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Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery #4
Killer Keepsakes
One of the mainstays of Prescott’s Antiques and Appraisals has always been the cheerful and helpful assistant, Gretchen, who turned up unexpectedly just as Josie was setting up shop in New Hampshire. Gretchen has always been so dependable that it seems odd when she doesn’t show up for work one day. Surprise soon turns to alarm when a dead body is found in Gretchen’s house, with Gretchen the prime suspect.
How much does Josie know about Gretchen, anyway? Enough to believe she isn’t capable of murder, so Josie, with a crack team of antiques appraisers at her side, sets out to find the real killer and bring Gretchen home safely, no matter the cost.
How much does Josie know about Gretchen, anyway? Enough to believe she isn’t capable of murder, so Josie, with a crack team of antiques appraisers at her side, sets out to find the real killer and bring Gretchen home safely, no matter the cost.
304 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
16 people are currently reading
368 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 79 reviews
February 7, 2020
It’s an alright series. I had trouble getting into it a bit slow. I should have started with book 1
August 4, 2021
4.0 Stars
These are nice cozy mysteries. Keep me entertained!
Wondered when Gretchen's mysterious past would end up in one of the storylines. Josie once again helps the police with their investigation. Not officially, but she's good at figuring out clues, asking the right questions, and she has a good memory. Josie's boyfriend, Ty, is in and out of the storyline still. He has a job that takes him out of town a lot.
These are nice cozy mysteries. Keep me entertained!
Wondered when Gretchen's mysterious past would end up in one of the storylines. Josie once again helps the police with their investigation. Not officially, but she's good at figuring out clues, asking the right questions, and she has a good memory. Josie's boyfriend, Ty, is in and out of the storyline still. He has a job that takes him out of town a lot.
July 6, 2015
Nice to have some resolution to the questions about Gretchen which were raised in prior books. Also nice that Ty has a bit more of a presence in this novel, after being mostly absent in the prior two.
July 28, 2022
This is the first of the Josie Prescott Mystery Series that I have read, although it is not the first in the series. Josie Prescott is the owner of an Antique and Estate Sale business in New Hampshire. In this episode, a body is discovered in Jodie's Assistant, Gretchen's home and Gretchen has disappeared. Believing that Gretchen could not be the murderer even though little is known about the young woman's past, Josie and her team of antique appraisers work to unravel layers of long buried secrets. This was such a fun read that I am in the process of obtaining the first three books in the series. You will enjoy learning about the antiques world and you find Josie and her team appealing.
November 10, 2022
This is a grittier cozy mystery. And I love it. I like the actual sleuthing Josie does rather than bubbling her way into answers. She’s real. She gets scared, she cries, she needs hugs. Her boyfriend is 100% supportive of her and never ignores her calls when she needs to hear his voice. Josie staff is great too. This reminds me of The Coffeehouse mysteries by Cleo Coyle in writing, characters and concept. A big plus in my books.
July 23, 2017
Josie Prescott becomeGs involved in another murder by accident. When her receptionist doesn't come back from her vacation, Josie calls the management company that runs Gretchen's condo. Upon entering the condo, Josie and the condo rep find a dead body. What I like about these is that Josie is not becoming blase about finding murdered people, or the danger that she could be in. Good stuff!
September 3, 2023
Josie knew that she had little knowledge of Gretchen's background. She hired her with her gut feeling. Gretchen has yet to return from her Hawaii vacation. A dead man is in her living room. Josie sets about with help from Wes, the reporter prominent in most of the novels. She eventually unravels a myriad of side stories until, as usual, the truth/resolution occurs in the final ten pages.
September 23, 2018
Josie has to deal with her missing employee, Gretchen, who failed to return to work after her vacation. The mystery deepens after a dead body is found in Gretchen's apartment. As the search goes on, everyone realizes they never really knew who the real Gretchen was.
March 27, 2021
This is a nice little cozy series taking place in New Hampshire. THIS time it is the receptionist at the antiques mall that is missing. She was always mysterious but now her friends and colleagues have to FIND her.
July 17, 2017
One of my favorite books in this series. It kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. Lots of suspense.
July 21, 2017
There are so many twists and turns in this one. Several false identities, rare antiques to track down, and more than one criminal. It had several hallmarks of crazier cozy mysteries and I loved it!
March 19, 2019
was good. Now my Mom is reading it.
June 17, 2019
Another nicely written Josie Prescott cozy mystery by Jane Cleland. Great series!!!
Read
June 27, 2019Not the ending I expected. Great read
May 24, 2020
A good old fashioned mystery. I was slightly annoyed at how much the protagonist "figured out" and the Wes character was a bit overbearing. But otherwise, it was OK.
July 9, 2020
Totally enjoy this author. Easy to read but interesting
September 1, 2020
I read this in a day. Couldn't put it down.
January 20, 2021
Very good!
June 11, 2021
I am enjoying this quick-read series. This one focused in part on domestic violence.
March 10, 2023
i think I'll quit here at least for now
November 1, 2023
I enjoyed the story
April 23, 2024
A bit confusing at times, but good writing overall.
December 21, 2025
A bit confusing at times with all the different characters and aliases. Kept setting it down and picking it back up.
November 21, 2022
This mystery hit Josie closer to home, but I still think that she was unusually wimpy during the solving of the case. Didn't enjoy it as much as the previous, but still a good book. As always, more antique info would be better.
April 14, 2009
Josie Prescott returns in the fourth Antiques Mystery by Jane Cleland, Killer Keepsakes. This time an unidentified man shows up in Josie's assistant's apartment. But Josie's assistant, Gretchen is no where to be found. As Gretchen's mysterious past begins to unfold, Josie searches diligently to find Gretchen and bring her home.
As I've mentioned with the other Antiques Mysteries in this series, Josie is a wonderful character. She's so well developed that I can see us sharing tea or gauvatinis; I keep hoping she'll move out of New Hampshire and come buy the house across the street from me. One of the elements of her character that stands out especially prominent in this book is her caretaker tendencies, her motherly tendencies. And just as a mother will do anything for her child, so Josie will do for those who are near and dear to her. Unconditionally.
Josie is simply one of those people who sees the good in others. She isn't oblivious to the bad, but she also doesn't harp on insignificant things. If you've earned her friendship, she'd go to the ends of the Earth for you. Don't we all know folks like that? They're usually the folks we cherish most in our circles of friends.
On the flip side, Cleland can create an antagonist to make your skin crawl. Vince does just that. He's not an extraordinary villain; he's the bad guy we see too often in too many lives. And that is precisely what makes Cleland's characters come alive for me, the fact that I am able to visualize them in my own life. None of them have super powers - they can't stop speeding bullets with their over-developed pectorals - instead they possess characteristics like you and I. They could be devoted or obsessive or self-conscious or intelligent. Those characteristics make them palpable; they make them real.
Cleland's characters are realistic in another element as well. They help solve the mysteries using the talents God and education gave them, not amazing talents they magically develop in 15 chapters. Josie and team do not outsmart the police. Instead they work in tandem with the police AND the journalists. Everyone does what they do best. How refreshing not to have an incompetent, idiot police force!
But character isn't the only element of this novel that shines. The plot is outstanding. Every time I would think I had outsmarted Cleland and knew how the conclusion would play out, Josie would discover something that nipped my idea right in the bud. The nipping usually ended up happening on the very next page even. And when those discoveries were taking place, they were adding layers to the mystery, complexity to the plot. When some books attempt to do this the result is overbearing. The reader thinks, "good lord, what more can this poor character have to endure." But Killer Keepsakes builds complexity that pulls the reader further into the plot and the lives of the characters.
As I've come to expect from Cleland, the writing in Killer Keepsakes breathes life into the plot, the setting, the characters. Sometimes it even steals color right out of a character's cheeks: "She looked petrified, as if she were losing ground in a race against the devil." And Cleland doesn't need to be verbose, in a simple sentence like "I was in-my-bones upset" the message comes across loud and clear.
For a couple of days I stepped into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and wrapped myself in the mystery of Gretchen's disappearance. It was time very well spent with friends I adore. Again, I begrudgingly waved good-bye as the wind chimes on Prescott's door bid me a fond farewell, and I found myself hoping it wouldn't be my final visit.
As I've mentioned with the other Antiques Mysteries in this series, Josie is a wonderful character. She's so well developed that I can see us sharing tea or gauvatinis; I keep hoping she'll move out of New Hampshire and come buy the house across the street from me. One of the elements of her character that stands out especially prominent in this book is her caretaker tendencies, her motherly tendencies. And just as a mother will do anything for her child, so Josie will do for those who are near and dear to her. Unconditionally.
Josie is simply one of those people who sees the good in others. She isn't oblivious to the bad, but she also doesn't harp on insignificant things. If you've earned her friendship, she'd go to the ends of the Earth for you. Don't we all know folks like that? They're usually the folks we cherish most in our circles of friends.
On the flip side, Cleland can create an antagonist to make your skin crawl. Vince does just that. He's not an extraordinary villain; he's the bad guy we see too often in too many lives. And that is precisely what makes Cleland's characters come alive for me, the fact that I am able to visualize them in my own life. None of them have super powers - they can't stop speeding bullets with their over-developed pectorals - instead they possess characteristics like you and I. They could be devoted or obsessive or self-conscious or intelligent. Those characteristics make them palpable; they make them real.
Cleland's characters are realistic in another element as well. They help solve the mysteries using the talents God and education gave them, not amazing talents they magically develop in 15 chapters. Josie and team do not outsmart the police. Instead they work in tandem with the police AND the journalists. Everyone does what they do best. How refreshing not to have an incompetent, idiot police force!
But character isn't the only element of this novel that shines. The plot is outstanding. Every time I would think I had outsmarted Cleland and knew how the conclusion would play out, Josie would discover something that nipped my idea right in the bud. The nipping usually ended up happening on the very next page even. And when those discoveries were taking place, they were adding layers to the mystery, complexity to the plot. When some books attempt to do this the result is overbearing. The reader thinks, "good lord, what more can this poor character have to endure." But Killer Keepsakes builds complexity that pulls the reader further into the plot and the lives of the characters.
As I've come to expect from Cleland, the writing in Killer Keepsakes breathes life into the plot, the setting, the characters. Sometimes it even steals color right out of a character's cheeks: "She looked petrified, as if she were losing ground in a race against the devil." And Cleland doesn't need to be verbose, in a simple sentence like "I was in-my-bones upset" the message comes across loud and clear.
For a couple of days I stepped into Portsmouth, New Hampshire, and wrapped myself in the mystery of Gretchen's disappearance. It was time very well spent with friends I adore. Again, I begrudgingly waved good-bye as the wind chimes on Prescott's door bid me a fond farewell, and I found myself hoping it wouldn't be my final visit.
August 17, 2016
©2009
44 chapters/285 pages
Book Summary (3/13/13)—Jane Prescott’s receptionist, Gretchen, has been on vacation but doesn’t show up at work when she’s expected back. Jane investigates and finds a dead body in Gretchen’s living room! The police inevitably believe she’s guilty, but Jane’s not convinced and does all in her power to help clear Gretchen’s name, even though Gretchen’s missing for seven days and the evidence begins to look as if she’s guilty of TWO murders! The tracks lead Jane into Gretchen’s mysterious past until all the skeletons are exposed and we know who Gretchen really is and why she’s always been so cagey.
My Review—I think the best part (for me) about these books is the antiquing. In this, we get antique light fixtures of hand-painted Dutch scenes, a Victorian-era stained-glass transom, and a 1600 or 17000’s chinoiserie urn.
As to the heroine, Josie Prescott, she’s basically an all-around nice person who seems to be a great boss (the kind you’d love to have) and very passionate about her work (a great quality). She doesn’t have some “equality” chip on her shoulder and genuinely loves her boyfriend, Ty, almost to a schoolgirl giddiness (blushing cheeks when he compliments her, heart palpitations about how sexy he is, etc.), which is cute. The one downer about her is: She’s slow—I mean, SLOW!
(Spoiler alert!) I did guess the mystery, but I admit to originally suspecting the Witness Protection program—until Jane stumbled onto the idea (I think Wes may’ve directed her there) and then I reformulated. Still, the mystery’s good.
Grade: A
44 chapters/285 pages
Book Summary (3/13/13)—Jane Prescott’s receptionist, Gretchen, has been on vacation but doesn’t show up at work when she’s expected back. Jane investigates and finds a dead body in Gretchen’s living room! The police inevitably believe she’s guilty, but Jane’s not convinced and does all in her power to help clear Gretchen’s name, even though Gretchen’s missing for seven days and the evidence begins to look as if she’s guilty of TWO murders! The tracks lead Jane into Gretchen’s mysterious past until all the skeletons are exposed and we know who Gretchen really is and why she’s always been so cagey.
My Review—I think the best part (for me) about these books is the antiquing. In this, we get antique light fixtures of hand-painted Dutch scenes, a Victorian-era stained-glass transom, and a 1600 or 17000’s chinoiserie urn.
As to the heroine, Josie Prescott, she’s basically an all-around nice person who seems to be a great boss (the kind you’d love to have) and very passionate about her work (a great quality). She doesn’t have some “equality” chip on her shoulder and genuinely loves her boyfriend, Ty, almost to a schoolgirl giddiness (blushing cheeks when he compliments her, heart palpitations about how sexy he is, etc.), which is cute. The one downer about her is: She’s slow—I mean, SLOW!
(Spoiler alert!) I did guess the mystery, but I admit to originally suspecting the Witness Protection program—until Jane stumbled onto the idea (I think Wes may’ve directed her there) and then I reformulated. Still, the mystery’s good.
Grade: A
January 4, 2010
I really find it hard to know quite what to say about this book. It's just sort of...meh, you know?
I don't find the characters particularly appealing and I'm not invested in their fates. Josie tears up over...everything and sobs uncontrollably when something REALLY goes wrong. That is so annoying. I mean the woman is supposed to be a successful businesswoman who competently manages others. She's supposed to be smart and on top of things and yet she is a quivering bowl of Jello when it comes to anything that is the least bit emotional. I just don't find her very believable.
And her boyfriend, Ty, that paragon of all virtues, is the "sexiest man alive" and is apparently all-knowing and perfect in every way. All the men that I know - and some of them are pretty great - have at least one flaw. But not old Ty!
And why exactly does Josie feel this obligation to jump into every investigation, particularly when it involves murder and mayhem? She's always professing her admiration for the police and the wonderful work that they do, so why doesn't she leave them to do their jobs? Again, her interference just doesn't have a believable basis.
Cleland's writing is pedestrian. It just doesn't have the "spark" that I look for in books that truly capture my attention. I think I'm going to be dropping this series from my cozy mysteries reading list.
I don't find the characters particularly appealing and I'm not invested in their fates. Josie tears up over...everything and sobs uncontrollably when something REALLY goes wrong. That is so annoying. I mean the woman is supposed to be a successful businesswoman who competently manages others. She's supposed to be smart and on top of things and yet she is a quivering bowl of Jello when it comes to anything that is the least bit emotional. I just don't find her very believable.
And her boyfriend, Ty, that paragon of all virtues, is the "sexiest man alive" and is apparently all-knowing and perfect in every way. All the men that I know - and some of them are pretty great - have at least one flaw. But not old Ty!
And why exactly does Josie feel this obligation to jump into every investigation, particularly when it involves murder and mayhem? She's always professing her admiration for the police and the wonderful work that they do, so why doesn't she leave them to do their jobs? Again, her interference just doesn't have a believable basis.
Cleland's writing is pedestrian. It just doesn't have the "spark" that I look for in books that truly capture my attention. I think I'm going to be dropping this series from my cozy mysteries reading list.
Read
February 2, 2009Josie Prescott, owner of Prescott’s: Antiques and Auctions, is concerned when her reliable assistant Gretchen doesn’t return to work after her two-week Hawaiian vacation. When Josie goes to Gretchen’s condo to check on her, she finds a man shot to death on her sofa, but no Gretchen. Has Gretchen been kidnapped? Is she in hiding, or is she the murderer? Josie can’t believe Gretchen would kill anyone, so she begins trying to identify the victim and to investigate Gretchen’s past, realizing how little she, and Gretchen’s many friends, really know about her. Josie believes Gretchen’s friends know more than they are telling her and the police, but they aren’t talking. Josie delves deeply, and using her research skills and knowledge of antiques, she uncovers Gretchen’s secrets; but she also becomes a target of an unknown assailant. Well-developed main and secondary characters, a vividly described small-town, coastal New Hampshire setting, and the details of authenticating and appraising antiques add to this fourth in a series which will appeal to those who cherish antiques and collectibles.
April 25, 2015
This is another enjoyable book that features Josie Prescott and her antiques and appraisal business. In this book, the fourth in the series, one of Josie's employees Gretchen is not only missing but may be a suspect in a murder. Josie believes that she can help solve both mysteries by digging in to the past but, nothing is what it appears with Gretchen. Who is she & what is her past? Can Josie solve the mysteries before she or someone else ends up dead? The characters in this book are well drawn and I like the way that with each book in this series another layer is added to the main characters' personalities. I enjoy learning something new, in each book, about the antique business. I love books that delve into a past mystery and this book does a good job of using this plot tool. It does, however, create too many suspects that muddle the solution of the mystery. Overall, this book is an engaging read that keeps you guessing and wanting to read the next book in the series.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 79 reviews