Fate of the Fallen

Hope Street Church Mysteries, Book 5

By: Ellery Adams, Elizabeth Lockard

Narrated by: Cris Dukehart

Length: 9 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

Cooper Lee and her friends in the Hope Street Bible Study Group are enjoying a glorious summer day in the park, complete with a picnic, hiking, swimming, and a local bluegrass band. But Cooper knows that no good day goes unpunished, and when a man turns up dead in the nearby woods - and the sister of Cooper's fiancé is named as the prime suspect - the group may have to trade in their prayers of thanks for pleas of divine intervention.

Cooper knows her future sister-in-law is innocent, so when the police arrest her for the murder, the Bible study group must step in to catch the real killer and prevent a grave injustice. Following a twisted trail of clues that leads to a hit-and-run driver, a homeless veteran, and a park full of suspects who may hold more secrets than solutions, Cooper must hold firm to her spiritual convictions, before an innocent woman faces a conviction of a more earthly nature.

©2016 Jennifer Stanley and Elizabeth Lockard (P)2016 Tantor

Fearsome Fatality in the Forest

Out for a picnic and some music, the Sunrise Bible Study Group, runs into Christine, Nathan's sister, who is with her co-workers and boss from Sphinx Digital Systems and Solutions on a bonding and fitness outing . . . after a day of hiking and food, they are ready to settle down for the bluegrass concert, when Cooper and Nathan take a break for a private stroll in the woods . . . nearly running into a distraught and screaming Christine . . . and discovering a bloody, dead Sinclair Gordon, the owner of Sphinx Digital Systems . . . this fifth in the series is just as good as the rest . . . the friends unite to help clear Christine of the murder and in the process befriend, Danny, a veteran who was mowed down by a car and down on his luck . . . I always enjoy the tales of Cooper's family, her mom, dad and grammy . . . who are always up to something . . . as well as her sister, Ashley and her family . . . I also love that the stories take place in Richmond, Virginia, where our son lives . . . the staff at Make it Work (Cooper's work place) also keep me entertained, especially in this installment . . . as the investigation of the death of Sinclair progresses, Police Investigator McNamara's once cold heart towards the Bible Study Group finally seems to melt a bit . . . and book five concludes with great resolutions both in the murder case and on the personal front for Cooper and Nathan . . . I sure do hope there will be a Book Six . . .

Very Entertaining

This is one of the best mystery series created. I love the way the story combines religion, human relationships and murder. This is really a good series. I wish I could find a bible study group like this.

A great new 5th book!

The first 4 books were written many years ago & just recently republished. This 5th book is new as of 2016. I liked how they brought in modern elements like a fit bit to help "solve" some aspects of the crime. That hint of modern technology really brought it up to this day and age. I enjoyed how this book included a lot of other characters, and especially that Grammy had more book time. She is my favorite, she is so sassy and wise!
Cooper however, is getting a bit annoying as a main character. She complains about absolutely everything imaginable. When faced with a choice to move with Nathan for a job it becomes a long drug out story through the whole book. In the real world plenty of 30-somethings live away from their parents, and it's not a big deal. But oh man, its a point of contention from the first few chapters until the end, and Cooper often acts like shes a teenager instead of an adult. I could do without some of the useless melodrama, but luckily the supporting cast is so enjoyable that it was okay.
I am looking forward to seeing what happens in book 6!

Great series

The characters continue to grow and support each other. Cooper is smart and resilient and has learned through her faith and friends to appreciate life .

What a lovely series

It was a beautiful series that conveyed real emotions we face as born again believers - although the murder is not always common! The narrator was lovely and brought the characters alive, thank you and God bless you with more stories and give you His Joy and Peace!

Drama at its Best

Excellent story line. The writer gets better and better with each book. I enjoy the spiritual parts in each book.

I enjoyed the story

I enjoyed the way the author wove the two different storylines together. I enjoyed the mystery of how Cooper could close her eyes and see different scenes.

Definitely my kind of mystery

I love these cozy mystery books They keep you in suspense and are very well written .

Fate of the fallen.

Another great read in this series. It doesn't move so quickly as to speed by but leaves me considering what's happening. It draws me into the plot with interest in what's ahead.?

Everything changes

The church group ageing finds their way into a murder investigation involving a group member They face challenge and change