A Day In Lacey Smithsonian’s Life by Ellen Byerrum

A typical day in my life starts the night before, with the Big Question: What will I wear tomorrow? If I don’t figure that out in advance, I’ll waste precious time in the morning and leave the floor covered in rejected outfits. What’s the big deal, you say? They’re only clothes? Well, I have to be able to walk into the office and not worry about what I’m wearing, because my job is to worry about what everyone else is wearing. Why? Because I’m a fashion reporter in Washington, D.C., The City Fashion Forgot.

What the citizens of D.C. wear inspires my articles, whether it’s a conservative suit designed to sway a Congressional committee or a complete makeover to divert media attention from a scandal. Is it a dressing misdemeanor? A style fiasco? A fashion felony? Good! I can use it in my column, “Crimes of Fashion,” or my bite-size style advice pieces, “Fashion Bites.” (And fashion sometimes does, believe me.)

My name is Lacey Smithsonian and I work for The Eye Street Observer, a third-tier daily newspaper in Our Nation’s Capital. My paper doesn’t get a lot of respect, and unfortunately, neither do I. Being a fashion reporter was never exactly on my top ten career list. I didn’t go to journalism school to study ruffles and ruching. I was working hard to be a top-notch hard news reporter, when The Eye’s fashion editor died. At her desk. On deadline. And just to show you how much respect the fashion beat gets: Poor Mariah was in full rigor mortis before anyone even noticed she was dead.

Right place, wrong time: Just then I crossed paths with Mac Jones, my (and Mariah’s) editor, sweating a deadline with a dead fashion editor on his hands and the newsroom in an uproar. I sometimes wonder what would have happened if I hadn’t been wearing a particularly killer outfit that day. But I was, and I looked the part of a fashion writer, at least according to my editor. As if he’d know. Me, the new fashion diva for The Eye? No way! But too late: I was fated to inherit the deadly style beat. Mac dumped the job on me and I’ve been working at it (and trying to escape it) ever since.

To be honest, I enjoy wearing wonderful clothes. My love affair with and education about clothes started with a mysterious leather-bound and brass-buckled trunk left me by my great-aunt Mimi. It’s filled with clothes, materials, patterns and photographs (and other things) Aunt Mimi collected during the late 1930s and 1940s, when women stepped up and kept the home fires burning and the factories humming. What can I say, vintage clothes of that era simply suit me. They fit, they flatter, they feel great, and they make me feel strong and capable. My love of clothing may be genetic, but it’s all about style, not trends and labels. I just never thought I’d be pounding out articles about hats and heels.

But jobs are scarce these days, and I’ve carved out my niche by finding the stories in style, the clues in clothes. I have an eye for fashion and an ear for the tales in tailoring. I also have a double dose of that common reporter affliction: curiosity. I always want to know the end of the story. Curiosity gets me in trouble. Sometimes it’s nearly gotten me killed. I’ve learned the hard way that fashion can be murder. And murder keeps crossing my beat. All because of the questions I ask.

What does a bad haircut have to do with a young hairstylist’s death? (Killer Hair)

How does a vintage designer suit connect the disappearances of a young woman in the 1940s and a modern-day Washington intern? (Designer Knockoff)

What is a child wearing a shepherd’s robe doing witnessing an assault in a Washington alley, instead of say, playing a shepherd in a Christmas pageant? (Grave Apparel)

And now, in my latest case, Shot Through Velvet, I’m puzzling over a mysterious blue corpse. How on earth did he wind up in that vat of blue dye in a dying velvet factory?

But first, what do I wear tomorrow…

---

You can read more about Lacey in SHOT THROUGH VELVET, the seventh book in the “Crime of Fashion” mystery series. The first book in the series is KILLER HAIR.

Ellen Byerrum writes the popular Crime of Fashion mysteries, set in bustling Washington, D.C., The City That Fashion Forgot. The series features style reporter Lacey Smithsonian, who wears vintage clothing and solves crimes with fashion clues. Snapshots of her humorous columns highlighting fashion crimes and misdemeanors in the Nation’s Capital, are included in the books. Shot Through Velvet, the seventh mystery in the series, takes Lacey to a velvet factory in southern Virginia on its last day of operation where she finds a blue corpse in a vat of dye. After that, Death on Heels will be published in February 2012.

In researching fashions for the books, Byerrum has collected her own assortment of clothing from the 1940s, but laments her lack of closet space. She has worked as a news reporter in Washington, D.C., is a playwright under the name Eliot Byerrum, and holds a P.I. registration in Virginia. She is currently at work on the ninth book in the Crime of Fashion series. Visit Ellen at http://ellenbyerrum.com

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

Three-Day Town by Margaret Maron

Three-Day Town by Margaret Maron is the 17th book in the “Deborah Knott” mystery series. Publisher: Grand Central Publishing, November 2011

After a year of marriage, Judge Deborah Knott and Sheriff’s Deputy Dwight Bryant are off to New York City for a long-delayed honeymoon. January might not be the perfect time to take a bite of the Big Apple, but Dwight’s sister-in-law has arranged for them to stay in an Upper West Side apartment for a week.

Deborah has been asked to deliver a package to Lt. Sigrid Harald of the NYPD from Sigrid’s Colleton County grandmother. But when the homicide detective comes to pick it up, the package is missing and the building’s super is found murdered. Now despite their desire to enjoy a blissful winter getaway, Deborah and Dwight must team up with Lt. Harald to catch the killer before he strikes again.

I just love this series and I wait patiently for my annual visit with Dwight and Deborah, and this time they are in New York on a long delayed honeymoon. They are enjoying what the city has to offer when Deborah finds the super’s body on their balcony; they become involved in tracking down a killer that is hiding among the faces they have met. This book opens and draws you into the story from the opening line, and never lets up as it continued to the closing moments. The mystery was such that it kept me guessing and I enjoyed the interactions between the Bryants, the people they come across in the city and the lieutenant who is handling the murder case. This is the best one yet in a series that gets better and better each year and I look forward to more exciting adventures with Deborah Knotts in this wonderful and thrilling series.

A Day In The Life Of Lucky O’Toole by Deborah Coonts

I know I told you I would describe a normal day in my life. I lied.

You see, as Head of Customer Relations (an ego-gratifying name for Chief Problem Solver and Resident Scapegoat) at the Babylon, Las Vegas’ newest, most over-the-top Strip casino, I don’t actually have a life. And if I did, it would be far from normal.

For instance, when Security finds a naked guest sleeping off a bender in a stairwell, I’m their go-to gal. As luck would have it, I can handle naked drunks with my eyes shut—which is often the best way to deal with nudity, my own included. I’m a stress eater, what can I say? And, in my line of work, the stress-vulture is permanently perched on my shoulder. So, the pounds linger. And I probably throw back more Wild Turkey 101 than any liver can handle, but I try not think about it.

When I’m not seeking fortification in Delilah’s Bar, I often I self-medicate in the Babylon’s twenty-four hour buffet, Nebuchadnezzar’s. A great escape, Neb’s is my hideaway where I can sample cuisine from all corners of the world without leaving Vegas. Of course, Vegas prides’ itself on bringing the world and all it’s delights to you.

And it’s my job to see it delivers. If you need a naked mariachi band for your soiree, a sex swing installed in your private suite, a seat at the primo table at the Adult Video Awards, or tickets to the Sex Toy Trade Show, I’m your gal. Lest you think that sex is all I peddle, let me assure you I can score the best seats at the most popular shows, the toughest table at the toniest restaurant, backstage passes, speedy entry past the velvet ropes, a good lawyer, a twenty-four hour bail bondsman, and a quickie divorce…although even in Vegas, marriage is much easier to get into than out of. Trust me on that one.

My staff can also get you properly accoutered and chase down wayward skivvies when you’ve misplaced them. In short, we are a full-service establishment. But, don’t go pouncing on the obvious—we do not procure partners. That part’s up to you.

Besides, I’ve got enough people in my life as it is without populating your fantasies. From my mother, Mona, a former bordello owner and permanent thorn in my side, to Teddie, my live-in who gave up a sweet deal as Vegas’ foremost female impersonator to dream of life on the road as a rock star, my life is fully populated. And my life wouldn’t be complete without this new French chef who loves jerking my chain…and yet, there’s this sizzle thing going on when we touch.

Complications, just what this simple gal needs.

Of course, though I might complain, I really love the ever-changing fabric of my life. I’ve dealt with porn stars with confidence issues, to swingers with blackmail issues, aging fighters with sixteen children and one last fight that could end not only his career, but his life as well, to aging matinee idols with huge secrets, hotel magnates on the ropes to stars toppling from grace. I’ve handled a girl falling from a helicopter disrupting the Pirate Show in front of the TI, to a truck jackknifing in front of the Babylon, snarling traffic and creating panic when it’s load of millions of angry honeybees escapes.

To be honest, living in this zoo keeps life interesting. Even when my buddy at Metro (the local police department), Detective Romeo, fished pieces of poor Numbers Neidermeyer from the shark tank at Mandalay Bay and came snooping in my neighborhood, looking for the killer.

I never know what’s coming next. Take this weekend. I’ve got the final show of the Calliope Girls, Vegas’ last true burlesque review. I’m the one who’s shutting them down. Although it’s necessary, I’m not feeling too good about it. In addition we have a meeting of the Magic Circle, the ruling class of the sleight-of-hand crowd, and the UFO folks will be in residence for their annual space alien hunt, which, between you and me, is just a great excuse for excesses of all kinds.

Who knows what might happen?

---

You can read more about Lucky in LUCKY STIFF, the second book in the “Lucky O’Toole Las Vegas Adventure” series.

My mother tells me I was born a very long time ago, but I’m not so sure—my mother can’t be trusted. These things I do know: I was raised in Texas on barbeque, Mexican food and beer. I currently reside in Las Vegas, where my friends assure me I cannot get into too much trouble. Silly people.

I am the author of WANNA GET LUCKY?, the first in the Lucky O’Toole Las Vegas Adventure series published by Forge Books in May of 2010. The second installment, LUCKY STIFF, was released February of 2011. The paperback is coming December 1st. The third, SO DAMN LUCKY, will be out February 28th, 2012. A novella, LUCKY IN LOVE, will be released to the digital market January 17th, 2012. Visit Deborah at http://deborahcoonts.com

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.

The Heirloom Murders by Kathleen Ernst

The Heirloom Murders by Kathleen Ernst is the second book in the “Chloe Ellefson” mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, September 2011

Dying for a Legendary Diamond?

As collections curator for Old World Wisconsin, Chloe Ellefson delights in losing herself in antiques and folk traditions—and forgetting her messy love life. But her peace is destroyed when her ex-boyfriend unexpectedly turns up, followed by a break-in at her friend Dellyn’s historic house—a potential treasure trove of priceless antiques. Was the intruder hunting for the missing Eagle Diamond, a legendary gemstone unearthed in 1876?

When a grisly murder takes place on the museum grounds, Chloe is further drawn into a mystery involving a rare variety of Swiss cheese, a nearly extinct heirloom flower . . . and plain, old-fashioned murderous greed.

When Chloe agrees to help inventory a house full of collectibles, she learns about the history of the home and its occupants, especially about the missing Eagle Diamond. Someone wants the information contained in the collectibles and will do whatever it takes to purloin those records, including murder. What a story! This evenly-paced and action-filled tale takes place in the present with snippets from the past that lends itself in this nicely-done drama. I could not put this book down from the moment I finished the first chapter where the action was non-stop until the end. There were a lot of interwoven plots that moved the story along and kept me guessing throughout most of the book. With an intriguing plot, flashbacks to days gone by and a lovable cast of characters, this was a great and enjoyable read and I look forward to the next story in this wonderfully captivating series.

In Sickness and In Death by Lisa Bork

In Sickness and In Death by Lisa Bork is the third book in the “Broken Vows” mystery series. Publisher: Midnight Ink, September 2011

Jolene Parker isn’t sure what to think when her police deputy husband, Ray, unexpectedly brings home a new foster child. The impulsive son of a jailed car thief, twelve-year-old Danny has talents that include picking locks and hotwiring cars.

Following Danny’s brief joyride in the car that he says is his dad’s, a horrific surprise turns up in the trunk: a woman’s arm. While Ray hunts down the victim’s identity, Jolene tries to determine whether Danny’s father did the deed. And it drives her straight into the killer’s sights.

A stolen car; a gross finding and being foster mother to a 12-year old is all that Jolene can handle as she struggles to overcome a recent loss. When it looks like the boy’s father may be charged with murder, Jolene uncovers clues and being in harm’s way doesn’t stop Jolene from finding a killer who is seeking her out. The mystery had me guessing with plenty of twists and turns, but it was Jolene’s relationships that had me devouring page after page from the first paragraph to the ending in this character-driven tale. With a good plot, a strong heroine, likable secondary characters, this well-done and evenly-paced story was a very enjoyable and satisfying read.

The Boddy in the Snowbank by Jenna Bennett

The Boddy in the Snowbank by Jenna Bennett. Publisher: Jenna Bennett, November 2011

Just for fun… a short story based around the game Cluedo/Clue. When Mr. Boddy is found dead in a snowbank, his loyal housekeeper, Mrs. White, must give a statement to the police about the case. It’s the Clue characters like you’ve never seen them before!

What an enjoyable short story with a surprising ending that I didn’t expect that. This was a very good and delightful read.

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich

Explosive Eighteen by Janet Evanovich is the 18th book in the “Stephanie Plum” mystery series. Publisher: Bantam, November 2011

Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum’s life is set to blow sky high when international murder hits dangerously close to home, in this dynamite novel by Janet Evanovich.

Before Stephanie can even step foot off Flight 127 Hawaii to Newark, she’s knee deep in trouble. Her dream vacation turned into a nightmare, and she’s flying back to New Jersey solo. Worse still, her seatmate never returned to the plane after the L.A. layover. Now he’s dead, in a garbage can, waiting for curbside pickup. His killer could be anyone. And a ragtag collection of thugs and psychos, not to mention the FBI, are all looking for a photograph the dead man was supposed to be carrying.

Only one other person has seen the missing photo—Stephanie Plum. Now she’s the target, and she doesn’t intend to end up in a garbage can. With the help of an FBI sketch artist Stephanie re-creates the person in the photo. Unfortunately the first sketch turns out to look like Tom Cruise, and the second sketch like Ashton Kutcher. Until Stephanie can improve her descriptive skills, she’ll need to watch her back.

Over at the bail bonds agency things are going from bad to worse. The bonds bus serving as Vinnie’s temporary HQ goes up in smoke. Stephanie’s wheelman, Lula, falls in love with their largest skip yet. Lifetime arch nemesis Joyce Barnhardt moves into Stephanie’s apartment. And everyone wants to know what happened in Hawaii?

Morelli, Trenton’s hottest cop, isn’t talking about Hawaii. Ranger, the man of mystery, isn’t talking about Hawaii. And all Stephanie is willing to say about her Hawaiian vacation is . . . It’s complicated.

Stephanie is at it again. She’s involved in the usual multiple skip traces with amusing results and she has the FBI and goons looking for a photograph that mysterious appeared in her bag. This was another romp in the life and antics of Stephanie and I had a fun time seeing where she was headed. Yes, I know what happened in Hawaii and in my mind a lot of things were resolved. this was a fun read and I look forward to the next book in this humorous series.

The More The Terrier by Linda O. Johnston

The More The Terrier by Linda O. Johnston is the second book in the “Pet Rescue” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), October 2011

Shelter manager Lauren Vancouver, has taught herself a new trick: sleuthing. Now she has a chance to hone her skills, as animal hoarding leads to one less human life.

When Lauren finds out that her old mentor, Mamie Spelling, is an animal hoarder, no one is more shocked, and she jumps in to help rehome the cramped critters. But Mamie’s troubles don’t end there. She’s accused of murder when the CEO of a pet shelter network is found dead. The aggressive businesswoman was bullying Mamie to join her organization by threatening to expose her hoarding, but that was before Lauren took control of the situation. Now Lauren’s dogged determination to clear her former friend of murder may put a killer on her tail.

When her old mentor is accused of murder, Lauren is determined to help her out despite what she is doing to the animals in her care. The topic of animal hoarding was very interesting and I liked how it was woven with the plot. It was a good mystery with a strong heroine who knows what to do to right a wrong. This was an enjoyable read and I look forward to the next book in this adorable series.

A Killer Column by Casey Mayes

A Killer Column by Casey Mayes is the second book in the “Mystery By The Number” mystery series. Publisher: Berkley Prime Crime (Penguin), August 2011

Savannah Stone has always known her numbers. So it’s only natural that she makes a living creating puzzles for logic lovers. But when murder is factored into the equation, logic is what leads her to the killer.

Savannah has a conundrum. Derrick Duncan, her puzzle editor and syndicator, is terminating their working relationship. To finally be free of Derrick’s abusive conduct and air-tight contract should be a cause for celebration, but he’s sold Savannah’s column to a syndicate. She greets this news with a very ugly–and very public–reaction.

Once her cooler head has prevailed, Savannah returns to Derrick to apologize–only to find he’s been stabbed to death. The police are already looking at her as the prime suspect, but Savannah knows that Derrick’s temperament was legendary and that she wasn’t the only puzzle maker to cross words with him.

This was a good read. Savannah and her husband make a good sleuthing team and in this case, it’s Savannah’s name that needs to be cleared when she is found near her ex-boss’ murdered body. With help from her college roommate, the trio begins their own investigation. This was a good mystery with a great plot and lovable characters. The bonus of three puzzle games (two of which I aced) added to the enjoyable series and I can’t wait to spend more time with the Stone family.

Casey Mayes is the pseudonym of Tim Myers

A Day In The Life Of Marla Shore by Nancy J. Cohen

As a hairstylist, I’ve done more bridal parties than I can count. Yet as my friend Jill’s wedding approached, I grew more excited. Finally the day came when I fixed her hair for this important event. It helped that I was one of her bridesmaids. That meant I could touch up everyone’s hair later at Orchid Isle where the ceremony would take place.

Soon my friends, Jill and Arnie, were joined in matrimony and tears glistened in my eyes. Everything went smoothly through the reception until Jill was ready to cut the cake. That’s when I discovered the dead body.

Oy, vey.

I knew my fiancé, detective Dalton Vail, wouldn’t be too happy when I showed him the evidence. With our own nuptials weeks away, you can imagine all that we have to do, and a murder investigation isn’t on the list.

“Don’t look now, but there’s a dead body under the table,” I murmured under my breath.

“What?”

“You heard me.” I smiled tremulously at a couple who strolled past. Could they tell I was sweating? That my face had lost its color? That I was about to lose my dinner?

Dalton half bent, his dark hair falling forward, but then he straightened with a grin. “Good one, Marla. You almost got me.”

I shuffled my feet. “I’m not kidding.” Any minute they’d call for the cake, or Jill would broaden the hunt for her sister. Chewing on my bottom lip, I lifted a portion of the drape so Dalton could see for himself. My stomach heaved as I almost stepped on a trickle of congealing blood. Forcing down the acid reflux, I grimaced.

“Holy Mother, you aren’t joking.” Dalton gave me an incredulous glance that I read as, Not Again.

Things were already so hectic that I wished I could run away on the Tropical Sun for another cruise with Dalton. Besides our wedding planning, I work full-time at my salon and am preparing for the grand opening of our day spa. Did I mention that Dalton and I are moving into a new house in January, too? I’ll plotz if I have to do one more thing! Yet if Jill asks for my help in solving this case, how can I refuse? The victim was her sister, the matron of honor. It would be the least I can do for a dear friend.

I suppose you could say that I don’t know how to say No. I got into hairdressing because I wanted to make people feel good about themselves. You know how your mood improves after your hair is done. Your confidence lifts, and you feel more attractive. But this inclination of mine to help people I care about gets me into trouble more times than not.

I really have to focus on Dalton and his teenage daughter, Brianna. They’re my family now, and I promise that after I help Jill find her sister’s killer, that I’ll stay closer to home.

And if you believe that, make an appointment to come in and get your hair done. I’ll give you a complimentary cut and style.

---

You can read more about Marla in SHEAR MURDER, the tenth book in the “Bad Hair Day” mystery series, available for pre-order at most online retailer and will hit the shelves February 8, 2012. The first book in the series is PERMED TO DEATH.

Nancy J. Cohen is an award-winning author who writes romance and mysteries. Her popular Bad Hair Day mystery series features hairdresser Marla Shore, who solves crimes with wit and style under the sultry Florida sun. Several of these titles have made the IMBA bestseller list, while Nancy’s imaginative science fiction romances have garnered rave reviews. Active in the writing community and a featured speaker at libraries and conferences, Nancy is listed in Contemporary Authors, Poets & Writers, and Who’s Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets. Visit Nancy at her website and on her blog. Click HERE to see the book trailer for SHEAR MURDER.

** Nancy is giving away one copy of “WICKED” WOMEN WHODUNIT, a Kensington Brava Anthology with romantic mysteries by four popular authors, including Nancy’s “Three Men and a Body.” To enter, you must leave a valid e-mail address in the comment box with your comment. One entry per person. Contest ends on November 25th at 12pm EST. The winner will be chosen using a random number generator and will be notified by e-mail and has 2 days to respond. The author will mail you the book. **

Books are available at retail and online booksellers.