The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea – C.L. Miller | Book Review | #CozyMystery #AntiqueHunters #DeathOnTheRedSea @CLMillerAuthor @RandomTTours

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?

MY THOUGHTS

My thanks to Anne of Random Things Tours for the invite and the publisher for the paperback proof to review. I read and enjoyed the first in the series last year (The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder, reviewed here) and was delighted at the opportunity to review this second, The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea. Published by Pan Macmillan (13 February 2025) and available in ebook, audiobook and hardback with the paperback to follow in September 2025.

Who knew that the world of antiques could be so deadly! Following the success of their previous antiques hunt at Copthorn Manor in book one, Freya Lockwood and her septuagenarian aunt Carole are booked onto an antiques cruise to Jordan with Freya as an expert speaker. The machinations of the deceased and much revered antique hunter Arthur Crockleford (Freya’s mentor) are at work here; he clearly wanted Freya to continue in his footsteps and as before there are a wealth of cleverly hidden clues for Freya and Carole to uncover if they are to prevent stolen antiques passing into the hands of the wrong people.

Both Freya and Carole appeared a little out of their depth here in their hunt for ‘The Collector’, a dangerous art trafficker who holds little value on human life and will despatch anyone who gets in their way. There is to be a succession where the old bows out and a new Collector takes over, the details are fiercely guarded but being stubborn and recklessly disregarding the danger she puts herself in, Freya is determined to put a stop to the proceedings.

Narrated from multiple POV, this is another entertaining, if occasionally rather overly complicated cosy mystery which tested Freya to her limits. The action wasn’t just confined to the cruise either, their antique gallery in Suffolk, looked after by newcomer Sky, a hacker with a conscience, was also subject to some drama. Apart from Freya and Carole I was pleased to see returning characters from book 1 however there were so many double crossings and betrayals I was suspicious of everybody and trusted no-one. One particular person was an immediate red flag for me and I might have done a triumphant ‘yes!’ when I was proved right.

As well as entertaining, this series does inform, with antiquity detail and atmospheric locations woven into the narrative and it was tempting to go down the Google rabbit hole. I’m sure there is another adventure ahead for Freya and her antique hunter associates … and might there even be a touch of future romance too? A very enjoyable mystery series which I am now fully invested in.

Cara Miller started working life in publishing as an editorial assistant for her mother, Judith Miller, on the Miller’s Antique Price Guide to Europe before she 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. She lives in a medieval cottage in Suffolk with her family.

This book was written in consultation with international antiques expert Judith Miller (1951–2023), a regular specialist on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. Judith was also the co-founder of the bestselling annual Miller’s Antiques Price Guide, which started in 1979. She went on to write more than 120 books on antiques and interiors.

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