Book review: The Book of Candlelight

Book: The Book of Candlelight
Author: Ellery Adams
Dates read: January 20-29, 2020


The Book of Candlelight starts off with catastrophic events: heavy rains that blankets the town and dampens spirits, and the unexplained death of a local artist, Danny. Nora's reaction to this death is palpable - she didn't know Danny well but she feels his loss deeply. Emboldened by empathy and a desire to offer comfort, she befriends Danny's widow, Marie, and attempts to help her through the grieving process - something Nora herself is well-acquainted with.

Two newcomers to Miracle Springs, best friends Lou and Patty, are renovating a local inn. During renovation, startling facts come to light: secret passageways hidden within the walls; the damaged diary of the original proprietress, Rose Lattimer, which hints at long-past scandal. As Nora gets to know the newest residents of the community, a picture begins to emerge of a deep connection between the inn, Danny's death, and secrets the inn has held for many years.

The Secret, Book, and Scone Society friends dig into these secrets and as they do they uncover another murder, and lies among the Lattimer family - lies and pain that follow the descendants of the Lattimer family today.

As each member of the group deals with their individual pains that are surfacing around them, there is also deepening friendship among some new members of the town. Sheldon, a strange and delightful man who joins Nora at Miracle Books and brings a sense of whimsy with him; Lou and Patty, who have deeper ties to the Lattimer inn than they first realized. Marie, who needs the sort of friendship the community of Miracle Springs can offer.

While things started out seemingly bleak for the residents of Miracle Springs, there is also hope. I am reminded our deepest pains can be offset by helping others; Nora and her friends all experience sadness in their individual circumstances but they are uplifted when they work together. And together they stop a serious crime, bring justice to victims, and continue to support each other through their talents.

I was offered an advance copy of this novel for an honest review. This series continues to delight me- I enjoy the trials and the friendship demonstrated among the characters and the writing evokes feelings of visiting with old friends.