What do you think?
Rate this book
Peridale Cafe #14
Champagne and Catastrophes
Read for FREE on KINDLE UNLIMITED! The 14th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Series! "Love the way Agatha quietly draws you into the story and then, bam, changes the direction!" Julia and Barker have finally set a date for the wedding, but that doesn't mean Julia has jumped straight into the planning, even though it's only three months away. With their daughter, Jessie, backpacking around Australia for the month, Julia has no excuse not to start the preparations, but she can't bring herself to dive into the huge task. An old school friend of Julia's moves into the cottage across the lane, and she is over the moon when she finds out that Leah happens to be a wedding planner. Julia feels like fate has delivered Leah to her, but things soon turn sour when it seems not everyone in the village is happy to have Leah back after two decades away. When Leah vanishes under suspicious circumstances days into the wedding planning, Julia quickly learns that her old friend isn't quite what she thought. With Julia's other best friends, Roxy and Johnny, in the frame for Leah's disappearance, Julia must get to the bottom of the case. Where has Leah gone, why are Roxy and Johnny so involved, and what did Leah do that was so terrible twenty years ago?
Book 14 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 English village setting with quirky characters. Written in British English. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes! Contains mild peril. 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 11. Cupcakes and Casualties 12. Blueberry Muffins and Misfortune 13. Ice Cream and Incidents 14. Champagne and Catastrophes 15. Wedding Cake and Woes 16. Red Velvet and Revenge 17. Vegetables and Vengeance 18. Cheesecake and Confusion
294 pages, Kindle Edition
First published October 21, 2018
887 people are currently reading
330 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews
May 17, 2023
Oh, Dot! I love you so much. I just can’t get enough of this series. Always always puts a smile on my face!
June 27, 2019
4 stelle e mezza
Altra veloce e piacevole lettura.
Altra veloce e piacevole lettura.
October 8, 2022
I love The Peridale Cafe series and all the characters in the village!
October 24, 2018
Champagne and Catastrophes
Another delightful addition to the series! I loved that this was had a different result than all the other books in the series!
Another delightful addition to the series! I loved that this was had a different result than all the other books in the series!
December 31, 2018
Love heading back to Peridale
September 23, 2021
Overall I liked this book. Someone from the towns past comes back. Her name is Leah and apparently she has caused a lot of trouble in people's lives. So when she ends up missing it's hard to know who is behind it. Thankfully Julia figures out who did it and all is well for now.
December 12, 2018
This was a good entry in the Peridale Cafe mystery series, and one of my favorites of the recent books. As the book opens, Julia and Barker have set a date for their wedding in just a few months. When an old friend -- who is also a wedding planner -- moves back to Peridale it seems as if everything will go smoothly for Julia. But then Julia discovers that everyone else in Peridale has very bad memories of her old friend, and it seems many people are hiding secrets.
Julia's newly adopted daughter Jesse is off in Australia for a holiday, but all of the other regulars make an appearance, and many actually have key roles in the mystery. I found the mystery interesting and liked some of the character development that occurred for secondary characters. Barker seems much more comfortable as a mystery writer than he ever was as a police investigator (and Julia was always more adept at solving mysteries than he was). And while Dot (Julia's grandmother) made numerous appearances, she wasn't over-the-top this time, which was a relief.
Overall I enjoyed this quite a bit and would give it a B, so four stars here. However, I would encourage anyone to start at the beginning, as a lot of character development occurred over the first 13 entries in the series.
Julia's newly adopted daughter Jesse is off in Australia for a holiday, but all of the other regulars make an appearance, and many actually have key roles in the mystery. I found the mystery interesting and liked some of the character development that occurred for secondary characters. Barker seems much more comfortable as a mystery writer than he ever was as a police investigator (and Julia was always more adept at solving mysteries than he was). And while Dot (Julia's grandmother) made numerous appearances, she wasn't over-the-top this time, which was a relief.
Overall I enjoyed this quite a bit and would give it a B, so four stars here. However, I would encourage anyone to start at the beginning, as a lot of character development occurred over the first 13 entries in the series.
August 4, 2020
4.5 stars
This is the fourteenth book in the Peridale Cafe mystery series by Agatha Frost.
Julia and Barker have decided on a wedding date. Then one of Julia’s old friends shows up in town and just happens to be a wedding planner. She has barely agreed to plan her wedding before going missing and believed to be dead. And there are no shortage of suspects. Two of Julia’s good friends don’t have such good memories of Leah that she does.
Really liked how this one turned out. The entire town practically hated this gal from something that happened twenty years earlier. The wrap up is one you don’t want to miss. All the characters just keep getting better and better. It is like visiting a real hometown and seeing all your favorite people.
Loved so much about it. If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
This is the fourteenth book in the Peridale Cafe mystery series by Agatha Frost.
Julia and Barker have decided on a wedding date. Then one of Julia’s old friends shows up in town and just happens to be a wedding planner. She has barely agreed to plan her wedding before going missing and believed to be dead. And there are no shortage of suspects. Two of Julia’s good friends don’t have such good memories of Leah that she does.
Really liked how this one turned out. The entire town practically hated this gal from something that happened twenty years earlier. The wrap up is one you don’t want to miss. All the characters just keep getting better and better. It is like visiting a real hometown and seeing all your favorite people.
Loved so much about it. If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.
November 5, 2018
Another book with a great cover design that is in keeping with the rest of this series,which as with the previous is easily read as a Standalone,but is a equally enjoyed as a continuation featuring much loved characters,alongside new additions to keep the reader interested.
The blurb gives enough away to set the scene for this the 14th! adventure in the cozy village setting of Peridale...where things are not always as it seems,and with the return of an old friend,some less than pleased to see them,it's up to Julia an co to find out the truth.
A well written,easy read that has humor added along with the mystery,and a surprising twist I didn't see coming,and I look forward to the next one.
REVIEWING FOR ROCK HARD ROMANCE by VICKI RHR RATING 5*/5
The blurb gives enough away to set the scene for this the 14th! adventure in the cozy village setting of Peridale...where things are not always as it seems,and with the return of an old friend,some less than pleased to see them,it's up to Julia an co to find out the truth.
A well written,easy read that has humor added along with the mystery,and a surprising twist I didn't see coming,and I look forward to the next one.
REVIEWING FOR ROCK HARD ROMANCE by VICKI RHR RATING 5*/5
August 8, 2021
Lots of twists and turns
Julia really had a challenge with this mystery; several people close to her had unhappy feelings about the victim. I liked how supportive Barker was and how they worked together. Julia's family was actually unhelpful and I thought inconsiderate of her in this story, which was unusual. Good read. I will continue on to the wedding!
Julia really had a challenge with this mystery; several people close to her had unhappy feelings about the victim. I liked how supportive Barker was and how they worked together. Julia's family was actually unhelpful and I thought inconsiderate of her in this story, which was unusual. Good read. I will continue on to the wedding!
September 20, 2021
August-September
Jessie has gone to Australia with her brother and boyfriend, so they aren't in it much. Julia and Barker, mostly Julia, solve the mystery. The mystery involves wedding planning, a missing person, and a criminal case from twenty years ago. The story took a couple of weird turns. One of which I didn't like. Overall, this was enjoyable.
Jessie has gone to Australia with her brother and boyfriend, so they aren't in it much. Julia and Barker, mostly Julia, solve the mystery. The mystery involves wedding planning, a missing person, and a criminal case from twenty years ago. The story took a couple of weird turns. One of which I didn't like. Overall, this was enjoyable.
November 7, 2018
Nice addition to the Peridale series. It was interesting to uncover all the secrets being kept. And although I did mostly guess the "who-done-it" aspect, I didn't get all the details and it was an enjoyable journey to get to the final reveals. Looking forward to the next installment!
October 24, 2018
These books keep getting better. I love peridale i want to live there. Well apart from all the crime.
Julia does it again brilliantly and with a little help from the usual side kicks.
I did guess the 'who done it' this book about halfway through.
I can't wait for the next instalment.
Julia does it again brilliantly and with a little help from the usual side kicks.
I did guess the 'who done it' this book about halfway through.
I can't wait for the next instalment.
October 24, 2018
Fabulous
I loved this book. There were twist and turns just when you thought you knew what was going to happen it turned out different.
I loved this book. There were twist and turns just when you thought you knew what was going to happen it turned out different.
November 1, 2018
The continuation of this series was worth the wait. It was great to catch up with Julia and the rest of the residents of Peridale to solve another mystery. The addition of new characters keeps this series fresh while also learning more about the regulars. Dot was as witty as ever and I missed Jessie so I'm glad she returned at the end. As usual, there were plenty of suspects to choose from, making it more difficult to figure out whodunnit before Julia's big reveal. Well-written and utterly enjoyable as always.
November 4, 2018
Champagne and Catastrophes is book 14 for Agatha Frost.
I for one don't read mysteries but this series I am hooked ..
It captivates you then you need to know what all the characters are doing ..
You have past and present, old friends that have changed who think love has past them by..
Intrigue upon intrigue ...
So much detail in this book so expertly written ...
Brilliant book
I for one don't read mysteries but this series I am hooked ..
It captivates you then you need to know what all the characters are doing ..
You have past and present, old friends that have changed who think love has past them by..
Intrigue upon intrigue ...
So much detail in this book so expertly written ...
Brilliant book
November 6, 2018
totally enjoyed the story, can't wait til the next...
October 30, 2018
Intense and Exciting Mystery!
I loved this book which is the latest in Agatha Frost’s Peridale cozy mystery series. I enjoyed the character development and learning more about the past history of Julia South and her close friends, Roxy and Johnny. The story kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a hard time putting it down. The plot was unpredictable and I had no idea “whodunnit” until it was revealed. Can’t wait for the next book!
I loved this book which is the latest in Agatha Frost’s Peridale cozy mystery series. I enjoyed the character development and learning more about the past history of Julia South and her close friends, Roxy and Johnny. The story kept me on the edge of my seat. I had a hard time putting it down. The plot was unpredictable and I had no idea “whodunnit” until it was revealed. Can’t wait for the next book!
October 31, 2018
I love Peridale.
I love this series. I am so glad to see this book is out and the next one will be out soon. This was a great story. It had a few twist and turns. I just enjoy What he Frosts writing.
I love this series. I am so glad to see this book is out and the next one will be out soon. This was a great story. It had a few twist and turns. I just enjoy What he Frosts writing.
October 28, 2018
Another Delicious and Fascinating Success!
It was delightful, saddening, humorous, and stressful returning to Peridale to shadow Julia and Barker through this mystery from the past brought into the present. As with each preceding book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. You will too.
It was delightful, saddening, humorous, and stressful returning to Peridale to shadow Julia and Barker through this mystery from the past brought into the present. As with each preceding book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it from beginning to end. You will too.
November 8, 2018
Another great cozy mystery with Julia, Barker and friends! As they start to plan their wedding, the two lovebirds prove they are still great at solving crimes with a little help from their friends. I never tire of the quirkiness of Peridale or the trouble that Julia can get into with her quest for the truth. We all need a friend like her on our side.
December 5, 2018
Another winner! I just loved this book. The plot was great and kept me guessing. I love learning more about the characters' pasts. I did miss Jessie, but I liked that Barker played a bigger role in this mystery than he has in some others. I am so excited for the next book!
October 31, 2018
A top notch series that never disappoints.
October 31, 2018
Champagne and Catastrophes
This was an exciting book and a wonderful series that everyone should read. I’m looking forward to the next book. Thanks!!
This was an exciting book and a wonderful series that everyone should read. I’m looking forward to the next book. Thanks!!
October 28, 2018
Not enough snark
Jessie being away had an impact on the book, which I find funny. A certain level of snark was missing. This was a very complicated story, since there was so much background, but out was a good way to expand on third tier characters and bring in new ones.
Jessie being away had an impact on the book, which I find funny. A certain level of snark was missing. This was a very complicated story, since there was so much background, but out was a good way to expand on third tier characters and bring in new ones.
October 27, 2018
Very good
Thanks for another great book. I love the characters. It's nice to see their lives move on. You kept me guessing. I've never been disappointed in any book that you've written. Stay well. Looking forward to next one.
Thanks for another great book. I love the characters. It's nice to see their lives move on. You kept me guessing. I've never been disappointed in any book that you've written. Stay well. Looking forward to next one.
October 26, 2018
Fantastic. I always say this about each new addition to the series, but I think this is the best yet! I cannot get enough of Peridale, Julia and the troupe. Halfway through this, I felt a pant of sadness because I knew I’d have to wait for the next one. Keep ‘em coming! Agatha, you are an amazing writer and storyteller. I appreciate you and all of your work.
October 31, 2018
Best one yet, Lorri Beyer listed as Stan.
The continuation of life in Peridale is such an adventure. I don't want to give anything away, so don't want to get too explicit. Each book keeps getting better. Love the friends and family created as well as the mystery.
The continuation of life in Peridale is such an adventure. I don't want to give anything away, so don't want to get too explicit. Each book keeps getting better. Love the friends and family created as well as the mystery.
October 26, 2018
Another home run!
Agatha Frost has written another winner! Love the way she quietly draws you into the story and then, bam, changes the direction. Looking forward to the next book and Julia and Barker ' s wedding.
Thank you!
Agatha Frost has written another winner! Love the way she quietly draws you into the story and then, bam, changes the direction. Looking forward to the next book and Julia and Barker ' s wedding.
Thank you!
October 26, 2018
Peridale mystery
I loved it. Julia always the sluth. She did not fail this time either. Exciting planning the wedding to Barker.
I loved it. Julia always the sluth. She did not fail this time either. Exciting planning the wedding to Barker.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 82 reviews