Special thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.

Expected publication date: Feb. 6, 2024

This book had an interesting premise, but unfortunately, I didn't love it as much as I hoped I would. I had a hard time getting into the story at first because it felt like there was a lot of telling and not showing. Additionally, once you get to the point of the story where all of the suspects are introduced, it is difficult to distinguish between them. I'm normally not thrown off by multiple characters, but it took me quite a while to get my head wrapped around who was who. However, despite those things, I really enjoyed the two main characters (especially Carole), and following them as they figured out Arthur's clues was fun! Overall, a decent debut. 3 stars!

** “This plate is different than before, but it’s still precious. Most of us have been broken in one way or another. We don’t need to hide the scars, for they make us who we are.” **

C.L. Miller delivers a fun new mystery with “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder.”

When Freya Lockwood’s former and estranged mentor Arthur Crockleford dies mysteriously, he leaves her and her aunt, his good friend, Carole a clue to be solved … to right a wrong and find a very important treasure. Arthur and Freya once worked as antique hunters, searching for antiques that needed to be returned to their rightful owners, but when something goes tragically wrong 20 years ago, the two parted ways. Can Freya learn to forgive Arthur and take on his last request?

What follows is a fun and zany mystery, reminiscent of an Agatha Christie story. With several suspects all alone at the Copthorn Manor, can Freya and Carole solve several mysteries that drop in their lap, all while protecting Arthur’s secrets and their lives?

Miller does a great job of developing a plot with many twists and turns, as well as equally great and loathsome characters. She also reminds us of several great themes, like finding adventure in life (as Arthur says, “Always be ready for the next grand adventure”); finding forgiveness; and using our failures and weaknesses to grow stronger.

Fans of mysteries, especially like those of Miss Christie, will love “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder,” which is due out Feb. 6.

Five stars out of five.

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

So....I think some of the confusion over this book is that it is billed (and has the cover of) a murder mystery. It's not. It's a thriller. In fact, the opening is straight out of James Patterson; then it transitions to a not-very-good imitation of the movie Clue; then it goes back to James Patterson.

Once you realize that this is a thriller, this is a pretty good read, especially the thriller parts. Given the end, I'm pretty sure that this is the start of a series and I will be interested to see what Miller produces next.

3 Stars
One Liner: Interesting premise, clunky execution

Freya Lockwood has troubles of her own when Aunt Carole calls to inform her that Arthur Crockleford has died. He was her estranged mentor and responsible for her love of antiques. However, something happened that pushed Freya away from her village and Arthur. She decides to go back upon her aunt’s insistence.
Soon, the duo begins to investigate the case using the cryptic clues left behind by Arthur. There’s a lot to find out. But can Freya and Aunt Carole uncover the truth before they end up like Arthur?
The story comes in Freya’s first-person POV and the limited third-person POV of multiple characters.

My Thoughts:
How can I ignore a book that combines antique hunting and a murder mystery? Naturally, I didn’t, and the results are mixed.
The setting is well done, be it the village or the manor where most of the action happens. The vibes are spot on.
It helps that I don’t need to know anything about antiques to follow the plot. That part is kept simple enough for a novice reader to follow. A definite plus.
Carol is a decent character- a lively, OTT, dramatic aunt in her seventies. Even if the humor isn’t funny, Carol manages to stand out.
The premise of a 50-something woman getting her life back and doing what she loves is cool. Freya’s backstory is sad enough to make me empathize with her. But I couldn’t, and there lies the biggest problem. It’s hard to enjoy a book when I can’t feel for the MC.
The repeated references to the past (what happened in Cairo) got a bit too much since the reveal didn’t happen until later. And when we do know, it was underwhelming. Not because the events were bland; the narration lacked the punch.
The mystery is okayish. The other random POVs add a bit of intrigue, but the characters are boring, except Bella. I wouldn’t have minded if we got more of her POV. That’s someone I’d want to read.
There was a lot of filler which affected the pacing and made it a slow read. I realized towards the end that this is likely to be a series. It explains the details we get throughout the book. I wouldn’t mind reading the next one to see how it goes. Freya seems to be getting back to her previous self.
Still, I like the theme of MC’s story from her childhood to the present times. Her relationship with Aunt Carole is beautiful. I’d have loved it if Freya’s POV was done better.
And oh, the quotes by Arthur (the dead man) at the beginning of each chapter were perfect. I enjoyed those the most (even more than the chapters).

To summarize, The Antique Hunter's Guide has a decent premise but is hampered by choppy execution. With some good editing and stronger characterization, it can be a worthy cozy mystery.
Thank you, NetGalley and Atria Books, for the eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

Thank you to William Morrow and NetGalley for an advanced review copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion. I want to state upfront that I did DNF this book at 52% with approximately 2 hours left of reading time.

This book is about a former antique hunter named Freya Lockwood, who is forced to confront the past she ran from when her previous mentor, Arthur (with whom she had a major falling out decades ago) dies in an unexpected and mysterious way. Arthur has left riddles and clues for Freya and her aunt to determine what actually happened to him and potentially a greater mystery afoot.

Unfortunately while the premise really grabbed me, the execution is what lagged for me. As I got to the halfway point, I still didn’t feel as if I really understood the main characters and even the central mystery they were trying to solve. Freya felt as if she *should* be a likable character who is coming into her own identity, reconciling her past. Instead, there just seemed to not be enough backstory there. Further into the story, we end up at a manor house with several additional characters, and yet, I didn’t feel as if I knew them well enough either.

The antique side of the story was fascinating to me, and it is absolutely worth acknowledging that there may be more backstory revealed past the point I read. With a more detailed beginning, this book had excellent potential to be a hit for me.

⭐️ 2.5 stars rounded up ⭐️

I was so looking forward to reading this as it had antiques, murder, a cozy English village, and a cast of characters stuck together. I went in looking and hoping for something similar to Connie Berry's Kate Hamilton series, but this was slightly different in a good way. Freya, described as a Lara Croft-type in her 20s, is now in her 40s, divorced with a college student and selling her beloved house. She finds out her long-ago mentor has passed away and left their shop to her. Then the action starts and the story goes in a slightly unexpected direction. I loved the characters of Freya and her aunt, which injected a lot of humor into the story. We are also introduced to a wider cast of characters that might pop up in future stories. I enjoyed the book, but felt there was a lot of telling vs showing, which became repetitive. I'm hoping the future stories won't have that since it was establishing a lot of the characters' backstory. Otherwise, this was a great read and looking forward to the next one!

This book immediately drew me in with the promise of a mystery set in an English country manor with multiple suspects. The pacing was spot on, keeping me engaged from beginning to end. I loved the dynamic and banter between the main characters- Freya and her aunt Carole. The narration alternates character perspectives, but is primarily told from Freya’s point of view. The mystery is compelling and I’m pretty sure the adventure will continue based on the conclusion of the book. This is a debut well worth your time.

Be sure to read the author’s note to learn about the author’s connection to the world of antiques.

Thank you to Atria Books for the opportunity to read this book ahead of publication! All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!

In this irresistible and thrilling debut novel, a former antique hunter investigates a suspicious death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back in the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts.

This gave me Antiques Roadshow vibes combined with a murder mystery, and I loved it. Such a fun read, and I learned more about antiques which is always cool, lol.

A family affair

Probably the most standout feature of The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is the family relationship. There are layers and layers of family elements to this story - both for Freya and her aunt Carole, and in disentangling the mystery. We're talking found families, estranged families, inheritance disputes - if there's a family trope, it's in here.

The protagonists, of course, are an interesting mix of both "true" and found family. Because while Carole is Freya's blood aunt, she's also effectively her mother. This dual relationship allows Miller to have the best of both worlds, as the two care deeply for each other, while also having more flexibility than a "true" mother/daughter pair. Freya also has her own daughter, and a reasonable portion of her narration explores her complex feelings about letting Jade out into the world. And the dual generations of perspective mean that we can see what Carole wishes for her adoptive daughter, even as Freya remains almost oblivious of these hopes. Freya and Carole's interactions propel the story forward, and it's an intriguing relationship.

There's also a "real" found family here, in the form of Arthur Crockleford, Freya's estranged mentor. Upon his passing, Freya and Carole realize he's left behind a puzzle hunt based on antiques. It's clear he thinks it's important, and Freya must revisit some painful memories and overcome past hurts before she can truly engage with the puzzle. If Carole represents reconciliation, Arthur represents regret - and redemption.

And then there's the family at the core of the mystery, which has its own set of tensions. Despite their blood relationships, it's clear that they're not particularly close - or happy to be together. Instead, they're all competing over a mysterious set of treasures in a hidden vault. Structurally, they're an interesting foil to our protagonists. And plot-wise, they're a varied set of antagonists - though perhaps a bit one-note in their mutual hatred.

An adventurous puzzle hunt

Just to be clear - this is primarily an adventure book, with a bit of mystery and a heap of puzzle hunt thrown in. There's almost a surfeit of mystery tropes here, starting from the cold open on the murder, continuing with two mysterious inheritances, and a post-humous puzzle hunt. Miller invests a host of surprises, and there's a lot of fun with the English country house setting itself. (It's been a while since I've read anything which uses both a folly and vaults as settings / plot points.)

The mystery story itself is pretty decent. As a White Collar fan, I'd say it has similar vibes, particularly when it comes to research into the antiques and antiquities. I am not entirely sure that it's fair play - the plot leans more towards the "adventure" side of modern mystery novels. But it's a compelling adventure and I certainly enjoyed reading all the way through.

Reader’s notes and rating (⭐️⭐️⭐️✨)

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder is a pretty fun modern mystery with a family twist. I enjoyed the read and may even want to read more Freya and Carole (if they return). The mystery was good - I just found myself missing something for my personal taste. Overall, a pretty decent mystery and one I'd be happy recommending anyone who already enjoys the genre. 3.5 stars.

Read this if...

You're excited about antiques as a vector for mystery

You enjoy a good found family

You appreciate a puzzle hunt

Skip this if...

You're looking for something totally fair play

You're hoping for a more exotic / non-Western adventure

Family drama is not you speed

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder will be published on February 6, 2024.

Love the setting, mix of suspicious characters, and how the author brought in so many neat details about antiques and the miseries in treasures.

3.5 stars, rounded up

Freya’s estranged mentor has died under suspicious circumstances. Days before his death, he left a note for her, asking her to investigate, something she’s not sure she wants to do. But to support her Aunt Carole, who was one of Arthur’s closest friends, she reluctantly agrees. At an antiques enthusiast’s weekend at a nearby country manor house, things are not as they seem, and Freya and Carole must figure out what is going on, how Arthur was involved, and who they can trust.

This appears to be the author’s debut novel, although there’s no indication at this time as to whether this is the first book in a series or simply a stand alone. I liked the manor house setting and could almost envision the run-down appearance of the grounds and the house itself.

I wasn’t sure about Freya or Carole at first. Freya’s anger over anything to do with Arthur, even decades after what happened didn’t sit well with me. Twenty years is a long time to hold a grudge. It took a while to learn what happened to cause such a rift, and the grudge made more sense, but it still bothered me. Carole seemed inordinately flighty and thus hard to take seriously. Even by the end of the book, I wasn’t sure how much of that was an act and how much was her true personality. I disliked most of the other guests at the antiques weekend, and couldn’t decide who was trustworthy and who was up to something, which was probably the author’s intent :)

There weren’t a lot of clues regarding Arthur’s death, but there *were clues about what was actually going on at the manor house. There were also a lot of false leads and red herrings, and one of the characters that was near the top of my suspect list turned out to be one of the good guys. There was more than one culprit in this story, and I wasn’t surprised when another character, who barely made it onto my list, was exposed as one of them. The others had been hanging around my list almost from the moment they were introduced into the story.

If this is indeed the first book of a series, I look forward to reading the next book, if only to learn more about Freya and Carole and to see where the business goes from here.

Thank you to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest opinions.
I found for a first novel, this was top notch. The characters were really fleshed out, so we could picture each person described. The story was well written, if just a bit drawn out. I enjoyed being surprised by the culprit and the pace in which we got there. There were many twists and turns which I always enjoy a lot. I love a multi-voiced novel, so we get into the heads of more characters. One of my favorite things in this book is seeing the positive growth in the main character. I started really liking her a lot more. The addition of her Aunt Carole added a lot of humor as well. I’d love to know more about the past and what happed to both Freya and Carole back then. I’m excited that there seems to be an opening for a series, which I love, because I like getting to know characters well.

“The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” by C.L. Miller is a cozy fictional romp through the English countryside with practical, down-to-earth Freya Lockwood and her fabulously flamboyant aunt, Carole, who are on the scent for the killer of their kindly older friend Arthur—an antiquarian, arts appraiser, and insurance sleuth of stolen artifacts for repatriation to their rightful owners.

Via convoluted staging prior to Arthur’s death, the ladies are invited as keynote guests to an antique specialists weekend at a grand Manor home where they anticipate investigating clues to their friend’s murder and possibly even identifying his killer.

Enjoy the frivolity, fun and farce of “Guide” as Freya and Carole examine the mysterious circumstances surrounding Arthur’s demise, all while exploring the fascinating world of antiques, art forgeries and their illicit trafficking.

JoyReaderGirl1 graciously thanks NetGalley, Author C.L. Miller, and Atria Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.: Celebrating 100 Years of Publishing in 2024, for this advanced reader’s copy (ARC) for review.

20 years ago, Freya Lockwood walked away from her job as an antique hunter and her mentor, Arthur Crockleford. She exchanged her passion for a boring husband and life. But now Arthur seems to have been murdered and in a letter sent to her days before his death he is asking her to investigate. Along with her Aunt Carole, Freya heads to an antiques enthusiasts weekend where Arthur's letter seems to have been directing them. With lots of characters and everyone seeming suspicious, Freya and Carole take on trying to uncover what really happened to Arthur and why. Freya is a delightful investigator. With stolen antiques, hidden vaults, blackmail, and everyone out for themselves, this story is very entertaining. While the story wraps up nicely, I didn't see the ending coming and was often surprised at who was a good guy. This would be a fun series and seems to be set up for one. I am looking forward to seeing C.L. Miller's next book.

A great mystery and I loved the antique theme. There were some twists and I was kept guessing along the way. I especially loved Aunt Carole and her quirks.
Many thanks to Atria and to Netgalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

The Antique Hunter’s Guide To Murder by C. L. Miller

A former antique hunter investigates a death at an isolated English manor, embroiling her back into the dangerous world of tracking stolen artifacts,

Freya and and Aunt Carole are searching for the answer to Arthur’s death. It takes them to an English manor, full of suspects. The book was lengthy, but a good mystery. Certainly had more than a handful of characters to check out and eliminate.

Thanks to Net Galley for sending me an advanced reader’s copy for my review.

Freya Lockwood is entering a time of change in her life. Her daughter has gone off to college in the US and her ex-husband is pressing her to sell the family home. Then she receives a letter from Arthur Crockleford, her estranged mentor from the time she worked with him as an antiques hunter, which brings her back to the village and life she led more than twenty years earlier.

When Arthur dies in what looks like an accident in his antiques shop, Freya is called back home to support her Aunt Carole in her grief and maybe get a glimpse of what her new future will be. She is immediately involved in Arthur's business and soon becomes convinced that his death was not the accident it seemed.

She and Carole are given a letter Arthur left in case of his death which contains clues that the two of them can decipher to find out what happened and what secrets Arthur was holding. They find themselves attending an antiques weekend at a local manor and find themselves mixing with a variety of suspicious characters.

Since the story is told from multiple viewpoints, we have the opportunity to know more about each character's agenda than Freya and Carole do. However, the viewpoints are obscure enough that the reader isn't sure who the good guys and the bad guys are or even if there are any good guys.

As Freya unravels the clues to a tragic episode in her past, she is also reclaiming it and paving the way for her new future. It was intriguing watching a woman who let her husband belittle her and damage her self-esteem find her way to reclaim it as she solves Arthur's murder.

This is a first novel and has some strong and weak points. I was engaged with Freya's characters and her struggles and was glad to see a smart and adventurous woman rebuilding herself.

2.5 stars - Somewhat of a mixed bag here - on the one hand, I think the premise, setting, and plot are very fun and entertaining. This was a highly anticipated read for me, so I had high expectations. On the other hand, I think the writing and pacing were quite distracting to me personally. I found it odd and kind of clunky, which really took me out of the story which made it less entertaining than it should have been. The ideas here are strong, so I would encourage folks to try the sample chapters to see if they can vibe with the writing, and if so, they may have more success with this than I did.

Sometimes the prose is weak but overall the book is strong. Thanks for the ARC! I would rec. 4.5! It was altogether quite cool, and our protag was esp.

Such a fun reminder to have hobbies/pasions you love in life! You don't have to be the best at it, and it's okay if you come back to it after some time away. They will always be there waiting for you to pick back up when inspiration strikes or you have some free time.

If you're reading this.. you're most likely a reader and, therefore, automatically have a hobby that you love. Some of mine include traveling, home decor, hiking, and reading, of course! But truth be told I fell out of love with reading maybe around the time I was 17 or so? I only rediscovered my love of jumping around genres when I was 28. It's like life was breathed back into me, and I slipped on a jacket that felt perfectly cozy and warm.

If you've ever had a hobby/passion that you lost interest in and came back to later in life like I did with reading - you'll fall in love with our heroine, Freya, and her journey to rediscover her passion in life for rare antiquities. (Whilst solving her estranged mentor's murder!)

**Thank you to Atria Books & NetGalley for the advanced reader copy. I received this book for free, but all thoughts are my own. – SLR 🖤