Deeds of the Deceitful

Hope Street Church Mysteries #6

by Ellery Adams

Welcome back to Hope Street Church, where friendships are formed, fresh starts are encouraged, and mysteries are solved . . .

It’s June in Virginia, and the scent of flowers and the sound of wedding bells are in the air, an unwelcome reminder to Cooper Lee of the long-distance relationship she recently ended. When Cooper and her Bible study group are invited to spend a weekend at a newly renovated historic inn, it’s the perfect chance to get away with friends and put her bittersweet memories behind her—until the inn’s pompous co-owner is murdered and one of the suspects is Cooper’s own mother.

Certain that someone on the inn’s staff must have done the cruel deed, the Bible study group begins piecing together the clues, only to learn that everyone there has a motive for murder. When they discover that a valuable painting has also been stolen from the inn, they know they’re up against a particularly shrewd evildoer. Determined to bring the culprit to justice and save her mother, Cooper and her friends devise a risky scheme to trap the killer, because sometimes even the Bible study group must work in mysterious ways . . .

Includes heavenly recipes from Magnolia Lee’s kitchen!

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook, Cozy, Christian Fiction, Fiction

Audiobook

First published November 10, 2020

About the author

USA Today and New York Times bestseller author Ellery Adams has written over forty novels and can’t imagine spending a day away from the keyboard. Ms. Adams, a Native New Yorker, has had a lifelong love affair with stories, food, and rescue animals. She likes to spend her free time rearranging the bookshelves in her home in central North Carolina.

Ellery's Series Include: Secret, Book, & Scone Society (Kensington) Book Retreat Mysteries (Kensington) Books By the Bay Mysteries (Berkley Prime Crime), Charmed Pie Shoppe Mysteries ((Berkley Prime Crime), Molly Appleby Antiques & Collectibles Mysteries (Beyond the Page), and Hope Street Mysteries (Beyond the Page).

Ellery also writes genre-blending fiction focusing on women and their inner monsters. Her first release in this exciting new direction is Invasive Species, which hits the shelves 4/14/206.

For book club guides, bibliotherapy lists, and recipes, please visit www.elleryadamsbooks.com

Reviews

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the sixth book of the Hope Church Mysteries series but the first that I have read. I don't feel that it caused me a problem following the storyline. It is an fun premise where a Bible study group seemed to be in a position to solve mysteries that appear before them. We see this story from the viewpoint of Cooper Lee, who is a thirty five year old who has been unlucky in love. In fact, the story starts off on what should have been her wedding day, a beautiful June day in Virginia. She lives in a garage apartment behind her parents' home while her younger sister is married with a toddler. When her sister's best friend Mindy is opening a new B&B and wants to host a soft opening, Cooper's Bible study group is invited for a weekend that they all accept gladly. The stepmother of Mindy is not a pleasant person and would like to sell the large old family home instead of opening the B&B. When she is killed in an auto accident later determined to be murder, Mindy is one of the suspects, although not the only one. A valuable original painting is also taken. The Bible study group put on their sleuthing hats to find out the truth among the several suspects and whether the murder and theft are related. This is a fun mystery to watch unravel as the group works along with the detective on the case. The series has a diversity of characters that are realistic and likable, including Cooper's family, co-workers, the Bible study group, those at the B&B , including a handsome chef. A wedding does happen with Cooper's boss and his wife renew their vows.
I received a complimentary ARC from Beyond the Page Publishing through NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine only.

[Micky Cox · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoy cozy mysteries, but rarely venture into the Christian Cozy genre however this series has me hooked. I absolutely love the main character Cooper, who often doubts herself and her value but always stands up for those she cares about. This book is no exception and we see Cooper start to let go of the doubt she has of herself and her talents. I really enjoyed seeing her start to blossom and become more confident. The murder mystery is intriguing and well plotted out, toss in a budding romance and a strong connection of friends and family and you have the perfect formula for a wonderful afternoon of reading!

[Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of those books where the characters just seem like comfortable old friends you're always glad to hang out with. The pacing of the plot was just right. I enjoyed the mystery and wasn't able to guess who did it early on. The Deeds of the Deceitful is sixth in the series, but the first that I have read. It very much can stand on its own. Having said that, I enjoyed the writing and the characters so much that I’m looking forward to reading the rest of the series. I’m hooked. If you enjoy a relaxed, well-thought out cozy mystery with believable characters, you’ll be hooked too.

[Jennifer Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

Enjoyable Christian fiction book. I liked the bible quotes throughout. The characters have a strong friendship and work well together. The mystery was well written and not too gruesome. I'd love more in this series if the authors wanted to write more! 😀

[Tracey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeds of the Deceitful was my first cozy mystery and I loved it! Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe wrote a great mystery!

Cooper Lee and her Hope Street Church Bible study group are a fun group of diverse characters that keep getting drawn into crimes that have them sleuthing about and piecing together mysteries, much to the chagrin of the local police. I worked to solve the mystery right along with them. The group reminds me of Aurora Teagarden and her Real Life Murder Club.

I enjoyed all the gourmet food references and the humor had me laughing, "You must be a Southerner with that drawl."' "You mean more Southern than Virginia?" And the meteorologist's comment about getting a mud mask, " my pores are very important now that everything is in high definition." The wedding event was the hilarious icing on the cake, I loved Angela and Mr. Farmer, such an odd couple, but surprisingly endearing at the same time.

The book setting in Richmond, Virginia is only a few hours from me. I enjoyed reading about the local landmarks mentioned, Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens and The Jefferson Hotel. The Lamplighter Coffee Cafe reference has me longing for a road trip to explore the area again.

I do hope the Hope Street Church mystery series has another book coming. After all Cooper has been through, she deserves a happy ending that will do away with her self-doubts, "Better to concentrate on whodunit than her own life. Solving a crime was so much less complicated."

I appreciate Beyond the Page Publishing, through Netgalley, making a copy of Deeds of the Deceitful available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all I'm a big fan of Ellery Adams and I'm always excited to see a new book with her name on it. I really enjoyed this book and I enjoy the series. I love the characters in this book, they're smart, likable and secure in their faith. The story moves at a nice pace and I enjoyed the mystery. I was sure a couple times I knew who the murderer was and I was definitely wrong.

[Eleanor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fourth series I have read done by Ellery Adams and I have enjoyed all of them, however, Book 6 in the Hope Street Church Mysteries left me a bit perplexed. I had enjoyed all of the characters and plot lines in the first five books but something seemed to have changed in Book 6. Cooper, the main character, seemed to be lacking all self-esteem. She had ended her second engagement, was in-debt again, was suspicious of a new man (Chef Jon), said she had a job that she didn't care about a lot but not a career, and even questioned how her family shaped up to more affluent ones. Ellery usually has her female lead characters grow and develop as the series goes along and it was doing this through Book 5. Not sure what happened with Book 6 other than maybe the co-author did more of the writing of this book. The mystery line was good and the Bible Study members are all great characters but I just hated to see Cooper floundering so much. Hopefully there will be a Book 7 and this can be addressed. I have always liked how Ellery develops her characters, even those with trauma issues. Crossing my fingers for a Book 7 and clarification. Enjoy!

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am so happy this series has been continued. There is something comforting every time I read the series.

Cooper is such a sweet character. She makes me think that there are still good people out there not ready to make one over on someone. I am so happy about the direction her life has taken. I think she is on the right path with her love life.

This is a clean read (except for murder but no grisly scenes) that you will not want to put down. I found myself devouring it in less than 24 hours because I couldn't wait to get back to my friends in the Sunrise Bible Study Group.

Yummy recipes are included and just in time for the holidays!

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher. Beyond the Page Publishing, through NetGalley. All opinions expressed in the above review are entirely my own.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Deeds of the Deceitful by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is the sixth A Hope Street Church Mystery. It can be read as a standalone if you are new to the series or have missed a tale or two. I have enjoyed following the series and getting to know Cooper Lee, the Lee family, and the members of the Sunrise Bible Study. I thought the story was well-written with steady pacing and developed characters. I like that there is a diverse cast of characters in a wide range of ages. Cooper Lee is our protagonist whose engagement recently dissolved. The story begins in June in Virginia close to the day Cooper was to have wed. She is thirty-five years old and is beginning to wonder if the right man is out there for her. It is especially hard with Angela Farmer and her boss, Mr. Farmer deciding to renew their vows on their anniversary. Angela makes Cooper part of the bridal party and Cooper’s sister Ashley becomes the wedding planner. The wedding planning and the event itself add humor to the story. Cooper Lee is a kind soul who will go the extra mile for family and friends. Ashley’s friend, Mindy Atwood has spent her inheritance restoring the historical Atwood Inn. Cooper Lee and her friends of the Sunrise Bible Study get to spend the weekend at the inn for the soft launch. It is the getaway Cooper needs. Unfortunately, Loretta ends dead under suspicious circumstances and Cooper’s mother is at the top of the suspect list along with Mindy Atwood. Cooper is not about to let her mother linger as a person of interest and her friends are quick to offer their assistance. The mystery was a fun one to solve. I had an inkling as to the identity of the guilty party early in the case, but I had no idea as to why. I could not wait to see if I was right. There are several good suspects along with a red herring and helpful clues. This was my favorite mystery of the series. Cooper Lee meets a new fellow at the inn and there is definitely chemistry between them. I hope we get to see more of the charming Chef Eason in future books because he seems to be a good match for Cooper Lee. The ending was a delight. There are recipes for some of Maggie Lee’s baked goods at the end. The Deeds of the Deceitful is an entertaining cozy mystery with a handsome historic inn, a snobbish stepmother, a crafty killer, a purloined painting, wedding renewal woes, and delectable delights.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sixth book in the Hope Street Church Mysteries series written by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe but it's the first one I've read. The plot was well thought-out and it flowed nicely. The diverse bunch of characters came across as very genuine and were pleasingly rounded and I liked the way the Bible study group worked together as they helped investigate the crime. The characters felt like old friends I was meeting up with for a get-together. The story was easy to follow as the mystery was individual to this particular instalment, but like me, you may wish to get stuck into the rest of the series at some point! I don't read all that many Christian-themed cozies but I highly recommend Deeds of the Deceitful.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel at my request from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. This review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really fun read! I enjoyed it from beginning to end. I thought the Christian element to it might be off-putting, but found the Sunrise Bible Study to be a good, cohesive group.

This is the first I've read in the series. I really enjoyed reading about Cooper and her group and how they had a history of solving mysteries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing. This was an enjoyable read and I plan to read further into this series, as well as the ones I've missed!

[Faith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A welcoming cozy mystery, the sixth in a series, and even though I hadn't read the previous books in the series I felt right at home.

A full cast of colorful characters, and engaging plot with fantastic pacing, this book had me wondering why I hadn't discovered this series sooner. This book caught my eye because I'm a fan of Tina Radcliffe and cozy mysteries are right up my alley so I thought I'd give it a try, and I'm sure glad I did. There is a lot going on with the various characters, and even though there are a lot of them, they and each of their plots are distinct and memorable.

I loved how each of the Bible study members brings something fresh to the table, as they work together to solve the mysteries. So many of the characters are well built and all of the side characters really pop, I can't wait to read more in this series and read more books by Ellery Adams!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

[Sherida Stewart · Rating 5 out of 5]

An engaging cozy mystery!

Deeds of the Deceitful is such fun to read. Not only is there an intriguing crime to solve, but there is a hint of romance and a virtual trip to the charming Atwood Inn near Richmond, Virginia.

I completely enjoyed the assortment of amateur sleuths who meet as the Sunrise Bible Study group, but also get involved in solving local mysteries. With a suspicious death, a missing painting, and a cast of possible suspects, I was fascinated with trying to figure out this “who done it.” Since I’m a foodie, the details involving a couple of chefs and a baker....plus all the goodies from Magnolia’s Marvels....were a delight. (Recipes included!)

This is the first time I’ve read a selection from the Hope Street Church Mysteries series, so I can definitely say this book is a stand alone...and I want to read the others. With great details and a interesting investigation, I highly recommend Deeds of the Deceitful to all cozy mystery genre enthusiasts!

Favorite quotes:
“This is like putting together a jigsaw puzzle when the dog ate a few pieces.”
“My grandmother always says that the only thing bigger than our problems is the Lord.”

*I received a copy of this book from NetGalley with no requirement to write a positive review. I’m offering my honest opinion.

[Inspirationalfictionreader · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve never read a cozy mystery, but I knew when I saw Tina Radcliffe’s name on the cover of The Deeds of the Deceitful, I had to try it out. I’m so glad I did. I really enjoyed this story with its likable characters, interesting mystery, and really sweet romance.

Cooper and Jon’s romance was my favorite part of this story. I know, I know, it’s a cozy mystery, but I loved them! Especially Jon! But, don’t get me wrong, I thought the mystery was really good too! I fluctuated between what I thought really happened and why and who did it. I also enjoyed glimpses of the lives of the members of the Bible study group. It makes me want to go back and start with the first book in this series! If this book is a good example of what cozy mysteries are like, I will definitely be reading more of them!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith element is light.

[Taryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooper Lee doesn't welcome any reminders of her failed long distance relationship that she recently ended. It seems like blooming flowers and thoughts of weddings are everywhere so what's A girl to do? She is happy when her Bible study group gets the chance to spend time at a historic inn that has recently been renovated. The weekend doesn't look good when the group meets one of the co-owners of the Inn. The man is overbearing and hard to deal with so when he ends up murdered its not the shock you think it would be. Cooper becomes worried when it looks like her mom is on the suspect list. She gathers the bible study group together and the gang starts their own investigation in hopes of clearing one of their owns name. When a suspect doesn't co.e to the forefront the group decides to set a trap in hopes of sharing a killer. Will the real murderer be found out in the end?

[Kav · Rating 5 out of 5]

Woohoo! The audible edition of Deeds of the Deceitful, artfully narrated by Cris Dukehart finally released! And I do mean finally because the ebook has been out for a year! As much as I angsted over the delay, it sure was worth the wait! In fact, I might have zipped through the book way too fast. Preordered it, downloaded it on release day (today) and it's already over. :-( But what a blast while it lasted. :-)

My favourite Hope Street Church Mystery book to date. Love Cooper and her bible study chums (such an eclectic group of individuals.) They have sleuthing down to a fine art and have built such supportive friendships since Cooper met up with them in the first book. Love the camaraderie. The hints of humour even when they're under pressure...maybe even more so when they're under pressure. And I especially love how Cooper has grown in her faith. I'm also thrilled that her rocky road relationships are a thing of the past. At least, I hope so -- because there's a new guy who is showing a keen interest and things look very promising indeed!

A solid mystery with a few interesting angles and love the setting! Such a fun read...hoping this isn't the last book in the series but there isn't any indication that there will be more. Crossing my fingers.

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cooper Lee and the Hope Street bible study friends are off to a historic Inn to be the first customers during it's "soft opening". The Inn's owner wants the group to give feedback on the amenities offered, however when a cruel relative of the owner is murdered, the group will be giving feedback on murder!

I love this series! It has all the cozy elements I love - mystery, likable characters you can relate to, family, a group of loyal friends who support each other, humor and a main character (Cooper Lee) that you would like to have as a friend. There is romance but it doesn't overshadow the mystery. While the series has it's basis in a bible study group, the characters have everyday challenges that their faith and friends help them through. The main theme is solving the mystery, but we see glimpses of Cooper's friends lives and her own. That made me enjoy the book even more!

I'll definitely be back for the next book!

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is book 6 in the Hope Street Church series and it's a wonderful story that can be read as a stand alone. I enjoy this series that is not at all preachy but a good wholesome read. Set in Virginia, Cooper and her Bible study group are invited to a soft opening of a local bed and breakfast. The owner wants their opinions and help to get her new inn running in time for tourist season. When the co-owner is killed and a valuable painting goes missing the study group gets into the solving mode. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Shauna · Rating 3 out of 5]

First off, there is a real shake up in the cast of characters. I never saw it coming. I think the changes are for the better, but time will tell. I kinda got annoyed by Lee in this one. I mean, I guess she's "real" in her insecurities but it gets tiring. Her character has fallen a little one note for me. This book, we get to know Quinton a little more. Seems like a nice guy. All of the Sunrise Bible Study group seem like lovely people. It's what keeps me coming back to read about them.

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you like a good Bible centered Southern mystery full of friendship and romance in a historic setting, you'll love this one. This is the first I've read in the series, but that really didn't matter to my enjoyment of the read. Good plot and even better characters!
I requested and received a free ebook copy from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley. Thank you!

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m so glad this series has been revived; it’s such a feel-good series. Even when Cooper is down, her friends find a way to cheer her up and open her up to new possibilities. I loved the idea of them visiting an inn and doing a dry run before opening. The mystery was well plotted and I enjoyed collecting clues along with the Bible study group. Looking forward to see what’s in store for Cooper and her friends.

[Tina]

Good news! Book 7 in the Hope Street Church Mysteries is coming on March 14, 2023. Look out for Methods of Malice!

[Tarissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cooper is a 35-year-old blonde. Still single. She has eyes that are two different colors. Lives in Virginia. And she's a part of the Sunrise Bible Study group.

When a murder takes place, close in proximity to the newly-renovated historic inn that the Bible study group is staying at, they are ALL in. They want to clear the good names of their friends who are being interrogated by the police, and bring down justice for the woman who died. It's the right thing to do, with the clues and the brains they've been given by God.

There's a few biblically-minded turns of phrase and puns that made me smile; Christian readers with a sharp eye will notice these too. For example, when "the seas parted"... or simply the names of Cooper's cats (which I'll let you find out about by reading the book). It's all in good, clean fun.

Suitable for: Adults or Teens (12 and up -- only due to some "wordly" comments randomly dispersed into the story. I would still call this "clean fiction", since there's no cursing or adult content.

Thanks to NetGalley for providing me with a free copy in return for an honest opinion.

[Anne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Deeds of the Deceitful by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is number six in the Hope Street Church mystery series. This is unique in that it is the only Christian Cozy I have read to date. The amateur sleuths are a small group of people who attend the same church and belong to a Bible study group. In this case, they have been invited to sample a new bed and breakfast as part of its soft opening. As none of the could probably afford to stay there on their own, they jumped at the chance. It was owned by a friend of the sister of one of the members, Cooper Lee, Mindy Atwood, who had inherited it from her father. She shared ownership with her unpleasant stepmother, Loretta, but she had control over all business decisions, until she ended up dead in a car wreck. The things started getting messy. It looked like it might be murder.

There are all kinds of peripheral characters in this book who help the story along but are not really a part of it. One is Cooper's mother, Maggie who has a small business providing pastries for other businesses in town. One is Atwood's, and despite the fact that she knew about Loretta's peanut allergy, an open pastry was found in her car and so she is under suspicion. All kinds of things happen in this story: there is a wedding; artwork is stolen; there is a possible new romance for Cooper; birdhouses gain in popularity; Atwood's may never open again. The characters are good and pretty ordinary except for Bryant, who is a member of the group and a weatherman on the local news; he seems almost to be a caricature, although he is likable enough. The murderer is kind of a surprise but it all makes sense in the end. It was a good mystery, a series I have never read before. Everyone was pretty normal: no interesting jobs or interesting settings, just real life. I recommend it.

I was invited to read a free ARC of The Deeds of the Deceitful by Netgalley. All opinions and interpretations contained herein are solely my own. #netgalley #thedeedsofthedeceitful

[Lghiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Richmond, Virginia, is the setting for this delightful cozy mystery The Deeds of the Deceitful by a team of two authors, Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe. I could tell at once that I had jumped into the middle of a series, but the authors did a great job of identifying the main characters. Cooper Lee is a manager at Make It Work! where she is in charge of office machine repairs. She is also part of her church’s Sunshine Bible Study, a group who gathers to study the Bible but somehow finds itself in the middle of crime investigations. Currently, the diverse group is studying the book of Proverbs and are amazed at how often they can apply Biblical wisdom to solving crimes and in their personal lives.

The Sunshine Bible Study is invited to a soft opening of the Atwood Inn. There are issues between the two owners, and one has a car accident under suspicious circumstances during this special weekend. Another crime occurs there that same night. Are they related? There are several major suspects, and the Sunshine Bible Study group feels compelled to investigate as friends come under scrutiny.

Meanwhile, Cooper is trying to help with her boss’ marriage vows renewal, and she meets an attractive chef at the inn. She is thirty-five, single having broken off two engagements, and can only afford to live above her parents’ garage as she pays off her cancelled wedding reservations. Her mother’s emerging pastry business may be ruined, especially if the Atwood Inn can not recover from all of the bad publicity.

Cooper is one busy lady and a very likable main character. I’m looking forward to reading more in this series. It’s clean, has interesting characters, and moves forward at a fast pace. The interaction with the police is believable as the police do not overshare and the Sunshine Study Group keeps the authorities in the loop with their discoveries.

I would like to extend my thanks to NetGalley and to Beyond the Page Publishing for giving me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Deeds of the Deceitful is the 6th book in the Hope Street Church Mystery series and the first I'd read. The authors do a great job explaining the characters back-story, making it very possible to read this book as a standalone (however after you've done so you will want to go back and read the rest of the series!).

Cooper Lee has been asked by a friend at work to help plan her wedding as well as be the maid of honor. Cooper asks for the assistance of her sister Ashley. In exchange, Ashley asks that Cooper and her Bible study group do her a favor by staying the weekend at the inn soon to be re-opened by her college roommate Mindy. Mindy, who co-owns the inn with her stepmother, is trying to re-open the inn which has been shuttered for five years since her mother's death, is in need of opinions/input during the inn soft open. Cooper and the Bible study group readily accept the invitation for a weekend away. Unfortunately, not long into their stay the stepmother dies in a car accident which is later deemed 'suspicious." Cooper and the group begin to investigate the crime, as both Cooper's mother and Mindy are considered persons of interest. They soon learn that most all of the inn's employees have a motive for the crime. Along the way a valuable painting vanishes and there are now two crimes to solve. In their inimitable way, the Bible study group are able to put all the pieces together and solve the theft as well as the murder.

Great mystery, including all the angst around planning a wedding! The characters are great friends, share the common bond of their faith and the Bible study, and enjoy being in each other's company. The mystery is puzzling, the manner in which the crime was committed is very creative, and the resolution somewhat unexpected. They book is definitely worth reading and the recipes in the back, from Cooper's mother Maggie, are worth trying!

[Dana McNeely · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm always searching for fun, feel-good cozy mysteries, and "The Deeds of the Deceitful" by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe fills that niche.

Take the heroine, Cooper Lee. She thinks she's a disaster when it comes to men, though her friends in the Sunrise Bible Study try to convince her otherwise. Even they have to admit, however, that the last handsome man who took an interest in her ended up being a murderer, and poor Cooper had been left feeling like a fool.

So when Jon Eason, the handsome chef at a bed and breakfast, seems to be interested in Cooper, she can't trust her judgment. Cooper's sister Angela assures her "All the rest of those guys were auditions. You'll know when it's the real thing. He'll be kind and sweet and think you're the best thing since carne asada fries from Casa Grande."

But there are so many obstacles to romance. Cooper's Grammy for one. Will she take out her dentures, put them on the kitchen table, and ask Jon what his intentions are? An even bigger obstacle comes along. Cooper's good friend Mindy offers the Sunrise Bible Study a free weekend at her bed and breakfast. This will help her get all the kinks out before she opens for guests. But before the weekend is over, Mindy's stepmother is found dead, which is definitely bad for business.

"That poor Loretta Atwood was dead. Some might say she got what she deserved, but if that was the case and everyone got what they deserved in life, the world would be a very different place. Cooper was grateful for the blessings she received daily, undeserving as she was."

This cozy is full of twists and turns, with lots of fun stuff in between - books, art, crafts, a charming B&B, food, and romance. Just what we all crave, right? Enjoy!

[Floyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Virginia is beautiful in Virginia - at least until Loretta Atwood dies in an automobile accident and the Austin Deveraux painting is found missing from the place on the wall of the Atwood Inn on which it was hanging. It gets worse - almost everyone has a motive and an opportunity to commit the crime.

Cooper Lee’s Sunday Morning Bible Study from Hope Street Church was invited to a complimentary weekend at the newly renovated Atwood Inn - a small group just large enough to give the inn a soft launch two weeks before the grand opening. With a staff of six, the number of suspects was small; but was growing. It would include Cooper’s mother who supplied pastries for the weekend festivities. The Bible Study was looking at Proverbs with a focus on the seven deadly sins (“Lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride, …”) - all possible motives for Loretta’s murder.

This faith-based (including scripture quotations) cozy mystery was a perfect read for a COVID-19 weekend. Now if I can sneak in one of the three recipes included as an appendix. Even though it is the sixth book in a series featuring the Bible Study group and the first that I had read, it easily became a stand-alone read. I expect that reading others in the series would flush out the characters, but no holes were felt as I made my way through this book. A book is easily worth the five-stars I am giving it.
______________
This review is based on a free electronic copy provided by the publisher for the purpose of creating this review. The opinions expressed are my own.

[Randi Sampson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Deeds of the Deceitful is the sixth book in the Hope Street Church Mysteries by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe. To be honest, I didn't realize the book was part of a series when I started reading it. While there were references that made it more evident that this wasn't the first case the Bible study had found themselves involved in, it didn't affect my ability to understand and enjoy the story--- though I imagine I might have had an easier time keeping some of the characters straight. Either way, this can certainly be read as a standalone.

In this book, Cooper and her Bible study are invited to stay in a new inn prior to it's launch. What should have been a fun getaway turns to a disaster when one of the co-owners is murdered... and those close to the group find themselves on the suspect list. They make it their mission to clear the names of the innocent and discover who the murderer truly is.

With a great blend of mystery, romance and sweet treats, it was everything that I personally enjoy in a good cozy mystery. As a fan of both cozy mysteries and Christian fiction, I definitely enjoyed the faith aspects in this story as well. This may have been the first in the series I'd read, but I am certain it will not be the last. This is one definitely worth reading.


**I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley for consideration. All thoughts are my own.

[Tracy Condie · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do like a good cozy character with a posse! Often times a character will have a supportive friend or two but this mystery, not unlike the Supper Club series (nice work J.B. Stanley) has a group to help noodle out the puzzles. This group is a bible study group which is also a new and interesting twist for me as well and I must admit that I am now looking back over the book of Proverbs much like the Hope Street Church bible study group. Cooper Lee has not been lucky in love but she can always count on her friends, of course when the new Chef in town takes a shine to her, she can count on her friends to nudge her in the right direction as well. Thankfully Chef Jon is not on the suspect list, but there are plenty of people who are because the Laura Atwood, the victim was not well liked, even by her own daughter, chef Alice Mayberry, much less her stepdaughter and half owner of the Inn, Mindy Atwood. Cooper and her group have more than just a murder to solve since an extremely rare painting was discovered to be missing when Loretta was discovered to be dead. A pleasant read that keeps you guessing as to who did what and why, not to mention the WONDERFUL Magnolia's Marvels recipes found at the back of the book. I for one have already made th classic 7 layer bars to snack on while reading.