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

Spring has come to Hope Eaton, Shropshire, and there's another case for vintage enthusiast and antique dealer Bella Winter. Partaking in the local village May Day custom of walking to the local spring at dawn with offerings, she spots one of the offerings is a doll formed to look like school secretary Mary Roberts.

But there are rumours that Mary is no longer of sound mind, exhibiting strange behaviour and seeing strange things.

Mary is later found dead in her home, and Bella is determined to find out what happened, suspecting the death is not the natural causes recorded by the authorities.

Bella enlists the help of her friends to prove that Mary's fears, while based on local legends and folklore, were based on the more mundane behaviours of people that had something to gain from Mary's decline and death.

Unpicking one mystery reveals more secrets to investigate, and as the daughter of a detective, Bella won't give up until she has answers.

I'm really enjoying this new series from Clare Chase. In this second novel in the series, we get to know the villagers a little better, but also begin to learn more about Bella herself, and how she found herself back in Hope Eaton. Chase knows how to write a gripping tale with warmth and humanity, weaving traditional but spooky folklore with a classic cosy mystery.

Thank you to the author, Bookouture and Netgalley for an advance copy of this novel for review.

Once again, we find ourselves at the charming small town of Hope Eaton with antique dealer Bella. I found that the introduction of a myth around May Day hooked me into the story.

There were a lot of different things happening in this novel, and many side stories were introduced, so I really had to pay attention to each page. I also found it hard to remember all of the characters. I think this was because some of them came alive more than others.

The rapport between Bella and her friend/employee John stood out for me. I wanted to see more of them working together as a detective duo. I thought the ending was where things really picked up pace with exciting scenes.

I wanted to see more of this action level throughout the book as, for a while, it felt like we were going around in circles, slightly losing the main thread. I could picture the town, Bella, and her antique shop vividly. I loved some of the themes of this book and hope to see more of Bella’s character in book three.

Bella Winter is an antique shop owner and also an amateur sleuth.
Mary Roberts lives in Hope Eaton too and there is a tradition on May Day to visit St Agnes’ Spring , whilst Mary is there she sees an effigy of herself filled with pins which shocks her and leaves her frightened .
Mary has also had other strange occurrences and Bella begins to look into who can be trying to scare Mary and why?
This book has plenty to keep the readers interest from the start to finish .
It’s full of interesting characters and an intriguing story .
An enjoyable cosy mystery .
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture.

I enjoyed the series opener - The Antique Store Detective - when I read it a while ago - and I was very intrigued as to what direction this followup would take. And would it become as dear to me as her series featuring Obituary Writer, Eve Mallow? To be honest, It's not quite there yet for me. I am not as taken by Bella as I am with Eve, but it's nothing that can't be ironed out as I get to know her better.
In this, her second outing, after her successful sleuthing in her first, she has actually set herself up as an amateur detective, with a sideline in antiques! So everywhere she goes, her senses are on high alert. Which is handy when she spots something happening during the village May Day celebratory visit to Sweet Agnes' Spring. Someone has placed what looks like a voodoo doll of one of the villagers, Mary Roberts, complete with pins! I know...! Long story short, Mary is found dead. It's officially ruled as heart attack, natural causes, but there is just too much that doesn't add up and Bella is hell bent on figuring out what happened to her...
I think, as well as not quite gelling with Bella (yet) I found that the pacing was a little hit and miss. It was also a wee bit convoluted at times and I found myself having to hold onto quite a bit of confusion along the way. It did all come very good at the end and was well worth the effort.
Characters are all brilliant as usual and the author did a great job of bringing village living to life. I do miss the village I used to live in, I now live in a big city and it's really not the same.
The story was well crafted, if a little too much on occasion. There were definitely enough secrets and lies to cut through and more than sufficient obfuscation to keep the reader on their toes throughout.
All in all, a decent enough read that kept me out of trouble and entertained, I look forward to seeing what's next for Bella in book three. My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.

I read Book 1 to prepare for this ARC and I am glad that I did. I would have missed a lot of the backstory and been a bit lost. I am now a fan of Bella Winter and her pals! I can't wait to see what happens in the next book in the series.

#TheAntiqueStoreDetectiveandtheMayDayMurder
#NetGalley

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Clare Chase for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder coming out January 17, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

I really love this series! Cozy mysteries are one of my favorite genres. I really enjoyed the characters. I think May Day is an interesting holiday to center the plot around. It definitely had a cozy setting. I love the small town vibes. I would love a little more romance and action in the next book. I would definitely read more books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

It is a lovely to be back with Bella Winter and the Jenks' family! Bella is an antique store owner with help from John Jenks in a small town called Hope Eaton near Shrewsbury. On a very early May Day, Bella is talked into joining the Jenks' family in an annual tradition for Sweet Agnes' spring along with the towns people! We meet new characters and learn their history and how they play a part in what is going to happen. Once again, Bella cannot resist putting her amateur sleuthing skills to investigate the mysterious murder. The story was fast paced with plenty of twists and turns with a few red herrings thrown in. It was entertaining with a surprising ending.

A quick cozy mystery that is a bit slow and repetitive sometimes but the vibes fit well for a cozy mystery. It is the second book of a serie but can be read as a standalone.
The only problem I had with this book was the important number od characters and i had trouble to remember who was who so was a bit confusing at time

The second installment in this series, a cosy style mystery. Slightly repetitive at times with the constant rehashing of the evidence found but still enjoyable and well worth reading. Thank you netgalley for the advance copy

The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder is a charming and suspenseful cozy mystery that keeps readers engaged from start to finish. Set against the backdrop of a quaint antique store, the book skillfully blends quirky characters, intriguing historical details, and a tightly woven murder mystery. The protagonist’s wit and resourcefulness shine as they untangle clues connected to a local May Day celebration. A delightful read for fans of clever puzzles and small-town secrets!

I had been looking forward to this second installment since I finished reading the first one last year, and I'm glad to report I really enjoyed following Bella Winter's new investigations.
This time, the victim seems to have been scared to death, and Bella has witnessed or heard of several suspicious events that give her a list of suspects. How could she refrain from engaging in some sleuthing again?
Now I'm sure I'll need another reminder of who's who in the Jenks family (Bella's friends, including her employee at the antique store, her neighbour and others) next time, but of course I already count that future book 3 as not to be missed.

** “The old adage came to her: if you want something done well, do it yourself. Though here it was a case of if you want something done at all.” **

Clare Chase offers another fun cozy mystery with “The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder.”

As Bella Winter continues to settle into Hope Eaton, still operating her antique shop Vintage Winter, the town is celebrating its annual May Day festivities. But when high school secretary Mary Roberts is traumatized, and eventually found dead, Bella and her assistant John jump into figuring out how Mary died.

As other strange events occur in the town, they must attempt to figure out how the situations are connected, and just who is responsible.

Once again, Chase does a great job of creating a series of clues that keep circling around, leaving the reader guessing until the end — who did it, why and which situations are related. She also develops a quirky cast of characters readers will truly enjoy, including John’s large and fun family.

Chase also fills the story with several great themes, like “doing wrong only leads to misery”; find the connections; dealing with the consequences of wrongdoing; lies only lead to trouble; the power of regret; and the impact of blotting out pain.

Fans of cozy mysteries and novels like Nita Prose’s “The Maid” and C.L. Miller’s “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” will love “The Antique Store Detective and the May Day Murder,” which is due out Jan. 17.

Five stars out of five.

Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.

Everyone in Hope Eaton climbs the hill to Sweet Agnes’ Spring on May Day, to greet the dawn and leave tokens among the flowers. Antique store owner Bella Winter grumbles about the early start, but she has to admit that watching the sun rise over the flower-strewn grove is worth it. And 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. Bella dives into a murky mess of strange events. Mary’s house is up for sale, but someone’s trying to wreck the deal, leaving rotting weeds on her front step. And Mary claims she’s seen a cloaked figure watching her from the woods. Then Mary is found dead, her prized carving of the spring stolen from her dresser. The police say it was a heart attack, but was she literally scared to death?
The second outing for Bella who has returned to her childhood town where her father was the local bobby, she runs Vintage Winter an antiques store with her Assistant John Jenks. I love Bella who is like a terrier with a bone once she gets het teeth into a case, she’s ably assisted by John, his family & her godfather Tony. Bella loves to dress in vintage clothes & cuts quite a figure. There are plenty of twists & turns as well as red herrings & not everyone is who they seem. A thoroughly enjoyable cosy mystery which I read in a couple of sittings. I must say I would have been far more worried about who & why someone was trying to ruin my business
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own

A nice cozy mystery that while slower paced fit well into the cozy genre. Our FMC is not the normal character one would expect investigating a murder but as a cop's daughter dials into her community, she does a nice job. I seem to being stuck on the word nice because this book was OK but a little slower than I prefer and while advertised as you can read stand alone, it is better to read book 1. There is a plethora of characters to keep track of and book one helps to get the lay of the character map. Bella's friends play a pivotal role in helping her gather information. This book takes us from clue 1 a doll that looks a lot like Mary full of pins through multiple red herrings to a satisfying conclusion.
We have a good premise and a nice cast of characters but I wish the pacing were a little stronger. Perhaps when this series fully finds it feet it will pick up a bit. I would suggest reading book 1 first and then book 2. For me this book is a solid nice story.
Thanks to NetGalley and Bookouture for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This is the second book in the series though I feel that it can be read as a standalone.
Owner of an antique store, Bella Winter, is back in to investigating a strange occurrence going on on May Day in her small village.
Can Bella find answers? Will doing so put her in danger?
I enjoyed following Bella and her friends as the try to figure out why this crime happened. And, who did it.
Good mystery with some twists and turns along the way that kept me intrigued.
Perfect series for those fans of a cozy mystery.

Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.