Nury Vittachi ,The Feng Shui Detective

The Feng Shui Detective

Nury Vittachi

Dunne,March 2004, $23.95, 288 pp.

0312320590

Singapore feng shui guru Mr. C.F. Wong receives negative vibes besides that emitted by his teenage intern Joyce McQuinnie as he inspects the apartment of the Tsai-Leibler family. A fire breaks out that Wong puts out, but the damage to the already badly aligned flat is outright devastating. Adding to the mess as his assistant calls it is a ghost who haunts Dr. Leibler's dental office though feng shui in a house of pain is difficult to accomplish.

A Malaysian witch doctor hires two of Wong's friends to help a doomed client. They in turn obtain Wong's aid as the customer seems fated to tragedy based on every known (and a few unknown) pseudo and occult consultation science employed by the Singapore Union of Industrial Mystics. Wong agrees to assist, but also seeks a kidnapped girl and tries to solve the murder of Dr. Leibler's hygienist with his only guide being that occidental teen who he still is not sure how he became her mentor. Everything seems to come together at the feng shui catastrophic edifice known as the Sydney Opera House, but though they are close to resolutions, the dynamic duo might not survive what they learn.

This feng shui amateur sleuth tale has a madcap story line that entertains readers with an east meets west blending of cultures inside several mysteries. The key to the tale is the relationship between Wong and McQuinnie that is father to daughter, teacher to student, and friend to friend. Though the cases are fun to follow, they act more like support to the lead duet who feng shui their way throughout the delightful plot.

Harriet Klausner