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Peridale Cafe #26
Carrot Cake and Concern
There's a body at the allotment...
After years on a waitlist, Julia South Brown's husband, Barker, has finally got his hands on the keys to his own allotment. And just in time for spring. Despite knowing little about gardening, the whole family lends their hands to create a thriving vegetable patch they can all reap the rewards from for years to come, but things take a turn with the discovery of a shallow grave among the carrots. With planting schedules and fertiliser quickly becoming the least of their worries, can Julia and her family bring peace back to Peridale's glorious spring?A FUN British village cosy/cozy mystery packed with HEART, HUMOUR, FAMILY DRAMA, and plenty of TWISTS and TURNS! The 26th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Series. Standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth set in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes.
After years on a waitlist, Julia South Brown's husband, Barker, has finally got his hands on the keys to his own allotment. And just in time for spring. Despite knowing little about gardening, the whole family lends their hands to create a thriving vegetable patch they can all reap the rewards from for years to come, but things take a turn with the discovery of a shallow grave among the carrots. With planting schedules and fertiliser quickly becoming the least of their worries, can Julia and her family bring peace back to Peridale's glorious spring?A FUN British village cosy/cozy mystery packed with HEART, HUMOUR, FAMILY DRAMA, and plenty of TWISTS and TURNS! The 26th book in the BESTSELLING Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery Series. Standalone but will be enjoyed more as part of the series. A cat loving and cafe-owning amateur female sleuth set in a small village setting with quirky characters. No cliffhanger, swearing, gore or graphic scenes.
- GenresMysteryCozy Mystery
294 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 28, 2023
409 people are currently reading
157 people want to read
About the author
Agatha Frost
75 books595 followersAGATHA FROST, an Amazon bestselling author, has written over thirty mystery novels. She lives in the North West English county of Lancashire with her two cuddly beagles and one cat.
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
When Agatha isn’t writing, she loves reading head-scratching mysteries and thrillers, coffee, baking, and exploring her local countryside on long dog walks.
From a young age, Agatha devoured the great British murder mystery books and television shows, ample inspiration for her Peridale Café and Claire’s Candles series. She loves writing about family women who juggle their ordinary village lives with the challenges of amateur sleuthing.
Add in some good food, close friends and family, cute pets, and plenty of twists and turns, and you have a classic Agatha Frost mystery.
Sign up to the newsletter at www.agathafrost.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews
November 18, 2023
April
This story has Easter eggs, a garden, Romeo and Juliet, theft, murder, and a club for nurses. The mystery was interesting. I was surprised by who the killer was. I thought it was going to be someone else. Outside of the mystery, I didn't like the Romeo and Juliet part of the story. It's only briefly mentioned in this book, but I think it will be a big part of the next one.
This story has Easter eggs, a garden, Romeo and Juliet, theft, murder, and a club for nurses. The mystery was interesting. I was surprised by who the killer was. I thought it was going to be someone else. Outside of the mystery, I didn't like the Romeo and Juliet part of the story. It's only briefly mentioned in this book, but I think it will be a big part of the next one.
March 7, 2023
This is the 26th entry in the Peridale Café cozy mystery series. I really enjoyed this book, not just for the rather complicated mystery, but for the construction of the book itself, as well as the place all of the characters are at now in the series.
The main characters have changed substantially over the course of the book. Julia is now a mother of a toddler, and married to Barker, the former new police investigator turned private investigator. Jessie, Julia’s adopted daughter, is back from her world travels and has begun college, although she seems to have more of an interest in investigation, and possibly journalism.
As the book begins, Barker is excited to finally have his own allotment, but when he visits it for the first time, discovers a body buried there. From that point on, we get Barker, Jessie, and Julia (to a lesser degree) each investigating different aspects of the mystery. Along the way there are more dead bodies, and more complications involving Julia’s sister Sue.
The POV switches back and forth between Julia, Barker, and Jessie, and I liked each of their perspectives. I also liked the insights into Sue’s difficulties as a nurse, and look forward to seeing what happens with her in the future.
The mystery was interesting, and I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was. But I enjoyed the characters even more. So much of what I liked about this book is how the author has developed the characters over time. While it could be read as a standalone, you would miss the joy of seeing how Jessie has gone from a homeless teenager to an interesting young adult. You would also miss the joy of seeing how completely Julia and her sister Sue have accepted their young “stepmother” Katie into their world (although Katie only plays a minor role this time. I also liked the fact that Julia’s grandmother Dot (an eccentric character to say the least) plays only a minor role this time.
I can’t wait for the next entry, and look forward to seeing what happens with the characters, as many of them are at turning points in their lives.
The main characters have changed substantially over the course of the book. Julia is now a mother of a toddler, and married to Barker, the former new police investigator turned private investigator. Jessie, Julia’s adopted daughter, is back from her world travels and has begun college, although she seems to have more of an interest in investigation, and possibly journalism.
As the book begins, Barker is excited to finally have his own allotment, but when he visits it for the first time, discovers a body buried there. From that point on, we get Barker, Jessie, and Julia (to a lesser degree) each investigating different aspects of the mystery. Along the way there are more dead bodies, and more complications involving Julia’s sister Sue.
The POV switches back and forth between Julia, Barker, and Jessie, and I liked each of their perspectives. I also liked the insights into Sue’s difficulties as a nurse, and look forward to seeing what happens with her in the future.
The mystery was interesting, and I didn’t have a clue who the murderer was. But I enjoyed the characters even more. So much of what I liked about this book is how the author has developed the characters over time. While it could be read as a standalone, you would miss the joy of seeing how Jessie has gone from a homeless teenager to an interesting young adult. You would also miss the joy of seeing how completely Julia and her sister Sue have accepted their young “stepmother” Katie into their world (although Katie only plays a minor role this time. I also liked the fact that Julia’s grandmother Dot (an eccentric character to say the least) plays only a minor role this time.
I can’t wait for the next entry, and look forward to seeing what happens with the characters, as many of them are at turning points in their lives.
June 3, 2024
The Body in the Carrots!
"Carrot Cake and Concern" is Book 26 of the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series, written by Agatha Frost. This episode has many events happening at once. Julia is having a hard time finding a part-time employee for the cafe. Sue, Julia's sister is having problems at the hospital, her new house, and twin 3-year-olds Dottie and Pearl literally butting their heads and fighting. Barker is still having trouble writing his second book about the body found in the time capsule from the last Peridale Cafe episode. He is also having trouble with the kinds of clients he's getting from his P.I. business: for example, following cheating spouses and one client who says her husband was kidnapped by space aliens who returned him to her bed with an apparent stroke having killed him. Dot, Julia's grandmother is missing her neighborhood watch group. And Jessie, Julia's adopted daughter, has gone to college and is having super big trouble trying to understand how Romeo and Juliet would ever want to commit suicide. All of these troubles connect when Barker arrives at his new Vegetable Garden Allotment, only to find a dead body in the carrot section. Barker, Julia, Dot, and Jessie all try to find out why the man was poisoned and half buried in Broker's allotment two weeks before it was even his allotment. Sue gets pulled into the scheme of things because her brand new house is on the other side of the brick wall from the allotment gardens. And then, to make matters even worse than they already are, one of Sue's friends, Nadia, a nurse that worked with Sue, is stabbed and barely hanging onto life. And even curiouser than that, the owner/developer of all those new new houses on the housing side of the brick wall, is stabbed multiple times, and Barker witnesses the hoodied perpetrator running across the field from his allotment. By the time Barker reaches the victim, the man whispers a clue and dies. Now, there are two dead men and one stabbed woman hanging onto life. Will Barker and his family, as well as the new D.I. Laura Moyes, find out who the killer is, before any more bodies are added to the count? I gave this book 5 stars.
"Carrot Cake and Concern" is Book 26 of the Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series, written by Agatha Frost. This episode has many events happening at once. Julia is having a hard time finding a part-time employee for the cafe. Sue, Julia's sister is having problems at the hospital, her new house, and twin 3-year-olds Dottie and Pearl literally butting their heads and fighting. Barker is still having trouble writing his second book about the body found in the time capsule from the last Peridale Cafe episode. He is also having trouble with the kinds of clients he's getting from his P.I. business: for example, following cheating spouses and one client who says her husband was kidnapped by space aliens who returned him to her bed with an apparent stroke having killed him. Dot, Julia's grandmother is missing her neighborhood watch group. And Jessie, Julia's adopted daughter, has gone to college and is having super big trouble trying to understand how Romeo and Juliet would ever want to commit suicide. All of these troubles connect when Barker arrives at his new Vegetable Garden Allotment, only to find a dead body in the carrot section. Barker, Julia, Dot, and Jessie all try to find out why the man was poisoned and half buried in Broker's allotment two weeks before it was even his allotment. Sue gets pulled into the scheme of things because her brand new house is on the other side of the brick wall from the allotment gardens. And then, to make matters even worse than they already are, one of Sue's friends, Nadia, a nurse that worked with Sue, is stabbed and barely hanging onto life. And even curiouser than that, the owner/developer of all those new new houses on the housing side of the brick wall, is stabbed multiple times, and Barker witnesses the hoodied perpetrator running across the field from his allotment. By the time Barker reaches the victim, the man whispers a clue and dies. Now, there are two dead men and one stabbed woman hanging onto life. Will Barker and his family, as well as the new D.I. Laura Moyes, find out who the killer is, before any more bodies are added to the count? I gave this book 5 stars.
March 2, 2023
I’m saddened by the fact I’m done with this series. It all started with Julia, her gran, and her cafe. The books were from Julia’s POV. Then, Jessie and Barker and Percy and babies…
And of course there’s also Sue the sister, Brian the dad, and Katie the step-mother. Oh, yes, there’s a cast of many others like Roxy, Johnny, Leah, and Alfie..
It was nice seeing how each character had their own personalities and how each person grew as far as maturity, wisdom, how each contributed to not only each other but to the town of Peridale itself. Many characters also achieved their dreams and goals.
And we mustn’t forget that every book had a murder! And who solved it helped solve each homocide? Why, Julia, of course. She’s certainly curious aka nosy. Lol.
The last several books were from various characters POV’s, so that was a bit of a change, but cool in its own way because seeing things through the eyes of others gives a broader perspective of everything happening.
Since this is in a British setting, many of the words are spelled differently than here in the states and while I read what each character is saying, in my head I hear an English accent. Tally ho and cheerio! (Although I don’t think either of those words was said even once in any of the 26 books! Haha).
It was great that each book was at least 300 pages, because the read kept me occupied for quite a while. Many times I found myself staying up until wee hours of the morning trying to read as much as I could because I just couldn’t seem to put the book down. I had to know whodunnit!
Well, until March 28th - which is just around the corner - when Book 27 “Banana Bread and Betrayal” is released, I’ll be choosing something else to read and cozy up with. Actually, since I’ve read the other 17 of Little Leaf Creek series by Cindy Bell (another Cozy Mystery read) and book 18 “Deceit in Little Leaf Creek” was recently released, I’ll read that.
See you soon, Julia and the Peridale crew!
And of course there’s also Sue the sister, Brian the dad, and Katie the step-mother. Oh, yes, there’s a cast of many others like Roxy, Johnny, Leah, and Alfie..
It was nice seeing how each character had their own personalities and how each person grew as far as maturity, wisdom, how each contributed to not only each other but to the town of Peridale itself. Many characters also achieved their dreams and goals.
And we mustn’t forget that every book had a murder! And who solved it helped solve each homocide? Why, Julia, of course. She’s certainly curious aka nosy. Lol.
The last several books were from various characters POV’s, so that was a bit of a change, but cool in its own way because seeing things through the eyes of others gives a broader perspective of everything happening.
Since this is in a British setting, many of the words are spelled differently than here in the states and while I read what each character is saying, in my head I hear an English accent. Tally ho and cheerio! (Although I don’t think either of those words was said even once in any of the 26 books! Haha).
It was great that each book was at least 300 pages, because the read kept me occupied for quite a while. Many times I found myself staying up until wee hours of the morning trying to read as much as I could because I just couldn’t seem to put the book down. I had to know whodunnit!
Well, until March 28th - which is just around the corner - when Book 27 “Banana Bread and Betrayal” is released, I’ll be choosing something else to read and cozy up with. Actually, since I’ve read the other 17 of Little Leaf Creek series by Cindy Bell (another Cozy Mystery read) and book 18 “Deceit in Little Leaf Creek” was recently released, I’ll read that.
See you soon, Julia and the Peridale crew!
March 1, 2023
I enjoyed reading the other books in this series and always look out for the new releases however this one didn't catch me as well as the others, hence my 4 star rating. It's still a good read but it lost me halfway through, it picked up again but I didn't enjoy it as much as the others.
In this book, Barker has finally got his hands on a key to an allotment which is on the border between Peridale and their arch rivals Riverswick. However, as well as weeds, he finds a partially buried body of a man, later identified as an activist. This brings him into contact with the new DI, Laura Moyles.
Julia is rueing the day she decided to employ a new member of staff at the cafe when the 3rd one doesn't turn up. She wants Jessie, her daughter to continue her college studies so she perseveres alone. However, she soon gets involved with the dead body on Barker's allottment, especially when she realises it has something to do with her Sister, Sue, who has begun behaving very strangely. Dot, Julia's Grandmother has her own theories, of course!
The books are all standalone stories but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
In this book, Barker has finally got his hands on a key to an allotment which is on the border between Peridale and their arch rivals Riverswick. However, as well as weeds, he finds a partially buried body of a man, later identified as an activist. This brings him into contact with the new DI, Laura Moyles.
Julia is rueing the day she decided to employ a new member of staff at the cafe when the 3rd one doesn't turn up. She wants Jessie, her daughter to continue her college studies so she perseveres alone. However, she soon gets involved with the dead body on Barker's allottment, especially when she realises it has something to do with her Sister, Sue, who has begun behaving very strangely. Dot, Julia's Grandmother has her own theories, of course!
The books are all standalone stories but they are best read in order of publication to preserve continuity of the characters and series.
March 3, 2023
Barker Brown has spent several years on the waitlist for an allotment. When the former detective inspector finally receives the keys to his little dirt patch of heaven, he promptly finds a dead body buried among the carrots. When it is determined that the young man was murdered, Barker and his family take up the case.
Barker’s wife, baker extraordinaire and unofficial detective Julia, along with their daughter Jessie, and Julia’s irascible grandma Dot, immediately begin to study the clues.
In Carrot Cake and Concern, the 26th book in the Peridale Café Cozy series, we see the action from the points of view of not only our heroine Julia, but Barker and Jessie as well. The action moved faster than I remembered in prior books. This is a great edition to a cozy, heartwarming, and entertaining series by Agatha Frost.
March 9, 2023
Carrot Cake and Concern is the 26th book in the Peridale Café cozy mystery series. I really enjoyed this book, not just for the rather complicated mystery, but for the makeup of the book itself, as well as the place all of the characters are at now in the series. It is fun to see how the characters have evolved and how new characters have developed and gone. Look forward to the next book in the series.
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.
April 22, 2024
Sadly it wasn't very good. I couldn't distinguish the characters. The death of a young protestor found in Barker's newest allotment (Britain) starts a path of who done it and developer money grubbing. Doctor sister, who is estranged from her family, and dead do-gooder brother. Add the little shop of cakes and cookies, and nurses protesting. It does uncover quickly who done it, and is tied up neatly with a bow.
March 2, 2023
Another great read
I enjoy these books so much. I started when the first one came out and followed the series and will continue to follow. These books are enjoyable and surprising. I am happy with Barker’s decision, obviously it is his calling. And apparently Percy found something he really enjoys. Good for him! Can’t wait for the next one.
I enjoy these books so much. I started when the first one came out and followed the series and will continue to follow. These books are enjoyable and surprising. I am happy with Barker’s decision, obviously it is his calling. And apparently Percy found something he really enjoys. Good for him! Can’t wait for the next one.
March 6, 2023
Very Interesting!
“Carrot Cake and Concern” is book 26 in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe cozy mystery series. Aside from an interesting and hard to solve mystery, this book adds depth to many of the main characters by showing events from the perspective of Barker, Jessie and Sue. Looking forward to the next book in the series as it has an intriguing ending.
“Carrot Cake and Concern” is book 26 in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Cafe cozy mystery series. Aside from an interesting and hard to solve mystery, this book adds depth to many of the main characters by showing events from the perspective of Barker, Jessie and Sue. Looking forward to the next book in the series as it has an intriguing ending.
March 8, 2023
Welcome back to Peridale. Barker has finally got an allotment for a garden. However, he find a shallow grave with a body. We get perspectives not only from Julia, but from Barker and Jessie as well. Julia hires somebody to help with the bakery and Barker meets the new DI. Plenty of story lines and action while solving another murder.
March 12, 2023
Murder, a ring and jealousy
Another great story from Peridale. Julia, Jessie and Barker get to the bottom of another mystery, murders and a stabbing. Jessie embarks on a new career. Barker is trying to write another best seller and Julia does what she does best, makes scrummy cakes!
Another great story from Peridale. Julia, Jessie and Barker get to the bottom of another mystery, murders and a stabbing. Jessie embarks on a new career. Barker is trying to write another best seller and Julia does what she does best, makes scrummy cakes!
June 13, 2023
Just fantastic!! Agatha Frost has done it again! Several stories are at play but nothing is overshadowed nor left out. It’s one smooth transition after another. Suspense, hope, sadness, frustration, confusion, family and love. This one had it all. I enjoyed every page and can’t wait to read the next.
March 8, 2023
This series continues to grow and flourish. I am never disappointed with this Grade A cozy series.
Fabulous characters and whodunits that are entertaining and keep me guessing.
I cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
Fabulous characters and whodunits that are entertaining and keep me guessing.
I cannot wait to read the next one!
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.
March 8, 2023
This author never fails to keep me interested. This addition to the series was really enjoyable. I loved every moment of the story and mystery but also the world and characters.
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.
March 10, 2023
Great story
Love the background story and the surprises along the way. By now you are familiar with all the characters and know what to expect. The series it’s clean and very down to earth. Can’t wait for the next book. BYW: I want to visit the Costwolds because of this series.
Love the background story and the surprises along the way. By now you are familiar with all the characters and know what to expect. The series it’s clean and very down to earth. Can’t wait for the next book. BYW: I want to visit the Costwolds because of this series.
March 12, 2023
Family first. Always.
I really liked that all the characters developed, except for Julia. I loved Jesse's struggle with Romeo and Juliet. Although I never studied the play, I found her journey to a 'B' immensely satisfying. What I didn't like was the personally of the murder?
I really liked that all the characters developed, except for Julia. I loved Jesse's struggle with Romeo and Juliet. Although I never studied the play, I found her journey to a 'B' immensely satisfying. What I didn't like was the personally of the murder?
March 16, 2023
Always a great read!
I love this series, a great story with lots of twists and turns. A fun read with whacky characters. A stormy night, a warm and cozy fire, some hot cocoa and this book. One could not ask for more!
I love this series, a great story with lots of twists and turns. A fun read with whacky characters. A stormy night, a warm and cozy fire, some hot cocoa and this book. One could not ask for more!
November 15, 2023
This was another good mystery in the series. This one follows several characters. However, a body is found at the new plot Barker owns. Of course, everyone is trying to figure out who is behind everything. Thankfully, they solve it and all is well for now.
February 26, 2024
A fantastic addition to the series.
The characters are wonderful and quirky. The plot is twisty and convoluted. The world building is great. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
The characters are wonderful and quirky. The plot is twisty and convoluted. The world building is great. I'm looking forward to reading the next book.
June 1, 2024
Compelling
A body is found in Barker's new allotment, who is he and how did he get there? This is the start of a fast moving story that pits Julia, Jessie and Barker into a mess of suspects, lies and the uber rich. Who done it has never been so entertaining.
A body is found in Barker's new allotment, who is he and how did he get there? This is the start of a fast moving story that pits Julia, Jessie and Barker into a mess of suspects, lies and the uber rich. Who done it has never been so entertaining.
March 3, 2023
Fantastic read.
Absolutely love these books. once you start to read it's impossible to put down. Always a great story that keeps you guessing.
Absolutely love these books. once you start to read it's impossible to put down. Always a great story that keeps you guessing.
March 18, 2023
really enjoyed the latest visit to Peridale, this was an interesting case and a bit tricky...
April 1, 2023
Good book
April 12, 2023
Great books
Always pulls you in to investigations . Such good reads from one of my favourite authors can't wait for the next one
Always pulls you in to investigations . Such good reads from one of my favourite authors can't wait for the next one
April 13, 2023
I love the read
I love the read it was terrific a exciting like all her book that I own I love agatha frost books so much that I can't wait until the next one
I love the read it was terrific a exciting like all her book that I own I love agatha frost books so much that I can't wait until the next one
June 10, 2023
concerns a many
Life has a way of being complicated, many ups and more downs and discoveries to be had. A good read and a great ending. As always.
Life has a way of being complicated, many ups and more downs and discoveries to be had. A good read and a great ending. As always.
July 18, 2023
A nice escape to a small town in Britain.
August 5, 2023
Carrot Cake and Concern
This was a great story. I liked that Jessie is coming into her..own. Baker is slowly getting his mojo back and Julia is still brains in it all.
This was a great story. I liked that Jessie is coming into her..own. Baker is slowly getting his mojo back and Julia is still brains in it all.
August 12, 2023
Carrot Cake and Comcern
A really great story. I like that you write so I can’t figure out the end. I think I know and it ends up differently.
A really great story. I like that you write so I can’t figure out the end. I think I know and it ends up differently.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 36 reviews