Mystery and the Minister's Wife
Series · 25
books · 2007-2011
Books in series
#1
Through the Fire
2007
When Kate and Paul Hanlon leave their home in San Antonio to take over the pastorate of Faith Briar Church, they are excited about embracing the small town way of life, but when they arrive in Copper Mill to see their new church in flames, it quickly becomes clear that nothing is as it seems. And when evidence shows that the fire is not an accident, Kate knows she has to discover who is behind it. As she investigates, she makes friends-and a few enemies-in town, and threatening phone calls, mysterious packages, and a life and death chase only make her more certain that she is on the right path.
Escape to the charming town of Copper Mill, Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Copper Mill is a place of tradition and tranquility, where neighbors work together and life moves at a slower pace. But when Kate Hanlon and her husband Paul, the new pastor of Faith Briar Church, move in, they quickly find out that small town life is anything but boring. The mysteries that Kate discovers in Copper Mill are puzzling, but she always uses her quick, curious mind and the help of her friends to figure out the answer. Come see how faith can solve life's mysteries in Mystery and the Minister's Wife series.
#2
A State of Grace
2007
Escape to the charming town of Copper Mill, Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Copper Mill is a place of tradition and tranquility, where neighbors work together and life moves at a slower pace. But when Kate Hanlon and her husband Paul, the new pastor of Faith Briar Church, move in, they quickly find out that small town life is anything but boring. The mysteries that Kate discovers in Copper Mill are puzzling, but she always uses her quick, curious mind and the help of her friends to figure out the answer. Come see how faith can solve life's mysteries in Mystery and the Minister's Wife series.——The Hanlons are settling in to Copper Mill, but already Kate has stumbled onto another mystery. A condolence call to a grieving widow, Patricia Harris, uncovers a long-buried When she was seventeen, Patricia gave birth to twins; one was given up for adoption. Now the daughter she kept is in desperate need of a bone marrow transplant. With no matching donors, her only real hope is to find her twin sister. With a life on the line, can Kate track down her missing twin before it's too late?
#3
Beauty Shop Tales
2007
When the empty house next to Faith Briar Church goes up for sale, Kate's inquiries at Betty's Beauty Parlor lead to questions about the former owner, the reclusive Mavis Bixby. Mavis disappeared just over a year ago, and no one knows where she went. The suspicious circumstances surrounding her departure make Kate fearful that something bad happened to her. While Paul is occupied tracking down his mother's secret recipe for the big chili cook-off, Kate looks for answers. Missing documents, a suspicious stranger, and a dangerous secret lead to a life-and-death chase for the missing Mavis. As Kate gets closer, she begins to understand how secrets can hurt, but the truth can set you free.
#4
A Test of Faith
2008
About the Mystery and the Minister's Wife Escape to the charming town of Copper Mill, Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Copper Mill is a place of tradition and tranquility. But when Kate Hanlon and her husband Paul move in, they discover that small town life is anything but boring. The mysteries Kate uncovers are puzzling, but she always uses her quick mind and the help of her dear friends to figure out the answer. See how faith can solve life's mysteries in the Mystery and the Minister's Wife series. When a stolen car crashes through the front window of the Country Diner, Kate vows to find the mysterious driver, who has somehow vanished into the night. But when her wallet is discovered in the front seat of the car, she has a whole new reason to find the real culprit. How did it end up there? Meanwhile, when Paul breaks his ankle in a church basketball game, Kate finds herself caring for her ailing husband, and the diner's owner Loretta isn't talking about when, but if, the restaurant might reopen. Is this all simply a test of faith, or is this a sign that the Hanlon's time in Copper Mill is coming to a close?
#5
The Best is Yet to Be
2009
With summer just around the bend, Kate is delighted to see how Faith Briar Church's Faith Freezer Program is meeting the needs of the elderly citizens in Copper Mill. But when a series of thefts indicates that one of the volunteers is stealing from the shut-ins, the whole program is cast into doubt. Who would do such a thing? Kate begins to investigate, but ancient secrets, old jealousies and long-lost love complicates the truth. Meanwhile, Paul is harboring a secret of his own: his new bluegrass band, hoping to perform at the upcoming Summer Concert series, is practicing at the notorious roadhouse The Dew Drop Inn. The group's jam sessions end in discord, and their location leads to suspicions about the pastor's real pastimes. As they struggle to bring harmony back to Copper Mill, Kate and Paul are reminded that they can always have hope for the future, for the best is yet to be.
#6
Angels Undercover
2009
History comes alive in Copper Mill when a group of Civil War re-enactors come to town. But when valuable historical memorabilia belonging to Caroline Johnston's grandfather, a Confederate hero, disappears from a display at the Copper Mill library, Kate Hanlon vows to help the brokenhearted widow find answers. A series of break-ins around town raise fears, but not all the burglaries are as sinister as they appear. A mysterious note, a suspicious arrest, and a long-buried secret lead Kate on a roundabout search for the truth. Meanwhile, a debate about worship music may just tear Faith Briar Church apart. With some members ready to split, can Paul Hanlon hold this fractured church together? As they struggle to keep peace in their community, Kate and Paul realize that sometimes God sends angels where you least expect them.
#7
Into the Wilderness
2010
A church camping trip leads to revelations that cause Kate and Paul Hanlon's daughter to question everything she thought she knew about love. Kate and Paul are delighted when their daughter Rebecca arrives for a surprise visit with her new boyfriend Marcus, but something about her handsome actor beau doesn't seem quite right. Rather than cancel his camping trip with men from the church, Paul brings Marcus along. But what starts out as a good time of bonding soon turns into disaster when Paul and Marcus end up lost in the wilderness. Meanwhile, two mysterious men from Marcus' past show up at the Hanlon residence, leaving everyone to wonder what Marcus is hiding. Kate, desperate for answers, must use all of her detective skills to bring her husband home alive. With time running out, the community is reminded that faith is their best guide.
#8
Where There's a Will
2008
When Kate Hanlon enrolls in an art course at a community college, she discovers that her teacher, Ellen Carruthers, was Paul's college sweetheart. Kate is wary of the woman, but soon Ellen has enlisted Kate's help to solve an old family squabble. Ellen's family owns an abandoned mining town on High Hoot Ridge, but unless she can prove her claim on the land, it will be sold to a paper company, and the region's rich history—along with her family memories—will be lost. As Kate wrestles with these mysteries, Ellen's relationship with Paul raises questions of a whole different kind. And Paul has been invited to join the Chamber of Commerce, but his plans to revitalize the local economy only lead to frustration. Can he find a way to preserve the town's history and still make sure it has a future? Can they all find a way to make sense of the past?
#9
Dog Days
2008
The dog days of summer are anything but boring when the Harrington County Dog Show comes to Copper Mill. Proud pooches and their owners will stop at nothing to take home "Best in Show." With only a few weeks until the big event, Renee Lambert has a serious Her pocket-pup Kisses has been dognapped! While Renee mourns the loss of her faithful companion, Kate sets out to find the missing Chihuahua, but a series of pranks, a heated argument and a suspicious auction throw her off the trail. Can she bring the dog home? Meanwhile, Paul organizes a car-care clinic to reach out to needy families in the area and ends up serving a woman who wants nothing to do with the church. Can the Hanlons reach out to her without turning her away for good? Can they help everyone to realize that trophies have nothing to do with the biggest prize of all? Mystery and the Minister's Wife Series Dog Days is the eighth book in the Guideposts original series, Mystery and the Minister's Wife, which transports you to the charming town of Copper Mill, Tennessee. Nestled in the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Copper Mill is a place of tradition and tranquility. But when Kate Hanlon and her husband, Paul, move in, they discover that small-town life is anything but boring. The mysteries Kate uncovers are puzzling, but she always uses her quick mind and the help of her dear friends to figure out the answers. See how faith can solve life's mysteries in Mystery and the Minister's Wife.
#10
The Missing Ingredient
2010
When the Taste Network rolls into Copper Mill to film a popular cooking show, the town is in for big excitement, big personalities—and one very big mystery! A recipe for disaster. Kate Hanlon is thrilled about reconnecting with her childhood friend, Susannah Applebaum, now the host of Great Chefs of the South . But when the network's producer mysteriously disappears, all clues point to Susannah as somehow being involved. Susannah pleads her innocence, but how well does Kate really know her friend after all this time? And just what is so special about the secret recipes that Susannah has been hiding? With so much on the line, can Kate find the missing ingredient to this mystery before it's too late?
#11
Open Arms (Mystery and the Minister's Wife #11) by Traci Depree
2008
#12
A Token of Truth
2008
The historic Copper Mill Coin is stolen, and Kate sets out to prove her good friend isnt the culprit but is telling the truth. Digging up secrets can be dangerous When Kate Hanlon discovers that the Copper Mill Coin, a valuable and cherished memento from the towns historic mining days has been stolen, shes alarmed to learn that her dear friend, Skip, is the prime suspect. Kate resolves to prove Skips innocence, although his recent nervousness and strange disappearances are making it rather difficult to do. What is he up to? Could it be possible hes actually involved? Meanwhile, the disappearance of her husband Pauls personal coin collection raises even more questions. As Kate searches for answers, she is reminded that sometimes the truth is found where you least expect it.
#13
Who's That Girl
2008
When Kate gets a call from the local hospital requesting that she identify a young woman who asked for her by name, she rushes to the hospital only to discover that she's never laid eyes on the comatose patient before. Never one to avoid a mystery, Kate travels from an abandoned campground to a college campus and all around Copper Mill in an effort to discover not only the woman's identity, but how she ended up in the hospital in the first place. But not everything is what it seems. Millie Lovelace's mysterious behavior raises suspicions, and Paul's mentor Nehemiah Jacobs has a few secrets of his own. As Kate and Paul struggle to make sense of it all, Kate realizes that spreading a little faith might be all that she needs to do to crack the case wide open.
#14
For the Least of These
2008
#15
A Matter of Trust
2009
When a group from Copper Mill returns from a tour in Italy, they bring with them a dose of international intrigue and excitement. Renee Lambert has a special souvenir–an ornate vase–as well as a new suitor. But just what is the ancient-looking artifact? Is it a clever copy of an antique, or is it the real deal? And why was Renee’s beau so insistent that she buy and carry it home?
Can Kate solve the mystery of the vase without ruining her friend’s blossoming relationship? As Kate starts to uncover the truth about the souvenir, she quickly realizes she isn’t alone in the search. A cast of foreign men is also hot on the trail of this apparent treasure.
Meanwhile, Kate’s daughter Melissa has a medical mystery, and Paul seems to be keeping secrets of his own. He asks Kate to simply trust him, but Kate isn’t sure who to trust anymore. Will she be able to help her daughter in her time of need?
Will Kate’s faith in her husband be shaken, or will she patiently wait for answers? As Kate searches for the truth, she discovers that her faith in family and friends is immovable and that her faith in God is stronger than ever.
#16
Funny Money
2009
When Kate Hanlon decides to help a new family at Faith Briar Church battle their son’s overwhelming medical expenses, she takes up a collection… and gets far more than she ever expected. When phony money is discovered in the collection plate, Kate and her fellow parishioners all find themselves in the middle of a counterfeiting ring. The Secret Service investigates, and the trail leads them directly to Tim Lourdes, the father of the sick boy. But Kate suspects there’s more going on here than meets the eye. Meanwhile, she, Paul, and several others from town are involved in a dance competition, taking lessons from another couple who has recently arrived in Copper Mill, the Harpers. The dance instructors energize their charges, bringing excitement and a sense of camaraderie to all who learn under them, but is there something else going on at the dance studio? And why does the Secret Service seem to be giving the counterfeit case far less attention than it deserves? Something just doesn't add up, and Kate Hanlon—with her faith, family and friends—is going to find out what it is.
#18
How the Heart Runs
2010
When Kate and Paul settle in for lunch at the Bristol one Sunday, they expect only to enjoy each other’s company and indulge in a four-star meal. But when a diner suddenly collapses into Kate’s lap, they forget all about lunch. The woman, clearly shaken, pleads for Kate to stay by her side even as paramedics come to her aid, and they quickly forge a friendship. Despite Kate’s growing affection for Emmaline, the woman seems evasive about the details of her sickness—and her past—and Kate begins to question what exactly has afflicted Emmaline. How can Kate properly minister to her if she doesn't know they whole truth? Who is this private, lonely woman? Meanwhile, a young mother in town is slowly recovering from major surgery and her family struggles to cope. As Kate cares for the family while also meeting the demands of her friendship with Emmaline, she begins to see there’s much more to the mysterious woman than she ever imagined.
#19
A Thousand Generations
2009
Hardcover, 264 pages, Copyright 2009
#20
Home to Briar Mountain
2010
As a violent storm sweeps through Copper Mill, Kate receives a startling phone call from church member Joe Tucker. Through the static, Joe shouts that he has found something of great value and that he needs help, and then the line goes dead. Kate knows that Joe and Russ Keenan, his carpenter, have been restoring old buildings on Joe’s land, and she worries that they may have been hurt by the storm. But when she arrives at his log cabin to assist them, Kate is shocked by what she finds. Joe’s land is hiding something of great value, which could hold the key to unlocking secrets of Faith Briar Church’s history. But is Russ hiding some history of his own? Meanwhile, several houses have been damaged by the storm, and with Kate at the helm, the church initiates fund-raising efforts. Can Kate help repair the homes in the neighborhood? Will discovering the meaning behind Joe’s hidden treasure unveil Faith Briar’s long-lost past?
#21
Flight of the Sparrows
2010
#22
Off the Record
2010
Mystery series of a minister's wife who becomes involved in the intrigue and goings-on of people in her home town.
#23
A Distant Memory
2009
While hiking in Copper Mill Park, taking nature photographs for a stained-glass project, Kate thinks she hears yelling in the distance. She can't clearly make out he noise, so she dismisses it. Soon enough, however, news broadcasts report that Sonja Weaver, a new member of Faith Briar Church, has gone missing from the park.
#24
Tea and Sympathy
2009
When Kate wakes one morning, only to realize she's been sleeping for days, she is shocked and alarmed. How did she sleep for so long? And why does she feel so weak? With Paul at her side, Kate concludes that she's come down with a nasty flu and decides to continue working on her current mystery from bed. Mayor Lawton Briddle has been accused of a horrendous financial crime, and Kate is convinced he's innocent. But when she digs back into her work, not only is her memory fuzzy, but she's also missing any real evidence of the research she has already done. Homebound, recovering at a snail's pace and working from ground zero, Kate must mentally retrace her steps to solve the mystery of Lawton's indictment, while also getting to the bottom of why her memory has lapsed.
#26
Strangers in Their Midst
2011
#27
A Firm Foundation
2009
As summer reaches midswing, Kate arrives home from vacation, anxious to reunite with her friends, especially head librarian Livvy Jenner. But at church on Sunday, Kate notices that her best friend is nowhere in sight. When Livvy’s husband reveals that she is at work, Kate checks on her, only to find that she is not her usual self… and neither is the library. Kate soon discovers that the library has been closed, and no one knows why. Meanwhile, Paul joins a team of workers to help repair the storm-damaged home of one of the library’s volunteers. As Kate supports Paul’s efforts and tries to comfort Livvy, she sets off in search of answers, desperate to find out who’s behind the closing of the beloved downtown institution. She quickly discovers that the building’s history is more complicated than she ever imagined and that the fate of the library is in question. Will she find out who owns the building and reopen it before time runs out?
Authors
Carol Cox
Author · 25 books
Carol Cox has an abiding love for history and romance, especially when it’s set in her native Southwest. As a third-generation Arizonan, she takes a keen interest in the Old West and hopes to make it live again in the hearts of her readers. A pastor’s wife, Carol lives with her husband and daughter in northern Arizona, where the deer and the antelope really do play—within view of the family’s front porch.
Charlotte Carter
Author · 6 books
Charlotte has authored more than 50 books for Harlequin, Dorchester, Guideposts Books and Love Inspired. She lives in Southern California with her husband of 50 years. They have two married daughters and 5 grandchildren.
Sunni Jeffers
Author · 12 books
Award-winning author, Sunni Jeffers is setting course for a new life adventure. After ten years as a navy wife and mother, they moved to Denver, Colorado to manage the family security business. When her children left home, she began writing books. In 1992, Sunni and her husband moved to the Great Northwest to raise cattle, timber and hay and to give her the time to write stories of other women and their struggles and victories. Now Sunni’s fourth adventure has begun. She and her husband are exploring the US and Canada in their motorhome. As they travel, she continues writing heartwarming cozy mysteries and stories of delightful women living out their faith as they face challenges and adventures in everyday life. Visit Sunni on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/sunni.jeffers); Pinterest (http://www.pinterest.com/sunnijeffers/); and Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/author/show...
Patricia H. Rushford
Author · 35 books
Patricia H. Rushford, an award winning author and speaker, has extensive experience in writing and has authored over sixty books, both fiction and non-fiction. In addition to having a nursing degree and masters in counseling, she is also an artist and quilter. The Jennie McGrady Mysteries for young adults have sold well over 500,000 copies. Silent Witness won the Silver Angel Award for Excellence in Media and was nominated for an Edgar Allen Poe Award by Mystery Writers of America. She also wrote the Max & Me Mysteries for middle grade. The various mystery series for adults continue to receive great reviews. Her series include, The Helen Bradley Mysteries, The Angel Delaney Mysteries, The McAllister Files and her latest, the Artisan Mysteries. Her newest releases are: Watercolor Dreams, Deadly Deception and The Quiltmaker's Daughter, both are romantic suspense novels featuring artists. She has been awarded the Golden Quill Award by RWA- Desert Rose Chapter and earned honorable mention in the Silver Angel Awards. Patricia is a member of ACFW and a number of other writing organizations. She has participated in such mystery events such as Bouchercon—the World Mystery Convention, Left Coast Crime, and other conventions for lovers of mystery and suspense. She manages a website and blog and has a presence on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Goodreads and Linked-in and also generates a newsletter. Called Mysterious Musings. Additional info at www.patriciarushfordbooks.com
Traci Depree
Author · 9 books
Traci DePree is the author of nine books. She loves creating new worlds where readers can escape the demands of everyday life and discover a deeper place of faith where true hope resides. She makes her home in a rural town in Minnesota where she fills her days with books, volunteering, gathering with friends and loved ones, playing a little tennis, riding dirt bike, as well as sewing and knitting! She and her husband of almost 26 years have five kids, ranging in age from twenty-two to six.
Jill Elizabeth Nelson
Author · 21 books
Jill Elizabeth Nelson writes what she likes to read—tales of adventure seasoned with romance, humor, and faith, earning her the tagline: Endless Adventure, Timeless Truth. Jill speaks regularly at conferences, writer’s groups, library associations, and civic and church groups. When teaching classes for writers, she thrills to bring the Ahah! moment to her students as they make a new skill their own. Jill and her husband live in rural Minnesota where they raised four children.
Diane Noble
Author · 20 books
Diane Noble is the award-winning novelist of more published books than she can count: historical fiction, contemporary mysteries and suspense, and romance (written under the pen name Amanda MacLean). Diane writes from a heart of deep faith that's woven into her stories and nonfiction writings. She often posts on Facebook and Twitter about her journey with Parkinson's Disease and the unexpected gift of learning to live moment by moment with humor, grace, and optimism. With more than a quarter million books in print, Diane continues to spin tales that touch readers' hearts. Book one of her new three-book mystery series, The Professor and Mrs. Littlefield, will be in bookstores September 1, 2014. It's title? THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE MISSING FIGUREHEAD. Diane is a professed Third Order Franciscan in the Anglican (Episcopal) Church, following the footsteps of Jesus with simpicity, love, and joy as lived out by St. Francis of Assisi. Mother to two beautiful daughters and Gramsy to two cutest-ever granddaughters, Diane lives in Southern California with her wonderful husband and two spoiled cats. Oh yes, and Diane loves
