Bella Winter engages in her second mystery in The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder. A lady is hounded by a no good townsman and ends up dead under mysterious circumstances. Bella and her friends decide to find out what this was all about and another citizen is found dead. She uncovers unsavory activities by several towns people. Can they solve the small town tragedy before Bella or others die? Competent cozy.

Once again we're transported back to the world of Bella Winter. Just like the first story, we are treated to an untimely death, several suspects, twists, turns, and scary moments of danger. Bella is a strong female protagonist with a sharp mind and good friends to help her along the way. The murder plot is engaging and there are so many clues and red herrings that you, the reader, and hopeful you can figure out who-done-it before Bella does.

As with the first book, this is highly entertaining book with a fantastic story. If you love cozy mysteries, this book (and series) is for you!

I liked Clare's books. Her writing is good and they are gripping, but this one didn't work so well for me.

I found it a little bit harder to concentrate and felt that the book could have been a little shorter and still be good. And even though Bella is a great character, Book 2 didn't live upto Book 1. Despite that, I would definitely want to continue the series.

I loved the setting of this cozy English mystery! It was so charming and perfect for a winter day (especially since the events are happening around May Day). I wish we spent more time at the store here, and the characters' behaviors felt a bit forced at times...
Nonetheless, it was a pleasant read

This is my second book series of cozies set around antique stores/hunting and i have to say it is now one of my favorite tropes! This was done so well, I'm going to immediately purchase the first in the series and work my way backwards. I can't wait to see what this author does next!

Favorite Quotes:

She flicked John a small I-told-you-so smile and took out her diary. It was a thing of beauty with gilded pages, decorated with tiny hummingbirds. It made every entry feel important, which was just as it should be. You only got one life, after all.

Her clothes weren’t usually expensive or new, she just made sure they had that certain something.

Life was for living, you might as well do it like you meant it.

I’d settle for Leo just looking at me with the same adoration he has for an Eaton sausage sandwich. Though I suppose I can just about put up with him.

His sigh sounded like air leaking from a leather sofa.


My Review:

I have always enjoyed picking up anything Clare Chase chooses to write. Her stories are well-polished and colorfully detailed, and while her tales are amusing and easy to fall into, I can never seem to fully solve the mysteries or ferret out the culprits on my own. I had fun getting to know the characters in her new series and am already looking forward to reading more of this sneaky snoop. Bella is tenacious and quite handy at stretching and acquiring resources. I admire her moxie.

This is the second in the rather fun cozy mystery series.

It’s the annual May Day festival and the whole village gets together to celebrate it. When a doll with pins looking like a local woman Mary is given as an offering, it is brushed off as a malicious gesture. However it soon transpires that Mary has made some enemies in the town because of her do gooding

Mary is found dead in her home and Bella discovers that someone has been trying to sabotage Mary’s attempts to sell up and move. Bella suspects that despite the police view of death by natural causes, Mary’s death is far more sinister.

Bella starts to do a little investigating, along with a little assistance from her friends.

This was a really enjoyable read, and Bella is a very likeable, quirky character. I do enjoy a well written cozy crime and this is becoming a must read series for me.

Thanks must go to the publisher and Netgalley for providing me with a copy of this book to read and review.

Thanks to Clare Chase, Bookouture, and NetGalley for access to the Advanced Reader Copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This cozy, the second in the author’s Bella Winter Mystery series, takes place in the small town of Hope Eaton. The town annual greeting of the dawn on the First of May provides us with an introduction to many of the town’s characters and we begin to see that not everyone is on the best of terms. Later that day someone is found dead, but the death is ruled as due to natural causes. But Bella isn’t so sure.

I liked Bella, who is the owner of an antique store in town and the daughter of the last town cop. Bella is determined in her pursuit of the truth, and she works with her friends to understand what happened. I appreciate that Bella as the focal point of the book is a capable and engaging detective but she solved the case without using extraordinary means. Great book for lovers of a good cozy.

Book Review: The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder by Clare Chase

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder is the second installment in Clare Chase’s A Bella Winter Mystery series, and it’s a delightful addition for fans of cozy mysteries. Set in the picturesque village of Hope Eaton, this murder mystery centers on Bella Winter, an antique store owner and amateur sleuth, as she uncovers dark secrets hidden behind the town's seemingly tranquil surface.

The story begins with the May Day celebration, an annual tradition where locals visit Sweet Agnes’ Spring to leave tokens in a beautiful, flower-filled grove. However, this year, the festivities take a sinister turn when Bella discovers a doll stuck with pins—a bizarre offering that resembles a local woman, Mary Roberts. Intrigued by the threat, Bella begins investigating, uncovering a web of strange occurrences, including a mysterious cloaked figure lurking in the woods and attempts to sabotage Mary’s real estate deal.

Things take a darker turn when Mary is found dead, and the police dismiss her death as a heart attack. Bella, unconvinced, digs deeper, uncovering more peculiarities surrounding Mary’s death, including the theft of a prized carving. The more Bella investigates, the more questions arise—who would want to harm Mary? What’s behind the eerie symbolism of the spring? And could someone have truly frightened her to death?

Clare Chase excels at building tension, blending elements of a traditional English mystery with a modern twist. Bella Winter is a sharp, relatable protagonist who isn’t afraid to go up against the local authorities when she believes they’ve missed something. The mystery itself is complex, with numerous red herrings and twists that keep readers guessing until the very end. The small-town setting adds a charming touch, with the community and its peculiarities playing a key role in the unfolding drama.

The story is filled with clever clues, suspense, and an intriguing cast of characters, making it a must-read for cozy mystery fans. Bella’s determination to uncover the truth and the atmospheric setting of Hope Eaton create a captivating narrative that will keep readers hooked. Whether it’s the quirky townspeople or the ominous spring at the center of the mystery, Clare Chase’s attention to detail brings the mystery to life.

Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin, and Betty Rowlands will undoubtedly enjoy this engaging and well-crafted mystery. It’s the perfect blend of cozy charm and edge-of-your-seat suspense, making The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder a truly enjoyable read.

Rating: 4/5

This is a thoroughly engaging, twisty cozy mystery that keeps readers guessing and offers plenty of surprises. Clare Chase continues to shine in her creation of Bella Winter, and this series is sure to become a favorite for mystery lovers. Highly recommended for anyone who enjoys an atmospheric and suspenseful mystery with plenty of heart.

I hadn’t read the first book in the series and whilst I would like to reassure that this could easily be read as a standalone, personally I struggled getting to grips with all the various characters, especially their relationship to one another and I did feel disadvantaged by not reading the first. This is my perception however and this may not bother someone else.

Bella Winter with her quirky dress sense and owner of the antique shop in the village is a tenacious and engaging character. Her late father had been well respected as its village policeman and it seems that Bella has inherited his nose for investigating with her determination to solve a mystery not getting in the way of personal danger. The small village of Hope Eaton features the annual Sweet Agnes Spring hill walk on May Day and this dawn excursion sets off a chain of events that has Bella and her village friends speculating as to the who, the how and the why. There is clearly some badness in the village. A woman with a reputation for regularly reporting people and deeds to the police is found dead and there are several dodgy characters whose actions attract Bella’s attention.

Whilst I found the plot a little convoluted I was intrigued and, like Bella, wanted to know who was responsible for causing so much angst and death in this sleepy village. It was clear that not everyone could be trusted and there were several suspects in the frame. There is a clear community vibe here and Bella’s friends were invaluable for their support and perspective in attempting to solve the different strands to this story. As well as the main mystery to solve, Bella has another problem when her reputation and business is put at risk. Somebody wants her out of the village.

This was an entertaining and well written cozy mystery on the lighter side of crime, but still awash with suspicion and surprises.

I enjoyed this small town mystery. The main character is the daughter of a former cop, so she has great detective skills. She pushes when she believes that the police have the cause of death incorrect and it ended up being a fun ride. I would definitely recommend both the first and second book in this series.

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder is the second in the series featuring antique store Bella Winter who I would liken to a modern day Jessica Fletcher!

When Bella is persuaded to take part in the May Day ritual of welcoming the start of spring on a bright and incredibly early morning, the early start turns out to be the least of her problems. When a local teenager turns up and starts to make a scene towards Mary Roberts, a local school secretary and leaves behind a doll figure that looks like Mary but full of pins, the morning takes a slightly darker turn.

When Mary is found dead shortly afterwards at home, despite it appearing that she died of natural causes, Bella isn’t so sure and decides to look further into things and discovers that this was just a spate of scary incidents that had plagued Mary – was she literally scared to death?
I really liked reading about the village folklore and how people see it differently. Ginny Greenteeth is the local legend who leaves marks when death is near, the things people leave are almost a peace offering to keep her away.

Bella is becoming a favourite character of mine with her dogged determination, inherited from her policeman late father and her detective instincts – seemingly stronger since her first outing. I love cosy crime set in small villages (although I think that is a staple requirement!) and this had a really good blend of different characters who add some suspicion and keep you guessing with the little twists added to the storyline by the author. There are plenty of people with motives so you do begin to suspect everyone mentioned.

A great, well accomplished series, set to rival her other books!

One of my favorite genres is a cozy mystery. Especially, in this crazy weather Sydney has been having of late.

Thank you so much, @bookouture, for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is book 2 of a 3 book series. I read it as a standalone. I'm eager to read the other 2 of the series. Antique Store Owner & Amateur Sleuth, Bella Winter loves solving puzzles & fixing things when they go wrong.

It's:
A cozy, puzzle murder mystery,
Small town traditions,
Bringing the Village alive to the reader,
Local folklore,
Trust,
Greed,
Twists,
Red Herrings,
May Day Tradition,
Secrets,
Got a lot of suspects,
Keeps you guessing,
Engaging,
Got likable characters,
addictive.

May Day should mark the start of spring. This year, it means murder. Antique store owner & amateur detective Bella Winter is on the case!

Everyone in Hope Eaton climbs the hill to Sweet Agnes' Spring on May Day to greet the dawn & leave tokens among the flowers. Bella grumbles about the early start. She has to admit that watching the sun rise over the flower-strewn grove is worth it. Her interest deepens when she sees that one of the offerings this year is a little doll stuck all over with pins-a-perfect replica of Mary Roberts, who lives nearby.

Determined to fond out what lies behind this threat, Bella dives into a mess of strange events. Mary's house is up for sale. Someone's trying to wreck the deal, leaving rotting weeds on her front step. Mary claims she's seen a clocked figure watching her from the woods.

Bella thinks its all nonsense. Mary is found dead, her prized craving of the spring stolen from her dresser. Police say it was a heart attack, but was she literally scared to death?

Bella has uncovered a string of further mysteries. Why is Mary's neighbor missing? Who gratified her boss's house the night she died? Who'd want Mary's carving?

All paths lead back to the spring itself? Does it hold answers or more danger? Can Bella track the killer?

? Do you like Agatha Christie books

@coffeeabdapges2021

Claire Chase does an excellent job I’m bringing her characters to life. In this series, she brings together a lovable protagonist, quirky characters, and a solid cozy mystery that keeps you guessing until the end. When I read the first book in this series, I quickly added a note to keep an eye out for the next entry in the series. Both have been quite enjoyable, and I look forward to more in the series moving forward.

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder by Clare Chase is a delightfully atmospheric cozy mystery that blends folklore, a puzzle mystery, and a lovely May Day tradition in an English village. It is the second book in the Bella Winter Mystery series. The amateur sleuth is Bella Winter, an antique shop owner in Hope Eaton, a small village in the Shropshire Hills.

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder begins with the annual village tradition of welcoming spring. All of the villagers climb to the top of a hill, greet the dawn, welcome spring, and leave small tokens.

Antique store owner Bella Winter joins in. She is enjoying herself until she sees a young man leave a creepy token—a doll stuck full of pins. The doll looks like Mary, a local school secretary. Bella learns that someone has been tormenting Mary and trying to scare her with tricks related to the myth of Ginny Greenteeth.

The May Day celebration adds a fun mix of folklore and festivity and provides an intriguing layer to the story. The local legend of Ginny Greenteeth, the river hag whose ominous mark signals that death is near, creates a delightfully eerie atmosphere. It contrasts nicely with the fresh, wholesome May Day ritual of watching the sunrise and enjoying wildflowers with members of your community on a spring day.

The mystery is also well-done. There are plenty of suspects, each with their own motives and secrets. Clare Chase skillfully distributes clues and red herrings to keep the reader guessing until the final reveal.

The amateur sleuth, Bella Winter, is clever, practical, and quick-witted, with an innate ability to piece together the clues. The supporting characters are well-drawn and authentic, and they all fit well into the English village setting.

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder is well worth the read. I look forward to continuing on with this series and reading the next books The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance.

Bella Winter, owner of a village antique shop and amateur sleuth, participates in the village's annual May Day event, which involves leaving tokens and welcoming Spring at a local landmark. However, the event is not the happy experience it promises when the villagers see a voodoo-style doll resembling one of the villagers. Bella's curious nature makes investigating a complex mystery and tragic death a given. It becomes increasingly poignant as Bella discovers the victim and suspect' secrets. I like the female protagonist, the dynamic between her and her friends in the village, the complex murder mystery, and the suspense with hints of folklore superstition. It's an engaging, compelling, cosy crime story with a likeable amateur sleuth and a distinctive village setting.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

BLOG TOUR REVIEW



Review for 'The Antique Store Detective And The May Day Murder' by Clare Chase


What an absolutely brilliant addition to another addictive series by the extremely talented Clare Chase!!

If you have yet to read any books by this fantastic author and you are a lover of cosy crime then what on Earth are you waiting for!! This is the second series that I have absolutely fallen in love with by Clare with the other being her 'Eve Mallow Mystery' series. This is the second book in her epic 'Bella Winter' series but can be read as a standalone (as can her Eve Mallow series). I always recommend that you read books in a series in order but there is a silver lining. If you have not read the first book in this series which is called 'The Antique Store Detectives' then after you have finished and fallen in love with this book you can go back and read it while you are waiting for Clare's next success to come out!! The good news is the next book in this series is available to preorder on Amazon now. It is called 'The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance' and will be published on the 28th August. If you manage to read the first book before then I would highly recommend you go and meet Eve in Clare's Eve Mallow series while you are waiting!! I absolute LOVE Bella just as much as I do Eve. As I have come to expect with Clare her absolutely brilliant, evocative and emotive descriptions really brings the amazing setting of Hope Eaton, The Antique Store 'Vintage Winter', Sweet Agnes' Spring, Bella and all the surroundings and characters to life ensuring the reader is really absorbed into the storyline seeing and feeling everything that Bella is seeing and feeling and trying to solve the mystery with her. This is one of those fantastic books, and series, that you can read anywhere and at any time as Clare will transport you to Hope Eaton and next to Bella at the turn of the page!! You need to clear your schedules before starting this as you will not be able to put it down. I was walking around with my kindle glued to my hands while attempting to multi task. Any time I promised myself I would just read one more chapter then get on with some work something happened to stop me!! In the end I absolutely devoured it in one sitting and standing of several hours and as always Clare left me wanting more!! The storyline takes us on a fun cosy mystery in stunning locations filled with clues, mystery, motives, suspects, red herrings, danger, history and much more!!! This book really is another addictive beauty by the very talented Clare!! One of the things I absolutely adore about Clare's books is that each and every time she creates stunning areas which come to life thanks to her fantastic evocative writing skills. This book is an absolutely fantastic addition to this brilliant series and I cannot wait to get stuck into the next book in this series 'The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance' which promises to be just as addictive as this and the first book in the series!


Clear your schedules as once you've picked this up you won't be able to put it down!!



These amazing characters are all realistic, strong and an eclectic bunch to say the least. It was really fun learning all of their different characteristics, personalities and backgrounds. I really enjoyed meeting and getting to know more about the regular characters as well as meeting new characters. I especially loved meeting Bella Winters again who I really liked and was completely invested in from the beginning. I also liked several of the other characters, many of which I have previously met in the first book. Again, Clare's brilliant descriptions bring each of them all to life and I cannot wait to discover more about them and go on another mystery with Bella in 'The Antique Store Detective And The Deadly Inheritance.

Congratulations to Clare Chase on yet another absolutely successful and addictive page turning murder mystery! This is why when I want an addictive cosy mystery which I can read anywhere I hunt your books down and why you are in my top 5 cosy mystery author list!. Here's to you're next success 🥂



Overall an absolutely compelling, addictive and page turning cosy mystery that will keep you hooked throughout!



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Bella Winter lives in Hope Eaton where
She runs an Antique store with others who care.
She's joining in with the community and mustn't be late
Going to Sweet Agnes' Spring to May Day to celebrate.

Something strange happens whilst they are there
A doll stuck with pins seems there to scare
It looks like someone who lives nearby
And to scare her someone is continuing to try.

Someone observing her, leaving strange things, too,
When Bella talks to her, she wonders what to do.
But then Mary is found dead and looking so scared
Maybe a heart attack but why and who dared?

As more mysteries are revealed, Bella looks for every clue
Determine to discover just what happened and by who.
With no help from the police she needs her friends to aid
To discover if it is just a prank or someone crazed.

As more secrets begin to be discovered,
More dangers are also uncovered.
Just who is behind everthing that's happening here?
There's at least one perpetrator, that much is clear!

With the help of her friends, they're all on the case
Determined to discover just what's taking place.
They'll use local knowledge and others, too,
Hoping to find that vital clue.

A superb twisted case, that kept me turning pages
Keeping me guessing and looking for ages.
So cleverly written, it was a brilliant read
Now Bella's next case is what I really need!

For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.

The second in the Bella Winter Mysteries, May Day Murder finds up back in Hope Eaton where another crime is waiting to be solved.

It's only been the past year that I've found myself enjoying cosy mysteries and now I can't get enough of them, they're easy reading and quite often one sitting reads.

Two books in, Bella is beginning to grow on me and I can't wait to join her on another mystery. I love the spirit of the community and the lore Chase has included.

I found the book enjoyable and a highly entertaining way to spend an afternoon.

I adore the mysteries that talks about ancient tradition and show how the small town is not always a paradise where there's not pettyness and and malicious gossip.
In this second novel Bella is involved in the murder Mary, a woman who lives in the town and wants to sell her house. Mary is being terrified and feel watched and there will be a tragic turn.
Bell is involved and want to understand if Mary was frightened to dead or what happened.
There's plenty of twists in this novel, plenty of secrets and surprises. I enjoyed it and had fun.
It's a bit slow at times but it always kept my attention and turning pages.
Can't wait to read the next novel in this series, this one is delightful
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine