Strangers flock to Miracle Springs for its healing powers, whether it’s relaxing at the spa, eating a “comfort” scone from the bakery, or having the local bookstore owner, Nora, pick out the perfect book. When a visiting businessman dies after falling into the path of an incoming train, Nora sets out to solve the mystery of who murdered him, despite the local sheriff claiming it was suicide. She finds herself forming a friendship with three other women in town: Hester, Estella, and June. All four women have secrets, and they band together to not only help each other heal but to solve the murder.
This was a cute little cozy mystery. I confess that I did not read the synopsis as carefully as I should have, as I thought this book was more of a magical realism book with a magic bookstore. Therefore, I was surprised when the businessman ended up dead. That being said, I do love a cozy mystery, and I had fun reading about Nora, Hester, Estella, and June solving the murder.
I guess because I misread the synopsis, I thought there would be a lot more magic in the book, with Nora having a gift for choosing the perfect book and Hester baking the perfect scones. I was expecting a plot revolving around this peaceful magic of the town, but I didn’t see much magic. Nora’s “gift” just seems to be recommending books, which I feel like any good bookstore owner would be able to do. I was definitely more interested in Hester’s scones, but I had a lot of questions, the main one being, do you have to hang out at the bakery for the 20 minutes it takes for Hester to concoct and bake the scone after she talks to you? Also, who would wait 20 minutes for a scone to be baked when they are already at a bakery?
I did love the relationship between the four friends and how they helped each other to heal from their trauma. I liked that they were all different and that they brought out something good in each other. Additionally, as a reader, I especially loved the concept that the right selection of books can heal and improve our souls. I just wish there were more of that in the book.
Do I think the title of this book needs an Oxford comma? Yes. Did I enjoy the book despite this glaring grammatical error? Also yes.
I read this and thought it was just okay, gave it 3 stars. I can see how it would throw you to find someone dead when you weren’t expecting a mystery!
It was a 3 star for me too! It was cute but I don’t think I’m invested enough to read more of the series.