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Outstanding Praise for Jane Cleland's I do love a good mystery and Jane Cleland has written one. This is a classic who-done-it. Personally, I like a mystery that centers on the solving of the crime, the "sleuth," the plot, and the characters. This one has it all for me. I took Antiques To Die For on a flight recently. It’s a tribute to how well the book held my interest that I noticed nothing about the flight, even, apparently, the fact that we sat on a runway for a half hour waiting for the plane’s wings to be de-iced! Antiques To Die For will, I have no doubt, keep your interest from beginning to end too. Anyone who collects antiques will
enjoy this satisfying cozy. [Read the entire review.] In Cleland's engaging third Josie Prescott mystery to feature the New Hampshire antiques dealer (after 2007's Deadly Appraisal), Josie is stunned to learn that her fun-loving friend, Rosalie Chaffee, has been found, drowned, on the Rocky Point shore.... The warm, endearing Josie decides not only to investigate but also to take care of Rosalie's 12-year-old sister, Paige. Aided by a large support group of well-drawn characters headed by her police chief boyfriend, Josie follows such clues as an old diary, an artist's palette and a misplaced tote bag. Among other antique lore, readers will learn the difference between a highboy and a tallboy in this cleverly crafted cozy. With appealing characters and a well-grounded knowledge of antiques, Cleland matures and improves with each book. This is a series antiques buffs will love, and one that those who don’t know a Queen Anne secretary from a majolica pitcher will appreciate. Her mix of a likable main character along with the information about antiques is a winner. |
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Her mix of a likable main character along with the information about antiques is a winner. Jane K. Cleland has produced another winner in Antiques to Die For. This is a fantastic and fascinating third series installment.... I highly recommend this literate, well-crafted and infomative series. If you like Antiques Road aShow, you'll love Antiques to Die For! "A fascinating look at the behind-the- scenes goings-on in the antique business, Cleland's novel combines the best of mystery and romance to bring her readers a charming tale that entertains as well as educates. Without a doubt, ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR is a rare find and definitely worth the bid." "
This is a fantastic and fascinating third series installment...." "This is a series antiques buffs will love, and one that those who don't know a Queen Anne secretary from a majolica pitcher will appreciate." "Jane Cleland 's new book [ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR] is the best yet in the series." "With great dialogue and description, a strong but insecure heroine, and enough inside info about Josie's business to satisfy an Antiques Roadshow fan—what's not to like?" ANTIQUES TO DIE FOR sets the gold standard for the classic contemporary cozy. Agatha-finalist Jane K. Cleland's writing is top-notch; her plotting and pace smooth and assured. This antiquing series is in mint condition! This was a fast reading, fascinating story, full of suspense and well rounded characters you really care about. It's also nicely garnished with interesting information about the antiques business without any feeling that you're being educated rather than entertained. Compulsively readable and definitely recommended, I'm already looking forward to the next in this series.... Always filled with antique lore, this is a nice entry of a series I find hard to believe only consists of three books. I feel like I've learned so much about the antique business, I've surely read more than three books. As always, Cleland includes intriguing stories about antiques, as part of the story of Prescott's Antiques and Auction. There's a side story about Whistler's palette that adds interest to Josie's business. The employees of the auction house are also an enjoyable element in Cleland's books. Josie has grown in the course of the books, and Jane K. Cleland has grown as an author. Josie's fear was palpable in Antiques to Die For. Cleland made the reader feel that fear with sentences such as, "And always one thought, terrifying in its intensity and impossible to dispel - there was a killer on the loose." The third in the series (Deadly Appraisal, 2007, etc.) contains all the usual antiques lore along with romance and a fine set of suspects. I had the opportunity recently to read Antiques to Die For. Here's a brief review of it. Whistleblower-turned-antiques dealer Josie Prescott, now living in New Hampshire is doing well — her business has taken off, her expertise is frequently sought for appraisals, her tag sales are well attended, and her staff is working well. Plus, she has made some friends, one of whom isRosalie, who, having lost her parents in a car accident, is the guardianof her younger sister, Paige. When Rosalie is murdered, Josie is grief-stricken both for herself and for Paige. Trying to comfort Paige, Josie discovers that Rosalie had a secret treasure she once mentioned to Paige. Rosalie also had a secret admirer who sent her flowers and creepynotes. For Josie, who is on her own while her boyfriend, Ty, the local police chief, is away training for his new job, solving Rosalie's murder is high priority. But, when the secret admirer turns his or her attentions to Josie, she starts feeling very afraid. Fortunately Josie is in contact with Claire Brownley, one of the police officers in Ty's squad who is investigating Rosalie's murder and keeping close tabs on Josie. But, still, searching for a murderer is dangerous business, as Josie is soon reminded. In previous reviews of Cleland's Josie Prescott mysteries, I saidI found her depictions of the police to be one-sided. That is not true in Antiques To Die For and the book is better for Josie's more balanced dealings with them. Antiques To Die For is a fine mystery; I highly recommend it.
....If you like Antiques Roadshow, you'll love DEADLY APPRAISAL. You'll love it
even if you don't.
Neil Plakcy, author of Mahu, Mahu Surfer and Mahu Fire
The third cozy Josie Prescott amateur sleuth cozy (see CONSIGNED TO DEATH and DEADLY APPRAISAL) is a delightful New England mystery that interweaves antiquing tidbits into a fine whodunit. Josie is tough on the outside, but soft as mush inside as she cares for Paige while also seeking the culprit. The large ensemble augments the tale with depth into the world of antiques, New Hampshire, or murder. |
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