Gather initial thoughts and broad opinions about the book.

1. Nora’s practice of bibliotherapy, prescribing books to heal emotional wounds, is central to the story. What was your initial reaction to this concept, and did the novel convince you of the power of reading as a form of therapy?

2. This book serves as the origin story for The Secret, Book, and Scone Society throughout Adams’s series. How does this novel’s setup of Miracle Springs and its core group of sleuths compare to other mystery-series openers you’ve read, such as Louise Penny’s Still Life?

3. The novel is filled with characters seeking refuge from their pasts. Nora, Hester, Estella, and June all came to Miracle Springs to start over. What do you think is the appeal of escaping to a small town to reinvent oneself, and does the story portray this as a realistic solution?

Encourage readers to connect the book’s themes and characters with their personal experiences.

1. Hester’s comfort scones are designed to evoke specific fond memories through taste and scent. What food or aroma holds a special, comforting memory for you?

2. Each member of the society must share her deepest secret to build the trust needed for their alliance. Is there a time in your life when sharing a vulnerable memory with another person deepened that relationship?

3. The four women are drawn together by a shared sense of justice for Neil Parrish, a man they barely knew. Have you ever put yourself on the line for someone you didn’t know?

4. If you were to practice bibliotherapy, what is one book you would prescribe to a friend going through a difficult time, and why would you choose that particular story?

Examine the book’s relevance to societal issues, historical events, or cultural themes.

1. The story contrasts the idyllic, therapeutic image of an Appalachian spa town with a reality of systemic corruption. What commentary does the novel make about how easily criminal activity can be hidden behind a charming or peaceful facade?

2. Nora initially avoids deep connections and refuses to host book clubs in her shop. What impact do book clubs and other shared gatherings have on the life of a community?

3. Sheriff Hendricks repeatedly dismisses the women’s concerns, mocking their “female intuition.” In what ways does the sheriff’s attitude reflect gender discrimination in contemporary society?

4. The financial crimes in the novel involve mortgage fraud that preys on unqualified buyers. What does the book suggest about the vulnerability of small communities to predatory business schemes?

Dive into the book’s structure, characters, themes, and symbolism.

1. The motif of scars, both Nora’s visible burns and the invisible wounds that the members of the society carry, is woven throughout the narrative. In what ways does the author use this motif to explore different dimensions of trauma and the path to healing?

2. Adams characterizes Bob as a complex character—both a sympathetic figure and a murderer. Did you see him as a villain, a victim of circumstance, or something in between?

3. The story presents two holistic healing practices: Nora’s intellectual bibliotherapy and Hester’s intuitive comfort scones. How do these different therapeutic approaches complement each other and reinforce the novel’s themes?

4. Collin is a charismatic and manipulative antagonist. How does his character embody The Deceptive Tranquility of Small-Town Life?

5. Nora’s own healing journey in the hospital burn unit began with reading Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein. In what ways does her story of survival and self-reconstruction echo the themes of isolation and redemption found in Shelley’s novel?

Encourage imaginative and creative connections to the book.

1. Each of Hester’s comfort scones is tailored to a person’s emotional needs. If you were to design a comfort scone for someone in your life, what ingredients would you use, and what memory would you hope to evoke for them?

2. Imagine a new member is about to join the Secret, Book, and Scone Society. Design a small business that they would own in Miracle Springs. What defining secret might they be carrying?

3. The society creates anonymous gift bags for the bank employees who lose their jobs. If you could add one item to those bags to offer comfort or hope, what would it be, and why?