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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 Book

Signet/Penguin
July 5, 2006
Paperback
0451219031
Mystery
More at Amazon.com

The Reviewer

Barbara Buhrer
Reviewed 2006
© 2006 MyShelf.com