by Cynthia Chow

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of The Glow of Death. We also have a link to order it from Amazon, and from an indie bookstore where a portion goes to help support KRL.

When Rocky Point, New Hampshire, antiques’ appraiser Josie Prescott hears that Edwin Towson has a Tiffany lamp he needs to authenticate, she should have known that it was too good to be true. For decades copies of the distinctly colored and designed lamps have been produced, far out-numbering the rare and extremely valuable originals. No one is more surprised, or delighted, that upon meeting Ava Towson, Josie realizes that the lampshade’s luminescence glow reveals a genuine Tiffany lamp. Unfortunately, that is the last time Josie encounters anything authentic, as when called to the scene of Ava’s murder Josie realizes that the woman she first met was an imposter.

As someone whose profession revolves around verifying antiques and having her judgment trusted, Josie is infuriated to have been the victim of a con. This need to avenge what she sees as an attack on her professionalism spurs Josie to investigate, perhaps more so than to seek out justice for Ava Towson. Complications arise when the most likely suspect, Edwin Towson, is someone Josie needs to appease for approval to showcase the lamp on her televised “Josie’s Antiques” television program. There is more than Josie’s pride at stake, as the commission and prestige Prescott Antiques & Auctions would receive from the sale of a Tiffany lamp worth up to two million dollars would be incredible.

From what seems to at first be a simple impersonation soon builds to an elaborate con that involves antique reproductions, theft, violent attacks, and multiple murders. Josie has a friendly relationship with Police Chief Ellis Hunter, but even he has a limited amount of patience with her questioning Towson’s former staffers, neighbors, and friends. Josie uses her connections from previous investigations to assist her, and readers familiar with the Josie Prescott Antiques series will enjoy seeing their reappearance. Those being introduced to the series for the first time will have no trouble catching up with her life and adventures during the Fourth of July holiday, as they are aided not just by footnotes referencing previous books but by the innovative writing of the author. Fascinating details about the process of authenticating antiques, establishing providence, and lore concerning Tiffany lamps only enhance what is an intricately plotted mystery. Josie’s relationship with Homeland Security agent Ty Hunter has built up to a satisfying and secure level, and she has even developed a cooperative alliance with Seacoast Star newspaper reporter Wes Smith. Readers will enjoy becoming familiar with Josie’s life along with learning about the profession of antiques’ appraisals, and they will further be drawn into the innovative plan to trap a killer.

To enter to win a copy of The Glow of Death, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “glow,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen December 31, 2016. U.S. residents only. If entering via email please include your mailing address, and if via comment please include your email address.

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Click on this link to purchase this book & a portion goes to help support KRL & an indie bookstore Mysterious Galaxy:

Glow of Death

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Cynthia Chow is the branch manager of Kaneohe Public Library on the island of Oahu. She balances a librarian lifestyle of cardigans and hair buns with a passion for motorcycle riding and regrettable tattoos (sorry, Mom).

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.