Jeanne Reviews: Buttons and Blows: A Ghostly Fashionista Mystery by Gayle Leeson

Amanda Tucker is a retro/vintage fashion designer who has set up her shop Designs on You, a custom design store in her hometown of Abingdon, Virginia. She didn’t realize when she took a lease on a space that she was also taking on a spirited roommate in Max.  Max has been in the building since 1930—when she tripped, fell, and died there. Most people can’t see her, but Amanda can.  So can Amanda’s Grandpa Dave, who is her one man cheering squad for her shop. Max is certainly lively for someone who has been dead for nearly a century, and she’s always ready to lend her hand to investigating a murder.

Which is good, because as with most good cozy mysteries, murder happens a lot. 

This time around the victim is Violet, the sweet-natured antique store owner across the street. Someone broke into her shop and struck her with the traditional blunt instrument.  Amanda doesn’t intend to get involved but her friend Cassie asks for help.  Cassie owns a store next to the antique shop and she’s troubled by the sound of a typewriter that seems to be coming from Violet’s. 

It seems that Amanda isn’t the only one with a ghostly pal.  Violet’s spirit friend is determined that her killer be brought to justice.

This is the fourth book in the series.  As with all good cozies, there are a number of supporting characters who help or hinder the main character with her investigations.  This time around Amanda’s parents are visiting from Florida, including her critical mother who takes a dim view of Amanda’s decision to do something as risky as open a custom clothing store instead of finding a nice steady job with a regular paycheck and health insurance.  There’s a boyfriend, some girl chums, and a perfectly adorable cat named Jazzy.  But Max is the star attraction, with her wit, style, and charmingly outdated expressions.

There were a couple of times I would have questioned a turn of plot, but I decided it was more fun to just close my eyes and go with the flow. Author Leeson is a veteran cozy author who has also written the Down South Café Mysteries, Cake Decorating Mysteries (as Gayle Trent), Embroidery Mystery series (as Amanda Lee), and has co-authored some of the Victoria Square Mysteries series with Lorraine Bartlett.

The books in the series are:

Designs on Main

Perils and Lace

Christmas Cloches and Corpses

Buttons and Blows