A Test of Faith

Mystery and the Minister's Wife #4

by Carol Cox

About the Mystery and the Minister's Wife Escape to the charming town of Copper Mill, Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Copper Mill is a place of tradition and tranquility. But when Kate Hanlon and her husband Paul move in, they discover that small town life is anything but boring. The mysteries Kate uncovers are puzzling, but she always uses her quick mind and the help of her dear friends to figure out the answer. See how faith can solve life's mysteries in the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series. When a stolen car crashes through the front window of the Country Diner, Kate vows to find the mysterious driver, who has somehow vanished into the night. But when her wallet is discovered in the front seat of the car, she has a whole new reason to find the real culprit. How did it end up there? Meanwhile, when Paul breaks his ankle in a church basketball game, Kate finds herself caring for her ailing husband, and the diner's owner Loretta isn't talking about when, but if, the restaurant might reopen. Is this all simply a test of faith, or is this a sign that the Hanlon's time in Copper Mill is coming to a close?

Genres: Christian Fiction, Mystery, Fiction, Christian

357 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Carol Cox has an abiding love for history and romance, especially when it’s set in her native Southwest. As a third-generation Arizonan, she takes a keen interest in the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. A pastor’s wife, Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play—within view of the family’s front porch.

Reviews

[Parker Hankins · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book I ordered because it's in this amazing series. I got it, and was slightly disappointed.

This is probably my least favorite in the series. Renee, one of my favorite characters ever, wasn't at the places everyone knows she should be. (I mean, if everyone is somewhere, why wouldn't the town's biggest gossiper end up there too like in every other book?!!?) So, her character was a little out of tune. Then it was a little too easy to guess who the culprit was of the car crash. I knew almost as soon as I met the character. (I did get thrown off a few times, though.) I even guessed who did it before the MC, and usually she knows before me.

This book was good, and I definitely enjoyed it, but not quite as awesome as the rest.

[Sherri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another enjoyable book in a cozy Christian fiction mystery series features a minister's wife in a small town. I'm actually enjoying these "body-less" mysteries (Shhh, don't tell Agatha Christie).

[Paul Lunger · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 3rd installment of Carol Cox's "Mystery & the Minister's Wife" series, "A Test of Faith", we the reader start out with an accident which has a car crash into the local diner which then leads to the discovery of Kate's wallet mysteriously found in the car even though she has no idea how it got there. From there, Cox weaves a tale of simplicity & life in general within the town as well as an accident involving her husband pastor Paul. This book is not your typical murder mystery by any stretch of the imagination & is quite enjoyable simply because of the pace of the story as well as the realness of the characters. When the culprit is found, the resolution seems fitting enough & for this reader may be enough to at some point re-visit this series in the future.

[Tam Car · Rating 1 out of 5]

Boring, a lot of whining, and major cheese balls. Why would you not expect to be a person of interest when your wallet is found in a stolen car? There is no endearing character in this book, in my opinion. DNF

[Debby · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the weather is miserable, you can justify curling up with a good book and reading for hours. This is another feel-good segment in this book series. Sometimes all you want out of a book is a happy ending for all and this book fits that nicely.

[Lavender · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a re-read, but because I suffer from short-term memory loss, I couldn't remember how it all ended, so it was like reading it for the first time. And it was good! Love this series!! :)

[Vas · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was well written, kept me guessing til the end who donnit. Overall great read, with faith and love in the center of it all. Very charming, small town story.

[Terry Yaceyko · Rating 3 out of 5]

Boring.

[Karen1313 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really enjoyed reading ☺️ love the series ❤️

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute little story. It was a bit slow getting going though and it was hard to keep focused. I liked the ending.

[Lauri Gentry · Rating 3 out of 5]

A light and easy read with a little bit of a mystery.

[PottWab Regional Library]

SM

[Sheila · Rating 4 out of 5]

"A Test of Faith" is third in the "Mystery and the Minister’s Wife" series by Carol Cox. Not having read the previous two, I can vouch for the fact that the novel stands alone. The story is set in a small Tennessee town where everyone knows everyone else, with one or two exceptions, and everyone thinks they know everything to be known about everyone else. That said, the characters are very real and intriguing, with natural foibles and the usual urge to jump to the most popular conclusion. The writing draws you in to a relatively quiet, relatively ordered life. Disaster and heartache are brought down to a size where the reader knows that all will be resolved by the final page. And the reader of faith is reminded that all our disasters and heartaches are likewise soluble; that the Author, as opposed to the author, has everything in hand.

A stolen car crashes through the front window of the diner, but the driver has vanished, and the wallet on the passenger seat belongs to Kate, the minister’s wife. While the townsfolk split their blame between Kate and the reformed alcoholic who is cleaning the church, Kate’s husband breaks his leg, and a major storm breaks branches on the tree in their front yard. Nothing is ever simple, but an elegant solution awaits. And the book is a rewarding, peaceful read with interesting dilemmas, entertaining relationships, and a delightful sense of faith.

[Jonathan M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have read this wonderful book full of mystery and faith in the church. Though I thought this book was going to be all about church and religious stuff. It's more mystery than it. So in this one, the main character is Kate who is married to a minister. The main character, examines a car crash, which contains her wallet as a evidence. To solve this weird mystery, she has to find all the evidence to make this puzzle fit. I simply loved the mystery in this book and how Kate solves this mind-boggling mystery.

[Tiffany · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't near as good as the other two books I've read in the Mystery and the Minister's wife series. They are all written by different authors and Kate seemed whiny in this one. Not near as good of a feel good story.

[Diana Petty-stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a charming story that reaffirms your faith in ordinary people. A quick read and part of the Mysteries and the Minister's Wife series published by Guideposts.

[R.J. Kottke · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun and light mystery.