Red Velvet and Revenge

Peridale Cafe #16

by Agatha Frost

When Julia South-Brown is asked to judge the first Peridale Bake Off competition alongside local radio DJ, Tony Bridges, she expects it to be some light village fun while her new husband, Barker Brown, finishes work on his second novel. However, it ends up being anything but when Tony shows he is nothing like his charming radio personality. When someone takes advantage of his severe and well-publicised peanut allergy with a contaminated red velvet cake in the middle of the competition, Julia isn't surprised to find herself with another murder mystery to solve!With Tony having mistreated everyone from his wife, ex-wife, assistant, and most people unlucky enough to have crossed his path, Julia isn't short of suspects. But, what should be a cut and dry investigation turns into something wholly more complicated thanks to Julia suddenly being responsible for her baby brother when her father and step-mother find themselves indefinitely stranded in Ibiza thanks to a banana boat and a broken leg.While juggling a baby, a complicated case, and a slew of other personal dilemmas, Julia is forced to face tough decisions that will impact the rest of her life. Family proves more important than ever, but can Julia hold hers together? With her sleuthing putting her in increasingly more treacherous situations with each passing day, can Julia stay safe, or will this prove one case too far? Book 16 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! Contains mild peril. Other books in the 1. Pancakes and Corpses2. Lemonade and Lies3. Doughnuts and Deception4. Chocolate Cake and Chaos5. Shortbread and Sorrow6. Espresso and Evil7. Macarons and Mayhem8. Fruit Cake and Fear9. Birthday Cake and Bodies10. Gingerbread and Ghosts11. Cupcakes and Casualties12. Blueberry Muffins and Misfortune13. Ice Cream and Incidents14. Champagne and Catastrophes15. Wedding Cake and Woes16. Red Velvet and Revenge17. Vegetables and Vengeance

Genres: Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Amazon, Contemporary

340 pages, Paperback

Published February 28, 2019

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

[Christine Lucia Asha]

Don't know why I keep reading these.....

In this one, Julia finds it exhausting taking care of a baby (turning on cartoons, leaving him with toys, letting the villagers care for him) but still decides at her late age that she wants one.....

Then as to the mystery, our young criminal doesn't know that cell phones have gps trackers so he just hurls it in the back of the car instead of out the window.......

[☆☆Hannah☆☆]

This is one of those ones that I have mixed feelings about. Julia is a judge at a local baking competition. The other judge is a real piece of work and of course he is the one to die. Since nobody likes this person everyone is suspect. Luckily Julia figures out who did it and all is well for now.

[Toni]

4.75 stars

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

Lots of twists and turns in this one. There was a point in the story where I was a little scared for Julia when she put herself in a dangerous situation. I think this took Frost’s storytelling to a whole new level.

The characters were deeper and the plot was so multi-layered that by the end you were shocked who the bad guy turned out to be. Definitely a must read book for this series!

Loved so much about it. If you like cozy mysteries, definitely check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

[Patrizia]

Altra serie che era finita nel dimenticatoio... comunque, sono riuscita a riprendere subito il filo e a ricordarmi più o meno tutti i personaggi ricorrenti. Per quanto riguarda l'omicidio non avevo un'idea chiara di chi fosse il colpevole, sebbene a un certo punto mi era sorto un dubbio riguardo alla persona poi risultata colpevole. Morale della favola: lettura veloce (il mio kindle mi ha segnalato una lunghezza di poco più di 200 pagine, su Amazon e qui ne sono segnalate ben più di 300: direi che aveva ragione il mio kindle) e alla fin fine piacevole, sebbene preferirei che la protagonista fosse un po' meno irruenta e pensasse prima di agire sconsideratamente.

[Karen]

As always, I know when I pick up the latest Peridale Cafe Mystery I am guaranteed a great read!
I love the characters and their development over the series.
This latest story had me guessing and entertained right up to the end!
The characters are written realistically with honesty and warmth and never come across as caricatures.
I cannot wait to read the next one!

[Erica Chaillot]

Lately, I have been taking a little vacation back to Peridale. I love the character growth that the main characters have gone through over the past two years (according to the book). A marriage, family changes, engagement, and moving, this book is fresh and enjoyable to every page. Definitely recommend.

[Jody Holford]

Maybe I’m getting better at solving mysteries but I had this one pegged far earlier than the others. I really enjoyed the Barker Julia story- as usual- and thought the side mystery for Jesse was very interesting. Always enjoyable to head back to Peridale.

[Linniegayl]

I enjoyed this latest entry in the Peridale Cafe mystery series. Julia once again gets involved pretty quickly investigating a murder in her small community (yes, small town, lots of murders). I like the development of Julia and Barker's relationship, as well as her relationship with her adopted daughter Jessie. There's not quite as much cooking as in past books, and a bit too much of her grandmother Dot. I thought the mystery of who killed the annoying celebrating bake-off judge was interseting, with many potential murderers. However, I'd mark this down a bit because Julia -- who is supposed to be very smart -- put her life at risk once too often in the book, doing things that no truly "smart" person with as much experience as her should have done. I'll give it a B- so four stars here, and hope in the future Julia doesn't put herself at risk when she does have other choices.

[Leah]

February

This story involves murder, theft, family, horses, cake, and a baking contest. I was hoping more would have been done with the stable and the baking contest. The contest didn't last long. The mysteries weren't what I expected. I thought that they would end differently. Also, I already know where Jessie's storyline goes, so I thought that what happened in this book was a waste of time.

[Rachel]

Good continuation

The mystery in this book was different, but not quite as Interesting as others. I really appreciated this story because it kept the characters moving forward. It was funny and heartwarming to see Julia and Barker with a baby as well as to see Jessie take a step into adulthood. Good overall book.

[Cathy]

Another great mystery solved!

I can’t say enough how much this series makes me smile. I love Julia and her crazy family! I never guess who the killer is, that’s why I love the storyline and characters so much.
I can’t wait for the next book to see how the characters evolve. Another must read! Great job💖

[christine newton]

Radio killed the host

Great characters as always
Julia up to her neck in murder most delicious 😋
Jessie spreading her wings
Cleverly devious plot
Wonderful
Cannot wait for the next book

[Susan]

love this series, it just keeps getting better, can't wait for the next episode...

[Rosemary Herrick]

Ha!

Twists and turns. Surprise at the end! Keep us on our toes and wanting more! Agatha has done it again!

[Loretta TheMoodyRedhead]

32% through the read, Julia feels this about the Detective Inspector on the case after another person is killed in Julia’s presence:
"..she felt increasingly more uncomfortable with DI Christie’s investigative style. He was too stubborn and hot-headed to consider all the possibilities. If he thought something was true, he would mould an entire case around his assumptions, regardless of the evidence."

Unfortunately, this is still true in this day and age with some law enforcement. Evidence! They need actual physical evidence rather than assumptions and what they want to be true.

Julia faced certain death TWICE in this read. She intentionally puts herself into danger two times. She could have easily been murdered and it was completely in her control to prevent this. It was annoying really. And then she acts upset with her husband when he’s concerned and worried about her after he finds out what happened. The nerve she has!

A huge decision is made by not only Jessie, but also by Barker and Julia. Just like that? Just like that!

Julia finds the killer before the DI…again. At the risk of dying herself, that is.

I have a favorite part in this book. 77% of the way through is this:
“When Bev didn’t move, the man didn’t hesitate in taking his foot to the door. One sharp kick burst the old cottage’s lock.”
Hot! So hot! Chooowww!

Next is book 17 of 26 - Vegetables and Vengeance

[Carol]

Julia South-Brown agrees to judge the
Peridale Bake-Off contest. The other
judge is the local radio show DJ celebrity,
Tony Bridges. The show begins.
Tony bites into a piece of Red Velvet cake.
He falls to the floor....DEAD.
Tony is allergic to peanuts and somehow
someone put peanut oil into that one
piece of cake. Which person there had
the means and the motive to kill Tony?
Julia jumps right into investigating.
Meanwhile Jesse is growing into a very
successful person who wants her
independence.
With all this going on, Julia needs to take
care of her baby brother while her Dad
flies off to take care of his wife who had an
injury while on vacation.
Can not forget Dot, Julia’s grandmother. Dot
is planning her own costume engagement gig.
Julia finds herself in a few dangerous situations.
A complex murder puzzle that is well written
This is book # 16 in the Peridale Café Mystery
series.
Enjoy!!

[Eden]

2019 bk 104. Both Julia and Barker seem to be having problems adjusting to life as newley-weds. As in, they are so busy with their own lives it feels like they are ignoring each other - until Barker agrees to attend a Bake-off contest in which Julia is a judge. When her fellow judge dies, DI Christie takes in the most obvious suspect, the ex wife. Something feels off to Julia so she naturally has to do some snooping of her own. By the end of the novel, her relationship with her husband's former partner has softened (not that she is in love with him or he with her - but they are more in sympathy with each other). Agatha Frost has again delivered a fun cozy mystery - not to be taken to a doctor's office where people keep interrupting a person just when they get to the good parts!

[Deborah]

I need E-motion sickness pills!!

Have you ever rode on a roller coaster that has loops within it's track? I got so closely caught up in this series book #16 Red Velvet and Revenge, my stomach is still riding the loops flipping around. I really thought I had figured out "who done it" ...But no....this is intense. There were a few straight lays of tract but immediately sharp turns ensued. I am an emotional mess! In a satisfying way. 👍👍👍Great book. Agatha Frost you did it again😂

[james hoff]

Oh my goodness what an amazing book I loved the storyline.

Dot with her absolute comedic timing a Victorian engagement party that's absolutely wonderful and then being on fire at the end of the book is there anything that woman can't do.

I loved Julia and Dot's special moment with regards to Jesse moving out and I would love to see more of those moments.

It took me a while to work out who did it but it made so much sense.

Can't wait for the next book

[Hannah Holland]

Baby baby baby

I so hope the next book she's pregnant I do want Julia to have what she wants isn't it funny how I begin to care for these characters as if they were real but I do I get so involved in the books can't wait for the pitta patta of tiny Julia and barker feet maybe she'll follow due with twins 😋

[Gloria Markus]

Another winner for Frost

Julia and Barker have just married and are adjusting to Barker brewing a full time author while Julia runs her cafe. As usual trouble finds Julia when she agrees to judges a bake off. Her co judge is a radio personality with no people skills. Someone Decides that he should get his due and he ends up murdered. Keeps you guessing about who done it.

[Gillian]

Review

I have so far read all 16 book's in this series and have thoroughly enjoyed reading each one. Each one is well written and well planned out. I love the unfolding story about Julia, Jessie and Barker. I do hope that this series has a lot more book's to come. Highly recommended for anyone who really enjoys a great cozy mystery series.

[Daniela Sorgente]

This book in my opinion is a little better than the previous ones, 3,5 stars, the story is well constructed and the culprit was a complete surprise for me. Too bad for the usual ending with Julia risking her life in a completely unnecessary way to unmask them. I like how the author makes her private life going on in the series of books.

[Diana Rieck]

Another great Peridale story!

I love this series - Julia & Barker are perfect together and the rest of the characters are wonderful. They all complement each other. Looking forward to the next book.

[Gail Sabine]

Captivating;

I love your writing style. You do not spend half your writing repeating every little detail about everyone over and over with every book. It makes reading your stories so much more enjoyable. You keep me guessing right to the end!
Loved it!

[Gary and Sandra Sims]

Love the book

As always this book and its companions are a delight. Froth with humor and a darn good mystery you definitely get caught up in the story. This story actually kept me guessing who the killer was until the unveiling. You won't be disappointed with this book.

[Jessica Florio]

Red Velvet and Revenge

This was exciting. I really love the characters in this series and the plots are great. I can’t wait until the next book comes out. This is a series everyone should read. Thanks!!

[gail say]

Another great read

Get again. Another great story from Agatha Frost, where does she get her ideas from?
I loved the section with the stables, will Julia ever learn to ride, or there be an incident there?.
Can't wait for the next book.

[robin glazer]

Always fun in Peridale

Agatha Frost, always provides an interesting,quick moving story. Peridale continues to grow with each book as do the characters. A geart way to spend an afternoon.

[Janice]

Another great read.

All the usual subjects plus a few new ones combine to make a great story. A twist at the end adds drama to keep you guessing. One of my favorite ones in the series.