Deadly Appraisal
Jane K. Cleland
St. Martin's, Apr 2007, $23.95
ISBN 0312343663

Though proven innocent of price fixing, antiques dealer Josie Prescott left New York City because she knows that her credibility remained stained at the Frisco Auction House in spite of being totally innocent; whistleblowers are undesirables regardless of ethics. She figured to start anew in her home state New Hampshire. Things work out quite well as her business is booming and she and the local Police Chief Ty Alverez are dating though he had been her prime suspect in the CONSIGNED TO DEATH homicide case.

Josie sponsors a benefit to thank the Portsmouth community for their support. However, when Portsmouth Women's Guild member Maisy Gaylor drops dead in front of her, she assumes it is a stroke or heart attack. Detective Rowcliff informs her that the victim died from potassium cyanide poisoning that was probably targeting the antiques dealer. Not one to hide, especially after the Manhattan fiasco, Josie begins her own inquiries using two possible scenarios: that Maisy was the intended victim or New York still wants her dead.

Though she knows she should leave the investigation to the pros, Josie mistrusts cops after the Frisco fiasco and the CONSIGNED TO DEATH HOMICIDE even as she is attracted to them. Thus fans of amateur sleuth cozies obtain a delightful whodunit starring a toughened heroine whose DEADLY APPRAISAL of the situation will keep readers changing their opinion as to who the target was. That is the key element that keeps fresh Jane K. Cleland's second New Hampshire Prescott thriller.

Harriet Klausner