Bentley is a designer whose heyday was over fifty years ago and for whom Lacey’s aunt Mimi worked during World War II. Mimi left Lacey a trunk of vintage fashions, some still in the planning stages, some unmade and in it is a Hugh Bentley suit that Lacey is wearing when she is drawn into the world of high fashion and high crime.

Lacey, a reporter through and through, has her interest peaked by three, seemingly unrelated events: Washington intern Esme Fairchild vanishes, the Bentley boutique is robbed and the disappearance of Mimi’s friend, Gloria Adams, over fifty years earlier is brought to Lacey’s attention. The main connection to all three seems to be Hugh Bentley. While the D.C. police follow clues that they hope will lead them to Esme, Lacey follows the fashion clues and must be getting awfully close to the truth regarding all three because someone is going out of their way to see that Lacey loses interest in her latest story.

Designer Knockoff is full of fashion tips, vintage fashion lore and long lost romances. The missing intern and Bentley robbery take backseat to the missing Glory. Even Hugh’s insistence on possessing the suit Lacey wears and Lacey’s suspicions that her treasure trunk contains something someone would kill to get their hands on overshadow the missing intern. The mystery of Gloria and her disappearance takes center stage as Lacey tries to track her down through long lost, distant relatives. This thread is compelling enough to stand on its own. Esme’s disappearance and subsequent murder are quickly abandoned as Lacey becomes wrapped up in the past.

Some dates with the younger Bentley begin to take a romantic turn, probably not in Lacey’s best interest considering the close calls she has recently had, yet Lacey seems to take leave of her senses where Jeff is concerned. A gala opening at the museum and a custom-made Gloria Adams designed gown also distract from Esme as Lacey’s pals help her accessorize her new couture design, down to a proper 1940’s hairdo. A different do a day may seem excessive, but it adds to the overall atmosphere, sending readers back several decades.

Lacey is a spunky heroine and is very self-assured as she carries off her vintage looks with much aplomb. She alludes briefly to a sister and to her religion, but other than that, there is not much to learn about Lacey.

Lacey and her eccentric taste in fashion will have a certain appeal to historical mystery fans though Esme’s disappearance may become nothing more than an unwelcome diversion to Gloria Adam’s more romantic and intriguing story.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry