Consigned to Death

Josie Prescott is the employer at Prescott Antiques in Rocky Point, New Hampshire, instead of an employee at someone else’s auction house. Josie needed a new beginning, distancing herself from New York for multiple reasons. However, as Josie’s life becomes more manageable with employees becoming a trusted and cohesive team, she becomes a prime suspect in a murder investigation in the eyes of a local police chief.

I enjoyed this mystery! By the end of the cozy, I had learned a lot about the behind-the-scenes business of an auction house as information was seamlessly woven into the storyline, not lecture/teaching sentences, as I call them, in-between forward movements of the storyline. I loved learning of the creative hiding places in show more antiques, wonders of days gone by, which also added possibilities to solving the investigation clues. As Josie needed a confidence boost, she’d remember her father’s advice, and I liked the format of his counsel in italics. Although I had my suspicion about the arrest, the twists had me second-guessing myself, taking me back to the reminder to stick with your 1st choice in multiple choice questions.

I’m curious about the new developments as Josie continues implementing her business ideas and moves forward, hopefully with more self-esteem and confidence. I look forward to reading more of the series. show less

First book in the Josie Prescott mystery series. Josie is an antiques dealer who runs a warehouse and auctions in New Hampshire. She left New York a few years ago after getting caught up in her boss's illegal activities and wearing a wire to get him arrested. She wants a fresh start and her business is growing. Things start going badly when the local chief of police questions her about the death of an older man she was talking to about selling his antiques on consignment. It was murder, and Josie is a suspect.

I really liked this book. the characters and plotting were good, but the best thing is that both plots and characters were so rational. Josie, her lawyer, and the police chief all listen to each other and cooperate with each other. show more That's just refreshing. I get so tired of books where the characters do stupid things to advance the plot. Cleland proves that it isn't necessary.

I've put the rest of the series on hold at my local library. show less

3.5 stars. Loved the setting & plot, especially because my career almost swerved towards appraisals/auction house, but Josie is annoying with her crying. Please get her a good therapist! Some meds? Characters who are more emotionally intelligent?

This was a fun story in the sense of a beach-read. The narrative was a bit drawn out in developing the plot twists but Josie Prescott is an engaging protagonist. I didn't find the who-dun-it aspects very surprising but certainly enjoyed a peek at the antiques' trade.

A light, fast, one-time read. This mystery suffers a bit from being the first in a series, but it's worth a read for anyone with a mild interest in antiques appraisal. The parts of the story focusing on the appraisals and the stolen artwork were interesting, and some of the side characters had potential that will hopefully be developed as the series continues. Unfortunately, the main character's frequent crying became annoying, and the hints of a possible romantic interest seemed awkward and intrusive. Overall, it was a reasonably entertaining story, and I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

A great debut of a new cozy series. Josie Prescott is a suspect in the murder of a potential client. One or two little loose threads, but all-in-all a great first. I'll keep reading this series!

I can't believe it took me this long to try this series. Highly recommended on the mystery listserv DorothyL I've had it on my "TBR" list for a long time.

This is a first in a series and I can't wait to read more!

Josie Prescott is an antiques dealer in a shore town in New Hampshire. When a potential client is killed Josie becomes a "person of interest". Then, when a masterpiece of art goes missing, then shows up in Josie's auction house the stakes become even higher for Josie and her business.

There is a lot of character development and place development but it is worthwhile because it establishes a solid background for the future books.

I had several people picked as potential killers and one of them did turn out to be the one, but it show more wasn't my first choice so as usual I was slightly surprised by the ending.

All in all a great book and I can't wait to find out more about Josie, her employees and her friends. show less