‘The Antique Store Detective’ by Clare Chase

Published by Bookouture,
2 August 2024.
ISBN: 978-1-8379096-8 (PB)

Bella Winter has left her busy life in the city to open an antique shop in the small Shropshire village of Hope Eaton where she grew up. Her hopes for a quiet life renewing past friendships and establishing a new business are soon shattered when she discovers the body of one of her father's friends, an eccentric local historian, Professor Oliver Barton in the ruins of Raven Hall. The local police think Oliver’s death was an accident, but Bella is unconvinced. Her friend and assistant in the new shop, John Jenks tells her that Oliver gave him an ancient coin that appears to be part of treasure trove. Was Oliver killed when he was out at night illegally digging for treasure in private grounds? To add to the mystery, John tells Bella about a strange rhyme that Oliver mentioned concerning four suspicious women he called the queens of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades.

Bella and John feel compelled to investigate. Who has a motive to want the professor dead, who are these suspicious women and are they connected to his death? There are suspects aplenty.

This is the first book in a new mystery series by prolific author Clare Chase. I have read a couple of her Eve Marlow mysteries and thoroughly enjoyed them.

Clare Chase always has a large cast of characters. Apart from a raft of suspects, there are numerous members of John’s family keen to help with the investigation. Bella is an engaging character keen to adopt the methods of her much-missed deceased policeman father. One of my favourite characters is John who is much more reserved than his new employer.

The background is well researched, and I enjoyed delving into the world of antiques and learning more about nighthawking.

The twists and turns of the complex plot kept me guessing right up to the end. An enjoyable read, The Antique Store will appeal to anyone who loves a fast-paced, cosy mystery.  
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Reviewer: Judith Cranswick  

Clare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations. Like her heroines, Clare is fascinated by people and what makes them tick. Before becoming a full-time writer, she worked in settings as diverse as Littlehey Prison and the University of Cambridge, in her home city. She’s lived everywhere from the house of a lord to a slug-infested flat and finds the mid-terrace she currently occupies a good happy medium. As well as writing, Clare loves family time, art and architecture, cooking, and of course, reading other people’s books.

www.clarechase.com 

Judith Cranswick was born and brought up in Norwich. Apart from writing, Judith’s great passions are travel and history. Both have influenced her two series of mystery novels. Tour Manager, Fiona Mason takes coach parties throughout Europe, and historian Aunt Jessica is the guest lecturer accompanying tour groups visiting more exotic destinations aided by her nephew Harry. Her published novels also include several award-winning standalone psychological thrillers. She wrote her first novel (now languishing in the back of a drawer somewhere) when her two children were toddlers, but there was little time for writing when she returned to her teaching career. Now retired, she is able to indulge her love of writing and has begun a life of crime! ‘Writers are told to write what they know about, but I can assure you, I've never committed a murder. I'm an ex-convent school headmistress for goodness sake!’ Her most recent book is Passage to Greenland  

http://judithcranswick.co.uk/