The Masque of the Red Dress (Paperback) (ISBN-13: 9780997953596)

Behind the Masque of Murder
Who wants a beautiful crimson gown with a bad reputation? Everybody!

Fashion reporter Lacey Smithsonian has never seen such a gown. The dress is crimson, flowing, fabulous, and infamous. The actress who first wore it on stage died on closing night--playing Death in The Masque of the Red Death at a Russian emigre theatre. Is the notorious red dress cursed with bad luck? Or is the truth even stranger? It's up to Lacey and her so-called ExtraFashionary Perception to find out once and for all. If the Red Dress of Death doesn't get her first. Assaults, burglary and murder follow this stunning gown wherever it goes. But who would want it enough to kill for it? Crazy theatre people? Costume collectors? Or even Russian spies?In Washington, D.C., Lacey discovers, spycraft and stagecraft seem to have much in common. Shadows and deceptions lead her and the Red Dress into a macabre dance with an assassin--and a masquerade with death.

KRL NEWS & REVIEWS

It's been too long since the last Crime of Fashion mystery, and fans will delight in seeing their favorite characters return in this eleventh of the series. Conspiracists-in-love Brooke Barton and Damon Newhouse assist in tracking down the lurid past of the dress and the actress, as does Detective Broadway Lamont. Author Byerrum makes the scenery come alive not just with descriptions of gorgeous couture of multiple eras, but with the unique personalities populating the struggling-to-survive newsroom. The combination of cynicism and hope is never more apparent than with these jaded reporters, who are accustomed to interns getting blamed by ego-driven politicians. Reporter Romance is alive as well, although it's struggling between the unlikely pairing of food-pushing Felicity Pickles and Jinxed death-and-dismemberment beat reporter Harlan Wiedemeyer.

Lacey's relationship with Vic Donovan is on full steam ahead, and only her reluctance to admit their engagement to her over-involved family stands in their way. The Fashion Bites articles of tips and the history of D.C. fashion continue to be refreshing and fun, highlighting tips to battle office low-thermostat hypothermia, the need for formal wear rules, and of course, the power of a red dress. This is a welcome return to an enthralling and always entertaining mystery series.


Author: Ellen Byerrum
ISBN-10: 0997953594
ISBN-13: 9780997953596
Publisher: Lethal Black Dress Press
Language: English
Published: 11/18/2017
Pages: 364
Format: Paperback
Weight: 1.02lbs
Size: 8.50h x 5.50w x 0.81d