What do you think?
Rate this book
Claire's Candles #11
Spiced Orange Suspicion: A Festive Murder Mystery
A festive new start, a chilling murder, and secrets that ignite like a flame. In Northash, the candles aren’t the only thing burning bright…
Claire Harris thought the biggest challenge this Christmas would be moving her family into their unfinished dream home before the holiday. But when a group of squatters claims her and Ryan’s new house as their own, their festive plans are thrown into disarray. Determined to keep the peace and reclaim her home, Claire agrees to let them stay one night. By morning, one of the squatters is dead—and Claire is the one who finds the body.
With tensions simmering and the squatters turning on each other, Claire is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and desperation. Detective Inspector Harry Ramsbottom takes charge of the case, but as the evidence mounts, it seems everyone in the house has something to hide. A burnt note, a suspicious hammer, and a missing squatter are just the beginning.
As Claire delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers unsettling truths about her neighbours. Balancing the chaos of running her candle shop, being a stepmother to two children, and untangling the mess in Birch Close, Claire must find the killer before they strike again.
Perfect for fans of festive intrigue, sharp-witted sleuths, and heartwarming small-town charm. Curl up by the fire and lose yourself in Northash, where the candle scents mingle with the chill of murder.
THE DETECTIVE - Claire Harris, daughter of a retired detective inspector, runs her dream candle shop in a quaint British village. Surrounded by gossiping villagers, tight-knit friends, and loyal family, Claire, in her mid-thirties, can't help sleuthing when strange things happen on her doorstep...
Book 10 in the Claire's Candles Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed better as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery with a candle-loving British amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! Contains mild peril.
Other books in the
Vanilla Bean VengeanceBlack Cherry BetrayalCoconut Milk CasualtyRose Petal RevengeFresh Linen FraudToffee Apple TormentCandy Cane ConspiraciesWildflower WorriesFrosted Plum FearsDouble Espresso DeceptionSpiced Orange Suspicion
Claire Harris thought the biggest challenge this Christmas would be moving her family into their unfinished dream home before the holiday. But when a group of squatters claims her and Ryan’s new house as their own, their festive plans are thrown into disarray. Determined to keep the peace and reclaim her home, Claire agrees to let them stay one night. By morning, one of the squatters is dead—and Claire is the one who finds the body.
With tensions simmering and the squatters turning on each other, Claire is drawn into a tangled web of secrets, lies, and desperation. Detective Inspector Harry Ramsbottom takes charge of the case, but as the evidence mounts, it seems everyone in the house has something to hide. A burnt note, a suspicious hammer, and a missing squatter are just the beginning.
As Claire delves deeper into the mystery, she uncovers unsettling truths about her neighbours. Balancing the chaos of running her candle shop, being a stepmother to two children, and untangling the mess in Birch Close, Claire must find the killer before they strike again.
Perfect for fans of festive intrigue, sharp-witted sleuths, and heartwarming small-town charm. Curl up by the fire and lose yourself in Northash, where the candle scents mingle with the chill of murder.
THE DETECTIVE - Claire Harris, daughter of a retired detective inspector, runs her dream candle shop in a quaint British village. Surrounded by gossiping villagers, tight-knit friends, and loyal family, Claire, in her mid-thirties, can't help sleuthing when strange things happen on her doorstep...
Book 10 in the Claire's Candles Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed better as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery with a candle-loving British amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! Contains mild peril.
Other books in the
Vanilla Bean VengeanceBlack Cherry BetrayalCoconut Milk CasualtyRose Petal RevengeFresh Linen FraudToffee Apple TormentCandy Cane ConspiraciesWildflower WorriesFrosted Plum FearsDouble Espresso DeceptionSpiced Orange Suspicion
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
284 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 2, 2024
136 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Frost
75 books595 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews
January 4, 2025
This was really a lovely entry in the Claire's Candles cozy mystery series. Claire, Ryan, and his two children are finally moving into their new home (next to her parents). It's still a work-in-progress, massively under construction, but they're excited. Then, they discover a group of squatters have been living in their home. While the two are trying to get the group to move out, one of the squatters is murdered. Throughout the book, Claire works to uncover the mystery of the squatters, and figure out who actually is the killler.
I remember reading the first book in the series and thinking this was the most idiotic premise for a mystery series I had yet encountered: A woman who wants to run a candle shop, but is stuck working in a horrible candle factory. Claire, Ryan, Claire's parents, Ryan's children, and their assorted friends have been through a lot and have all grown and changed over the course of the series, as have their relationships with each other. It's now one of my favorite mystery series, and i look forward to reading the next in the series.
I remember reading the first book in the series and thinking this was the most idiotic premise for a mystery series I had yet encountered: A woman who wants to run a candle shop, but is stuck working in a horrible candle factory. Claire, Ryan, Claire's parents, Ryan's children, and their assorted friends have been through a lot and have all grown and changed over the course of the series, as have their relationships with each other. It's now one of my favorite mystery series, and i look forward to reading the next in the series.
December 21, 2024
4.5 stars!
December 13, 2025
As a long-time reader of Agatha Frost, Claire's Candles is my favorite series of the three Frost is currently writing. These are always fun, fast reads full of wonderful coziness, a wide selection of charminh townspeople, and a decent-ish mystery.
**The Good**
- Claire is continuing to grow as a person. She started as a woman stuck in an unhappy life, living with her parents, with no direction or hope for the future. 11 books inand she's now a profitable business owner, has a wonderfully supportive relationship with Ryan and his two children, Hugo and Amelia, AND is moving into her own home with them all. Progress, character growth! I love to see this.
- Also love seeing Sally and Damon's romance continue to blossom, and Ryan chasing other dreams besides the gym. Same goes for Janet finding a new passion with her cleaning business.
- The town and returning favorites like Marley and the Hesketh Arms are warmly and richly welcoming. I love coming back to this little world and watching it bloom. Claire and the world she inhabits are what keeps me coming back for more.
**The Bad**
- Too many new characters. Lucy gave me big-time Jessie vibes (from Frost's main series, The Peridale Cafe Mysteries) which was nice, if undeveloped. There were just too many new characters and not enough time to care about all of them with the exception of Lucy, Maria, and Carol.
- The ending is an absolute fumbled mess, and the resolution of the murder feels rushed. In an attempt to keep the reader engaged Claire walks into a place only to go "outside for some fresh air" three times in a row. She keeps interviewing people again and again, only to get nowhere. It's word padding and it shows.
- Given that in the span of only a few years, ELEVEN people have be murdered (figuring one death per book) in this tiny village, HOW DOES RAMSBOTTOM STILL HAVE A FUCKING JOB? I really need Claire, Allan, Janet, and Greta to open their own PI agency, because the local law enforcement is practically useless.
- Even with having cellphones to call and text, Claire does ZERO research on any of these new people. Does the internet not exist, or a local newspaper? Town bulletin board alerting others to potential squatters and/or thieves? ANYTHING?
Ultimately, if you're in this book for a tightly paced, well crafted mystery, you're in the wrong series (and possibly the wrong author). BUT if you're here to see Claire grow as a person, see Damien embrace his nerdiness and find love, Allan impart lovely tidbits of fatherly wisdom in the garden shed, and generally be cuddled by a warm little English hamlet ... have I got a series for you!
Though they could use a developmental editor desperately, I still love Claire and the world she inhabitants, and will be back for the next adventure.
**The Good**
- Claire is continuing to grow as a person. She started as a woman stuck in an unhappy life, living with her parents, with no direction or hope for the future. 11 books inand she's now a profitable business owner, has a wonderfully supportive relationship with Ryan and his two children, Hugo and Amelia, AND is moving into her own home with them all. Progress, character growth! I love to see this.
- Also love seeing Sally and Damon's romance continue to blossom, and Ryan chasing other dreams besides the gym. Same goes for Janet finding a new passion with her cleaning business.
- The town and returning favorites like Marley and the Hesketh Arms are warmly and richly welcoming. I love coming back to this little world and watching it bloom. Claire and the world she inhabits are what keeps me coming back for more.
**The Bad**
- Too many new characters. Lucy gave me big-time Jessie vibes (from Frost's main series, The Peridale Cafe Mysteries) which was nice, if undeveloped. There were just too many new characters and not enough time to care about all of them with the exception of Lucy, Maria, and Carol.
- The ending is an absolute fumbled mess, and the resolution of the murder feels rushed. In an attempt to keep the reader engaged Claire walks into a place only to go "outside for some fresh air" three times in a row. She keeps interviewing people again and again, only to get nowhere. It's word padding and it shows.
- Given that in the span of only a few years, ELEVEN people have be murdered (figuring one death per book) in this tiny village, HOW DOES RAMSBOTTOM STILL HAVE A FUCKING JOB? I really need Claire, Allan, Janet, and Greta to open their own PI agency, because the local law enforcement is practically useless.
- Even with having cellphones to call and text, Claire does ZERO research on any of these new people. Does the internet not exist, or a local newspaper? Town bulletin board alerting others to potential squatters and/or thieves? ANYTHING?
Ultimately, if you're in this book for a tightly paced, well crafted mystery, you're in the wrong series (and possibly the wrong author). BUT if you're here to see Claire grow as a person, see Damien embrace his nerdiness and find love, Allan impart lovely tidbits of fatherly wisdom in the garden shed, and generally be cuddled by a warm little English hamlet ... have I got a series for you!
Though they could use a developmental editor desperately, I still love Claire and the world she inhabitants, and will be back for the next adventure.
December 17, 2024
Things I really enjoyed: the opening line. It made me feel warm inside. “The spicy-sweet scent of orange, clove, and cinnamon filled Claire's Candles like a warm hug…”
Alan/Claire’s dad calling her “Little One” all the time. That is so endearing. It paints a sweet picture of their father daughter relationship. ♥️
Damon’s worry: although the worrying part sticks, it was very sweet how he went around town and emailed so many places just to find the right ring. He went through a lot of trouble to make that moment of proposing simply perfect. 💕
Ricky and Lucy: a nod to “I Love Lucy.” How cute. Maybe unintentional, but cute nonetheless.
Maria’s: Maria’s love and protection of Lucy. There was a special connection there. I also liked that Maria was not only a seamstress, but a seamstress for a band. Remind you of anything? Here’s a hint, “Blue jean baby, L.A. lady. Seamstress for the band…” Still don’t know? It’s a song called “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John. Ya, now you know! That was probably another unintentional thing by Frost, but at least a cool song played in my mind once that was mentioned by Maria.
Christmas: this took place during the Christmas season in Northash. It was nice to read about the cold weather, the Christmas trees, and the ornaments. Oh yes, and the gifts like the one Lucy left got Claire. 🎄
Accents: Sometimes in my mind I would have Claire or Damon or one of the other characters speaking their line with an English accent. And other times I’d even say a dialogue out loud. (I live in California, so the English have an accent to my ears. Although, I’ve heard numerous times that I’m the one with an accent, but that’s only to people from Texas or Oklahoma who think they don’t have an accent. To me, they do.) Fun times. 😉
By the ending pages I was teary-eyed. I felt so warm and at home. I can’t wait for the next book.
Note from Agatha Frost: Claire’s Candles will return in Spring 2025! April 29, 2025. That is book 12, “Peach Blossom Peril.” My calendar is already marked!
My next book that was released/published December 3, 2024 is “A Christmas Caper, by Kathi Daley. It’s book 17 from the Cottage on Gooseberry Bay mystery series.
See you in my next review.
Deuces to your cabooses!
~ themoodyredhead ✨👩🏻🦰✨
Alan/Claire’s dad calling her “Little One” all the time. That is so endearing. It paints a sweet picture of their father daughter relationship. ♥️
Damon’s worry: although the worrying part sticks, it was very sweet how he went around town and emailed so many places just to find the right ring. He went through a lot of trouble to make that moment of proposing simply perfect. 💕
Ricky and Lucy: a nod to “I Love Lucy.” How cute. Maybe unintentional, but cute nonetheless.
Maria’s: Maria’s love and protection of Lucy. There was a special connection there. I also liked that Maria was not only a seamstress, but a seamstress for a band. Remind you of anything? Here’s a hint, “Blue jean baby, L.A. lady. Seamstress for the band…” Still don’t know? It’s a song called “Tiny Dancer” by Elton John. Ya, now you know! That was probably another unintentional thing by Frost, but at least a cool song played in my mind once that was mentioned by Maria.
Christmas: this took place during the Christmas season in Northash. It was nice to read about the cold weather, the Christmas trees, and the ornaments. Oh yes, and the gifts like the one Lucy left got Claire. 🎄
Accents: Sometimes in my mind I would have Claire or Damon or one of the other characters speaking their line with an English accent. And other times I’d even say a dialogue out loud. (I live in California, so the English have an accent to my ears. Although, I’ve heard numerous times that I’m the one with an accent, but that’s only to people from Texas or Oklahoma who think they don’t have an accent. To me, they do.) Fun times. 😉
By the ending pages I was teary-eyed. I felt so warm and at home. I can’t wait for the next book.
Note from Agatha Frost: Claire’s Candles will return in Spring 2025! April 29, 2025. That is book 12, “Peach Blossom Peril.” My calendar is already marked!
My next book that was released/published December 3, 2024 is “A Christmas Caper, by Kathi Daley. It’s book 17 from the Cottage on Gooseberry Bay mystery series.
See you in my next review.
Deuces to your cabooses!
~ themoodyredhead ✨👩🏻🦰✨
December 14, 2024
Agatha and Claire do it again!
I fell in love with the characters from the very first book in this series. And Agatha Frost has continued to create a fun and complex set of characters with each book. Along with wonderful sounding candle fragrance names and descriptions.
It’s also a great read when two series are woven together such as Agatha has done with Claire’s Candles and the Peridale / Julia’s Cafe stories.
I can’t wait for the next installment!!
I fell in love with the characters from the very first book in this series. And Agatha Frost has continued to create a fun and complex set of characters with each book. Along with wonderful sounding candle fragrance names and descriptions.
It’s also a great read when two series are woven together such as Agatha has done with Claire’s Candles and the Peridale / Julia’s Cafe stories.
I can’t wait for the next installment!!
January 3, 2025
Very Enjoyable!
I enjoyed the new Claire’s Candles book, “Spiced Orange Suspicion”, very much. The plot had many unexpected twists and turns and the mystery resolved in an unpredictable way. I enjoyed the character and relationship development. I look forward to more adventures with Claire, Ryan, the kids, Sally, Damon, Claire’s dad and even Janet.
I enjoyed the new Claire’s Candles book, “Spiced Orange Suspicion”, very much. The plot had many unexpected twists and turns and the mystery resolved in an unpredictable way. I enjoyed the character and relationship development. I look forward to more adventures with Claire, Ryan, the kids, Sally, Damon, Claire’s dad and even Janet.
February 11, 2025
Loved it
Claire is one of my favorite sleuths! I'm thrilled to see her candle shop thriving as well as her personal life. Even Janet, her mum, has thawed a little.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
If you're looking for a good read to pass an evening, this is an excellent choice.
Claire is one of my favorite sleuths! I'm thrilled to see her candle shop thriving as well as her personal life. Even Janet, her mum, has thawed a little.
I really enjoyed the twists and turns to keep the reader guessing.
If you're looking for a good read to pass an evening, this is an excellent choice.
November 15, 2025
Very enjoyable
All kinds of troubles are in store for Claire this time when she discovers squatters in her new house. With Christmas around the corner, a shop to run murder is the last thing Claire needs. This entertaining story with a its numerous suspects all rotating to be number one suspect will keep you guessing to the big reveal. Great book.
All kinds of troubles are in store for Claire this time when she discovers squatters in her new house. With Christmas around the corner, a shop to run murder is the last thing Claire needs. This entertaining story with a its numerous suspects all rotating to be number one suspect will keep you guessing to the big reveal. Great book.
December 8, 2024
Lovely
At first I wasn’t convinced by Claire Candles books but now I love them. I love the characters. The couples are so perfect, the handsome Ryan so I love with sweet,clever and bit overweight Claire and beautiful Sally adoring nerdy Damon, priceless.
At first I wasn’t convinced by Claire Candles books but now I love them. I love the characters. The couples are so perfect, the handsome Ryan so I love with sweet,clever and bit overweight Claire and beautiful Sally adoring nerdy Damon, priceless.
February 25, 2025
Review
This book was pretty good. We got a lot of new characters. It was hard to figure out who the murderer was. So interesting developments for the main characters. Can't wait for the next one.
This book was pretty good. We got a lot of new characters. It was hard to figure out who the murderer was. So interesting developments for the main characters. Can't wait for the next one.
December 10, 2024
Another enjoyable read.
A lot of excitement, a few twists and turns, an unexpected perpetrator and happy but sentimental ending. What’s not to love from a Christmas story.
A lot of excitement, a few twists and turns, an unexpected perpetrator and happy but sentimental ending. What’s not to love from a Christmas story.
December 11, 2024
Thoroughly enjoyed the book...
December 25, 2024
Christmas in Northash
I enjoy following Claire and her family. Each new book lets me catch up with all the new things going on.
I enjoy following Claire and her family. Each new book lets me catch up with all the new things going on.
January 18, 2025
I really enjoyed this one
January 23, 2025
Wonderful series
I know this is a murder series, but it is so much more. A wonderful family, friends, community. Always leaves me waiting for the next one.
I know this is a murder series, but it is so much more. A wonderful family, friends, community. Always leaves me waiting for the next one.
January 24, 2025
Fantastic
A cracking good read,I love that's characters they are really well written and enjoyable to read I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
A cracking good read,I love that's characters they are really well written and enjoyable to read I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories.
August 24, 2025
Candle heaven with a twist
Love the candle shop background. Plots are good. Relationships are wonderful. Can be read in a cozy day. Lots in the series.
Love the candle shop background. Plots are good. Relationships are wonderful. Can be read in a cozy day. Lots in the series.
August 24, 2025
Great read.
I love reading all her books, you can just lose yourself in them. I have a picture in my head of what everyone looks like.
I love reading all her books, you can just lose yourself in them. I have a picture in my head of what everyone looks like.
November 7, 2025
Mystery, mystery always a good mystery
Love all of these books! Can't wait for the next one.
I enjoyed the addition of crossing with the previous characters from the other books.
Love all of these books! Can't wait for the next one.
I enjoyed the addition of crossing with the previous characters from the other books.
December 27, 2025
Good cozy mystery. Like the series.
April 24, 2025
Oh just when we thought Clare was going to settle with Ryan there are squatters with the usual scented candle for the occasion and they can’t get into their new house.
More intrigue, deaths and suspense along with a domestic too.
More intrigue, deaths and suspense along with a domestic too.
Displaying 1 - 21 of 21 reviews