A treasure to die for? The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller #bookreview #TheAntiqueHuntersDeathontheRedSea #NetGalley

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 antique is also listed in Freya’s late mentor’s journals that detail 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 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?

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Hi and welcome to my review of The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea!

The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is the second instalment in a cosy mystery series featuring antiques dealer Freya and her (fabulous!) aunt Carole, but I feel it could be read as a standalone if you missed the first one. While I had some issues with the first book (ICYMI), I had a great time with Freya’s second outing.

What changed, you might ask. And well, for one, I think I went in with the right expectations. While C.L. Miller clearly knows what she’s talking about antiques-wise, I now knew not to expect many details and intricacies of the business itself, although one does pick up a few things along the way.

The setting worked for me as well, I do love bookish travel and I loved that The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea took me all the way to Egypt and Jordan. The many mysteries to solve on this trip kept up the pace and kept me glued to my Kobo.

I think Freya is really finding her feet in this new business she’s inherited and one cannot help but love Carole. Their interactions and banter often made me smile and I found I really enjoyed spending time in their company. I also gobbled up the will-they-won’t-they thing between Freya and Phil, and I loved the scene in which the entire town comes to the rescue together.

With its strong female characters, strong plot, fast pace and many mysteries and threats, The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is an engrossing, somewhat cosy, mystery, reminiscent of the Golden Age mysteries and detective fiction. Recommended to fans of the genre.

The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is out now in digital formats and hardcover, with the audiobook to follow in March and the paperback in September.

Massive thanks to Pan Macmillan and NetGalley for the DRC. All opinions are my own.