Designer Knockoff

Crime of Fashion #2

by Ellen Byerrum

When fashion columnist Lacey Smithsonian learns that a new fashion museum will soon grace decidedly unfashionable D.C., it's more than a good story-it's a chance to show off her vintage Hugh Bentley suit. And it's not long before the dapper designer himself spots Lacey in the crowd. A reporter at heart, she manages to get all the juicy details about his past-including a long-unsolved mystery about a missing employee. Could it be linked to the disappearance of a Washington intern or the recent Bentley boutique robbery? Lacey sets out to unravel the murderous details in a fabric of lies, greed-and (gasp!) very bad taste...

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Fiction, Fashion, Chick Lit, Mystery Thriller

325 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 3, 2004

About the author

Ellen 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).

Reviews

[Kirsty Hoggons · Rating 4 out of 5]

I honestly had no idea what to expect with this book. When I read the back it sounded like it would be an easy read and something different to anything that I have read before; so I bought it. I was not disappointed. Sure, I wouldn't say that it was written in the best possible way but the storyline was unique and (surprisingly) had quite a few plot twists in it. I literally did not want to put this book down because there was so much happening that I just wanted to know what would happen next. This book is very descriptive and you can easily envision what the author is talking about. I found myself wanting to be friends with Lacey's friends because they seemed so interesting. Without giving away any specific details I am still unsure about the man that she ends up with but that is a personal opinion and hey if she's not with him then maybe there's hope for me ;)

Blog post: http://kirstyhoggons.wordpress.com/20...

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is better than "Raiders of the Lost Corset," which isn't saying much. The ending was mildly surprising, and the plot drew me in because of the historical aspect. I am a sucker for mysteries involving unsolved crimes that happened long ago. The vintage clothing tie-in was more interesting and relevant to the mystery than other fashion angles that the author stretches for in her other novels. Still not impressed with this author. I don't know how to describe it, but the way she describes things, her word choices, etc. all seem very elementary for an adult book. I am also NOT a fan of mystery series that need some sort of theme (fashion, cooking, crafts, etc.)although that seems to be the trend. The only theme you need is a common detective to tie the series together. If you need another theme, it implies to me that your detective character is not engaging enough! That is definitely the case here.

[BabyLunLun · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another not-so-bad book in the Crime of Fashion Series.

Well the mystery isn't bad but Won't the corpse stink after being store in a trunk for years? not even one person notice it

[Lagniappe · Rating 4 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed my first Crime of Fashion mystery. Lacey Smithsonian (ok - it almost lost half a star for that last name), fashion reporter for a Washington newspaper, finds herself in the middle of two murder investigations - one recent, and one sixty years old. Can she solve them both and live to tell the tale? I really liked our heroine Lacey, and particularly liked that she attempted to solve the crimes by employing normal journalistic skills instead of usurping the job of law enforcement as so many other cozy heroines seem to do. I also was pleased that most of the book actually focused on the mysteries and not the side stories, or even Lacey's love life. Those stories were present, but they were subordinate to the mystery. The author provided enough twists and turns to keep me guessing as to the killers for most of the book, and the cast of supporting characters were almost all interesting. I hope I will meet them again as I certainly intend to read more in this series. A definite recommend.

[Nancy H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good mystery for fashion buffs, because the clues to the murder are involved with clothes and fashion. The main character, Lacey, writes a fashion column for a Washington, D.C. newspaper, and gets involved when a missing woman is found murdered, and that murder resembles a suspicious disappearance of another young woman, who was also involved in the fashion industry with the same company years earlier and who mysteriously was gone without a trace. Lacey has inherited some clothes, fabrics, and patterns from her aunt, who in that earlier age was a friend of the missing woman. Those clues and similar modern circumstances lead Lacey to look for more fashion clues, ultimately leading her to the current-day murderer as well as the earlier one. This is quite a good mystery read.

[Kate McGaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lacey Smithsonian is an amazingly funny character, I love following her fashion clues and she hunts for truth in how someone ended up dead, and there're always funny antics, sticky situations, that Lacey's posse makes even funnier... perhaps the best part of the whole series and why I highly recommend reading all of the books is the relationships all the main characters have... Lacey & Vic, Brooke & Damon, Stella & Nigel, Felicity & Harlan, Lacey & Tony & Mac, and so many others... they truly make the series awesome. I'm not a fashion forward person, I know nothing about it, but Lacey makes our work for solving crimes in a truly entertaining way, READ THEM ALL, you won't be disappointed!

[Leigh McF · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would probably give this book 3.5 stars. It is so much fun. A good cozy mystery with a sassy little fashion angle that makes it lighthearted and entertaining. I picked this up at the library’s used book store in the 25 cent mystery section to have something to read in the pool. This sounded quirky and silly and it exceeded my expectations. A good book to escape in. It is actually part of a series and the second book - I look forward to reading the first, third and many more.

[KathyNV · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Designer Knockoff” is one expensive book! Now that I’ve finished it I have to, yes have to read the whole series! It’s that good! Lacy the sweet fashion columnist and her entourage of coworkers and friends will keep you laughing while slowing driving you crazy. I even dreamed about Vic last night, but you’ll need to read the book to understand that one! This is definitely a series you will want to get hooked on! I love it!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lacy is dealing with friends of her Aunt Mimi and a 60 year old disappearance of her aunt's friend. She uses the aunt's trunk with old patterns and letters to solve where the woman ended up. Lots of Washington D C fashion,, vintage clothing and hair styles.

Well plotted.

[Alexandra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a fashion historian, I absolutely loved reading the passages and descriptions about vintage clothing. The murder mystery aspect was done well, too. Overall, a pleasant read!

[Aparna · Rating 3 out of 5]

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.
 
Designer Knockoff is the second installment in the Crime of Fashion Series by Ellen Byerrum published in August of 2004. Like I mentioned in my previous post about Killer Hair, the movies Killer Hair and Hostile Makeover on Lifetime Movie Channel based of the books of the same name spurred the interest in me to read the series. They are easy to read murder-mystery stories with a twist related to fashion, vintage clothing and style. Although at times I did get lost in the test, but the plot is interesting enough to be captured again.
 
Lacey Smithsonian - the heroine of the series - works for the paper The Eye Street Observer as a fashion reporter in Washington, D.C. - a city she keeps calling as "The City Fashion Forgot".  In this particular book, she is all geared up to attend the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee oversight hearing on a new museum (by House of Bentley owned by Hugh Bentley) dedicated to American fashion, in her 1940s outfit - a Bentley creation by Hugh Bentley himself from his very first collection. It is from her Aunt Mimi's bottomless trunk, that is filled with fabulous vintage clothes, fabrics, patterns and fashion memorabilia. But her contact, Esme Fairchild, is no where to be found. Yet by luck or luck of Aunt Mimis's dress she snags an exclusive with Hugh Bentley. She had been itching to meet with him from when she had read about her Aunt Mimi's notes that Huge "That Bastard" Bentley was not only a legendary American designer but also a notorious playboy, a cad, a louse and a heartbreaking fiend. She wondered if Aunt Mimi and Hugh Bentley had a torrid affair. Nonetheless she gets invited to the gala - opening of the museum by the First Lady.
 
Incidentally an armed robbery at one the Bentley's Boutique on the same day she meets with Hugh Bentley lands in her lap to write on the fashion angle of the crime. And Lacey hates coincidences. So she opens her own investigation on this. Little did she know that she was opening doors to a disappearance from the 1940s as well. Yes, Gloria Adams - seemed to be a friend of Aunt Mimi - had mysteriously disappeared and was an employee of Hugh Bentley at that time.  Is there a connection with Hugh and Gloria then and Hugh and Esme now? What does all of this have to do with the armed robbery? Where is Lacey heading to with her story?
 
All of it well spun by Ellen in this second installment. Despite the lengthy descriptions at places, it was an interesting read considering it involved unsolved mystery from past. Again Lacey's friends get involved in helping her, saving her and at times hindering her in the investigation(s).  We get to see a lot of chemistry between Miguel Flores - employee at Bentley's Boutique who took a beating - and Stella Lake - owner of Stylettos and friend of Lacey - which is a refreshing and comical side-plot in the book. Damon Newhouse from Conspiracy Clearing House - hosting the Deadfed dot com website - tangles with her in getting the latest scoop for his conspiracy theories pertaining to the government.  Chemistry between Damon and Brooke Barton - attorney and best friends with Lacey - flickers in this book. Not to forget the love-hate relationship Lacey has with Vic Donovan - who is currently working on getting divorced from his wife Montana. Curious to see where their relationship lands in future books.
 
As said above, an easy murder-mystery read tying up all the elements of fashion together beautifully. Signing-off with the tidbit from Lacey's Fashion Bites that she writes for The Eye.
 
Lacey Smithsonian's Fashion Bites: When Bad Clothes Happen to Good People
 
Lacey's law: When bad clothes happen to good people, fight back. Toss them, give them away, turn them into rags or give them to Goodwill. If you don’t they will haunt you with the tenacity of a polyester monster from the back of the black lagoon otherwise known as your closet.

[Claire · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed this book, it had a cast of characters with Lacey, a reporter as the heroine. I learnt a lot about fashion, and her wardrobe of 1940's clothing and hairstyles was interesting. A good plot, lots of adventures.

[Annika · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to say, this book really got off to a rough start. Three pages in and I was convinced I would hate it, but gosh darn it, it grew on me. I was pleasantly surprised to find that it had far more plot than the average cozy mystery, and by the end, I was flying through the pages, completely intrigued. The main character, Lacey, is a fashion columnist who starts digging into a decades-old murder. I liked the fact that she actually uses good investigative journalism skills – so many novels like this have the main character running around with no rhyme or reason and fumbling upon answers by chance. My biggest pet peeve (apart from the truly terrible “fashion columns” that the author includes) was that midway through the book, (mild spoiler alert) Lacey’s boyfriend comes back and suddenly feels the need to chaperone her every activity, as if she hasn’t been conducting this investigation for numerous chapters without the protection of a man. Overall, I recommend this book – the writing’s not great, but the story is interesting (and an amusing look back at early-2000s fashion).

[cloudyskye · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like the story and the fashion bits, the writing not so much. First person narrative would be better, I'm sure, this way I'm having a hard time getting on board with Lacey. I find her somewhat inconsistent. She is clearly very interested in fashion, but she doesn't want to write about it? The way she dresses is quite ladylike, but her behaviour isn't, throwing a balled-up paper at a colleague's head. Also the overuse of the word "slacks" irks me. Never read that one this often in a book. Maybe it's me, some words I simply don't like so much. "Food" is another one, oh dear, I must be quite weird ...
Anyway, God bless little Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana whose name just made the news!!!

[Bridget Bailey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first book by this author that I have read. I didn't realize until i had already started the book that this is the second in her series of the journalist, Lacey Smithsonian. You do not need to read the first book before you read the second one. It refers to some parts of the first book but no huge giveaways that would give away the whole first book. I like that this chick lit book added a hint of suspense and mystery rather than just a love story. I would almost say this is less a love story and more about the suspense and mystery of the current story she is working on. This was a different book and one i would recommend.

[Karen Hufman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first I've read in this series and I enjoyed it. Lacey Smithsonian (okay, I do think they should have come up with a different last name- maybe the reason for it was explained in a previous book) is a fashion reporter for a small DC newspaper. I'm not into fashion at all but I still mostly enjoyed her comments on DC's lack of it! She gets wrapped up in two mysteries: one involves her great aunt's friend who disappeared during WWII and the other involves a missing intern. She has a quirky group of friends and a 'boyfriend' who is MIA for most of the story. It's a good cozy mystery.

[Gwen · Rating 3 out of 5]

As Lacey Smithsonian proves yet again, clothing does make the woman (and a fashion clue is nothing to sneeze at!). Somehow, Lacey manages to turn the fashion beat at The Eye, a DC paper, into a crime-solving operation yet again. I feared that a cane might be used to good effect, as scissors were in #1, but my fears were ill-founded. This book made me want to wear more vintage clothing (of course!), and also contemplate the power of family -- Gloria Adams', Lacey's, and the Bentleys'. In the end, the truth, and good fashion sense, will out.

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was first introduced to this series through Lifetime Television. Last year they ran two of the books in the series as made for TV movies, Killer Hair and Hostle Makeover. I really enjoyed them and decided to check out some other books from the crime of fashion series. I'm really glad I did. Great read, the first time in a long time I have read a book all the way through without switching back and forth among other titles.

[Nina P · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you've ever wanted fashion, romance, mystery, and a good read. Well you have come to the right place. Ellen Byerrum's Designer Knockoff had a bit of each and makes for great laughs and all arounf great time. I enjoyed this book fully. Lacey is my fashion hero and she totally converted me into a fan after the first couple of pages of the first book in the series. This book is amazingly written and has a great storyline. I love it!

[Karyogini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quinky-dink! Coincidence that she has all the connections/evidence?

It's an entertaining read. At some point I was beginning to get annoyed with her but at some point I was glued to the book... I found that amusing. I especially like the part of Miguel and Stella. :) Poor Smith though. She can't seem to get a break on men... or at least 1 man. :P

Not as predictable as the 1st book. :) Still want to know what happens to our girl here so I'll read the next book. :)

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun book, especially since the heroin is a reporter in Washington, DC on the "fashion beat". It was very light hearted and a quick read filled with the typical Washington scandal. I'll have to read more from Byerrum.

[Amanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Better than the first one. Not a fantastic novel, but it is a good, light read. There are a lot of characters in this book, but she does a decent job of reminding the reader who the many different people are.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. It was better than the first and made me laugh out loud multiple times. I love all of the DC references, and the exploits of Lacey, while unbelievable, are definitely enjoyable. All in all, this book makes me want to continue the series.

[Carolyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ellen Byerrum spoke at an Author Talk at our neighborhood library--Duncan in Del Ray. I'm enjoying her series, Crimes of Fashion Mysteries--simple, fun, quick. I particularly like the fashion and vintage references.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second book in the Crime of Fashion Mystery series. The main character, Lacey Smithsonian, gets involved with two missing women . One is from the present time and one is from sixty years ago during WWII. This time the fashion is all the forties.

[Anne Patkau · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wash. DC. Post 9/11. Lacey wears suit from late great-aunt Mimi to Fashion Museum hearing, intern Esme 21 missing. Hugh Bentley sees 1944 designs. Mimi`s pal Gloria vanished then.

Many suspects. At opening gala, Lacey is in danger, gang where? Typo 1.28 White While 5.2 Was was 27.12 todox today

[Teresa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun, light reading.

[Kelli Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really liked this book. I accidently read out of order by reading book #3 first but I thought that this was pretty cute!

[Addie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a very fun read. Light and entertaining. Interesting mystery with fun historical and fashion twist.

[Irena Politzer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a cute chick-lit/mystery, set in Washington DC. I enjoyed it in a fluffy, escapist way. Not the best I've read in the genre, but definitely enjoyable.