Gingerbread and Ghosts

Peridale Cafe #10

by Agatha Frost

Christmas falls on Peridale, but that does not mean café-owner and part-time sleuth, Julia South, can sit back and enjoy the festivities. When the opening night of the annual Christmas play ends with Julia's elderly gran, Dot, fatally shooting a man in front of the whole village, Julia's world is turned upside down. Did Dot plan to murder the man she has a secret past with or was she framed? While juggling the slow process of adopting her foster daughter, her heavily pregnant sister's looming delivery date, and her detective inspector boyfriend seemingly keeping secrets, Julia must wade through the tangled history of the Peridale Amateur Dramatics Society if she wants to free Dot from prison before Christmas Day. With the walls of Julia's personal life closing in around her, and the cast and crew of the play not being all they seem, can she figure out the truth in time, or is it one case too many? The only thing guaranteed is that it promises to be a holiday season to remember... Book 10 in the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series! Can be read as a standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A light, cozy mystery read with a cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth, in a small village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! Other books in the 1. Pancakes and Corpses 2. Lemonade and Lies 3. Doughnuts and Deception 4. Chocolate Cake and Chaos 5. Shortbread and Sorrow 6. Espresso and Evil 7. Macarons and Mayhem 8. Fruit Cake and Fear 9. Birthday Cake and Bodies 10. Gingerbread and Ghosts

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Romance, Contemporary, Chick Lit, Holiday

266 pages, Paperback

Published December 11, 2017

About the author

AGATHA 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

Reviews

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love how much Julia and her family have developed during the series. All the characters have come a long way.

Seeing Grandma Dot getting arrested for accidentially shooting a man was quite the shock. I was glued to my chair turning the pages to find out who set poor Dot up to this. There were several suspects which all worked out to be innocent and the reveal was a big surprise. It was a very intriguing mystery.
And if you didn't already suspect it, Gingerbread and Ghosts is not a paranormal mystery. There are no actual ghosts involved.
Each and every mystery in this series is very unique and I am already looking forward to the next one...

*Thanks to the author for providing me with a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review*

[AmBerGUR · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book made me smile so much!! This is what I love about cozy mysteries. I highly recommend this series. I wish I had a grandma like Dot. She is quite a character.

[Nola Arganbright · Rating 4 out of 5]

Family is always first

A Christmas Season mystery. When Julia's Grandmother's is accused of murdering a fellow thespian during their performance, Julia jumps into action to prove her Grandmother innocent.

[Patrizia · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 stelle e mezza
Mi ci sono voluti un paio di capitoli, ma poi ho proprio ingranato con questo libro: la storia gialla ha diversi sviluppi inattesi e fino alla fine mi sono domandata chi fosse il colpevole; inoltre, mi piace come si sviluppa la storia familiare della protagonista.

[Nadishka Aloysius · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I'm going off cozies! Some of the details in this one were particularly bad. We all know that there is some strong motivation to nudge the sleuth into action. In this book it is that her (Julia) grandmother is arrested for shooting a colleague. OK. On the surface that is fine. But, the problem is that it was obviously accidental (she and the victim were both in the process of acting in a play and she shot what was supposed to be a stage prop) so why was she immediately taken away in handcuffs and locked up? And the prison was so much like a hotel it was more a holiday for her! The protagonist is dating a DI but she is the one who does all the detecting and even the big reveal is conducted by Julia while he just calls in the cavalry at her nod! And, Julia is in the process of adopting a teeneager and Barker wants to adopt her too, but they are not even engaged. Then why is she so surprised when he proposes to her at the end? How do you expect to adopt together otherwise? And that social worker was so silly and a weird caricature I was revolted.
I think I'll stop complaining now!

[Helen Oakes · Rating 4 out of 5]

*arc received in exchange for an honest review*

Usually with cosy mysteries, I can read three or four in a series before finding myself getting bored and pretty much fed up with the characters. However, here we are with book 10 of Agatha Frost’s Peridale series following Julia south and I can honestly say it was my favourite one yet! Dot is one of my favourite background characters ever written and I absolutely love what Frost did with this novel. Making Dot accidentally shoot the victim during a play was fantastic as well as providing our heroine, Julia, with a reason to start her sleuthing once more so that her Gran isn’t behind bars for Christmas. Every time I thought I had the killer worked out they had a strong alibi and yet when the killer was revealed it wasn’t a case of Frost had plucked them out of thin air - seriously, I asked myself how did I never guess it was them in the first place! Brilliant writing. I read the entire thing in under two hours (work, what work?) and now sit waiting for book number 11!!

[Caroline Hodson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book immensely. Full of drama and mystery. Poor Julia's family is in disarray this time but there is lots of love and trust cementing them together. Can't wait for the next instalment.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I might say this with every book in this series, but I believe this is my favorite!! The entire series has been wonderful, fun to read, mysterious and amazing!! It’s the holiday time and all is well in Peridale. Dot is going to be a star in the local play and everyone is excited. Barker is still writing and Julia is still baking, Jessie is still being a typical teenager. Julia is trying to adopt Jessie, a lot of stress dealing with the social workers.

Then on opening night of the Christmas play, murder comes calling. Julia will need to work extra hard to find the murderer as this I personal and Julia needs this to be solved by Christmas!!

Lots of surprises during this story, the murder, who, what, where and how. Then there’s the family, presents and fun and maybe a couple new members of the family!!

Make sure you grab this one, you will definitely not be disappointed!!! I loved it. I would give it 20 stars!!!!

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just when I think this series cannot get any better, I'm delighted to say this book is even better than expected.
I love the characters and their development over the series.
The whodunit was top notch and intriguing.
This return to Peridale is one of the best yet and I cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

So freaking good

Gingerbread and Ghosts was amazing. Another wonderful book where Julia tries to figure out whose done it. I think book has now become my favorite from the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series. Read these books you will not be disappointed.

[Louise Ryan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great addition to this series. Julia is back and in fine detecting form yet again. This one was a real rollercoaster, full of more surprises and twists and turns than usual(which is saying something). I’ll never get tired of these characters and find myself wanting to pack up and move to Peridale after reading each book. The very end may have been my favorite part in this one though!

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Christmas season is in full swing in
Peridale. Julia South runs the Peridale
Cafe plus acts as a part time amateur
sleuth. She is busy make gingerbread
treats for the upcoming Christmas play.
Plus there is Christmas shopping to be
done and getting ready for the social
service workers visit to see about her
officially adopting the young woman who
has been living and working for her.
Julia’s grandmother, Dot has gotten a role
in the Christmas play and is very excited
as this had always been her childhood dream.
On the first night of the play, the gun in the
scene where Dot shoots her husband backfires
when a real loaded gun takes the place of
the prop gun. Dot is taken to prison as the man
In the play she shot have a past history. Now
Julia needs to fights ghosts of the past to
free her grandmother. Meanwhile Julia’s sister
is due to delivery twins any second.
This story will keep the reader on their toes with
mystery, drama and suspense.
Combine some quirky, colorful, vivid characters
who all seem to be keeping secrets with a
small town village atmosphere of Christmas
with the taste of gingerbread treats for a good
read.

[Karen Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

i received an ARC of this book in return for an honest review. With that being said, tbis was the best in the series! This is a lovely series set in an English countryside village of Peridale. The characters are wonderful and the story is always fresh and full of excitement. This one is no different except for the fact that Julia is out to free her gran who is in prison for a murder that she didn't committ, sort of. It also seems like everything seems to also be going on at the same time as well. It's overwhelming but Julia seems to handle it all with ease and grace. There are quite a few surprises as well as things that you just knew were coming but it all comes together in the way everything seems to happen in Peridale. The excitement never stops. I can't wait for the next book!

[Galina Chankova · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one so far of the series!!! Being with a Christmas theme so close to Christmas itself it put me right in a mood! All is missing is snow now (living near London, UK though, I would only dream of it though).

With Christmas around the corner, the local drama club has put on a Christmas show (yet not really Christmas related). Well, with the show's name being 'Festive Murder' it is not hard to guess where it all went wrong. Dot finds herself in the middle of it all so with just days remaining to Christmas, Julia need to work her hardest to clear Dot's name in time for the celebrations, all at the same time running the cafe, trying to 'please' the social worker to approve her adoption application, running around for Christmas presents and worrying around Barker as he is trying to tell her something important and not finding the right time to do it.

Won't spoil anyone's reading, but the end is epically good - it left me all in tears (of joy), living it all with them through the book.

[Samantha Butts · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Received an ARC in exchange for an honest review ***

Well, Agatha Frost has delivered yet another fantastic book. I love how she can transport you right there with the characters, they all feel like people I could meet in everyday life. This book had me guessing until the very end with twists and turns along the way. Gingerbread and Ghosts had a little bit of everything you could possibly want from a cozy mystery. The titles and covers of these books just draw you in and once in, you won't be disappointed. This 10th book is right up there as one of my top favorites of the series (come back for #11 and I am sure I will say the same)

[Tracy Perry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing! I loved it! The series just gets better & better, but now, amazing. Again, you get sucked right in from first page & read in one sitting. I don't think I cried reading this series yet, but I cried twice reading this one. Once in an "omg" moment & the other,happy tears . I so can't wait for next book. This Series Is A Must Read!

[Sandy Cadwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like all the Peridale Cafe Mysteries, this latest cozy was even better than the previous. Agatha Frost knows how to write a good story that will hold your interest all the way thru.
I do recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries.

[Rosemary Herrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have loved this series from the first. Well written, good character development, great love/romance
as part of the ongoing Peridale life. I have to wait for the 11th volume and I do so with both impatience and anticipation! Agatha Frost is a keeper!

[Mae Belle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Agatha Frost has hit another one out of the park......couldn't stop reading until I finished....looking forward to Julia's next adventure. One of these days I will have to try her peppermint and liquorice tea!!!!!

[Cadiva · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best one yet, these just keep improving book by book and Gingerbread and Ghosts really is the festive icing on the Christmas mystery.

I just love everything about this setting, its Englishness, the humour that sits strangely comfortable alongside the murder element and a brilliant sense of family which underpins the lot.

I'm still seriously glad I don't live in Peridale, which is now beginning to rival Midsommer as the place to avoid in middle England, although I'd love to pop into Julia's cafe for a cup of peppermint and liquorice tea and a cheese scone.

As always, I only got a sense of the plot and the twist of the true villain again came from left field with the big reveal and then it all becomes obvious and you wonder how you missed it.

Plus there's some lovely family surprises for Julia at the end which made me very happy.

#ARC received from the author in return for an honest and unbiased review.

[☆☆Hannah☆☆ · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another good mystery in the series. In this one Dot shoots a man. Of course we all know someone switched the guns. Now Julia spends the book trying to figure out the who and the why. Of course she does and all is well for now.

[Isabella ~Mikku-chan~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

*~~*ARC kindly provided by the author to me in exchange for an honest review *~~*

After nine books I’ve read and reviewed I really can say I am a big fan of Agatha Frost and her charming character from Peridale.

Although the books are claimed as to be read as stand alone – which I agree with – I really recommend to read them when you’ve already know the other books in the series otherwise you have a few difficulties to catch everything.

The events of the earlier books are mentioned and it’s combined with the crime case in this book, this time it’s Dot, Julia’s grandmother, who is under investigation, accused of being the murderer of a co-star in a stage play.

With the well-known zeal, Julia South is ready to defend her grandmother and prove she is innocent. Secrets are revealed and not only Julia sees a new side of the older lady.
The way how the book shows another layers of the characters is what I loved most about the series and with every new book we get more and more background information, as well as we see the characters creating their own new history and fond memories.

Of course even the romantic parts between Barker and Julia, which are rare, are overshadowed by the crazy events in the book, and it goes without saying that’s a thing you equally love but be a tiny bit annoyed by it. 🙂 It’s really not easy for Barker to have such a witty, ambitious partner.

As much as I enjoyed the whole crime case and the new information about Dot, I couldn’t help myself and was a bit disappointed in the way Barker was displayed. He seemed more a side-kick than a reliable Inspector and I really hope he isn’t overshadowed by Julia in the next books.

The end was not totally unexpected but of course the sweet moments couldn’t last long or were, how should it be different – disrupted by other – not necessary unpleasant – events. I’m really looking forward to read the next book in this series, and because I am so fond of the character I can’t give other than 5 out of 5 stars. 🙂

Review originally posted on my blog with added content Mikku-chan / A world full of words

[Toni · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

This is the tenth book in the Peridale Cafe mystery series by Agatha Frost.

This book features Dot, Julia’s grandmother. She is in a play and the gun is switched out for a real one causing Dot to shoot a man on stage. Dot even gets sent to jail where she seems to find a lot of interesting things to do: classes, yoga, card making. She seemed to have a great time. Julia, however, spent her time trying to find the true killer and get Dot out of jail.

A secondary storyline is the one where Julia is trying to adopt Jessie. We meet Jessie’s case worker, who is a bit of a bumbler, tripping over everything.

This book has an Agatha Christie like wrap up that I found wonderful. Just a great book in the series! It truly does just keep getting better.

If you love a good cozy mystery, check this one out. What a fun read!

[Megan · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Dot, Julia's grandmother, has one of the starring roles in a Christmas play. We learn she's had a dream to act since she was a child, but never had the chance until now. She's a natural and is wowing everyone...until tragedy strikes. Someone switch the prop gun with a real one and someone gets shot. Dot is arrested and it's up to Julia to figure out who switch the gun and why.

Also happening is Jessie, Julia's foster daughter, is on her way to being adopted. We meet her social worker, she's a real character. I really hope all goes well and she's able to be formally adopted before her birthday.

And Sue, Julia's sister, is ready to pop with twins. She's been expecting for several books, so will this be the one with her birth? It is! And the names of her daughters were so sweet!

I enjoyed reading this book so much! It always so much fun to watch Julia figure out who did it, but the characters of the town make the story even more enjoyable. I especially love Dot, so was excited that she featured more in this book. Looking forward to continuing the series.

[Rachel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it loved it loved it.
These books just get better and better. The mysteries are getting better and are harder to solve now as the writer has progressed.
I just love how Julia is just so many steps in front of the police all the time.
The interaction between all the secondary characters is a great part of the books and they wouldn't be the same without Dot, Jessie and Barker.
I'm so looking forward to the next instalment of this series.
I was provided with an ARC of this book for an honest review.

[Jennifer Jansen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the Peridale Cafe cozy mysteries and have come to love all the main characters. I'd love to jump right into their world and join them!
This one was absolutely fantastic as were all the volumes 1-9.
Onto Book 11....

[Lindsey McAteer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one definitely kept me guessing and was unexpected. My only criticism is all the books seem to take place in a short timespan but not a massive issue

[Stephanie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just what I needed to kickstart my holiday reading. I love this installment in this series. Julia, Barker, Jessie, and Dot are so fun to keep up with. Dot went to jail ya lol.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dramatic

I enjoyed reading this latest installment in this series. I thought I had figured out who had done it I was not completely right. The progression of the characters has been great. While some of the books haven’t been as strong as others I would definitely recommend this series.

[Rachel]

Intrigue for the holidays

Julia's grandma is in a play...and she is very good. Nevertheless, opening night does not go as planned and Julia must solve a mystery to save her gran in time for Christmas. Just the right mix of mystery and continuation of the ongoing story. I was glad to see it end in a happy note.