I enjoyed this - a great mystery/whodunnit in the world of antiques. I liked the main character and am looking forward to hearing more from her in the next book. Fast in places and slower in others, I felt that this was, maybe, 50 pages too long. Great narration and I will be looking out for the next one. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers.

Post Christmas I was in the mood for a gentle and non-taxing read (or listen, as I had the audio book) and The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C L Miller absolutely fit the bill. Audio books can be made by their narrator and I knew I was in good hands with Emilia Fox. And she really was perfect for this audio book.
The main characters are relatively newly single and middle aged Freya and her older Aunt Carole. They are close but have been distant in recent years as Freya has fallen out with Carole's best friend Arthur. His sudden death has thrown them together and Arthur has left them clues to follow to both solve his murder and to explain what happened at the time of the falling out 20 years before.
There were some lovely quirks, including Arthur's advice as chapter headings. Warm, funny and action packed, I definitely recommend this book (the audio or regular way) if you need a cosy mystery with the added interest of antiques and strong female leads. You won't regret it..

It has been a while since I tried my hand at listening to an audio book, I’ve been going through a phase of reading over the last twelve months but as we are in winter I felt like a change and in The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder we have Emilia Fox narrating, who could resist that? For me, Fox steals the show, the storyline didn’t really go anywhere, it just seemed to stutter and it wasn’t the fast paced listen I had hoped it would be. I made it to the end and suddenly realised I hadn’t felt invested in any of the characters which is really unusual for me. Maybe I listened to it at the wrong time, or the wrong week but it just wasn’t for me and that my friends is a personal opinion.
The writing is good especially for a debut book and I really would, despite only marking this one 3 out of 5, want to give the author another shot. It’s all about learning and getting better right? The one thing I did love was the premise that the murder was set in the antique world – seriously what could be better?! Love, love loved the premise but for me the pacing let it down. I really do hope we get another book to see the growth that will inevitably come.

Absolutely Adorable! (If such a thing could be said of murder). Described as "The Antiques Roadhow meets Indiana Jones", I'm a bit more Lara Croft meets Agatha (Christie or Raisin both suit). It's wickedly entertaining, brilliantly written and with sharp and snappy chapters its positively whips along (ah - there's that Indiana Jones connection)

Excited to tell people about this one, and even more so for the next installment.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book it was everything I wanted in a cozy crime mystery with the added bonus of the antique’s angle- one of my guilty pleasures has always been The Antiques Roadshow and I geeked out on the fact that the featured antiques was one of my favourites!!!



When Antiques dealer (and more) Arthur Crockleford meets an untimely end his best friend (Aunty) Carole reaches out to her niece Freya Lockwood a one time antiques associate of Arthur to investigate what happened and follow the clues that Arthur left behind! 



I loved the journey that this book took me on, switching between the past which saw Freya and Arthur lose touch after a tragic trip to Cairo and the present which sees Freya and Carole thrown in to the affairs of a dysfunctional family where nothing is quite as it seems- can they solve the mystery at the Antiques retreat?

What was really special for me about this book is that CM Miller obviously has such a great knowledge of the antiques trade and must have heard a story or two from their prestigious antiques family!


The audio was fantastic, Emilia Fox did such a great job - the voices were varied and I think that the way the characters are written really helped with this as I read long to the audio they really do have such distinct voices. I really enjoyed the bonus interview at the end with CM Miller which gave you such a feel for the book, the story behind it and for me gave it more heart! 



I listen to audiobooks at 2x speed and the narration was clear and easy to follow with the increased speed. 

I am really looking forward to reading more from CM Miller and fingers crossed Freya and Carole! Also how amazing would this be on screen??!!

Despite the Netgalley app continuing to crash, I really enjoyed this audiobook. It was warm and engaging with an interesting story!

Book review of The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller
Where to start reviewing this book? In essence it’s the story of an antiques hunter, Freya Lockwood who stops working as such following some initially unknown altercation with her now deceased mentor Arthur Crockleford. The link between the two Freya’s aunt Carole. There’s a mystery to be solved and from beyond the grave Arthur manages to involve Freya feeling she’s the only one who can get to the bottom of the dodgy dealing and death of the aristocratic Manor House owner.
So that’s a brief synopsis of the story but it’s a whole lot more than that. Im a detective story lover and have been since a young age. I voraciously read Nancy Drew, the Hardy Boys and oh The Famous Five! This book took me right back to those days, it enveloped me and swept me along in a nostalgic hug. Thats not to say the writing is aimed at young people or children. It is a clever story with beautifully developed characters with great backstories. More it has a wonderfully traditional feel without being twee - a modern day Blyton for the adults who grew up loving her work. I fell completely in love with this work and an so hopeful for more. If you enjoy a cosy crime this is a must read. Or if you prefer the audio you won’t be disappointed by the narration by Emilia Fox which matches the book beautifully.

I love a good cosy mystery and this one was such fun. I know the tag says for fans of the antiques roadshow but I know nothing about antiques, I was just straight in for the cosy mystery vibes and on that front this 100% delivered.

I loved the premise of the antique hunter here with the added crime solving adventure that arises. I thought this audio was entertaining and easy to listen to. I really enjoyed the author interview at the end and hearing more about the characters, their development and the inspo.

I’ll definitely be keeping an eye out for future books from Miller

I really enjoyed this fun murder mystery that definitely told me a lot about antiques. Freya and her Aunty Carole makes a fabulous team as they try to solve the murder os Arthur Crockleford at a country house antiques retreat. Cleverly plotted and full of clues, dastardly villains and unexpected twists this was a satisfying story. The narrator, Emilia Fox was amazing and really brought the characters to life.

Part murder mystery, part treasure hunt, the audiobook will definitely go down well with any whodunnit fan or antique enthusiast.

I did enjoy the audiobook on the whole. The narrator was engaging with a range of accents. I found the pace a bit slow and I was really irritated by Aunt Carol, so I wasn’t able to root for the characters like I would hope.

Thanks to the author, publisher and NetGalley for a chance to review this audiobook in exchange for an honest review

A wonderful cozy mystery murder that I listened to on audiobook which involved the antiques world. What I liked about this is the authors parents actually are antiques experts, so she really knows what’s she is writing about and I also loved the fact that Emilia Fox narrates because she does such a marvellous performance and brings this story to life. The story is as follows - Freya and her Aunt Carol are trying to follow some clues that Arthur Crockleford, a friend, has left behind after he has died mysteriously. Arthur was passionate about the antiques world and all the clues he has left for them are tied up in the antique hunting world. Can Freya and Carol get to the bottom of it all? This is an easy joyful read (even though there is a murder) and is very easy to read and is full of fun. If you like a really good cozy mystery you need to go and pick up The Antique Hunters Guide to Murder. Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley.

As the book begins, elderly antiques dealer Arthur Crockleford hears a noise downstairs in his antiques shop - he immediately assumes he is in danger, goes to investigate and is surprised by who he finds.
Freya Lockwood is living in London, going through a divorce when she gets a phone call from her Aunt Carole, who raised her from the age of 12 when a house fire killed her parents. She tells her that Arthur is dead, presumed to have fallen down the stairs of his shop and had a heart attack. Freya hasn't spoken to Arthur for many years. When she was a young woman she was close to Arthur and worked with him. learning about antiques and antique hunting. But after something happened in Cairo with Arthur, Freya hasn't spoken to him since and also put the antiques business behind her. She agrees to go and see Carole in Little Meddington, to help sort out his estate.
A clue left by Arthur, leads Freya to think something strange is going on and his death might not have been an accident after all. The clues lead her and Carole to an "antiques enthusiasts weekend" at Copthorne Manor where they hope to catch Arthur's murderer.
I liked both Freya and Carole - it was nice to read about older women who are keen to solve a mystery despite the danger involved. Freya is downtrodden after her divorce but the mystery of Arthur's death and the return to the antiques world helps her get her spark back. It takes a while to reveal what happened in Cairo that caused Freya and Arthur to fall out but when the reveal comes, you can see why Freya broke away from him and the antiques world.
I would imagine that there is a lot of crime in the antiques world - theft and forgeries are both things that are unearthed in this book and I thought it was a perfect setting for a crime novel, a world I know little about. At the manor house as we get to know the characters, the book put me in mind of Agatha Christie and when we hear about the adventures Freya had and continues to have at the antiques retreat, it put me in mind of Indiana Jones!
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is a thrilling cosy crime novel, with strong female characters. I really enjoyed the audio of this, read by actress Emilia Fox who brought the characters to life. And the good news is, there will be another adventure coming in 2025 - The Antique Hunter's: Death on the Red Sea!

Diving into C.L. Miller’s The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder left me with mixed feelings. While the premise promised a thrilling mystery within the world of antique hunting, the execution felt somewhat juvenile, leaning more towards a Young Adult (YA) novel.

The protagonist’s amateur detective work often seemed too simplistic, lacking the depth and complexity expected in the mystery genre. The narrative, though engaging, sometimes bordered on the predictable, leaving little room for the kind of twists and turns avid mystery readers crave.

The characters, while varied, leaned towards stereotypical archetypes commonly found in YA fiction. The lack of nuanced character development made it challenging to fully invest in their journeys, and at times, their actions felt more fitting for a teen drama. Moreover, the incorporation of historical artifacts and antique lore occasionally felt oversimplified and untapped.

Despite these criticisms, I acknowledge this novel may find its niche among young readers who appreciate a lighter take of a the mystery genre. The simplicity of the plot and characters, coupled with the accessible writing style, could find a welcoming audience readers seeking a blend of minimal history and light suspense in their literary escapades.

Cosy crime fans, listen up, because you need this brilliant debut on your radar for next month! I honestly had no idea antiques could be so exciting, but I’m kind of hooked now…

Introducing two wonderful female protagonists, Freya and her aunt Carole, this is a book that’s as funny and charming as it is intriguing. And I absolutely adored Arthur’s little bites of wisdom at the beginning of each chapter - I only wish he could’ve stuck around a bit longer 🫶 With elements of locked room mysteries as well as all the cosy, heartwarming crime vibes, this is bound to please crime readers - plus the antiques history and details were honestly just fascinating, and I loved listening to Cara talk about how big the antiques crime scene is in real life, it’s nuts!! So looking forward to more from Freya, and yes, mostly the fabulous Aunt Carole!

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is C L Miller’s debut. I look forward to reading future books by them.

The book centres on Freya Lockwood who is finally returning to her childhood village in Suffolk after twenty years away. She is reluctantly pulled into investigating the death of her mentor, Arthur Crockleford, who she had been estranged from for a number of years.

Helped by her rather eccentric Aunt Carole, they investigate Arthur’s murder. There are lots of twists and turns and I found the world of antiques really interesting and a great backdrop.

The audiobook is expertly narrated by Emilia Fox.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Macmillan UK Audio, for making this e-audio-ARC available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

After spending a good part of twenty years away from her hometown Freya Lockwood returns after the death of antique dealer and her estranged mentor Arthur Crocklewood. In a letter sent just before his death; Arthur requests Freya and her Aunt Carole investigate the mysterious circumstances surrounding the event.

I love a good mystery book and even though I know little to nothing about the world of antiques I really enjoyed listening to this. It was such a well written and interesting book with believable characters that were introduced gradually and a gripping plot line. I had multiple theories that were quickly shot down and theories that were partly right but not quite there. It definitely kept me guessing!

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

A debut cosy crime from a member of the UK’s foremost family of antiques experts so you can be sure the antique research is spot on. It’s a quick little read, or a listen in my case – I must commend Emilia Fox for her excellent narration of the audiobook.
Although the background storyline was interesting, I have to admit Freya and Aunt Carole really irritated me so it will be interesting to see how the author and her characters progress in the future.

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Debut novel audiobook read by Emilia Fox is quite a score and this showed in the narration! Emilia Fox is a well-known actress from the Fox family dynasty. She does really well with this audiobook and it deserves five stars!

I really enjoyed this audiobook - caught my attention straight away and kept me wanting to know more, right up until the end. I thought I knew how it would end, but I was wrong, so not very predictable.
Freya, the main character was likeable, but also had something about her and it was nice to see her grow.
This book actually made me want to know more about antiques 🤣.
The narrator, Emilia fox, was such a great choice for this story. She's possibly the best narrator I've heard for an audiobook. Great choice.
Would read a sequel.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for an ARC copy.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book and overall, I’m a little disappointed. It’s a cosy murder mystery but I found it rather slow and dull. The central character, Freya, is persuaded by her aunt Carole to investigate the death of Carole’s close friend. They all have a backstory, but I didn’t find any of it particularly engaging. Everything was explained rather than revealed and I felt as I the author was leading the reader all the time. The main redeeming feature is the glimpse into the seedy side of the antiques world. I found that aspect intriguing and it’s clear CLMiller has drawn on her own experience, and that of her late mother, Judith, to create a backdrop for the story. I’m sure many readers will enjoy the book. Narration throughout is excellent.