Crimes of Fashion

No, we're not talking about faux pas or horrible designs. We're talking about Lifetime Movie Network's adaptations of two books from Ellen Byerrum's "Crime of Fashion" mystery series. Both "Killer Hair" and "Hostile Makeover" are part of LMN's Best Seller Summer. Other Films coming up this summer include movies based on Ann Rule's books "Too Late to Say Goodbye," starring Rob Low, and "Everything She Ever Wanted, starring Gina Gershon and Victor Garber.

Killer Hair
Premieres Sunday, June 21, 8:00 PM ET/PT
Lifetime Movie Network
Lacey Smithsonian (Maggie Lawson, Psych) is a fashion columnist for a Washington, D.C., newspaper who ends up reporting on more than just style when dead bodies keep mysteriously crossing her path. Believing you are what you wear - and that everything you wear is a fashion clue - Lacey uses her style-savvy sense to get to the bottom of the murders that have taken place at her girlfriend Stella's (Sadie LeBlanc, Rumours) hair salon. As Lacey continues to follow the killer's trail, she must stay out of her newspaper's ego-driven crime reporter's (Mark Consuelos) way and determine which of the salon's colorful characters could be the murderer. Is it the unfaithful owner's competitive wife, Josette (Finola Hughes), or could it be Josette's loyal friend and the salon's top-stylist, Leonardo (Mario Cantone)? The only thing that knocks Lacey off her high-heel stride is her ex-boyfriend, Vic Donovan (Victor Webster), who coincidentally turns out to be the lead detective on the case. Along with the help of her friends, Lacey works to solve the mysteries, all the while scrambling to meet her Crime of Fashion column deadlines.

Killer Hair: A Crime of Fashion by Ellen Byerrum (Signet, 288 pp).


Hostile Makeover
Premieres Sunday, June 28, 8:00 PM ET/PT
Lifetime Movie Network
Street-smart, fashion journalist Lacey Smithsonian continues to scoop her fellow reporters when she becomes a witness to the murder of a well-known supermodel. Soon, the world of high fashion comes undone when a killer is on the loose, and Lacey must once again use her stylish investigative skills to get the headline and solve the case. The story becomes a family affair when Lacey's mother (Mary McDonnell, Dances with Wolves) and sister (Katharine Isabelle, Supernatural) drop in and unwittingly become involved in the investigation. Will Lacey be able to keep her personal life from unraveling and save the world of haute couture from another murder?

Hostile Makeover: A Crime of Fashion Mystery by Ellen Byerrum (Signet, 288 pp).



Visit Lifetime TV for more about these movies, plus great content especially for women.

Return of Gwen Munch

If you've followed the various crime dramas over the years, you may remember that Detective John Munch (Richard Belzer), also was a character on Homicide: Life on the Streets. I have to admit I did not. Regardless, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit executive producer Neal Baer has announced that Munch and his ex-wife, Gwen, will appear together for the first time in a dozen years. Carol Kane originally played Gwen and will guest star. The reunion is part of SVU's season finale, "Zebra," airing June 2 at 10:00 PM ET/PT on NBC and CTV.

In "Zebras," a young woman is killed in Central Park, and when a clerical error ruins the case, the police rush to find more evidence before the killer takes revenge on the squad.

"We're thrilled to have Gwen Munch return to her true love, Detective John Munch, to help lead him to a deranged killer (Nick Stahl) who is after a member of the SVU family," said Baer.

Stahl will guest star as Peter Harrison, "a once promising young artist who is now lost in the paranoia of mental illness. Fearing SVU Detectives are persecuting him, he turns on them after he may have murdered an innocent young mother."

Swayze Delivers

The Beast
premieres Thursday, Jan. 15, 10:00pm ET
A & E
The pilot episode of The Beast is taut drama. The premiere is so well done that during the opening scenes, you do not realize what is really going on. Patrick Swayze stars as Charles Barker and Travis Fimmel portrays Ellis Dove. The entire episode is theatrical quality writing, directing, acting, and cinematography. Strong character development adds to the depth of the story. Light humor is laced through the Pilot, easing some of its intensity, while adding a human quality to these action heroes with flawed personalities and lives.
The Beast Pilot Episode Review >> (some spoilers)

Hiding In Plain Sight

USA Network's newest crime drama, In Plain Sight, premieres Sunday, June 1, 10:00pm e/p. Mary McCormack stars as U.S. Marshal Mary Shannon, whose job it is to hide and protect witnesses so they can testify at the trial of the perpetrators of heinous crimes. In Plain Sight is an intriguing, unique crime drama with a touch of humor and a twist in each of the three episodes previewed. No stories are the same. Surprising secrets are revealed in each episode. in Plain Sight Full Review >>