What do you think?
Rate this book
Peridale Cafe #22
Scones and Scandal
When the official Peridale neighbourhood watch breaks up, Julia finds herself leading a brand new team. Their first order of business? Solving the murder of the former leader...
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 25, 2021
512 people are currently reading
249 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 75 reviews
March 19, 2024
It’s still funny. I love Dot.
June 3, 2021
This takes place in May. The story involves a séance, a hit-and-run, theft, murder, and competition. Both Dot and Julia tell the story. There are some twists that surprised me. I had one part figured out, but I was surprised by who the killer was and why they did it. The ending is a cliffhanger and should lead into the next book. I didn't think that would happen either.
June 4, 2021
Julia South-Brown is a new mom and her gran is forming a new village watch group. When Julia finally catches up with the news of what's been happening out in the real world, she is surprised to learn of a wave of local break-ins and thefts. Their little village of Peridale doesn’t sound as safe as it used to be. Then the leader of "Peridale’s Eyes", a local neighborhood watch group, is murdered and a neighbor’s house is broken into and robbed. It’s time for Julia and baby Olivia to get on the case and find who did this.
I was completely surprised by the identity of the killer and am eager to read the next book in the series. The characters were amazing, the story line well-paced, and plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Grab your copy and enjoy the chase!
I was completely surprised by the identity of the killer and am eager to read the next book in the series. The characters were amazing, the story line well-paced, and plenty of twists and turns to keep me guessing. Grab your copy and enjoy the chase!
June 5, 2021
Overall I liked this book. In this one Dot and Julia tell the story. In this one a body is found in the cemetery. Now the town is trying to figure out who did it. Plus the neighborhood watch groups are fighting. Luckily everything is solved and all is well for now.
June 7, 2021
This is a tough one. I've really enjoyed this series, as I like Julia, like Barker, like Jessie, like most of the villagers, but despise Dot, Julia's grandmother. And once again in this book, we have parts of the book told from Dot's POV. No, just no! Sure, Dot got somewhat of a redemption arc in this story, but she was so unlikeable, so annoying, so ridiculous for most of it, that I actually came close to simply deleting this from my Kindle without finishing. But because I liked the mystery, and enjoyed the parts that didn't involve Dot, I began skimming, skipping Dot's sections.
The mystery was rather complicated, and parts of it heartbreaking. I'd give the parts without Dot a grade of B+, and the parts from Dot's POV a D-/F, so am giving this 3 stars and a grade of C-.
Please, just send Dot off on a world tour and have us only hear about her via emails, never from her POV. And please, bring Jessie back from her world tour! Or, perhaps give Dot her own series (which I would ABSOLUTELY not read). But someone must like Dot since she's taking up more and more pages of the books.
The mystery was rather complicated, and parts of it heartbreaking. I'd give the parts without Dot a grade of B+, and the parts from Dot's POV a D-/F, so am giving this 3 stars and a grade of C-.
Please, just send Dot off on a world tour and have us only hear about her via emails, never from her POV. And please, bring Jessie back from her world tour! Or, perhaps give Dot her own series (which I would ABSOLUTELY not read). But someone must like Dot since she's taking up more and more pages of the books.
June 4, 2021
This series of book is still a fresh as if you are reading book one, didn't think it would work with the baby but yes it's does and the best part is Dot is in a lot of this book.
Can't wait for book 23 😊😊😊
Can't wait for book 23 😊😊😊
May 24, 2021
I received an advanced review copy from BookSprout in exchange for a review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and not affected by the giveaway.
3.55 stars
Julia South-Brown is trying to focus on motherhood and not worry about her cafe. She's sure everyone is doing a great job while she's on maternity leave. Jessie is off traveling the world with her brother and Barker is busy with his P.I. business. In fact, his latest case is for Katie and Brian who finally have an offer on the Manor. Katie worries it's not legit. Julia is trying to help her sister who needs a break from work and her three-year-old twins but Sue won't let Julia help. Then the neighborhood watch group, Peridale's Eyes, sets their sights on Julia's parking space in the alley behind her shop, Dot is ready to declare war! After all, there are bigger problems to solve, like the mystery of the thief breaking and entering and stealing valuables from local homes, including Julia's friend Leah's cottage. Dot seizes the opportunity to take the lead when neighborhood watch leader Penelope is first ousted, then murdered in the cemetery. Dot forms her own as-yet-unnamed watch group and aims to solve Penelope's murder! As Dot takes the lead, things get tense in the village. Will she go too far this time? They need Julia's calm, rational sense but she's unwilling to get too involved in her Gran's crazy schemes. She has Olivia to look after now and baking millions of scones in the cafe to use up the extra ingredients Katie accidentally ordered. Will Penelope's murder ever be solved?
This is one of the better entries of the series, at least among the books I've read so far. Skipping forward a few books did make me feel lost for a little while. Certain events have transpired since the last book and it was hard to catch up at first. The author fills the reader in a bit but it's best if you read the series as a whole, in order. I HATE babies so all the time spent on Olivia, Vinnie and Sue's twins bored me to tears. The plot didn't move along very speedily at first either. After the halfway mark the plot picks up and I couldn't put it down. There are a couple of mysteries going on. I wasn't sure the two main mysteries were related or how to solve either one. The big murder mystery reveal was a surprise. I hadn't expected that at all. Then there's too much resolution and it goes on for ages after the mystery was solved. The final chapter sets up the next mystery and THAT sounds like one I need to read. I loved the scone baking in this book and really want a recipe for chocolate orange scones! They sound amazing and probably don't need the jam and cream but I'll take those too!
I noted a few typos. On p. 29 "previsions" instead of provisions and in Chap. 11, page 130, there is a word or two missing from the sentence "last and time" doesn't make sense.
Julia's journey to motherhood is a very important part of the story and if you miss the first few books and the last few, you'll lose some of the essence of who Julia is. She's kind of blah and unappealing in this one. She misses Jessie (pity party), she feels guilty leaving Olivia (pity party), she feeds the baby, etc. the baby. SNOOZE! I like Julia better when Jessie is around. Jessie is usually so much fun with her outrageous comments. I miss her too but she deserves to spend time with her brother traveling and seeing the world after her rough start in life. Barker is as boring as Julia. He's a nice guy and he has stopped being grumpy. He spends a lot of time with the baby and works at his new P.I. business so he feels fulfilled and happy now. I was pleased to see him do the child care and be eager and willing to split the duties 50-50. He wasn't so thrilled with Jessie at first but I guess instant teenage daughter is a lot different than your own biological newborn.
Dot has gone off the deep end this time. She's normally pretty crazy but this time, her antics take the cake! Dot is complete insane. She's power hungry, egotistical and a bad friend. She doesn't listen to anyone and her attempt at investigating goes as well as an elephant in a china shop. Yikes! Dot is just so unlikable and the things she does and says are just so inappropriate for the situation. She does have a clever mind and a sense of pride in the village but her methods leave a lot to be desired. Dot's new husband Percy is a sweetheart! He's so lovely, supportive and caring. He understands Dot but he also recognizes her faults. He lets her make her own mistakes and is there for her when she needs support. They're also adorable pet parents!
Katie has grown up a lot since I last saw her. She's matured into a responsible businesswoman who is not only eager to help Julia but capable. The mistake she made wasn't totally her fault and she helped turn the situation around. When she had misgivings about a situation, she paused and asked for help. I admire her for being willing and able now to give up everything she was raised with. Brian is still kind of an air dreamer. He's a bit too enthusiastic and rushes in without thinking things through. He's older and knows better so there's no excusing his behavior. I'm still not crazy about him.
We get to know Evelyn better. I last saw her after she learned about the loss of her only child. She's doing OK-still into crystals and sénaces and whatever but she's delightful. I don't remember meeting Shilpa before but she seems nice. Shilpa is a cautious, nervous sort of person but she's not a helicopter parent. I appreciate her allowing her son to live his own life. Amy is still weak and whiny in Dot's eyes. She hasn't really experienced any character growth.
Julia's friend Johnny takes center stage here. He's apparently in a cast because his ankle was run over by a car in a hit and run. That's one of the mysteries that needs solving. When news breaks, Johnny is the one to get the scoop and run with it. He's not a very ethical journalist. He should write for tabloids. Then there's a personal relationship plot. I do not know Julia's friend Leah but Johnny is dating Leah now and gotten over Julia. Leah is a wedding planner and seems wealthy. I don't quite trust her even if she is Julia's friend. Leah is shaken up because her house has been burgled. I don't blame her for being nervous and stressed out, I'm just not sure I like her yet. She's not fun like Roxy.
Penelope was a really horrible person. Her vendetta against Julia is silly and she hasn't actually done anything to HELP the neighborhood. The motive for murder is just as bad. Still, she didn't deserve to be murdered. Chief among suspects is her frenemy, Ethel. Ethel served with Penelope from the neighborhood watch and then took over the second Penelope died. She's just as horrible and nasty as Penelope and she seems to be hiding some secrets that really need to be shared. Gus Morris, Penelope's widower, is her second husband. He must have known her secret and why she was in that graveyard in the first place. Since Dot is massively suspicious of Gus and he seems genuinely sad to see Penelope gone, I don't think he did it. What about Desmond, Penelope's FIRST husband? He still carries a torch for her and is rather snippy and weird when questioned. He could easily have killed Penelope. He knows her better than anyone.
Also suspicious is Vicky who owns the coffee van by Brian's antique shop. Who starts a coffee van without knowing how to make coffee? If she's not the murderer, she knows more than she's telling anyone. She was part of the original neighborhood watch group with Penelope. I don't feel sorry for her for anything that happens. Julia is too nice.
I might actually read more of this series if they continue on a lighter note. I also may go back and fill in some of the ones I missed some time.
3.55 stars
Julia South-Brown is trying to focus on motherhood and not worry about her cafe. She's sure everyone is doing a great job while she's on maternity leave. Jessie is off traveling the world with her brother and Barker is busy with his P.I. business. In fact, his latest case is for Katie and Brian who finally have an offer on the Manor. Katie worries it's not legit. Julia is trying to help her sister who needs a break from work and her three-year-old twins but Sue won't let Julia help. Then the neighborhood watch group, Peridale's Eyes, sets their sights on Julia's parking space in the alley behind her shop, Dot is ready to declare war! After all, there are bigger problems to solve, like the mystery of the thief breaking and entering and stealing valuables from local homes, including Julia's friend Leah's cottage. Dot seizes the opportunity to take the lead when neighborhood watch leader Penelope is first ousted, then murdered in the cemetery. Dot forms her own as-yet-unnamed watch group and aims to solve Penelope's murder! As Dot takes the lead, things get tense in the village. Will she go too far this time? They need Julia's calm, rational sense but she's unwilling to get too involved in her Gran's crazy schemes. She has Olivia to look after now and baking millions of scones in the cafe to use up the extra ingredients Katie accidentally ordered. Will Penelope's murder ever be solved?
This is one of the better entries of the series, at least among the books I've read so far. Skipping forward a few books did make me feel lost for a little while. Certain events have transpired since the last book and it was hard to catch up at first. The author fills the reader in a bit but it's best if you read the series as a whole, in order. I HATE babies so all the time spent on Olivia, Vinnie and Sue's twins bored me to tears. The plot didn't move along very speedily at first either. After the halfway mark the plot picks up and I couldn't put it down. There are a couple of mysteries going on. I wasn't sure the two main mysteries were related or how to solve either one. The big murder mystery reveal was a surprise. I hadn't expected that at all. Then there's too much resolution and it goes on for ages after the mystery was solved. The final chapter sets up the next mystery and THAT sounds like one I need to read. I loved the scone baking in this book and really want a recipe for chocolate orange scones! They sound amazing and probably don't need the jam and cream but I'll take those too!
I noted a few typos. On p. 29 "previsions" instead of provisions and in Chap. 11, page 130, there is a word or two missing from the sentence "last and time" doesn't make sense.
Julia's journey to motherhood is a very important part of the story and if you miss the first few books and the last few, you'll lose some of the essence of who Julia is. She's kind of blah and unappealing in this one. She misses Jessie (pity party), she feels guilty leaving Olivia (pity party), she feeds the baby, etc. the baby. SNOOZE! I like Julia better when Jessie is around. Jessie is usually so much fun with her outrageous comments. I miss her too but she deserves to spend time with her brother traveling and seeing the world after her rough start in life. Barker is as boring as Julia. He's a nice guy and he has stopped being grumpy. He spends a lot of time with the baby and works at his new P.I. business so he feels fulfilled and happy now. I was pleased to see him do the child care and be eager and willing to split the duties 50-50. He wasn't so thrilled with Jessie at first but I guess instant teenage daughter is a lot different than your own biological newborn.
Dot has gone off the deep end this time. She's normally pretty crazy but this time, her antics take the cake! Dot is complete insane. She's power hungry, egotistical and a bad friend. She doesn't listen to anyone and her attempt at investigating goes as well as an elephant in a china shop. Yikes! Dot is just so unlikable and the things she does and says are just so inappropriate for the situation. She does have a clever mind and a sense of pride in the village but her methods leave a lot to be desired. Dot's new husband Percy is a sweetheart! He's so lovely, supportive and caring. He understands Dot but he also recognizes her faults. He lets her make her own mistakes and is there for her when she needs support. They're also adorable pet parents!
Katie has grown up a lot since I last saw her. She's matured into a responsible businesswoman who is not only eager to help Julia but capable. The mistake she made wasn't totally her fault and she helped turn the situation around. When she had misgivings about a situation, she paused and asked for help. I admire her for being willing and able now to give up everything she was raised with. Brian is still kind of an air dreamer. He's a bit too enthusiastic and rushes in without thinking things through. He's older and knows better so there's no excusing his behavior. I'm still not crazy about him.
We get to know Evelyn better. I last saw her after she learned about the loss of her only child. She's doing OK-still into crystals and sénaces and whatever but she's delightful. I don't remember meeting Shilpa before but she seems nice. Shilpa is a cautious, nervous sort of person but she's not a helicopter parent. I appreciate her allowing her son to live his own life. Amy is still weak and whiny in Dot's eyes. She hasn't really experienced any character growth.
Julia's friend Johnny takes center stage here. He's apparently in a cast because his ankle was run over by a car in a hit and run. That's one of the mysteries that needs solving. When news breaks, Johnny is the one to get the scoop and run with it. He's not a very ethical journalist. He should write for tabloids. Then there's a personal relationship plot. I do not know Julia's friend Leah but Johnny is dating Leah now and gotten over Julia. Leah is a wedding planner and seems wealthy. I don't quite trust her even if she is Julia's friend. Leah is shaken up because her house has been burgled. I don't blame her for being nervous and stressed out, I'm just not sure I like her yet. She's not fun like Roxy.
Penelope was a really horrible person. Her vendetta against Julia is silly and she hasn't actually done anything to HELP the neighborhood. The motive for murder is just as bad. Still, she didn't deserve to be murdered. Chief among suspects is her frenemy, Ethel. Ethel served with Penelope from the neighborhood watch and then took over the second Penelope died. She's just as horrible and nasty as Penelope and she seems to be hiding some secrets that really need to be shared. Gus Morris, Penelope's widower, is her second husband. He must have known her secret and why she was in that graveyard in the first place. Since Dot is massively suspicious of Gus and he seems genuinely sad to see Penelope gone, I don't think he did it. What about Desmond, Penelope's FIRST husband? He still carries a torch for her and is rather snippy and weird when questioned. He could easily have killed Penelope. He knows her better than anyone.
Also suspicious is Vicky who owns the coffee van by Brian's antique shop. Who starts a coffee van without knowing how to make coffee? If she's not the murderer, she knows more than she's telling anyone. She was part of the original neighborhood watch group with Penelope. I don't feel sorry for her for anything that happens. Julia is too nice.
I might actually read more of this series if they continue on a lighter note. I also may go back and fill in some of the ones I missed some time.
June 6, 2021
A Great Fun Exciting Cozy Mystery Full of Scones and Jams!!!
Julia South-Brown is still on her maternity leave to take care of Olivia, her adorable daughter, but she can not resist help dealing with some mishap at her cafe or jumps into sleuthing mode to help solve mysteries that going on around her little village of Peridale.
Penelope Newton, the leader of Peridale's Eyes Neighborhood Watch, has been giving Julia a hard time about Julia's parking in the alley while Penelope dismiss the complaining of the multiple shoplifting from the post office. When Penelope announced that Peridale's Eyes was over, Dot, Julia's gran, is exciting to form her own neighborhood watch. There have been multiple of houses break-in in the village lately, Leah's cottage, right across the lane from Julia's cottage was also breaking in and that same night Penelope is found death in the graveyard. Julia is coerced to half-join Dot's new neighborhood watch group to investigate Penelope's murder. With many disturbing things going around the village they need all the help to to solve the mysteries as soon as possible.
This book is a fun and light heart cozy mystery with likable characters. It is very entertaining especially the baking of scones and the new creation of chocolate orange scones, it's sounds very yummy. It's too bad that scones in England and in America are not the same so I have not had a chance to taste the English Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
It's cute and refreshing to learn the use of British words that different from American words like pram for baby stroller, digestive (which is short for digestive biscuit) for cookie, trainers for sneakers.
I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fan who likes good mystery full of twist and turn as you try to figure out who the murderer is. I am looking forward to read the next books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Julia South-Brown is still on her maternity leave to take care of Olivia, her adorable daughter, but she can not resist help dealing with some mishap at her cafe or jumps into sleuthing mode to help solve mysteries that going on around her little village of Peridale.
Penelope Newton, the leader of Peridale's Eyes Neighborhood Watch, has been giving Julia a hard time about Julia's parking in the alley while Penelope dismiss the complaining of the multiple shoplifting from the post office. When Penelope announced that Peridale's Eyes was over, Dot, Julia's gran, is exciting to form her own neighborhood watch. There have been multiple of houses break-in in the village lately, Leah's cottage, right across the lane from Julia's cottage was also breaking in and that same night Penelope is found death in the graveyard. Julia is coerced to half-join Dot's new neighborhood watch group to investigate Penelope's murder. With many disturbing things going around the village they need all the help to to solve the mysteries as soon as possible.
This book is a fun and light heart cozy mystery with likable characters. It is very entertaining especially the baking of scones and the new creation of chocolate orange scones, it's sounds very yummy. It's too bad that scones in England and in America are not the same so I have not had a chance to taste the English Scones with clotted cream and strawberry jam.
It's cute and refreshing to learn the use of British words that different from American words like pram for baby stroller, digestive (which is short for digestive biscuit) for cookie, trainers for sneakers.
I would recommend this book to any cozy mystery fan who likes good mystery full of twist and turn as you try to figure out who the murderer is. I am looking forward to read the next books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
July 12, 2021
Agatha Frost brings Peridale to life once more!
by Barbara Kelley
I absolutely love this series, always impatiently waiting for the next episode to arrive. From the overload of strawberries, flour, and sugar mistakenly ordered for the cafe, to the possibility of a buyer for Katie's old mansion, to the many burglaries in town, to the murder of one of the neighborhood watch group members, to Julia's grandmother wanting to start a better watch group that also solves mysteries, Peridale, England is up to the sky in action. Also, Julia has to deal with missing her adoptive daughter, Jessie, who is traveling around Europe with her biological brother, Alfie, and taking care of baby Olivia, who is between 5 and 6 months old now. I say this every time, but I absolutely love Julia's husband, Barker. He is always supportive of her, and now he is the greatest daddy ever to little Olivia. I look forward to reading the next book when it is published. I gave this book 5 stars, but I would give it 100 stars, if I could.
by Barbara Kelley
I absolutely love this series, always impatiently waiting for the next episode to arrive. From the overload of strawberries, flour, and sugar mistakenly ordered for the cafe, to the possibility of a buyer for Katie's old mansion, to the many burglaries in town, to the murder of one of the neighborhood watch group members, to Julia's grandmother wanting to start a better watch group that also solves mysteries, Peridale, England is up to the sky in action. Also, Julia has to deal with missing her adoptive daughter, Jessie, who is traveling around Europe with her biological brother, Alfie, and taking care of baby Olivia, who is between 5 and 6 months old now. I say this every time, but I absolutely love Julia's husband, Barker. He is always supportive of her, and now he is the greatest daddy ever to little Olivia. I look forward to reading the next book when it is published. I gave this book 5 stars, but I would give it 100 stars, if I could.
October 18, 2021
Dot Learns a Lesson
Dot takes on neighborhood watch only to learn a vital life lesson…..and to solve the latest “crime wave” in Peridale. As she joins forces with Julia, Shilpa, Evelyn, Johnny and Leah - with ever faithful Percy at her side - Dot takes on the Peridale Eyes watch group. Katie has come into her own as the sale of the Manor inches closer, Brian is forever incorrigible and Barker has become a doting father. Jesse and Allie are still on their worldwide trip, with Julia and Jesse checking in every so often, if only for Jesse to see her little sister.
Another jammed packed tale that has baby Olivia front and center to entertain. This is a series whose characters have learned from each other, evolved as individuals and a community and continue to draw the reader in. Don’t miss one book of the series!
Dot takes on neighborhood watch only to learn a vital life lesson…..and to solve the latest “crime wave” in Peridale. As she joins forces with Julia, Shilpa, Evelyn, Johnny and Leah - with ever faithful Percy at her side - Dot takes on the Peridale Eyes watch group. Katie has come into her own as the sale of the Manor inches closer, Brian is forever incorrigible and Barker has become a doting father. Jesse and Allie are still on their worldwide trip, with Julia and Jesse checking in every so often, if only for Jesse to see her little sister.
Another jammed packed tale that has baby Olivia front and center to entertain. This is a series whose characters have learned from each other, evolved as individuals and a community and continue to draw the reader in. Don’t miss one book of the series!
May 23, 2021
I thoroughly enjoyed this latest Agatha Frost tale in her Peridale Mystery series. We follow Julia, with baby Olivia in tow, as she works to solve another murder as well as a series of thefts in her quaint, yet quirky village. Barker does his best to assist as he can while working as a private investigator. There is more Dot and Percy (along with their tiny pups) as they - and Julia - work with a group of concerned villagers to investigate as well. The mystery was engrossing and the characters lovely. Another wonderful read!
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 28, 2021
At first, I was unsure of the plot because as much as I love Dot, I find her equally annoying for all the things she does. I liked that she finally saw that not everything is about her and that Percy made her see to her senses and change. Also, that the quote that her father used to say had a missing part to it and it was also clear for her. It made sense in the story to hace a more Dot centered book and it was about time Dot learned her much needed lesson. I hope that Jessie goes back soon because she adds a lot to the books and I like her. Also, nice growth on Katie. I did enjoyed the book and can't wait to get the next one!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 10, 2021
Back in Peridale with Julia, Barker, Baby Olivia and everyone else. When the leader of the local neighbourhood watch group is killed, Dot (Julia's Gran) takes it upon herself to form a new group to solve the mystery.
Dot can be short sighted to her own failings, and this time things go wrong very quickly. Add in the fact that Johnny has been involved in a hit and run and local houses are being broken into, and there seems to be a crime wave going on in the village.
Is it Julia to the rescue once more?
I've read all of the books in this series, and they're best read in the outset of publication to ensure continuity of the bigger storyline. I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series.
Dot can be short sighted to her own failings, and this time things go wrong very quickly. Add in the fact that Johnny has been involved in a hit and run and local houses are being broken into, and there seems to be a crime wave going on in the village.
Is it Julia to the rescue once more?
I've read all of the books in this series, and they're best read in the outset of publication to ensure continuity of the bigger storyline. I'm looking forward to the release of the next book in the series.
June 2, 2021
I really loved this story because of the characters. The characters are wonderful and they have such a great relationship with one another. I loved Julia, Dot, Evelyn and Barker. I loved her description of the village. I think the victim was a miserable person. I did not like that person. She was a misery for the cafe and her neighbors.
I have never read any book in this series until now, but now that I have it makes me want to read more. It reminded me of the classic murder mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I have never read any book in this series until now, but now that I have it makes me want to read more. It reminded me of the classic murder mystery.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
November 19, 2023
Scones and Scandal is a bit different from the other books in the series now that Julia and Barker are parents. Also, Dot isn't happy with Peridale's Eyes and starts her own group. This story focuses on the death of Penelope Newton who recently died in the cemetery. A lot has been happening in the lives of the people of Peridale. Julia is still taking care of Jessie's plants hoping to keep them alive while she's away. This book ends with a slight cliffhanger and I am ready to read book 23 to see what happens next.
February 23, 2024
Twist & Turn
Always something new going on in Paridale. Lessons to be learned & characters, just like your own neighbors to meet. New friends & new loves to be had.
Julia as a new Mom, is learning as she goes & has taken a step back from the Cafe. Bur, how long will that last? Will Jesse just enjoy Europe or move there? How many of you have plant-sat & ended up going to the store to buy a replacement? No worries, I think we've all done this, at least 1s in our lifetime.
I wonder who the next murderer is, & whom will be murdered. Don't you?
Always something new going on in Paridale. Lessons to be learned & characters, just like your own neighbors to meet. New friends & new loves to be had.
Julia as a new Mom, is learning as she goes & has taken a step back from the Cafe. Bur, how long will that last? Will Jesse just enjoy Europe or move there? How many of you have plant-sat & ended up going to the store to buy a replacement? No worries, I think we've all done this, at least 1s in our lifetime.
I wonder who the next murderer is, & whom will be murdered. Don't you?
June 1, 2021
More To Dot
“In “Scones and Scandal, the latest book in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe cozy mystery series, we learn more about Dot, Julia’s and Sue’s grandmother. The plot not only has many twists, but is full of character development. We not only learn more about Dot, we see Julia in her new role as mother to Olivia. Katie’s character grows as well. I look forward to getting to know these characters even better in the next book in the series, scheduled to be released in July.
“In “Scones and Scandal, the latest book in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe cozy mystery series, we learn more about Dot, Julia’s and Sue’s grandmother. The plot not only has many twists, but is full of character development. We not only learn more about Dot, we see Julia in her new role as mother to Olivia. Katie’s character grows as well. I look forward to getting to know these characters even better in the next book in the series, scheduled to be released in July.
June 2, 2021
This is the 22nd book in the series and it isn't slowing down. Julia and Barker are back in Peridale with their baby Olivia. Gran and Percy are involved too. Once again, it's up to Julia to follow the clues and solve the mystery while dealing with her shop and family. Dot is up to her usual hijinks. Barker is busy as a Private Investigator. Follow along as the story grows and Julia solves another mystery.
June 6, 2021
I am longtime fan of the Peridale Mysteries! I love seeing Julia and Barker as parents. As always, Dot does not disappoint with her well intentioned hijinks. The way Kate, Julia, and Sue’s relationship has evolved is really sweet. The mystery itself in this novel kept me guessing until the very end. I’m excited to see what happens next.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
June 6, 2021
Julia is having quite an adventure with adult daughter traveling in Europe and her baby daughter with Barker teething - along with twin toddlers from her sister Sue being noisy terrors
Throw in town troubles from the past casting long shadows and renewed pain, and a bevy if small thefts - much is ado in the village of Peridale
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Throw in town troubles from the past casting long shadows and renewed pain, and a bevy if small thefts - much is ado in the village of Peridale
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Read
June 9, 2021Re-evaluation of Dot
I feel bad I could not like in-depth look at Dots
personality. I do not like how this book caused me to feel about her personality. It reminded me about people in my life that are abusive as she is. I am no longer a fan of her. My stomach is still in knots. I will not be able to take to much of Dot in the story line again. This is too close to reality for me to read as pleasure at the present.
I feel bad I could not like in-depth look at Dots
personality. I do not like how this book caused me to feel about her personality. It reminded me about people in my life that are abusive as she is. I am no longer a fan of her. My stomach is still in knots. I will not be able to take to much of Dot in the story line again. This is too close to reality for me to read as pleasure at the present.
June 10, 2021
The leader of the Peridale Eyes...the neighborhood watch group has been giving Julia South-Brown grief for parking in the alley. Later one of Julia's neighbors' homes is broken into and the leader of the watch group is found murdered! What is going on in this small town? Julia's grandmother is out to start another watch group to find the answers and Julia can't help but assist them. I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book.
June 14, 2021
another classic instalment from Agatha - brilliant
loved the characters
a murder with a twist, well perhaps more.
New characters appearing
Johnny presented leah with a ring to die for, wow.
Dot exceeded herself, in her bossy way, found her character overbearing in this book.
Julia - love her and her family, Olivia coming along wonderfully, miss having Jess in the story.
Katie as dithery as always, but such a lovable, likeable character.
cannot wait for the next book
loved the characters
a murder with a twist, well perhaps more.
New characters appearing
Johnny presented leah with a ring to die for, wow.
Dot exceeded herself, in her bossy way, found her character overbearing in this book.
Julia - love her and her family, Olivia coming along wonderfully, miss having Jess in the story.
Katie as dithery as always, but such a lovable, likeable character.
cannot wait for the next book
June 19, 2021
Big changes are coming to Peridale as a murder, theft, and a new baby all converge and leave little time to breathe. Grandma Dot picks up some of the clue searching with others. Fun characters, fun mystery and fun little town. The storylines just keep getting better and the characters get more developed. Love this series and can not wait for the next one.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
May 29, 2021
Another fine book in this series
Back in Peridale, Julia is managing new motherhood and her gran is forming a new village watch group. I've enjoyed every book the series and this was no exception. There's an interesting thread about the intrepid Dot that shows you're never to old to learn something new. I eagerly await the next episode.
Back in Peridale, Julia is managing new motherhood and her gran is forming a new village watch group. I've enjoyed every book the series and this was no exception. There's an interesting thread about the intrepid Dot that shows you're never to old to learn something new. I eagerly await the next episode.
June 7, 2021
A purely enjoyable cozy mystery that has suspense, mystery, a bit of humor and of course murder. The story is easy to get swept up in and keeps you turning the pages. The characters are fun, enjoyable, easy to get to know and well developed.
A new to me author but I will definitely be looking for more of her work.
A new to me author but I will definitely be looking for more of her work.
July 14, 2021
Burglary and murder
Another entertaining page turner. Julia has her hands full and her grandmother, Dottie is not making things easy. A lady is murdered and there is a spate of burglaries. Will Dottie's shenanigans get them in hot water? Loved the hilarity and the cast of characters.
Another entertaining page turner. Julia has her hands full and her grandmother, Dottie is not making things easy. A lady is murdered and there is a spate of burglaries. Will Dottie's shenanigans get them in hot water? Loved the hilarity and the cast of characters.
September 19, 2021
Wonderful story
Yet again another wonderful story from Agatha Frost leads to a compelling mystery of murder and burglary. Are the two related? Who is the culprit and why was it done, with Dot taking the lead this time, with Julia's help, read how they solve this strange mystery.
Yet again another wonderful story from Agatha Frost leads to a compelling mystery of murder and burglary. Are the two related? Who is the culprit and why was it done, with Dot taking the lead this time, with Julia's help, read how they solve this strange mystery.
July 14, 2022
I love coming back to Peridale with Julia, Barker and the whole gang! And now with Julia taking care of Olivia! Of course, even focusing on motherhood Julia can’t resist any good mystery.
It’s fun and a wonderful cozy mystery with great twists and baked goods. I just adore this group and their adventures!
It’s fun and a wonderful cozy mystery with great twists and baked goods. I just adore this group and their adventures!
December 27, 2025
I really enjoyed this book and I liked how Agatha changed it up by Dot being the one to solve the mystery. This being the 22nd book I really appreciate the changing in the way the books are laid out as well like how they show other povs other than Julia. Adding this little bit of flare keeps me coming back. They are such easy reads and yet I still can’t ever tell what the ending will be.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 75 reviews