Happy Tuesday! Today is pub day for Button Man, an engaging historical thriller by Andrew Gross and published by St. Martin’s Press. My first book by Gross, I own his others and need to read them. And now after reading Button Man, and I can easily say I NEED to read them!
My Thoughts:
My first book by Andrew Gross, Button Man will not be the last of his books I read!
Three brothers are living on the Lower East Side of Manhattan in the early 1900s when their father passes away. Each chooses a different path in life. Morris becomes an apprentice in a clothing factory at a young 12-years-old. Sol is studious and eventually becomes an accountant. Harry is pulled into the Jewish mob.
Morris is a grade school dropout and works his way up the ladder in the garment business until he is able to buy out the owner, and Sol eventually joins them there as en employee. As much as they try, Sol and Morris cannot get Harry to leave the prestigious mob life behind.
Eventually their “work” lives intersect when the mob boss gets involved with the garment unions. How will the brothers resolve this dangerous confrontation?
Button Man appealed to me for many reasons. It is a historical thriller, and I’ve not read many of those. I figured the history part would be easier, but would it truly be thrilling? It absolutely was!
Button Man is also a story of family, and those are always among my favorites. Here the family dynamics had a historic backdrop with the depression, growth of the garment business, and proliferation of the mob.
An atmospheric and compelling tale, Button Man is the story of a family in the pursuit of the American Dream. Three brothers, each with their own paths, have the same ultimate goal. Will they find success, and at what cost?
This book is inspired by Gross’ grandfather’s life. The author’s note is not to be missed.
Thank you to the most generous St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. All opinions are my own.
Synopsis:
Morris, Sol, and Harry Rabinowitz grew up poor but happy in a tiny flat on the Lower East Side, until the death of their father thrust them into having to fend for themselves and support their large family. Morris apprenticed himself at twelve years old to a garment cutter in a clothing factory; Sol headed to college and became an accountant; and Harry, the youngest, fell in with a gang as a teenager and can’t escape. Morris steadily climbs through the ranks at the factory until he’s running the place and buys out the owner, and Sol comes to work with him. But Harry can’t be lured away from the glamour, the power, and the money that comes from working for mobster Louis Buchalter, an old bully from the neighborhood. And when Louis sets his sights on the unions that staff the garment makers’ factories, a fatal showdown is inevitable, and puts brother against brother.
This new novel is equal parts historical thriller, rich with the detail of a vibrant New York City in the 1920s and 1930s, and family saga, based in part on Andrew Gross’s family history, and will cement his reputation as today’s most atmospheric and original historical thriller writer.
Have you read Button Man, or is it on your TBR? Have you read any other books by Andrew Gross? Happy Reading! ~ Jennifer THR
This actually sounds very interesting and right up my street! I’ll have to keep an eye out for it
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I hope you’ll have a chance to read it, Kim! It’s a great story!
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I hope so too!
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Wow I hadn’t heard of this! I don’t know that I can pinpoint a historical thriller I’ve read either but this sounds great. I actually have a lot of interest in the garment industry so I bet I’d enjoy this. Wonderful review! 💕
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Thanks, Mack! I bet you would! Some of our mutual friends have read and loved The One Man by Gross. I bought it, but I haven’t read it yet. The storytelling is quite good! ♥️
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I love Andrew Gross! Wonderful review Jen! I hope you get to read his earlier books, he is awesome! Have a great day and hopefully your yard is starting to dry out today!💕😊🌸
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Thanks, Sus! I can’t wait for your thoughts on this one! I hope you love it! I will definitely make some time for his other books! We had some sunshine today- yay! Things are drying out some, too! I hope you’ve had a wonderful day today! ♥️ xo
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Haven’t heard anything about this book, but the premise sound super interesting. Glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
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Thank you, Ayunda! It kept me captivated!
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This sounds so interesting. I’m a big fan of historical mysteries and I haven’t found many with an American setting. Excellent review, Jennifer!
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Thanks, Jonetta! I think you would enjoy this author’s books! The storytelling is on point.
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Great review. Have not read this historical thriller and have put on my tbr list.
Happy Tuesday. ❤️🌺📚
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Thank you, Virginia! ♥️ This is a great book to have on your list. I hope you enjoy it, too, if you are able to work it in. Happy Tuesday evening! 💗
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Great review! You know, I used to read every book he Gross wrote as soon as they were published and for some reason, I just stopped! He’s a great author, so I need to pick this one up (and go back and read some of the ones that I’ve missed!). Enjoy your Tuesday! Would you believe that it’s supposed to thunderstorm today?! Just crazy!
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Thank you, Stephanie! I can see why you enjoy his books! We are expecting storms, too, but so far, all is well! Thank goodness! I hope you’ve had a great day! ♥️
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Great review! Sounds like an intriguing historical thriller.
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Thank you, Darinda! It was definitely compelling!
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This sounds really good! 🙂 Fabulous review.
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Thanks, Chrissi! This was quite the story!
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Wonderful review glad you enjoyed! Thinking about picking this one up on audio? I just happened to see it when I was looking yesterday!
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Thank you, Berit! I think this would be brilliant on audio! In fact, I would listen to it after reading it! I’m looking forward to what you think! ♥️
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Goodness, I didn’t even know there was such a thing as the Jewish mob! Sounds like another great read – I always enjoy a different take on the American Dream.
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Yeah, I’m trying to remember where I first heard it referenced, but I can’t. Probably on TV or a movie? This was a great book. I still can’t get over how well-done it was and the influence of the author’s grandfather on the story.
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Fab review I loved The One Man such a different read x
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Thank you! I have got to make time for The One Man soon! ♥️
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Woohoo!! I knew you would be a fan of his work! Yes, you have got to make time for The One Man soon!!! One of my favourite books!! Terrific review Jennifer!
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Thanks, Lindsay! Yes, I think it was your review that made me have to buy The One Man! I can still remember talking with you about it! I hope you are reading Button Man, too? ♥️
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Unfortunately I didn’t get approved for Button Man so I haven’t read it yet, but I’ll definitely be reading soon! 💜🌸
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I understand, Lindsay. I’ll be watching for your review! 💗 xo
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Another great review, Jennifer! I always love a good historical thriller like this! And this sounds like a great read!
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Thanks, Jee! It is a fantastic book! So original and great tension! ♥️
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I love his books! Glad to see you have discovered him! Great review!
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I have this on my TBR 😀 You always read the books I want to read haha
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I hope you love it, too, Annie! You are always reading ones I want to read, too! ♥️
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The fact that the story was inspired by the author’s grandfather makes me want to read this even MORE! Thank you for the awesome review, Jennifer! ❤ And I gotta catch up on your weekend posts–I know you posted a shelfie! I'm 80% convinced you have a time-bending superpower, because you're sooo diligent about posting everyday. 😉
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Fantastic review Jen, sounds like a good read! The author rings a bell for me, what else has he written? 🤔
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Thanks, Beth! He wrote The One Man and The Saboteur that were recent hits! The One Man takes place during WWII and I think is a literary thriller that takes place at at concentratiaon camp? I wonder if you’ve read it or have it on your shelf?
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I haven’t but I totally want to read it now!! 🤔😆
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We could add The One Man to the bottom of our buddy read list?! 😂 ♥️
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What a good plan! 😂😉
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Sounds like a good read! I think I was thrown off by the title. It just seemed odd to me. But based on your review, it seems I’d be missing out if I didn’t add it to my TBR. 🙂
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Thanks, Myndi! Yes, the title is just about the characters working in the garment industry. It doesn’t full capture all of the depth to the novel. I can see why it would be misleading. I hope you enjoy it, too, if you read it! ♥️
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