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Claire's Candles #9
Frosted Plum Fears
A killer plum pudding plot sends a village reeling in this twisted tale of festive ambition and murder.A quaint village turned upside down. A giant plum pudding and a local chef's ambition spark festivities in the sleepy town of Northash. But when candle shop owner, Claire Harris, finds the chef stabbed in the back, it seems his attempt to break a decades-old plum pudding record has led to a bitter and untimely demise.
As shocking secrets seep to the surface, a tangled web of lies, debts, jealousy, and obsession comes to light. With a killer on the loose and suspects piling up, Claire taps into her sleuthing instincts to unravel the murderous mess. However, separating fact from speculation proves tricky, even for Claire's keen eye and nose for trouble. False accusations send her down twisting paths that bring her no closer to the elusive truth.
With the clock ticking down to the New Year, the mystery only deepens. Another attack rocks the village, stirring Claire's worst fears. She pushes forward in her perilous hunt for answers, determined to expose the culprit and restore order amidst the plum pudding chaos. But with so many loose threads hanging and dangerous tensions mounting, will Claire tie it all together in time? Or will the new year dawn with the murderous secrets remaining buried?
As shocking secrets seep to the surface, a tangled web of lies, debts, jealousy, and obsession comes to light. With a killer on the loose and suspects piling up, Claire taps into her sleuthing instincts to unravel the murderous mess. However, separating fact from speculation proves tricky, even for Claire's keen eye and nose for trouble. False accusations send her down twisting paths that bring her no closer to the elusive truth.
With the clock ticking down to the New Year, the mystery only deepens. Another attack rocks the village, stirring Claire's worst fears. She pushes forward in her perilous hunt for answers, determined to expose the culprit and restore order amidst the plum pudding chaos. But with so many loose threads hanging and dangerous tensions mounting, will Claire tie it all together in time? Or will the new year dawn with the murderous secrets remaining buried?
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
282 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 31, 2023
260 people are currently reading
101 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Frost
75 books597 followersAGATHA FROST, an Amazon bestselling author, has written over thirty mystery novels. She lives in the North West English county of Lancashire with her two cuddly beagles and one cat.
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 8, 2024
I've quite enjoyed this series, but this is my least favorite entry. Our lead Claire (the owner of a candle shop in town) lurches from suspect to suspect as she attempts to solve a local killing that happens over the Christmas holidays. Much of this one dragged for me. It seems as if the inept local police inspector gave up any pretense of investigating the crime, and instead routinely went to Claire and her father (a former police investigator) to solve things. At one point he even allows Claire to pull all the suspects together to try and get a confession out of them. I'll definitely read the next entry, as it appears to be a crossover with one of the author's other mystery series, but hope that one picks up.
January 5, 2024
Very good book.
And I'm looking forward to a summer holiday!!!!
And I'm looking forward to a summer holiday!!!!
January 4, 2024
Sadly, this has been the weakest in the series so far for me. I loved being back in Northash and seeing Claire and the gang, but the mystery felt a little repetitive to me. And I missed some fun shenanigans, this book felt pretty "bleak" for a holiday story. But this is still my fave cozy series and of course I will be continuing with it when the next one comes out. Apparently, we will be heading to Peridale for a crossover "episode"?! Sign me up!!
January 11, 2026
This is the ninth book in the Claire's Candles mystery series and a festive-themed one (if you hadn't guessed from the title).
Frosted Plum Fears centres around the death of a local chef who is trying to break a record for making the biggest plum pudding that Northash has ever seen.
I'm going to be honest; this wasn't my favourite. The mystery wasn't as strong as others in the series, and it felt a little clunky. The ending wasn't as satisfying as usual either.
I will still continue with the series as I still love the characters. I hope I enjoy the next book more.
Frosted Plum Fears centres around the death of a local chef who is trying to break a record for making the biggest plum pudding that Northash has ever seen.
I'm going to be honest; this wasn't my favourite. The mystery wasn't as strong as others in the series, and it felt a little clunky. The ending wasn't as satisfying as usual either.
I will still continue with the series as I still love the characters. I hope I enjoy the next book more.
January 8, 2024
It's hard not to love a Claire's Candles Mystery, as Frost's writing has felt top notch from the beginning (Peridale, though I love it, took several books to get going for me). However this one felt rougher than normal.
I'm under the impression that Frost does all the editing, artwork, and marketing for the books herself, and this one could've used the gentle touch of an outside editor. I noticed more than a few large typos, and I have to agree with the other 3 star review, that this one felt rather lackluster in the mystery department. While the series often clicks along at a good pace, Frosted Plum Fears felt like it slumped rather than jogged. I think my favorite characters are Alan, as well as the unexpected pairing of both of which were lacking here.
I'm not about to give up on the series. They can't all be four and five stars, and the town of Northhash will continue to draw me in. I'm so excited for the in #10! I've been waiting for it since this series began. That said, I hope for a stronger mystery next go round. I would also like to see Claire have less plot armor - she did some truly dangerous things here - and I'd love to see Amelia and Hugo expanded beyond the sweet/wise/adoring/annoying thing they've got going on.
Here's to the 10th book! Cheers and Happy New Year everyone!
I'm under the impression that Frost does all the editing, artwork, and marketing for the books herself, and this one could've used the gentle touch of an outside editor. I noticed more than a few large typos, and I have to agree with the other 3 star review, that this one felt rather lackluster in the mystery department. While the series often clicks along at a good pace, Frosted Plum Fears felt like it slumped rather than jogged. I think my favorite characters are Alan, as well as the unexpected pairing of both of which were lacking here.
I'm not about to give up on the series. They can't all be four and five stars, and the town of Northhash will continue to draw me in. I'm so excited for the in #10! I've been waiting for it since this series began. That said, I hope for a stronger mystery next go round. I would also like to see Claire have less plot armor - she did some truly dangerous things here - and I'd love to see Amelia and Hugo expanded beyond the sweet/wise/adoring/annoying thing they've got going on.
Here's to the 10th book! Cheers and Happy New Year everyone!
May 27, 2024
Northash is in for a treat when a local chef decides to create a giant plum pudding in order to break an old plum pudding record from decades ago! Claire stumbles onto the chef’s dead body and finds him stabbed in the back. She always seems to be in the thick of things. She’s a magnet for murder!
This time, the character’s secrets shock the quaint townspeople. It appears there’s a killer on the loose and Claire, along with her father, help to solve the murder.
The detective in this series is kind of a buffoon. Even his name is funny: Ramsbottom. He took over Claire’s father’s position after he was forced to medically retire. He often consults with her, as if his instincts are flawed. Interestingly, Claire doesn’t mind helping him and they form a team, happy to solve the murder together.
I love this series. It keeps you glued to the page and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
This time, the character’s secrets shock the quaint townspeople. It appears there’s a killer on the loose and Claire, along with her father, help to solve the murder.
The detective in this series is kind of a buffoon. Even his name is funny: Ramsbottom. He took over Claire’s father’s position after he was forced to medically retire. He often consults with her, as if his instincts are flawed. Interestingly, Claire doesn’t mind helping him and they form a team, happy to solve the murder together.
I love this series. It keeps you glued to the page and I can’t wait to see what happens next!
January 31, 2024
I have read many, many books written by Agatha Frost, and they have given many hours of enjoyment. Yet never previously have I been moved to write a review.
This book is special enough to make me review it,
It is the worst edited book I have ever read. In fact it is so bad that I fear it was published without even being read, let alone proof read.
Names, locations, missing words, error after error which meant by the half way point the story had become secondary in interest to the need to constantly re read a passage to try and work out what was supposed to have been there.
Anyone who has read the same version as I have will know exactly what the issues are.
Next time please proof before publication.
This book is special enough to make me review it,
It is the worst edited book I have ever read. In fact it is so bad that I fear it was published without even being read, let alone proof read.
Names, locations, missing words, error after error which meant by the half way point the story had become secondary in interest to the need to constantly re read a passage to try and work out what was supposed to have been there.
Anyone who has read the same version as I have will know exactly what the issues are.
Next time please proof before publication.
January 7, 2024
Christmas pudding mayhem
Claire and Alan does it again. Great story doling two murders at the competition and pub. Looking forward to the characters going to Peridale, thinking it will be a romantic time away in the Cotswolds, which we all know there will be a murder of two. Claire will be joining forces with Julia, Barker and co. Sounds great to get the teams together. Hoping For us team captain for Peridale with her megaphone....
Claire and Alan does it again. Great story doling two murders at the competition and pub. Looking forward to the characters going to Peridale, thinking it will be a romantic time away in the Cotswolds, which we all know there will be a murder of two. Claire will be joining forces with Julia, Barker and co. Sounds great to get the teams together. Hoping For us team captain for Peridale with her megaphone....
January 1, 2024
Another winner
Yes it’s unlikely the Police would allow that much interference from a civilian but is that not the point of a cozy mystery. There were plenty of twists and turns and like Claire I suspected everyone at some point. Never actually suspected the murderer though! Loving the crossover into Peridale! Dot and Greta in the same village!
Yes it’s unlikely the Police would allow that much interference from a civilian but is that not the point of a cozy mystery. There were plenty of twists and turns and like Claire I suspected everyone at some point. Never actually suspected the murderer though! Loving the crossover into Peridale! Dot and Greta in the same village!
January 3, 2024
One of the best
Every book in this series keeps getting better. The characters are lovely. I love that handsome hunk Ryan loves Claire so much ch even though she is not perfect. And I had to laugh out even before they mentioned Peridale, just by mentioning Percy I knew we had a crossover. I love crossovers. I hope we will read a bit about that.
Every book in this series keeps getting better. The characters are lovely. I love that handsome hunk Ryan loves Claire so much ch even though she is not perfect. And I had to laugh out even before they mentioned Peridale, just by mentioning Percy I knew we had a crossover. I love crossovers. I hope we will read a bit about that.
January 26, 2024
Complex Mystery
Claire solves a complex mystery that has multiple victims and multiple suspects. Her relationship with Ryan (and his children) deepens. Greatly enjoyed the 9th book in this series. Looking forward to the next one, which promises to be quite exciting as this book series appears about to connect with the other series by the same author.
Claire solves a complex mystery that has multiple victims and multiple suspects. Her relationship with Ryan (and his children) deepens. Greatly enjoyed the 9th book in this series. Looking forward to the next one, which promises to be quite exciting as this book series appears about to connect with the other series by the same author.
March 2, 2024
I enjoyed this book. It was my first book by this author and I didn‘t knew the series beforehand. The characters are likeable and the mystery was exciting enough without goory details or anything alike. The setting was cute & cosy. There book even spread a little bit of Christmas cheer but not so much that you have to read it during Christmas time.
March 9, 2024
A wonderful addition to the series.
The characters are fantastic and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is great. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
The characters are fantastic and quirky. The plot is twisty and interesting. The world building is great. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
June 27, 2024
Wonderful book
Take one vaingloriest chief stir in one record holding recipe and voila you get murder. Claire is on the case once more but with too many suspects and not enough clues this is turning into a sticky mess. Great storytelling at its best.
Take one vaingloriest chief stir in one record holding recipe and voila you get murder. Claire is on the case once more but with too many suspects and not enough clues this is turning into a sticky mess. Great storytelling at its best.
August 30, 2024
Review
I really like this series. It has great characters and always a different crime. I love the way Claire and Ryan's relationship is developing. Can't wait to see them in Peridale!
I really like this series. It has great characters and always a different crime. I love the way Claire and Ryan's relationship is developing. Can't wait to see them in Peridale!
January 6, 2024
This lined up perfectly for me, a new year's book to read over new years week. I really enjoy Claire and her supporting cast. Can't wait for book 10!
January 31, 2024
Not as good as the previous books
The writing in this book was very different from the previous books. Almost like someone else was writing the story..
The writing in this book was very different from the previous books. Almost like someone else was writing the story..
February 8, 2024
Was not good! Dialog was just so bad and fake. I’m done with this series.
February 12, 2024
Fun quick read. I like the series.
March 5, 2024
Absolutely superb and fun!
March 12, 2024
thoroughly enjoyed the book...
April 11, 2024
Loved it!
May 5, 2024
Totally enjoyed it! This is a well written and has well developed characters. The story is catching and with the strong characters makes for a very enjoyable read. Great Reading Everyone!
April 26, 2025
Another excellent book
Really enjoyed this story. The last minute twists and turns keep you reading. Can't wait to read the next book with them in Periscope.
Really enjoyed this story. The last minute twists and turns keep you reading. Can't wait to read the next book with them in Periscope.
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews