The Deeds of the Deceitful by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe

The Deeds of the Deceitful

Book Summary

The Deeds of the Deceitful by Ellery Adams and Tina Radcliffe has Cooper Lee and the members of the Sunrise Bible Study getting to spend a weekend at the historic and newly remodeled Atwood Inn in Richmond, Virginia.  Mindy Atwood inherited the family inn along with her stepmother, Loretta.  Mindy has spent her inheritance restoring the place to its former grander over Loretta’s objections.  It is a chance for Cooper to get away which she needs to help her recover from the recent end of her engagement.  The group is charmed by Mindy and the beauty of the inn.  Unfortunately, Loretta’s superior attitude, arguments, and door slamming dim some of the joy.  The day of their checkout, Loretta is dead, and Cooper’s mum is at the top of the suspect list.  A valuable painting is then discovered missing from the inn.  Cooper and the Sunrise Bible Study begin questioning the staff since they believe one of them is the guilty party.  When one of the suspects ends up in the hospital, the members gather to discuss their options.  The group soon surmises that if they are to catch this killer, they need to set a trap.  Will they be able to catch the guilty party without a hitch?

My Thoughts 

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.  

The Deeds of the Deceitful is available from Amazon*.  You can find the other five A Hope Street  Church Mysteries here.  Check out Ellery Adams other engaging cozy mysteries here.  Ink and Shadows by Ellery Adams is the 4th book in  A Secret, Book, and Scone Society and it will be out on January 26, 2021. You can find Tina Radcliffe's books here.  Thank you so much for visiting today. I am off to handle my garage sale.  All this clearing out has me with a shed full of items that I hope other people will need.  The Sea Gate by Jane Johnson is planned for tomorrow.  I hope that you have an inspirational day.  Take care, be kind, and Happy Reading!

Kris

The Avid Reader

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