Methods of Malice is my second book in the Hope Street Church mystery series and it was pure reading entertainment! 5 stars!
I enjoyed revisiting Cooper and the Sunrise Bible study group with all its variety of amusing characters. The group can't resist pulling out their sleuthing skills when the fundraiser they are involved in, a production of It's a Wonderful Life, ends up with a murderer in their midst.

Cooper is smart with math and machinery but clueless when it comes to relationships, so it was great to see her and Jon move a bit closer to boyfriend girlfriend status. I love that he's a chef and constantly after her mom Maggie's recipes. It was fun to read all the food references and the recipes shared at the book's end. Grammy Lee is a hoot with her outspoken opinionated ways.

Methods of Malice is a clever mystery full of twists and turns that'll leave readers amused and guessing from one suspect to another while trying to solve the murder case. I hope we get to read more books in this series especially about Cooper and Jon.
I appreciate Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley making a copy of Methods of Malice available for review. All thoughts and opinions are my very own.

Cooper and her friends found themselves entwined in a murder mystery that was captivating and intriguing. A Christian, cozy murder mystery that was exciting, intriguing, and captivating. Although the main character Cooper, was a little too naive, this book still had my attention until the end.

This is a beautifully written and heartfelt story about love, friendship, family and community. It has the Sunrise Bible Study group who are close knit group of friends who support and encourage each other. The group is involved in the Hope Street Community Theater putting on "It's A Wonderful life" to raise money for the Senior Community Center. I love how it shows everyone caring about where they live and wanting to volunteer and give back to the community they live in.

During rehearsals accidents start happening and then someone is murdered. Although they were told to stay out of it Cooper and her friends can't help but look for clues and try and figure out who the murder is. They want the show to go on.

This was like a breathe of fresh air to read during this time and gave you peace and hope in humanity.

Another delightful book in the Hope Street Church Mystery series. When the Hope Street Community Theatre plans to stage a production of ‘Its a Wonderful Life’, the Bible study group all audition and get parts! But pretty soon a murder has taken place and, once again, Cooper and her friends begin to investigate.
Fun, quirky characters, an entertaining mystery and just a touch of romance thrown in along the way. Keeps the reader guessing until the very end. I shall certainly be reading more from these authors.

Methods of Malice by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliff is the seventh book in the Hope Street Mysteries series. The Sunshine Bible Study Group members are all participating, in one way or another, in the local Christmas pageant presentation of It's A Wonderful Life. The pageant is a fundraiser for the senior center. The group gets involved in solving another murder mystery which I have to confess kept me guessing. I like how well the group works together. They support each other and care about each other. I enjoy their individual personalities. This storyline was complex and solving the mystery kept my attention throughout. This is book #7 but I feel it can be read as a standalone. Previously I have only read the first book in the series and there are some changes of characters in this book. .

An enjoyable cozy series.
Interesting characters and a well paced whodunit.
I cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

Methods of Malice is a fun read. It is the 7th book of the Hope Street Church Mysteries. The story takes place in Richmond, Virginia. There are 6 members in this study group. Cooper Lee, Trisha Tyler, Bryant Shelton, Quinton Enderly, Jake Lombardi and Savannah Knapp who is the leader of the Sunshine Bible group. They are putting on It's a Wonderful Life at the Hope Street Community Theatre for a fundraiser for the senior center. Trisha through her sorority sister, Laura Champagne, assistant to director, Simon Doyle to do their play.. He wanted to help with the play to get him back to the public's good graces after an affair with an actress. All the bible study group are in and working for the production, He arrives with his staff as well as actress Jasmine Ryan who he brought in for the lead. There are all the supporting characters that add to the story.

The rehearsals have mishaps that start the story on an adventure that leads to the death of Reginia McAllister, assistant director and Simon's ex-wife. The study group decides to find out who killed her. There is so much that is going on in the story that I will leave it to the reader to enjoy to the exciting climax. The story ends with the study group having their last meeting for the year with a prayer. There is throughout the story bible quotes at their meetings.

Thank you NetGalley and Beyond The Page Books Publishing for this ARC.

Having discovered this series some years back, I was delighted to find a new edition to Cooper and the Hope Street Church's story. To be honest, I thought I'd somehow missed a finale and it had ended, so was happy to be proven wrong. Adams and Radcliffe do a fine job of mixing Christianity and mystery, with Cooper the sweet, kind, but rather naive young woman I remembered. The Bible Study group makes up the amateur sleuth bunch here, with the friends working together to find clues while taking part in the Hope Street Community Theater's production of "It's a Wonderful Life". A famous director and his entourage have arrived and one of them winds up being a murder victim. In the process of finding the killer, you'll even find yourself learning a bit about theater vocabulary and the backstage workings, too.

So,who killed Regina McAllister? As it turns out, suspects are plentiful. But, wait, could it have been a case of an accidental homicide with another the intended victim? Could the items fallen out of Regina's purse contain a clue? Why is Cooper so hesitant to call Jon her boyfriend? Is she really as naive as she seems when she thinks she has flirt Michael handled and deflected comfortably? Could it be director Simon Doyle? He does have the public image of a heartless cad, so would murder simply be an easy way for him to divest himself of women problems? Ladies, do you have a LBD? Do you know what it is? Who....oops, never mind. Enough teasers.

Read the book. The religious aspect of it is handled deftly, blended in nicely without being heavy handed, while the focus remains on the characters and their evolving relationships. While, as noted, I found Cooper sweet but naive, you can't help but like her. Her family is strong and there for her, as are her friends, as she finds herself being pulled closer and closer to danger. Boyfriend Jon, a chef, is supportive without being overbearing, willingly taking small steps forward in their relationship. That her parents adore him is a real plus. I found the book a reasonably quick, entertaining read and hope there will be more installments.

Thanks #NetGalley and #BeyondThePagePublishing for inviting me back to Hope Street. I love the community and its people and am looking hopefully toward more to come.