I enjoyed this author’s first traditional mystery. She knows her antiques and how to tell a good story. Now, the Lockwood Antique Hunters (Freya and Auntie Carole) are back and on the high seas. How did they get there?

Well, a painting has been taken from a maritime museum and (worse), there has been a murder. From here the intrepid duo take a cruise where they discover many stolen artworks/antiquities, and a mastermind. Will they set the (art) world to rights? Readers know the answer; the enjoyment is in getting there.

Recommended to those who enjoy traditional mysteries, antiques and armchair travel.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for this title. All opinions are my own.

I enjoyed this book so much! It is shaping up to be a great series. There are lots of fun antique details and historical information and the author's background in antiques really shines through. The mystery was very twisting and turning and I had no idea what was going on until the very end. The characters were very well developed and the mystery was wonderfully complicated! I hope there will be many more entries into this wonderful series!

I loved the first book in this series and this second one did. or dissappoint! It was lovely being back with Freda and Aunt Carol. The mystery was twisty and so fun! I’m excited to read more of Freda and Aunt Carols adventures. I can’t wait to see what they getup to next.

“𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐧𝐝𝐬, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐭𝐫𝐲𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐞 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐰𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐫𝐮𝐥𝐲 𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞… 𝐓𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞… 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭’𝐬 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐛𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐛𝐢𝐭𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐥𝐢𝐟𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞.”

Freya and Aunt Carole are back in this fast-paced adventure!

Arthur has left behind more clues and antiques for Freya and Carole to uncover, this time involving a stolen painting and a luxury cruise. It was very clever showcasing a newspaper article early on, as a way of both recapping what happened in the last book (without giving too much away) and planting clues for the action to come. The luxury liner is filled with passengers and crew who all seemed to know Arthur, alongside many detailed descriptions of antiques, which Miller draws from her own experience growing up and working with her mother, Judith Miller of Antiques Roadshow. Freya and Aunt Carole remain as entertaining as ever, with both women determined to not let life just pass them by. Returning characters Phil and Bella were worked well into the story, with smart development in the relationships between all four characters. I didn't necessarily love The Collector, as I don't always love storylines with a 'big organization' (it reminded me too much of the derailed second season of Revenge), with the ending feeling a bit convoluted where I was asking a lot of questions about all the double crossing. However, the crew that has gathered together to form the Lockwood Agency at the end gives me a lot excitement for books to come, especially with the hints of where book three will take place!

The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea is less of a cozy mystery and more of an adventure store compared to The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder, but is an overall great addition to this series. Thank you to Simon & Schuster Canada for the ARC!

Carole and Freya had been invited to join a cruise as antiques experts. But the invitation was rescinded. Oh well. When asked to come to a local maritime museum where a picture donated by Freya's old mentor, Arthur, had been stolen, they are looking up information and discover that the cruise is, indeed, still on. And they'll be able to join.
Once they get there, they recognize some old friends, some of whom are not using the names they had the last time Carole and Freya saw them. Also on the cruise? Supposedly a big bad who is getting ready to turn over his name and his business of obtaining certain objects and then selling them off to the highest bidder. And a number of his usual bidders are on the ship as well, all of them wanting to keep their secrets.
This book took me awhile to get into it and I didn't remember all of the side characters from the previous book but there were a number of hints as to why they were important so I think new people would be fine as well. I think the transitions from third person narrator to another narrator to first person kept me from really ever immersing myself in the book but it was a good read.

Four stars
This book came out February 18, 2024
Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder #2
Follows Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder
ARC kindly provided by Atria Books and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

Thank you so much for NetGalley for granting me early access to the digital copy of this new release. I loved the first book last summer and this second one was not a let down! It was a joy being back with this characters. This sequel gave just enough catch up to brush you back up with situations. the mystery was twisty and turning and so fun! I did feel like the end snuck up quickly and things were suddenly wrapped and done. But I’m excited for what is I’m sure more books to come!

C.L. Miller delivers another engaging mystery with The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea, a follow-up that builds on the intrigue, humor, and adventure of the first book. This time, Freya Lockwood and her ever-delightful Aunt Carole set sail on a Red Sea cruise, diving deeper into the murky world of black-market antiquities. With a stolen painting, a dangerous figure known as "The Collector," and a ship full of suspects, the stakes feel higher than ever.

The locked-room atmosphere of the cruise ship adds an extra layer of suspense, reminiscent of classic Agatha Christie mysteries. Freya, though still navigating her role as an antique hunter, shows growth as a character, balancing determination with moments of endearing uncertainty. Aunt Carole, as always, steals the show with her wit and flair, ensuring that even the tensest moments carry a dose of charm.

The narrative alternates perspectives, offering glimpses into the motives of various characters, including some rather shady figures. While this enriches the mystery, it also introduces a large cast that might be a bit overwhelming at times. However, the relationships—especially the slow-burn dynamic between Freya and Phil—keep the story grounded and engaging.

Miller’s writing is sharp, blending historical intrigue with a cozy-yet-dangerous feel. While it stretches the definition of a "cozy mystery" due to its suspenseful elements, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of both traditional mysteries and treasure-hunting adventures.

Overall, The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea is a well-crafted, atmospheric mystery with a compelling mix of humor, danger, and antiquities. Fans of the series will love this next installment, and newcomers may find themselves eager to track down Freya’s first adventure.

Rating: 4/5

I enjoyed being immersed in history and antiquities on the cruise on the Red Sea, along for the ride with Freya and her Aunt Carole.
Aunt Carole is an absolute delight and this book would lack a certain pizazz without her. I am also enjoying the slow burn that is Phil and Freya’s undeniable attraction. This is not the end of these adventures and I am excited to see them partner even up for more forays into the black market of antique dealing. I grew up watching Antique’s Roadshow with my mother, so I feel connected to Freya, and the author for that matter, in this regard.
The multiple points of view are delivered in third person, to keep it separate from Freya’s, and each contributes well to giving the reader a good overall picture of events. The plot was engaging and kept me interested in the events and the fates of the characters,
I recommend this book to cozy mystery lovers and antique lovers alike. I look forward to further adventures with Freya (and Carole).
Many thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

pretty fun cozy(?) mystery that's not all that cozy for much of it, but it's still pretty good. the chars are just as good as in the first book, but the mystery is fine but not superb. 4 stars. tysm for the arc.

3.25/5 rounded down

Thank you Atria Books for the advanced reading copy!

Another solid book in the series! This one started off strong but lost me a little bit in the middle/end. Similarly to the first book, there are SO many characters — even more in this one — and it’s hard to keep track. I do think different narrators on audio would make a huge difference in being able to follow who is who. The premise this book was pretty unique and interesting, and a clever switch up from book #1, while still flowing nicely. I really love Freya & Carole, both as individuals and a duo. They play off of each other in such funny ways and Carole especially keeps the reader on their toes. I’m interested to see where this series goes next, and where Freya’s little flirtationship with Phil goes!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and C.L. Miller for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea coming out February 18, 2025. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author. I haven’t read the first book in the series. I thought the setting of the book was really interesting. A cruise on the Red Sea would be really interesting. I think Freya was a great character. I love the plot surrounding antiques. I think it felt like an Agatha Christie novel. There were some slow parts during the middle of the book. Overall, I really enjoyed the book! I would check out other books by this author!

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys cozy mysteries!

The Antique Hunter's Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller was an amazing cozy mystery.
Fantastic story, brilliant writing, wonderful characters and an enticing story.
I thought the pace of the mystery was good and I couldn’t wait to find out who did it!
Overall this was an enjoyable fun mystery!

the Lockwoods are back in action, and this time they're actually a formal antique hunting agency.

This starts with planning to go on an antiques cruise, being removed from the cruise, and then getting caught up in a mystery that means they have to find a way to get back onto the cruise. We once again see there's more from our dear departed Arthur Crockleford than we ever could've imagined, but Freya and Aunt Carole are slowly turning more pages in the life of the man they loved who was just trying to do the right thing.

While there are some returning characters, we also get plenty of new faces and new intrigue in the world of antiques and antiquities, danger, murder, and this is not the right time for flirting kind of situations.

I think describing this series as "cozy" isn't quite right - there's too much danger for that to be the right word, but they aren't unbearably tense either. I'd say these are headstrong mysteries - sometimes Freya and Carole have no idea what they're doing, but they're going to do it because it's the right thing. And because of Carole, they're going to look good and maybe have some fun while doing it.

I look forward to the next one!

Coming back to these characters is the equivalent of going home after a long journey. You meet new and incredible characters and discover new sides of the ones you already know. I also feel like we are getting more and more backstory about Arthur, which is great because this man is so mysterious. I'm having a really hard time figuring out his next move and that's amazing! Furthermore, the stakes get higher in this book which is interesting because you see Freya going out of her way to make any deal to get more information. Feels like she is letting loose compared to the first book where she was more rigid. Overall a great read! I'll always be happy to read any book from C.L. Miller. They know how to write a great mystery novel while still keeping it cozy and with surprising twists.

My thanks for the ARC goes to NetGalley and Atria Books. I'm voluntarily leaving a review, and all opinions are my own.

Genre: Mystery, Suspense, Thriller, Cozy Mystery
Spice Level: Nothing on the page other than some innuendo
Language: Infrequent profanity
Format: Multiple POVs

THE ANTIQUE HUNTER'S DEATH ON THE RED SEA caught me from page one and never let go!

Even though I'm going to call this book a cozy mystery because one of the main people trying to solve the mysterious problem is an amateur, it technically breaks the unwritten rule of cozies because there are a few swears. AND I would also say it's more of a suspense novel because we have POVs from various guilty/dastardly people.

Freya, the main character, is extremely likable as she bumbles her way through trying to figure out the clues left by her uncle and who is guilty and what on earth they're going to do to catch the Collector. I'm always a sucker for characters older than 30.

One of the things I loved about this book is that I can feel the history behind each of these characters. It makes it feel so much more real!

I also love antiques and arts, so I was bound to love the book.

I'm not sure if there are enough clues to figure everything out as the reader, but I enjoyed the ride so much, it gets all the stars from me. I will definitely read more by this author.

Happy reading!

PS: There is a very slow burn romance going on too. (One of my favorite things.)

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Antique Hunter’s Death on the Red Sea by C.L. Miller from Net Galley and Simon & Schuster Canada in order to read and give an honest review.

…suspense in addition to the intricate plot, which seamlessly weaves together backstories, antiques, and danger....

Antique hunter Freya Lockwood and her Aunt Carole are back and this time, their pursuit of stolen artifacts takes them on a Red Sea cruise, where they must unmask “The Collector,” a shadowy figure trafficking in stolen antiquities and murder. I loved this entry in the series, especially since the setting evokes Agatha Christie’s “Death on the Nile”.

Although often out of her depths, with help from beyond the grave from her predecessor Arthur by way of cryptic clues left behind in paintings and journals, and with a little help from her friends, Freya proves that she is up for the challenge.

This well-written and intriguing follow-up is a brilliant addition, especially with friends and foes from her previous book “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” intertwined in the plot . The multifaceted and well-developed characters, both familiar and new, add another layer to the story. My only issue at times is Freya’s naivety in certain scenes which makes the story a bit flat for me. While I loved the first book in the series, “An Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder,” this sequel may be my favourite thus far. There were so many things to like, especially the locked room atmosphere of the cruise ship, which adds a layer of suspense in addition to the intricate plot, which seamlessly weaves together backstories, antiques, and danger. Told from multiple points of view Antique Hunters Death on the Red Sea is a fast-paced, captivating, fun, and cleverly woven cozy that will keep the reader flipping the pages. I look forward to reading more about Freya and Carole’s adventures in the future.

I enjoyed the first book in this series and was looking forward to this one. It did not disappoint! I enjoy books set on cruise ships, and this locked room mystery, trapped on the high sea, was an intriguing read from start to finish. The setting is atmospheric and claustrophobic as the danger closes in.

One of the things I enjoy most about this series is the relationship between antique hunter FMC Freya and her quirky Aunt Carol. This time, the duo set sail onboard a cruise ship, hunting down a stolen painting, an underground art trafficker called "The Collector."

In addition to the fabulous duo of Freya and Aunt Carol, Phil, the uncover FBI agent specializing in art theft, and a few other familiar faces are back. And there is a large group of suspects onboard. I enjoyed the variety of personalities and the vivid characters. Freya is a likable and dedicated sleuth, and I appreciated that she showed growth and increased confidence from our introduction to her in book one. Aunt Carol, though, is my favorite character. She is charming, glamorous, and a little eccentric, bringing humor and lightheartedness to the story.

The mystery is intriguing and well-plotted, with plenty of red herrings to keep you guessing. The pacing overall is good and builds toward the end, along with the suspense. I love the fascinating history and antiques lessons scattered throughout the story. I also enjoy the overarching storyline of Freya's Uncle Arthur's journals, which contain their own mystery and add a nice layer to the stories, although this works as a standalone. Charming, engaging, and fun, and I can't wait to see where the series takes us next!

Fans of cozy and locked-room mysteries and antique lovers will want to add this one to their tbr!

Thank you to Atria Books and Netgalley for the gifted book!

I got about 30% into this book and ended up having to DNF it. I had been looking forward to reading this book because I thought it’d come across like Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie. I also love Aunt Carole and she makes any scene that she’s in.

My problems, unfortunately, start from the very beginning of the book thought. It all starts with them not even being on the ship, which gave me a bit of whiplash when the scene changed. I also felt like there were too many characters introduced too fast. Then there were some that were introduced (like Skye) who seem to have much larger roles to play that needed to be much more deeply explored, but then were given too quick of an explanation as to their actual motives.

On top of all of that, the whole story was chugging along too slowly for me. The chance to hook the reader in, to me anyway, was lost. And Freya’s personality was as just bland. I was hoping for some more confidence and growth that I had seen in the last book coming through in this book. Instead she just came across as boring. Simply not a book for me, which is disappointing because I loved the first book.

Freya and Carole are thrust into the antiquities black market when a painting goes missing from the local village. Their investigation will stretch all the way to an antiquities cruise & a mysterious Collector.

I loved the change of scenery. I’ve recently been in a cruise and it was a lot of fun to see my inexperience with ships reflected in Freya’s! And the relationship between Freya and Carole continues to charm me. The spark between Freya and Phil also finally gets some tinder!

But there too many characters and too many underdeveloped red herrings, and with all the uneven POV switches, it made it tough for me to be fully invested.

Thanks to both NetGalley and Atria Books for this arc.

I loved The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder so I was excited for this and it did not disappoint. I felt just as hooked and invested in this as I did the previous book.