Crime of Fashion Series by Ellen Byerrum

Home of the helmet hairdo and Congressional comb-over, Washington, D.C. is a hotbed of fashion faux pas. If anyone should know, it's "Crimes of Fashion" columnist Lacey Smithsonian. She dishes out advice to the scandal-scorched and clothing-clueless, doing her part to change this town-one fashion victim at a time... An up-and-coming stylist, Angie Woods had a reputation for rescuing down-and-out looks-and careers-all with a pair of scissors... moreHome of the helmet hairdo and Congressional comb-over, Washington, D.C. is a hotbed of fashion faux pas. If anyone should know, it's "Crimes of Fashion" columnist Lacey Smithsonian. She dishes out advice to the scandal-scorched and clothing-clueless, doing her part to change this town-one fashion victim at a time... An up-and-coming stylist, Angie Woods had a reputation for rescuing down-and-out looks-and careers-all with a pair of scissors. But when Angie is found with a drastic haircut and a razor in her hand, the police assume she committed suicide. Lacey knew the stylist and suspects something more sinister-that the story may lie with Angie's star client, a White House staffer with a salacious website. With the help of a hunky ex-cop, Lacey must root out the truth... less

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... moreWhen 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... less

As makeover madness sweeps the nation's capital, reporter Lacey Smithsonian interviews TV show makeover success story Amanda Manville.  But with Amanda's beauty comes a beast in the form of a stalker with vicious intentions—and Lacey may be the only one who can stop him.

Lacey can't wait to see France for the first time with friend Magda Rousseau, corset creator for Washington D.C.'s wealthiest and kinkiest. Ostensibly seeking Paris fashion as haute couture reporter on budget of The Eye news, her real search is for a gem-lined corset stolen from a Russian princess by Magda's Latvian ancestor soldier in 1912 massacre... moreLacey can't wait to see France for the first time with friend Magda Rousseau, corset creator for Washington D.C.'s wealthiest and kinkiest. Ostensibly seeking Paris fashion as haute couture reporter on budget of The Eye news, her real search is for a gem-lined corset stolen from a Russian princess by Magda's Latvian ancestor soldier in 1912 massacre. When Magda dies from poison, Lacey and her best friend Stella search a nailed-shut coal cellar in France, overseen by British jewel thief Nigel Griffin and Texas aficionado ex-KGB Gregor Kepelov. Lacey is chloroformed after finding a torn scrip signed by another of the Latvian soldiers. Who can they trust and where can they go next? less

SWEATERGATE The Eye Street Observer 's resident sourpuss, Cassandra Wentworth, made enemies with her editorial skewering of tacky holiday sweaters. Cassandra wouldn't be caught dead in a red-and-green cardigan, yet Lacey finds the woman bleeding and unconscious wearing an acrylic number that practically sings "Deck the Halls." A homeless child who witnessed the assault mysteriously disappears and could be the attacker's next victim... moreSWEATERGATE The Eye Street Observer 's resident sourpuss, Cassandra Wentworth, made enemies with her editorial skewering of tacky holiday sweaters. Cassandra wouldn't be caught dead in a red-and-green cardigan, yet Lacey finds the woman bleeding and unconscious wearing an acrylic number that practically sings "Deck the Halls." A homeless child who witnessed the assault mysteriously disappears and could be the attacker's next victim. When suspicion falls on the Eye 's food editor, Lacey is torn between two coworkers. Or is someone trying to pull the wool over her eyes? It's a case that only the ever-fashionable Lacey can unravel... less

Trench coats? hot or not? The author of Grave Apparel proves you can solve mysteries without sacrificing style... Unchallenged and unappreciated, fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian slips on her trench coat and high-heeled gumshoes to pursue a course in private investigation and a shot at a better job. When a wealthy and erratic D.C. socialite is discovered quite dead outside the classroom, Lacey gets to test those sleuthing skills... moreTrench coats? hot or not? The author of Grave Apparel proves you can solve mysteries without sacrificing style... Unchallenged and unappreciated, fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian slips on her trench coat and high-heeled gumshoes to pursue a course in private investigation and a shot at a better job. When a wealthy and erratic D.C. socialite is discovered quite dead outside the classroom, Lacey gets to test those sleuthing skills. Was the victim on her way to share a dangerous secret with Smithsonian? And what does it have to do with a missing Louis Vuitton vintage custom makeup case? Lacey must mix style with substance to unravel these tangled threads before she, or one of her best friends, gets caught in the sights of a cold-blooded killer? less

When fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian moved to Washington, D.C., from rugged, small town Sagebrush, Colorado, she thought she’d never look back. But when her former boyfriend, cattle rancher Cole Tucker, is arrested for the murders of three women, Lacey digs her cowboy boots out of her closet and hops on the next plane. She is certain of Tucker’s innocence, until he abducts her during a daring courthouse escape... moreWhen fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian moved to Washington, D.C., from rugged, small town Sagebrush, Colorado, she thought she’d never look back. But when her former boyfriend, cattle rancher Cole Tucker, is arrested for the murders of three women, Lacey digs her cowboy boots out of her closet and hops on the next plane. She is certain of Tucker’s innocence, until he abducts her during a daring courthouse escape. Is Tucker capable of murder, too? Or is there a larger conspiracy in the small town? Lacey needs to rustle up all the help she can get for this case before her old flame is snuffed out for good... less

Home of the helmet hairdo and congressional comb-over, Washington, D.C., is a hotbed of fashion faux pas. If anyone should know, it’s “Crimes of Fashion” columnist Lacey Smithsonian. She dishes out advice to the scandal-scorched and clothing-clueless, doing her part to change this town—one fashion victim at a time.... SHAWL TALE Washington, D.C., fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian has always believed clothes can be magical, but she’s never thought they can be cursed. Until now... moreHome of the helmet hairdo and congressional comb-over, Washington, D.C., is a hotbed of fashion faux pas. If anyone should know, it’s “Crimes of Fashion” columnist Lacey Smithsonian. She dishes out advice to the scandal-scorched and clothing-clueless, doing her part to change this town—one fashion victim at a time.... SHAWL TALE Washington, D.C., fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian has always believed clothes can be magical, but she’s never thought they can be cursed. Until now. Lacey’s best friend, Stella, is finally getting married, and at her bachelorette party, fellow bridesmaid—and fortune-teller—Marie Largesse arrives with a stunning Russian shawl. A shawl, Marie warns, that can either bless or curse the wearer. When a party crasher who mocks the shawl is found dead the next day, the other guests fear the curse has been unleashed. But Lacey has her doubts, and she must employ all her Extra-Fashionary Perception to capture a villain who has vowed that nobody at this wedding will live happily ever after…. less