Organize Your Corpses
Mary Jane Maffini
Berkley, May 2007, $6.99
ISBN: 0425215806

After dumping her two-timing fianc and throwing his ring into the river, Charlotte Adams leaves the city to return to her hometown of Woodbridge, New York. She sets up shop as a free lance "Professional organizer," who straightens out other people's messes at home and in businesses. She is shocked when Miss Helen "Hellfire" Henley hires her to clean up Henley House in order to find some missing documents. Miss Henley made Charlotte's student life a living hell when she was her teacher at St. Jude's.

At Henley House, Charlotte learns that the last resident was Randolph Henley. She and Helen come to an agreement and a check is provided. That night Helen demands Charlotte go see her at Henley House, but the organizer says no. The next morning Charlotte finds Helen dead. The police determine a murder occurred and Pepper, once Charlotte's best friend, thinks Charlotte is the prime suspect. Feeling guilty, Charlotte investigates, starting with a visit to Miss Olivia, Helen's wealthy but brain-damaged sister. Her good intentions go astray as the cops wonder if Charlotte is a deranged killer.

This is the first book in a new series that is fun to read. The storyline focuses on the murder investigation, predominantly that of the amateur sleuth but also interweaves into the plot organizing tips in the tone of observations by the heroine. Charlotte is a strong person who tries to help people and is bold enough to play cat and mouse with a killer if that also helps people. Mary Jane Maffini provides a first-rate, well-organized whodunit.

Harriet Klausner