The Vanishing Type (Secret, Book, & Scone Society #5)

 

The Vanishing Type is the fifth book in the Secret, Book, & Scone Society series by Ellery Adams. Released 26th April 2022 by Kensington, it's 304 pages and available in hardcover, ebook, and audiobook formats. It's worth noting that the ebook format has a handy interactive table of contents as well as interactive links and references throughout. I've really become enamored of ebooks with interactive formats lately; it makes it so easy to find information with the search function.

This is a comfortable cozy mystery series set in a fictitious small town in North Carolina. The town is renowned for its therapeutic healing, both physical and mental.  There is a slightly magical 'vibe' to the healing, with sort-of magical baked & knitted goods and book therapy as an integral part of the deal. This installment contains a lot of exploration on the meaning of family and found family. The author treats the subject sensitively and sensibly.

It's sweet and charmingly written and the secret society spends a fair bit of time making anonymous gifts to distribute to sad/lonely/needy people they know. Luckily for local law enforcement, they're also amateur sleuths and like to solve crimes. There is mild language (a 'sh*t' and a couple of 'd*mn's). All of the above are in context in the story and not gratuitous.

The story as presented is self contained and any necessary back story and characterizations are included in the narrative, so it works well as a standalone novel.  It's not necessary to have read the first books to keep up with the characters or plot.

It's a good, warm, comfortable, small town cozy series with a mostly female cast and a good denouement and resolution.

Four and a half stars, recommended to fans of light cozy mysteries. It would make a good book-club read and in fact, there is an included reader's question guide to help along a discussion group. The author has also included a bibliography list of books included in the text for fans looking for specific recommendations for further reading and discussion.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.