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Crime of Fashion #5
Grave Apparel
The "fabulously fun"* fashionista/sleuth Lacey Smithsonian is back in the case of a food editor who may have given her holiday sweater-hating coworker her just desserts...
529 pages, Paperback - Large Print
First published July 3, 2007
20 people are currently reading
721 people want to read
About the author
Ellen Byerrum
24 books322 followersEllen Byerrum was a Washington, D.C., news reporter, now a novelist and playwright. In the interest of research, she also earned a Virginia private investigator's registration. She has written comic mysteries, a thriller, a middle grade mystery, and a children's rhyming picture book.
Most recently, she published the 1940s prequel to her Crime of Fashion Mysteries, THE BRIEF LUMINOUS FLIGHT OF THE FIREFLY, starring Mimi Smith, a young woman from out west who goes to Washington, DC to do her part for the war effort.
Her Crime of Fashion mysteries star a savvy, stylish sleuth: Lacey Smithsonian, a reluctant fashion reporter in Washington D.C., "The City Fashion Forgot."
Lacey would rather be working "hard news," but her nose for nuance, eye for a great story, and talent for getting into trouble make her the right reporter for the Crimes of Fashion beat. In her vintage suits and killer heels, she trips over fashion clues, fabulous shoes, dangerous women, drop-dead men, and of course the occasional corpse (who wouldn't be caught dead dressed like that).
Most recently, she published the 1940s prequel to her Crime of Fashion Mysteries, THE BRIEF LUMINOUS FLIGHT OF THE FIREFLY, starring Mimi Smith, a young woman from out west who goes to Washington, DC to do her part for the war effort.
Her Crime of Fashion mysteries star a savvy, stylish sleuth: Lacey Smithsonian, a reluctant fashion reporter in Washington D.C., "The City Fashion Forgot."
Lacey would rather be working "hard news," but her nose for nuance, eye for a great story, and talent for getting into trouble make her the right reporter for the Crimes of Fashion beat. In her vintage suits and killer heels, she trips over fashion clues, fabulous shoes, dangerous women, drop-dead men, and of course the occasional corpse (who wouldn't be caught dead dressed like that).
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
September 23, 2024
This one was a bit of a letdown. The mystery is not as fun and the criminal's motive is not fashion motivated as its predecessor
Cassandra getting hit on the head by a Candy Cane and witness by a kid. Lacey went on a hunt for this kid to search for clues . meh
Cassandra getting hit on the head by a Candy Cane and witness by a kid. Lacey went on a hunt for this kid to search for clues . meh
June 20, 2009
Great fun! Not the preppy fashion spree I was expecting to read; Lacey is classy, and knows how to dress for the occasion, without repeated mention of hot pumps and mini-skirts. I was surprised at how interesting the book turned out to be, with just enough mystery and (reluctant) detective work by Lacey for the mystery fan in me. Looking forward to tracking down other books in the series.
August 18, 2021
The mystery plot of this novel is passable, if generic, if you enjoy cozy or genre mysteries. There is no real suspense, but no glaring plotholes or unanswered questions.
I like to sew, and fashion (particularly vintage, which the main character purports to love) intrigues me, so I was interested in this book even though I hadn't read the others in the series. But the characters, and seemingly the author's view of the world, are insufferable.
Quite frankly, it somewhat broke my suspension of disbelief that anyone would voluntarily associate or speak to the main character. It's like someone used the "b*tchy, evil cheerleader obsessed with looks" as the protagonist, but completely unironically, and without any sort of nuance that you'd expect from an intentional inversion of the trope. Instead, it just reads like said evil cheerleader wrote a book starring her own self-insert.
You can, genuinely, tell whether any given character in this book is good or bad by how hot and/or wealthy they are. The genuine moral standpoint seems to be "hot people are good, all others are evil and/or laughable". Every person who isn't incredibly wealthy and gorgeous is demonized, no matter what they do - the overweight characters are all laughable, pitiable morons who are dangerously envious of the angelic hot people, inflicting their unattractiveness on them; the non-wealthy (not even actually poor, just not filthy rich) people are mostly racist, evil, child-abandoners who lack taste or class of any kind, daring to wear unfashionable clothing and eat cheap food; the unattractive characters are all untalented, hopeless losers who burden the protagonist with their presence. And heaven forbid anyone should care about something (other than fashion or expensive cars, of course) in any measure that isn't carefully calculated as to be perfectly, socially droll.
For example,
The main character spends the whole of the book judging others for their appearances and clothing while applauding herself for being ever-so kind-hearted and unjudgemental. Buying expensive clothing and being given expensive cars, frowning on charities and genuine activists, while falsely considering herself remarkably unmaterialistic and generous.
I have rarely wanted the main character of a murder mystery to be its victim so badly.
Also, this book made me read the phrase "tweedily elegant" with my own two eyes. Why on earth would you ever describe anything as "tweedily elegant"? Even if it's made of tweed, and looks elegant, that's just painful.
I like to sew, and fashion (particularly vintage, which the main character purports to love) intrigues me, so I was interested in this book even though I hadn't read the others in the series. But the characters, and seemingly the author's view of the world, are insufferable.
Quite frankly, it somewhat broke my suspension of disbelief that anyone would voluntarily associate or speak to the main character. It's like someone used the "b*tchy, evil cheerleader obsessed with looks" as the protagonist, but completely unironically, and without any sort of nuance that you'd expect from an intentional inversion of the trope. Instead, it just reads like said evil cheerleader wrote a book starring her own self-insert.
You can, genuinely, tell whether any given character in this book is good or bad by how hot and/or wealthy they are. The genuine moral standpoint seems to be "hot people are good, all others are evil and/or laughable". Every person who isn't incredibly wealthy and gorgeous is demonized, no matter what they do - the overweight characters are all laughable, pitiable morons who are dangerously envious of the angelic hot people, inflicting their unattractiveness on them; the non-wealthy (not even actually poor, just not filthy rich) people are mostly racist, evil, child-abandoners who lack taste or class of any kind, daring to wear unfashionable clothing and eat cheap food; the unattractive characters are all untalented, hopeless losers who burden the protagonist with their presence. And heaven forbid anyone should care about something (other than fashion or expensive cars, of course) in any measure that isn't carefully calculated as to be perfectly, socially droll.
For example,
The main character spends the whole of the book judging others for their appearances and clothing while applauding herself for being ever-so kind-hearted and unjudgemental. Buying expensive clothing and being given expensive cars, frowning on charities and genuine activists, while falsely considering herself remarkably unmaterialistic and generous.
I have rarely wanted the main character of a murder mystery to be its victim so badly.
Also, this book made me read the phrase "tweedily elegant" with my own two eyes. Why on earth would you ever describe anything as "tweedily elegant"? Even if it's made of tweed, and looks elegant, that's just painful.
April 14, 2018
I'd read the first four books in the Crime of Fashion series some time back, so when this turned up on Janet Rudolph's list of Christmas-themed mysteries, I decided not to wait until next Christmas season to read it. Lacey Smithsonian, fashion columnist for a "local" Washington, DC newspaper (so, not the WaPo), is beginning to get a reputation for solving crimes. She has been blamed for an editorial against Christmas sweaters which was actually written by the hyper-PC Cassandra Wentworth from the editorial page. As Lacey is getting ready for the office Christmas party, she gets a complaining phone call from Cassandra. Not long after, her phone rings again with a call from the same person -- though tempted not to, she answers it and hears a child's voice telling her to come quickly to the alley behind the building because the phone's owner has been attacked. Thus Lacey saves Cassandra's life. But why was she attacked, why was she wearing the food editor's Christmas sweater, and what about the child? Before the tale ends, there will be murders, a bit of Lacey's romance with Vic Donovan, and a thrilling conclusion with a happy Christmas ending. Recommended for those who like their mysteries a bit more soft-boiled. The descriptions of Lacey's clothes (she's into 40s vintage) are a bonus.
June 12, 2020
Wearing colorful Christmas sweaters at this time of year seemed to be a bone of contention for an editorial writer in the new mystery, Grave Apparel by Ellen Byerrum. Someone disliked the writer's column dissing merry Christmas clothing so much, he clobbered her with a giant candycane just before an office holiday party, leaving her unconscious with a head injury and dressed in ...you guessed it, a jingling Christmas sweater!
Fashion writer Lacey Smithsonian tries to find out whodunnit in this Crime of Fashion "Sweatergate" mystery set in Washington D.C. Too humorous to be a traditional cozy, this mystery seems to be all about fashion Scrooges and fashion tastes.
Fashion writer Lacey Smithsonian tries to find out whodunnit in this Crime of Fashion "Sweatergate" mystery set in Washington D.C. Too humorous to be a traditional cozy, this mystery seems to be all about fashion Scrooges and fashion tastes.
January 20, 2024
Great Christmas/ holiday mystery (part of my holiday collection). There's a missing shepherd boy, who... ah, no good, that'd be a spoiler. Interesting characters, even those who aren't all that likeable, & I love the ending. I tracked down the last 2 in the series (#s 10 & 11), but there don't seem to be any more, other than the prequel. Too bad. I miss this series.
June 28, 2021
An okay cozy. Byerrum keeps the cute factor under control, so that was good--there was more of a genuine story than simply comic scenes. Lacey Smithsonian (that name? really?) is a likable heroine but the other characters veer toward stereotypes.
October 26, 2021
I love Ellen Byerrum's Crime of Fashion series! However, this was a bit dragging but nonetheless very witty and the last part kept me on my toes. It's just my personal preference, why I didn't like it as much, but still worth the read.
October 14, 2018
This book was slow starting. I almost gave up on it. It was pretty predictable.
I do like the characters and I will give the next one a try.
I do like the characters and I will give the next one a try.
December 7, 2019
I really tried to make it through this book. I got a third of the way through and decided to move on. I wasn’t looking for anything too deep, but this book was just silly.
March 27, 2020
I read this awhile ago, probably back in high school. Maybe 2012. I remember liking it but can't remember much about it. But I remember reading it at the pool.
June 7, 2022
“Grave Apparel” is a fun and quirky read! I loved the characters and the plot! Lacy Smithsonian takes you on a Christmas adventure in Washington DC. There are Santa’s galore, one wacky news office, boyfriends, an office scandal and of course murder! I loved it from start to finish….I highly recommend it!!
June 16, 2016
Stars: 3.5 / 5
Recommendation: An easy mystery read that is weaved through the world of fashion, style and dressing from the view point of a fashion stylist.
Grave Apparel is the fifth installment in the Crime of Fashion series by Ellen Byerrum published in July of 2007. Lacey Smithsonian - the fashion reporter The Eye Street Observer in Washington, D.C. - gets pulled into another mystery woven through the world of fashion and news. But, this time it is too close to home or rather should I say to the paper where she works.
It's Christmas time, but Lacey is not having any fun or peace. Her article on tacky sweaters created a "Sweatergate" across Washington, D.C. and blaming her that she is ruining Christmas. But it was Cassandra Wentworth - the new addition to the paper in the editorial section we saw in the previous book - was the one who had written the article. And adding to that Felicity Pickles - who always wore the fun and tacky sweaters for the festive season - took it very personal about the article. Lacey gets caught between these two and their bickering. Lacey wondered why Cassandra hated Christmas so much.
However, that was all not that happened with sweaters and Cassandra. The fire between Cassandra and Felicity shifted between Cassandra and Lacey, when Lacey wrote her Fashion Bites related to Christmas Sweaters followed by Mac's apology to clear the confusion on who exactly wrote the earlier article. Cassandra waged an open war of words with Lacey on that although Lacey avoided as much as she could. And one night she receives an urgent call from Cassandra's phone, but it's not Cassandra calling. A young boy uses Cassandra's phone and asks her to come to help the lady as she is hurt. Lacey runs outside only to find Cassandra lying on the floor with a head injury and hurt badly - and wearing a very tacky sweater that was singing "Jingle Bells" that looked very similar to what Felicity wore. The only witness was the young boy who does not divulge any details about him and instead goes on the run.
Now Lacey takes upon herself to find the boy as he had been seen by whoever had hurt Cassandra. The cops think he is a suspect when he is a witness. And since the boy's life is in danger, Lacey puts her life on the line for him. And she was also curious to know why someone wanted to hurt Cassandra? What was the motive? Will she survive? Who was framing Felicity? And she also had to deal with what to make for the Christmas Party that she was invited to at The Donovans - not to forget that her romance with Vic is full on now that he is free of Montana.
Read further to see where all this ends. Signing-off this review with a snippet from another of Lacey's Fashion Bites.
Lacey Smithsonian's Fashion Bites: It's an Organization Town, Right? So Get Organized for the Holidays!
Plan ahead! You're already planning the events, so strategize your looks to suit. Create comfortable and stylish outfits for those meetings and parties and shopping trips, so you won't have to reach into that last minute grab bag called your closet.
Recommendation: An easy mystery read that is weaved through the world of fashion, style and dressing from the view point of a fashion stylist.
Grave Apparel is the fifth installment in the Crime of Fashion series by Ellen Byerrum published in July of 2007. Lacey Smithsonian - the fashion reporter The Eye Street Observer in Washington, D.C. - gets pulled into another mystery woven through the world of fashion and news. But, this time it is too close to home or rather should I say to the paper where she works.
It's Christmas time, but Lacey is not having any fun or peace. Her article on tacky sweaters created a "Sweatergate" across Washington, D.C. and blaming her that she is ruining Christmas. But it was Cassandra Wentworth - the new addition to the paper in the editorial section we saw in the previous book - was the one who had written the article. And adding to that Felicity Pickles - who always wore the fun and tacky sweaters for the festive season - took it very personal about the article. Lacey gets caught between these two and their bickering. Lacey wondered why Cassandra hated Christmas so much.
However, that was all not that happened with sweaters and Cassandra. The fire between Cassandra and Felicity shifted between Cassandra and Lacey, when Lacey wrote her Fashion Bites related to Christmas Sweaters followed by Mac's apology to clear the confusion on who exactly wrote the earlier article. Cassandra waged an open war of words with Lacey on that although Lacey avoided as much as she could. And one night she receives an urgent call from Cassandra's phone, but it's not Cassandra calling. A young boy uses Cassandra's phone and asks her to come to help the lady as she is hurt. Lacey runs outside only to find Cassandra lying on the floor with a head injury and hurt badly - and wearing a very tacky sweater that was singing "Jingle Bells" that looked very similar to what Felicity wore. The only witness was the young boy who does not divulge any details about him and instead goes on the run.
Now Lacey takes upon herself to find the boy as he had been seen by whoever had hurt Cassandra. The cops think he is a suspect when he is a witness. And since the boy's life is in danger, Lacey puts her life on the line for him. And she was also curious to know why someone wanted to hurt Cassandra? What was the motive? Will she survive? Who was framing Felicity? And she also had to deal with what to make for the Christmas Party that she was invited to at The Donovans - not to forget that her romance with Vic is full on now that he is free of Montana.
Read further to see where all this ends. Signing-off this review with a snippet from another of Lacey's Fashion Bites.
Lacey Smithsonian's Fashion Bites: It's an Organization Town, Right? So Get Organized for the Holidays!
Plan ahead! You're already planning the events, so strategize your looks to suit. Create comfortable and stylish outfits for those meetings and parties and shopping trips, so you won't have to reach into that last minute grab bag called your closet.
March 1, 2017
3 1/2 stars.
March 3, 2017
Took a while to get moving, but by the end I was enjoying it quite a bit.
October 8, 2015
Tightly written yarn about a Fashion Columnist for a third tier D.C. newspaper who has a knack for attracting and catching killers. Lacey Smithsonian works in an office filled to the brim with eccentric co-workers . . . one of whom gets herself whacked unconcious by a giant candy cane . . . and the game's afoot, replete with homeless shepherd girls, crazed environmentalists, dodgy reporters, arrogant, self-servings pols, grumpy cops and holiday cookies! Ellen is an actual journalist with an Investigator's License and she draws well upon her own experience to create a believable, if fantastic, tale of jealousy, betrayal, and blind ambition. Good read!
August 8, 2011
Another great mystery solved. I really enjoy this series. Every time I read one of these, I want to get dressed for the job and solve a mystery. The vintage feel and witty repartee take me into another place and that is exactly what a good book should do. I also agree with Lacey about Christmas sweaters. Although I feel it is a look that I am not willing to display, I am glad it make others happy. I enjoy their whimsy and overwhelming cheer. Let Felicity wear them, bake her cake, and eat it too.
January 8, 2014
This book was received as part of the Goodreads First Reads giveaway.
Grave Apparel is one of Ellen Byerrum's earlier books in the Crime of Fashion series. I had originally read it when it came out 6 years ago; I enjoyed in then and had a great time rereading it over the holidays, especially with the holiday theme. Lacey Smithsonian is a wonderful and rather believable "sleuth" with great fashion sense and a fun attitude. I have enjoyed all the books in the series but feel this is one of the better ones.
Grave Apparel is one of Ellen Byerrum's earlier books in the Crime of Fashion series. I had originally read it when it came out 6 years ago; I enjoyed in then and had a great time rereading it over the holidays, especially with the holiday theme. Lacey Smithsonian is a wonderful and rather believable "sleuth" with great fashion sense and a fun attitude. I have enjoyed all the books in the series but feel this is one of the better ones.
August 9, 2007
Christmas in July! (I always think it is Christmas in _(insert month here)__ when a new book from an author I love comes out any month outside of December but... I love Ellen Byerrum's Crimes of Mystery series and this one is set during Christmas!)
The newest Lacey Smithsonian mystery is a treat and centers around Sweatergate, ha ha! These fun mysteries literally make me laugh out loud and in this one we learn more about Lacey's co-Irker's at the Eye! Fun read that made me HAPPY!
The newest Lacey Smithsonian mystery is a treat and centers around Sweatergate, ha ha! These fun mysteries literally make me laugh out loud and in this one we learn more about Lacey's co-Irker's at the Eye! Fun read that made me HAPPY!
December 17, 2015
Not the easiest book in the world to read. I didn't like most of the characters (except the girls) and the main dead body was only slightly maimed/concussed. Probably my fault that I didn't enjoy it so much...what would possess me, a non-matcher, to read a mystery about a fashion writer? Either way, maybe the series isn't sooooo bad and I should have started with number one.
March 30, 2010
So I mostly liked this book. It was kind of random at times, but I liked the holiday theme. Still, I must say, I am sick of the conspiracy stuff. Omg. The deadfed stuff is just getting old and reptitive. And Damon Newhouse, ugh. No more of him would make the series much better. Sadly, I don't think I will get that lucky with the next book. We shall see.
August 19, 2014
While not my favorite cozy mystery series, I did jump in mid-series with Grave Apparel and found it rather enjoyable. I do wish that the main character had greater zest and/or depth, as she sometimes feels two-dimensional. I look forward to starting at the beginning and getting to know these characters better.
October 20, 2008
I was having trouble with this series because I actually quit the book right before this one, but I'm really happy I chose to continue reading the series because I loved this book. Lacey got back to her ways and Felicity and Mac and the crew were all back to their usual selves.
November 29, 2010
This has been my favorite in the series so far. It has all the fun fluff and humor of the other books. However, Byerrum added a layer of completity by shinning a light on the plight of homeless children.
August 22, 2014
Sean Victor Donovan is just so sweet and knows the perfect timing to be the knight in shining armor of Lacey Smithsonian! :)
I just love book 5 more than the other books. It's really romance and mystery in one. Two thumbs up! ;)
I just love book 5 more than the other books. It's really romance and mystery in one. Two thumbs up! ;)
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2015
Delightful!
These books are delightful. Ms Byerrum's combination of fashion, murder and possible conspiracies keep the reader guessing as well as entertained throughout. I hope she keeps this series going for a long time.
These books are delightful. Ms Byerrum's combination of fashion, murder and possible conspiracies keep the reader guessing as well as entertained throughout. I hope she keeps this series going for a long time.
August 28, 2016
It's Christmas time for Lacey Smithsonian and she has another crime to solve. This was a great book in this series. The relationship between Lacey and Vic continues to grow. I liked this book very much and can't wait to read to next book in the series.
January 2, 2008
Took me awhile to get through this one - very slow for the 1st half.
July 14, 2008
I picked this up a half priced bookstore and really enjoyed it. Now I need to read the first four.
November 22, 2009
hard act to follow after the success of raiders of the lost corset...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews