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Bella Winter Mystery #3
The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance
A mysterious death and a missing ruby necklace… it’s clearly a case for antique store owner and amateur sleuth Bella Winter!
Nobody was surprised when Clemmie Crowe passed away – she’d been sick for a long time. But Bella Winter isn’t sure it’s as simple as it seems. Why was Clemmie so agitated the day she died – and why did she ask a local policeman to call on her?
Bella’s certain Clemmie knew something about her relatives, the powerful Powell family. They used to own half of Hope Eaton, but now they’re planning to sell what remains… Including the Steps Café, owned by Bella’s best friends.
The sale has to be stopped. Where else will Bella get her sausage sandwiches? Perhaps Clemmie’s secret will be enough to put a spanner in the works. So when matriarch Althea Powell invites her to value their possessions, Bella jumps at the chance. She can find some gems, investigate Clemmie’s death, and stymie the sale all at once.
It seems to be going swimmingly… until it’s proved that Clemmie was murdered, and Althea’s priceless ruby necklace vanishes. The list of suspects is as long as Bella’s arm. Was it Althea’s shady stepson, desperate for cash? His older brother, who wants to sell up? Or even her husband, who keeps changing his will?
Then Bella finds the necklace in the last place she expects, upsetting everything she thought she knew. Where there’s a will, there’s bound to be a quarrel. But can Bella figure out whose inheritance means murder, before things turn deadly for her?
A completely charming English cozy mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love following the fiendish clues as Bella cracks her most puzzling case yet!
Nobody was surprised when Clemmie Crowe passed away – she’d been sick for a long time. But Bella Winter isn’t sure it’s as simple as it seems. Why was Clemmie so agitated the day she died – and why did she ask a local policeman to call on her?
Bella’s certain Clemmie knew something about her relatives, the powerful Powell family. They used to own half of Hope Eaton, but now they’re planning to sell what remains… Including the Steps Café, owned by Bella’s best friends.
The sale has to be stopped. Where else will Bella get her sausage sandwiches? Perhaps Clemmie’s secret will be enough to put a spanner in the works. So when matriarch Althea Powell invites her to value their possessions, Bella jumps at the chance. She can find some gems, investigate Clemmie’s death, and stymie the sale all at once.
It seems to be going swimmingly… until it’s proved that Clemmie was murdered, and Althea’s priceless ruby necklace vanishes. The list of suspects is as long as Bella’s arm. Was it Althea’s shady stepson, desperate for cash? His older brother, who wants to sell up? Or even her husband, who keeps changing his will?
Then Bella finds the necklace in the last place she expects, upsetting everything she thought she knew. Where there’s a will, there’s bound to be a quarrel. But can Bella figure out whose inheritance means murder, before things turn deadly for her?
A completely charming English cozy mystery. Fans of Agatha Christie, Faith Martin and Betty Rowlands will love following the fiendish clues as Bella cracks her most puzzling case yet!
311 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 28, 2025
437 people are currently reading
70 people want to read
About the author
Clare Chase
28 books311 followersClare Chase writes classic mysteries. Her aim is to take readers away from it all via some armchair sleuthing in atmospheric locations.
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
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 novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
Her debut novel was shortlisted for Novelicious’s Undiscovered Award, as well as an EPIC award post-publication, and was chosen as a Debut of the Month by LoveReading. Murder in the Marshes (Tara Thorpe 1) was shortlisted for an International Thriller Writers award.
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 novels.
You can find Clare's website and blog at www.clarechase.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
August 28, 2025
Number three in the Bella Winter Mystery series. I read and enjoyed the first book but somehow missed the second one. Bella runs an antique store and fancies herself as an amateur sleuth. When she gets involved with a family with serious issues and several deaths occur she begins her own investigation.
There are a lot of good things about this book but I was weighed down by the amount of speculation about who might have done the crimes. This is always part of a cosy mystery but in this case the discussions seriously outweighed the action in number of pages. I did enjoy the characters and the ending came as a surprise which I always like. Three stars from me for this one.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
There are a lot of good things about this book but I was weighed down by the amount of speculation about who might have done the crimes. This is always part of a cosy mystery but in this case the discussions seriously outweighed the action in number of pages. I did enjoy the characters and the ending came as a surprise which I always like. Three stars from me for this one.
My thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.
September 15, 2025
The third in a cosy mystery series, this is the second book I have read. It does read well as a standalone, so I had no problems keeping up with the story.
Bella Winter runs an antique store in a little village. As a sideline, she is also an amateur sleuth. If there is anything fishy going on, she does her best to get to the bottom of everything. Clemmie Crowe passes away, which was expected, but there are niggly details that are worming their way around Bella's brain.
She wonders if her death is connected to the wealthy Powell family. They are relatives of Clemmie and are planning to sell their half of Hope Heaton, which does mean the Steps Cafe will be sold too!! Bella is not happy because it's owned by her friends and she loves her sausage butties from there.
Bella gets a request to value the Powell's possessions and she can't get there fast enough! Talk about a 3 in 1 job! She will be able to find some gems, investigate Clemmie's death and try to mess up the sale. Things start to go awry and Bella finds herself on a mission to solve her case before there is another victim.
Bella is up to her eyes in this investigation and I enjoyed seeing her getting the chance to get stuck into the case. Such an entertaining series this is. Her friends 'help' her by making their own suggestions on suspects, which does cause mayhem at times. The case is rather more complex than Bella expected and it makes for a twisty read.
This is a perfect read for these wet and windy days we have now. Marvellous characters in a quaint setting with a mystery or two to solve. What else do you need?
Bella Winter runs an antique store in a little village. As a sideline, she is also an amateur sleuth. If there is anything fishy going on, she does her best to get to the bottom of everything. Clemmie Crowe passes away, which was expected, but there are niggly details that are worming their way around Bella's brain.
She wonders if her death is connected to the wealthy Powell family. They are relatives of Clemmie and are planning to sell their half of Hope Heaton, which does mean the Steps Cafe will be sold too!! Bella is not happy because it's owned by her friends and she loves her sausage butties from there.
Bella gets a request to value the Powell's possessions and she can't get there fast enough! Talk about a 3 in 1 job! She will be able to find some gems, investigate Clemmie's death and try to mess up the sale. Things start to go awry and Bella finds herself on a mission to solve her case before there is another victim.
Bella is up to her eyes in this investigation and I enjoyed seeing her getting the chance to get stuck into the case. Such an entertaining series this is. Her friends 'help' her by making their own suggestions on suspects, which does cause mayhem at times. The case is rather more complex than Bella expected and it makes for a twisty read.
This is a perfect read for these wet and windy days we have now. Marvellous characters in a quaint setting with a mystery or two to solve. What else do you need?
July 13, 2025
Thanks NetGalley for the opportunity to read the ARC of Clare Chase's 'The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance' in exchange for my review.
This book (and the series itself) has a lot of good things going for it. It is set in a quaint English village with an engaging and likeable main character and supporting cast, and it follows the widely established pattern of a cozy murder mystery novel.
The murder mystery at the heart of this novel was intriguing and layered enough to keep the reader on their toes. However, the story is bogged down with the repetition of information in what turned out to be a repetitive chapter sequence.
1. Something has happened - Bella decides she must investigate.
2. Bella investigates and gathers some new information from the suspects..
3. Bella goes back to her antique store and shares this information with John. They speculate about what this new information could mean and how it fits with their theories - useably while eating lunch.
4. Bella laments the uselessness of the local detective and contacts her ex-cop Godfather to update him.
5. They meet in the pub, some or all of the side characters join them. They are brought up to speed, Bella leaves with a new set of questions after picking apart everyones alibi and motive.
6. Circle back to #1 and repeat.
Halfway through I started skimming the speculation and rehashing chapters. The ending though was very well paced and the murder was logically worked through. There were several clues I missed along the way so I had the pleasure of discovering the truth along with the other characters.
All in all a good story, it just needed less time spent on Bella speculating and rehashing information and more variety in how, when, and where characters met up to discuss what was happening.
This book (and the series itself) has a lot of good things going for it. It is set in a quaint English village with an engaging and likeable main character and supporting cast, and it follows the widely established pattern of a cozy murder mystery novel.
The murder mystery at the heart of this novel was intriguing and layered enough to keep the reader on their toes. However, the story is bogged down with the repetition of information in what turned out to be a repetitive chapter sequence.
1. Something has happened - Bella decides she must investigate.
2. Bella investigates and gathers some new information from the suspects..
3. Bella goes back to her antique store and shares this information with John. They speculate about what this new information could mean and how it fits with their theories - useably while eating lunch.
4. Bella laments the uselessness of the local detective and contacts her ex-cop Godfather to update him.
5. They meet in the pub, some or all of the side characters join them. They are brought up to speed, Bella leaves with a new set of questions after picking apart everyones alibi and motive.
6. Circle back to #1 and repeat.
Halfway through I started skimming the speculation and rehashing chapters. The ending though was very well paced and the murder was logically worked through. There were several clues I missed along the way so I had the pleasure of discovering the truth along with the other characters.
All in all a good story, it just needed less time spent on Bella speculating and rehashing information and more variety in how, when, and where characters met up to discuss what was happening.
September 8, 2025
Bella Winter is the owner of Vintage Winter, an antique shop in Hope Eaton. Her parents had separated when Bella was a child and she had gone to live with her mother, but she loved the times she spent with her father, a police officer, at Hope Eaton, and sometime after his death, she had moved into his flat and opened her shop. Now Bella is very happily settled and has many local friends, notably John Jenks who assists her in her shop, and John’s forceful mother and his quiet father; his brother, Leo, who runs the local cafe, and sister-in-law, Carys, a teacher; plus, his youngest brother, Matt, who is Bella’s charming and flirtatious neighbour. During her time in Hope Eaton, Bella has developed a reputation as a detective, investigating crimes that affect her local community, and she believes that she has inherited her father’s talent for detection. She is encouraged in this belief by her godfather, Tony, a retired police officer who is always happy to assist with her investigations.
Bella has agreed to help Althea Powell, the wife of a local landowner and businessman, who wants her to value some of the contents of their house, High Seat, without telling her husband, Bernard. Althea confides in Bella that the family is short of money, and she wishes to persuade Bernard to sell some antiques in preference to selling the properties they rent out, which include several cottages and Leo’s cafe. Althea thinks that it is more important to save people’s homes and livelihood, but Bernard is desperate to keep up appearances.
Another thing that is distressing Althea is the terminal illness of her oldest and dearest friend, Clemmie Crowe. Bella also knows and likes Clemmie, and John is a close friend of the ill woman, so they go to the hospice together to visit her. Clemmie is very weak and seems to be slightly confused, but it is a shock when she dies that same afternoon. Bella knows that Clemmie was very sick, but nevertheless her instincts tell her Clemmie’s death has been hastened, especially as she had asked a young detective that she was acquainted with to visit her. Unfortunately, the detective was delayed and arrived too late to discover what Clemmie wanted. Bella pushes the police to ask for a postmortem, and this proves that she is correct, Clemmie was murdered, but it is hard to imagine who would have motive to kill a woman who had such a short time to live?
Bella starts to investigate, determined to gain justice for Clemmie, and spurred on by the realisation that the premises that house Leo’s Cafe is in imminent danger of being sold. When Althea shows Bella a ruby necklace that is her personal property, Bella realises that it is incredibly valuable, and the sale of it could alleviate a lot of the family’s financial problems. However, Bella can sympathise with Althea’s wish to retain it, in order to leave it to her niece, Paula. Bernard has two sons, Althea’s stepsons, and she feels reluctant to add her necklace to the money that Rory, her greedy, extravagant, younger stepson, will persuade Bernard to give him, and which he will then waste. Althea gets on well with her older stepson, Gregory, but loathes Rory, who is spendthrift, entitled and manipulative, and manages to get far more money from his father than Bernard can afford. When Althea’s necklace vanishes, Rory is the main suspect, and now Bella has two cases to solve, although she believes that the murder and the theft must be connected. More deaths occur, and the necklace turns up in an unexpected place. This throws Bella’s ideas into confusion, but she is determined to discover the truth, even though her investigation may endanger her own life.
The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance is the third book in the series featuring Bella Winter and her friends at Hope Eaton. It has a cast of engaging characters and a plot with numerous twists, turns and red herrings. This is an enjoyable addition to a delightful series, which I recommend for fans of cosy crime, especially those who enjoy an intimate, village setting.
-------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
Bella has agreed to help Althea Powell, the wife of a local landowner and businessman, who wants her to value some of the contents of their house, High Seat, without telling her husband, Bernard. Althea confides in Bella that the family is short of money, and she wishes to persuade Bernard to sell some antiques in preference to selling the properties they rent out, which include several cottages and Leo’s cafe. Althea thinks that it is more important to save people’s homes and livelihood, but Bernard is desperate to keep up appearances.
Another thing that is distressing Althea is the terminal illness of her oldest and dearest friend, Clemmie Crowe. Bella also knows and likes Clemmie, and John is a close friend of the ill woman, so they go to the hospice together to visit her. Clemmie is very weak and seems to be slightly confused, but it is a shock when she dies that same afternoon. Bella knows that Clemmie was very sick, but nevertheless her instincts tell her Clemmie’s death has been hastened, especially as she had asked a young detective that she was acquainted with to visit her. Unfortunately, the detective was delayed and arrived too late to discover what Clemmie wanted. Bella pushes the police to ask for a postmortem, and this proves that she is correct, Clemmie was murdered, but it is hard to imagine who would have motive to kill a woman who had such a short time to live?
Bella starts to investigate, determined to gain justice for Clemmie, and spurred on by the realisation that the premises that house Leo’s Cafe is in imminent danger of being sold. When Althea shows Bella a ruby necklace that is her personal property, Bella realises that it is incredibly valuable, and the sale of it could alleviate a lot of the family’s financial problems. However, Bella can sympathise with Althea’s wish to retain it, in order to leave it to her niece, Paula. Bernard has two sons, Althea’s stepsons, and she feels reluctant to add her necklace to the money that Rory, her greedy, extravagant, younger stepson, will persuade Bernard to give him, and which he will then waste. Althea gets on well with her older stepson, Gregory, but loathes Rory, who is spendthrift, entitled and manipulative, and manages to get far more money from his father than Bernard can afford. When Althea’s necklace vanishes, Rory is the main suspect, and now Bella has two cases to solve, although she believes that the murder and the theft must be connected. More deaths occur, and the necklace turns up in an unexpected place. This throws Bella’s ideas into confusion, but she is determined to discover the truth, even though her investigation may endanger her own life.
The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance is the third book in the series featuring Bella Winter and her friends at Hope Eaton. It has a cast of engaging characters and a plot with numerous twists, turns and red herrings. This is an enjoyable addition to a delightful series, which I recommend for fans of cosy crime, especially those who enjoy an intimate, village setting.
-------
Reviewer: Carol Westron
For Lizzie Sirett (Mystery People Group)
June 20, 2025
This book was my introduction to this series and the author's work, but I had no problem understanding the plot, so readers can enjoy this as a standalone although I would recommend reading the books in order.
I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and the premise of this book was intriguing—the story seemed to have all the elements of a typical charming, English cozy mystery. However, I can't say the book fully delivered on the promise. The mystery was exciting enough, but maybe the plot was a bit too convoluted?
I'm not sure I understood or liked Bella Winter's character (Perhaps reading the previous books might have helped with that...for instance, did it make sense to freely share her observations with so many people in public places?).
The police were portrayed as dimwitted and practically useless. Bella seemingly had no respect for Detective Sergeant Barry Dixon. She got along better with her godfather and retired CID, Tony, who didn't always play by the rules and still had considerable influence with the local police.
Some of the conclusions Bella jumped to (and the reasoning behind those) were pretty far-fetched and unconvincing—perhaps they were included to portray Bella as a super sleuth, but in my opinion, it backfired.
For instance, .
Similarly, her sudden understanding of Gregory's secret (not elaborating to avoid spoilers, but how did she suddenly guess the actual reason after chasing a completely different line of thought until then? Especially since there were enough red herrings to justify the suspicion), the reason for Gregory's meetings with Kevin (Why lie about that to the police?) and Arabella Neville (didn't he have more important things to worry about just then?) and his shifty behavior on seeing John at the solicitor's office (why would anyone else care even if they did figure out what Gregory was doing with only a passing glance?) makes no sense at all.
The biggest disappointment for me was the motivation for the central crime. Given what we know about Althea Powell and Clemmie Crowe, that is not at all how it should have gone down (
Also, I found it a bit immature that Bella would be with someone she hardly ever thought of, especially since she was more attracted to a neighbor she looked down on for being mysterious and having too many casual relationships. (Again, maybe I'm not getting the full picture here as I haven't read the first two books in the series, but glorifying guys who seem unsuitable is not something I wanna get behind)
I thank the publishers and Netgalley for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest feedback.
I am a huge fan of cozy mysteries and the premise of this book was intriguing—the story seemed to have all the elements of a typical charming, English cozy mystery. However, I can't say the book fully delivered on the promise. The mystery was exciting enough, but maybe the plot was a bit too convoluted?
I'm not sure I understood or liked Bella Winter's character (Perhaps reading the previous books might have helped with that...for instance, did it make sense to freely share her observations with so many people in public places?).
The police were portrayed as dimwitted and practically useless. Bella seemingly had no respect for Detective Sergeant Barry Dixon. She got along better with her godfather and retired CID, Tony, who didn't always play by the rules and still had considerable influence with the local police.
Some of the conclusions Bella jumped to (and the reasoning behind those) were pretty far-fetched and unconvincing—perhaps they were included to portray Bella as a super sleuth, but in my opinion, it backfired.
For instance, .
Similarly, her sudden understanding of Gregory's secret (not elaborating to avoid spoilers, but how did she suddenly guess the actual reason after chasing a completely different line of thought until then? Especially since there were enough red herrings to justify the suspicion), the reason for Gregory's meetings with Kevin (Why lie about that to the police?) and Arabella Neville (didn't he have more important things to worry about just then?) and his shifty behavior on seeing John at the solicitor's office (why would anyone else care even if they did figure out what Gregory was doing with only a passing glance?) makes no sense at all.
The biggest disappointment for me was the motivation for the central crime. Given what we know about Althea Powell and Clemmie Crowe, that is not at all how it should have gone down (
Also, I found it a bit immature that Bella would be with someone she hardly ever thought of, especially since she was more attracted to a neighbor she looked down on for being mysterious and having too many casual relationships. (Again, maybe I'm not getting the full picture here as I haven't read the first two books in the series, but glorifying guys who seem unsuitable is not something I wanna get behind)
I thank the publishers and Netgalley for sending me an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest feedback.
July 20, 2025
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!
This was my second tryst with this mystery series. I'd tried, and failed, a while back to read the first in this series (The Antique Store Detective). For some reason, I couldn't get into the book and abandoned it. I'm glad I decided to give this series a second chance, however, because this third book is pretty good!
Bella Winter runs an antique store in the village of Hope Eaton and is asked to valuate antique knick knacks by Althea Powell, whose husband comes from old money and sits on an estate that's bleeding money. Of course, it wouldn't be a murder mystery if people were conveniently polished off. Cue Bella and her investigative skills.
The mystery starts off on an interesting note and while the pace is quite steady at the beginning, it falters somewhere in the middle and then picks up towards the end as the body count racks up. I don't think I've read a murder mystery of late that's had this many dead bodies? Of course, with it being a cosy mystery, the gore is limited, but it's still noteworthy. Bella is a good sleuth, dogged and determined, however, after a point it just got jarring how many secrets she always managed to unearth by constantly following someone. I lost count of the number of times she was always following someone and conveniently managed to eavesdrop and hear an interesting piece of information. Of course, there are other ways of finding out others' secrets but it just stuck out like a sore thumb after a while.
Whilst I enjoyed this mystery, the plot felt a little too convoluted somewhere in the middle and it felt like there was too much going on, with too many threads. However, it all neatly tied together in the end and made for a good third outing for this series.
I've been inspired to listen to the audiobook of the first book now to get back into this series so I guess the third book has done its job to pique my interest in the series as a whole. All in all, an enjoyable read.
4 stars/5
This was my second tryst with this mystery series. I'd tried, and failed, a while back to read the first in this series (The Antique Store Detective). For some reason, I couldn't get into the book and abandoned it. I'm glad I decided to give this series a second chance, however, because this third book is pretty good!
Bella Winter runs an antique store in the village of Hope Eaton and is asked to valuate antique knick knacks by Althea Powell, whose husband comes from old money and sits on an estate that's bleeding money. Of course, it wouldn't be a murder mystery if people were conveniently polished off. Cue Bella and her investigative skills.
The mystery starts off on an interesting note and while the pace is quite steady at the beginning, it falters somewhere in the middle and then picks up towards the end as the body count racks up. I don't think I've read a murder mystery of late that's had this many dead bodies? Of course, with it being a cosy mystery, the gore is limited, but it's still noteworthy. Bella is a good sleuth, dogged and determined, however, after a point it just got jarring how many secrets she always managed to unearth by constantly following someone. I lost count of the number of times she was always following someone and conveniently managed to eavesdrop and hear an interesting piece of information. Of course, there are other ways of finding out others' secrets but it just stuck out like a sore thumb after a while.
Whilst I enjoyed this mystery, the plot felt a little too convoluted somewhere in the middle and it felt like there was too much going on, with too many threads. However, it all neatly tied together in the end and made for a good third outing for this series.
I've been inspired to listen to the audiobook of the first book now to get back into this series so I guess the third book has done its job to pique my interest in the series as a whole. All in all, an enjoyable read.
4 stars/5
August 27, 2025
This is the third in this rather quirky series featuring Bella Winter and, as with most series, it's best to start from book one and read in order. Although the main story is self contained herein, there's backstory and character development, knowledge of which will make your journey with this book richer.
So... Bella is being a wee bit naughty in this book. She is helping her friend Althea Powell value some of her husband's possessions. Mainly cos they are in need of cash as the "old money" is nearly gone and the estate is hemorrhaging money. Add in, a wayward son and, well, the family is in trouble.
But, this gives her the opportunity to investigate what she thinks is not a natural death. Even though Clemmie was very sick, there are things that just don't add up, and Bella thinks that answers lie with her family, the Powells.
And so begins a rather convoluted case, probably enhanced as such by Bella's obvious shortfalls in investigating but, that said, she still appears to be better at it than the local police! Aided by her friends they point fingers at plenty of suspects, eventually weeding them in or out until... well... you'll have to read the book to find out that! But boy do they do a LOT of speculating, and it does get a wee bit repetitive on occasion with all the backtracking. It's a wee bit convoluted in the middle third but the author does manage to just keep things on track.
But, all that said, when it finally all comes together, it does so with great satisfaction. With all questions answered and all threads coming together nicely.
Yes there are niggles, and the pacing is a wee bit off at times, but they are only minor things and the rest is just as good as expected. Ticking off everything I need from a book. I'm definitely looking forward to book four!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
So... Bella is being a wee bit naughty in this book. She is helping her friend Althea Powell value some of her husband's possessions. Mainly cos they are in need of cash as the "old money" is nearly gone and the estate is hemorrhaging money. Add in, a wayward son and, well, the family is in trouble.
But, this gives her the opportunity to investigate what she thinks is not a natural death. Even though Clemmie was very sick, there are things that just don't add up, and Bella thinks that answers lie with her family, the Powells.
And so begins a rather convoluted case, probably enhanced as such by Bella's obvious shortfalls in investigating but, that said, she still appears to be better at it than the local police! Aided by her friends they point fingers at plenty of suspects, eventually weeding them in or out until... well... you'll have to read the book to find out that! But boy do they do a LOT of speculating, and it does get a wee bit repetitive on occasion with all the backtracking. It's a wee bit convoluted in the middle third but the author does manage to just keep things on track.
But, all that said, when it finally all comes together, it does so with great satisfaction. With all questions answered and all threads coming together nicely.
Yes there are niggles, and the pacing is a wee bit off at times, but they are only minor things and the rest is just as good as expected. Ticking off everything I need from a book. I'm definitely looking forward to book four!
My thanks go to the Publisher and Netgalley for the chance to read this book.
July 24, 2025
In The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance, the third installment in the Bella Winter Mystery series, we find Bella caught between the charm of her small-town antique store and the dark undercurrents that seem to follow her wherever she goes.
It all starts with Chlemmie passing away after a prolonged sickness. Bella happens to witness her last few moments and some of the incidents leaves Bella wondering if there is more to this story than just natural death. When Bella realizes that the fate of the estate Hope Eaton and the tenants is also at risk, she decides to investigate the death.
I have read a few amateur detectives books, in which commoners turn detectives and take on the responsibility of solving a mystery. Certain books handle this well, where the amateurs investigating the mystery while the officials stand by or take a backseat sounds plausible. I found that missing in this book. While Bella might be the daughter of an ex-police officer and has all the skills needed to act as an amateur detective, I found it hard to digest that the fact she is in all the right places and all the right moments while the police force is made to appear clueless and incompetent.
The story moves fast and keeps you on edge. Writing is easy and smooth. Bella’s character is likeable and the supporting characters do what’s needed of them.
If you are looking for a quick, easy-to-read, page turner, grab this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
It all starts with Chlemmie passing away after a prolonged sickness. Bella happens to witness her last few moments and some of the incidents leaves Bella wondering if there is more to this story than just natural death. When Bella realizes that the fate of the estate Hope Eaton and the tenants is also at risk, she decides to investigate the death.
I have read a few amateur detectives books, in which commoners turn detectives and take on the responsibility of solving a mystery. Certain books handle this well, where the amateurs investigating the mystery while the officials stand by or take a backseat sounds plausible. I found that missing in this book. While Bella might be the daughter of an ex-police officer and has all the skills needed to act as an amateur detective, I found it hard to digest that the fact she is in all the right places and all the right moments while the police force is made to appear clueless and incompetent.
The story moves fast and keeps you on edge. Writing is easy and smooth. Bella’s character is likeable and the supporting characters do what’s needed of them.
If you are looking for a quick, easy-to-read, page turner, grab this book.
Thanks to the publisher for the ARC.
August 26, 2025
The pacing seemed a little strange at times, we were roughly a quarter of the way into the book before the necklace really showed up and that was after we'd had a murder and some investigations. Then, the focus very sharply narrowed to the necklace and all the trouble that happened after, almost at the expense of the first murder. Very little went into investigating her death itself, beyond thoughts returning to 'but how does that tie in to the woman who died'.
This was actually quite a dark plot, all things being said, for a cosy murder mystery. Some of the motives, the red herrings and of course the actual killer, are a step above what you would normally expect to find in these sorts of books. Not dark at all compared to a thriller, but within its genre, a surprise and a rather pleasant one at that.
The only thing keeping it from a four star was that I felt Bella's leaps of logic were a little too wide at times, the way she would manage to get bullseye every single time she confronted someone about something. (well, almost every time.) I couldn't even follow how she worked out what one of the brothers was doing.
All in all however, an entertaining entry into the genre, and with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page until its done. I will be looking out for other books by this author.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
This was actually quite a dark plot, all things being said, for a cosy murder mystery. Some of the motives, the red herrings and of course the actual killer, are a step above what you would normally expect to find in these sorts of books. Not dark at all compared to a thriller, but within its genre, a surprise and a rather pleasant one at that.
The only thing keeping it from a four star was that I felt Bella's leaps of logic were a little too wide at times, the way she would manage to get bullseye every single time she confronted someone about something. (well, almost every time.) I couldn't even follow how she worked out what one of the brothers was doing.
All in all however, an entertaining entry into the genre, and with enough twists and turns to keep you turning the page until its done. I will be looking out for other books by this author.
~Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC in return for an honest review~
August 27, 2025
Bella Winter accompanies her assistant John to visit Clemmie Crowe in the hospice but Clemmie is agitated when Bella passes her the worry beads & Clemmie as asked a local policeman to call on her. But Clemmie dies later that day. Bella’s certain Clemmie knew something about her relatives, the powerful Powell family. They used to own half of Hope Eaton, but now they’re planning to sell what remains… Including the Steps Café, owned by Bella’s best friends. So when matriarch Althea Powell invites her to value their possessions, Bella jumps at the chance. She can find some gems, investigate Clemmie’s death, and stymie the sale all at once. It seems to be going swimmingly… until it’s proved that Clemmie was murdered, and Althea’s priceless ruby necklace vanishes. Then the body count rises.
The third book in the series & we once again have the bunch of friends investigating. I like Bella but must admit she grates on me at times. An interesting mystery with a select group of suspects that decreases as the story unfolds. There are twists, turns & red herrings before the climax where Bella is in danger & an unlikely character saves her. The pace is good although there’s quite a bit of internal thinking from Bella, the characters are well portrayed & I was kept guessing as to who the villain was
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
The third book in the series & we once again have the bunch of friends investigating. I like Bella but must admit she grates on me at times. An interesting mystery with a select group of suspects that decreases as the story unfolds. There are twists, turns & red herrings before the climax where Bella is in danger & an unlikely character saves her. The pace is good although there’s quite a bit of internal thinking from Bella, the characters are well portrayed & I was kept guessing as to who the villain was
I voluntarily read and reviewed a special copy of this book; all thoughts and opinions are my own
August 30, 2025
Clemmie Crowe’s death, due to her advanced age and serious illness, may have been expected. However, something she said in Bella Winter’s presence gives Bella pause, making her suspect foul play. Clemmie was in hospice and had been visited by several people, including Bella.
Bella, an amateur detective who enjoys her profession as an antiques dealer, is determined to solve the mystery of Clemmie’s death. As she was present when Clemmie passed away, Bella is heartbroken and seeks to uncover the truth. Curiously, before her death, Clemmie had requested the visit of a policeman, which only adds to Bella’s intrigue.
The possibility of a conspiracy and the secrets surrounding Clemmie’s death intensify Bella’s focus on finding her killer. The connection between Clemmie’s death and other suspicious deaths further fuels her determination. With the support of her friends, Bella remains resolute in her quest to uncover the truth.
Bella’s fun and engaging personality makes her a delightful protagonist. The inclusion of her antique store in the stories adds a touch of charm and familiarity. This third book by Clare Chase is a perfect fit for the series, and I eagerly anticipate reading book four.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
Bella, an amateur detective who enjoys her profession as an antiques dealer, is determined to solve the mystery of Clemmie’s death. As she was present when Clemmie passed away, Bella is heartbroken and seeks to uncover the truth. Curiously, before her death, Clemmie had requested the visit of a policeman, which only adds to Bella’s intrigue.
The possibility of a conspiracy and the secrets surrounding Clemmie’s death intensify Bella’s focus on finding her killer. The connection between Clemmie’s death and other suspicious deaths further fuels her determination. With the support of her friends, Bella remains resolute in her quest to uncover the truth.
Bella’s fun and engaging personality makes her a delightful protagonist. The inclusion of her antique store in the stories adds a touch of charm and familiarity. This third book by Clare Chase is a perfect fit for the series, and I eagerly anticipate reading book four.
Many thanks to Bookouture and to NetGalley for this ARC for review. This is my honest opinion.
August 21, 2025
Bella Winters owns an antique shop in the English village of Hope Eaton and was with Clemmie when she passed from an illness or was it from the illness? Bella seen things that puts doubts in her mind, She decides to look into it, especially after some other shenanigans appear to be going on involving Clemmie's best friend, Althea. The family has hit hard times, and Althea wants Bella to price some of the family's heirlooms in secret without her husband knowing. The stepsons are definitely up to something and her husband trying to keep up appearances. Bella starts to wander if Clemmie's death has anything to do with Althea's family's situation. Bella and her shop assistant, John are on the case.
Every time I thought I knew what happened, a twist came in. I have not read the two previous installments so maybe I am off base, but I would like to learn a little bit more about John. I did enjoy the characters, especially John's family. I am looking forward to reading the next one. I thought the story drew you in and was engaging. It did have some slow spots but overall, I enjoyed it.
Would rate if 3-1/2 stars.
Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
Every time I thought I knew what happened, a twist came in. I have not read the two previous installments so maybe I am off base, but I would like to learn a little bit more about John. I did enjoy the characters, especially John's family. I am looking forward to reading the next one. I thought the story drew you in and was engaging. It did have some slow spots but overall, I enjoyed it.
Would rate if 3-1/2 stars.
Thanks, NetGalley and Bookouture for the chance to read this book and give my opinion.
July 4, 2025
This is the third book in a series that I have generally enjoyed. I love the setting in the small town, the antique shop, I actually wish Bella had spent more time there, a pet peeve of mine, the cast of characters we have come to know. We actually have a good, quite convoluted mystery with lots of suspects as well as twists and turns. My problem with this book is that I am starting to dislike the MC. Bella's actions are way out there, especially for the level of interest she should have in these events. She is always convinced that she's the only one who can get answers. She upsets her co-worker and friends with her actions, ignores her business, and follows people all over the place, eavesdropping on their conversations as her main source for information. While in some ways Bella is smart, in others, she is obnoxiously noisy, ignores people's feelings, and is uncaring about how her actions affect others. For all the positive things in the book, I am not sure I want to spend more time with Bella. Thanks to #Netgally, #Bookouture, and the author for an opportunity to read. #AntiqueStoreDetectiveDeadlyInheritance #BellaWintersMystery #bookreview #bookideas #retiredreader
July 17, 2025
Clare Chase offers another fun cozy mystery with “The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance.”
When Althea Powell of High Seat House asks antique store owner Bella Winter to appraise items in her home to help alleviate her family’s growing financial difficulties, Bella jumps right in with the help of her store assistant John. But when Althea’s childhood friend, Clemmie, dies unexpectedly, Althea hopes Bella can get to the bottom of what happened.
But as more deaths occur, Bella is stumped as to the connection between the deaths. There seems to be too many suspects and too many motives. Can she determine who is behind the deaths, and why?
As usual, Chase does a great job of creating a series of clues that keep circling around, leaving the reader guessing until the very end. She also develops a quirky cast of characters readers will truly enjoy, including a plucky dog named Eustace.
Fans of novels like Nita Prose’s “The Maid” and C.L. Miller’s “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” will love this story, which is due out Aug. 28.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
When Althea Powell of High Seat House asks antique store owner Bella Winter to appraise items in her home to help alleviate her family’s growing financial difficulties, Bella jumps right in with the help of her store assistant John. But when Althea’s childhood friend, Clemmie, dies unexpectedly, Althea hopes Bella can get to the bottom of what happened.
But as more deaths occur, Bella is stumped as to the connection between the deaths. There seems to be too many suspects and too many motives. Can she determine who is behind the deaths, and why?
As usual, Chase does a great job of creating a series of clues that keep circling around, leaving the reader guessing until the very end. She also develops a quirky cast of characters readers will truly enjoy, including a plucky dog named Eustace.
Fans of novels like Nita Prose’s “The Maid” and C.L. Miller’s “The Antique Hunter’s Guide to Murder” will love this story, which is due out Aug. 28.
Five stars out of five.
Bookouture provided this complimentary copy through NetGalley for my honest, unbiased review.
August 29, 2025
Favorite Quotes:
She was adept at spotting lies and bluffs, thanks to being the oldest of four sisters and an antiques dealer to boot.
Bella always found other people’s emotion contagious. She couldn’t help imagining what they were feeling and feeling it too.
Tony grunted. ‘All right. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’ Bella tried to imagine what that might be, and failed.
Then he’d asked if she had any idea how to get children to eat cabbage but Bella hadn’t replied. Her childcare knowledge had been hard-earned and it didn’t come for free. If he wouldn’t promise firm action on Gregory and Kevin Baker, she was withdrawing her services.
My Review:
This was a rather complicated mystery for a cozy; the little pea in my brain was dizzy from spinning in circles. I was starting to lose faith in Bella as this one just kept getting further away from her, with additional murders piling up and multiple relatives appearing guilty. The storylines were active, humorous, multi-layered, and chockablock full of odd and uniquely drawn characters. I would never have unraveled this one and had no idea Clare Chase could be so devious. She’s become quite the shifty minx.
She was adept at spotting lies and bluffs, thanks to being the oldest of four sisters and an antiques dealer to boot.
Bella always found other people’s emotion contagious. She couldn’t help imagining what they were feeling and feeling it too.
Tony grunted. ‘All right. Don’t do anything I wouldn’t.’ Bella tried to imagine what that might be, and failed.
Then he’d asked if she had any idea how to get children to eat cabbage but Bella hadn’t replied. Her childcare knowledge had been hard-earned and it didn’t come for free. If he wouldn’t promise firm action on Gregory and Kevin Baker, she was withdrawing her services.
My Review:
This was a rather complicated mystery for a cozy; the little pea in my brain was dizzy from spinning in circles. I was starting to lose faith in Bella as this one just kept getting further away from her, with additional murders piling up and multiple relatives appearing guilty. The storylines were active, humorous, multi-layered, and chockablock full of odd and uniquely drawn characters. I would never have unraveled this one and had no idea Clare Chase could be so devious. She’s become quite the shifty minx.
September 16, 2025
When Clemmie, who Bella was visiting, passed away
Bella wondered just what she had tried to say.
Why would she ask a police officer to call?
Nothing seems right, nothing at all.
Bella can't resist asking questions about her demise
Especially as her relatives are struggling, Bella comes to realise.
Could Clemmie's death be at the hands of a killer?
With a powerful family involved the thought's a chiller.
Two brothers at odds, a family in debt, too,
So many suspects, Bella needs a better clue!
Arguments, a theft and surprise revelations, too,
Bella needs to investigate - so that's what she'll do.
A close knit community with secrets galore
And so many relationships she'll need to explore.
There's also one person she'll avoid where she can
Or temptation could develop and that's not her plan!
Another fascinating cosy crime thriller
Complete with victims of at least one killer.
Can Bella solve the case without getting into danger?
Could it be someone she knows - or a total stranger?
For my copy of this fantastic, intriguing read, I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
Bella wondered just what she had tried to say.
Why would she ask a police officer to call?
Nothing seems right, nothing at all.
Bella can't resist asking questions about her demise
Especially as her relatives are struggling, Bella comes to realise.
Could Clemmie's death be at the hands of a killer?
With a powerful family involved the thought's a chiller.
Two brothers at odds, a family in debt, too,
So many suspects, Bella needs a better clue!
Arguments, a theft and surprise revelations, too,
Bella needs to investigate - so that's what she'll do.
A close knit community with secrets galore
And so many relationships she'll need to explore.
There's also one person she'll avoid where she can
Or temptation could develop and that's not her plan!
Another fascinating cosy crime thriller
Complete with victims of at least one killer.
Can Bella solve the case without getting into danger?
Could it be someone she knows - or a total stranger?
For my copy of this fantastic, intriguing read, I say thank you
As I share with you this, my honest review.
August 27, 2025
When Bella secretly appraises a house's contents for an acquaintance who needs to replenish the family funds, while allowing her pompous husband to save face, she discovers betrayal and possibly murderous intent. However, Bella soon realises that her suspicions are hard to prove and perhaps even dangerous. A lot is going on in this cosy crime mystery, which has a distinctly antique flavour and a well-meaning amateur sleuth, Bella, and her quirky friends, who all bring something to the investigation from their current lives or past occupations. The plot is complex, with many false leads and suspects, but Bella's relentless determination eventually prevails. It is detailed and a little repetitive, but this makes it realistic and allows the vibrant characters to shine. I like the village setting, the antique details that add depth and interest to the story and the cast of characters that you invest in. It has a delightful balance of humour, mystery, poignancy and even romance, which makes it an entertaining read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.
September 3, 2025
"The Antique Store Detective and the Deadly Inheritance" is book #3 in the "Bella Winters Mystery" by Clare Chase.
As she had been quite ill for some time, the death of Clemmie Crowe had been expected but Bella Winters wasn't so sure that it was a natural death. Who would want to kill her and why?
Ms. Chase crafted a web of possible suspects and theories that was so intricate and nuanced that it was next to impossible to figure out exactly what had happened and who was responsible. I kept changing my mind as to who did what and why. Just when I thought I'd got it sorted, another snippet of info was dropped into the puzzle. The only thing I did manage to figure out were certain thefts.
I do like the core characters of this series. Bella and the extended Jenks family make an interesting team. It also helps that Bella's godfather Tony is only too willing to gather some intel through his many contacts from his career in policing.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery and I've already pre-ordered book #4 which comes out in August 2026!
As she had been quite ill for some time, the death of Clemmie Crowe had been expected but Bella Winters wasn't so sure that it was a natural death. Who would want to kill her and why?
Ms. Chase crafted a web of possible suspects and theories that was so intricate and nuanced that it was next to impossible to figure out exactly what had happened and who was responsible. I kept changing my mind as to who did what and why. Just when I thought I'd got it sorted, another snippet of info was dropped into the puzzle. The only thing I did manage to figure out were certain thefts.
I do like the core characters of this series. Bella and the extended Jenks family make an interesting team. It also helps that Bella's godfather Tony is only too willing to gather some intel through his many contacts from his career in policing.
This was a thoroughly enjoyable cozy mystery and I've already pre-ordered book #4 which comes out in August 2026!
August 31, 2025
This is book three in the Bella Winter Mystery series & can easily be read as a standalone. This cozy crime book is set in a quaint village & Bella runs an antique store there. She, of course, has a sideline in investigating ne’er-do-wells.
Bella has been asked to surreptitiously value some bits & bobs by Althea Powell. The latter doesn’t want her husband to know what’s going on, as he is already bankrupting the family estate & she doesn’t want him to fritter away even more cash. The body count ticks over nicely, no blood & gore, & there is plenty of sleuthing for Bella to do. Especially, when a high value necklace is revealed & then almost immediately stolen.
The mystery itself is a twisting tale & at times a little confusing, but that being said, it is all straightened out in the end. Bella is a tenacious character, who relies on gut feel but I think she missed her calling to be a professional detective. An enjoyable read.
Bella has been asked to surreptitiously value some bits & bobs by Althea Powell. The latter doesn’t want her husband to know what’s going on, as he is already bankrupting the family estate & she doesn’t want him to fritter away even more cash. The body count ticks over nicely, no blood & gore, & there is plenty of sleuthing for Bella to do. Especially, when a high value necklace is revealed & then almost immediately stolen.
The mystery itself is a twisting tale & at times a little confusing, but that being said, it is all straightened out in the end. Bella is a tenacious character, who relies on gut feel but I think she missed her calling to be a professional detective. An enjoyable read.
August 28, 2025
Bella Winter is a smart sleuth that is always at the wrong place at the right time. Though there is a lot going on on the book, hang in there cause the bodies will continue to pop up and Bella's nosy antics really help her discover all the secrets that are surrounding Hope Eaton and its residents.
First, Clemmie Crowe is dead. She is a friend of the town, is related to Althea Powell, and has died under questionable circumstances. This unraveled our current story and situation.
I enjoyed Bella's character as she is very persistent and sometimes pushy but not in an annoying way. She is a very caring person and very perceptive to lies and manipulations. First time reading this author and series and enjoyed it a lot. It is a cozy and sweet murder mystery.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
First, Clemmie Crowe is dead. She is a friend of the town, is related to Althea Powell, and has died under questionable circumstances. This unraveled our current story and situation.
I enjoyed Bella's character as she is very persistent and sometimes pushy but not in an annoying way. She is a very caring person and very perceptive to lies and manipulations. First time reading this author and series and enjoyed it a lot. It is a cozy and sweet murder mystery.
Thank you, Netgalley and Bookouture, for this eArc. All opinions are entirely my own.
July 3, 2025
Did someone poison the dying woman because they swindled her? Too many interconnected suspects and hidden facts and reasoning make the investigation very convoluted. The story seems a little slow in places, but that makes the plot twists only more alarming. Another good story from favored author.
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Bookouture via NetGalley.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetectiveandtheDeadlyInheritance by @clarechaseauthor #BellaWinterMysteriesBk3
@bookouture #NetGalley Pub Date Aug 28, 2025 ****review #goodreads #bookbub #storygraph
#librarything #greed #dishonesty #cozymysteryseries #amateursleuth #villagegossip #smallbusiness
#secrets #lies #disinherited
I requested and received a temporary uncorrected proof copy from Bookouture via NetGalley.
#TheAntiqueStoreDetectiveandtheDeadlyInheritance by @clarechaseauthor #BellaWinterMysteriesBk3
@bookouture #NetGalley Pub Date Aug 28, 2025 ****review #goodreads #bookbub #storygraph
#librarything #greed #dishonesty #cozymysteryseries #amateursleuth #villagegossip #smallbusiness
#secrets #lies #disinherited
October 14, 2025
Actually read this 2/3 months ago and forgot to review it at the time.
I love cosy crime and this series is becoming a must read for me.
Bella feels there may be something suspicious about the passing of her friend Clemmie in a hospice. Although she was terminally ill, the sudden death and Clemmie’s anxious behaviour at her last visit concerns Bella.
Bella is also asked to do some valuations for a local family. Then a ruby necklace goes missing and it’s discovered that this may be linked to Clemmie’s death, and it’s then confirmed that Clemmie was murdered.
Bella sets out to investigate Clemmie’s death and the disappearance of the necklace with the help of her friends and handsome next door neighbour..
Really enjoyed this.
I love cosy crime and this series is becoming a must read for me.
Bella feels there may be something suspicious about the passing of her friend Clemmie in a hospice. Although she was terminally ill, the sudden death and Clemmie’s anxious behaviour at her last visit concerns Bella.
Bella is also asked to do some valuations for a local family. Then a ruby necklace goes missing and it’s discovered that this may be linked to Clemmie’s death, and it’s then confirmed that Clemmie was murdered.
Bella sets out to investigate Clemmie’s death and the disappearance of the necklace with the help of her friends and handsome next door neighbour..
Really enjoyed this.
July 30, 2025
After the previous two books in this series, I was looking forward to following Bella in a third sleuthing adventure, and now I'm pleased to report I enjoyed it just as much as the others.
This time she's valuating antiques in a big, old house for a family in obvious need of money to maintain it. Of course, suspicious things happen and, as Bella can't resist doing all she can to find out what several people are hiding, interesting secrets are revealed.
I hope this series will be as long as the Eve Mallow one, because I don't think I'll tire of it any time soon either.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This time she's valuating antiques in a big, old house for a family in obvious need of money to maintain it. Of course, suspicious things happen and, as Bella can't resist doing all she can to find out what several people are hiding, interesting secrets are revealed.
I hope this series will be as long as the Eve Mallow one, because I don't think I'll tire of it any time soon either.
I received an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
August 30, 2025
Clare Chase writes gripping and intriguing cozy mystery featuring strong and clever heroines. This series grew on me and it’s become a fav as I like Bella, the antique setting, and the solid mystery.
This is an excellent and very entertaining novel with enough twists and surprises to keep me turning pages and a clever plot that kept me guessing.
There’re classic whodunit elements, there’s a very entertaining plot and characters I was glad to catch up.
A good cozy to start the autum season, perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
This is an excellent and very entertaining novel with enough twists and surprises to keep me turning pages and a clever plot that kept me guessing.
There’re classic whodunit elements, there’s a very entertaining plot and characters I was glad to catch up.
A good cozy to start the autum season, perfect for a lazy afternoon.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine
September 1, 2025
Clemmie Crowe has died in the local hospice, but there are a couple of questions surrounding her death the local sleuth Bella Winter is not happy with. When she is invited to value items in the home of the Powell family who used to own half of Hope Eaton but appear to have fallen on hard times. Clemmie was a relative of theirs and Althea, the wife of the current incumbent was devastated that she has died and would like to know who was responsibile.
Rory and Gregory, sons of Bernard, Althea's husband have possible motives, but proving it could be difficult.
In an interesting case, Bella has to tread lightly to find out the truth.
Rory and Gregory, sons of Bernard, Althea's husband have possible motives, but proving it could be difficult.
In an interesting case, Bella has to tread lightly to find out the truth.
October 4, 2025
Although this is the third book in the series, you can read it as a standalone as Clare catches you up with what's going on.
When Bella goes to value a house collection of a local family at the big house who have fallen upon hard times, it's clear that something's not quite right. And then Clemmie, a distant relative, dies - and Althea Powell is sure it's murder. She asks Bella to help investigate, but when Althea too dies unexpectedly Bella feels duty-bound to investigate. Plus it gives her a chance to stop the sale of her friend's cafe...
Another excellent instalment, with great characterisation and good twists, plus a romance I really would like to see happen!
When Bella goes to value a house collection of a local family at the big house who have fallen upon hard times, it's clear that something's not quite right. And then Clemmie, a distant relative, dies - and Althea Powell is sure it's murder. She asks Bella to help investigate, but when Althea too dies unexpectedly Bella feels duty-bound to investigate. Plus it gives her a chance to stop the sale of her friend's cafe...
Another excellent instalment, with great characterisation and good twists, plus a romance I really would like to see happen!
August 28, 2025
Welcome back Bella Winter, her Godfather, Tony, and the Jenks Family. Since moving to Hope Eaton, Bella has become something of an amateur sleuth. After a friend, Clemmie Crowe passes away, Bella thinks there's something iffy about the death and when Althea Powell's necklace goes missing then Bella is the hunt for the truth! Although, there are plans to sell off some of the Powell's properties and they join forces to stop this from happening. It was entertaining, full of twists and turns, which led to a surprising conclusion. More please.
August 28, 2025
A return to Hope Eaton and a catch up with Bella is always welcome...I would love to be the owner of an antique shop, I'm so jealous of Bella's 'Vintage Winter' shop!
An enjoyable inclusion to the Bella Winter Mystery series...Book three BTW...Deadly Inheritance has a ruby necklace as its focal point.
I love super sleuthing with Bella. While I don't always get it right I have great fun trying.
It's an entertaining read which I devoured in one sitting. It's well paced, has a plot laden with mystery and intrigue, and a great cast of characters, main and supporting.
An enjoyable inclusion to the Bella Winter Mystery series...Book three BTW...Deadly Inheritance has a ruby necklace as its focal point.
I love super sleuthing with Bella. While I don't always get it right I have great fun trying.
It's an entertaining read which I devoured in one sitting. It's well paced, has a plot laden with mystery and intrigue, and a great cast of characters, main and supporting.
August 10, 2025
My thoughts:
A missing ruby necklace.
A mysterious death.
Once again Bella is drawn into a mystery she needs to figure out.
What interesting secrets will Bella discover?
We are taken on a fun journey with Bella as she investigates.
I enjoyed the quirky characters and dog, Eustace.
I highly recommend reading the series in order.
A missing ruby necklace.
A mysterious death.
Once again Bella is drawn into a mystery she needs to figure out.
What interesting secrets will Bella discover?
We are taken on a fun journey with Bella as she investigates.
I enjoyed the quirky characters and dog, Eustace.
I highly recommend reading the series in order.
September 2, 2025
When a local who was ill passes away, Bella begins to suspect foul play. Asked to value the estate Bella jumps at the chance to dig deeper into the death while completing the job. But will she finish the job before a killer finishes her?
The third entry in this series h is just as charming as the previous two. A jolly good mystery each time.
The third entry in this series h is just as charming as the previous two. A jolly good mystery each time.
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