This is an amazing story. Freya used to be an antiques assessor. The job meant looking for stolen or forged antiques. Freya used to work with Arthur before she married and fell out with him. Years later Arthur has just died and Freya and her fascinating aunt follow the clues that Arthur has left for them. These clues lead them to an antiques weekend with a difference. It is set in an amazing country house. They come to realise that the murderer is amongst them. There are two women who are not what they seem to be and the man who wants to inherit the manor house is a dangerous person to cross. Told in the first person by Freya and occasionally by the murderer and by family members of manor house owner, Freya discovers she wants to resume the assessing work again if she can survive the weekend. It is a fast paced story that grips you right from the start. The author is from an antiques background, and really knows the audience that will enjoy this murder mystery.

The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C L Miller is a riotous and fun country house murder mystery with real moments of tension. This is a book where nothing as it seems. It’s set in the world of antiques collecting, valuing and faking. Who knew that such a sedate occupation could be a cut-throat business? Dangerous, even. The action purrs along at a satisfying rate, with just the right amount of repetition of the facts to keep the reader on track as the clues are solved and the guilty party (or parties – no spoilers here!) are identified. Needless to say, the murderer isn’t keen to be identified and soon others’ safety is in jeopardy.

The main character is Freya Lockwood, a forty-something housewife and mother. Freya lives in London, but her ex is selling their house, and she has reached a turning point in her life. News reaches her that a family friend and her former mentor, antiques collector Arthur Crockleford, has died in Suffolk, and that she is his executor. Freya travels to her grieving aunt Carole, to offer condolences on the death of her friend and to do her duty. When Carole insists that Arthur was murdered, Freya decides she owes it to her aunt to investigate. Freya is a little unwilling. Together, she and Arthur used to track down lost or stolen antiques, but all that is in the past because she and Arthur fell out twenty years earlier while they were recovering a lost antique. The disagreement ruined her career as an antiques hunter, and she is still resentful. As she awakens long-dormant skills, she begins to feel alive in a way she hasn’t since the tragic events that she and Arthur experienced in Cairo all those years before.

We follow the action mostly from Freya’s point of view, but we’re treated to scenes featuring a cast of other wonderful characters, too. This is managed skilfully and doesn’t get confusing. It allows us to witness things that Freya couldn’t possibly know and to make guesses about the motivation of the characters. There are still enough red herrings to keep the suspense going.

The characters are sufficiently well developed that you can decide whether to like or dislike, trust or distrust them – there will definitely be some you’ll love to hate! Carole is a wonderful, theatrical foil to the more matter-of-fact detective, Freya. My own favourite character was Bella.

Sensitive readers need not be put off by the word ‘murder’ in the title: we’re spared the grittier aspects of the crimes, as is typical of cosy crime novels. The only negative is that it probably doesn’t do to question some aspects of the plot too closely, such as why the police aren’t involved. To be fair, that is something that’s common to the genre and why spoil a good story with such things?

The author C L Miller says that she writes about what she knows. There is no questioning her authority to write about antiques, as she belongs to the family who created Miller’s Antique Price Guide. I love a book that educates me, and I learnt a great deal about the antiques trade and the unsavoury practices that threaten to undermine the conservation of national treasures.

Equally, the author is a resident of Suffolk, which enables her to write confidently about the location in which the book is set. There are some lovely descriptions, beginning with the fictional village in the Dedham Vale area; its cottages, church, antique shop and tea room. It is easy to imagine such a village nestled in picturesque, timeless Constable Country. The settings in Cairo are described more briefly as a flashback. Later, the action moves to Cropthorn Manor, a fictional country house in Suffolk, which is suitably Gothic, with its hidden entrances and opportunities for characters to hide and get up to nefarious deeds.

This is a gem for lovers of Agatha Raisin and Father Brown and while it might not achieve the giddy heights of sophistication that Agatha Christy achieves, it is thoroughly entertaining. I understand that this is the first in a series of books, so there are treats in store.

I enjoyed this one. It was nice to read a book where the main character and the sidekick weren't some supermodel looking 20 year olds for a change. It had a good pacing and interesting story. The twist was a bit weird though, and kind of predictable. I think the issue was that the actual murdered was such a small character in the book it in itself i think meant to make us readers look another way, but for me it just gave it more away. But other than that it was fun :)

Mystery And Mayhem..
A seemingly idyllic English village, an antiques dealer, a suspicious death, a country house weekend, all coupled with mystery and mayhem in this wholly enjoyable cosy crime caper from an author with antiques knowhow in her blood. A feisty protagonist and a cast of well drawn and credible characters populate a plot bubbling over with fascinating facts and a twisting narrative in a well imagined setting. Let the treasure hunt begin..

An interesting idea, from the daughter of the authors of Millers Antique Guides. She has obviously picked up a lot of knowledge about the antiques trade and has done her research well. I liked Freya and Carole, their characters were nicely formed, but felt that the other characters were a bit flat. The story was well written and plotted, but I would have liked more about what happened in Cairo and the Martin bird. That said, it’s a good way to spend an afternoon reading.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I enjoyed this book although I was initially a bit confused by the oblique references to Cairo and the largely irrelevant ex-husband. It wasn’t quite what I was expecting but it was a cosy if slightly chaotic and unbelievable mystery. A quick light read when you want something nice and easy.

My heart fell a bit when I discovered this was Judith Miller's daughter, I am not sure what I expected, possibly bad writing because of the celebrity attachment? But no, this is nicely crafted cozy mystery, with lots of clues and lots of gasps. Good for curling up with in front of the fire. Recommended.

An unusual idea which became a bit convoluted to be believable. The idea of a middle-aged protaganist worked quite well but the rapid introduction of multiple characters made the central portion of the story confusing.

It all seemed a bit over the top for an antique albeit valuable but not exactly worth a fortune. It was quite readable but could do with being a bit stronger of characterisation and detail

The story involves a sort of puzzle following the death of a dealer who it seems to have led a shady past and the mystery surrounding messages left for the beneficiary of his will. A sort of Agatha Christie gathering at an antique weekend ensues with various people and their motives for getting to the bottom of the puzzle!

Full of twists and clues that pull you in to the novel, told from different perspectives, which I really enjoyed

Hoping there’s more to come regarding the characters as there’s many different storylines that could branch off!

Antiques and a cosy murder mystery seem like a popular mix and perhaps something that could become a series. Unfortunately I didn’t find the characters engaging or interesting. This could have been a real page turner but the plot didn’t really engage me and I found the writing cliche driven..

A gentle read which although an enjoyable it doesn’t don’t hold my interest enough and
I found myself flicking through a few pages here and there.
It needed more depth to the characters I think, something was missing.

I enjoyed this novel, with its cast of eccentric characters. It reminded me of Lovejoy (TV programme in 80’s) but with a female lead. It’s a lovely murder mystery centred around the world of antiques, and hope it will be a series, it’s certainly got the potential to be!

"The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" is set in a world of antique treasures and hidden secrets. It was not the crime novel I was hoping for but it does create a warm and inviting atmosphere with its well-drawn characters and picturesque Suffolk setting. If you're in the mood for a cozy mystery then "The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" is an excellent choice. A solid 4 star read for those seeking a gentler mystery.

If you like cosy crimes, then you'll probably like this.
It's a quick read, and fun at times.
I was a little frustrated by the seemingly reference to Cairo, and the Martin bird, but we can over look that.
It sets the scene nicely for more books to come.
As much as I liked aunt Carole, I'm not sure I'll be reading any further books.

This is a great read. I felt like I was in the middle of a cross between an Agatha Christie novel and a game of Cludeo. Well written characters, good storyline, wraps everything up but it's easy to see that this could become a series if the author has the ideas and chooses to run with them - hopefully if the author has a few more books in them, their publishers will snap them up so we get the pleasure of more Freya and Carole

Arthur Crockleford is the person Freya likes least in the world, but when he dies, Freya feels she has no choice but to return to the village she has spent the last twenty years avoiding, to comfort her Aunt Carole, Arthur's closest friend. Only, Carole has no intention of grieving for Arthur just yet, not when she has his murder to solve. Freya soon finds herself drawing on memories she would rather forget, in their hunt for an antique worth killing for.

C. L. Miller's parents are antique experts, and she draws on her knowledge and research to give the cosy crime genre a unique twist in The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder. I loved the details about antiques, and was impressed that they never become overwhelming or confusing. I would have liked a little more of a treasure hunt, as I thought was initially being set up, but I nevertheless enjoyed the twists and turns of this one, as Freya and Carole try to follow the clues Arthur left behind. Their hunt takes them to a satisfyingly atmospheric manor house, filled with with delightfully suspicious characters, and I loved the way the story's antique focus gives this setting a fresh twist, as Freya knows something isn't right with house and people alike.

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is not without its clichés, but the short chapters keep the pages turning, and never drag out the suspense or the touches of melodrama for too long. And while regular readers of crime fiction will probably work out the big twist at the same time as Freya, there is plenty of the story left to enjoy. This is a light and charming read, which never outstayed its welcome.

A gentle drama which although an enjoyable read it did not quite fulfil my need for a murder/thriller.
I found myself flicking through a few pages here and there.
I do feel there could be a series here.
My thanks to netgalley and the publisher for my copy.

The Antique Hunter's Guide To murder is a cosy mystery set in Suffolk. I love the atmosphere that was created in this book and learning more about Freya who is a great protagonist that's perfect for this book. I highly recommend for any fans of cosy mysteries and I really hope this becomes a series as I would love to read more.

I love watching The Antiques Roadshow so the theme of this book interested me. There is an historic death to deal with as well as a murder but how are they linked? I’d describe this as a ‘cosy crime’ . If you like Richard Osman, you will like this. The crime solvers are not typical - one is a woman coming to terms with changes in her domestic life and the other is her aunt who is larger than life. I think there might be more in the series as there is a teaser clue. Something that should have been handed over as evidence, wasn’t! An easy read, you don’t need to know anything about antiques to enjoy the story. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for a prepublication ebook.

Miller’s Antiques Guide’s daughter has written a whodunnit.
Of course, the protagonist’s auntie lives in a Grade II listed thatched forge - as you do. Taking her labrador for wild river swimming and letting it snooze in front of her AGA. All clues and indeed red herrings of this antiqu(iti)es hunt present in hi-viz covers. There’s a lot of “hairs prickling” at the back of necks, fires are always “roaring”, there’s lashings of tea at every turn (mentioned 40 times!) and the oldies are sprightly, clever and stylish - postcard from Clichétopia.
Freya, the protagonist, comes across as a bit of a patronising know-all and the antiques mentioned are all a bit…pedestrian. The plot logic is a teensy-weensy improbable, but if you leave all of this aside:
A bit of not-too-taxing, fairly entertaining literary fluff.