Grave Apparel
Ellen Byerrum
Reviewed by Barb Radmore
Grave Apparel is the fifth entry in Ellen Byerrum's 'A Crime of
Fashion' Mysteries. They star fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian, a
columnist for a small Washington, D.C. newspaper. Her propensity to get
mixed up in crime leads her into all sorts of trouble, from which even
a well planned vintage outfit may not rescue her. But crime does not
crimp her fashion sense, even if she is on the case.
Lacey's coworkers do not all get along, even during the holiday season.
The food editor's passion for loud, over the top Christmas sweaters is
the last straw for Cassandra Wentworth, the editorial writer. The
resulting editorial, dubbed Sweatergate (this is D.C. after all),
causes an uproar in the community. Although blame for the editorial
initially falls on Lacey, it is Cassandra who is attacked in the
alleyway. Lacey gets drawn into the investigation of Cassandra's life
outside of work to find the attempted murderer. The suspects add up as
Lacey struggles to find the real culprit and save the good name of her
coworkers.
This book is more character driven as opposed to plot driven, a bit
different for a mystery but not unusual for a modern cozy. Although it
takes place in the large city of Washington, Byerrum brings down the
setting to the small community of The Eye and its employees. There is
no actual bloody murder, the real suspects (Cassandra's friends) are
each unlikeable in their own special way. It all the traits of a good
cozy mystery.
The strongest plot line is also not the actual murder but rather the
search and rescue of the mysterious crime scene witness, a young child.
Byerrum keeps the interest going throughout the book by adding this
sympathetic dimension to the story.
Fans of cozies will enjoy this one.