Mysterious Saturday Review: Buttoned Up

* Button Box Mystery Series #4 *

Not only has Josie been invited to an art exhibit featuring artist  Forbis Parmenter, but she has the final button to complete the art show. When the finale starts, something scares Forbis and he exits the gallery showing immediately. 

Hours later, he turns up dead with buttons in his eyes and mouth. Once again Nev, asks her for help in solving the murder. In order to do that, she might have to enlist the help of the woman she just met, Evangeline, who also happens to be Nev's former finacee. 

Since Josie didn't know a thing about her, she's having a hard time coming to terms with the news. Can she and Nev work together to solve this case or will their personal troubles get in the way?

My Thoughts: I really enjoy this series. I felt bad for Josie when she learned about Evangeline - who clearly wouldn't mind getting back together with Nev. I loved the idea of the Forbi's art work - using buttons as the focal point. I would love to see a button landscape. I liked how this one focused on art and the art world. Another great installment in this cozy series. 

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: my Library

Books I'm Dying to Read: December Edition

Here's a list of books I can't wait to get my hands on come December! It's actually a slow month, which might mean I can play catch up on all the September-November books I haven't read yet!

Taste of Darkness: I LOVE Maria V. Snyder's books and I'm super excited to see how this trilogy will end.

Rebel Spring: I loved Falling Kingdoms and after that ending twist, I'm dying to see what happens next. 

Racing Savannah: Love these books! Excited to read about a female jockey.

Third Lie's the Charm: Love this series - and I need to find out what's going to happen next with Kate and the sisterhood.

Merry Market Murder: I'm a book behind, but I really enjoy this Farmer's Market series. Plus this one is Christmas edition! 

Buttoned Up: I love these button mysteries!

Roomies: Already Read - but Loved it! Review coming soon!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Panic Button

 * Book 3 in the series *

Josie loved looking at the vintage Victorian charm string - with one thousand buttons. A costumer wanted it appraised before she donates it to a museum. Josie wouldn't mind purchasing the unique item, however the owner believes that the charm string is cursed.

She wants to get it out of her life once and for all. It's brought her nothing but bad luck since she inherited it.

After the woman picks up the charm string after the appraisal, someone murders her in the alley outside the button shop.  The charm string appears to be the murder weapon. Buttons are strewn all over the area.

Detective Nev asks Josie to help look into the murder. Luckily, Josie took excellent notes for her work. She's able to determine two buttons are missing from the collection. Could either of those buttons be valuable enough for murder? 

My Thoughts: I love this series and I love learning little tidbits about buttons along the way. I love the inclusion of the vintage charm string. I love Josie's shop; it sounds perfect. I like how Josie went to Angela's town - looking for clues and learning about the people of the town. The town sounded charming at first, until it's secrets are revealed. The towns people knew almost everything about each other since it's a small town, but some of them had ugly secrets. I enjoyed the romantic moments between Josie and Nev. I love Stan and how he helps out in the investigation and protects Josie. A charming addition to the series that leaves me waiting for the next installment.

Cover Thoughts: Cute
Source: My Library

Mysterious Saturday Review: Hot Button

 *2nd book in the Button Box series. Read my review for Button Holed*

Josie's chairing the international button conference for the first time. She's so excited for the conference, not only to learn more about buttons, but because she sweet talked a reclusive collector into giving the key note speech. She had no idea that Thad, the owner of  Geronimo button who specializes in Western buttons would be so horrible.

Not only did he pitch a fit about riding the subway,  he asked for a famous meat sub when he's a well known vegan. He's also drinking expensive alcohol, on Josie's tab. He's been rude to conference attendees. He gets into a fight on the welcome cruise. Plus he's been accused of stealing items from a vendor.

When he's late to the keynote dinner, Josie can't believe it. When a phone call drags her away from her dinner, she learns that he's dead. He's been murdered and the suspect list is a mile long. Nevin asks her to help solve the murder, but that means not attending to every detail at the conference. Will the murder and the conference ruin Josie's credibility with her fellow button collectors? 

My Thoughts: I love this charming series. I love learning more about buttons and their history. I find them fascinating. I really liked the conference description, it reminded me of all the library conferences I've attended over the years. I really enjoyed the new cast of characters, but I'm also happy that Stan makes an appearance in this book as I find him entertaining.


I loved reading more of the relationship between Nevin and Josie. I think it's cute how they keep finding things to talk about, especially after their first disastrous date. Even though Kaz turned up at the right time and is helping Josie with the conference, I'm enjoying Nevin's attempts to figure out his role in Josie's life.


I can't wait to read more in this series! 

Cover Thoughts: Cute, but doesn't really match the book
Source: My Library

Up Next: Panic Button is due in December!

Mysterious Saturday Review: Button Holed

Josie has a huge day ahead of her - one that could make a name for her new button store. When she arrives early to get a head start on the opening day, she discovers two men in her store.

They've tossed the store. After a few threats they leave her alone. With the store a disaster, she works double time to get it read for her guest.

A famous actress is checking out her store for buttons for her wedding dress. She's marrying a Prince, but she's already Hollywood Royalty.

The week turns out to be a disaster when the next day, Josie finds the actress in her store - dead. She was murdered.

Josie can't get the images of murder out of her mind. When she discovers a unique button on the floor, she knows it doesn't belong in her collection. As an expert, she aids the police investigation with research. Could her knowledge help solve a murder?

My Thoughts: A Wonderful start to a new series and I just LOVED the button store. After reading it, it made me want to get out all my grandmother's old buttons and play with them like I did when I was young. I loved the Hollywood spin. I loved Detective Riley. I can't wait to see where this new series will go!

Cover Thoughts: LOVE it!

Source: Purchased