Prescott’s Antiques

A periodic newsletter for fans of
Jane K. Cleland’s traditional mystery series
featuring Josie Prescott

An Antiques Roadshow for Mystery Fans
Vol. I, No. 8

Are You the Next Rex Stout?
The Wolfe Pack and
Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine Announce
The   Black Orchid
Novella Award

Starting in 2007, Jane will assume the chairmanship of the prestigious Nero Award and the just-announced Black Orchid Novella Award in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Both awards are given out by The Wolfe Pack, the official fan society of Rex Stout’s Nero Wolfe novels. [see www.nerowolfe.org.]

Nero Wolfe
Portrait of Nero Wolfe by Kevin I. Gordon
For information about how to submit a novella, please click here.

Cooking Tip from
Josie’s Mom

"Parmesan cheese is one of my secret weapons," Josie’s mom revealed. "I use it a lot. It adds pizzazz without overwhelming other flavors." She preferred parmigiano-reggiano cheese imported from Italy. "There was always a wedge in the refrigerator," Josie recalled. "I use it a lot, just like my mom did." Josie’s mom added it to the breading mixture in Monterey Chicken (click for recipe).

Parmigiano reggiano

She also used parmesan cheese in Squash and Pumpkin Ravioli, Garlic Bread, Croque Monsieur, Chicken Florentine, and almost every white sauce she ever made!

Deadly Appraisal
 Publication Date Set

The Launch Event Is at
Black Orchid Books
in New York City
You’re Invited!

The paperback of Deadly Appraisal has an on-sale date of April 3, 2007 and the hardback of Consigned to Death has an on-sale date April 17, 2007. ("On-sale" dates refer to the date the books will be available for purchase at book stores.) Jane is thrilled to be returning to the Black Orchid Bookstore for her launch event on April 17, 2007. "Come and join us!" Jane says. "If you’re not in New York, please keep checking my schedule—I plan on touring extensively again and would love to meet you!" Jane’s already booked in Houston at Murder by the Book on May 1, 2007.

Deadly

Click a cover to read an excerpt!

Consigned

Antiques Collecting Fact:
Did You Know?
apostle spoon

Spoons were first produced in Roman times, then lost favor, and weren’t widely used in Europe again until the Middle Ages. Also, spoons weren’t usually made in sets until the late 17th century—except for Apostle spoons, which generally came in sets of 13—one featuring each of the 12 Apostles, and one featuring the Master.

It's extremely rare to find complete sets. Have one? Submit it for a free on-line antiques appraisal!

.apostle spoon

Unpublished Fact
About Josie

Josie moved to New York City the August after she graduated from college in the middle of a heat wave. "My dad taught me that the best way to handle summer heat is to ride the Staten Island Ferry. It’s awesome. Not only do you get to see Miss Liberty close up, but it’s about twenty degrees cooler on the water. On more than one occasion, I’ve ridden back and forth a couple of times!"

SI Ferry-Lady Liberty