6 February 2026.
ISBN: 978-1-80550229-6 (PB)
Bella Winter is happily settled in the Shropshire town of Hope Eaton, a place she has fond memories of because, after her parents divorced, her father had moved to the town and worked as the local police officer. Bella’s father died some time ago, but many of her happiest memories are of the times when she visited him.
Bella’s antique shop, Vintage Winter, is doing well, and after solving several local crimes, she has added ‘problems solved’ to her repertoire. Bella has high hopes for this new aspect of her business, but she is sad when her first case involves personal distress. Her friend Jeannie asks her to investigate the death of Margie Fleming, a good friend to both of them. Bella had been visiting Margie not long before she drowned in the River Kite, near to her home. Margie’s death is even more poignant because her older sister, Bethan, died in the same manner and in roughly the same place. Margie had been a gifted creator of quilt pictures, and Bethan had been a successful sculptor, while their youngest sister, Freya, is a painter. The family’s artistic talent had originated with their grandfather, who had been an eminent sculptor. His most iconic work was a wonderful sculpture of a Mother and Child. Whenever Bella had visited Margie’s cottage, she had admired the sculpture, but she always wondered why it has been placed in the kitchen, in a position which failed to show off its splendour. Margie agreed but told Bella that this was where she found the statue when she inherited it and the cottage from Bethan. Margie had intended to sell the sculpture to pay for repairs to the cottage, but now the sale is cancelled, and the only surviving sister, Freya, has inherited her sister’s possessions.
Bella is certain that the deaths of Bethan and Margie are linked and would have investigated even if Jeannie hadn’t requested her to do so on behalf of Hope Eaton’s arts trust. Fortunately, she has a group of trusted helpers, including Jeannie herself, a forceful lady who owns the local pub, who believes that it is her prerogative to oversee the behaviour of everyone who lives in ‘her’ town’. Bella’s most reliable helper is John, Jeannie’s quiet, reserved son, who assists Bella in Vintage Winter. Jeannie has two other sons, extrovert Leo, who is always eager to get involved, along with his wife, Carys; and Jeannie’s youngest son, Matt, who lives in the same apartment block as Bella. The local police force is less than proactive, but Bella can always get ‘inside information’ from her godfather, Tony, a retired police officer.
At the top of Bella’s suspect list is
Bethan’s promiscuous, predatory husband, who has built his own artistic career
by piggybacking on Bethan’s far greater talent. Bella also considers the
possible guilt of the youngest sister, Freya, who refuses to acknowledge that
she lacks the artistic talent of her sisters, and is bitter, jealous,
vindictive and desperate for fame.
However, there are several other suspects, and, when the secret of the
sculpture is revealed, the investigation takes a new and sinister turn. The
death toll increases, and Bella has to follow several art-related clues and
take some personal risks in her quest to discover the truth and get justice for
her friend.
The Antique Store Detective and the
Riverside Murders is the fourth book in the series
featuring Bella Winter and her friends. Bella is an engaging protagonist, who
leads a likeable team of helpers, and is part of a fascinating community that
has many interesting local traditions. This is an enjoyable cosy mystery, which
I recommend.
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Reviewer: Carol Westron
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