Birthday Cake and Bodies
When Julia gathers Barker's family at Peridale Manor for his surprise birthday party, she does not expect it to end in murder. Minutes before the celebration is due to begin, Barker's nephew Luke is found strangled in his bed, putting an end to Julia's hopes of a quiet family get-together.
A botched burglary in the village has clogged up the police station, so Barker goes rogue with Julia. He shuts down the manor and vows to solve the murder before sunrise — but can he really pin it on one of his own brothers or their wives? Julia soon discovers every member of the family is keeping a secret. Which one led to Luke's death?
In a race against the clock, Julia must dig up the past without tearing Barker's family apart forever. Book nine in Agatha Frost's Peridale Cafe Cozy Mystery series: a light village mystery with a cat-loving, cafe-owning amateur sleuth. No cliffhanger, no gore, no graphic scenes.
Peridale cafe owner who investigates the murder that ruins the surprise party she planned.
Julia's partner, a detective inspector, whose birthday party is the setting for the murder.
Barker's nephew, found strangled in his bed at Peridale Manor.