The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

[cornerofmadness]

The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder by C.L. Miller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I had mixed feelings about this, probably a 3.5 star read that I rounded up. My problem is right off the jump with how Arthur handled everything. Freya is a middle aged woman whose ex is selling her London home out from under her because the court told him he could once his daughter was 18. Jade is 18 so he's basically putting mother and daughter out. Jade's in America anyhow going to college and Freya just doesn't want to lose her home. And we soon realize how much she gave up for her husband. Her job, her life, her self confidence etc.

She gets called back to where she was raised in the middle of all this by her Aunt Carole who raised her after she lost her parents. Arthur Crockleford, her one time mentor, has died and Carole is sure it wasn't that he was old and fell down the steps and died. Freya hasn't spoken to Arthur in 20 years blaming him for what happened in Cairo 20 years ago, believing he betrayed her (it'll take some time before we learn what happened there). Before that Arthur had given her a purpose as an antique hunter, something her ex didn't allow her to continue (he's the women stay at home type)

Freya was apparently great at that and Arthur's last letter to her apologizes for cutting her out of the business in and she needs to help him one last time and she'll learn exactly what happened in Cairo. To that end, he has given her and Carole clues. His lawyer, Franklin, was told she was to take his place as the antiques expert for some Lord's estate.

He has an awful son, Giles (who has control over his 'girlfriend' Belle) and a money hungry daughter Amy. Also at the estate is Clare the bad cook and Phil who is supposedly a groundskeeper. Within in two days Freya is meant to open the vaults and value everything. No one wants her there and almost immediately the 'leave now' messages start. Somehow all this is all tied into Arthur, the antiques black market and blackmail.

The plot was good and moved along though it did still manage to feel a little overly long in parts. Mostly we're in Freya's pov but we do bounce (in various chapters, well marked, no head hopping) to literally every other character. It's obvious no one is trustworthy and are not who they claim to be. Freya and Carole have to survive while she's navigating her loss of her house but the regaining of her love of antiques.

There are some fun twists in this. What was less fun was Arthur himself because that first plot point is kinda ludicrous. Arthur knows he's betrayed. He expects to die. But he's also in touch with law enforcement so why the heck would he not tell them and why bring Freya into this at all? I guess we're to assume that law enforcement might think she's guilty of something in Cairo so he couldn't hand that to them. Otherwise it doesn't make much sense.

The ending sets up for more stories down the road with Freya as a newly minted antique detective.



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