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Button Box Mystery #3
Panic Button
Josie Giancola, owner of the Button Box shop, knows her buttons. But when she comes into contact with a rare charm string, she never imagines it will lead to murder…
Josie is approached at her shop to appraise a very rare item—a complete charm string. In Victorian times, girls strung buttons on long strings to make the charms. Once the string reached 1,000 buttons—no two alike—the legend was that the owner would meet her beloved.
But the owner of this charm string is not looking for love—she’s desperate to donate the piece to a museum and be rid of it. She believes the string is far from charmed—it’s cursed. When Josie finds the woman strangled with the charm string, she doesn’t know whether the curse is real…but the killer certainly is.
Josie is approached at her shop to appraise a very rare item—a complete charm string. In Victorian times, girls strung buttons on long strings to make the charms. Once the string reached 1,000 buttons—no two alike—the legend was that the owner would meet her beloved.
But the owner of this charm string is not looking for love—she’s desperate to donate the piece to a museum and be rid of it. She believes the string is far from charmed—it’s cursed. When Josie finds the woman strangled with the charm string, she doesn’t know whether the curse is real…but the killer certainly is.
304 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 31, 2012
32 people are currently reading
476 people want to read
About the author
Kylie Logan
31 books445 followersAlso writes as Miranda Bliss, Casey Daniels, Zoe Daniels, Connie Deka, Mimi Granger, Anastasia Hastings, Connie Lane, Connie Laux, Constance Laux, Lucy Ness.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews
August 24, 2017
While buttons don't seem like a very interesting subject, Logan has wound them very successfully into some fun and witty mysteries, and I have truly been enjoying this series. Another good one ... though I'm getting better at "solving" her mysteries, and had the guilty one figured out this time.
November 20, 2025
This is a cute little series. Who knew buttons could be so valuable. I like the characters. The story in this one was good and I enjoyed seeing how it all came together in the end.
January 28, 2013
Another "whodunit" mystery that's interesting and well-written. Ms. Logan definitely shines when it comes to executing a well thought-out and intricate mystery. However, if you're looking for some romance, good luck as it's almost non-existent. Josie and Nev would make a great couple if they ever expressed any words or feelings of TLC to one other. In other words, they're booooorrrring. Too bad as the novel's protagonist is a strong, intelligent woman who deserves to be loved. All we get is a glimpse of them holding each other with smiles on their faces. I doubt they've even kissed once and this is Book 3. Yawnfest. What is surprising is how little a presence Kaz has in this book, unlike in "Hot Button" where he was present beginning, middle, and end; almost like he was glued to Josie which I found to be odd in itself. To be honest, I was kind of glad he wasn't around much, but this was only in hope of something happening between Nev and Josie. I don't know if I'll continue reading the series.
January 28, 2020
Within 18 pages I knew who did it.... the characters couldn’t hold me after that
April 23, 2021
This has been an enjoyable series and I'm sad that there is just one book left. But on the upside, when I read it I will have another series complete.
January 14, 2016
Kylie Logan's Button Box mystery series just keeps getting better and better. In PANIC BUTTON Josie is approached by a woman who needs an appraisal of her antique charm string, a collection of 1000 buttons, strung by a young lady with the idea that when complete, she would meet her beloved. Although most of the buttons have rather low values, one is exceptionally rare, and many are unusual, however, a complete charm string is very rare, which increases the value. The problem is that the owner swears that her charm string is cursed, and cites several unsettling incidents as proof. As a matter of fact, there are some strange occurrences in Josie's Button Box shop while the string is in her possession. Then, minutes after receiving the charm string from Josie, the owner is murdered, strangled by the very charm string, which has broken and scattered buttons everywhere. Josie and her boyfriend, homicide detective Nevin Riley, investigate the murder in a small town about 50 miles north of Josie's Chicago location.
The descriptions are delightful, the characters well drawn and believable, the prose flows, and the plotting is devious. Altogether an enjoyable read. And I always come away from one of Ms. Logan's books having learned something. This series should be read in order due to the character and relationship development.
The descriptions are delightful, the characters well drawn and believable, the prose flows, and the plotting is devious. Altogether an enjoyable read. And I always come away from one of Ms. Logan's books having learned something. This series should be read in order due to the character and relationship development.
February 2, 2013
First off, avoid the acknowledgments until after you've read the book. I wouldn't say there are spoilers in it, but she does say enough that a plot point is totally given away and the book lost a little something for me because of it. Plus, I sort of guessed the murderer early although Ms. Logan provided many suspects and motivations.
Still, this is an enjoyable read, with good characters and I like the dynamic between Josie and Nev - it's refreshing to see the romantic interest work together instead of always butting heads. I very much enjoyed the story line about Ardent Lake and the resevoir, but I would have enjoyed it even more had I not spoiled it for myself by reading the acknowledgements at the beginning - I missed out on the build up, I think.
A good entry in a good series, I look forward to the next book.
Still, this is an enjoyable read, with good characters and I like the dynamic between Josie and Nev - it's refreshing to see the romantic interest work together instead of always butting heads. I very much enjoyed the story line about Ardent Lake and the resevoir, but I would have enjoyed it even more had I not spoiled it for myself by reading the acknowledgements at the beginning - I missed out on the build up, I think.
A good entry in a good series, I look forward to the next book.
June 24, 2017
#3 in the Button Box mystery series. Josie Giancola is a spunky heroine. A divorcee after she found her husband cheating, she parlayed royalties from costume design for a low budget film that became a cult classic, into opening a button shop and becoming a nationally recognized expert. The cast of characters is very limited: Josie; her septuagenarian neighbor, ex-cop Stan; her freeloading ex-husband, Kaz; and, homicide cop Nevin Riley, who is a tentative love interest. The button lore is interesting and the plotting is adequate but longevity of the series is doubtful.
Josie is approached at her shop to appraise a very rare item--a complete charm string. In Victorian times, girls strung buttons on long strings to make the charms. Once the string reached 1,000 buttons--no two alike--the legend was that the owner would meet her beloved. But the owner of this charm string is not looking for love--she's desperate to donate the piece to a museum and be rid of it. She believes the string is far from charmed--it's cursed. When Josie finds the woman strangled with the charm string, she doesn't know whether the curse is real...but the killer certainly is.
Josie is approached at her shop to appraise a very rare item--a complete charm string. In Victorian times, girls strung buttons on long strings to make the charms. Once the string reached 1,000 buttons--no two alike--the legend was that the owner would meet her beloved. But the owner of this charm string is not looking for love--she's desperate to donate the piece to a museum and be rid of it. She believes the string is far from charmed--it's cursed. When Josie finds the woman strangled with the charm string, she doesn't know whether the curse is real...but the killer certainly is.
December 16, 2017
This is a nifty series for quite a few reasons. It's a premise [buttons] that could be dull, but isn't. The setting is Chicago and seems very familiar since my mom worked at Vogue Fabrics located in a Chicago neighborhood like Josie's, lots of creativity there. The characters are well-written and it's a very well-told mystery.
It's learning something new, history of a charm string of buttons. A girl collects, trades buttons to string as a charm. Once she has the thousandth one, she will meet her one true love. It was so cool to read about that.
There's the town that was drowned to make room for a reservoir, a pirate, museums, button lore, murder, who's good and not-so-much.
I liked this a lot. Each book in the series gets better and better. I look forward to the rest of the series and all that Kylie Logan/Casey Daniels writes.
Definitely recommend.
It's learning something new, history of a charm string of buttons. A girl collects, trades buttons to string as a charm. Once she has the thousandth one, she will meet her one true love. It was so cool to read about that.
There's the town that was drowned to make room for a reservoir, a pirate, museums, button lore, murder, who's good and not-so-much.
I liked this a lot. Each book in the series gets better and better. I look forward to the rest of the series and all that Kylie Logan/Casey Daniels writes.
Definitely recommend.
February 5, 2018
I will say at the onset that I did not finish this book. There aren't many I don't finish so that says as much about this book as it does about me. I read lots of cozy mysteries and the button theme at the center of this one is a subject I am very interested in. But I couldn't deal with the storekeeper who makes it her business to travel to another town to snoop into into the background of a customer who happens to die outside her door. I tried. I got half way through and then I just said, "Enough!" Not only was this woman intrusive and belligerent to those she "interviewed" , we're also supposed to believe that a police officer would actually ask her to insert herself into a murder investigation. I'm willing to forgive a lot in the name of fiction, but this one stretched credibility waaaaaay too far.
November 30, 2017
It's a crazy set of clues and a murder that set Josie, button expert, and Neville Riley on the path of a killer. In addition to the usual cozy mystery, you'll learn more about buttons, their history, and the Victorian hobby of stringing them as good luck charms.
I liked the parts about the history of buttons and about the town buried under the reservoir. Of course, the budding romance between Josie and Nev is fun to watch unfold. Enjoy!
I liked the parts about the history of buttons and about the town buried under the reservoir. Of course, the budding romance between Josie and Nev is fun to watch unfold. Enjoy!
August 17, 2017
What an amazing story!! I had no idea that button collectors had conventions, nor, that someone could be murdered over a button!!
Who knew!! Was a great story and the reveal wasn't until the last chapter!
Who knew!! Was a great story and the reveal wasn't until the last chapter!
November 7, 2017
Good plot, good pace, and interesting characters deliver another good read from Kylie Logan! Josie is in the thick of it again and her friends are there to help her out. Kylie kept me guessing all the way. Good job!
October 12, 2018
This is the third book in the Button Box Mystery series and I will be reading #4 next. The crazy characters are funny to to react too! The Chicago setting unique and an ending that invites the reader to find the next tale. copy right 2012
March 31, 2020
Very good! The town of Ardent Lake sounds beautiful and the mystery wrapped romance, history, and intrigue in an irresistible little package. Too bad this series ended after only four books. I prefer it to the author's League of Literary Ladies series.
January 22, 2018
Josie gets involved in yet another murder after a woman brings her a rare Victorian charm string for appraisal, then winds up dead not far from the shop. Who knew buttons could be so deadly?
April 15, 2018
A neat little cozy series that's quite fun.
October 2, 2018
Loved this book!!
June 9, 2019
It was about 3.5 stars. For me it was a bit slow going to get through it. I wish the author did more with the Chicago setting.
March 23, 2021
Kept me guessing until the end.
May 27, 2021
Quick cozy mystery.
June 1, 2023
Buttons are such a unique theme. The author makes them so interesting. I can’t wait to read the next one as it’s the last one but I wish she was still writing them.
January 17, 2013
Josie Giancola, owner of the Button Box shop, knows her buttons. But when she comes into contact with a rare charm string, she never imagines it will lead to murder…
In Victorian times, girls would string buttons, no two alike, in long chains to make charms. When the string reached 1000 buttons the legend was that the owner would meet the love of her life. A customer of Josie’s is not looking for love. She inherited a charm string and she will do anything to get rid of it. She believes the string is cursed. She has decided to donate it to a local museum as soon as Josie can appraise its value. Unfortunately before she can deliver it to the museum the owner is found strangled with the charming string of buttons. Josie doesn’t know if the curse is real but there is a real killer on the loose.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
My favorite in this series so far!!! I have to be careful because I don’t want to give anything away but the history of the small town Ardent Lake was so interesting and plays a major role in this story. I really enjoy books that take us a few steps back into the past even for fictional places. As a reader I become more engaged in the setting and characters. The charm string history was intriguing as well. Manna for button lovers.
Josie’s ex Kaz was mostly absent in this installment. I did miss his antics a bit, but the character that stole my heart this time was Stan. He has helped out Josie is the store before but after Josie is almost mugged outside her store Nev and Stan feel she needs a little protection and Stan steps up to stay with her at the store. While Josie is a little miffed that they think she needs a babysitter she realizes it’s nice to have someone around. They are very comfortable around each other and have each other’s back. A wonderful friendship.
Nev and Josie’s relationship continues to grow. Some of the residents of Ardent Lake are a little more than peculiar and by the end of the story LaSalle makes a new friend.
Kylie Logan strings words together to create a masterful mystery that is a pure pleasure to read.
In Victorian times, girls would string buttons, no two alike, in long chains to make charms. When the string reached 1000 buttons the legend was that the owner would meet the love of her life. A customer of Josie’s is not looking for love. She inherited a charm string and she will do anything to get rid of it. She believes the string is cursed. She has decided to donate it to a local museum as soon as Josie can appraise its value. Unfortunately before she can deliver it to the museum the owner is found strangled with the charming string of buttons. Josie doesn’t know if the curse is real but there is a real killer on the loose.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
My favorite in this series so far!!! I have to be careful because I don’t want to give anything away but the history of the small town Ardent Lake was so interesting and plays a major role in this story. I really enjoy books that take us a few steps back into the past even for fictional places. As a reader I become more engaged in the setting and characters. The charm string history was intriguing as well. Manna for button lovers.
Josie’s ex Kaz was mostly absent in this installment. I did miss his antics a bit, but the character that stole my heart this time was Stan. He has helped out Josie is the store before but after Josie is almost mugged outside her store Nev and Stan feel she needs a little protection and Stan steps up to stay with her at the store. While Josie is a little miffed that they think she needs a babysitter she realizes it’s nice to have someone around. They are very comfortable around each other and have each other’s back. A wonderful friendship.
Nev and Josie’s relationship continues to grow. Some of the residents of Ardent Lake are a little more than peculiar and by the end of the story LaSalle makes a new friend.
Kylie Logan strings words together to create a masterful mystery that is a pure pleasure to read.
January 1, 2013
Panic Button is the third book in the A Button Box Mystery series by Kylie Logan.
Josie Giancola, owner of The Button Box, has been contacted by Angela Morningside to give her an appraisal on a Charm String. Angela has inherited it from a great Aunt, who has recently passed. Angela feels that the charm string is cursed. Both her great aunt and she have had small kitchen fires, an attempted break in at her house and a major argument with her boyfriend, Larry. When Angela returns to pick up the charm string she is late and appears to be quite agitated. Shortly after she leaves, Josie leaves for the evening starts on a walk and finds Angela straggled, with murder weapon being the charm string. Josie may not believe in curses, but this certainly gives her food for thought. A charm string is comprised of 1,000 buttons, but the police have only been able to collect 999 of the buttons. Since Josie had taken picture of all the buttons she knows which is missing, but doesn't understand the significance of the button.
So with the blessing of her good friend Nev, a Chicago police detective assigned to the case, they head for Advent, IL to attend the wake and funeral for Angela. After a couple visits to Advent, Josie is looking at Susan, the curator of museum that was going to get the charm string. She had been dating Larry before Angela. Larry, the boyfriend, who seems to have something to hide. Marci, who is starting her own museum and who was originally offered the charm string. And Charles, Angela's cousin, who received nothing from the aunt estate.
A very enjoyable and well laid out story. I had to change my opinion more than once on who the murderer was.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
Josie Giancola, owner of The Button Box, has been contacted by Angela Morningside to give her an appraisal on a Charm String. Angela has inherited it from a great Aunt, who has recently passed. Angela feels that the charm string is cursed. Both her great aunt and she have had small kitchen fires, an attempted break in at her house and a major argument with her boyfriend, Larry. When Angela returns to pick up the charm string she is late and appears to be quite agitated. Shortly after she leaves, Josie leaves for the evening starts on a walk and finds Angela straggled, with murder weapon being the charm string. Josie may not believe in curses, but this certainly gives her food for thought. A charm string is comprised of 1,000 buttons, but the police have only been able to collect 999 of the buttons. Since Josie had taken picture of all the buttons she knows which is missing, but doesn't understand the significance of the button.
So with the blessing of her good friend Nev, a Chicago police detective assigned to the case, they head for Advent, IL to attend the wake and funeral for Angela. After a couple visits to Advent, Josie is looking at Susan, the curator of museum that was going to get the charm string. She had been dating Larry before Angela. Larry, the boyfriend, who seems to have something to hide. Marci, who is starting her own museum and who was originally offered the charm string. And Charles, Angela's cousin, who received nothing from the aunt estate.
A very enjoyable and well laid out story. I had to change my opinion more than once on who the murderer was.
I'm looking forward to the next book in the series.
March 28, 2013
I sincerely enjoyed the journey the Author took me upon while solving an interesting murder. In the third novel of this interesting series, our sleuth, button expert, Josie Giancola is enjoying her latest research to appraise a 'Charm String.' Josie, loving all things button, makes an offer to the owner to purchase the string. The owner gives a resounding 'no.' Why? Because the string is 'cursed.'
Josie, not believing in curses, keeps trying to purchase the amazing string, but the owner is adamant about donating the item to her local museum in the town of Ardent Lake. Minutes later, the owner is found dead by Josie and whether there is a curse involved or not, Josie knows the killer is real.
This interesting novel taught me about the romantic times of the Victorian and early twentieth centuries for unmarried ladies. The Charm String reminds me of the children's game of making a daisy wreath (involving the initials of your future betrothed,) only an adult version. Fascinating and I plan on researching more about the custom.
I want to tell you more but I realize that if I did you might not purchase this book and that would be a shame. I like the relationship between Josie and her detective, Nevin Riley and how he realizes that she has specific abilities that can aid his search for the killer.
As to whether the curse is real? Well, you will have to decide yourself. There are more than two deceased women who believe in it, or did they?
Josie, not believing in curses, keeps trying to purchase the amazing string, but the owner is adamant about donating the item to her local museum in the town of Ardent Lake. Minutes later, the owner is found dead by Josie and whether there is a curse involved or not, Josie knows the killer is real.
This interesting novel taught me about the romantic times of the Victorian and early twentieth centuries for unmarried ladies. The Charm String reminds me of the children's game of making a daisy wreath (involving the initials of your future betrothed,) only an adult version. Fascinating and I plan on researching more about the custom.
I want to tell you more but I realize that if I did you might not purchase this book and that would be a shame. I like the relationship between Josie and her detective, Nevin Riley and how he realizes that she has specific abilities that can aid his search for the killer.
As to whether the curse is real? Well, you will have to decide yourself. There are more than two deceased women who believe in it, or did they?
September 29, 2013
This is the third book in the Button Box Mystery series by Kylie Logan. I read and enjoyed the first book in the series when it was the selection of the month for my Cozy Mystery Club on Goodreads. I picked up the second one on my own and was somewhat disappointed as it was very focused on the theme, button collecting, which is not really an interest of mine. I am very glad that I gave, Panic Button, the third in the series a try, it is the best so far!
The protagonist, Josie, is asked to appraise a “cursed” button charm string and the curse does seem to follow it as the owner is killed. There is more than one mystery going on, the murder and also the “curse” of the charm string. Several possible villains are suggested as Josie does her sleuthing with her sidekick, Stan. I did figure out the piece behind the charm string prior to the reveal in the book, but it did not lessen my enjoyment of the book. I found the book well written and paced with enjoyable characters. I particularly like the relationship developing slowly between Josie and Nev, it seems very realistic, not overly rushed or part of some convoluted love triangle. Josie’s ex is still in the picture, but just as someone she is concerned about not a romantic interest.
Fun, fast cozy mystery read, this is definitely the best in the series so far.
The protagonist, Josie, is asked to appraise a “cursed” button charm string and the curse does seem to follow it as the owner is killed. There is more than one mystery going on, the murder and also the “curse” of the charm string. Several possible villains are suggested as Josie does her sleuthing with her sidekick, Stan. I did figure out the piece behind the charm string prior to the reveal in the book, but it did not lessen my enjoyment of the book. I found the book well written and paced with enjoyable characters. I particularly like the relationship developing slowly between Josie and Nev, it seems very realistic, not overly rushed or part of some convoluted love triangle. Josie’s ex is still in the picture, but just as someone she is concerned about not a romantic interest.
Fun, fast cozy mystery read, this is definitely the best in the series so far.
August 17, 2013
This was a quick read that kept me guessing until the very end "whodunnit?" Of course, it also made me curious about button collecting. What drew me to this book in the first place was that it was about a button collector/seller who solves mysteries a la Jessica Fletcher from Murder She Wrote albeit a much younger version.
For those who like a "gentle read" this was a great choice. No gore, bodies killed "off stage" as they say in the cozy mystery genre. This was not the first book in the series, so I was playing catch-up with the storyline that happened in the previous book, but all in all it was fairly easy to follow along.
The characters were likeable, but not very deeply drawn. This was definitely a plot-driven story where the action drove the story as opposed to a character-driven one where the story meanders all over the landscape of the characters and the setting before really achieving anything of note plot-wise.
All in all, I liked it. Now I'm off to unearth my own button collection and do a bit of research about Victorian button charm strings...
For those who like a "gentle read" this was a great choice. No gore, bodies killed "off stage" as they say in the cozy mystery genre. This was not the first book in the series, so I was playing catch-up with the storyline that happened in the previous book, but all in all it was fairly easy to follow along.
The characters were likeable, but not very deeply drawn. This was definitely a plot-driven story where the action drove the story as opposed to a character-driven one where the story meanders all over the landscape of the characters and the setting before really achieving anything of note plot-wise.
All in all, I liked it. Now I'm off to unearth my own button collection and do a bit of research about Victorian button charm strings...
May 22, 2016
You can tell by the illustrated cover alone that Panic Button by Kylie Logan is a cozy mystery. Technically, a cozy mystery is a crime novel without the gore (think Miss Marple) and they usually have an artist's impression of an idyllic setting on the front.
Panic Button is centred around a charm string and in the Victorian era, young girls collected and traded buttons and threaded them onto a charm string. It was said that when they'd collected their 1000th button, they would meet their Prince Charming.
The main character of the series runs a button shop, and given I like buttons and was moderately interested in the creation of charm strings, I thought this would make a fun and easy-going read on the plane home from Hawaii.
It did, but it also confirmed that cozy mysteries just aren't enough to keep my interest. The main character investigating the crime was just too much for me, but very indicative of the genre.
Panic Button is centred around a charm string and in the Victorian era, young girls collected and traded buttons and threaded them onto a charm string. It was said that when they'd collected their 1000th button, they would meet their Prince Charming.
The main character of the series runs a button shop, and given I like buttons and was moderately interested in the creation of charm strings, I thought this would make a fun and easy-going read on the plane home from Hawaii.
It did, but it also confirmed that cozy mysteries just aren't enough to keep my interest. The main character investigating the crime was just too much for me, but very indicative of the genre.
January 28, 2013
This is the third in a series of cozy mysteries about a button shop owner. As a collector, i enjoyed reading well researched information about buttons. The main character is likeable, but she doesn't develop much as a person throughout the books. The mystery is almost believable, but the premise of an extraordinary town, with an underwater ghost neighborhood just feet away is not explored enough. The pacing is too fast, like a read for the ADHD adult. I would love to have more description, and a deeper read on Josie's character. Why is is that tall cop hanging around if he is never going to kiss her. At least Kaz, the ex-husband isn't in every chapter as in the last two books. That was slightly disturbing. I would like to read a book that is less formulaic, and I think Ms. Logan has the talent to engage me better.
April 15, 2014
This was a very enjoyable installment in this series. I like that Josie has the ability to investigate without becoming too nosy or annoying. I like her relationship with Nev, it's not too much to turn this into a romance novel. But I hate to say, I sort of missed Kaz. He is supposed to be seen as annoying but you can tell Josie still has a special spot for him in her heart because he comes across as lovable for some reason. I liked the story behind this mystery. Although the motive became clear very early on as well as the killer. At least other suspects were tossed up throughout the book to make you second guess a bit. So I can't say that I for sure knew who it was, but my suspicion was right.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 60 reviews