Raiders
of the Lost Corset
A Crime of Fashion Mystery, No. 4
by Ellen Byerrum
Fashion columnist for the Washington, D.C. Eye Street Observers, Lacey Smithsonian, is to travel to France with Magda
Rousseau, corsetiere. Ostensibly she will be there to report on haute couture for her column, but the real purpose is
to find the lost corset of one of the daughters of Czar Nicholas. According to Magda, her grandfather was one of the
Latvian guards of the Czar's family. The women wore corsets which were lined with the Czar's jewels. Juris Almentin,
Magda's maternal grandfather, refused to kill the Czar's daughters, so was assigned to destroy their clothes. He stole
the corset of one of the daughters, and according to family legend, and his diary, hid the corset when he emigrated
to France.
Before they can leave for France, Magda is poisoned and stabbed to death. Lacey leaves for France with the lukewarm
approval of her editor, Douglas MacArthur Jones. Accompanying her is her lawyer friend, Brooke Barton, a wannabe
spy. Lacey seems to be a lightning rod for trouble. Soon their rooms are searched and bugged; Lacey is attacked
while searching the farm of Magda's relative and they acquire others, who are also on the trail of what they think
is a lost Faberge egg. Lacey and Brooke are joined by Lacey's love, Vic Donovan, and Brooke's love, Damon. The four
follow leads through Normandy and Paris, and ultimately to a boutique in New Orleans which may bring an end to their
search.
This is an engaging story with an intriguing plot. The characters are likeable with enough quirky characteristics
to make them interesting. The action is filled with suspense and intrigue. Lacey is an intelligent, witty, stubborn
and adorable woman who deserves the love of Vic Donovan, who is everything a hero should be. Their romance is a delight
to observe. Lacey's columns in the Eye Street Observer are the epitome of wit. We are given glimpses of the rivalries
in the newspaper office and also of the world of haute couture, especially the lingerie area. As an added bonus there
is a Cook's tour of Paris and New Orleans for those who can't be there themselves.
This is a well written entertaining book which will reward the reader
with a few pleasant hours and many laughs.
Reviews of other titles in this series
Hostile
Makeover, No 3
Raiders
of the Lost Corset, No 4
Armed
and Glamorous, No 6
Death
on Heels, No 8
|
The Reviewer |
Barbara
Buhrer |
Reviewed
2006 |
|