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Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery #2
Deadly Appraisal
Josie Prescott is settling into her new life in New Hampshire. Her antiques business is thriving, she's beginning to make some close friends, and her relationship with the local police chief is becoming more interesting. Not bad for someone who has completely uprooted her life as a New York City auction house expert in order to get a fresh start in a small New England town.
With so much suddenly to lose, Josie can't help but worry when murder invades her seemingly quiet community. Josie is sponsoring the Portsmouth Women's Guild Annual Black and Gold Gala and is looking forward to receiving a kindly worded thank-you for her efforts. Instead, the Guild representative, Maisy Gaylor, dies a horrible death in the midst of the banquet. Who could have wanted to kill earnest, drab little Maisy? "Funny, isn't it," muses the hostile Detective Rowcliff, "how a lot of people end up dead when no one has any enemies."
Everyone who had access to the wine Maisy drank, including Josie herself, soon comes under suspicion. Can Josie manage to ferret out the truth, keep her business running smoothly, and continue to put down roots in her new town, or will everything prove too much for her to handle on her own?
With so much suddenly to lose, Josie can't help but worry when murder invades her seemingly quiet community. Josie is sponsoring the Portsmouth Women's Guild Annual Black and Gold Gala and is looking forward to receiving a kindly worded thank-you for her efforts. Instead, the Guild representative, Maisy Gaylor, dies a horrible death in the midst of the banquet. Who could have wanted to kill earnest, drab little Maisy? "Funny, isn't it," muses the hostile Detective Rowcliff, "how a lot of people end up dead when no one has any enemies."
Everyone who had access to the wine Maisy drank, including Josie herself, soon comes under suspicion. Can Josie manage to ferret out the truth, keep her business running smoothly, and continue to put down roots in her new town, or will everything prove too much for her to handle on her own?
320 pages, Hardcover
First published April 17, 2007
25 people are currently reading
444 people want to read
About the author
Jane K. Cleland
32 books354 followersJane K. Cleland writes the multiple award-winning and bestselling Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries. Her short stories are published by Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine. She’s also written the bestselling and Agatha Award-winning how-to books,
Mastering Plot Twists
and
Mastering Suspense, Structure & Plot
, both from Writer’s Digest Books.
Her latest release is the craft of writing book, Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI from Regalo Press.
In addition, Jane presents a free monthly webinar series on the craft of writing as well as the Mystery Mastermind series—her small-group virtual writing workshops. She is also a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine, chairs the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella Award, in partnership with AHMM, and is the Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
Jane has an MFA (in professional and creative writing) and an MBA (in marketing and management). Jane is a lecturer at Lehman College where she is also the director of the Program for Professional Communications, and a frequent workshop facilitator and guest author at writing conferences and university programs.
For more on Jane, visit www.janecleland.com.
Her latest release is the craft of writing book, Beat the Bots: A Writer's Guide to Surviving and Thriving in the Age of AI from Regalo Press.
In addition, Jane presents a free monthly webinar series on the craft of writing as well as the Mystery Mastermind series—her small-group virtual writing workshops. She is also a Contributing Editor for Writer’s Digest Magazine, chairs the Wolfe Pack’s Black Orchid Novella Award, in partnership with AHMM, and is the Vice President of the Florida chapter of Mystery Writers of America.
Jane has an MFA (in professional and creative writing) and an MBA (in marketing and management). Jane is a lecturer at Lehman College where she is also the director of the Program for Professional Communications, and a frequent workshop facilitator and guest author at writing conferences and university programs.
For more on Jane, visit www.janecleland.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews
March 10, 2012
I promised myself I'd try to read some of the lighter mysteries we have on our shelves in the library. First on my list was Deadly Appraisal by Jane K. Clealand. I love The Antique Road Show and am a junk picker at heart so thought this series featuring Josie Prescott, proprietor of an antique business would be right up my alley. I started with the second in the series cause I couldn't find the first but have got it now and hope to read it soon. I don't think I missed too much except the whole story on on Josie got to New Hampshire from New York City. It is alluded to here so...
What I really liked:
The New Hampshire location - Hey, I'm a New Englander!
The bits and pieces about the antiques Josie buys and sells. I picked up a few tips which may help me find that wow piece to sell.
I like that Josie runs an antique business but also hosts a tag sale venue where someone like me with little cash might find something quirky and useable.
The things Josie's father used to say and the many times she quotes them or uses them to help her make life decisions.
That she is struggling with making friends.
I loved her next door neighbor Zoe. I can see a friendship brewing here.
Josie's loyalty to those she loves and concern and care for her co-workers.
I loved the character of Detective Rowcliff, a real pain in the...
Of course, the murder, and figuring out the who and why. Josie sets the course but is not the antique maven turned detective and I appreciated this.
The lightness of it all.
I'm thinking this series will get stronger and shows potential. The latest, just out, is Dolled Up for Murder and sounds like fun.
What I really liked:
The New Hampshire location - Hey, I'm a New Englander!
The bits and pieces about the antiques Josie buys and sells. I picked up a few tips which may help me find that wow piece to sell.
I like that Josie runs an antique business but also hosts a tag sale venue where someone like me with little cash might find something quirky and useable.
The things Josie's father used to say and the many times she quotes them or uses them to help her make life decisions.
That she is struggling with making friends.
I loved her next door neighbor Zoe. I can see a friendship brewing here.
Josie's loyalty to those she loves and concern and care for her co-workers.
I loved the character of Detective Rowcliff, a real pain in the...
Of course, the murder, and figuring out the who and why. Josie sets the course but is not the antique maven turned detective and I appreciated this.
The lightness of it all.
I'm thinking this series will get stronger and shows potential. The latest, just out, is Dolled Up for Murder and sounds like fun.
December 11, 2008
Josie is still a decidedly weepy heroine in this second entry in the antiques mysteries series, but I didn't find it quite as annoying as in the first book of the series. She still cries at the drop of a hanky and she needs to just get over it already! Maybe she will in the third adventure which I plan to read next.
In this one, someone dies on the first page and then someone tries to kill Josie and someone steals a valuable Chinese tureen from her warehouse. Who that (or those) someone(s) is(are) takes up the rest of the story. It kept me interested and kept me reading. I particularly enjoyed the tidbits about antiques and how to value antiques.
In the end, all is revealed. In fact, I had figured it out a lot earlier, although I didn't know what the motive was. Even after finishing reading it, I'm still not sure that I do.
In this one, someone dies on the first page and then someone tries to kill Josie and someone steals a valuable Chinese tureen from her warehouse. Who that (or those) someone(s) is(are) takes up the rest of the story. It kept me interested and kept me reading. I particularly enjoyed the tidbits about antiques and how to value antiques.
In the end, all is revealed. In fact, I had figured it out a lot earlier, although I didn't know what the motive was. Even after finishing reading it, I'm still not sure that I do.
February 27, 2023
Jamie is still awful. She still cries, suspects everyone except the killer. I mean she suspects her employee for having a thought 🙄🙄🙄 who are these books about her???
September 24, 2019
I knew the killer for the last third of the book because there was a super obvious clue that the MC didn’t pick up on!!! The whole time I was basically yelling “Come on!” at her
July 9, 2021
3.50 / 4 Stars
Josie gets caught up in another murder, this time the body lands right in front of her at a Gala her company is hosting.
Ty isn't in the book much. He's away being with his sick aunt...we only get a snippet of him when Ty and Josie call each other. That whole storyline w/ Ty was a bit flat, but maybe it will pick up in the next book.
Like her new neighbor Zoe, she's a hoot. Hope that character stays.
Detective Rowcliff is a brusk detective you love to hate. He's condescending and full of himself, but he's does his job. I did get tired of him berating Josie when she thought of something later down the line that might help the investigation.
Wes, the young journalist is a go-getter and has endless "connections" to dig out information for his stories an ultimately helps Josie.
The level headed one that keeps Josie focused is Max, her lawyer. Boy, is he racking up the money helping her out!! That poor woman is going to run through her savings from constantly having to prove she's innocent.
Josie gets caught up in another murder, this time the body lands right in front of her at a Gala her company is hosting.
Ty isn't in the book much. He's away being with his sick aunt...we only get a snippet of him when Ty and Josie call each other. That whole storyline w/ Ty was a bit flat, but maybe it will pick up in the next book.
Like her new neighbor Zoe, she's a hoot. Hope that character stays.
Detective Rowcliff is a brusk detective you love to hate. He's condescending and full of himself, but he's does his job. I did get tired of him berating Josie when she thought of something later down the line that might help the investigation.
Wes, the young journalist is a go-getter and has endless "connections" to dig out information for his stories an ultimately helps Josie.
The level headed one that keeps Josie focused is Max, her lawyer. Boy, is he racking up the money helping her out!! That poor woman is going to run through her savings from constantly having to prove she's innocent.
October 7, 2023
another good look into the antiques business and murder
A very nice mystery that has me jumping from suspect to suspect but also a good description of the antiques community.
I also loved the little nod to Nero Wolfe. It makes me wonder what I missed in the first book.
A very nice mystery that has me jumping from suspect to suspect but also a good description of the antiques community.
I also loved the little nod to Nero Wolfe. It makes me wonder what I missed in the first book.
December 13, 2011
This was a plot-driven book which unfolded very slowly. I would have liked a little more description of the antique business and the way it works. The mystery was dragged out and the main character not particularly interesting.
February 12, 2017
I couldn't finish it. That says it all!
October 24, 2017
New Hampshire
I really like Josie, she's intelligent, resourceful and complex with the right amount of toughness and fragility to make her realistic.
The mystery was not too mysterious for a couple of reasons; relying a little too much on Wes, I think, for answers and information but she needed to get help somewhere and it will be interesting to see where this relationship goes. Also I found myself telling her (Josie) well before the reveal who did it and I attribute her blindness to the truth to her skewed perception which was pointed out a number of times in the course of the story.
Still this was a fun cozy, with engaging characters, a likable protagonist, whose occupation in the antiques business is very interesting. The author dropped some fun antique information into the story which really added to it.
I'll read more of Josie Prescott's Antique Mysteries.
I really like Josie, she's intelligent, resourceful and complex with the right amount of toughness and fragility to make her realistic.
The mystery was not too mysterious for a couple of reasons; relying a little too much on Wes, I think, for answers and information but she needed to get help somewhere and it will be interesting to see where this relationship goes. Also I found myself telling her (Josie) well before the reveal who did it and I attribute her blindness to the truth to her skewed perception which was pointed out a number of times in the course of the story.
Still this was a fun cozy, with engaging characters, a likable protagonist, whose occupation in the antiques business is very interesting. The author dropped some fun antique information into the story which really added to it.
I'll read more of Josie Prescott's Antique Mysteries.
August 4, 2021
The basic plot was interesting. I like the main characters and other characters as well. However, I feel like a lot of the book repeated itself. The clues and plots kept leading to no where and makes the reader bored from the lack of progress and confused about the intended victim. I dislike the constant quotes from her father. It makes it seem like Josie can't think for herself. The Ty subplot was not needed and didn't lend anything to the main story line. Just made Josie seem a little whiney about not having her man. We know Josie is hurt, don't need to bring it up as much as it was. And the window scenes were uneeded fluff. A little disappointed after the first book. It is what it is.
October 6, 2021
Don’t let my rating suggest that this cozy mystery is a great work of literature— it’s not. But it is a great cozy mystery. It checks all the boxes: resourceful, smart and charming protagonist, pining over an absent boyfriend. An intriguing milieu, that of antiques acquisitions and sales. An audacious murder, with the victim poisoned in plain sight at a gala event. A varied list of well-drawn suspects. Clever red herrings and false leads, with a surprising yet not unfair resolution. Plus there’s an irritating police detective and a nearly-as-irritating news reporter. Best of all, it definitely makes me want to read more in the series!
May 22, 2017
Book 2 of the Josie Prescott series, takes place about 6 months or so after the first book. While at a local fundraising gala, one of the coordinators falls over dead. Contending with a cynical detective, Josie tries to figure out what happened, all the while keeping the antique business going, fending off the local reporter, and hearing about the prison release of the antique dealer she testified against. But she makes friends with her new landlady, Zoe and her kids, and is in calls with her partner, Ty. good stuff!
July 21, 2018
Book two of this series wasn't as good as the first one. I would have assumed that Josie wouldn't have been as uptight about being grilled by the police, having experienced it once before. But no, Josie immediately goes into guilt mode, making everyone assume the worst. It just got annoying. The mystery was OK, it was just Josie's way of dealing with it that wasn't good. You would think that a capable business woman wouldn't fall apart in front of a policeman. Maybe her boyfriend will return for the third book and it won't be quite so aggravating.
January 27, 2022
The second cozy mystery in Jane Cleland's antiques series is a fun, fascinating look into the world of antiques. At the Black and Gold Gala everything is going great. Josie has wonderful and expensive antiques that will be bid on to raise money for the Portsmouth Women's Guild. Everything is going so well until Maisy Gaynor takes a sip of her wine and falls over dead. POISONED
Who wanted Maisy dead? Could it have been Josie Prescott that the killer really wanted dead? By the way, who is this obnoxious Detective Rowcliff?
Give this series a chance. It's delightful.
Who wanted Maisy dead? Could it have been Josie Prescott that the killer really wanted dead? By the way, who is this obnoxious Detective Rowcliff?
Give this series a chance. It's delightful.
April 28, 2021
The perfect read for anyone who loves antiques and light mysteries with a touch of romance. My only warning is, if you enjoy this one, you’ll want to read the rest of the series right away to find out more about Josie and her world of antiques and appraising. Deadly Appraisal is book 2 in the series. I started with this one and didn’t have any issue getting into the story, then I went back and read Consigned to Death (Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries book 1).
August 27, 2021
I like that Josie has that lawyer. She’s not foolish. Smart character. I have to confess that I am reading it for fun and as a study. Jane is an excellent writing teacher and her novels have won awards. Therefore, I find her novels to be interesting. Not too mushy mushy. And they definitely keep the reader interested. I like the supporting characters. She has new neighbors here and they add flavor to her life.
January 10, 2024
Sadly, this did not live up to my expectations after the excellent first book. I spotted the perp right away, and had to plod through the rest of the book until everyone else figured it out at the very end.
That said, I really like the implementation of “Prescott’s Instant Appraisal booth”! Wish we had something like that where I live.
I’ll give the next book in the series a shot, and hope that it’s a better read.
That said, I really like the implementation of “Prescott’s Instant Appraisal booth”! Wish we had something like that where I live.
I’ll give the next book in the series a shot, and hope that it’s a better read.
November 22, 2019
This was my first time reading a book by this author. I loved the auction house and antiques part of the book. It was a good mystery but there were a lot of clues Josie didn’t pick up on that were pretty obvious. Josie talks in her head a lot and she also never seems to answer a question without asking “why?” or “what do you mean?”. I am not sure if I will read anymore books in this series.
December 26, 2020
Second book in a series that I've recently discovered. Thoroughly enjoy the murder and mayhem set in the world of antiques and art that are bought and sold. Its a great mystery with characters that sound believable. Josie Prescott is smart and capable and loves her work.
Plus she seems to be in the right place at the wrong time.
Plus she seems to be in the right place at the wrong time.
February 26, 2021
While I thought this entry into the series was a bit overlong, I did enjoy it. And I loved the shoutout to Rex Stout - mention of Saul Panzer and Fred Durkin made me laugh! I will hope for a bit less filler and a bit more actual story in the next book. Still, it was a good read for a winter weekend.
July 2, 2022
Sorry but this main character just seems annoyingly needy. She is supposed to be this smart, independent, intelligent woman who breaks down into emotional drivel after every little hiccup in her life. The best thing I can think of to say about this book is that it was easy to speed read, skipping much of the silly stuff that had nothing to do with the mystery.
August 30, 2023
Josie's business hosts a gala for the Guild. Death, missing auction items, attempts on Josie's life, a belligerent detective but also a compassionate lawyer. Josie feels threatened and occasionally suspects some of her workers. Cleland keeps the best mystery readers from guessing the culprit until the bitter end.
August 15, 2025
I struggled with the first book in this series and was hesitant to continue in the series. But it was worth trying book two. I enjoyed this one quite a bit more. There were a couple of "roll your eyes" moments typical in a cozy mystery, but overall I found myself looking forward to my free time and being able to pick this up to finish.
April 29, 2018
Disappointing. She's not crying as much as she did in the first one but I just can't seem to like Josie. All I could think of while I was reading was how I'd rather be reading something else. Bad sign!
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December 31, 2022What could possibly go wrong when sponsoring a gala in New Hampshire? Plenty if you are antique dealer Josie Prescott. The murderer was obvious prior to the end but the tale was perfect for a summer read.
August 26, 2024
Starting with Book 2 isn't really ideal, but I'm at the mercy of the library's inventory. Really enjoyed learning about the high stakes of the antique business, and why a crime could be fairly easy to commit. Interesting cast of characters, too!
July 11, 2017
Love Josie Prescott and looking forward to her next mystery.
February 27, 2018
I think I'm done with these.... Josie needs some serious therapy.
July 18, 2018
Josie Prescott has gotten tedious. I think I will look for a new cozy mystery.
August 5, 2018
Story was good but it seemed pretty repetitive. Josie is not my favorite. She is so quick to throw her friends under the bus.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 101 reviews