KensingtonCozies for the ARC

[Retrogirl20]

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Kensington Cozies for providing me with an early digital copy! This was another amazing addition to the Secret Book and Scone Society series. The focus on community and friendship in times like these is incredibly important, and this book does that very well. Ellery Adams captures a North Carolina community coming together after a severe storm like Hurricane Helene. This book touched my heart a lot for that very reason, living in this area during the hurricane and coming together as a community to rebuild. Adams captured that warmth and strength of these communities that was not only done well but feels like a warm hug. Additionally, I love the twist and turns of this mystery, it always kept me on my toes wondering what was going to happen next! This is one of my favorite series and I can’t wait to see what comes next for our characters!

[Meg]

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC. I always enjoy spending time in Miracle Springs with Nora, June, Hester and Estella and this book is no exception. This time, instead of Nora's book club being in the spotlight it is Sheldon's book club that gets the limelight and not necessarily in a good way. The members meet for a wedding of two of their own but the groom doesn't arrive because he has been murdered making all of the other members suspects. As if that wasn't bad enough, a hurricane is heading their way. It was sad to see the damage that was done to the town from the hurricane but heartwarming to see how the community really pulled together to help one another. The investigation and solution of the murder was satisfying and the good vibes from the small town added the cozy factor. I'd recommend reading the series in order to really get a feel for the characters and their lives but this can be read as a standalone if desired.
Nora attends the wedding of Jess and Ravi as the hurricane is picking up steam but Ravi is a no show. By the time everyone leaves the church, the bridge is flooded and Nora and her friends are stuck staying at The Lodge for the night. It was nice to see June in action as manager of the hotel and how she had complete control and a plan for the impending emergency and how she was able to keep her customers safe in a scary situation. Ravi is soon found shot to death and his body is found in an old car that got swept away in the flood when the dam broke. The town has been fining Bo, the owner of the dam, for months to make repairs but he never did. When Jess finally makes it back to her home she finds that her house was ransacked and a rare manuscript that she was restoring is missing. The manuscript is worth thousands of dollars and it is assumed to be stolen. Nora's friend Bobbi rolls into town from NYC with tons of food and supplies and chefs to cook for the rescue workers. Nora has turned the bookstore into a supply station for the community to bring donations or to come for aid. Bobbi immediately recognizes Jess as the heiress to a fortune in NYC. She was a teenager when both of her parents died in an accident leaving her rich but she faded away and became a recluse. Bobbi is determined to help locate the manuscript to help protect Jess's new identity. Nora figures out that someone from the book club knew about the manuscript and told an accomplice who broke into Jess's house during the wedding. Bella was dating Bo and he was about to go bankrupt if he couldn't get a cash influx fast so he planned to steal the manuscript but Ravi caught him so Bo killed him. Bo knew that the dam would fail so he put Ravi in an abandoned car by the river in the hopes that he'd get washed away and his death would be blamed on the flooding. Janice, the owner of the nearby farm that suffered from the dam that Bo built, saw everything and shot and killed Bo. The manuscript was found safe and undamaged and Jess moved back to NYC with Bobbi. Estella's house and business were destroyed in the flood so she and her husband and baby Lulu moved to Alabama to move in with family while they wait for the insurance money to come through. Hopefully they'll return in the next book.

[Carrie Shields]

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒅 𝒖𝒏𝒄𝒐𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒅𝒔 𝒐𝒇 𝒅𝒆𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒍𝒔, 𝒃𝒖𝒕 𝒏𝒐𝒕 𝒆𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒚 𝒔𝒆𝒄𝒓𝒆𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒃𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒖𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒆. 𝑺𝒐𝒎𝒆 𝒘𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒃𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒅 𝒅𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒊𝒅𝒆 𝒂 𝒑𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒐𝒏'𝒔 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒕.

Nora and the members of Sheldon’s Blind Date Book Club gather for Jess’s wedding in Miracle Springs just as a massive storm bears down on the town. But before the bride can walk down the aisle, the groom disappears. Then the flooded river gives up a body, Jess’s home is ransacked, and a priceless folio from an illuminated manuscript goes missing. With the town cut off by the storm, Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society have to untangle a murder and a theft while Miracle Books becomes a place of shelter, information, and hope, which is exactly why this remains one of my favorite cozy mystery series.

There is something about these books that gets the balance so right. They have grit. They have real darkness. People get hurt, secrets have consequences, and the mysteries never feel like an afterthought. But there is also SO much heart. I love returning to Miracle Springs and watching these characters evolve with every installment. They aren't static placeholders waiting for the next mystery. They carry their histories with them, and with each book, I feel like I'm getting to know them on another level. The relationships have become just as important to me as the crimes, which is exactly what I want from a series.

This one really delivered. The storm gave the entire story an almost claustrophobic atmosphere, while the missing manuscript and tangled secrets kept me guessing about what was happening beneath the surface. But as always, it was the people that pulled me in and made me care. Ellery Adams has created a world that feels warm without ever being too comfortable, and that little bit of darkness is what keeps these books from feeling predictable. Five stars for another wonderful visit to Miracle Springs. I may come for the mystery, but I stay for the people. Many thanks to Kensington Books for the early read that will publish October 27, 2026.

[Marcia]

Looking for a book that spans the gamut of emotions from despair to utter joy and happiness, this it it! Sheldon's Blind Date Book Club is about to have it's first wedding, until the groom is a no-show. A massive storm is headed for Miracle Springs, the night of the wedding. Did he get stuck somewhere in the storm, did he get cold feet, did something else happen?
As the storm hits, taking out the bridge, a dam, and washing away homes, farms, businesses near the river, Nora and the Secret, Book and Scone Society ride it out, mostly at the lodge with June keeping things together for all of the guests. As soon as they can, she and Nora along with a couple of the maintenance team from the lodge head out to see if they can clean the roads enough for people to leave. When a break-in is discovered and a body is found and the authorities are notified, it doesn't look good for solving the crime. All the evidence has apparently been washed away by the storm. Just what can the four women and Sheldon do that the police cannot? Read the book to find out! No spoilers here.
This series and these characters are high on my list of favorites. Miracle Springs feels like the kind of place I'd like to call home and these people feel like the family I'd choose for myself. And to cap it all, a return visit by Bobbi Rabinowitz is always just the whip cream on top! That is a woman after my own heart!
The plot of this book just kept me wondering and guessing while the final resolution just felt oh so right, but yet such a surprise in a number of ways. Changes are underway in this charming little town with maybe more to come! Let me just say, grab this one as soon as you can and savor it!
I am sharing my honest thoughts in appreciation for NetGalley and the publisher allowing me the chance to read an early copy of the book.

[Kim Sasso]

In the latest installment of Ellery Adams’ USA Today bestselling series, as clouds gather over the Great Smoky Mountains, an absent groom, a stolen historical document, and a book club coming apart at the seams stir up a different sort of storm in this engaging mystery. How far will one book lover go to keep a secret?

As the townsfolk of Miracle Springs, North Carolina, know all too well, water can be healing—or devastating. With a big storm coming, residents are stocking up on essentials. Hoping to beat the storm, Nora is sitting in the Unitarian Church with her fellow wedding guests, all of whom belong to Sheldon’s Blind Date Book Club. As rain hammers the stained-glass windows, the bride, Jess, waits in the back of the church—but where is the groom? When a branch crashes through a stained-glass window, Jess finally tells the guests to go home.

With the help of her friend Sheldon, Nora escorts Jess to the Lodge. It’s now become clear that Jess’s fiancé Ravi is missing. But there’s no searching for him now, as the Miracle River has flooded and they’re stuck on this side of town. By morning, they awaken to widespread devastation and a call from Sheriff McCabe. A body has been pulled out of the river, dressed in a tux.

On top of this tragic turn of events, Jess returns home to find her house has been spared from the raging water, but ransacked, with an extremely valuable folio from an illuminated manuscript now missing. As Miracle Books becomes the community hub for information, shelter, and hope, Nora and the Secret, Book, and Scone Society put their heads together to solve the murder and the theft.

But then a second body is pulled from the river . . .

[Margie Bunting]

I always look forward to returning to Miracle Springs, North Carolina in Ellery Adams' A Secret, Book, and Scone Society mysteries, a cozy series with a lot of depth. Bookshop/café owner Nora and her three closest friends are all memorable characters with troubled pasts, and her relationship with sheriff Grant is convincing and heartwarming.

What I most enjoyed in book #9, The Liars' Book Club was the emotions I felt when the whole town came together to help their neighbors in the aftermath of an utterly devastating flood that destroyed many houses and farms after a poorly constructed dam broke. But there's more--a lot more: a wedding day when the groom never arrived, a later murder, a valuable document that went missing, a plethora of potential suspects, and a few characters who are not who they appear to be. Nora's long-time employee and friend, Sheldon, is again featured, and he continues to prove himself one of the most valuable, steadfast, and charming assets of Miracle Books.

The focus of this series has changed over time, but it continues to be a surefire, reliable read for me, and the quality remains high.

My review is based on a complimentary, pre-release copy of this book.

[Ree]

📚ARC REVIEW📚
📆PUB DATE: October 27, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️¼

Nine books into this series, and while the mystery hooks me every time, it's the characters and friendships that make me feel like I'm reconnecting with old friends I haven't seen in a while.

Another thing I like about this book, and the series in general, is how atmospheric it is. I feel like I've actually been to Miracle Springs. In The Liars' Book Club, the author did such a great job creating the atmosphere that it made me feel like I was also a part of the people joining together to help Miracle Springs overcome the devastation left behind by the hurricane.

As for the mystery itself, it was fun to try to figure out. Did I figure it out? No. Also, this line had me actually laugh out loud. 😆

📖: "If they were book characters, and this was a mystery novel featuring an amateur sleuth bookstore owner and her devastatingly smart and sexy librarian friend, who would be on your suspect list?”

There's just something about this series in particular that has a chokehold on me I can't break free from—and I don't want to. I'm so ready for book 10!

🙏Thank you Netgalley, Kensington Publishing and Ellery Adams for the ARC.🙏

[Nicole Whiteaker]

Reading another book in the A Secret, Book and Scone Society series is like coming home. Nora, June, Estella, Hester and we can’t forget Sheldon are such a close-knit group of friends, no one is ever alone. They are always there for each other during the highs and the lows.

This book definitely had a lot of lows, outside of the murder. A terrible flood occurs and breaks the dams that haven’t been broken in decades. Homes and business were ruined, some people died, but murder? The perfect cover up

This story has all the feels. Did I know who the murder was? No.. Did I think I knew, of course! There were so many developments and twists, I was guessing up until the last second.

There is also a sad “see ya soon” that happens between the friends. You are going to want to grab your tissues for this one.

I love Ellery Adams spin on a cozy mystery. Is there a little romance? Sure. Is it cozy? Absolutely. But it does have a smidge of darkness too it, which gives it a great break from the traditional cozies that I personally read.

Thank you Ellery Adams, NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for an advanced reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

[Vicki May]

Murder has returned to Miracle Springs in the midst of a storm and devastating flood. Nora and the ladies of the Secret, Book and Scone Society are now trying to help the storm survivors rebuild and find out who murdered a member of Sheldon's Blind Date Book Club before the killer strikes again.

Ellery Adams has created more than a book series with the Secret, Book and Scone Society. She's created a community the reader becomes more invested in with each installment. The mystery is always full of twists and drama but it's the relationships of the characters that make this series so special. Each book can be read alone but seeing the changes in the characters, their relationships and the town as a whole throughout the series makes reading the whole series definitely worthwhile. I look forward to each installment like a visit with an old friend. The ladies always seem to show up just when I need to laugh and cry along with them while solving the whodunnit. I highly recommend The Liars' Book Club.

[Jennifer]

I really felt the tragedy of this book, watching flooding devastate Miracle Springs. Over the course of the series, a reader gets attached to the people and places and I found myself anxious to see how everyone was affected. I appreciated that the author focused on the sense of community and how, even in tough times, people can pull together to support each other. The mysteries/murders are woven through the flooding, search-and-rescue, and rebuilding efforts, with Nora taking a closer look at the members of a book club. Each has their own reasons for moving to Miracle Springs and some are hiding their pasts. Nora must determine if their pasts have driven them to commit murder or theft while staying connected to her group of friends and supporting them through loss. I read this book in one sitting as it had my attention and I wanted to know what would happen next.

Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for selecting me to read an advanced copy.

[Mary]

The Liars’ Book Club is the latest mystery in the Secret, Book and Scone Society series. As usual, it was a pleasure to read by Ellery Adams and especially in this series. This book was very touching in so many ways and emotions swung from sad and horrified to happy and hopeful and I was happy to be along for the ride. In this book, there is a murder, a catastrophic flood and a small tourist town trying to cope with both of them. I love the realism in this series and the hopefulness. The ladies in this series can’t always do a lot, but you often see that the small things they do make a big difference. I wish there was a lot more of that in the world. With all the upheaval in the world right now, it was wonderful to escape into this book and feel that goodness still exists in the world.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book. All opinions are my own.

[Kathy]

Enjoy the author and her easy style of writing cozy mysteries. This was a charming read about the impact on a community when different types of tragedy strike. Anyone who is familiar with small towns will recognize the outpouring of support that happens after a crisis.
The story revolves around a bookstore owned by Nora, who happens to live with the local sheriff. What should have been an amazingly happy occasion suddenly turns to one of devastating consequences.
At the foundation of this book series are friends who are there through thick and thin. And maybe, who also, likes solving mysteries deaths.
It was a pleasant book, with familiar characters from earlier read books. Does help, though not necessary, if you have read previous books in the series.
We get a bit more insight to the roads being traveled among the friends and how life can take sudden turns that are unpredictable but may end up being a workable twist of fate.
Worth the read if you are a fan of this author, cozy mysteries, the south, or those curl up and read books.
Thank you Net Galley for providing an advanced copy for an honest review.

[Suzie]

As happy as I was to return to Miracle Springs, N.C. I soon realized this was a departure from previous novels in the series. No less compelling than any other, I found the storm setting played well in the context of the book. It opens to a major life event that should be celebrated before the storm gets out of control. And we are off and running as the storm drama ramps up; having been in such a storm myself, I was glued to the pages.

Ellery Adams perfectly describes the community pulling together during and after the storm. The aftereffects are always devastating, but people usually come through for each other---as our characters do. the death and the theft made for a good clue gathering story for the mystery portion.

This can be read as an outstanding read alone, but the characters are so engaging I think one would enjoy reading from the backlist as well. My thanks to #NetGalley and #Kensington Cozies for an ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

[Kim]

I always enjoy visiting Miracle Springs with Nora, June, Hester and Estella, members of the Secret, Book and Scone Society and this installment was no exception. We start out at a wedding for Jess and Ravi, members of Sheldons book club, during a storm, but the groom hasn't shown up. The story progresses through storm devastation with the flooding of the river, murders, theft, and of course the wonderful community of Miracle Springs coming together to help each other. The only issue is that someone in their little town is a murderer, and of course Nora is unable to let her Sheriff Boyfriend handle the mystery on his own. If you have enjoyed the others in this series I am sure you will like this one, but there is also no reason you cant enjoy this even if you haven't read the others in the series.

Thank you to net galley and Kensington Publishing for the digital copy, my opinions are entirely my own.

[K McKenzie]

Another great book in this series, a favorite for its strong characters and their intertwining lives. This one centers on a murder discovered during a storm and the resulting flood that threatens Miracle Springs, NC, the setting for the series. The actual mystery is as well done as ever with these books, with plausible clues and motivations. I was a little bit less invested in the mystery in this one just because it less directly involves the main characters. It’s still a very good read, and has some interesting developments related to the flood for some of the regulars. It’s always a good sign when you’re ready for the next one immediately after finishing the current book, and that’s certainly the case here. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance copy. All views are entirely my own and offered voluntarily.

[Cindy]

The Liars' BookClub finds us back with our friends in Miracle Springs. But if you are expecting a standard Ellery Adams cozy mystery, think again. The author tells a tale of a dark time in western North Carolina, hard hit by a strong hurricane and subsequent flooding that destroyed towns, properties and lives. As I read about the storm my heart was pounding. But as I read about the kindness and generosity of people from all around the country I was warmed and encouraged. Well told!
For me the setting and backdrop was the winner in this book. The parallel mystery was perhaps not my favorite of all the ones solved by Nora and her book group. I very much enjoyed Sheldon's high profile, as well as Nora's friend from New York, Bobbie. Excellent cast, superb setting
Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington publishing for the ARC of The Liars' Book Club.

[Anna J]

I have loved this whole series. I want to escape to this small town and hang out with the ladies from this book. Nora owns a book store and has 3 close friends in a book club where they have grown close.

Now, Sheldon has a book club called blind date with a book. Two of the members Jess and Ravi are set to be married but a tropical storm is headed towards them. Ravi doesn’t make it to the church and Jess is distraught trying to find him. He is found deceased and now Nora is trying to figure out who did it.

Watching Nora transition the bookstore to provide donations and food for the locals was heart warming to read about.

My heart went out to Shelton in this one as he has to scrutinize everyone in his book club as one of them is up to no good. Nora ultimately figures out who did it.

[Joni]

This was a wonderful new addition to the Secret, Book, and Scone Society series. Nora works to solve a murder in the aftermath of a devastating tropical storm that blew through Miracle Springs. There are also major life changes for Estella and Jack as a result of the storm.
I love the community of Miracle Springs and how they all come together to help out their fellow neighbors who lost so much. Nora and Sheriff McCabe have such a sweet relationship though I wish she'd stop referring to it as his house since she made the decision to move in. My heart broke for Estella and Jack and for Sheldon having to wonder if someone in his book group was a murderer.
Thank you NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for the ARC

[Mary C]

Nora is attending the wedding of two members of Sheldon's Blind Date Book Club. The groom is a no show, the rainstorm intensifies, leaving the bride to tell the guests to go home or head to the lodge where a block of rooms have been reserved. The storm brings extensive flooding and damage to the town, along with finding the groom's body in a car. Nora and friends pull together to help members of the community who have lost everything while investigating who had reason to kill the groom. Sheldon finds it particularly difficult as it becomes evident that members of his book club, excluding the bride, are all on the suspect list.
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