Picked this up from the Helsinki Airport Book Swap Lounge on my way to Edinburgh. I've read it in Finnish and I like Rei Shimura mysteries.
Will put in on offer at a meet-up, but unless it is taken, I'll leave it outside a bridal shop in Stockbridge.

Oh I am so thrilled I heard you planning just the right spot to release this kirjakko as I was able to put my hand up for it! So brilliant on three counts; a new cosy mystery author for me; textiles & museums are exceptionally familiar territory for me as you now know; and I have already decided which bookcrosser is going to be gifted this after me! I can tell this will bring back pleasant memories of visiting textile conservation studios in Washington DC and San Francisco. Thank you!

Cover: “[An] absorbing, sophisticated mystery…will keep…readers turning the pages” Publishers Weekly
“PUT ME DOWN AS AN UNABASHED FAN.” Laura Lippman, author of The Rush

Antiques dealer Rei Shimura has managed to snag one of the most lucrative and prestigious jobs of her career: a renowned museum in Washington, D.C., has invited her to exhibit rare kimonos and give a lecture on them. Accompanied by a gaggle of Japanese office ladies bent on a week of shopping, Rei lands in the capital. But her big break could ultimately break her. Within hours one of the kimonos is stolen, and then Rei’s passport is discovered in a shopping mall dumpster-on the dead body of one of the Japanese tourists. Trouble is only beginning, though, for now Rei’s parents have arrived and so has her ex-boyfriend. To track down the kimono and unmask a killer, Rei’s got to do some clever juggling, fast talking, and quick sleuthing, or this trip home could be her last.

“REI SHIMURA, BREEZY, SEXY AND SMART, HOLDS OUR INTEREST.” Washington Post Book World

THE BRIDE'S KIMONO by SUJATA MASSEY (2001) | ISBN: 978-0-06-103115-1 (USA Ed) | Publisher: Avon (Harper Collins)

The Bride's Kimono was even more enjoyable than I had expected as I have visited the Textile Museum in Washington DC while in town visiting textile conservation studios so I could flesh out some scenes with my imagination. I found this great fun to read, an exciting tale pf some fine Japanese textiles interwoven with some skulduggery and death dealing wickedness.
Needless to say this was nothing like the museum world as I know it, though there was some familiar museum style handling and exhibition speak.

The Bride's Kimono had a neatly paced and highly exciting plot so this amused and pleased me. I finished reading it on Sun 03 Sep 2017 and made only brief notes so these fast scribbles are mostly down to memory!
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Popped into Flutterbies9 Cosy Bookbox and posted on Friday 30 March 2018.

Received in the Cosy mystery book box when it arrived home with me. Absolutely one to read as I've not read any by this author.

Unfortunately this has taken longer to get to than I had realised but it has now fallen from the tbr mountain 2 (or perhaps it was mountain 3?) into my hands and read in two nights alongside two other books I am currently working my way through.

I know next to nothing about the textile world of kimonos but this brought it and the meanings behind many of the associated customs into focus - though I doubt I will remember the detail as there was so much! Although this book is fine as a standalone book, I think it would have had even more impact had I managed to read some of the earlier four stories in the series, particularly in the family and boyfriend relationships.

The unusual angle of twin worlds of Japan and America give this a unique aspect which is well exploited particularly in the family, boyfriend, behaviour and work relationships. I thought it took a while to really start and move - but that while was packed with detail on kimonos, museum world exhibits and enough background to make sense - as it was over halfway through the book before the one and only corpse appeared despite events happening prior to that. I liked the main character of Rei who seemed to have flaws as we all do but managed (quietly) to find her way through the various traps to a victorious end.

I would happily read others by this author either earlier in the series or even later (this being book 5 and the series ending at book 11). Very enjoyable.

No real plan for this at present but as my Cosy Crime bookbox has gone missing perhaps I will replace it with more cosy crime books for the remainder of the round (if I can sort enough out to continue the run of the box that is).

Going into a Cosy Crime Bookbox restarted after being lost 6 months ago.

Happy travels little book.

Taken out of Flutterbies9's Cosy Crime Bookbox. As my TBR pile is massive it may take me a while to get to it :-)