Freya has spent her last years living as a doormat for her daughter Jade and her soon to be ex, James. But she wasn't always so timid-in fact she used to be a powerhouse antiques hunter. Her joy was tracing lost or stolen antiques and antiquaries and returning them to their rightful owners, or repatriating them to their home countries. When she gets a letter from Arthur Crockleford, noted antique dealer and her estranged teacher who ended Freya's career in Cairo, she is shocked. Arthur asks her to attend a weekend at an old manor estate and value their collection in his stead. How could he have known that he would die in a fall down the stairs of his antique shop?
Freya and Carole, her crafty aunt and Arthur's pal, go to the estate and meet the family who stands to inherit a bundle. But Freya immediately knows that something is wrong-why is the furniture knockoff Chippendale, and why are there no family pictures on the mantelpiece? What happened to all of the antiques that should be at the manor? What happened in Cairo to torpedo Freya's career? And was Arthur's death an accident or a murder...and who is next?
Author C.L. Miller is the daughter and editorial assistant of antique guide author, Judith Miller, which gives her real creds to write this story. Somewhere between a cozy and an international thriller, Antique Hunter's Guide gave me a great window into the refined world of antique appraisal and how it can go awry. Perfect for reading by the fire on a cold winter night!
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