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The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder #1
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder: A Novel
In this irresistible and thrilling debut novel, a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts. 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,
12 pages, Audio CD
First published February 6, 2024
1724 people are currently reading
31566 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Miller
297 followersC. L. Miller started working life as an editorial assistant for her mother, Judith Miller, on The Miller’s Antique Price Guide and other antiquing guides. After she had children, she decided to follow her long-held dream of becoming an author and began concentrating on her writing full-time. She was an Undiscovered Voices 2022 and in the UV 2022 anthology. She lives in a medieval cottage in Dedham Vale, Suffolk, with her family.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,652 reviews
January 9, 2024
2.5 stars - Somewhat of a mixed bag here - on the one hand, I think the premise, setting, and plot are very fun and entertaining. This was a highly anticipated read for me, so I had high expectations. On the other hand, the writing and pacing were quite distracting to me personally. I found it odd and kind of clunky, which really took me out of the story which made it less entertaining than it should have been. The ideas here are strong, so I would encourage folks to try the sample chapters to see if they can vibe with the writing, and if so, they may have more success with this than I did.
June 29, 2024
Thank you to Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Canada for an advance reading copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
OOF. I really wanted to love this book, or even like it, but in my opinion, it was a mess.
There’s no doubt that the author knows their antiques, but when it comes to character development, plot, and pacing - they fall short. The main character Freya, who is rife with potential as a divorcee getting her old life back, comes across as incredibly dull and whiny. She has such minimal growth as a lead character. Her Aunt Carole, who I assume was written as comedic relief, is incredibly tiresome and annoying. The dialogue is cringeworthy at moments, and I’m not actually sure I’ve ever heard people speak as such. The other characters are introduced halfway through the book with little to no exposition. We’re just expected to know who these people are. Which is unhelpful since they’re all two-dimensional with no real discernible identities. The same goes for a very forced romance between Freya and a secondary character. Too many cooks in the kitchen here!
There is this theme of quotes beginning each chapter, let’s call it words of wisdom. They’re supposed to be advice from a fatherly figure to Freya, but they’re so droll and empty that I found myself rolling my eyes at every one. They add no real substance to each chapter they’re connected to either.
I would have much preferred an Indiana Jones-esque novel, which I was lead to believe it was, since the antiques parts are quite interesting. I just found the novel so predictable, repetitive and underdeveloped, that it became a slog to finish. The plot is paper thin and the pacing jumps all over the place and then some. It’s clearly set up to be a series with Freya and her Aunt Carole, and suffice to say, I won’t be hunting alongside them in the future.
It pains me to write such a negative review, but I won’t be recommending it to anyone.
OOF. I really wanted to love this book, or even like it, but in my opinion, it was a mess.
There’s no doubt that the author knows their antiques, but when it comes to character development, plot, and pacing - they fall short. The main character Freya, who is rife with potential as a divorcee getting her old life back, comes across as incredibly dull and whiny. She has such minimal growth as a lead character. Her Aunt Carole, who I assume was written as comedic relief, is incredibly tiresome and annoying. The dialogue is cringeworthy at moments, and I’m not actually sure I’ve ever heard people speak as such. The other characters are introduced halfway through the book with little to no exposition. We’re just expected to know who these people are. Which is unhelpful since they’re all two-dimensional with no real discernible identities. The same goes for a very forced romance between Freya and a secondary character. Too many cooks in the kitchen here!
There is this theme of quotes beginning each chapter, let’s call it words of wisdom. They’re supposed to be advice from a fatherly figure to Freya, but they’re so droll and empty that I found myself rolling my eyes at every one. They add no real substance to each chapter they’re connected to either.
I would have much preferred an Indiana Jones-esque novel, which I was lead to believe it was, since the antiques parts are quite interesting. I just found the novel so predictable, repetitive and underdeveloped, that it became a slog to finish. The plot is paper thin and the pacing jumps all over the place and then some. It’s clearly set up to be a series with Freya and her Aunt Carole, and suffice to say, I won’t be hunting alongside them in the future.
It pains me to write such a negative review, but I won’t be recommending it to anyone.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2024
3.5⭐️
After the shocking death of her mentor and former employer antique dealer Arthur Crockleford, Freya Lockwood is drawn back into the world of antiquities after almost twenty years. Arthur has left his business to her and his friend, her Aunt Carole. As Freya returns to her village and finds out more about Artur’s death and receives a coded letter Arthur left for her, she begins to suspect that someone aware of the true nature of Arthur’s work might have been responsible for the same. As the narrative progresses, we follow Freya as she travels to Copthorn Manor to value the estate of one of Arthur’s associates for probate as per Arthur’s last wishes. The guests at the Antiques Enthusiast Retreat include the family members of the late Lord Metcalf, the house staff and Arthurs's lawyer, among others. Freya is sure that the antiques on display are reproductions and senses that Arthur had his reasons for sending her there – reasons connected to the events that led to her rift with Arthur and their subsequent estrangement twenty years ago.
I loved the premise of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller and the fact that the protagonist is a mature middle-aged female character. I adored Aunt Carole and her eccentricities. Plenty of humor, a cast of interesting (and suspicious) characters, the insights into the antiquities trade and the suspenseful plot definitely made for an entertaining read. I also loved how each chapter began with Arthur’s words of wisdom. However, I had an issue with the pacing and thought the narrative suffered from much repetitiveness (multiple references to the events that unfolded in Cairo twenty years ago ), resulting in a long-drawn journey to the end. There were aspects in the present day timeline that should have been explored in more detail, but past events tended to overshadow the same. Though the plot became a tad convoluted toward the end, I did like the resolution to the murder mystery.
Overall, while there were aspects of the novel that I enjoyed, I felt that it could have been a tad more tightly woven and more emphasis given to the characters and events in the present timeline.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder was published on February 06, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
After the shocking death of her mentor and former employer antique dealer Arthur Crockleford, Freya Lockwood is drawn back into the world of antiquities after almost twenty years. Arthur has left his business to her and his friend, her Aunt Carole. As Freya returns to her village and finds out more about Artur’s death and receives a coded letter Arthur left for her, she begins to suspect that someone aware of the true nature of Arthur’s work might have been responsible for the same. As the narrative progresses, we follow Freya as she travels to Copthorn Manor to value the estate of one of Arthur’s associates for probate as per Arthur’s last wishes. The guests at the Antiques Enthusiast Retreat include the family members of the late Lord Metcalf, the house staff and Arthurs's lawyer, among others. Freya is sure that the antiques on display are reproductions and senses that Arthur had his reasons for sending her there – reasons connected to the events that led to her rift with Arthur and their subsequent estrangement twenty years ago.
I loved the premise of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller and the fact that the protagonist is a mature middle-aged female character. I adored Aunt Carole and her eccentricities. Plenty of humor, a cast of interesting (and suspicious) characters, the insights into the antiquities trade and the suspenseful plot definitely made for an entertaining read. I also loved how each chapter began with Arthur’s words of wisdom. However, I had an issue with the pacing and thought the narrative suffered from much repetitiveness (multiple references to the events that unfolded in Cairo twenty years ago ), resulting in a long-drawn journey to the end. There were aspects in the present day timeline that should have been explored in more detail, but past events tended to overshadow the same. Though the plot became a tad convoluted toward the end, I did like the resolution to the murder mystery.
Overall, while there were aspects of the novel that I enjoyed, I felt that it could have been a tad more tightly woven and more emphasis given to the characters and events in the present timeline.
Many thanks to Atria Books for the digital review copy via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder was published on February 06, 2024.
Connect with me! ✏ Instagram ✏ My Blog ✏ The StoryGraph
December 21, 2023
Although I finished Cara Miller’s The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, I almost abandoned it after a few chapters. I’m afraid I just didn’t care for, nor was I interested in, any of the characters. Freya keeps bleating on about not forgiving Arthur after “what happened in Cairo” but by the time we find out what did happen, in Chapter 22, I no longer cared. Each chapter has a character’s name at the head, but while Freya’s are narrated in the first person, the others are written in the third person and simply focus upon that character, which puzzled me until I realised that the name at the chapter head is pretty irrelevant.
I’m happy to accept that the author knows a lot about antiques but, unfortunately, a novelist’s ability to breathe life into their characters is far more important than any amount of specialist knowledge. There are several holes in the plot and the characters are cardboard.
I won’t be reading any more in the series.
#TheAntiqueHuntersGuidetoMurder #NetGalley
I’m happy to accept that the author knows a lot about antiques but, unfortunately, a novelist’s ability to breathe life into their characters is far more important than any amount of specialist knowledge. There are several holes in the plot and the characters are cardboard.
I won’t be reading any more in the series.
#TheAntiqueHuntersGuidetoMurder #NetGalley
December 1, 2025
Who killed Arthur?
“We begin the hunt at the site of the crime.” – Arthur Crockleford
Well, according to Arthur, he left clues to his death to his good friend Carole and her niece, Freya, who he once mentored to figure out, even if the police deemed his death an accident.
Now, Freya, is very angry with Arthur for a past infraction, so this isn’t exactly something she is particularly fond about figuring out for him. (Even if he is dead.) Since, she feels the career he once mentored her in, is exactly the one he kept her from pursuing.
But once things heat up, as soon as Arthur’s funeral, it appears the challenge is on.
What will she and her Aunt Carole discover? Will they soon find out that this simple accident wasn’t an accident after all?
Each chapter started with an Arthur quote which contributed to the charm of the story, like…
“Sooner or later we all leave this earth. What matters is the story we’ve left behind.”
There was so much to learn and appreciate about the beauty of *antiques that Freya described early on when she was learning from Arthur…
“Arthur had given me hope, showing me that pieces like the plate could glitter with mystery and exploration. It was the day when I began to understand that each item held a story waiting to be unlocked.”
The story was captivating with believable and likable characters. It was fairly well-written, even-paced (slow in some places), twisty, cozy, filled with surprises, tension and fun that kept me guessing and wondering who could have dunnit. Typically, I can get easily bored with a cozy, because I guess who the culprit is rather quickly. But not with this one.
Two more things about this book.
This one is for my good friend, Stephen Wallace and all pet lovers. Yes, there is a dog in this one. Named Harley. Harley, is Aunt Carole’s dog, and Harley is adorable.
And lastly, one of my favorite quotes from the book…
“I’d always hoped for a bookshop – one with a coffee shop and a comfy chair to read in; one where I could curl up safely with a coffee and live out an adventurous life full of unsolved murders and espionage, surrounded by other stories just waiting to be chosen.”
Isn’t that typically how we all feel when we plunge ourselves into a good murder mystery or thriller? (Well, I prefer they be solved…but for the most part, I liked the reading experience setting.)
*Readers learn early on that this book was written in consultation with international antiques expert, Judith Miller (who passed in 2023) and was a regular specialist on BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow.” She was also the co-founder of the bestselling annual “Miller’s Antiques Price Guide” which began in 1979. What readers may not realize is that C.L. Miller, the author, was an editorial assistant for Judith Miller on the “Miller’s Antiques Price Guide” and that Judith was her mother. This is her debut novel.
“We begin the hunt at the site of the crime.” – Arthur Crockleford
Well, according to Arthur, he left clues to his death to his good friend Carole and her niece, Freya, who he once mentored to figure out, even if the police deemed his death an accident.
Now, Freya, is very angry with Arthur for a past infraction, so this isn’t exactly something she is particularly fond about figuring out for him. (Even if he is dead.) Since, she feels the career he once mentored her in, is exactly the one he kept her from pursuing.
But once things heat up, as soon as Arthur’s funeral, it appears the challenge is on.
What will she and her Aunt Carole discover? Will they soon find out that this simple accident wasn’t an accident after all?
Each chapter started with an Arthur quote which contributed to the charm of the story, like…
“Sooner or later we all leave this earth. What matters is the story we’ve left behind.”
There was so much to learn and appreciate about the beauty of *antiques that Freya described early on when she was learning from Arthur…
“Arthur had given me hope, showing me that pieces like the plate could glitter with mystery and exploration. It was the day when I began to understand that each item held a story waiting to be unlocked.”
The story was captivating with believable and likable characters. It was fairly well-written, even-paced (slow in some places), twisty, cozy, filled with surprises, tension and fun that kept me guessing and wondering who could have dunnit. Typically, I can get easily bored with a cozy, because I guess who the culprit is rather quickly. But not with this one.
Two more things about this book.
This one is for my good friend, Stephen Wallace and all pet lovers. Yes, there is a dog in this one. Named Harley. Harley, is Aunt Carole’s dog, and Harley is adorable.
And lastly, one of my favorite quotes from the book…
“I’d always hoped for a bookshop – one with a coffee shop and a comfy chair to read in; one where I could curl up safely with a coffee and live out an adventurous life full of unsolved murders and espionage, surrounded by other stories just waiting to be chosen.”
Isn’t that typically how we all feel when we plunge ourselves into a good murder mystery or thriller? (Well, I prefer they be solved…but for the most part, I liked the reading experience setting.)
*Readers learn early on that this book was written in consultation with international antiques expert, Judith Miller (who passed in 2023) and was a regular specialist on BBC’s “Antiques Roadshow.” She was also the co-founder of the bestselling annual “Miller’s Antiques Price Guide” which began in 1979. What readers may not realize is that C.L. Miller, the author, was an editorial assistant for Judith Miller on the “Miller’s Antiques Price Guide” and that Judith was her mother. This is her debut novel.
February 26, 2024
I wanted to like this one but really did not enjoy. It was very repetitive: Freya is no longer WHO SHE ONCE WAS because of her bad marriage (and also what happened in Cairo) but luckily investigating the murder of her former mentor has reawoken in her WHO SHE ONCE WAS. Also, her daughter is GROWN and DOESN'T NEED HER which is fine because now she has the time to be WHO SHE ONCE WAS. Also, did we mention Cairo?
October 22, 2023
I know absolutely nothing about Antiques! But was attracted to this book because I enjoy a good mystery and thought I might learn a few things. And, I did!!! C.L. Miller has written a delightful debut novel in which the search for stolen antiques and antiquities collide with murders, and along the way we are treated to a host of characters from Freya, who is the lead protagonist of the story, to her Aunt Carole, her semi-grandfather Arthur who got her started in the antique profession over 20 years ago and who eventually caused her to leave the profession until she is suddenly pulled back in. Something is fishy about Arthurs's demise and Freya and Carole are on the hunt to figure out what all the clues lead to and what Arthur is trying to tell her from beyond the grave. The mystery takes us to an English Manor, and we learn about antique "banks" as we are joined by a shady group of characters who are all trying to find the valuables that appear to be hidden in the house. Nobody is as they appear, and everyone has their own agenda as the group meets for a weekend gathering where all things are hopefully going to be resolved. A very well plotted books with believable characters, this is a fast paced book that is easy to read and hard to put down. The author does a very good job of keeping us guessing as to the murderer, and I must admit that I was fooled!!! What I also like is that we know from the last chapter of the book that this appears to be the first of a series of books, and that there could be a group of repeat characters that we will follow as we delve into the world of antiques and murder. Top notch effort!!!!
May 16, 2024
DNF at 62%
I’m sorry but I can’t finish this book. It sounded interesting and I thought that I was going to love it, but sadly I didn’t. Freya is just so annoying and I can’t bring myself to care for any of the characters except Arthur. My main issue with it is that story is all over the place and the writing was so clunky that it was difficult for me to stay focused. I hate to mark this as DNF, but there’s too many books I want to read so I’m not going to waste my time reading something I’m not into. Marking it as read anyways since I read over 50% of it and it was torture 💀
I’m sorry but I can’t finish this book. It sounded interesting and I thought that I was going to love it, but sadly I didn’t. Freya is just so annoying and I can’t bring myself to care for any of the characters except Arthur. My main issue with it is that story is all over the place and the writing was so clunky that it was difficult for me to stay focused. I hate to mark this as DNF, but there’s too many books I want to read so I’m not going to waste my time reading something I’m not into. Marking it as read anyways since I read over 50% of it and it was torture 💀
November 8, 2023
“What antique would you kill for?”
A murder mystery set in an isolated English country manor with Antiques Roadshow vibes? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? I loved BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and loved the idea of getting in on the start of a new series. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
Freya Lockwood thinks she has put her past behind her until it comes knocking again…with an invitation. In addition to being her auntie’s best friend, Arthur Crockleford was Freya’s antique dealer mentor. When she hears of his death, she’s pulled back to the medieval village, not only by the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, but also by an invitation to attend an antique hunting weekend. Freya heads off with her eccentric Aunt Carole to the antiques convention in Suffolk hoping to get answers and soon discovers that everyone in attendance is suspect. Will time be on their side? Can the unlikely duo reveal the killer before he strikes again?
“Freya, it’s down to you to finish what I started.”
This former antique hunter held my interest as she attempted to repatriate stolen artifacts and investigate the death of her mentor. I also loved the chance to be an armchair detective for a few hours. I was lost in Miller’s world of secrets and shady dealers, struggling to put together the clues and entertained by the unlikely heroes as they solved a great mystery.
I smiled when I discovered that the author’s mother is an expert with BBC’s The Antiques Roadshow as Miller’s story came across as so authentic. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that I struggled a bit with the pacing/flow and detractions of the descriptive prose and unique introductions to the chapters.
I’d read the next installment and watch it if the book was optioned for a mini-series.
I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
A murder mystery set in an isolated English country manor with Antiques Roadshow vibes? Sounds interesting, doesn’t it? I loved BBC’s Antiques Roadshow and loved the idea of getting in on the start of a new series. I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it as much as I did.
Freya Lockwood thinks she has put her past behind her until it comes knocking again…with an invitation. In addition to being her auntie’s best friend, Arthur Crockleford was Freya’s antique dealer mentor. When she hears of his death, she’s pulled back to the medieval village, not only by the suspicious circumstances surrounding his death, but also by an invitation to attend an antique hunting weekend. Freya heads off with her eccentric Aunt Carole to the antiques convention in Suffolk hoping to get answers and soon discovers that everyone in attendance is suspect. Will time be on their side? Can the unlikely duo reveal the killer before he strikes again?
“Freya, it’s down to you to finish what I started.”
This former antique hunter held my interest as she attempted to repatriate stolen artifacts and investigate the death of her mentor. I also loved the chance to be an armchair detective for a few hours. I was lost in Miller’s world of secrets and shady dealers, struggling to put together the clues and entertained by the unlikely heroes as they solved a great mystery.
I smiled when I discovered that the author’s mother is an expert with BBC’s The Antiques Roadshow as Miller’s story came across as so authentic. However, I’d be remiss if I didn’t share that I struggled a bit with the pacing/flow and detractions of the descriptive prose and unique introductions to the chapters.
I’d read the next installment and watch it if the book was optioned for a mini-series.
I was gifted this copy by Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley and was under no obligation to provide a review.
November 19, 2024
imagine just deciding to let your murder happen and turning it into a scavenger hunt to help a middle-aged woman find herself again instead of going to the FBI who you can access to and being like “hey … might get murdered lol”
November 26, 2023
I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was like Indiana Jones and Lara Croft in an Agatha Christie novel. Freya used to be an antique hunter, her mentor Arthur has sent her a mysterious letter just days before his death to investigate his murder. Her Aunt Carole was also Arthur's dear friend, they did everything together. Freya returns to her English small town that she has avoided for over 20 years. After reading the strange letter she is found to be scheduled for an antiques hunters dream weekend. But all is not as it seems. Freya fears Arthurs murderer is among the few guests at the old Manor house where the event is happening. With weird sounds, electricity failing, screams in the night, and another murder she does not know if she will make it through alive. With her eccentric electrifying Aunt Carole along with her they navigate through death and deceit to try to find Arthurs murderer. You do not expect it to end as it does. The author is well written and knowledgeable on the subject of antiques. She has done a marvelous job of keeping you ready to turn the next page and not putting the book down at all. Big hand 👏 and an A+ on this book for the author. I highly recommend this one.
Read
February 18, 2024For fans of Richard Osman and Jane Cleland. You don't need to be an antiques connoisseur to sleuth alongside Freya and her fun-loving aunt, Carole. Ms. Miller does an excellent job using antiques to add color and interest while never overwhelming the reader with details. The antiques aren't the only fakes in this novel—several characters are not what they seem. Secrets from the past, family dynamics, greed, and a denouement in an English manor house make for a quick and interesting read.
August 1, 2024
Mi-a amintit de "Societatea londoneză de spiritism". Aproximativ aceeași intrigă. În același timp, are ceva și din "Misterul cărților de tarot". Singurul lucru care nu mi-a plăcut și care a cântărit greu a fost stilul de scriere. Este unul destul de alambicat, ceea ce poate fi cauzat de faptul că este o carte de debut.
Are multe personaje și este genul de poveste care te face să suspectezi pe toată lumea.
Finalul mi-a plăcut mai mult decât parcursul.
Are multe personaje și este genul de poveste care te face să suspectezi pe toată lumea.
Finalul mi-a plăcut mai mult decât parcursul.
March 2, 2024
I probably shouldn’t have requested this from NetGalley because I’ve had to DNF at 50%. It’s not really my jam. But I could not resist Emilia Fox as the narrator on the audiobook. I’ve been enjoying her performances of Agatha Christie books since the late 2000s as she worked through Christie’s back catalogue, and – in my view – her I Capture the Castle narration of the Dodie Smith audiobook is one of the most outstanding meetings of author and voice, and I loved her Melmoth – it’s vividly scripted in my memory.
I'm dismayed to discover, though, that Macmillan UK Audio have lavished Fox’s talents on what, for me, is a thoroughgoing failure. The dialogue written for her is characterless and drab. C. L. Miller's characters themselves are a baffling disarray. I couldn’t even call them phoney, since that would imply that they have some sense of agency. Moreover, Miller's swaps between first-person narration and third-person narration only serve to compound what I’d call the wooden quality of the audiobook.
And I must say, I don’t recall ever encountering a book where the chapter inscriptions are ‘quotes’ from one of the book’s own characters. Each chapter here opens with a platitude from Arthur Crockleford?! What does this establish? It came across as gimmicky and misinformed; twee.
The novel itself reads as immature. There are grave issues with pacing and prefiguring; like other reviewers, I was underwhelmed with the ‘Cairo’ reveal after all the tiresome puffing allusions to it. To say that the plot (so far as I’d stuck with it) is unconvincing is an understatement. It’s branded with an insipid kind of aspirationalism and self-aggrandisement, where – for instance – protagonist Freya repeatedly brags about her ‘vintage Hermes scarf’, namedropping the V&A, snobbishly. It’s unoriginal to the point of souring. This wannabe tone’s effect upon me was out-and-out flattening.
Sadly, this does read like a pedestrian debut, and I won’t be following this author’s career.
‘Secretive and menacing’? In my view, ‘The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder’ is ‘vapid and uninspiring’.
I'm dismayed to discover, though, that Macmillan UK Audio have lavished Fox’s talents on what, for me, is a thoroughgoing failure. The dialogue written for her is characterless and drab. C. L. Miller's characters themselves are a baffling disarray. I couldn’t even call them phoney, since that would imply that they have some sense of agency. Moreover, Miller's swaps between first-person narration and third-person narration only serve to compound what I’d call the wooden quality of the audiobook.
And I must say, I don’t recall ever encountering a book where the chapter inscriptions are ‘quotes’ from one of the book’s own characters. Each chapter here opens with a platitude from Arthur Crockleford?! What does this establish? It came across as gimmicky and misinformed; twee.
The novel itself reads as immature. There are grave issues with pacing and prefiguring; like other reviewers, I was underwhelmed with the ‘Cairo’ reveal after all the tiresome puffing allusions to it. To say that the plot (so far as I’d stuck with it) is unconvincing is an understatement. It’s branded with an insipid kind of aspirationalism and self-aggrandisement, where – for instance – protagonist Freya repeatedly brags about her ‘vintage Hermes scarf’, namedropping the V&A, snobbishly. It’s unoriginal to the point of souring. This wannabe tone’s effect upon me was out-and-out flattening.
Sadly, this does read like a pedestrian debut, and I won’t be following this author’s career.
‘Secretive and menacing’? In my view, ‘The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder’ is ‘vapid and uninspiring’.
January 12, 2024
Unfortunately, The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Muder did not work for me. Despite the interesting premise, there were too many characters introduced with little to no backstory and I was more interested in the main character’s, Freya, past.
Freya is suddenly pulled back into her previous life as an antique hunter when her mentor, Arthur, is found dead in his shop. Arthur left clues that leads Freya to believe he was murdered. Freya teams up with her aunt to find the murderer.
The premise of this novel is interesting, however its execution is poor. Throughout the entire novel, I was more interested in Freya and Arthur’s past. The glimpses of her training and then the infamous Cairo adventure that left their partnership in ruin were the saving graces of the novel. Those flashbacks were more engaging than the present mystery.
As Freya and her aunt follow the clues, they are led to an antiques enthusiast’s retreat where others are in attendance. These new characters are introduced with little to no information or backstory. C.L. Miller does a poor job of giving these new characters any interesting personalities or quirks. It wasn’t until I was near the end of the novel that I was finally able to distinguish them.
Overall, The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder is a poor execution of an interesting premise. I think the story would have been better served had it taken place in the past as Freya was learning the antique business then eventually transition to the Cairo adventure.
*** I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
Freya is suddenly pulled back into her previous life as an antique hunter when her mentor, Arthur, is found dead in his shop. Arthur left clues that leads Freya to believe he was murdered. Freya teams up with her aunt to find the murderer.
The premise of this novel is interesting, however its execution is poor. Throughout the entire novel, I was more interested in Freya and Arthur’s past. The glimpses of her training and then the infamous Cairo adventure that left their partnership in ruin were the saving graces of the novel. Those flashbacks were more engaging than the present mystery.
As Freya and her aunt follow the clues, they are led to an antiques enthusiast’s retreat where others are in attendance. These new characters are introduced with little to no information or backstory. C.L. Miller does a poor job of giving these new characters any interesting personalities or quirks. It wasn’t until I was near the end of the novel that I was finally able to distinguish them.
Overall, The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder is a poor execution of an interesting premise. I think the story would have been better served had it taken place in the past as Freya was learning the antique business then eventually transition to the Cairo adventure.
*** I received an ARC from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
May 12, 2024
A thoroughly enjoyable murder mystery.
March 18, 2024
I love nothing more than an entertaining and engaging cozy mystery novel, and The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller certainly fits that bill for me. I can't believe this is Miller's debut novel, and I loved every single second of it! It reminded me of Sherlock Holmes without the detective, and the special focus on antiques was fabulous. I have watched more than my fair share of Antiques Roadshow and it was a pleasant surprise to learn the author's late mother was often an expert shown on the show. Knowing that she helped her with aspects of writing this book makes me love it even more, and even though this is a fictional murder mystery, there is still learning to be had!
There are multiple viewpoints in TAHGTM, but the main POV is told through Freya. Even with all of the different characters there is still an air of mystery throughout, and the reader never knows EVERYTHING that is going on, even if they do know something is up with certain people. I loved the way Miller saved almost everything for the big reveal, and though I probably could have figured it out if I had tried, I just let the story take me along and I never wanted it to end. The audiobook is excellent even with our only narrator being Emilia Fox. She just fit the storyline and viewpoints so well that I didn't even care it wasn't a full cast. I was so entertained and had so much fun with the characters that I couldn't help but love it, and I would recommend the audiobook for the interview between the author and narrator as well! I can't wait for another story with Freya and her Aunt Carole.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
There are multiple viewpoints in TAHGTM, but the main POV is told through Freya. Even with all of the different characters there is still an air of mystery throughout, and the reader never knows EVERYTHING that is going on, even if they do know something is up with certain people. I loved the way Miller saved almost everything for the big reveal, and though I probably could have figured it out if I had tried, I just let the story take me along and I never wanted it to end. The audiobook is excellent even with our only narrator being Emilia Fox. She just fit the storyline and viewpoints so well that I didn't even care it wasn't a full cast. I was so entertained and had so much fun with the characters that I couldn't help but love it, and I would recommend the audiobook for the interview between the author and narrator as well! I can't wait for another story with Freya and her Aunt Carole.
Thank you to the publishers for my advanced listening and reader copies of this book. All opinions and thoughts are my own.
March 8, 2024
I struggled with this book. The premise was interesting and I was curious to see how the main character’s antique knowledge would come into play, but ultimately, the mystery was quite simple. The final reveal was not surprising and there was never any dramatic tension in the story. Some other issues that I had were that it was slow to start and there were way too many POVs, the majority being wholly unnecessary. The characters lacked depth and the side characters lacked distinction. Unfortunately, this novel didn’t work for me. Perhaps those who like cozy mysteries and have an interest in antiques will fare better with this novel.
June 23, 2024
That was a debut novel? Darling, C.L. Miller is going to be fabulous! Common advice to authors is ‘write what you know.’ Miller comes from an antiques background, making this field a natural attraction for her. Plus, international art crime is right up there with illegal arms, drugs, endangered animals and their parts, and human trafficking as a high stakes business. This lends weight to the dangers faced by our main character, Freya Lockwood.
Miller doesn't confine herself to just one narrator, though. We get information from several view points, filling in the reader without having to have Freya witness every little thing. Although the murder of Arthur Crockleford and the settling of Marc Metcalf's estate are ostensibly the centre of the plot, the heart of things is truly Freya's shattered trust and her frozen emotional state. Arthur knew that she needed to escape from a bad marriage and the anchor of the marital home, to find out what truly happened in the past to estrange the two of them, and to regain her thrill in the adventure of life.
His method is complex and complete. Arthur has complete confidence in his former protégé and her aunt and his beloved friend, Carole. If Freya is an avenging angel, Carole is an aging glamour girl with definite ideas about how life should be lived, that is to say to its fullest. They may seem mismatched but they complement each other nicely.
There is nothing yet to indicate that there will be a series, but these characters are too good to abandon now. Especially with the promise of further antique expert roles for Freya and her inheritance of Arthur's shop. Not to mention the notice of a certain FBI agent. I do hope there will be more adventures featuring Freya and Carole. I, for one, will be signed up to enjoy them.
Miller doesn't confine herself to just one narrator, though. We get information from several view points, filling in the reader without having to have Freya witness every little thing. Although the murder of Arthur Crockleford and the settling of Marc Metcalf's estate are ostensibly the centre of the plot, the heart of things is truly Freya's shattered trust and her frozen emotional state. Arthur knew that she needed to escape from a bad marriage and the anchor of the marital home, to find out what truly happened in the past to estrange the two of them, and to regain her thrill in the adventure of life.
His method is complex and complete. Arthur has complete confidence in his former protégé and her aunt and his beloved friend, Carole. If Freya is an avenging angel, Carole is an aging glamour girl with definite ideas about how life should be lived, that is to say to its fullest. They may seem mismatched but they complement each other nicely.
There is nothing yet to indicate that there will be a series, but these characters are too good to abandon now. Especially with the promise of further antique expert roles for Freya and her inheritance of Arthur's shop. Not to mention the notice of a certain FBI agent. I do hope there will be more adventures featuring Freya and Carole. I, for one, will be signed up to enjoy them.
November 17, 2023
Rating: 1.4/5
I had high hopes for this debut novel from Cara Miller. In spite of the cosy mystery marketplace being a very crowded one, there seemed to be a natural niche for a story set in what often feels like the equally cosy world of antiques to slot into. The setting and the genre had all the makings of a marriage made in heaven - but sadly I found "The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" a real slog.
At around 320 pages this should have been a pretty quick read, but I really did find it hard going and had to press myself to keep going. This should have been full of natural charm and echoes of the golden age of murder mystery writing, but instead it is ploddingly slow and quite tedious. There is some interesting background into the world antiques, but the mystery at the heart of the novel is dull and uninspiring. That may not have mattered too much if the central characters had been engaging enough to carry the story through their very presence - but that wasn't the case either. Antique hunter, Freya Lockwood, and her aunt, Carole, are disappointing. Freya is supposedly in her mid-forties, but the voice the author has given her makes her come across as a much older lady. Aunt Carole is intended to bring some comic relief to proceedings, but her quips generally fall flat or simply miss the mark and sound a bit crass.
This seems to have been positioned as the first in a series of books featuring these protagonists, but if that is indeed to be the case, then I am afraid that neither the format nor the characterisation is strong enough to bring me back for any more.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
I had high hopes for this debut novel from Cara Miller. In spite of the cosy mystery marketplace being a very crowded one, there seemed to be a natural niche for a story set in what often feels like the equally cosy world of antiques to slot into. The setting and the genre had all the makings of a marriage made in heaven - but sadly I found "The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder" a real slog.
At around 320 pages this should have been a pretty quick read, but I really did find it hard going and had to press myself to keep going. This should have been full of natural charm and echoes of the golden age of murder mystery writing, but instead it is ploddingly slow and quite tedious. There is some interesting background into the world antiques, but the mystery at the heart of the novel is dull and uninspiring. That may not have mattered too much if the central characters had been engaging enough to carry the story through their very presence - but that wasn't the case either. Antique hunter, Freya Lockwood, and her aunt, Carole, are disappointing. Freya is supposedly in her mid-forties, but the voice the author has given her makes her come across as a much older lady. Aunt Carole is intended to bring some comic relief to proceedings, but her quips generally fall flat or simply miss the mark and sound a bit crass.
This seems to have been positioned as the first in a series of books featuring these protagonists, but if that is indeed to be the case, then I am afraid that neither the format nor the characterisation is strong enough to bring me back for any more.
As ever, I would still like to convey my thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for supplying an ARC in return for an honest review. It is a pity I was not in a position to pass more favourable comment on this occasion.
March 1, 2024
This was like if you got assigned to write a book in high school English class, but definitely the basic English class, not Honors English. It’s so poorly written my eyeballs hurt from rolling them so much. It’s basic, cliched, juvenile, unbelievable (literally), boring, banal, trite, etc. Look at my fancy Honors English words! (I got kicked out for cheating on the Silas Marner test, but that was laziness, not lack of talent.) The only thing good about this book is it’s a really fast read.
I rarely write bad reviews, but come on!! My friends that have self-published or been published by small companies with very limited distribution capability can write circles around this author. Why was this book published, and why am I seeing it everywhere?
I rarely write bad reviews, but come on!! My friends that have self-published or been published by small companies with very limited distribution capability can write circles around this author. Why was this book published, and why am I seeing it everywhere?
January 18, 2024
Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 6, 2024
Freya Lockwood and her former mentor, Arthur Crockleford, parted ways very unamicably many years ago, after an incident in Egypt. Freya also left the world of antique hunting behind and became a devoted wife and mother. Now, her marriage is dissolved, her daughter has moved away and Freya is struggling to find some purpose. When she receives word that Arthur has passed away she is stunned, but even more so when she discovers that Arthur has left her a letter that was written only a few days before his death, asking her to investigate his murder. Freya has no choice but to return to the world she left behind so long ago in order to help seek justice.
“The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder” is an addictive and charming debut novel by author C.L. Miller. Combining Sherlock Holmes with Antiques Roadshow, “Murder” is a suspenseful adventure into the world of antique hunting that is both creative and delightful!
Freya is a forty-something woman whose past trauma has left her scrambling to find a new identity, when she ends up falling back into her old one. Recovering from a negative, controlling, borderline abusive husband, Freya finds comfort in reuniting ancient things with their owners, which leads her to a derelict estate at the will reading of an English Lord. Freya is a delight, and it was refreshing to see a middle-aged, “frumpy” (her words) protagonist stepping in to save the day!
Miller comes from a background of antiquing and her knowledge of the business shows on every page. I learned a little bit myself about the antique business and the exhaustive attention to detail that comes with it!
Each chapter is narrated by an individual who attends the will-reading “event” (although mostly the narrators are Freya and her aunt, Carole), which gives the novel an Agatha Christie “locked room” feel. There were definitely many possibilities when it came down to suspects, but Miller managed to shock me! “Murder” was a stellar debut, and I look forward to more from C.L. Miller!
Expected publication date: Feb. 6, 2024
Freya Lockwood and her former mentor, Arthur Crockleford, parted ways very unamicably many years ago, after an incident in Egypt. Freya also left the world of antique hunting behind and became a devoted wife and mother. Now, her marriage is dissolved, her daughter has moved away and Freya is struggling to find some purpose. When she receives word that Arthur has passed away she is stunned, but even more so when she discovers that Arthur has left her a letter that was written only a few days before his death, asking her to investigate his murder. Freya has no choice but to return to the world she left behind so long ago in order to help seek justice.
“The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder” is an addictive and charming debut novel by author C.L. Miller. Combining Sherlock Holmes with Antiques Roadshow, “Murder” is a suspenseful adventure into the world of antique hunting that is both creative and delightful!
Freya is a forty-something woman whose past trauma has left her scrambling to find a new identity, when she ends up falling back into her old one. Recovering from a negative, controlling, borderline abusive husband, Freya finds comfort in reuniting ancient things with their owners, which leads her to a derelict estate at the will reading of an English Lord. Freya is a delight, and it was refreshing to see a middle-aged, “frumpy” (her words) protagonist stepping in to save the day!
Miller comes from a background of antiquing and her knowledge of the business shows on every page. I learned a little bit myself about the antique business and the exhaustive attention to detail that comes with it!
Each chapter is narrated by an individual who attends the will-reading “event” (although mostly the narrators are Freya and her aunt, Carole), which gives the novel an Agatha Christie “locked room” feel. There were definitely many possibilities when it came down to suspects, but Miller managed to shock me! “Murder” was a stellar debut, and I look forward to more from C.L. Miller!
January 12, 2024
3.5 stars
This is a debut novel by C.L. Miller which takes place in the world of antiques. Antiques, murder, sketchy characters, this novel has a sort of Agatha Christie-esque vibe to it. If this were made into a show, someone had suggested Emily Blunt as Freya and Dame Helen Miren as her elderly aunt, and I agree. I would most definitely tune in for it.
So now for the painful honest review of the writing part. Aside from the typos and grammar errors that need to be corrected, some of the plot needed to be spruced up to make the story flow better. The novel dragged on until the half way point, and although it picked up significantly after that,there were too many new characters and not enough back story to make me care. The humorous parts needed to contain actual humor, and overall this was a bit too dry and boring. I do think that this whole book would work better on screen, as a television series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
This is a debut novel by C.L. Miller which takes place in the world of antiques. Antiques, murder, sketchy characters, this novel has a sort of Agatha Christie-esque vibe to it. If this were made into a show, someone had suggested Emily Blunt as Freya and Dame Helen Miren as her elderly aunt, and I agree. I would most definitely tune in for it.
So now for the painful honest review of the writing part. Aside from the typos and grammar errors that need to be corrected, some of the plot needed to be spruced up to make the story flow better. The novel dragged on until the half way point, and although it picked up significantly after that,there were too many new characters and not enough back story to make me care. The humorous parts needed to contain actual humor, and overall this was a bit too dry and boring. I do think that this whole book would work better on screen, as a television series.
Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Read
August 11, 2025Detective novel about antiques written by the offspring of one of the Antiques Roadshow people. The writing is workmanlike (except for the wandering points of view), but it's gratingly repetitive, the characters uninvolving and the pacing slow. Much of this could and should have been fixed by an editor but why bother if the author has a TV connection, I guess. Regrettable as the antiques should make for a brilliant setting, but DNF at 50%,
June 14, 2024
middle aged women who go on crazy adventures i love you!!!
April 15, 2024
Notable because the author is the daughter of one of the experts on Antiques Roadshow--and the sections about antiques and her relationship to that are the most engrossing parts. The mystery kept my interest, too, though the ending was not as exciting as it could have been.
The writing is also a bit uneven; sometimes I was really into what was happening and sometimes--often--my mind wandered. But enjoyable enough, though the 40+ quotations from a dead mentor that opened each chapter got really wearisome. And I'm not sure this is compelling enough to follow for years through a series.
Audio Notes: Nicely done.
The writing is also a bit uneven; sometimes I was really into what was happening and sometimes--often--my mind wandered. But enjoyable enough, though the 40+ quotations from a dead mentor that opened each chapter got really wearisome. And I'm not sure this is compelling enough to follow for years through a series.
Audio Notes: Nicely done.
December 31, 2023
4⭐️
I know absolutely nothing about the world of antiques but this made for a really fun and unique murder mystery! It kept me guessing until the very end
I know absolutely nothing about the world of antiques but this made for a really fun and unique murder mystery! It kept me guessing until the very end
March 17, 2024
Cara Miller is the daughter of the late Judith Miller, an antiques expert. As a frequent viewer of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, this book appealed to me immediately. The author’s knowledge and interest in antiques comes through clearly and this, combined with an intriguing murder mystery, makes for an entertaining and engrossing read.
Freya Lockwood was a professional antique hunter, seeking out stolen antiquities and returning them to their rightful owners. However a traumatic experience and a falling out with her mentor, Arthur Crockleford 20 years previously had led her to cut all contact with him – that is until her surrogate mother/Aunt Carole advises that her best friend Arthur has died, seemingly in suspicious circumstances. Freya is very fond of her Aunt and it is for her that she returns to her childhood village and to Arthur’s antique shop.
It appears that Arthur had more faith in Freya than she did in herself. After a bad marriage Freya’s confidence is at rock bottom and she is rather a fragile character but a series of clues has been left and Freya needs to call upon her long put aside skills to decipher them.
With each chapter headed by a relevant hint from Arthur, the story is told mainly from Freya’s perspective. This mystery contains all the elements for an intriguing story – an old house, dubious characters, some with murderous intent and of course antiques. You don’t need to have any special interest in the subject matter to enjoy the murder mystery conundrum. I had my suspicions about various people, some I correctly guessed and with others I was way off beam. Freya and Carole work well together – elderly Aunt Carole was a gregarious and glamorous character, her former acting career being put to use well here. It becomes clear that past events must be revisited to solve the present mystery.
TAHGTM is in essence a cosy mystery but with a difference being set in the world of antiques. I very much enjoyed it – there were characters I could believe in and root for and the twists and turns kept my interest. I believe this is the first in a series and I’m certainly interested to follow future adventures of this very capable duo.
Freya Lockwood was a professional antique hunter, seeking out stolen antiquities and returning them to their rightful owners. However a traumatic experience and a falling out with her mentor, Arthur Crockleford 20 years previously had led her to cut all contact with him – that is until her surrogate mother/Aunt Carole advises that her best friend Arthur has died, seemingly in suspicious circumstances. Freya is very fond of her Aunt and it is for her that she returns to her childhood village and to Arthur’s antique shop.
It appears that Arthur had more faith in Freya than she did in herself. After a bad marriage Freya’s confidence is at rock bottom and she is rather a fragile character but a series of clues has been left and Freya needs to call upon her long put aside skills to decipher them.
With each chapter headed by a relevant hint from Arthur, the story is told mainly from Freya’s perspective. This mystery contains all the elements for an intriguing story – an old house, dubious characters, some with murderous intent and of course antiques. You don’t need to have any special interest in the subject matter to enjoy the murder mystery conundrum. I had my suspicions about various people, some I correctly guessed and with others I was way off beam. Freya and Carole work well together – elderly Aunt Carole was a gregarious and glamorous character, her former acting career being put to use well here. It becomes clear that past events must be revisited to solve the present mystery.
TAHGTM is in essence a cosy mystery but with a difference being set in the world of antiques. I very much enjoyed it – there were characters I could believe in and root for and the twists and turns kept my interest. I believe this is the first in a series and I’m certainly interested to follow future adventures of this very capable duo.
February 27, 2024
This was a fun cozy mystery debut with a great mystery, interesting premise and excellent on audio too. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more from this new author!! Perfect for fans of books like The maid and The Thursday murder club.
October 29, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of
The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder.
The premise and title was eye catching and I was excited to read this.
** Minor antique-y spoilers ahead **
Freya Lockwood has returned home after an extended absence when a family friend and former mentor is found dead in his antique shop.
Her eccentric aunt Carole is convinced her friend was murdered and enlists a reluctant Freya to investigate the case.
Soon, Freya is drawn back into the world of antique hunting, a profession she was uniquely suited for but left after a tragedy years ago and discovers shocking revelations that puts her past and present in a new light.
First, I liked the setup and the relationship between Freya and her aunt.
I can see this as an ongoing miniseries on the BBC.
An idyllic small town, beautiful countryside, and nefarious bad guys lurking in the background. This needs to be a series!
Second, I also enjoyed learning about the antiques Freya observed, its origins and history, the aspects of antique hunting (not for the faint of heart), and all the laborious work that goes into procuring, locating, and hunting down priceless works of art.
Third, I like how Freya is empowered by solving Arthur's death, but I didn't like her enough that I would want to be friends with her.
The writing was good and flowed well but I didn't like the multiple POVs.
Some of the character perspectives were unnecessary, IMO, and felt like filler.
There were many characters, and I forgot who was who and who was the bad guy and what they did.
Also, the pacing dragged at times, the narrative tedious as the characters bantered back and forth and Freya kept thinking about how angry she was about her ex and how much she missed her daughter.
The narrative wan't very suspenseful or fast paced, but this was a decent debut with an interesting premise.
The premise and title was eye catching and I was excited to read this.
** Minor antique-y spoilers ahead **
Freya Lockwood has returned home after an extended absence when a family friend and former mentor is found dead in his antique shop.
Her eccentric aunt Carole is convinced her friend was murdered and enlists a reluctant Freya to investigate the case.
Soon, Freya is drawn back into the world of antique hunting, a profession she was uniquely suited for but left after a tragedy years ago and discovers shocking revelations that puts her past and present in a new light.
First, I liked the setup and the relationship between Freya and her aunt.
I can see this as an ongoing miniseries on the BBC.
An idyllic small town, beautiful countryside, and nefarious bad guys lurking in the background. This needs to be a series!
Second, I also enjoyed learning about the antiques Freya observed, its origins and history, the aspects of antique hunting (not for the faint of heart), and all the laborious work that goes into procuring, locating, and hunting down priceless works of art.
Third, I like how Freya is empowered by solving Arthur's death, but I didn't like her enough that I would want to be friends with her.
The writing was good and flowed well but I didn't like the multiple POVs.
Some of the character perspectives were unnecessary, IMO, and felt like filler.
There were many characters, and I forgot who was who and who was the bad guy and what they did.
Also, the pacing dragged at times, the narrative tedious as the characters bantered back and forth and Freya kept thinking about how angry she was about her ex and how much she missed her daughter.
The narrative wan't very suspenseful or fast paced, but this was a decent debut with an interesting premise.
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