by Sandra Murphy

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book, and a link to purchase it from Amazon.

Josie Prescott’s antique business has grown. She has her own television show and a studio on site where guests discuss antiques, how to know if they are real or fake, and debate the issue. The crew also films collections of items, like the thimble collection up for sale. Who would think a thimble would be exciting? Only someone who never saw a thimble covered in small diamonds.

When a woman shows up and hands Josie a green leather box says ‘I knew your father” and then disappears, Josie’s right to be suspicious. It’s when she opens the box and discovers two letters supposedly written by Jane Austen, bought in a resale shop, that things really get weird.

Josie’s father died in the Twin Towers on 9/11, something she’s never gotten over. Now a stranger claims to have known him but won’t talk to Josie. It leaves her shaken and angry.

When a dead body turns up on the property of the warehouse, it’s a shock and no one can figure out a motive. A second body, an attack on Josie, and an attempt on her life, has everyone in the company on edge. Josie hires guards for the business and protection for herself.

In addition, her husband Ty is up for a promotion. To take it would mean moving and running her business long distance. To refuse would put a halt to future promotions.

Josie is used to asking questions. Will she be able to follow the clues before the killer finds her?

This is book fourteen in the series. Cleland includes behind the scenes information on how antiques are valued, proven to be the real thing, priced, and sold. It’s seamlessly tucked into the storyline without distracting from the mystery. Josie is now happily married, her business has grown, and although she’s still not a big time antiques dealer, she’s well-known and respected. She doesn’t take risks, or at least not huge risks, but her job choice shows, she has an overwhelming need to know. There’s a nice twist at the end, too.

Readers who shop thrift stores and the like, in hopes of finding an unexpected treasure will enjoy this series.

To enter to win a copy of Jane Austen’s Lost Letters, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line “letters,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen January 29, 2022. U.S. residents only, and you must be 18 or older to enter. If you are entering via email please include you mailing address in case you win, it will be deleted after the contest. You can read our privacy statement here if you like. BE AWARE THAT IT WILL TAKE MUCH LONGER THAN USUAL FOR WINNERS TO GET THEIR BOOKS DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS.

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Sandra Murphy lives in the shadow of the Arch in St. Louis Missouri. She’s editor for Peace, Love, and Crime: Crime Stories Inspired by the Songs of the ’60s, with twenty-two cozy stories. She also edited A Murder of Crows, twenty-one stories featuring animals and crime (no animals were harmed). She also writes for magazines, newsletters, and the occasional guest blog. Both anthologies are available at the usual outlets, print or ebook.

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.