Consigned to Death

This is a great peak in the antique business with real characters that get you involved. Wish there were more from her.

I chose this mystery from a limited selection with some hesitation, as I've read other mysteries in the past that turned out to be duds. I was pleasantly surprised by this one. There is intrigue, rivalry, romance, and I learned some interesting bits of information about the antiques business and some good affirmations from the late father of the at times histrionic protagonist.

I picked this book up because I heard about the author and she sounded interesting. I was not disappointed. I'm not typically a "cozy" mystery reader, but I made an exception and I'm so glad I did! Cleland's writing is literary, and fun to ride through the twists and turns. Her characters are real and true to themselves, making it so easy to dive into this story. Cleland, through her character Josie Prescott demonstrates a confident and wide knowledge of antiques and shares her enthusiasm for the subject with the reader. I know nothing about antiques and the antique trade but by the time I was finished, I felt like I'd had a mini course in the subject. Josie is an engaging main character that makes you care about what's happening in her world. I look forward to the next Josie novel from Cleland.

As a frequent visitor to the Portsmouth, N.H. vicinity, the book was a treat. I was able to visit the coastal area and meet realistic native and transplanted characters. The escape was possible from my living room or coffee shop. The author has a real grasp on investigation and much expertise on estate antique appraisal. I never had the feeling that the events were only possible in fiction. One area of improvement might be the solution. Although possible, there could have been more clues. On the other hand, the unpredictability of other suspects added to the fun. Even a reader not familiar with the setting would profit. They would experience the small town coastal flavor and a well written book.

Josie Prescott's antiques auction business is becoming a success when one of her new clients, Mr. Grant, is murdered and Josie is the prime suspect. In New York, she had blown the whistle on her former employer's price-fixing scam. She doesn't want her new life in New Hampshire to fall apart. She decides to set out to find the real killer. She soon discovers there were more items that Mr. Grant hadn't mentioned to her. Why? What are they? Where are they? As she delves deeper and deeper to answers these questions, she uncovers many suspects and motives. Who killed nice Mr. Grant and why? I really enjoyed this book. I am not into antiques, but that didn't matter. A knowledge of them is not needed to read this wonderful book. It kept me guessing who the killer was, along with the motive, and I found the book hard to put down. The story really drew me in. I loved the New Hampshire setting as well as Josie. She was so real and likeable. We really got to know her since the book was written in first person. I liked that. The auction house employees were well crafted as well. I enjoyed the glimpse we get into each of them. I really look forward to reading the next book in this series and getting to know everyone even better. I highly recommend this book. [...]

Josie Prescott has left New York behind to start a new life in New Hampshire. Everyone thought she was crazy to leave behind her big New York auction house job and her steady boyfriend for a new start in New Hampshire. Things are now beginning to look up for Josie as she has her very own antiques auction business up and running and it's beginning to be a successful venture. She then meets up with the eligible and handsome local police chief unfortunately he pegs her as the prime suspect in the murder of a local resident. Things go from bad to worse when a painting belonging to the victim turns up at Josie's business. Suddenly, Josie finds herself trying to identify a killer who has set their sites on Josie with the intention of trapping her in a web of death and deceit. With everything to lose Josie sets out to prove her innocence. A delightful addition to the mystery genre with an engaging new heroine. Josie Prescott is a fiercely determined heroine with an appealing personality full of purpose and life. Cleland presents to us the cutthroat world of antiques and auctions. Loaded with insider details of the auction world, Consigned to Death, is a beautifully written mystery, with a deft plot and loveable and detailed characters that pull you into the story and will keep you up into the night until you get to the satisfying finale. I for one am greatly looking forward to another mystery with the charming Josie Prescott.