Carina Axelsson

Clues and red herrings and all the requisite twists and reveals make this a compelling read as Axelle and her sidekicks, supermodel Ellie, and journalist Sebastian race against time to discover the whereabouts of international designer Belle La Lune. It opens with a kidnapping
She was being pushed up a stairwell – Of that much Belle was sure.
“Come on, faster,” urged the gruff voice behind her. “Do you think we’re window shopping at Channel?”
The writing is simplistic and very show more literal, but it’s redeemed by the narrator’s sartorial humour, often at the expense of the fashion world, which the author knows first hand. The glamourous descriptions of clothing contrast sharply with the very real objectification of the models by agents, dressers and photographers. I was personally a little disappointed that the narrator who began as a fashion-hater who presents a deliberately mundane face to the world in order to maintain her cover as a detective, is so quickly absorbed into the world of high fashion. Early in the story she tells us
The problem with [best friend] Jenny’s ideas for self improvement is that they always involve my appearance.
“It’s your hair, Axelle. It’s too overwhelming. And those glasses – do they have to be so big? And heavy? And why can’t you let me do your makeup instead of…”
But these masks are quickly stripped off to reveal the long legs and high cheeks beneath Axelle’s resentment of her fashionista family.
Axelle is highly relatable, though, and her understatements, clichés and hyperboles offer a unique brand of humour that , most often turned against the fashion industry:
“I know I was angry when I called my aunt a dragon, but, honestly, my Aunt Venetia really is a dragon – and a dragon of the worst kind. She’s a fashion dragon – which means that instead of breathing plain old flames, she breathes silk and patent leather and address books filled with unpronounceable names.”
The author is at her best when presenting us with this backstage pass to Paris fashion week; her action scenes, however, tend toward the clichéd and banal.
“Belle was no longer alone.
Someone else had been dragged into the room. Not that she had any idea who was sharing this prison with her. They were refusing or unable to speak and there was no light: no window, no candle, no lamp.
Darkness engulfed her”
There’s nothing especially sophisticated about this novel, but it’s a fun read with some good twists. Axelle is a highly relatable character with a witty outlook on life that perfectly encapsulates pop culture’s simultaneous obsession and resistance to high fashion. Despite some structural issues (her best friend, for example, disappears once she gets to Paris; Axelle can instantly maintain her poise on the catwalk next to highly experienced models, despite her towering heels), Model Undercover: A crime of fashion will be enjoyed by Nancy Drew fans from years 5-9 who enjoy their mysteries without too much darkness. show less

Highly enjoyable series, fun reading and good story.

I like that this is a mystery set in the fashion world, which makes it a little different. I enjoy different, because I read too much predictable.

Fun, fast paced, easy to read, and well written.

Love the cover, and the book was just as good.

Really fun, breezy, with a little suspense, a little mystery and a little romance. The perfect mix for a fun read that left me smiling and feeling like the time reading this was well spent.

I had not heard of this series but when I got the chance to read this book I jumped on it. It sounded fun. Yet, I quickly found myself wondering when the story was going to start. What I mean is that four to six chapters in and there was a lot of conversation but I was left waiting for Axelle to start investigating the case. A lot of conversation about nothing of importance. I than started to skim the book until I got to this part. Ok, I am not impressed by Axelle's skills as a crime solver. show more She did not pick up instantly on clues and would state the obvious. This is one book that I did not personally for myself think it translated too well for adults like other young adult books. However the younger readers will probably like Axelle and this world that the author built. show less