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Bella Winter Mystery #1
The Antique Store Detective
Meet Bella Winter. She loves vintage clothes, antiques and… solving crimes? Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems. But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered. It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…? As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?
326 pages, Paperback
First published August 7, 2024
2192 people are currently reading
648 people want to read
About the author
Clare Chase
35 books317 followersClare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium.
As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 104 reviews
August 7, 2024
The first book in a new series about Bella Winter who owns and runs an antique store.
Early in the story she comes across a body and later there is another one. The local police do not seem to be very capable so Bella and her group of friends begin an investigation. There is a lot of interesting information about lost treasure and something called nighthawking, which is when people trespass on private property and use metal detectors to help them dig up historical remains which may be worth a great deal of money.
The mystery is good as is the group of friends once you have adjusted to all the different names. Poor Bella does not get much romance although there is a hint that the next door neighbour with the Houdini-like cat may get more pages in the next book. I will certainly be up for reading book 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
Early in the story she comes across a body and later there is another one. The local police do not seem to be very capable so Bella and her group of friends begin an investigation. There is a lot of interesting information about lost treasure and something called nighthawking, which is when people trespass on private property and use metal detectors to help them dig up historical remains which may be worth a great deal of money.
The mystery is good as is the group of friends once you have adjusted to all the different names. Poor Bella does not get much romance although there is a hint that the next door neighbour with the Houdini-like cat may get more pages in the next book. I will certainly be up for reading book 2.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
August 6, 2024
The Antique Store Detective by Clare Chase
Synopsis /
Meet Bella Winter. She loves vintage clothes, antiques and… solving crimes?
Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems.
But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered. It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…?
As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Bookouture, and author Clare Chase, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for August 7, 2024.
Author, Clare Chase is no stranger to classic mystery writing. She’s authored two classic mystery series, each one featuring a female protagonist - Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe. The Antique Store Detective is my first read by this author. I was drawn to the story by its title or, more specifically, the words “Antique Store”. Have you ever walked into an antique shop, where the smells and collections have left you feeling nostalgic and full of memories? This feeling is precisely why I love antique shops; whether you are searching for a specific piece or for a little inspiration, antique shops offer many beautiful (pre-loved) collections waiting to be adopted and taken home.
Bella Winter owns and operates an antiques store in the small village of Hope Eaton called Vintage Winter. Bella’s late father was a police officer and would have loved for his only daughter to carry on in his footsteps; but although Bella inherited her father’s keen mind and “investigative” nature, Bella’s love of all things old won out. Moving from London back to Hope Eaton, into the former home of her late father, provided Bella with some wonderful memories, and although the home’s previous owners had made some upgrades; unfortunately, a new boiler was not one of them. So when the old boiler finally gave up the ghost (mid-shower eek!), Clare was left with no heating or hot water until a repair could be scheduled. A phone call to her mother provided a fortuitous answer to her problem of where to stay until the boiler could be repaired. Raven Hall, the stately home of Harvey and Alexis Howard - and friends of Bella’s mother. The husband and wife had plenty of empty rooms just begging to have visitors.
The following morning, when Bella departs Raven Hall to return home, she discovers the body of a local retired professor and nighthawking enthusiast, Professor Oliver Barton. The Professor’s life had come to a gruesome conclusion when, it appeared, he had been hit on the head with a rock while nighthawking on Raven Hall grounds. Ever her father’s daughter, Bella finds herself investigating the suspicious death of Professor Barton just as her father would have had he still been alive.
Bookish Yays:
🌟Location, Location, Location - small English village - stately manor house - yes please!
🌟Plot threads - loved the “nighthawking” element. The term "nighthawking" describes the illegal search and removal of artefacts using metal detectors by people who don't have permission to be on the land.
History lesson incoming!
"See a penny, pick it up and all that day you'll have good luck" (I first heard that little rhyme on an episode of Laverne & Shirley, an American sitcom that ran in the late 70s) - it's something we've all told ourselves on those harmless occasions we've spotted small change on the ground.
But there are times when pocketing the odd silver or gold coin truly breaks the law. According to many heritage groups, illegal metal detecting - or "nighthawking" as it is more commonly known - is sweeping the spine of the east of England, and robbing Englanders of a chance to examine the past and causing damage and strife to landowners. Nighthawking isn't a new problem - it has been around since the 1970s - but the scale of the issue wasn't fully appreciated until 2009 when a national survey, external commissioned by English Heritage revealed 240 sites were affected by the activity between 1995 and 2008.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🧐 Pace - I found the pacing slow going. There was a lot to set up at the beginning of the story - lots of characters and filling in their backstories; by the time I got to the investigation I found I was less invested in the whole thing. Which is a good segue for my next mixed bag -
🧐 Length - it would have benefited with some careful editing.
🧐 This reader also wasn’t a fan of the protagonist’s portrayal of the local police sergeant, Detective Sergeant Barry Dixon. Our protagonist didn’t hold back on her dislike of the local Detective Sergeant. However, this reader had a lot of empathy for him, I mean the guy is a small fish in an even smaller pond (police force), he has four children all of whom are under seven; his wife is a vet who is out at all hours and often calls on Barry to assist her when he’s off duty. Cut him some slack Bella!
3 ✨ rounded up to 3.5
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetective #NetGalley
Synopsis /
Meet Bella Winter. She loves vintage clothes, antiques and… solving crimes?
Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems.
But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered. It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…?
As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?
My Thoughts /
First and foremost, a huge THANK YOU to NetGalley, publisher Bookouture, and author Clare Chase, for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review. Publication date is currently set for August 7, 2024.
Author, Clare Chase is no stranger to classic mystery writing. She’s authored two classic mystery series, each one featuring a female protagonist - Eve Mallow and Tara Thorpe. The Antique Store Detective is my first read by this author. I was drawn to the story by its title or, more specifically, the words “Antique Store”. Have you ever walked into an antique shop, where the smells and collections have left you feeling nostalgic and full of memories? This feeling is precisely why I love antique shops; whether you are searching for a specific piece or for a little inspiration, antique shops offer many beautiful (pre-loved) collections waiting to be adopted and taken home.
Bella Winter owns and operates an antiques store in the small village of Hope Eaton called Vintage Winter. Bella’s late father was a police officer and would have loved for his only daughter to carry on in his footsteps; but although Bella inherited her father’s keen mind and “investigative” nature, Bella’s love of all things old won out. Moving from London back to Hope Eaton, into the former home of her late father, provided Bella with some wonderful memories, and although the home’s previous owners had made some upgrades; unfortunately, a new boiler was not one of them. So when the old boiler finally gave up the ghost (mid-shower eek!), Clare was left with no heating or hot water until a repair could be scheduled. A phone call to her mother provided a fortuitous answer to her problem of where to stay until the boiler could be repaired. Raven Hall, the stately home of Harvey and Alexis Howard - and friends of Bella’s mother. The husband and wife had plenty of empty rooms just begging to have visitors.
The following morning, when Bella departs Raven Hall to return home, she discovers the body of a local retired professor and nighthawking enthusiast, Professor Oliver Barton. The Professor’s life had come to a gruesome conclusion when, it appeared, he had been hit on the head with a rock while nighthawking on Raven Hall grounds. Ever her father’s daughter, Bella finds herself investigating the suspicious death of Professor Barton just as her father would have had he still been alive.
Bookish Yays:
🌟Location, Location, Location - small English village - stately manor house - yes please!
🌟Plot threads - loved the “nighthawking” element. The term "nighthawking" describes the illegal search and removal of artefacts using metal detectors by people who don't have permission to be on the land.
History lesson incoming!
"See a penny, pick it up and all that day you'll have good luck" (I first heard that little rhyme on an episode of Laverne & Shirley, an American sitcom that ran in the late 70s) - it's something we've all told ourselves on those harmless occasions we've spotted small change on the ground.
But there are times when pocketing the odd silver or gold coin truly breaks the law. According to many heritage groups, illegal metal detecting - or "nighthawking" as it is more commonly known - is sweeping the spine of the east of England, and robbing Englanders of a chance to examine the past and causing damage and strife to landowners. Nighthawking isn't a new problem - it has been around since the 1970s - but the scale of the issue wasn't fully appreciated until 2009 when a national survey, external commissioned by English Heritage revealed 240 sites were affected by the activity between 1995 and 2008.
Bookish Mixed Bags:
🧐 Pace - I found the pacing slow going. There was a lot to set up at the beginning of the story - lots of characters and filling in their backstories; by the time I got to the investigation I found I was less invested in the whole thing. Which is a good segue for my next mixed bag -
🧐 Length - it would have benefited with some careful editing.
🧐 This reader also wasn’t a fan of the protagonist’s portrayal of the local police sergeant, Detective Sergeant Barry Dixon. Our protagonist didn’t hold back on her dislike of the local Detective Sergeant. However, this reader had a lot of empathy for him, I mean the guy is a small fish in an even smaller pond (police force), he has four children all of whom are under seven; his wife is a vet who is out at all hours and often calls on Barry to assist her when he’s off duty. Cut him some slack Bella!
3 ✨ rounded up to 3.5
With thanks to NetGalley and especially to Bookouture Publishing for the much appreciated arc in return for an honest review.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetective #NetGalley
April 25, 2025
While the storyline began interestingly with the death of a soon-to-be-discovered treasure hunter, the plot moved so slowly that it could put the reader to sleep within just one chapter. Added to the glacial pace of the storyline were the stodgy and insipid characters. This is a one-and-done for me.
June 27, 2024
Hope Eaton is where Bella Winter's late dad was a police officer and, now she's quit her job at a London antique shop, where she now runs her own store, Vintage Winter. When a body is discovered near the ancestral home where she had spent the previous night, Bella finds herself investigating just as her father would have.
To the surprise of some of those who knew the well-respected victim, it is revealed that they were a nighthawk, spending their nights digging for buried treasure to keep for themselves. With plenty of suspects and secrets to unravel, Bella recruits her assistant at Vintage Winter and some of his family to help. After a second body is discovered, the investigation becomes more urgent and dangerous. Can they solve the mystery, or have they instead put themselves in the killer’s sights?
When an author whose work you love announces a new series, it's exciting and a bit worrying at the same time. This was the case here as I love the Eve Mallow series, but I think, given time, Bella will also become much loved. The storyline flows as easily as I'd expected, and I'm really glad Bella is very different to Eve. She is confident, a little prickly at times, and happy to work alone or with help, and I look forward to getting to know her better.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great start to a new series, and those who love Clare Chase's writing are once again in for a treat.
To the surprise of some of those who knew the well-respected victim, it is revealed that they were a nighthawk, spending their nights digging for buried treasure to keep for themselves. With plenty of suspects and secrets to unravel, Bella recruits her assistant at Vintage Winter and some of his family to help. After a second body is discovered, the investigation becomes more urgent and dangerous. Can they solve the mystery, or have they instead put themselves in the killer’s sights?
When an author whose work you love announces a new series, it's exciting and a bit worrying at the same time. This was the case here as I love the Eve Mallow series, but I think, given time, Bella will also become much loved. The storyline flows as easily as I'd expected, and I'm really glad Bella is very different to Eve. She is confident, a little prickly at times, and happy to work alone or with help, and I look forward to getting to know her better.
I was able to read an advanced copy of this thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, Bookouture, but the opinions expressed are my own. This is a great start to a new series, and those who love Clare Chase's writing are once again in for a treat.
July 30, 2024
Main character, Bella, seems like a likeable person. She is starting up her own antique store. On top of that, she gets drawn into a mysterious death of someone she vaguely knew. Bella is not overly happy with how the police are doing with the investigation. Along with her colleague, John, she starts her own investigation into what happened.
Bella’s father had been detective before he passed away. Will Bella take on his legacy?
The Antique Store Detective was a cozy murder mystery read. There are many plot twists that have you wondering where the story is going.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Bella’s father had been detective before he passed away. Will Bella take on his legacy?
The Antique Store Detective was a cozy murder mystery read. There are many plot twists that have you wondering where the story is going.
Thank you NetGalley, Bookouture and the author for the opportunity to read this book for my honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.
September 6, 2024
So great to discover a new contemporary, cosy murder mystery
This time with a detective who likes antiques and their history.
Her father was a detective in the local police in years gone by
So sleuthing is in her blood and she can't resist solving mysteries to try!
This all starts after her an emergency stay
With a local couple who live not far away.
After that night she was off home but on her way
Finding a dead body certainly spoiled her day!
Asked by a friend to look into what really happened there
Bella and John will need to take great care.
What first appeared to be an accident is now a more suspicious scene
Especially from what John knows of the victim and four queens.
The list of possible suspects for foul play
Seems to grow larger day by day.
Can Bella and John, with the help of others,
Be sure that the truth they will uncover?
With lies, secrets and surprises, too,
This is the first in a series that is new.
I loved the sense of community and friendships, too,
With an intriguing plot and so many things to go through!
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
This time with a detective who likes antiques and their history.
Her father was a detective in the local police in years gone by
So sleuthing is in her blood and she can't resist solving mysteries to try!
This all starts after her an emergency stay
With a local couple who live not far away.
After that night she was off home but on her way
Finding a dead body certainly spoiled her day!
Asked by a friend to look into what really happened there
Bella and John will need to take great care.
What first appeared to be an accident is now a more suspicious scene
Especially from what John knows of the victim and four queens.
The list of possible suspects for foul play
Seems to grow larger day by day.
Can Bella and John, with the help of others,
Be sure that the truth they will uncover?
With lies, secrets and surprises, too,
This is the first in a series that is new.
I loved the sense of community and friendships, too,
With an intriguing plot and so many things to go through!
For my copy of this book I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
October 22, 2024
I love cosy crime, and this book looked like it would tick all the boxes. An antique store owner is the perfect amateur sleuth, and the setting was a lovely village that seemed like it would be delightful to visit. The cover looked great, really leaning into a cosy crime style.
The beginning was fun - the crime was discovered with a suitable amount of intrigue, and the sleuth was off on the case. Strange things happened and more clues were uncovered, and the protagonist bought and sold antiques.
Unfortunately I didn't really engage with the protagonist. She seemed to look down on others without any particular reason - such as the police who seemed pretty overworked and underappreciated. In other ways Bella was great - I appreciated her antiques background and her style.
The plot was pretty slow, which compounded with my disengagement with the main character. While I enjoyed elements of this book, I didn't end up finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ebook copy of the novel.
The beginning was fun - the crime was discovered with a suitable amount of intrigue, and the sleuth was off on the case. Strange things happened and more clues were uncovered, and the protagonist bought and sold antiques.
Unfortunately I didn't really engage with the protagonist. She seemed to look down on others without any particular reason - such as the police who seemed pretty overworked and underappreciated. In other ways Bella was great - I appreciated her antiques background and her style.
The plot was pretty slow, which compounded with my disengagement with the main character. While I enjoyed elements of this book, I didn't end up finishing it.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing an ebook copy of the novel.
August 8, 2024
Bella Winter is quite naturally stressed out after finding a dead body. As she is now the owner of an antique store, Bella is no stranger to mysteries. She revels in finding the best deals, talking to her customers, and even lending an ear when they want to share their issues with her. While Bella is fairly certain that the police will find the killer, after her coworker asks her to look into things, what else is she to do? The situation is especially significant for Bella as the victim recently had something of great importance in his possession shortly before his death.
All the while Bella cannot help but remember her father and how he was so successful with investigations. This makes her miss him madly. But when things begin to point to a mysterious connection to her father, Bella really digs deep for answers.
The Antique Store Detective is the first book in a new series, presenting Bella as a likable and competent character. I look forward to continuing this series and seeing Bella solving more crimes. Also, the setting of her owning an antique shop is quite clever. Having thoroughly loved Clare Chase’s Eve Mallow series, I know I am going to enjoy this new series just as much.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 15, 2024
The Antique Store Detective is the first of a wonderful new cosy crime series by Clare Chase who some of you may recognise as the author of the very successful Eve Mallow series.
Bella Winter runs the local Antique Store with her assistant John and when a broken boiler at her flat has her staying with a friend of her mothers, little does she realise the adventure this will take her on. Staying at Raven House is definitely an eye opener for her when she is leaving the next morning and discovers a dead body on the grounds. The body is Oliver Barton, a local Professor and with the help of John who knew the victim, they decide to investigate. I’m not sure going to the Professors house at midnight and snooping around is actually allowed but I’m all for it!
Bella is a lovely leading character, she comes across as a bit of a loner and still clearly mourning her late father who was a policeman which is where she seems to get her investigative skills from as she is convinced Oliver was actually murdered despite their not being a lot of evidence that suggests this. Along with John and his brother and wife and assortment of friends, they learn a bit more about the Professor’s activities which weren’t altogether legal…..
Although this is set a bit in the antique world, you aren’t bogged down with a lot of bamboozling information but instead given a more gentle lesson into this world particularly the less legal side.
I did have a few suspicions about where the plot was potentially leading but instead I think I had correctly predicted half (which is actually quite good for me!)
A very promising start from the author.
Bella Winter runs the local Antique Store with her assistant John and when a broken boiler at her flat has her staying with a friend of her mothers, little does she realise the adventure this will take her on. Staying at Raven House is definitely an eye opener for her when she is leaving the next morning and discovers a dead body on the grounds. The body is Oliver Barton, a local Professor and with the help of John who knew the victim, they decide to investigate. I’m not sure going to the Professors house at midnight and snooping around is actually allowed but I’m all for it!
Bella is a lovely leading character, she comes across as a bit of a loner and still clearly mourning her late father who was a policeman which is where she seems to get her investigative skills from as she is convinced Oliver was actually murdered despite their not being a lot of evidence that suggests this. Along with John and his brother and wife and assortment of friends, they learn a bit more about the Professor’s activities which weren’t altogether legal…..
Although this is set a bit in the antique world, you aren’t bogged down with a lot of bamboozling information but instead given a more gentle lesson into this world particularly the less legal side.
I did have a few suspicions about where the plot was potentially leading but instead I think I had correctly predicted half (which is actually quite good for me!)
A very promising start from the author.
September 4, 2024
The Antique Store Detective is the first book of the Bella Winter mystery series. I enjoyed the antique-y theme of this book and the location. The pace was a bit slow at times; however, there are also quite a few characters to try and keep straight. It is worth it to stick it out to the end as it has an exciting / climatic finish! A good vacation read!
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this e-ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for this e-ARC.
August 8, 2024
I know absolutely nothing about antiques, and yet cozy mysteries dealing with antiques and antique shops have been among some of my favourites in the past year (maybe it’s a growing sub-genre?) In any case, while I love the idea of antique and vintage furniture, and the excitement of auctions and hunting down treasures, this is one hobby I’m definitely going to enjoy from afar. So, I was definitely interested in starting this new series by Clare Chase.
Bella is very content with life in her small village and her little antique store. I loved meeting the people of Hope Eaton, including all the members of the Jenks family, like Bella’s employee John. While there were quite a few “regular” characters introduced, but they all had pretty distinct personalities and it was never hard to keep track of everyone and what their roles were.
And they definitely had their roles. Whether due to their occupation or their village connections, Bella puts all her friends to work solving this case. I found it really fun to see them all get in on the action. Usually the amateur sleuths in mysteries work alone, or with one other trusted person (sometimes from the police force), but Bella definitely has a whole crew along for the ride! While Bella is still the “main sleuther”, many of her circle provide valuable clues or insights as well.
Which is probably just as well, since the local police force seems to be too distracted or busy to bother solving not one, but two, suspicious deaths! It was almost funny how non-existent they were as Bella dug up all the clues, narrowed in on the suspects, and solved the murder. Maybe next time they’ll be more involved?
In any case, there was plenty of action to keep things moving along and it did take me awhile to hone in on who I thought the murderer was. There were lots of great clues, red herrings, and misdirects to keep the reader guessing and the conclusion and reveal was quite satisfying.
*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
Bella is very content with life in her small village and her little antique store. I loved meeting the people of Hope Eaton, including all the members of the Jenks family, like Bella’s employee John. While there were quite a few “regular” characters introduced, but they all had pretty distinct personalities and it was never hard to keep track of everyone and what their roles were.
And they definitely had their roles. Whether due to their occupation or their village connections, Bella puts all her friends to work solving this case. I found it really fun to see them all get in on the action. Usually the amateur sleuths in mysteries work alone, or with one other trusted person (sometimes from the police force), but Bella definitely has a whole crew along for the ride! While Bella is still the “main sleuther”, many of her circle provide valuable clues or insights as well.
Which is probably just as well, since the local police force seems to be too distracted or busy to bother solving not one, but two, suspicious deaths! It was almost funny how non-existent they were as Bella dug up all the clues, narrowed in on the suspects, and solved the murder. Maybe next time they’ll be more involved?
In any case, there was plenty of action to keep things moving along and it did take me awhile to hone in on who I thought the murderer was. There were lots of great clues, red herrings, and misdirects to keep the reader guessing and the conclusion and reveal was quite satisfying.
*** Thank you to the publisher, Bookouture, for providing me with an e-copy of this book via Netgalley for review purposes.
December 14, 2025
I don't know what to say about this book. It sounded good but I was almost halfway into the audio book and completely bored. In fact I'm having trouble remembering much about the portion I read and I only gave up on this yesterday.
This just wasn't a book for me. Moving on.
This just wasn't a book for me. Moving on.
June 7, 2025
It was slow, but it was decent. I did like it, and the cast of characters. I might continue the series. Depends on how long they are… it was a long one!
August 5, 2024
The Antique Store Detective is my introduction to Clare Chase. Now I know that she is the author of two mystery series featuring female protagonists: she’s previously written the Eve Mallow series and the Tara Thorpe series. The old-fashioned cover of this book caught my attention! The Antique Store Detective takes us to the UK and the charming town of Hope Eaton, where Bella Winter has opened a little antique shop. She’s moved into the former home of her late father, who was a policeman and had a great influence on his daughter. The flat’s previous owners had made some wonderful upgrades; unfortunately, a new boiler does not seem to be one of them. By chance, her mother called as Clare was scheduling a repair, and she’s arranged for Clare to stay with friends of hers. Clare protests, but reluctantly agrees.
While she feels like an awkward guest, the visit proves to be eventful in a totally unexpected way. After thanking her hosts and heading for the shop the next morning, Clare stumbles upon the body of a man near the ruins of Raven House, where she had just spent the night. The dead man is identified as Professor Oliver Barton, who was familiar to many in the town, especially those who patronized the local inn, the Blue Boar. Oliver was known for his tippling as well as his gambling. Clare also discovers his habit of nighthawking, and the reader soon learns that the adage, “like father, like son,” applies to daughters too. Clare seems to be a chip off the old block as she has caught the detecting bug, and her instincts tell her that Oliver’s death was no accident.
John Jenks, her employee and friend, is related to or knows almost everyone in town, it seems. Soon Clare, John and a group of others who knew Oliver assemble to put their heads together and compare notes. They discuss the man and potential suspects. There is a plethora of characters in this story, and I could not keep them straight. The plot struck me as overly long and at times, redundant. However, by about the 75% mark, my interest piqued, and the finale was quite exciting. I liked the antique store as a backdrop as well as the gatherings at the pubs and restaurants with the locals. This book may not be “homey” enough for some cozy fans, but it does have its moments.
I received a digital copy of The Antique Store Detective in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Clare Chase.
3 stars
While she feels like an awkward guest, the visit proves to be eventful in a totally unexpected way. After thanking her hosts and heading for the shop the next morning, Clare stumbles upon the body of a man near the ruins of Raven House, where she had just spent the night. The dead man is identified as Professor Oliver Barton, who was familiar to many in the town, especially those who patronized the local inn, the Blue Boar. Oliver was known for his tippling as well as his gambling. Clare also discovers his habit of nighthawking, and the reader soon learns that the adage, “like father, like son,” applies to daughters too. Clare seems to be a chip off the old block as she has caught the detecting bug, and her instincts tell her that Oliver’s death was no accident.
John Jenks, her employee and friend, is related to or knows almost everyone in town, it seems. Soon Clare, John and a group of others who knew Oliver assemble to put their heads together and compare notes. They discuss the man and potential suspects. There is a plethora of characters in this story, and I could not keep them straight. The plot struck me as overly long and at times, redundant. However, by about the 75% mark, my interest piqued, and the finale was quite exciting. I liked the antique store as a backdrop as well as the gatherings at the pubs and restaurants with the locals. This book may not be “homey” enough for some cozy fans, but it does have its moments.
I received a digital copy of The Antique Store Detective in exchange for my honest review. My opinions are my own. Thanks to NetGalley, Bookouture, and Clare Chase.
3 stars
August 12, 2024
"The Antique Store Detective" is book #1 in the "Bella Winter Mystery" series by Clare Chase.
"Meet Bella Winter. She loves vintage clothes, antiques and… solving crimes? Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems. But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered. It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…? As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?"
My thoughts:
It took me several chapters to get into this story. The sequence of events that lead to Bella discovering the body of the Professor felt excruciatingly awkward. Granted, some of those events did provide more info in hindsight, but the getting there was just weird. The detective assigned to the case was pretty much useless so it was clearly up to Bella and her friends to get to the truth. Bella and John work well together - in the antique store and also in detective work even though John can be a bit reluctant to go along with her ideas. Their friends are an interesting and diverse group. They pretty much all want to be part of solving the murders.
As for the murders? So many of the suspects were keeping secrets, it was a challenge to sort out the truth. I only twigged to who was responsible a few pages before Bella figured it out. The reveal of "who" and "why" as well as the climactic takedown were well done.
I've really enjoyed Ms. Chase's "Eve Mallow" series, so hadn't hesitated to order this Kindle ebook. As I said, it did take me awhile to get into the story but I also found it easy to put down which isn't always a good thing. The story did get much better as it went along - it just took a long time to get there. Now that readers are familiar with the key players, the second book that comes out in January 2025 may be easier to get into. Time will tell.
Overall a uniquely different read.
"Meet Bella Winter. She loves vintage clothes, antiques and… solving crimes? Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems. But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered. It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…? As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?"
My thoughts:
It took me several chapters to get into this story. The sequence of events that lead to Bella discovering the body of the Professor felt excruciatingly awkward. Granted, some of those events did provide more info in hindsight, but the getting there was just weird. The detective assigned to the case was pretty much useless so it was clearly up to Bella and her friends to get to the truth. Bella and John work well together - in the antique store and also in detective work even though John can be a bit reluctant to go along with her ideas. Their friends are an interesting and diverse group. They pretty much all want to be part of solving the murders.
As for the murders? So many of the suspects were keeping secrets, it was a challenge to sort out the truth. I only twigged to who was responsible a few pages before Bella figured it out. The reveal of "who" and "why" as well as the climactic takedown were well done.
I've really enjoyed Ms. Chase's "Eve Mallow" series, so hadn't hesitated to order this Kindle ebook. As I said, it did take me awhile to get into the story but I also found it easy to put down which isn't always a good thing. The story did get much better as it went along - it just took a long time to get there. Now that readers are familiar with the key players, the second book that comes out in January 2025 may be easier to get into. Time will tell.
Overall a uniquely different read.
August 11, 2024
3.5 Stars
One Liner: Good but too slow
Bella Winter moved to Hope Eaton after quitting her job in London. She starts an antique store, using her expertise to make a living.
When Bella finds Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, she doesn’t think it is murder. However, her assistant, John, asks her to look into the matter due to his suspicions. Soon, Bella realizes something is going on. When another historian’s life ends, it’s up to her to solve the case and avoid becoming the next target.
The story comes in Bella’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
As the first book in a new series, this one establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and solves a mystery. That means we have many new side characters (some are related) to track along with the suspects who pop up from time to time.
The narration is slow-paced, something I did not expect from this book. It feels as if the plot drags, which doesn’t make the story as appealing as it should be.
The premise is actually good. The case kind of overlaps with the MC’s area of expertise (or is adjacent to it). The writing is good too. I wasn’t bored much since there was some new development or information shared regularly. However, it felt like the % wouldn’t move no matter how much I read.
Having a 40+ single FMC is nice. She does seem to act her age so far. I do love her fashion sense. She loves wearing smart clothes from the bygone eras, and the descriptions are super cool. She’s got a backstory too. We get snippets here and there to get an idea about her arc.
The setting is cozy but with a touch of darkness. Suits the season as well! The antique shop adds to the layers. We see the MC in her stores and listen to her observations of customers and how she gets them right most of the time. (It is nice when the sleuth also follows her original profession in cozy mysteries)
There are more than enough suspects to keep the reader engaged. Each of them seems likely to have a motive. The reveal is logical and brings everything together. Though we get a lengthy explanation, it occurs before the action which leads to a final conclusion.
John could be Bella’s brainy Watson but needs some personality. Right now, their conversations are bland. I think it was supposed to be dry humor but it didn’t come across that way. I’m willing to give it a chance, so let’s see.
To summarize, The Antique Store Detective is not a bad cozy mystery. It is a good book with likable characters and a well-planned plot. However, the too-slow pacing and a long list of characters don’t help. Still, I will read the next book to see how it goes.
This is the author’s genre, so I’m hoping the subsequent books will get better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheAntiqueStoreDetective
One Liner: Good but too slow
Bella Winter moved to Hope Eaton after quitting her job in London. She starts an antique store, using her expertise to make a living.
When Bella finds Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, she doesn’t think it is murder. However, her assistant, John, asks her to look into the matter due to his suspicions. Soon, Bella realizes something is going on. When another historian’s life ends, it’s up to her to solve the case and avoid becoming the next target.
The story comes in Bella’s third-person POV.
My Thoughts:
As the first book in a new series, this one establishes the setting, introduces the characters, and solves a mystery. That means we have many new side characters (some are related) to track along with the suspects who pop up from time to time.
The narration is slow-paced, something I did not expect from this book. It feels as if the plot drags, which doesn’t make the story as appealing as it should be.
The premise is actually good. The case kind of overlaps with the MC’s area of expertise (or is adjacent to it). The writing is good too. I wasn’t bored much since there was some new development or information shared regularly. However, it felt like the % wouldn’t move no matter how much I read.
Having a 40+ single FMC is nice. She does seem to act her age so far. I do love her fashion sense. She loves wearing smart clothes from the bygone eras, and the descriptions are super cool. She’s got a backstory too. We get snippets here and there to get an idea about her arc.
The setting is cozy but with a touch of darkness. Suits the season as well! The antique shop adds to the layers. We see the MC in her stores and listen to her observations of customers and how she gets them right most of the time. (It is nice when the sleuth also follows her original profession in cozy mysteries)
There are more than enough suspects to keep the reader engaged. Each of them seems likely to have a motive. The reveal is logical and brings everything together. Though we get a lengthy explanation, it occurs before the action which leads to a final conclusion.
John could be Bella’s brainy Watson but needs some personality. Right now, their conversations are bland. I think it was supposed to be dry humor but it didn’t come across that way. I’m willing to give it a chance, so let’s see.
To summarize, The Antique Store Detective is not a bad cozy mystery. It is a good book with likable characters and a well-planned plot. However, the too-slow pacing and a long list of characters don’t help. Still, I will read the next book to see how it goes.
This is the author’s genre, so I’m hoping the subsequent books will get better.
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.
#NetGalley #TheAntiqueStoreDetective
November 24, 2025
This one took me forever to get through. I enjoyed the beginning and the end but the middle was a slog where nothing new happened and the same details were rehashed over and over again.
Bella owns an antique store and employes John as her assistant. John's brother, Matt, is her neighbor and his other brother, Leo, owns the nearby coffee shop. Their parents, Jeanie and Peter, own the local pub. They all assist Bella in her investigation into the death of Oliver, a history professor, who Bella found dead at the site of a local ruin. Having her heating conk out, Bella goes to stay with friends of her mother, Alexis and Harvey, and it is on their property that she finds Oliver dead the next morning. Their estate contains an old castle that some are trying to get designated as a national historical site. Oliver was known for his nighthawking, digging on private land and stealing the national treasures unearthed. Bella and John begin their own investigation because the police deem Oliver's death accidental and they find a secret hoard of stolen artifacts hidden in Oliver's house. Their first suspects are Oliver's niece, Nan, and her son, Cal, especially since a couple of pieces are missing from Oliver's collection and Cal has an expensive new laptop. Other suspects include Meg, a cleaning woman who works at the college where Oliver was a professor, Julie, a fellow professor, and Frank, a member of the same historical society as Oliver. As they search for clues and motives, things really get bogged down. They keep going over the same list of suspects and the same details over and over again without anything new happening. It finally began to pick up again around the 75% mark when they figure out that Alexis was having an affair with Oliver. Did Harvey find out and kill Oliver? No, he didn't find out about the affair but he did kill Oliver. Harvey himself had been stealing artifacts from the ruins for years to finance his lifestyle and he knew that the evaluators for the national historical designation would find out so he needed a scapegoat. He spread rumors about hidden treasure at the ruins and knew that someone would show up to dig. He set up a trap with a ladder and some fishing line and a candle to knock out the intruders. I'm unclear if he intended to kill them or not but regardless, Oliver died. Then he had to kill Frank because he knew about Oliver's affair with Alexis and suspected that Harvey killed Oliver. While I enjoyed Bella and the other characters, I'm not sure if I will continue with the series or not.
Bella owns an antique store and employes John as her assistant. John's brother, Matt, is her neighbor and his other brother, Leo, owns the nearby coffee shop. Their parents, Jeanie and Peter, own the local pub. They all assist Bella in her investigation into the death of Oliver, a history professor, who Bella found dead at the site of a local ruin. Having her heating conk out, Bella goes to stay with friends of her mother, Alexis and Harvey, and it is on their property that she finds Oliver dead the next morning. Their estate contains an old castle that some are trying to get designated as a national historical site. Oliver was known for his nighthawking, digging on private land and stealing the national treasures unearthed. Bella and John begin their own investigation because the police deem Oliver's death accidental and they find a secret hoard of stolen artifacts hidden in Oliver's house. Their first suspects are Oliver's niece, Nan, and her son, Cal, especially since a couple of pieces are missing from Oliver's collection and Cal has an expensive new laptop. Other suspects include Meg, a cleaning woman who works at the college where Oliver was a professor, Julie, a fellow professor, and Frank, a member of the same historical society as Oliver. As they search for clues and motives, things really get bogged down. They keep going over the same list of suspects and the same details over and over again without anything new happening. It finally began to pick up again around the 75% mark when they figure out that Alexis was having an affair with Oliver. Did Harvey find out and kill Oliver? No, he didn't find out about the affair but he did kill Oliver. Harvey himself had been stealing artifacts from the ruins for years to finance his lifestyle and he knew that the evaluators for the national historical designation would find out so he needed a scapegoat. He spread rumors about hidden treasure at the ruins and knew that someone would show up to dig. He set up a trap with a ladder and some fishing line and a candle to knock out the intruders. I'm unclear if he intended to kill them or not but regardless, Oliver died. Then he had to kill Frank because he knew about Oliver's affair with Alexis and suspected that Harvey killed Oliver. While I enjoyed Bella and the other characters, I'm not sure if I will continue with the series or not.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 5, 2024
The Antique Store Detective is a fantastic start to a new cozy mystery series from experienced mystery writer Clare Chase. I loved this book from cover to cover and will keep reading this series for as long as Clare Chase keeps writing it. I am officially a Bella Winter devotee!
This book had a lot to like, so I'll keep it brief and touch only on my favorite things.
The Cover
I loved the clean look of this cover. The white space helped everything stand out and drew my eye to the title and the central image. The blue, black, and red were great color choices.
The Hook
I really liked the antique store hook. The book has little details about vintage and antique items—music, novels, clothing, coins, furniture, etc. The name of the antique store is also clever—Vintage Winter. Despite my limited knowledge of antiques, the book's attention to detail about vintage and antique items—music, novels, clothing, coins, furniture, etc.—was engaging and accessible.
The Sleuth
The amateur detective, Bella Winter, was one of my favorite aspects of this book. It is challenging to write an intelligent, strong character who is also down-to-earth, vulnerable, and likable, but Clare Chase has nailed it with her character Bella Winter. Bella's backstory is unique and interesting and helps support who she is as a character and why she is such a good sleuth. I appreciated that and enjoyed the way she developed as the plot unfolded.
Relationships
I really liked the relationship between Bella and her friend John in this book. I also enjoyed the way Bella reminisced about her father. The relationship between Bella and her flighty mother was also interesting. Not every relationship has to be perfect in a cozy. I liked that Clare Chase demonstrated that in this book.
The Mystery
The Antique Store Detective offers an excellent puzzle mystery. It had me hooked right from the start and kept me interested throughout. The mystery deepened as the book went on and became even more baffling (in the best way possible) with each clue. The mystery was fair, the clues were well laid, and the reveal was satisfying, which is essential to me as a mystery reader.
Sequels
I eagerly await the sequels to The Antique Store Detective!
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for a chance to read and review this ARC.
This book had a lot to like, so I'll keep it brief and touch only on my favorite things.
The Cover
I loved the clean look of this cover. The white space helped everything stand out and drew my eye to the title and the central image. The blue, black, and red were great color choices.
The Hook
I really liked the antique store hook. The book has little details about vintage and antique items—music, novels, clothing, coins, furniture, etc. The name of the antique store is also clever—Vintage Winter. Despite my limited knowledge of antiques, the book's attention to detail about vintage and antique items—music, novels, clothing, coins, furniture, etc.—was engaging and accessible.
The Sleuth
The amateur detective, Bella Winter, was one of my favorite aspects of this book. It is challenging to write an intelligent, strong character who is also down-to-earth, vulnerable, and likable, but Clare Chase has nailed it with her character Bella Winter. Bella's backstory is unique and interesting and helps support who she is as a character and why she is such a good sleuth. I appreciated that and enjoyed the way she developed as the plot unfolded.
Relationships
I really liked the relationship between Bella and her friend John in this book. I also enjoyed the way Bella reminisced about her father. The relationship between Bella and her flighty mother was also interesting. Not every relationship has to be perfect in a cozy. I liked that Clare Chase demonstrated that in this book.
The Mystery
The Antique Store Detective offers an excellent puzzle mystery. It had me hooked right from the start and kept me interested throughout. The mystery deepened as the book went on and became even more baffling (in the best way possible) with each clue. The mystery was fair, the clues were well laid, and the reveal was satisfying, which is essential to me as a mystery reader.
Sequels
I eagerly await the sequels to The Antique Store Detective!
Thanks to Net Galley and Bookouture for a chance to read and review this ARC.
August 7, 2024
Thank you to NetGalley and Clare Chase for the eARC!
I did like this book. It was a fun read. It’s got very cozy vibes, and I liked the characters. Basically, Bella (fmc) moves back to her hometown Hope Eaton, where she runs an antique store. While staying as a guest at an old couples’ house (I don’t even know what the relationship was between Bella and the couple. Family friends? Just a couple renting a room? I have no idea), she discovers the dead body of a local professor. Suspecting foul play, she teams up with a ridiculous amount of people to solve the mystery.
This book was a bit difficult for me to get through. I’m really big on correct grammar and punctuation, especially in books. There were 19 instances (that I commented on) where the grammar was weird, the punctuation was weird, or whatever was being said made absolutely no sense. Granted, some of it may be because of US/UK differences in writing, but I think a lot of it was just incorrect. There were a few instances where a word did NOT belong in the sentence. It made no sense at all. It was really annoying to read, I’m not going to lie.
One thing I didn’t like was the sudden romance between Bella (the fmc) and her coworker’s brother? Where did that come from??? There had only been one interaction with him in the book (and no other previous mentions, other than the fact that he was related to her coworker) before, and I quote, “An unexpected warm spark lit somewhere deep inside her.” Like, no it didn’t.
I also saw the murderer coming from a mile away. I remember being 80% through the book, and Bella had ruled out like, 5 different people and had no idea who the killer was. There was also a character (Bella’s godfather) that seemed kind of useless to me? Like, why was he there? He was pretty much useless in solving the mystery. Literally the only thing he did was encourage Bella to dig deeper into it.
This is turning into a mini rant, so I’m going to end it here: I did like the book, but it’s probably not one I would pick up again for fun. I would probably recommend this to someone who’s just getting into reading, either in general or in the mystery genre. I probably wouldn’t buy it for myself, but it was a pretty good book, so ⭐️⭐️⭐️
I did like this book. It was a fun read. It’s got very cozy vibes, and I liked the characters. Basically, Bella (fmc) moves back to her hometown Hope Eaton, where she runs an antique store. While staying as a guest at an old couples’ house (I don’t even know what the relationship was between Bella and the couple. Family friends? Just a couple renting a room? I have no idea), she discovers the dead body of a local professor. Suspecting foul play, she teams up with a ridiculous amount of people to solve the mystery.
This book was a bit difficult for me to get through. I’m really big on correct grammar and punctuation, especially in books. There were 19 instances (that I commented on) where the grammar was weird, the punctuation was weird, or whatever was being said made absolutely no sense. Granted, some of it may be because of US/UK differences in writing, but I think a lot of it was just incorrect. There were a few instances where a word did NOT belong in the sentence. It made no sense at all. It was really annoying to read, I’m not going to lie.
One thing I didn’t like was the sudden romance between Bella (the fmc) and her coworker’s brother? Where did that come from??? There had only been one interaction with him in the book (and no other previous mentions, other than the fact that he was related to her coworker) before, and I quote, “An unexpected warm spark lit somewhere deep inside her.” Like, no it didn’t.
I also saw the murderer coming from a mile away. I remember being 80% through the book, and Bella had ruled out like, 5 different people and had no idea who the killer was. There was also a character (Bella’s godfather) that seemed kind of useless to me? Like, why was he there? He was pretty much useless in solving the mystery. Literally the only thing he did was encourage Bella to dig deeper into it.
This is turning into a mini rant, so I’m going to end it here: I did like the book, but it’s probably not one I would pick up again for fun. I would probably recommend this to someone who’s just getting into reading, either in general or in the mystery genre. I probably wouldn’t buy it for myself, but it was a pretty good book, so ⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 7, 2024
Thank you so much to NetGalley and Clare Chase for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Antique Store Detective coming out August 7, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.
Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems.
But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone else: saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered.
It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…?
As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of suspects: the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I am obsessed with cozy mysteries! I love that this was an antiques cozy mystery. I love old historical things, so that added a unique quality to the book for me. I think Bella was a strong and fun character. I think she was very competent at solving the mystery. The mystery itself was great! I love the writing. There wasn’t a ton of romance, but there were hints of it. I am excited to see what happens in the next book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy antique mysteries!
Bella Winter moved to charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job. She delights in spending time in her little antique store on top of the hill, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems.
But her peaceful life is overturned when she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins of Raven Hall, a trowel lying near his outstretched hand. At first, Bella is like everyone else: saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered.
It turns out the professor was hunting for buried treasure in the middle of the night. But who would have wanted him dead? And who are the four suspicious women he told John about, calling them the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades…?
As Bella delves into the case she uncovers a hoard of suspects: the lord of the manor, a secretive group of treasure hunters, the dead man’s desperate niece and her no-good son. And when another local historian takes a fatal tumble, she is certain that the answers lie in the antiques the professor stole. But can she solve the crime before someone tries to bury her?
This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I am obsessed with cozy mysteries! I love that this was an antiques cozy mystery. I love old historical things, so that added a unique quality to the book for me. I think Bella was a strong and fun character. I think she was very competent at solving the mystery. The mystery itself was great! I love the writing. There wasn’t a ton of romance, but there were hints of it. I am excited to see what happens in the next book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy antique mysteries!
August 6, 2024
I make no secret of the fact that I am a big fan of this author - especially her wonderful Eve Mallow series - so it was a bit of a no brainer that I would dive straight in with this, her latest series, featuring Antique Store owner Bella Winter. And I wasn't disappointed at all!
We start with Bella's boiler breaking down, leaving her freezing with no hot water. He mother swiftly wrangles her an invite to stay overnight at Raven Hall. In the morning however she is shocked to discover the body of local historian Prof Oliver Barton lying dead in the grounds...
Deemed a tragic accident by the police, Bella, along with John - her colleague in the Antiques store she owns - decide to start their own investigations... With a father for a detective prior to his death, she definitely has the grounding to do a good job...
This book is a wee bit repetitive and convoluted and, dare I say messy. I did flounder along the way a tad. But as I trust the author implicitly, I was never going to give up and I knew it would all eventually come together nicely, which it most definitely did! It also took me a wee while to get to know Bella. There wasn't the instant connection that I would have preferred. But sometimes the best relationships are built on shaky ground initially and we did eventually come to an understanding by the end of the book. I did however take to John from the off so that helped, although he does appear to be related to EVERYONE in the village!
There are a lot of characters to get to grips with too. But I did just about manage to get them all straight in my head and I guess we'll be reconnecting with them in future books. Much like with Eve's books, it was definitively a case that involved the whole village!
All in all, a good solid series opener which did satisfy me at its conclusion and left me wondering what will be next for Bella... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
We start with Bella's boiler breaking down, leaving her freezing with no hot water. He mother swiftly wrangles her an invite to stay overnight at Raven Hall. In the morning however she is shocked to discover the body of local historian Prof Oliver Barton lying dead in the grounds...
Deemed a tragic accident by the police, Bella, along with John - her colleague in the Antiques store she owns - decide to start their own investigations... With a father for a detective prior to his death, she definitely has the grounding to do a good job...
This book is a wee bit repetitive and convoluted and, dare I say messy. I did flounder along the way a tad. But as I trust the author implicitly, I was never going to give up and I knew it would all eventually come together nicely, which it most definitely did! It also took me a wee while to get to know Bella. There wasn't the instant connection that I would have preferred. But sometimes the best relationships are built on shaky ground initially and we did eventually come to an understanding by the end of the book. I did however take to John from the off so that helped, although he does appear to be related to EVERYONE in the village!
There are a lot of characters to get to grips with too. But I did just about manage to get them all straight in my head and I guess we'll be reconnecting with them in future books. Much like with Eve's books, it was definitively a case that involved the whole village!
All in all, a good solid series opener which did satisfy me at its conclusion and left me wondering what will be next for Bella... My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
September 5, 2024
Bella Winter has left her busy life in the city to open an antique shop in the small Shropshire village of Hope Eaton where she grew up. Her hopes for a quiet life renewing past friendships and establishing a new business are soon shattered when she discovers the body of one of her father's friends, an eccentric local historian, Professor Oliver Barton in the ruins of Raven Hall. The local police think Oliver’s death was an accident, but Bella is unconvinced. Her friend and assistant in the new shop, John Jenks tells her that Oliver gave him an ancient coin that appears to be part of treasure trove. Was Oliver killed when he was out at night illegally digging for treasure in private grounds? To add to the mystery, John tells Bella about a strange rhyme that Oliver mentioned concerning four suspicious women he called the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades.
Bella and John feel compelled to investigate. Who has a motive to want the professor dead, who are these suspicious women and are they connected to his death? There are suspects aplenty.
This is the first book in a new mystery series by prolific author Clare Chase. I have read a couple of her Eve Marlow mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Clare Chase always has a large cast of characters. Apart from a raft of suspects, there are numerous members of John’s family keen to help with the investigation. Bella is an engaging character keen to adopt the methods of her much-missed deceased policeman father. One of my favourite characters is John who is much more reserved than his new employer.
The background is well researched, and I enjoyed delving into the world of antiques and learning more about nighthawking.
The twists and turns of the complex plot kept me guessing right up to the end. An enjoyable read, The Antique Store will appeal to anyone who loves a fast-paced, cosy mystery.
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Bella and John feel compelled to investigate. Who has a motive to want the professor dead, who are these suspicious women and are they connected to his death? There are suspects aplenty.
This is the first book in a new mystery series by prolific author Clare Chase. I have read a couple of her Eve Marlow mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed them.
Clare Chase always has a large cast of characters. Apart from a raft of suspects, there are numerous members of John’s family keen to help with the investigation. Bella is an engaging character keen to adopt the methods of her much-missed deceased policeman father. One of my favourite characters is John who is much more reserved than his new employer.
The background is well researched, and I enjoyed delving into the world of antiques and learning more about nighthawking.
The twists and turns of the complex plot kept me guessing right up to the end. An enjoyable read, The Antique Store will appeal to anyone who loves a fast-paced, cosy mystery.
------
Reviewer: Judith Cranswick
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
January 5, 2026
What to Expect:
⭐ Hallmark Mysteries Vibes
⭐ Small Town Amateur Sleuth
⭐ A mysterious death with MANY potential suspects
⭐ Historical artifacts
⭐ A team of locals turned friends who help solve the case!
My Thoughts:
Is it the previous girlfriend? Maybe the secret lover? Maybe his niece or his great nephew? What about the other historical club members? You will be guessing who the killer is all the way until the last chapter!
The Antique Store Detective was such a fun, cozy mystery with great small-town vibes and an instantly charming premise. An antique shop, a curious amateur sleuth and MC Bella, and a mystery that keeps you guessing? Sign me up. I love that for her sleuthing isn't just something she is doing for fun, but instead something ingrained from her departed father who use to be a police detective. All the small nuggets of investigating he dropped along her child hood and beyond gets put in to play for her and the team of locals she befriends and uses to support her in solving the mystery of not one, but two unexpected deaths being marked as suicides but are not.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this story. It kept me engaged without ever feeling heavy or overly complicated. The mystery was intriguing, with just enough twists to keep things interesting, and I loved the cozy atmosphere woven throughout. The setting plays a big role here and adds so much personality to the story. Especially the antique store, the local cafe spot and Raven Hall the sight of so many things surrounding the story!
The characters are likable and easy to root for, and I appreciated that this felt like a strong start to a series. While the mystery itself was fairly gentle, it was satisfying and well put together, making this a great comfort read.
If you love cozy mysteries with charming settings, a smart female lead, and low-stakes suspense, this is absolutely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read that I’d happily continue as a series.
⭐ Hallmark Mysteries Vibes
⭐ Small Town Amateur Sleuth
⭐ A mysterious death with MANY potential suspects
⭐ Historical artifacts
⭐ A team of locals turned friends who help solve the case!
My Thoughts:
Is it the previous girlfriend? Maybe the secret lover? Maybe his niece or his great nephew? What about the other historical club members? You will be guessing who the killer is all the way until the last chapter!
The Antique Store Detective was such a fun, cozy mystery with great small-town vibes and an instantly charming premise. An antique shop, a curious amateur sleuth and MC Bella, and a mystery that keeps you guessing? Sign me up. I love that for her sleuthing isn't just something she is doing for fun, but instead something ingrained from her departed father who use to be a police detective. All the small nuggets of investigating he dropped along her child hood and beyond gets put in to play for her and the team of locals she befriends and uses to support her in solving the mystery of not one, but two unexpected deaths being marked as suicides but are not.
I really enjoyed the pacing of this story. It kept me engaged without ever feeling heavy or overly complicated. The mystery was intriguing, with just enough twists to keep things interesting, and I loved the cozy atmosphere woven throughout. The setting plays a big role here and adds so much personality to the story. Especially the antique store, the local cafe spot and Raven Hall the sight of so many things surrounding the story!
The characters are likable and easy to root for, and I appreciated that this felt like a strong start to a series. While the mystery itself was fairly gentle, it was satisfying and well put together, making this a great comfort read.
If you love cozy mysteries with charming settings, a smart female lead, and low-stakes suspense, this is absolutely worth picking up. A solid 4-star read that I’d happily continue as a series.
August 7, 2024
4.5 Stars
Bella Winter has moved back to the charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job following a scandal. She delights in spending time in her little antique store ‘Vintage Winter’, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems. Then in the middle of winter her central heating boiler breaks down, her mother arranges for Bella to stay overnight with the Howards at Raven Hall. when leaving she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins in the grounds of the Hall. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered.
The start of a new series & the beginning of the book was spent setting the scene so the pace is steady but does pick up the further into the book you get. I really liked Bella who was her policeman father’s only daughter & she’s moved back into the converted police station where he was stationed. I also like John Jenks her assistant, the pair are like chalk & cheese but complement each other really well. John is the member of a large local family who we gradually got to know – I’m sure they’ll add much to the series. The case is intriguing, there are plenty of suspects & there are also plenty of twists, turns & red herrings. Bella has inherited her father’s nose for seeking out justice. A very good series starter & I look forward to more
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
Bella Winter has moved back to the charming Hope Eaton for some peace and quiet after quitting her busy city job following a scandal. She delights in spending time in her little antique store ‘Vintage Winter’, hunting for bargains at auctions, and getting to know everybody – because if there’s one thing Bella’s good at, it’s solving other people’s problems. Then in the middle of winter her central heating boiler breaks down, her mother arranges for Bella to stay overnight with the Howards at Raven Hall. when leaving she finds eccentric local historian Professor Oliver Barton dead in the ruins in the grounds of the Hall. At first, Bella is like everyone saddened by a tragic accident. But then her colleague John asks her to dig deeper. Because the dead man gave him an ancient coin he should never have had, and John thinks he was murdered.
The start of a new series & the beginning of the book was spent setting the scene so the pace is steady but does pick up the further into the book you get. I really liked Bella who was her policeman father’s only daughter & she’s moved back into the converted police station where he was stationed. I also like John Jenks her assistant, the pair are like chalk & cheese but complement each other really well. John is the member of a large local family who we gradually got to know – I’m sure they’ll add much to the series. The case is intriguing, there are plenty of suspects & there are also plenty of twists, turns & red herrings. Bella has inherited her father’s nose for seeking out justice. A very good series starter & I look forward to more
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
August 14, 2024
The Antique Store Detective is the first in a new series by Clare Chase. Bella Winter owns and operates her own antique store in the town of Hope Eaton in Shropshire. She has re-rented the flat she and her police detective father once lived in, although it’s seen several inhabitants since then. She likes her life and her shop assistant, John, who came to her from a nearby private museum after the owner of the museum died and left it to her niece. The boiler went out at her apartment and it was freezing. Her mother called a nearby friend and arranged for her to spend the night. They didn’t seem as enthusiastic as her mother had, but it was too late for that. As she was leaving the next morning she saw a pile of clothing near the ruins that were on the grounds. As she went closer she discovered it was a body. She didn’t know at the time but it was the body of a historian and friend of her father’s.
The police thought it was an accident but that didn’t feel right to Bella. She contacted a man who had been her father’s partner and lived nearby. After discussing it with him she, and her friends, started investigating. This is an auspicious beginning for a new book. Bella is a good character with plenty of growth ahead of her. Her friends and colleagues come with their own stories and personalities. All well written. The plot was good, and complex enough to keep us guessing. So rarely are things as they seem in a mystery novel. Clare Chase is an excellent author with an impressive background in cozy mysteries, I expect this one to be a hit, as well.
I was invited to read The Antique Store Detective by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #ClareChase #TheAntiqueStoreDetective
The police thought it was an accident but that didn’t feel right to Bella. She contacted a man who had been her father’s partner and lived nearby. After discussing it with him she, and her friends, started investigating. This is an auspicious beginning for a new book. Bella is a good character with plenty of growth ahead of her. Her friends and colleagues come with their own stories and personalities. All well written. The plot was good, and complex enough to keep us guessing. So rarely are things as they seem in a mystery novel. Clare Chase is an excellent author with an impressive background in cozy mysteries, I expect this one to be a hit, as well.
I was invited to read The Antique Store Detective by Bookoutre. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #Bookoutre #ClareChase #TheAntiqueStoreDetective
July 19, 2024
Clare Chase’s The Antique Store Detective is described as “a completely unputdownable cozy murder mystery”. Ummm….
Bella runs a small antique stall in a shared building. Her stay with her mum’s friends at a local manor house ends with her finding the body of a local historian in their grounds as she drives out. As always in such books, she insists that the local police won’t find the murderer and she must do it herself, roping in her trusty (but very reluctant) assistant from the shop, John. I did like the (for once, reasonable rationale) behind her belief: Barry, the detective, has four children under seven; his wife is a vet who is out at all hours and makes Barry assist her when he’s off duty.
It turns out John is related to half the population of the village and I think this caused my attention to wane. Did so many characters really have to be related to him? Did the relationship (brother, sister - or was it sister-in-law? - mother, niece, schoolfriend, teacher) matter? A glance at another mystery I’ve just completed shows that The Antique Store Detective is 30% longer – and I’m afraid it feels like a lot more. The writing is competent and the plot is OK; but the characters aren’t terribly interesting and the book just drags – sorry!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the opportunity to have a free copy for review. I’m sure that many, many other readers will love the book because it is the archetypal cosy murder mystery, but the novel and I just didn’t hit it off.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetective #NetGalley
Bella runs a small antique stall in a shared building. Her stay with her mum’s friends at a local manor house ends with her finding the body of a local historian in their grounds as she drives out. As always in such books, she insists that the local police won’t find the murderer and she must do it herself, roping in her trusty (but very reluctant) assistant from the shop, John. I did like the (for once, reasonable rationale) behind her belief: Barry, the detective, has four children under seven; his wife is a vet who is out at all hours and makes Barry assist her when he’s off duty.
It turns out John is related to half the population of the village and I think this caused my attention to wane. Did so many characters really have to be related to him? Did the relationship (brother, sister - or was it sister-in-law? - mother, niece, schoolfriend, teacher) matter? A glance at another mystery I’ve just completed shows that The Antique Store Detective is 30% longer – and I’m afraid it feels like a lot more. The writing is competent and the plot is OK; but the characters aren’t terribly interesting and the book just drags – sorry!
Thank you, NetGalley and Bookouture, for the opportunity to have a free copy for review. I’m sure that many, many other readers will love the book because it is the archetypal cosy murder mystery, but the novel and I just didn’t hit it off.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetective #NetGalley
July 19, 2024
I have enjoyed both of Clare Chase’s previous series and so I was excited to be approved for the first book in a new cosy crime series.
I really loved the beginning of this mystery when we first meet Bella and her broken boiler. She is a likeable character and the antique shop background is done really well. Her love for the antiques that she sells shines through and I can clearly visualise some of the pieces described. The scenes in the antique shop felt very real especially the descriptions of the customer’s behaviour. The woman who walked round, picking things up with no real intention of buying anything reminded me of myself when I wander around shops.
The mystery is an interesting one and tied up with the hobby of night hawking where the participants steal onto private land using metal detectors to search for treasure that they can sell illegally. The idea of the four cards representing four different women was an interesting one although I’m not sure how much it added to the plot.
Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the author’s earlier books. None of the characters really came to life for me in the way that the author’s previous protagonists have. I think that this is possibly due to the sheer number of people Bella gathers around her to help in her quest to find the murderer.
The mystery is well plotted and has plenty of suspect as well as lots of twists and reveals but it all seemed a bit formulaic. I felt that there was an over reliance on meetings at the local pub and café to share findings.
Despite my negative points, The Antique Store Detective was still an entertaining read and I’m grateful as always to the publishers, Bookouture, and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I really loved the beginning of this mystery when we first meet Bella and her broken boiler. She is a likeable character and the antique shop background is done really well. Her love for the antiques that she sells shines through and I can clearly visualise some of the pieces described. The scenes in the antique shop felt very real especially the descriptions of the customer’s behaviour. The woman who walked round, picking things up with no real intention of buying anything reminded me of myself when I wander around shops.
The mystery is an interesting one and tied up with the hobby of night hawking where the participants steal onto private land using metal detectors to search for treasure that they can sell illegally. The idea of the four cards representing four different women was an interesting one although I’m not sure how much it added to the plot.
Sadly, I didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the author’s earlier books. None of the characters really came to life for me in the way that the author’s previous protagonists have. I think that this is possibly due to the sheer number of people Bella gathers around her to help in her quest to find the murderer.
The mystery is well plotted and has plenty of suspect as well as lots of twists and reveals but it all seemed a bit formulaic. I felt that there was an over reliance on meetings at the local pub and café to share findings.
Despite my negative points, The Antique Store Detective was still an entertaining read and I’m grateful as always to the publishers, Bookouture, and Net Galley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
July 28, 2024
|| Thank you to NetGalley and Bookouture for providing me this arc in exchange for an honest review ! ||
It was good and entertaining, but there were something missing... Maybe more antiquity, and a lot of cosy missing?
The investigation was done well and the guilty one wasn't necessarily easy and quick to guess, and they weren't found quickly in the book as well. Explanations and reasons was clear, and the guilty one doesn't come out of nowhere, it still has links and hints you could have guessed during the whole investigation, so it's good! The story surrounding Pr. Barton's digging and objects he found was also interesting.
However, I felt like you only get that detective work, and there's barely any cosy side and not much of the antique store outside of it used as base for their board. We get basically only the investigation, and we don't get to know much about the MC themselves : there's no character depth for Bella, she's only known for her father, her store, her neighboor, and her investigation. The other characters helping her out in her detective work is even more blant than that, they're only here to help. We know more about a suspect's emotional states and her story deep down, than the main character in this book!
So the investigation was good, but everything aside was pretty much non-existant. It felt more like a simple whodunit detective book, than a cosy mystery one. All the cosy part was missing for me.
It was good and entertaining, but there were something missing... Maybe more antiquity, and a lot of cosy missing?
The investigation was done well and the guilty one wasn't necessarily easy and quick to guess, and they weren't found quickly in the book as well. Explanations and reasons was clear, and the guilty one doesn't come out of nowhere, it still has links and hints you could have guessed during the whole investigation, so it's good! The story surrounding Pr. Barton's digging and objects he found was also interesting.
However, I felt like you only get that detective work, and there's barely any cosy side and not much of the antique store outside of it used as base for their board. We get basically only the investigation, and we don't get to know much about the MC themselves : there's no character depth for Bella, she's only known for her father, her store, her neighboor, and her investigation. The other characters helping her out in her detective work is even more blant than that, they're only here to help. We know more about a suspect's emotional states and her story deep down, than the main character in this book!
So the investigation was good, but everything aside was pretty much non-existant. It felt more like a simple whodunit detective book, than a cosy mystery one. All the cosy part was missing for me.
August 10, 2024
I've read and enjoyed Clare Chase's Eve Mallow series, so I was eager to see what this new sleuth was like.
Bella moved to her Hope Easton after her career in London hit a roadblock to open up her own shop. A broken boiler forces her to rely on the generosity of a friend of her mother's. What she didn't expect was finding a body. The victim is Oliver Barton, a well-liked professor of archaeology. The police think it was an accident, but Bella believes there's more to it than that. Encouraged by the people around her, she starts to investigate.
I loved Bella Winter! She grew up with a police officer father and an eccentric hippy mother and half siblings, Bella still came across as likeable and practical with that nosey nature a good sleuth needs. Bella has a group of close friends who help her investigate, adding a nice bit of camaraderie to the story.
The mystery was a fun one too, with plenty of suspects, clues and misdirection to keep me guessing.
My worry was that it might be a bit 'samey' when comparing it to the Eve Mallow series, but those fears were unfounded. The settings and characters felt completely different and fresh.
Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so the pacing is a little slower, but the puzzling mystery and likeable characters carried me along to the end.
A brilliant start to the series and I look forward to seeing more from Bella and co!
Bella moved to her Hope Easton after her career in London hit a roadblock to open up her own shop. A broken boiler forces her to rely on the generosity of a friend of her mother's. What she didn't expect was finding a body. The victim is Oliver Barton, a well-liked professor of archaeology. The police think it was an accident, but Bella believes there's more to it than that. Encouraged by the people around her, she starts to investigate.
I loved Bella Winter! She grew up with a police officer father and an eccentric hippy mother and half siblings, Bella still came across as likeable and practical with that nosey nature a good sleuth needs. Bella has a group of close friends who help her investigate, adding a nice bit of camaraderie to the story.
The mystery was a fun one too, with plenty of suspects, clues and misdirection to keep me guessing.
My worry was that it might be a bit 'samey' when comparing it to the Eve Mallow series, but those fears were unfounded. The settings and characters felt completely different and fresh.
Of course, this is a cozy mystery, so the pacing is a little slower, but the puzzling mystery and likeable characters carried me along to the end.
A brilliant start to the series and I look forward to seeing more from Bella and co!
July 20, 2024
This was a new author and the start of a new series for me, perfect timing. Bella is an interesting MC. She is sharp, has definite style, and I love her antique shop as a backdrop. I think the author could have filled her out a bit more. She is a tad one dimensional. We see glimpses of emotion underneath, but mostly, we just get smarts. Bella moves to Hope Eaton as she had spent time here, with her Dad, a police detective, as a child. She opens her antique store and has started to settle in, making friends and finding her way around. When a local professor is found dead, outside of the home of an acquaintance where Bella had spent the night, she is surprised that the police are not taking it as a suspicious death when so many things point that way. Bella, with the help of her father's retired police friend, her employee at the antiques store, John, and various of his family members make it their business to find out what really happened. This was a very interesting mystery, with lots of viable candidates for the evil deeds and a conclusion that definitely makes sense. I will definitely look forward to more in this series! Thanks to #NetGalley and #Bookouture for the opportunity to meet Bella and company. #TheAntiqueStoreDetective, #ClaireChase, #bookreview, #bookideas, #retiredreader
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