A fun cozy mystery that will satisfy that mystery itch without feeling overwhelming or dark.

Bella Winter owns an antique shop in the UK. One night she stays with some family friends and the next morning as she sets out to leave she basically trips over a body in their garden. Once the body is identified, Bella feels drawn to investigating and solving the murder. Armed with her godfather and her parting father's investigative wisdom, Bella sets out to solve the murder.

Cute, easy, fast...all words that come to mind when thinking about this novel. When you need a break from traditional thrillers, this book fits the bill. Bella Winter is fun and lovable. Can't wait to read book 2 in this series!

This is the strart of a new cosy crime series, and it gets off to a cracking start! We are introduced to the super sleuth Bella Winter, who owns and runs her own antique store along with friend John, after moving from London to Hope Eaton, a sleepy village where not much goes on... and that's all about to change!

When a friend of her father is discovered dead, the police see it as a tragic accident, but something doesn't ring true when Bella finds out more about Oliver, and she starts to dig a little deeper into the goings on and soon uncovers some dodgy dealings going on to point towards something more sinister happening.

I really loved the setting, and the characters, especially Bella, are really easy to enjoy and don't antagonise! She really throws herself into the sleuthing and I just loved how her mind works and how she gets to know more from talking to the locals who know more of the other side of Oliver! This is a book that entertains and engages you as you try and guess where the plot will go and I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment of the mystery solving adventures of Bella!

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.

Bella Winter is the perfect balance of quirky and sensible, making her an engaging amateur sleuth. The village setting has intrinsic historical interest and is populated with diverse individuals who will undoubtedly feature in future mysteries. I enjoyed getting to know the village and its inhabitants. Bella finds a body and becomes embroiled in investigating the death of a local professor. The descriptive writing brings the characters and events to life, immersing the reader in the story. The mystery has antique connections which utilise Bella's skills, and there are many suspects and false leads to unravel. I like Bella and John, the village setting and the story's antique and vintage ethos.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Antiques seem to be the latest popular sub-category in the cosy mystery genre of books. And it seems that there’s a lot of interesting, historical research behind it all, which makes it quite understandable that it would make for some exciting plot-lines! In The Antique Store Detective, buried treasure, which always seemed quite fantastical, becomes a lot more realistic!

Bella Winter has exchanged big city life for the quiet village of Hope Eaton, where her father used to live. Although he’s now passed away, he’s fondly remembered by all who knew him as he was a police officer in the area for many years. He always said that Bella took after him when it came to being good at investigating and had hoped she’d follow in his footsteps, but she chose to go into the antiques business and uses her skills to delve into the history of the many interesting finds that she so often discovers for the antique shop that she now runs in the village.

But when she stumbles on the body of Professor Oliver Barton one morning, she realizes that she can’t simply ignore the fact that someone well-known to so many of the people in her immediate circle has been murdered. After becoming utterly frustrated at the lackadaisical attitude of the local policeman assigned to the case, Detective Barry Dixon, she decides to take matters into her own hands. So, with the help of her trusted circle of friends, Bella undertakes to use the skills her father always told her she had, and find out who the killer is.

There are a LOT of people involved here! Most of them seem to be somehow related or connected to Bella’s shop assistant John Jenks and I loved how they were all so invested not only in this case – because of John’s direct involvement – but also in each other’s lives in general.

Professor Barton was a bit of a renowned, eccentric historian in the area … what some might call a ‘loveable rogue’, by the sound of things. He was also a regular ‘Nighthawk’ – someone who trespasses on land belonging to others, and with the use of metal detectors, hunts for buried treasure! Of course, anything that is found is kept and/or sold by the finder. A nefarious activity indeed, and one that could get you involved with rather dubious characters, I’m sure! So it seems that the likeable Professor may not have been quite so squeaky clean as people thought!

When a second body is found, Bella and crew realize that things might be a bit more involved than they’d originally thought. The pace notches up a level as they race to discover who is murdering local historians, and why. What secrets are lurking in the serenity of Hope Eaton, and who is willing to kill to keep them?

I pictured the entire thing as a long-running TV series, and for some reason, it reminded me of the Yorkshire series, Heartbeat! Although this ran in the ’90’s (I think it ended in 2010 – but it runs on repeat on one of the TV stations sometimes), it was based in the ’60’s. It was classified as part of the ‘police procedural’ genre, but basically it was all about village life in Yorkshire at the time. And it just got me thinking … I know this is the first in a series focusing on Bella Winter, and I know this author has written 2 series already revolving around female protagonists. But I’d love Barry Dixon to have a series all of his own. This poor, long-suffering, somewhat bumbling police officer, who’s married to a vet and with four kids all under 7! I mean, come one … there are endless stories there!

I’m looking forward to returning to Hope Eaton soon in the next book in the series!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced reader copy of Clare Chase's novel 'The Antique Store Detective' in exchange for my review;.

Antique Store owner Bella finds herself in the middle of a murder investigation when a local historian is found dead at a historic site, surrounded by small freshly dug holes. Unimpressed with the lack of interest shown by the investigating detective, Bella sets out to uncover the murderer with the help of her tight-knit friend group.

This book was easy going read, if a little slow in the beginning with many characters to keep in mind. Bella is very popular in her town! I liked the central characters and quaint setting for the story.

The Antique Store Detective was an enjoyable and cozy read that delivered exactly
what I was hoping for—a light, engaging mystery with a likable protagonist.
While the plot had its weaker moments, particularly with the somewhat predictable
misdirection and a resolution that relied more on coincidence than solid evidence, it still
managed to keep me entertained. Bella Winter’s character, with her strong, independent spirit
and relatable passions, was a definite highlight. I’m curious to see how the series develops
and how the characters will continue to evolve.

I enjoyed this story of antique dealer turned amature detective Bella. As the first book about these characters there enough details included about them to make them interesting without taking over the story. The mystery elements were also interesting and gave enough clues to have an idea about the solution, but enough misdirects to not make it obvious. If there are more books in this series I would gladly give them a read.

I received an advanced copy of this book from netgalley. All opinions are my own.

This book was gripping and hard to put down. It didn't feel like everything else you see out there, it felt very fresh. I really enjoyed this book!

Having been a fan of Claire Chase’s Eve Mallow series I started this book with high expectations of a well researched, clever and engaging mystery. A few chapters in and I knew I was not going to be disappointed.

This is the first in a new series, featuring Bella Winter who has recently moved from London to Hope Eaton to run her own antique store. She discovers the body of a local historian, Professor Oliver Barton, in suspicious circumstances. However, the over worked local police detective doesn’t share her view and dismisses it as an accident. Bella is drawn into trying to uncover why Oliver was trespassing and what had he found in the ruins of Raven Hall.

The characters are nicely developed, particularly the Jenks family members who are an established local family involved in numerous aspects of life in Hope Eaton which makes a useful way to draw in local gossip and insights. The story has good pace with some interesting twists and red herrings. My only criticism is that parts of the middle section of the book contain a lot of speculation with multiple scenarios discussed between various characters. I felt that the momentum was lost a little.

Overall, a great start to a promising series.

If, like me, you are a fan of cozy crime then you will thoroughly enjoy this book! The first one in a new series by the awesome Clare Chase features Bella Winter who moves from the city to run an antiques store in the peaceful village of Hope Eaton hoping to focus on the things she loves - vintage clothes and antiques. She soon has to add solving crime to that list when she discover the dead body of local historian Professor Oliver Barton in the ruins of Raven Hall. Say goodbye to peace and quiet Bella! Foul play is at large and Bella Winter is the woman to get to the bottom of it all!
The setting of Hope Eaton is fictional but elements of it were inspired by Bridgnorth and as I live in Shrewsbury I absolutely loved spotting all the Shropshire connections.
A fab story and I look forward future Bella Winter mysteries!

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.

I thought this was a super cute and cozy book. I liked how the book framed a "whodunnit" type mystery parallel with a robust Female Main Character and her stake in the mystery. The pacing sometimes felt a little slow but everything tied together clearly. I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick, cozy read. I can see myself rereading this or reading the next in the series cuddled in a warm blanket in the fall/winter.

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

This is such a cute story about a antiques dealer and a mysterious murder happening in her hometown. The cast of characters gets a bit unwieldy and I did have to refresh my memory on who's-who a couple times, but this also leads to a large list of possible murderers, so it's easily forgiven. The actual history learned from this story is pretty impressive and I enjoyed the setting and plot as well. The story moved at a good pace and I would consider this a page-turner!

Overall, this was a fun read and I'm glad I picked it up. I'm looking forward to the sequel!

The first in a new series by a beloved author can it’s always a hit/miss as you have high expectations and somehow you’re used to a certain type of characters and setting.
Clare Chase did a good job in delivering this first in a new cozy series as it’s an entertaining, well plotted, and solid mystery
There’s plenty of humour, a great FMC, and an intriguing setting if you like antiques or are interested in mysteries featuring antiques and antiquaries.
I loved Bella since the first pages as she’s a mature and well round character, ironic and with a colourful family as her mother is a famous writers and her siblings are quite intriguing.
The meddling mother is what bring Bella to see her first murdered person and be involved in this twisty and well plotted story.
There’s secretes, red herring, and plenty of possible culprits.
The story kept me hooked and I can’t wait to read the next one as I want to know what will happen to Bella in the future.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to Bookouture for this ARC, all opinions are mine

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.

This is the first book in a new series, following Bella, her antique store, and a mysterious murder that the police don't even suspect could be foul play... At least until Bella and her friend/employee John do a little digging of their own.

I really enjoyed meeting Bella, she was funny smart, and determined to prove that the body she came across was a victim of a murder. There are plenty of suspects, and plenty of twists and turns to keep you invested and turning the page. I'm excited to see what's next for Bella, and how her and John are going to solve it!!

The Antique Store Detective is a new series from Clare Chase. I always prefer to start with the first entry of a new series and happily settled in to meet Bella!

The lead character is Bella Winter. She's opened up a new antique store in the village of Hope Eaton. She's settling in nicely - until she's the one who comes across the body of a known resident. The local constabulary is very busy - and from Bella's viewpoint, could use a little help. Who better but herself! With a few helpers that is.

We meet many of the villagers as Chase builds her setting, population and plot. Which provides for a long list of suspects, including some of those working with Bella! You do have to be on your toes with who is at the top of the list as some residents are on it more than once.

All the elements are here for a 'cozy'. Small village, Cuthbert the cat, an amateur detective, clues and red herrings, a light tone, and maybe a romance? We'll have to see about that possible romance - and what the next 'case' will bring.

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!