Deadly Appraisal
by Jane Cleland
Published by St. Martins
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Reviewed by Kathy Perschmann
(a Josie Prescott Antiques mystery)
Jane Cleland used to own a rare book and antiques store in Portsmouth, New Hampshire and now lives in New York City with her husband. Jane is the President of the Mystery Writers of America, New York Chapter. Her witty web site has recipes, appraisal facts and challenges, interviews, and more. This book follows the first in the series, Consigned to Death.
Josie Prescott's business, Prescott's Antiques, Auctions and Appraisals, is doing well. She has attracted a gala fundraising event for the Portsmouth, New Hampshire, Women's Guild. The auction of antiques and the dinner are both going really well, until the organizer, Maisy Gaylor, chokes on her wine and dies. It is poison.
Detective Rowcliff is antagonistic; he is not sure whether Josie is the murderer, or holding back important information, or is the intended victim. Josie's new love, Rocky Point Police Chief Ty Alverez, is out of town caring for a dying aunt in Los Angeles, and can only offer verbal support.
Practically everyone in Josie's life is a potential suspect--her staff, Maisy's dour husband Walter, gala organizers Dora Reynolds and lawyer Britt Epps, and the caterer, Eddie. A missing valuable tureen, and an attack on Josie with a car, confuse the issue. Reporter Wes Smith tries to enlist Josie's help in finding the solution, and he does find some important clues.
Josie is a wonderfully sympathetic, independent, and smart woman who recalls at times of stress adages from her dead father that inspire her and keep her going.
Armchair Interviews says: A beautiful locale, absorbing characters, and unusual details make this mystery a particularly enjoyable read.
Author's Web site: http://www.JaneCleland.net