The Antique Hunter's ; Death on the Red Sea by C L Miller #AntiqueHunters #DeathontheRedSea @CLMillerAuthor @panmacmillan @RandomTTours #BookReview

 

Join Freya and Aunt Carole for more sleuthing in the highly anticipated second instalment in your new favourite crime series, The Antique Hunters. The Antique Hunter's: Death on the Red Sea is a cosy crime read for fans of the Antiques Roadshow.

When a painting vanishes from a maritime museum – and a dead body is found nearby – the newly established Lockwood Antique Hunter’s Agency, Freya Lockwood and her Aunt Carole, are called to investigate.

Following a lead that takes them aboard a glamorous antiques cruise sailing toward the Red Sea in Jordan, they quickly discover that the ship's art gallery is filled with stolen antiquities. Each and every one of them is also listed in Freya’s late mentor’s journals detailing unsolved cases. In chasing a murderer with a stolen painting, they may have found something more sinister than they could’ve imagined . . .

Their hunt soon turns deadly when they learn that the enigmatic and dangerous art trafficker named The Collector could be on board. But on a ship full of antiques enthusiasts – plus some unexpected familiar faces – will Freya and Carole be able to discover The Collector’s identity and stop his murderous plans before the ship docks?

Or will the killer strike again?

The Antique Hunter's : Death on the Red Sea by C L Miller was published in hardback on 13 February 2025 by Pan Macmillan. My thanks to the publisher who sent my copy for review as part of this Blog Tour. 

I read and reviewed the first in this series: The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder back in March 2024, and whilst cosy crime is never my first choice when choosing a crime book to read, I really did enjoy it and have been looking forward to this second in the series for a while. 

This is another gloriously entertaining read from Miller featuring two of the best drawn female lead characters about. Freya Lockwood and her Aunt Carol have officially created their 'Lockwood Antique Hunter's Agency' and who would have guessed that there would be quite so much business for them? The antiques business is certainly not dry and boring, it's filled to the brim with suspicious characters and crimes that need to be investigated. 

The prologue takes the reader back to before Freya's uncle Arthur died. He passing on information to Phil, from the FBI Art Crime Team - it seems 'The Collector' is taking retirement and is stepping down from his role as antique thief extraordinaire! 

When Freya and Carol are called out to investigate the theft of a painting from a nearby Maritime Museum, they discover that Arthur was heavily involved with the museum and the painting, and before long they find themselves on a art themed cruise, with Freya posing as one of the experts on board. It soon becomes clear to Freya that there's a lot of dodgy stuff going on and the appearance of a familiar face on board just proves this to her. 

This is a great series, I love the unusual premise - the crime solvers set in the world of the antiques business!  The author has used her own personal experience to ensure that the details appear so authentic whilst also creating mysteries that are complex and compelling.  Recommended by me. 

C. L. Miller started her working life in publishing as an editorial assistant for her mother, Judith Miller, on the Miller’s Antique Price Guide and as a researcher for the Antique Hunter’s Guide to Europe, and then went into hospitality and events. 

After she had children, she decided to follow her long-held dream of becoming an author and began writing full time. 

She was an Undiscovered Voices winner in 2022 and was showcased in the UV 2022 anthology.

C. L. Miller lives in a medieval cottage in Dedham Vale, Suffolk, with her family.

www.clmillerauthor.com

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