The Antique Hunter's Guide To Murder by C. L. Miller (Audiobook)

 

Freya Lockwood has enough on her plate to deal with since her ex-husband insisted that the family home be sold. The last thing she needs is a phone call from her Aunt telling her that her old mentor, Arthur, has died under mysterious circumstances. Returning to her childhood home after twenty years brings back unpleasant memories and a hunt for a murderer.

Both the title and the cover of The Antique Hunter's Guide To Murder are enough to grab your attention. When you add in the pedigree of author C. L. Miller you know you're in for something exciting.

This was such a fun audiobook to listen to. The way in which the story develops, including the numerous hints to events in Cairo twenty years ago, has you immediately thinking of an Indiana Jones type adventure. We learn that Arthur Crockleford was Freya's mentor, he taught her everything about tracking down antiques that had been stolen and returning them to their rightful owners. On one of their hunting trips, twenty years ago, something went disastrously wrong and they became estranged. The listener/reader is kept in the dark for quite a while as to the exact nature of what went wrong. This, along with Arthur's murder, adds another layer of mystery to the story.

The police are convinced that Arthur's death was an accident, but Freya and her aunt are suspicious. When Freya receives a posthumous letter from Arthur she knows that he was fearful for his life. The letter turns out to be a series of clues to help them solve the puzzle of who would want Arthur dead, and why.

The clues lead to an antiques event at a stately home filled with larger-than-life characters. No one is as they seem and absolutely no one can be trusted. My favourite character was Aunt Carole, an eccentric luvvie who thinks she can talk, or act, her way out of any situation.

I am convinced that this cosy murder mystery will be the start of a successful series featuring Freya and her aunt.

The Antique Hunter's Guide To Murder by C. L. Miller will be published on 29th February 2024 in hardback, ebook and audio format. My thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan UK Audio for a review copy.