Josie Giancola is one of the leading button experts in the
country, and she is now realising her dream of owning a
button shop, the Button Box, in Chicago. She is shocked when
it gets ransacked one day, but she is determined to soldier
on, even though one of the biggest names in Hollywood has an
appointment to come by and look at buttons for her wedding
gown. Kate Franciscus, aka "Kate the Great", is marrying a
prince and has decided that she must have nothing but the
best for her gown. Because of some Hollywood connections
that Josie has from helping out with the costumes in a movie
several years ago, she has landed this referral.
However, on Kate's second trip to the store, which was to be
a private viewing so as to keep the gown design and button
selection a secret, Kate is murdered. A unique button is
found under her body so the local police ask Josie to
consult on the case. This is only slightly awkward since
Josie once went on a blind date with the detective in charge
of the case - a date that ended quickly when he got a
suspicious phone call before the meal ever hit the table.
Soon, the police make an arrest in the case, but neither
Josie nor Nevin, the detective, believe that the true
culprit has been apprehended. Josie decides to track down
more information on the button, which she has leeway to do
since she is not constrained by the same politics and red
tape as Nevin. The case quickly heats up, and Josie finds
she has more than enough suspects and motives.
This mystery was fun to read while still educating me about
buttons. I also enjoyed Josie's character - she's fun,
funny, and sharp. Although her ex-husband is clearly
handsome and charming, she doesn't let him get away with
using her, which is refreshing. It was also nice to see
someone embrace their "button nerd" side and be content with
it, even if it meant fewer date nights, rather than selling
oneself out.
BUTTON HOLDED is paced quite well. Even though there were
quite a few characters, it was easy to keep them separated
in my mind, and I had no trouble following the logic of the
various motives and alibis. In the end, I was satisfied with
how everything turned out. I will definitely be reading more
of Kylie Logan's work.
Working out of her button shop in a Chicago brownstone,
Josie Giancola has become one of the country's leading
experts on buttons. Her reputation draws a Hollywood starlet
to the Button Box to shop for one-of-a-kind buttons to adorn
her made-to-order wedding gown. But after the Button Box is
ransacked and the actress murdered, Josie's cozy world is
thrown into chaos-and a killer is out to keep Josie's lips
buttoned up...permanently.
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