Designer Knockoff: A Crime of Fashion

This was another Crime of Fashion Mystery, and was just as satisfying as the first installment. The writing is witty and fun, the character of Lacey Smithsonian is well-drawn, and the supporting cast of characters adds a lot to the book. The mystery/death is linked to Lacey's past as well, and I found that historical element - particualrly about 40s fashions - made the book even more enjoyable. Looking forward to the next book...

I laughed so hard at "Killer Hair," I couldn't imagine Ellen Byerrum topping herself with her second book. Happily, I was wrong. "Designer Knockoff" is even better - an expanded cast of wonderfully original and offbeat characters, a fascinating murder (well, two actually, separated by decades by linked by circumstance and fate), and, of course, Ms. Smithsonian at the center, stirring up action every page. Again the reader can delight in her funny fashion columns and her never-ending ability to surprise. I love this series!

Lacey Smithsonian is a fashion columnist. Her column "Crimes of fashion" gives fashion advice to unfashionable D.C. She didn't choose to be a fashion columnist, it was chosen for her by her boss. She learns that a new fashion museum will soon open in D.C. Designer Hugh Bentley spots her at one of the events. He tries to get her vintage Hugh Bentley suit, but Lacey won't swap. The suit was her aunt Mimi's, along with many other vintage clothes and patterns she left behind. Lacey is a reporter at heart. An intern that she knows goes missing and she is hot on the story. She is also working to get the scoop on Bentley and his past. In doing so she uncovers a mystery that's never been solved about a missing Bentley employee, Gloria Adams. Lacey finds letters from Gloria to Mimi as well as some from Mimi to Gloria. These letters help give her a sense of what might have happened and some more background on Bentley. Lacey begins to try to put the pieces together about both disappearances and see if there is any connection, as well as any connection to Bentley. In doing so, she finds herself in many sticky situations and puts herself and others in danger more than once. I love this series. Lacey is such a fun character. I had trouble putting this book down. Make sure you read where you can laugh out loud. Lacey's best friend and hairdresser Stella and Miguel who worked for the Bentley's are terrific characters as well. They add a lot of fun to this story. Ms. Byerrum has a real handle on fashion in D.C. Lacey's columns are right on the mark! If you like cozies, you will love this book. I highly recommend it Killer Hair, the first in this series.

I was so excited to see the new Byerrum book last week at my local B & N, right in the top row of new paperbacks, I could hardly wait to buy my copy. Now, having read it, I'm even more enthusiastic. Ellen Byerrum has created a series with characters I now know I love to come back to-and that is the very essence of this kind of writing. Lots of mysteries have very competent plots (and Ellen Byerrum is no slouch, plotwise), but they don't all have characters you care about. I suspected from reading the first book, KILLER HAIR, that I was going to like Lacey Smithsonian, her boss, her quasi-boyfriends, her hairdresser Stella, her friend Brooke-and best of all, Aunt Mimi's trunk. And with DESIGNER KNOCKOFF, my prediction proves true. I like Ellen's characters just as much as Janet Evanovich's (I'm from NJ, and I appreciate a character who, like Stephanie Plum, appreciates a good pork roll sandwich). And I like Lacey and co. even more than Marsha Muller's or Sue Grafton's characters. I can hardly wait for the next book in the series. I imagine the next one's going to cost more, however. I don't think the publishers can keep Ellen Byerrum a paperback writer exclusively after this great new book, DESIGNER KNOCKOFF. But that's okay. I'll pay the extra ca-ching to catch the latest happenings with Lacey, Vic, Tony, Stella, and the rest of the gang. One more thing: I think CIA agent Bradley is a much better romantic pairing for Lacey. So far, Vic is too much an "unavailable man" for someone as together as Lacey.

The column "Crimes of Fashion" of fashion reporter for the Eye Street Observer Lacey Smithsonian Chase has more to do with crime than fashion. She is at the capital building covering a $40 million dollar appropriation to the National Building Museum but the committee members do not how that item got into the bill that was passed. While observing the proceedings, Lacey notices that Washington Staffer Esme Fairchild who is always around in a high profile manner surprisingly is nowhere in sight. Lacey cannot get Esme off her mind and as the days go by, the police start to believe she is dead. Esme serves as liaison between fashion designer Hugh Bentley and the committee who wanted to revoke the museum findings. Coincidentally, Lacey wore a premier design from Bentley's first collection. He offers her more money to sell her the suit. She does not give in to his demand because her great aunt believed that he was responsible for the disappearance of factory girl Gloria Adams during WWII who was having an affair with him. Lacey, who wants off the fashion beat decides to investigate Esme and Gloria's disappearance. Ellen Byerrum is a very talented writer with an offbeat sense of humor and talent for creating quirky and eccentric characters that will have readers laughing at their antics. There are some very good fashion tips spread throughout DESIGNER KNOCKOFF. This is a great beach read because it is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the water. It will be hard to wait for the next book in this "hate crime" series. Harriet Klausner