Customer Reviews

The Way of the Guilty: A Hope Street Church Mystery (Hope Street Church Mysteries)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A better than average cozy with a better than average plot and a realistically depicted seriously Christian, church-going, Bible-reading protagonist. Cooper doesn't come across as a goody-goody, simply a woman who tries hard to be a good person according to her religious tradition, takes her faith seriously and works at it. It's a stronger statement than the quiet faith of Miss Marple or Miss Silver, and a pleasant glimpse into the worldview of a committed Christian who is both tolerant and fallibly human - very much in the manner of Anne LaMotte. An interesting place to visit. I certainly didn't find it any more off-putting than the glimpses into the minds of seriously depraved individuals I've met in other murder stories. I like to see into worlds that are not my own. I found this one enjoyable.

Cooper Lee has a good job, nice friends that she met at Hope Street Church who formed a Bible Study Group; a great boyfriend; and a wonderful family. Her sister Ashley does not feel as lucky because she wants a baby so badly but is having trouble conceiving due a medical condition. Ashley's husband owns a car dealership and when she is given a loaner she freaks out to find a body in the trunk.

Cooper is on her way to Ashley's house when she gets a flat. She meets ex-con Edward Crosby who feels he owes her for uncovering who killed his father. He takes her to Ashley's place and eventually the sisters learn the victim is Miguel Ramos who worked as a head lot attendant. Cooper wants justice done by catching Miguel's killer. However, she also learns he was involved in a shady operation because he lived in an expensive place, had expensive clothing and had a wad of money in his home. Shortly after Miguel was killed, the son of the title clerk was also murdered. Cooper feels the two people murdered are linked in some way and with Edward's help, she starts down a path that she hopes will lead to a cold blooded killer.

This inspirational mystery dramatically demonstrates that even the most diabolical person can change and seek redemption. Not preachy, this amateur sleuth focuses nevertheless on lessons learned that retain applicability today. This whodunit is riveting with a believable cast so the audience will complete the tale in one sitting.

Harriet Klausner

Great plot, character developement, witty. Had everything a fun mystery should have. Just a bit too much bible study. And I'm Christian. Its just I felt it was half mystery and half bible study, and I was buying a mystery... I would buy anything by the same author where I didn't have to weed through so much exteraneous message to follow the plot and characters.

To me this was the best book in the series so far. I think a lot of it has to do with the sense of familiar with the characters, however, the main reason was the emotion and variety of mysteries this 'murder' covered.

To say much more would create a 'spoiler' and I do not wish to stop you reading this note. There was suspense, murder, social problems, societal problems, and romance in this book.

In addition there is the Christian angle which is not preachy nor does it read as pure scripture...it does invite the reader to pull their Bible out and re-read some of the passages.

I feel this author has outdone herself and eagerly await her next novel.

In this third entry in the series murder strikes close to home when Cooper's sister, Ashley, discovers the body of a young man in the trunk of her car. The victim, Miguel, was employed at an auto dealership owned by Ashley's husband. With several high-profile cases already occupying the Richmond police department, Cooper is afraid that Miguel's murder investigation will remain on the back burner indefinitely and begins to do a little snooping around on her own. Cooper may be on the trail of a murderer, but will she put herself in danger in the process?

This book also brings us up to date on Cooper's personal life. While things on the job front are going great, Cooper's fledgling romance with Nathan seems to be stalled. Cooper senses a coolness on Nathan's part and is disconcerted by her own attraction to another man. Cooper's friends from her bible study group are also facing changes, with one finding love and another fighting a devastating diagnosis.

The best parts of "cozy" mysteries for me are the characters and the domestic details, and this book delivers nicely on both counts. I feel like the author really draws you in to Cooper's life and leaves you feeling like you're catching up with old friends.

I won't say that the mystery portion of the plot is exactly...unkempt, but it's dark roots are definitely showing! I don't think that most "cozy" readers are in it for the gripping suspense, but if you really like to try to "solve" the case you might be disappointed. But the mystery is serviceable as long as you don't look at it under a microscope.

I would recommend starting with the first book in the series, Stirring Up Strife: A Hope Street Church Mystery (Hope Street Church Mysteries) to follow Cooper's story from the beginning.

No swearing or sexual content.

I had to give up on this book fairly quickly. If you are very, very Christian and like being preached to as you read, you will enjoy this book. It is well written but rather frequently it goes off on a tangent with prayers and preaching, which I found frustrating as I was trying to follow a story. If it had stuck to the story, and just put part of that stuff in I'd have enjoyed it.

Minotaur Books
A Hope Street Church Mystery
(Book 3)

The way of the guilty is devious, but the conduct of the innocent is upright. ~ Proverbs 21:8

This story brings back Cooper Lee, Cooper's family including her sister Ashley, Cooper's co-workers at Make It Work and the Sunshine Bible Study Group.

Cooper continues to draw closer to Nathan thinking he may actually be "the one". But her feelings will be tested.

Make It Work is growing giving Cooper more responsibilities and as if she doesn't have enough on her plate, Ashley finds a body in the trunk of her rental car, which sets in motion a major investigation into her husband's car dealership. Many questions arise and of course Cooper is smack dab in the middle of it.

This story highlights a lot of the news making headlines today, but I don't want to give too much away. But the ending will surprise you.

This installment to this wonderful series is definitely edgier than the first two books in this series. I loved it. You could almost call this story "ripped from the headlines". The subject matter is current, relevant and believable.

Cooper's life is evolving and we are getting to know our amateur sleuth better and better. The other characters are developing slowly in each story which leaves us wanting more. They are true to their faith and believe there is good in everyone, even the criminals they are trying to catch, and sometimes this wonderful trait gets them in trouble.

I LOVED IT!!!!!

This story has all the elements important in an excellent cozy - humor, romance, friendship, intrigue and mystery. All the entities that keep you turning page after page.

This series maybe called Hope Street Church Mysteries and each chapter may begin with a Bible verse, but there are no sermons anywhere is this whodunit. Each Bible study session moves the participants closer to solving the mystery, while strengthening their faith and friendships, and if they are receiving a little help from a higher power, well we all God works in mysterious ways.

Oh, don't forget the tasty recipes.

If you haven't already, add Jennifer Stanley to your list of wonderful storytellers.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission's 16 CFR, Part 255 : "Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising."