Review: Antique Blues (Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery #12) by Jane K. Cleland

• Format: Kindle Edition
• File Size: 4082 KB
• Print Length: 304 pages
• Publisher: Minotaur Books (April 24 2018)
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services LLC
• Language: English
• ASIN: B0763SLWXJ

Book Description

Ever-crafty Josie must confront suspicious antiques dealers and her own friend’s killer in Antique Blues, the twelfth mystery in Jane K. Cleland's beloved Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series set in New Hampshire.

When amateur sleuth and antiques expert Josie Prescott is called in to appraise a Japanese woodblock print and vintage guitar for her friend Mo, she’s thrilled—until Mo is murdered.

It doesn’t take her long to pinpoint one suspect: Mo’s sister’s manipulative boyfriend, who sold her the print—and has now, conveniently, disappeared. Josie’s antiques know-how and detective skills soon lead her down an increasingly perplexing trail, scattered with gamblers, extramarital affairs, and under-the-table purchases.

Readers will relish a return to Rocky Point with Josie as she works together with her friends—the ambitious young reporter Wes Smith, and Rocky Point’s savvy police chief, Ellis Hunter—to sift through the conflicting stories around them and find Mo’s killer.

“The 12th title in Cleland’s character-driven series is as fascinating as its predecessors with plenty of details that capture the excitement of the hunt for the history and provenance of particular art objects. Also appealing are the engaging and sympathetic characters who bring warmth to this cozy mystery.” ―Library Journal (starred review)

"Suspects and motives abound... Cleland has created an appealing character in Josie, who has grown and prospered in a most satisfying way." ―Publishers Weekly

“Another gift for antiques lovers, full of usable information on treasure hunting and a mystery replete with red herrings.” ―Kirkus Reviews

“A lovely series.”
―Oline H. Cogdill, MysteryScene Mag

About the Author

Jane K. Cleland’s multiple award-winning and IMBA best selling Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery series [St. Martin’s Minotaur] has been reviewed as an Antiques Roadshow for mystery fans. Library Journal named Consigned to Death a "core title" for librarians looking to build a cozy collection, one of only 22 titles listed, along with books by Agatha Christie and Dorothy L. Sayers. The full article is at www.libraryjournal.com. “Josie” stories have also appeared in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine.

Jane chairs the Black Orchid Novella Award, one of the Wolfe Pack’s literary awards, granted in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. She is a past chapter president of the Mystery Writers of America/New York Chapter and served on the national board as well. Additionally, Jane is the host of the Writer’s Room, a series of interviews with today’s bestselling crime fiction authors that appear on cable television and online.

Jane also writes noir and comedic plays around the theme of women who love men they hate.

Jane has both an MFA (in professional and creative writing) and an MBA (in marketing and management). She’s on the faculty of Lehman College, part of the City University of New York (CUNY) system. She also mentors MFA students in Western Connecticut State University's MFA in Creative & Professional Writing program and is a frequent guest author at other university programs.

More information is available at www.janecleland.net.


My Review

Antique Blues is the 12th Josie Prescott Antiques Mystery by author Jane K. Cleland. This is a very well written mystery series. While it is the twelfth in the series, you will enjoy reading it even if you have not read other books in the series. Perhaps even go back to the beginning and start there!

Readers will be glad to be back in Rocky Point, New Hampshire. All the regulars are back which is good because Josie is soon on the hunt for her friend Mo's killer. I enjoyed the hunt and also loved learning more about antiques.

Don't you love the cover of this book! Highly recommend Antique Blues.