Audiobook Sample
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- Title: Secret, Book & Scone Society
- Author: Ellery Adams
- Narrator: Cris Dukehart
- Length: 08:32:00
- Version: Abridged
- Release Date: 09/11/2017
- Publisher: Dreamscape Media, LLC
- Genre: Mystery, Thriller & Horror, Detective Stories, Cozy Mystery
- ISBN13: 9.78E+12
There’s a particular magic that happens when a book understands exactly what your heart needs. As someone who’s spent years collecting stories from hot springs in Japan to midnight markets in Marrakech, I can tell you Ellery Adams’ “Secret, Book & Scone Society” – especially as brought to life by narrator Cris Dukehart – is one of those rare works that doesn’t just tell a story, but administers literary medicine.
“”The Healing Power of Storytelling””
Miracle Springs, with its therapeutic waters and the comforting aroma of fresh-baked scones from the Gingerbread House bakery, immediately transported me back to a tiny bookshop I once stumbled upon in the Blue Mountains of Jamaica. The proprietor, much like Nora Pennington, had an uncanny ability to match visitors with exactly the book their spirit craved. This novel captures that same alchemy – the transformative power of stories to heal old wounds – while weaving in a compelling mystery that keeps you listening long past bedtime.
Cris Dukehart’s narration is like being wrapped in your favorite blanket with a cup of perfectly brewed tea. Her voice carries the warmth of Nora’s bookshop, the crisp efficiency of Hester’s salon, the guarded strength of June’s spa, and the youthful energy of Estella’s boutique. When she voices Nora’s book prescriptions, I found myself nodding along, remembering how Gabriel García Márquez’s words healed my own loneliness during that long Atacama drive, just as Nora’s recommendations heal her customers.
“”A Mystery That Feels Like Coming Home””
The murder mystery at the story’s core is satisfyingly complex without ever becoming grim – a delicate balance that defines the best cozy mysteries. As Nora and her newfound friends form their society, Dukehart’s performance makes you feel like you’re pulling up a chair at their table, the scent of cinnamon scones in the air as they piece together clues. Her ability to distinguish each character while maintaining their collective chemistry is masterful.
What struck me most – and what I think will resonate with many listeners – is how Adams explores the idea that we all carry invisible wounds. The scene where Nora recommends “The Secret Garden” to help someone rediscover their joy reminded me of that Oaxacan grandmother who knew exactly which folktale to tell each grandchild based on what their spirit needed that day. Both understand that stories aren’t escapes from life, but the way back to living fully.
“”A Few Considerations””
While the audiobook is nearly perfect, some listeners might find the pacing leisurely compared to hardboiled detective stories. But this isn’t a flaw – it’s intentional, like the slow unfurling of a handwritten letter from an old friend. And while Dukehart’s male character voices are serviceable, they lack the depth of her female portrayals, though this barely detracts from the overall experience.
“”For Those Who Love:””
– The camaraderie of “The Thursday Murder Club”
– The bookish charm of “The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society”
– The small-town intrigue of Louise Penny’s Three Pines series
This is an audiobook that doesn’t just entertain, but reminds us of literature’s power to mend broken spirits. Whether you’re listening during your daily commute or while baking your own version of the Gingerbread House’s scones (I’ve tried – they’re harder to make than you’d think), “Secret, Book & Scone Society” offers that rare combination of mystery and emotional nourishment that lingers long after the final chapter.
With a well-worn book in one hand and a scone in the other,
Marcus Rivera
