Denise Osborne, Evil Intentions

Denise Osborne, Evil Intentions - Georgetowns wealthiest residents benefit from the Feng Shui expertise of Salome Waterhouse. June McGann hires Salome's friend Germaine Brilliante to follow her sister April for two weeks and report to her everything her sibling does. On the fourteenth day, April enters Black Friar's Books followed by Germaine, but once inside, the latter realizes that her target is gone; the owner offers nothing.

A few days later, the police raid the bookstore, breaking up a gambling ring; however, that does not interest June as she fears her sister is seeing Duncan Mah again. He brings illegal aliens into the country for an exorbitant fee and then makes them work off their entry price as indentured servants. An arsonist targets Salome's house and she fears that Mah is behind the incident since she forced him underground last year. Her ex-husband finds the murdered body of a Chinese worker who has a link to Mah and therefore Salome as well. Salome knows the danger that stalks her while she investigates Mah's whereabouts.

Denise Osborne has written a fast-paced, character-driven, amateur sleuth mystery that will fascinate readers with its insightful look at Feng Shui. Salome is offbeat and charming and, in spite of the danger, goes after an evil man to bring him to justice. Her reconciliation with her former spouse adds flavoring to a finely crafted mystery.

Harriet Klausner