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.

Thank you Pan Macmillan and Net Galley for an eARC copy if this title in return for an honest review
Hmm...such a promising idea, a murder mystery combined with hints of the antiques roadshow and, surprisingly, Indiana Jones!
Who knew a manor house in the quiet English countryside could hold so many international criminals and their hunters all at the same time!
Carole and Freya, an enjoyable pairing of an; older, theatrical, fairly ditsy ,but still very sprightly and up for larks and adventure,character, and the younger Freya, an; more introverted, slightly damaged by life, antiques hunter, with an Indiana Jones style past, are the hub of this first novel by C.L . Miller.
C L.Miller's credentials antiques wise are impeccable, her much loved mother having been behind Miller's Guide to Antiques. Her knowledge of antiques underpins much of the story.
However, that, I am afraid, is where the good news ends for me. The story itself is confusing and confused. Too many shady characters with different agendas all in one place and too many hints of masterminds behind international crime rings who all turn out to be fairly useless at most things except driving off in vans and fast cars.
I can see that a series is being set up for Freya and Carole, using the journals of their late, and much loved, friend Arthur , an antiques hunter par excellence, and perhaps C.L. Miller will get more into her stride as she progresses. As it is, though, this first title needs a bit of shaping up before it hits the heights of thrilling adventure for which I think it is aiming.

A cosy mystery set in Suffolk in the world of antiques and antique hunting, the protagonist Freya needs to solve a 20 year old murder to allow her to solve the murder of her estranged mentor. Woven into the mystery is her backstory of a true love, a controlling husband and a lost life of adventure. Cara Miller clearly writes about things she knows and loves, the villages of Suffolk and antiques. There is something of Lovejoy, for all those who remember that programme in the book. A person who instinctively knows is an antique is real or a very good fake, shenanigans a plenty and loveable characters. This book is well worth the read, I had concerns about the Americanisms such as flashlight for torch, and first floor instead of ground floor, but this is all made very clear as you read. I thoroughly enjoyed this book

A rare jewel of a book with exceptional provenance. Difficult to say just how much I loved this new voice in cosy crime.

Orphaned as a young girl, Freya is taken in by her glamorous and utterly wonderful Aunt Carole, whose best friend Arthur runs an antique shop.
The two nurture Freya and gradually help her grief subside and her wounds to heal. As she grows she takes an increasing interest in the antiques in Arthur's shop and finds that she shares his passion in this area.
He teaches her how to become an antiques hunter and track down stolen artifacts to return to their rightful homes.

When Arthur is found dead in his shop in what appears to be a tragic accident, Freya and Carole uncover a paper trail laid by Arthur which leads them to believe he knew he was in danger. This sets them off on a journey to not only find out what really happened to Arthur but also to finish the last antiques hunt that he started.

I read a lot of crime novels and this is definitely up there with my very favorites.
Such an interesting setting and a fascinating world to be immersed in and what brilliant characters to lead us on our journey.

Every now and then a crime series lands that grabs the attention and holds it tight - this is one of those series.
One of my most anticipated reads of 2024!

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller

I received a review copy for free thanks to Pan Macmillan and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Blurb

What antique would you kill for?

Freya Lockwood is shocked when she learns that Arthur Crockleford, antiques dealer and her estranged mentor, has died under mysterious circumstances. She has spent the last twenty years avoiding her quaint English hometown, but when she receives a letter from Arthur asking her to investigate—sent just days before his death—Freya has no choice but to return to a life she had sworn to leave behind.

Joining forces with her eccentric Aunt Carole, Freya follows clues and her instincts to an old manor house for an advertised antiques enthusiast’s weekend. But not all is as it seems. It’s clear to Freya that the antiques are all just poor reproductions and her fellow guests are secretive and menacing. What is going on at this estate and how was Arthur involved? More importantly, can Freya and Carole discover the truth before the killer strikes again?

My Opinion

Usually when it takes me two weeks to finish a book it is because I am not enjoying it, in this case it was because I wanted to take my time with this lovely book. Freya Lockwood left the world of antiques but returns when her Aunt Carole informs her of the death of her former mentor. Freya must use all of her knowledge of antiques to work out who was behind the murder.

This was such an enjoyable read, written in such a lovely style. My attempt to read this slowly worked well until I read the last 100 pages in one sitting as I just couldn't dream of putting own the book. Now it looks like I have a long wait until book 2 is out....

Rating 5/5