Hi Darlings!

   I hope that you are having a great day today. I am a bit cold. The weather was warming out where I live to be a lukewarm spring has turned quite chilly. I am at my local starbucks trying to keep warm! So while I was here I wanted to let you know my thoughts about another Agatha Frost book that I’ve completed! Let’s dive in!

Chocolate Cake and Chaos is the fourth installment in Agatha Frost’s Peridale Café Series. The series centers around middle-aged Julia South, the owner of the bakery The Peridale Café. She has a foster daughter named Jessie – a rambunctious teenage girl who used to live on the streets and has taught Julia so much. Julia also finds herself unexpectedly helping her Detective Inspector boyfriend, Barker Brown, with murders that keep happening in this small British town.

This book specifically focuses on Barker. He is sent a mourning wreath which is sadly followed by his chief being murdered on his doorstep. Julia ad Barker start investigating to prevent what is likely a horrible third act by the killer. Barker thinks he knows who the killer is and the evidence is pilling up against the man, Jeffrey Taylor. Jeffrey Taylor is a man that Barker sent to prison but was later released due to the real killer confessing. Despite Barker’s insistence, Julia’s growing detective skills has her pursuing someone else.

What I did like about this book is that we got to dive more into Barker. From the other three books I knew there was something that he was holding back and I can understand why he’d want to keep this close to the vest. Life is painful and it hurts when the people you love get hurt. I enjoyed the times when Barker and Julia teamed up because they do make for a good team. I loved seeing the growth with Julia and Jessie. What makes Julia such a great character is her open mind. I think that their relationship can only get better.

My overall thoughts is that I really liked this book. Peridale books are a light read that I can read in one to two days. I love the characters in this book, the storyline flowed perfectly, and I am excited to dive into book five. I recommend this book and series. I give the book a 5 out 5 stars. Let me know down below what your thoughts are? Will you pick it up?