Book Review: A Deadly Arrangement

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

A Deadly Arrangement     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Denise Osborne
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Woman Main Character   Police Procedural   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Salome Waterhouse # 1
September 2001, 244 pages

Salome Waterhouse finds Palmer Fordham dead. He rents the house from her that has been in her family for years. She is a Feng Shui practicioner. She had received an anonymous payment and request to perform a Feng Shui consultation for his birthday.

Her cousin Phyllis Waterhouse is the Chief of Police. Their relationship is strained because their grandfather left the Perfume Mansion (the house she'd rented to Palmer and surrounding land) to Salome. Dora Whalen, the Perfume's housekeeper, lives in the caretaker's cottage on the grounds of the Perfume. Salome's ex, Gabe, is a famous mystery author. Salome did lots of research with him when they were married. Palmer was a famous artist.

Salome looks into Palmer's life and tries to help figure out who would have wanted Palmer dead. It ends up putting Phyllis and her in danger.

This book was not one of my favorites. It is well written, but I found it to be VERY heavy with Feng Shui. I would have liked the story better without so much description of Feng Shui. I don't think it contributed to the story.

I will say that I have read the 2nd book in this series and liked it much better.

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com