What do you think?
Rate this book
Peridale Cafe #31
Sangria and Secrets
Where the sangria flows... secrets are sure to followAs the warm sun of Savega kisses the tranquil Spanish shores, a holiday meant for peace and quiet beckons Julia and her family. The picturesque Spanish town, with its whispering olive groves and vibrant plazas, holds a trove of memories—some fond and others shrouded in the shadows of a traumatic past, but their troubles are in the past, aren't they?
Amidst the quaint cobbled streets and the welcoming embrace of Aunt Minnie's hotel, La Casa, tensions simmer below the serene facade. The transformation of the once homely hotel into a sanctuary of spiritual retreat is disrupted by the sharp jolt of a mysterious drowning. Chloe Saunders, a glamourous influencer with a taste for drama, is found lifeless in the healing mineral baths in the dead of night.
As Julia, with her characteristic blend of intuition and persistence, steps up once more to unfurl the truth, she faces the riddles of a troubled hotel pulsing with secrets. With clues steeped in betrayal, revenge, and false prophesies, they grapple with the twisted narratives spun by an array of vivid suspects connected to the wellness community, each cloaking their true motives. Can Julia sift through the lies and untangle the knots of this Mediterranean mystery?
Amidst the quaint cobbled streets and the welcoming embrace of Aunt Minnie's hotel, La Casa, tensions simmer below the serene facade. The transformation of the once homely hotel into a sanctuary of spiritual retreat is disrupted by the sharp jolt of a mysterious drowning. Chloe Saunders, a glamourous influencer with a taste for drama, is found lifeless in the healing mineral baths in the dead of night.
As Julia, with her characteristic blend of intuition and persistence, steps up once more to unfurl the truth, she faces the riddles of a troubled hotel pulsing with secrets. With clues steeped in betrayal, revenge, and false prophesies, they grapple with the twisted narratives spun by an array of vivid suspects connected to the wellness community, each cloaking their true motives. Can Julia sift through the lies and untangle the knots of this Mediterranean mystery?
- GenresCozy MysteryMystery
396 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 27, 2024
216 people are currently reading
102 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 - 23 of 23 reviews
March 4, 2024
As promised at the end of the last book, Julia and her entire family head again to Spain for a vacation, to stay at her Great Aunt Minnie's hotel. This was also the setting where Julia's annoying grandmother Dot and her husband Percy were kidnapped.
Of course things don't go smoothly on vacation. Several key family members are faced with major decisions about their lives. And of course, there's a murder, which Julia and company investigate. I struggled with this initially, as we had a lot of sections from Dot's POV, never my favorite. We also had sections from Jessie's POV (Julia's adopted daughter) which I do like. Things picked up for me in the last quarter of the book, with a lot of threads wrapped. up. As has been the case in recent books, we're left with clear hints of a mystery for the next book, which should mean we'll get more of Barker (he rarely appeared in this one) in the next book.
Of course things don't go smoothly on vacation. Several key family members are faced with major decisions about their lives. And of course, there's a murder, which Julia and company investigate. I struggled with this initially, as we had a lot of sections from Dot's POV, never my favorite. We also had sections from Jessie's POV (Julia's adopted daughter) which I do like. Things picked up for me in the last quarter of the book, with a lot of threads wrapped. up. As has been the case in recent books, we're left with clear hints of a mystery for the next book, which should mean we'll get more of Barker (he rarely appeared in this one) in the next book.
June 20, 2024
Fantastic!
Wonderful story! Wonderful series! I feel like the characters are part of my family. Superbly written. I just want more…. Adventure and mysteries!
Wonderful story! Wonderful series! I feel like the characters are part of my family. Superbly written. I just want more…. Adventure and mysteries!
March 10, 2024
Sangria and Secrets
Oh the ending had me teary-eyed. The part with Jessie and her goodbye. “Let’s live in the moment… almost a lifetime.”
And then the part putting that frog in my throat and sinking in my stomach was when Jessie cried. To new beginnings!
Evelyn was finally right in her tarot reading. Sue and Neil made a big decision. Barker nearly finished his book. Dot and Percy faced their fear. Dot was able to let go. Julia… well, she helped to catch the bad guy.
As far as the setting, Julia, Barker, Jessie, Olivia, Dot, Percy, Ethel, Sue, Neil and their twins all went to Spain for a week’s vacation. Dante surprises Jessie with something she wasn’t sure she wanted and ultimately she surprises him right back.
Murders - yes, plural - occurred so relaxing was not practiced much. I would have enjoyed this read more so if the setting took place in Julia’s hometown of Peridale. I don’t care much for books that have the characters on vacation away from their regular city, so this read wasn’t as good as this series usually is. But, it was ok.
Now that that’s done and no more books are in this series until May 28, 2024 when Katie discovers a family secret in “Lemon Drizzle and Loathing”.
By the way, “Double Espresso Deception (Claire's Candles Cozy Mystery Book 10)” will be released April 24, 2024 and it is a crossover with Claire visiting Peridale and meeting Julia and the gang!
I will now read an 8 book series by Summer Prescott beginning with “Show and Sell (Junkyard Dog Cozy Mysteries Book 1)”.
Oh the ending had me teary-eyed. The part with Jessie and her goodbye. “Let’s live in the moment… almost a lifetime.”
And then the part putting that frog in my throat and sinking in my stomach was when Jessie cried. To new beginnings!
Evelyn was finally right in her tarot reading. Sue and Neil made a big decision. Barker nearly finished his book. Dot and Percy faced their fear. Dot was able to let go. Julia… well, she helped to catch the bad guy.
As far as the setting, Julia, Barker, Jessie, Olivia, Dot, Percy, Ethel, Sue, Neil and their twins all went to Spain for a week’s vacation. Dante surprises Jessie with something she wasn’t sure she wanted and ultimately she surprises him right back.
Murders - yes, plural - occurred so relaxing was not practiced much. I would have enjoyed this read more so if the setting took place in Julia’s hometown of Peridale. I don’t care much for books that have the characters on vacation away from their regular city, so this read wasn’t as good as this series usually is. But, it was ok.
Now that that’s done and no more books are in this series until May 28, 2024 when Katie discovers a family secret in “Lemon Drizzle and Loathing”.
By the way, “Double Espresso Deception (Claire's Candles Cozy Mystery Book 10)” will be released April 24, 2024 and it is a crossover with Claire visiting Peridale and meeting Julia and the gang!
I will now read an 8 book series by Summer Prescott beginning with “Show and Sell (Junkyard Dog Cozy Mysteries Book 1)”.
March 12, 2024
I hate to say it, but this was one of the weakest Peridale books I've read. It managed to feel rushed and slow at the same time. We spend so long getting to know the new suspects - of which there are not one, not two, but *five* - that it feels like there's hardly any time with the characters I do know and love. This book has a main cast list of over *15* with the -Brown Family, the Hotel staff, and a few other smaller characters.
It just felt way overpacked, and I really felt no connection to any of the new faces. There's a murder, of course, as well as Dot and Percy healing from some trauma, both Jessie and Sue have surprises that go nowhere, then everything's wrapped up and they're back in town.
I noticed a surprising number of typos in this one as well, which only added to the rushed feeling. It wasn't awful but I know Frost is capable of so much more. I do look forward to the next adventure - having already preordered - and I can't wait to solve a proper Peridale crime again!
It just felt way overpacked, and I really felt no connection to any of the new faces. There's a murder, of course, as well as Dot and Percy healing from some trauma, both Jessie and Sue have surprises that go nowhere, then everything's wrapped up and they're back in town.
I noticed a surprising number of typos in this one as well, which only added to the rushed feeling. It wasn't awful but I know Frost is capable of so much more. I do look forward to the next adventure - having already preordered - and I can't wait to solve a proper Peridale crime again!
February 29, 2024
Vacation???
It was wonderful revisiting La Casa, Great Aunt Minnie's hotel in Spain. Even on vacation, murders and mayhem intrude on Julia's life. This saga is fascinating with all its twists and turns, and all of Julia's family were present and involved in solving the murders, as well as resolving some personal issues. What absolute fun! I love that Agatha Frost's imagination creates such real and solid stories in which I am always an observing participant.
It was wonderful revisiting La Casa, Great Aunt Minnie's hotel in Spain. Even on vacation, murders and mayhem intrude on Julia's life. This saga is fascinating with all its twists and turns, and all of Julia's family were present and involved in solving the murders, as well as resolving some personal issues. What absolute fun! I love that Agatha Frost's imagination creates such real and solid stories in which I am always an observing participant.
June 10, 2024
Great book
A much need vacation in sunny Spain for Julia and her family turns into a murder mystery with plenty of secrets, motives and suspects. While some of the family confront their past, Jessie must decide her future. This book puts a closer for some and a bright future for others. Ms. Frost has written a fast pace story with new characters and brought back a couple of old ones to entertain us. Very good who done it.
A much need vacation in sunny Spain for Julia and her family turns into a murder mystery with plenty of secrets, motives and suspects. While some of the family confront their past, Jessie must decide her future. This book puts a closer for some and a bright future for others. Ms. Frost has written a fast pace story with new characters and brought back a couple of old ones to entertain us. Very good who done it.
March 1, 2024
Too Much Fun
I love these mysteries and it looks there will be another one around the bend. The characters are all so well developed and I can't wait to see what's in store next!!!!
I love these mysteries and it looks there will be another one around the bend. The characters are all so well developed and I can't wait to see what's in store next!!!!
March 5, 2024
Brilliant
I.really love these books the characters are really well writte and the description of the places are wonderful,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories .
I.really love these books the characters are really well writte and the description of the places are wonderful,I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cosy mystery stories .
March 18, 2024
Sangria and Secrets
Another great storyline with a lot of twists and turns. I'm glad Dot finally got her closure and I'm glad that Jesse is getting her life together more and Barker is writing his 2nd book. Loved it
Another great storyline with a lot of twists and turns. I'm glad Dot finally got her closure and I'm glad that Jesse is getting her life together more and Barker is writing his 2nd book. Loved it
January 23, 2025
This book had a lot of characters who could have been the murderer and it revealed the clues at a nice pace. It was a nice location. I hope we get to see Minnie and Lisa again. I love the way Ethel is evolving.
June 25, 2025
Slipping in quality
Maybe I am worn out with this series. After the reveal of the killer, the sentences and their words were like the end of a play I wrote when I was 8 years old...I am now 69.
Maybe I am worn out with this series. After the reveal of the killer, the sentences and their words were like the end of a play I wrote when I was 8 years old...I am now 69.
March 2, 2024
Julia and the gang are off to Spain for a vacation, but it’s anything but what they expected. Twists, turns and murders are everywhere. This was a fun, quick read. I missed Julia’s bakery but it was fun picturing the town of Savega. I can’t wait for the next book.
March 5, 2024
Good read!
I enjoyed reading this one. It is fun to see them n another setting, and with language problems, though by the end I also missed Peridale. Now wait for the next one.
I enjoyed reading this one. It is fun to see them n another setting, and with language problems, though by the end I also missed Peridale. Now wait for the next one.
March 12, 2024
Julia and family does it again
Another great read, love the story whilst the family were in Spain on their holidays. Murders aplenty but who us the culprit? Julia and Dot fathom it out with tge help of Percy, Ethel and Co
Another great read, love the story whilst the family were in Spain on their holidays. Murders aplenty but who us the culprit? Julia and Dot fathom it out with tge help of Percy, Ethel and Co
March 17, 2024
A family vacation back at Aunt Minnie’s hotel in Spain doesn’t quite turn out as expected. I enjoyed the twists and turns as the mystery unravels.
March 27, 2024
Fun local color
Relaxing adventure in Spain exploring family relationships & life choices…& unraveling a couple murders. Looking forward to the upcoming books. Ellen
Relaxing adventure in Spain exploring family relationships & life choices…& unraveling a couple murders. Looking forward to the upcoming books. Ellen
April 3, 2024
This is a must read. Definitely will keep you guessing throughout the whole book. I really enjoyed it. Can’t wait for the next Peridale adventure.
April 28, 2024
loved it, left with a little cliff hanger, so now I can't wait to read the next...
June 4, 2024
Lovely
This high quality cozy mystery, loaded with lovely personalities and cafe charm, is three dimensional and well developed. Curious about the new series, too!
This high quality cozy mystery, loaded with lovely personalities and cafe charm, is three dimensional and well developed. Curious about the new series, too!
January 19, 2025
Again great novel! Spain was an excellent holiday! Poor Minnie and La Casa!
July 16, 2025
This story was a good read but the book could of used some proofreading.
July 19, 2025
Good book
August 4, 2025
Excellent
I love reading these books, they're easy to read and keep you enthralled to the end.
Can't wait to read the next in line.
I love reading these books, they're easy to read and keep you enthralled to the end.
Can't wait to read the next in line.
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews