Tuesday, May 16, 2017

Aloha to Ellen Byerrum and the CRIME OF FASHION mystery series

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We have a winner from my RT Recaps - Di wins a sample of books and swag from the RT Booklovers' Convention.

During my travels to/from Atlanta, I read several books in Ellen Byerum's mystery series, CRIME OF FASHION.  I started with DESIGNER KNOCKOFF - Book 2 (I now have to find Book 1):

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... 


I suspect Book 1 explains how Lacey Smithsonian became a fashion columnist rather than a roving reporter.  Still, Lacey appreciates vintage fashion courtesy of a steamer trunk she inherited from Aunt Mimi - a woman of good taste in the 1940s. When Lacey needs to think, she opens the trunk, taking a step back into the past and even wears some of the timeless clothes. As such, Lacey "arms" herself to put on a brave face for her "couture" assignments for the Eye Street Observer, Washington's third rate newspaper. Yet hemlines often lead to murder, giving Lacey the opportunity to thread together the fashion clues, landing her to a byline in the crime section.

Lacey lives in Old Town Alexandria. She works in Washington, DC, "the city fashion forgot". Byerrum incorporates all the cliches associated with our nation's capital - corrupt politicians, conspiracy theories, and monochrome suites to create a cozy mystery series that delivers a heroine to cheer. Lacey turns to her eccentric friends to help her dig in to the mystery and dig out of the trouble. Given my proximity to Washington, DC, I enjoy following Lacey in her capital adventures.


Learn more about Ellen and her books at ellenbyerrum.com.

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I am giving away a book choice from my convention stash to one randomly selected commenter.  To enter the giveaway,

1. Have you visited the Nation's Capital?  If so, what was your favorite "thing" to see, experience, or eat? If not, what would you like to see, experience, or eat?

The National Cherry Blossom Festival is a sight to behold each March - the trees were given by the Japanese Government as a symbol of friendship.  Learn more at this link.

2. Comments are open through Sunday, May 21, 10 pm in Baltimore.

3. I'll post the winner on Monday, May 22. 

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City



17 comments:

  1. I haven't been into the capital in many years, but I've driven past numerous times. I'd love to go stay for a few days and visit the memorials, the Smithsonian and the zoo.

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  2. Yes I have been many years ago. Was very touched by the Vietnam Memorial.
    ladbookfan

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  3. Thank so much for the lovely comments and spreading the news about Lacey and the Crime of Fashion mysteries.

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  4. We lived near Fairfax, VA just outside the Beltway for 5 years when my husband was assigned to Andrews AFB. Our children were in school (Kindergarten, 7th grade, and freshman) and most of what we did involved the Smithsonian Museum of Natural Science (the bugs upstairs were a favorite) and the zoo. Mason Neck State Park was a favorite. Our daughter did her GS Gold Award project there and worked as a ranger one summer. We went to the Folk Festivals on the Mall and attend the 4th of July celebrations on the Mall the first year we were there. We visited Arlington every so often, my husband's father is buried there. There is much we didn't get to see because my husband was so busy at work, plus the age spread with the kids made it a bit hard to keep them happy with many of the museums. We have a list of things to do when just the two of us go back.

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  5. I've only been to DC once and I loved the National Air and Space Museum.

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  6. I have visited MY nation's capital. It was very interesting.

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  7. I have never visited DC.....:(

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  8. I've only been once but loved it. The Viet Nam Memorial was an emotional sight. And only a small part of The Smithsonian. Definitely will go back to see the WWll Memorial and more of the Smithsonian. I definitely would love to see the Cherry Blossom Trees.
    Carol L
    Lucky4750 (at) aol (dot) com

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  9. I have been many times when my father was stationed at the Pentagon. I really like the Smithsonian.

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  10. I've never visited Washington i have all the states to visit on my bucket list though and I have already started on that list I'm interested in seeing the history and the many landmarks

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  11. I've been there twice for 3 day trips with my daughters as school field trips. Every day was jammed with so much and I loved it all.

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  12. I have visited DC for day trips many times, but when I was in high school, I was able to experience DC for a week through CloseUp. It was a high school trip through a national foundation. I was able to explore the Capitol, Buildings for Senators and Representatives, the Supreme Court, all the major monuments, etc... It was an amazing experience.

    I've always love the Smithsonian museums the best.

    Georgetown is fun.

    denise

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  13. There's so much to see in DC! I could spend at least a day in each of the Smithsonian Museums alone.

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  14. I have only been once and that was on a school trip when I was in junior high. Would love to go back since now I would appreciate seeing everything much more than when I was 14!

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  15. It was our senior year trip and I really liked going up in the Washington monument.

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  16. I haven't been there yet but would love to visit the Smithsonian.

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  17. I have never been.
    Natalie's Mama

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