Member Reviews
When famous chef, Anton Parsley (former mentor to Cooper's boyfriend), is accused of murder, Cooper and her mystery-solving Bible Study group jump in to help solve the mystery.
This started off slow and a little clunky for me. I have read hundreds of mysteries, and love cozy ones, so I'm a little picky. Once I got over that, though, I actually really enjoyed this book. The mystery was pretty straightforward and I figured it out (mostly) before the end, but it didn't take away from my enjoyment of the book. What I think I actually loved most about the book was the Bible Study group. They were such a fun cast of characters and their faith really shines. I believe that everything happens for a reason and everything happens when you need it to, and that includes my books. When I need to hear something, it might just come in the form of an audiobook that I put off listening to because it started off slow for me. Everything has a time, and I'm grateful it finally came to my time to read this!
The narrator was great and I will absolutely be listening to more of this series. Recommend for cozy mystery readers who want something light and easy.
Cooper and her bible school friends didn’t back away when their friend and Cooper’s boyfriend's uncle became the number one suspect in the murder of a food critic. Everything in this story was captivating and intriguing, from the murdered victim's fake credentials to secrets that are unearthed. This was a great cozy mystery filled with a cast of inspirational sleuthing characters, I love them.
This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!
A Taste for Crime if a well written cozy mystery. I throughly enjoyed the plot.. a great addition to the. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
A Taste for Crime is the eighth cozy mystery in the Hope Street Church Mystery series. When a food critic turns up murdered after a scathing review all eyes are focused on local celebrity chef Anton Parsley. Anton just happens to be John’s uncle and Cooper feels the need to help her boyfriend’s family. In typical fashion, Cooper gets the Hope Church Bible study group together to get to the bottom of the case. They’ve had great success in the past when it comes to hunting out the murderer and this will hopefully be no different.
I am a fan of this series and always love revisiting this group of characters. They are all quirky, but fit together perfectly, complimenting each other’s strengths. This mystery is a fun and quick read that kept me guessing until the end. The setting and characters in this book keep me coming back for more every time. Don’t be deterred by the Bible study group aspect, the characters talk about faith at their meetings, but nothing is over the top or in your face. It’s more about supporting each other through their hardships and sticking together. Overall this was a really enjoyable cozy mystery read that would be good for cozy mystery fans. I’ve read the rest of the series, but if you’re okay with missing a few background details, I believe you could read this book as a standalone if you haven’t met Cooper and the gang yet. I can’t wait to see what comes next for Cooper and her friends!
This is the eighth book in the Hope Street Church Mysteries. I really enjoy the fact that the group of friends that help solve the mysteries are a bible study group. The Christian theme is a subtle element that adds to the story. In each book the characters grow and you get to know them a little bit more. The characters are not perfect, but have normal problems and insecurities that are relatable. Cooper and her bible study group are asked to help support a favorite local chef who has received a bad review from a food critic. His business is struggling because of the review. Before they can do anything to help, the food critic is murdered. The chef is the main suspect and the group decides to try to solve the case to clear the chef's name and hopefully save the restaurant. Is the food critic really who she appeared to be? As the group learns more about her, things are not adding up. There seem to be many people that had other motives for wanting her out of the picture. Will Cooper and her group be able to figure it out before the chef is charged with murder and before anyone else gets hurt?
An interesting twist on the cozy mystery by making it a Christian based cozy mystery. You still get the great writing and plotting as well as realistic characters that you are used to with Ellery Adams books, but the sleuth group is a bible study group of unique characters. I am not typically into Christian based books as they tend to come off as very preachy and often misogynistic, but this series and this book in particular is extremely well written with the men and women in the group being equal partners and often the women coming off as the stronger characters. I love that the characters are written with realistic personalities including flaws. This mystery is well written with a few red herrings to try and trip you up as you unwind the mystery and try to figure it out with the characters. The relationships between the characters add depth and engagement to the story that keeps you turning pages and enjoying for hours!
If it has Tina Radcliffe’s name on it, I will read it! She always writes wonderful stories! No matter the genre, her characters are always likable, her storylines always good, her humor is spot on, and her faith thread is always seamlessly woven throughout the story. A Taste for Crime, which is a cozy mystery, is excellent!
I really enjoyed reuniting with Cooper and the gang to solve another mystery. I wish I could be a part of their Bible study group! Cooper and Jon’s relationship, which I love, is moving along nicely. The secondary storylines with Cooper and her family and her work really added to the plot. I love Zoe and the lesson she unknowingly taught Cooper - and myself if I’m being honest. LOL. I loved the faith thread! Here’s one of my favorite quotes:
“We need our Bible nourishment to make it through the week.”
Gosh, this is so true!
A Taste for Crime by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is part of a series, but it can totally be read as a standalone. I really loved this story and these characters. I hope we get more with this group of sleuths!
I received a complimentary copy of this book. All opinions are my own. The faith thread is light. 5 stars!
I had not read the other books in the Hope Street series but has no trouble with A Taste for Crime as a standalone. Cooper and the bible study group must investigate the murder of a food critic in hopes of clearing her boyfriend, Jon's uncle Chef Anton who has been the subject of bad reviews and threats from the critic.
I have throughly enjoyed Ellery Adams' other series and A Taste for Crime does not disappoint with fun, relatable characters and a great twisty mystery. This book is well written, funny and a whodunit that keeps the reader guessing. I highly recommend A Taste for Crime to all mystery lovers.
I have only read a few of the books in the Hope Street Church series but have loved them. In fact, so much so that I have purchased all the previous books so that I can get caught up with the characters. This is a delightful cozy mystery and includes delicious food to go along with the murder mystery. The Christian aspect to the series is a huge plus for me. The characters are well developed and their relationships and the way they support each other is delightful to experience. I can’t wait to go back and read previous books and am anxiously waiting for the next book in the series. I can’t wait to “devour” it from the first page to the last!
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
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Cooper and the Bible study group step to help find a killer when a popular chef becomes the prime suspect in the murder of a food critic. I’m not just any food critic, the one who single-handedly caused his career to begin crumbling. Add to the back of the chef is a beloved family friend and mentor to John, and the group is completely invested in proving his innocence.
Can the group save John’s, beloved uncle and mentor by finding the murderer? If they don’t, will it put Cooper and John’s relationship in jeopardy? Only time and evidence will tell.
I am not a big fan of Christian cozies, but this one does not over emphasize the religion side. Yes, attaches on it, but not to the point where it feels like like the author is preaching to the reader each and every entry in the series has been enjoyable and I come back for more with each and every entry that I served up in the series.
Chef Anton Parsley has asked Cooper and her bible study group for help in figuring out who wrote a searing review about his restaurant. He wants to make sure he gets his good reputation back in good standing. Before Cooper has a chance to fix the chefs reputation the critic is found dead and Chef Anton becomes the main suspect. Cooper and the group start looking into the critics background and sed that she is known for giving bad reviews. They also come across some secrets from her past. Follow along as they dive deeply into the investigation, will they find the killer in the end or.will he remain free?
A Taste for Crime is the latest (#8) in the Hope Street Church Mystery Series. Cooper, along with her family and friends again find mystery and murder in their small town. Cooper, her boyfriend Jon and the members of their bible study group help to solve the murder of a local restaurant critic. The group’s investigation into the murder involves a local chef, who they are trying to prove is innocent. As they investigate, their faith and Bible discussions are woven into the story. Cooper’s family, especially her quirky Grammy , a new character , Zoe and her Bible group friends are an interesting group of characters. They are well written, and each of their personalities are unique and well described.
This is the first book of this series that I have read, and as a stand alone, it works. I love Ellery Adams’ Secret, Book and Scone Society series, and will be looking into her other series too!
Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for this advanced copy.
This is book #8 in the charming series "Hope Street Church" series by author Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe. Thank you to the publisher and to Net Gallley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own. I have enjoyed this Christian series from book one that is endearing to readers and has complex interesting characters.
This next in series features Cooper and her Bible Study trying to save the career of a local chef who received such bad reviews by a critic that his business is suffering. The chef is a favorite of her boyfriend having worked with him in the past. When the critic is found murdered their friend is the prime suspect and Cooper and friends are investigating the critic to find the read killer. As red herrings and clues abound in their investigation Cooper is finding herself closer to the real killer.
I love the Bible study group of friends in this series. The characters are all warm and likable to the reader. The theme of Christian friendship and goodness prevails in this lovely series. This series gives the reader a sense of a inviting community where each preson is respectful and kind to one another. . Well done to the authors for a enjoyable addition to the series. I look forward to the next in series.
Not a favorite but Ellery Adams can't write a bad novel and I liked this mystery that kept me guessing.
Was glad to catch up with the characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
A Taste for Crime by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe is a delightful book in the series A Hope Street Church Mystery, but can be read as a stand-alone book. The Hope Street Church Bible study group is asked to help solve a crime after a food critic turns up dead in the mentor of one of their members’ restaurant. Cooper must work with the Bible study to try to solve the mystery and save Chef Anton Parsley from ruin while trying to keep her new shop afloat, take care of a diva dog, and grow her relationship with Jon.
This was such a fun read. Humor is sprinkled throughout the story keeping the mystery light, but very interesting. The faith elements were realistic and gave the story depth. The characters were very relatable and I found myself wanting to attend the Bible study on Sunday morning. This was a fantastic read!
I enjoyed the interesting characters, faith elements, and mystery in A Taste for Crime by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe. I highly recommend.
I was given a copy by the publisher and not required to write a positive review
I love that new books are coming out in this series again. The characters are so loveable and relatable that it’s like visiting with friends every time I sit down with them. The mysteries are always complex, with just enough hints to keep you interested in them. Cooper does have a TSTL moment in this one that fortunately works out in her favor but I could do without those (never my favorite). I also like that her life is moving forward and she has seemed to find her place. Hoping for more in this series.
This is my second foray into the world of Hope Street, and I couldn't be more pleased to have been able to visit everyone again. What caught my attention the first time around was the incredibly unique idea of using a bible study group to sniff out and help catch killers. The premise is so interesting that I just couldn't resist. And this second go was even better!
I love the use of prayer and God's will to be able to help someone get justice. The Bible says we are more than conquerors in Christ so it makes sense that we would be able to use that aspect towards this too.
Cooper, John, and all the rest of the gang are well thought out, full of flaws like the rest of us, and I love their ability for compassion. Sometimes we forget that it's not just about getting justice but also in the conduct in which we go about it. They struggle deeply with doing the right thing and making sure they keep forgiveness in mind at all times as well.
I thought the plot with John and his 'uncle' Anton was really fascinating and getting to see a little bit of a 'backstage' look into how restaurant kitchens work was really neat. There were also several messages about trust in there that I really enjoyed, and they never came off as 'preachy.' It was like having a conversation with a good friend about our own human foibles. I really enjoyed everything. I especially loved having a nice clean cozy with which to relax my mind and immerse myself into the mystery and get caught up in it.
As long as these authors keep writing these books, I will keep coming back to read them. I recommend a thousand times over.
Thanks to Net Galley, the publishers, and to Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe for the ability to read and review this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own and are completely honest.
I've never read anything by these authors but this was a fun book to read. I always enjoy when authors include recipes at the end. I love how the Bible study works to solve crimes. The dynamic between the group members was intriguing. I also appreciate stories where characters are given a second chance despite their past.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc. The opinions are my own
A Taste for Crime is the first book I have read by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe. It is a Christian cozy mystery but more cozy with a touch of inspiration. All cozy mystery fans should enjoy the story. Also even though there are several previous books in the series, I did not feel that I had any problem understanding the characters or feel that I needed more of a back story.
A suspicious death of a notorious negative food critic has Cooper, Jon, and friends looking to find the true guilty party. A family friend of Jon’s and local chef is under suspicion but will the truth reveal something different. It is a slower buildup pace until the death then the story picks up. I actually had my eye on a different person as being the guilty party. This story kept me looking for clues, then going back to see which ones I missed when I had guessed wrong. A Taste for Crime is a wonderful introduction for me to this series. I loved getting to know Cooper, most of her family (I’m still not sure about her sister) and her friends as they solved this murder mystery.