Jane K. Cleland is a contemporary American author of mystery fiction. She is the author of the Josie Prescott Antiques Mysteries, a traditional mystery series set in New Hampshire and featuring antiques appraiser Josie Prescott, as well as books and articles about the craft of writing. Cleland has been nominated for and has won numerous awards for her writing.
Consigned to Death (2006). This, the first Josie Prescott book, was an Independent Mystery Booksellers Association bestseller and was nominated for the Agatha,[3]Macavity,[4] and David Awards for Best First Novel. A Reader’s Digest Book Club selection. Selected by the New Hampshire State Library as a Book of the Week. Translated into Russian and Hungarian. Editions published in the UK and in large print. Selected by Library Journal as a "core title" for librarians seeking to build a cozy collection.
Deadly Appraisal (2007), won the David Award for Best Novel of 2008. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Antiques to Die For (2008), nominated for the David Award for Best Novel of 2009. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Killer Keepsakes (2009). Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Silent Auction (2010), a Harlequin Book Club selection and nominated for the David Award for Best Novel of 2010. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Deadly Threads (2011), a Harlequin Book Club selection. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Dolled Up for Murder (2012), a Harlequin Book Club selection and winner of the David Award for Best Novel of 2013. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Lethal Treasure (2013), a Harlequin Book Club selection and nominated for the David Award for Best Novel of 2014. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Blood Rubies (2014), a Harlequin Book Club selection and nominated for the David Award for Best Novel of 2015. Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Ornaments of Death (2015), a LibraryReads pick (January, 2016).[5] Editions published in the UK and in large print. Shelf Awareness Starred Review (December 22, 2015).[6] Nominated for the David Award for Best Novel of 2016.
Glow of Death (2016). Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Antique Blues (2018). Starred review from Library Journal.[7] Editions published in the UK and in large print.
Cleland served as a director of the Mystery Writers of America and served a two-year term as president of the group's New York chapter. She has chaired the Literary Awards Committee of The Wolfe Pack, an association of fans of the Nero Wolfe novels by Rex Stout which confers the annual Nero Award, as well as the Black Orchid Novella Award (BONA) in partnership with Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine. Cleland is also a member of the Association of Writers and Writing Programs, Sisters in Crime, and the Dramatists Guild of America.
Agatha Award, Best Nonfiction 2018, Malice Domestic: Mastering Plot Twists[11]
Agatha Award, Best Nonfiction 2016, Malice Domestic: Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats[11]
Bestseller, Independent Mystery Bookseller Association: Consigned to Death
Anthony Award, Nominated Best Critical or Non-Fiction Work 2019, Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats[12]
Anthony Award, Best Short Story, Bouchercon 2009: "Killing Time"
David Award, Best Novel 2016 Finalist, Ornaments of Death
David Award, Best Novel 2015 Finalist, Blood Rubies
David Award, Best Novel 2014 Finalist, Lethal Treasure
David Award, Best Novel 2013, Dolled Up for Murder
David Award, Best Novel 2010 Finalist, Silent Auction
David Award, Best Novel 2009 Finalist, Antiques to Die For
David Award, Best Novel 2008, Deadly Appraisal
David Award, Best First Novel 2006 Finalist, Consigned to Death
Macavity Award, Best Nonfiction 2017 Finalist: Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats[4]
Macavity Award, Best Nonfiction 2017 Finalist: Mastering Suspense, Structure, and Plot: How to Write Gripping Stories that Keep Readers on the Edge of Their Seats[4]
Macavity Award, Best First Novel 2007 Finalist: Consigned to Death[4]
“Core Title” Consigned to Death selected by Library Journal as a “core title” when building a cozy collection, one of only 22 titles listed, along with novels by Agatha Christie & Dorothy L. Sayers[13]
^Ahlvers, Alicia; Cheryl Bryan; Megan McArdle; Jackie Sasaki; Joyce Saricks; Neal Wyatt (April 8, 2010). "Cozies: 22 Core Titles". LibraryJournal.com. Media Source, Inc. Archived from the original on November 26, 2011. Retrieved August 26, 2011.