The Antique Hunter's Guide to Murder

I really want to like this but another sort of mid book for me, no love no hate.

I like the MCs aunt Carol more than Freya the MC but I also feel I have come across her before, the eccentric older relative, childless, carefree and young at heart.

The setting and the world of antiques is great and I really liked the idea of hunting for stolen antiques as a job, excellent choice for a cozy series.

But the stories never really comes off the ground, I don't care much for Frey which is very similar to other characters, her daughter is grown up, she's getting a divorce and she needs to get back to life again.

There's multiple POVs which I don't feel help the story much.

Oh but I do love Emilia Fox as a narrator, she's always good.

I heard an interview with the author, C.L. Miller on NPR's Book a Day podcast. The set up sounded great including an Agatha-Christie-style murder mystery and reveal based in the world of antiques. The author's mother was an expert in antique valuation, so I thought I was in for a real treat.

Sadly, the writing was very stilted and the characters were flat. I kept hoping the book would improve because the authors enthusiasm and ideas were so good, but she just wasn't able to execute.