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[Lesa Holstine]

Deadly Appraisal, Jane K. Cleland's second mystery, is a worthy sequel to the Agatha Award nominated Consigned to Death. Cleland's antiques appraiser, Josie Prescott, returns to find herself so deeply involved in a mystery that she doesn't know if she's a suspect or the target of a murder.

The Portsmouth Women's Guild is holding their successful Gala at Prescott's auction hall, but Josie was busy missing her boyfriend, Rocky Point Chief of Police, Ty Alvarez, who was away tending to a dying aunt. Perhaps that's why she missed the clues when Maisy Gaylor was poisoned and died on stage. She was so preoccupied with her own life, she was shocked to find out that the police officer in charge thought she herself might be the target.

Josie is angry at the police, and incensed when she makes the headlines of the local newspaper. Despite her fear, she teams up with a local reporter to investigate her own past, and that of the victim.

Deadly Appraisal marks the welcome return of Josie Prescott, a lonely woman trying to reach out for friends. Despite her problems, Josie realizes she has employees to support and a job to do. The stories about antiques in the Josie Prescott mysteries are fascinating, and an integral part of the stories. It looks like Jane K. Cleland has a successful series on her hands.