Closet Confidential

Charlotte Adams #4

by Mary Jane Maffini

Fourth in the series featuring organizer and amateur sleuth Charlotte Adams, following Death Loves a Messy Desk. A friend hires Charlotte to organize her closets and prove that her daughter's accident was murder. And now Charlotte has to get a house-and her suspects-in order.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Canada, Crime

304 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 2010

About the author

Aka Victoria Abbott with her daughter Victoria Maffini.

Mary Jane Maffini was born in Sydney, Nova Scotia, and has her BA (Hons) and MLS from Dalhousie University. After a career in libraries such as The Brewers' Association of Canada, Statistics Canada, the Canada Institute for Scientific and Technical Information, and a wonderful ride as a co-owner of Prime Crime Mystery Bookstore, she has settled into a life of crime, surrounded by her two miniature dachshunds, the ghost of her beloved Corgoid Smudge, and her long-suffering husband. She's a former President of Crime Writers of Canada, and a former member of the board of directors of the Canadian Booksellers Association. She's a frequent speaker on writing mysteries and on the importance of Canadian crime fiction. In real life, although she is a member of the Ladies' Killing Circle, she has never killed anyone.

Reviews

[Mint · Rating 4 out of 5]

Professional organizer Charlotte Adams is hired to help a well-to-do former model named Lorelei clean out her closet. Lorelei recently lost her daughter in a tragic accident and is still grieving her loss. When she tells Charlotte that she believes her daughter was murdered, Charlotte's not sure what to think. Could Lorelei be right? Or is Lorelei looking too deeply into what the police concluded was an accident? Either way, Charlotte will dig deep to find the answer for Lorelei.

Charlotte's job was very interesting, making for a premise that's different than the typical cozy mystery. I also liked how the book provided organizational tips for people to try at home. I might have to try a few out!

This was a very-character driven book. The mystery is only one important storyline, as there are other storylines involving grief, romance, and motherhood. All of these storylines fit well together and added extra depth to the book.

Readers should know that it's definitely a bit darker than the typical cozy mystery. As someone who enjoys thrillers though, I liked that this book sometimes took a more suspenseful direction! During some scenes, I was on the edge of my seat.

However, one thing I think could have been improved in this book was the execution of the mystery itself. To me, it seemed as if the final solve came out of the blue. It's totally possible that I missed the clues and subtext, but I also think that the mystery could have been made more clear. Perhaps the clues ​leading to the final solve could have been made more pronounced, or perhaps Charlotte could have shared her reasoning more with the reader.

This is a series that's best read from the beginning. I was able to understand the plot without reading the previous books. However, I get the sense that a lot of character development occurred in previous books. I think I would have appreciated some storylines more had I read the first books in the series.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for providing me with an ARC. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Readers should note that this book contains mild violence and brief mentions of domestic violence and family violence.

For more of my reviews, please visit:

[Ell · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you like cozy mysteries with quirky, likeable characters and a splash of humor, the A Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery series is for you! Professional organizer Charlotte helps her clients organize not just their homes, but their emotional lives as well. There are red herrings, confusion, and conundrums throughout the books. Closet Confidential uncovers coverups, suspense, and secrets, to keep you turning the pages. Five stars.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good entry in the series and things really picked up at the end. I sort of had it figured out in general but not specifically who was behind everything.

[Anne White · Rating 3 out of 5]

I think there's a quote from Anne of the Island about books that make you hungry. This series makes me want to eat prosciutto sandwiches for lunch and expensive ice-cream for supper.

[Avery Aames · Rating 4 out of 5]

A darling addition to the cozy market, with an organized protagonist you love, even though she'll drive you crazy reminding you about all the stuff you know you should be organizing. A clever mystery, a passionate friendship. Fun reading.

[Allyson Abu-Hajar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Although this is the fourth book in the series and the first one I've read, I didn't have any trouble following the plot. There are references to past books, but that only made me want to go back and read the previous books.

Charlotte Adams is called to the home of her mother's frienemy's house, Lorelei Beauchamp's husband, Harry. Their only daughter Anabel had recently died in a drowning accident. Lorelei isn't really interested in cleaning and organizing her closets; as much as, she is fixated on believing that her daughter was murdered.

Charlotte goes poking around in a bid to help put Lorelei's mind at ease, and hopefully move on. Charlotte learns that her friend Pepper's husband was first on the scene. When questioned, Nick tried to play down his wife's comment of having nightmares for weeks.

Pepper pays a late-night visit to Charlotte's home because she has suspicions that Nick is in trouble.

The next thing Charlotte knows is she is being pulled over by Nick to give her a pretend ticket so he can question her about why his wife was at her house.

When Charlotte finds out that Pepper left her son in Jack's care, she decides to go search for either Nick or Pepper, only she comes upon Pepper badly beaten inside her vehicle with the doors locked. Nick is nowhere to be found. Fingers are being pointed at Nick, while Pepper can't recall what happened. Pepper asks Charlotte for help, and not really wanting to get involved in another investigation but decides to help her friends.

This was a solid mystery, there was a lot going on which kept me guessing. I loved all the tips at the beginning of each chapter. My favorite characters were the elderly ladies who were happy to give their two cents worth. Lorelei drove me nuts! Despite trying to keep in mind that she was a grieving mother and possibly depressed, the constant having Charlotte arriving and then being turned away because Lorelei wasn't up to it and couldn't possibly throw anything away had me believe Charlotte was a saint. There's also a delicious-looking recipe for brownies included.

I received an ARC from NetGalley via Beyond the Page Publishing and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.

[Cozy Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very fun cozy mystery series. I always enjoy returning to the authors well crafted stories. This is the fourth book in The Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Series. Thank you to the author and to Net Galley for the opportunity. My review opinions are my own.

Professional organizer Charlotte Adams has a intriguing mystery with a new client. The client's daughter has passed away and the client believes it was murder. Charlotte agrees to help her uncover the facts of the murder and soon clues abound and suspects are plenty. The sleuth kept me guessing throughout , the charcters are richly drawn and I love that this new release was a darker mystery .

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Closet Confidential
~Berkley
(13)
Charlotte to the rescue, January 17, 2012
By Ellen Rappaport (Florida)
This review is from: Closet Confidential (A Charlotte Adams Mystery) (Paperback)
Like the other reviewers I have read all 4 books in this series and will continue to do so until the author cries uncle or runs out of steam. Thus far Mary Jane Maffini is definitely doing neither.

This fourth entry in Maffini's Charlotte Adams series continues to do quite a bit more than just hold my interest. The people/characters in this series evolve and grow in their relationships and develop along with Charlotte as the plot thickens. And believe me it does thicken.
Lorelei Beauchamp is an aging beauty who has lost her only daughter, Anabel, in an unforeseen accident. Or was it an accident? That's what Lorelei doesn't believe contrary to the police and her husband, Harry. Charlotte becomes involved in this web of intrique by trying to disprove Lorelei's belief that her her daughter was murdered.
While all this is the foundation for an unsolved and unrecognized murder...Charlotte is busy trying to organize Lorelei's 7 closets with the assistance of Harry(Lorelei's husband). Unfortunately, Lorelei is little help due to her grief over her daughter's sudden death.
At the same time Charlotte notices Nick's apparent panic attacks when anything pertaining to Anabel's murder scene is mentioned. What is hidden behind those attacks and why?
I so much enjoyed this book because of the characters involved. Jack came through in child care at his bike store,CyCotics. And Charlotte turns up a box full of photos from their younger years while pulling down blankets for little Nick in Jack's closet. But why does Jack have so many pictures of Charlotte?
Charlotte's relationship with Pepper grows stronger and soon Pepper realizes that she can depend on Charlotte once again.
Charlotte finds a dependable and creative assistant in Lilith and 2 new aides in neighbors living across the street from the murder scene.
I had no idea who the murderer was until it was revealed.
Loved this book. This series and this author never disappoints. Looking forward to the next in this series and highly recommend the Charlotte Adams series to all lovers of cozies.
Ellen

[LittleRead · Rating 4 out of 5]

Charlotte Adams' business is taking off and she is finally able to take on customers who might not be able to afford her services for a full closet purge. Thanks in part customers who can afford the full price of her services, like an old family acquaintance who hires her to help organize and clear out seven closets full of designer clothing. Sadly the woman lost her daughter a few months prior and told Charlotte that she believes her daughter was murdered.

To help the mother get past this heartbreaking believe, Charlotte asks a few questions and soon finds that there’s more to the story than the public was led to believe, if you asked the right people. But when friend Pepper is found injured, the police believer her husband did it. With both spouses being police officers and friends since her childhood, it’s hard for Charlotte to believe. As she digs deeper, Charlotte may have opened a can of worms that can’t be closed again. Will she uncover the truth, or be the next victim as a murderer works to keep their crime covered.

This is the second book I have read in this series and I was not thrilled with the first as I thought Charlotte was too needy, but having read another, I am totally past that and was proved wrong this time. I’ve already downloaded the other books in the series and am catching up, because I want to see what the future has in store for Charlotte and the rest of the misfits.

[Bridget · Rating 5 out of 5]

In Closet Confidential, Charlotte Adams helps out a woman whose daughter recently died. When Lorelei Beauchamp asks for her assistance with her seven closets full of designer gear, she tells Charlotte that she believes Anabel was murdered, so Charlotte decides to investigate. The plot thickens when Pepper mentions that her police husband Nick, who was on the scene when Anabel had met her fate, is acting strangely.

My fourth instalment in Mary Jane Maffini's Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mystery series was just as good as the first three. Professional organiser Charlotte is a marvellous protagonist whom I find to be compassionate and smart. The book is well-crafted, rich in humour, swift-paced and thoroughly entertaining. The mystery is very engaging and I was kept guessing until later on in this lively tale. I am already looking forward to catching up with Charlotte and her friends in the next instalment, 'The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder'. Very highly recommended.

I received a complimentary copy of this novel from Beyond the Page Publishing via NetGalley at my request and this review is my own unbiased opinion.

[Tracy Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charlotte Adams has recently returned from a trip to France with her mom and has a few new clients needing her expertise in giving their closets a serious seeing to! Wendy is everything she could want in a client and both Charlotte and Lilith are enjoying helping her organise things. Wealthy ex-model Lorelei Beauchamp is another matter altogether however, and they aren't getting anywhere!  Tragically she and her devoted husband, Harry, lost their only daughter, Anabel while Charlotte was away and he has decided what his wife needs is to have a seven closet clear out!

Unable to focus on anything Lorelei keeps putting Charlotte's appointments on the back-burner but during one unsuccessful visit she does mention to the professional organizer that her daughter was murdered. Unable to shake the feeling she should at least look into the grieving mother’s claims Charlotte has no idea everything is about to run out of control leaving those she holds most dear in desperate danger.

This is the fourth Charlotte Adams book and the most enjoyable so far. As always one problem soon multiplies and Charlotte finds herself a little out of her depth!  The main protagonists are all present once again although with varying amounts of participation along with a cast of clients and potential witnesses who are as varied and quirky as usual. I thoroughly enjoyed this and look forward to reading the next installment very soon.

I was able to read an advanced copy of this book thanks to NetGalley and the publishers but the opinions expressed are my own. I loved this, the series gets better and better, and makes for great summer reading.

[Tracy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Closet Confidential by Mary Jane Maffini is the fourth in the Charlotte Adams professional organizer mystery series. In it a long time family friend hires Charlotte to organize his wealthy wife’s closets as a distraction since the death of their daughter in a freak accident. Her client, a formal model, tells Charlotte she’s convinced her daughter’s death was no accident. And so our sleuth gets to work to find the truth. This is my favourite book in the series thus far. Some of the things I took issue with in the last books were not present in this one. Charlotte’s involvement seemed more reasonable in this story and she actually has other clients in this book, one of which is a great side story to the main mystery and ties in nicely. As in previous books, I really like Charlotte and her band of ‘misfit’ friends. In this book I found the secondary characters more developed and the mystery more complicated. There seems to be more suspects and leads to track down. Additionally there are tertiary characters that really add to the humour and the humour is one of my favourite parts of the series. There is a lot going on in this story beside the mystery itself but they tie in well and are in themselves pretty interesting. My one criticism is that the actual murderer seemed to come out of the blue. I certainly didn’t suspect that person. There were in hindsight tidbits here and there to point to the perpetrator but not enough to logically cause Charlotte to suspect them. I like this series. It’s cute, funny and doesn’t take itself too seriously.

[Lauren Williams · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've read the last of Mary Jane Maffini's Charlotte Adams series: Death Loves a Messy Desk, Closet Confidential, and The Busy Woman's Guide to Murder. If you enjoy tongue-in-cheek, you will enjoy these. Charlotte Adams is an enduring, endearing nitwit who ought to consider it a wonder she and her friends are still alive after all her blunders - no, that's not a spoiler!

And here's the riveting, wholly unpredictable plot twist - I'm going to start recommending these to people who want a gentle glimpse at the organizing process - Maffini's portrayal is just about as faithful as the "how-to" tomes of the best of us, and more intimate. Someone in terror of calling in an Organizer might find Death Loves a Messy Desk and Closet Confidential in particular to be enlightening. Maffini's boxes-on-the-ground view is on-target.

Now, me, sample of one in my guise of Casual Uncluttering Organizer-in-Chief, I DO NOT wear high heels and leather jackets on the job, nor do I make lists every night, nor do I shop big-box-store-which-shall-not-be-named on a regular basis just for fun. But Organizers come in all sorts of personalities. You can absolutely find someone to fit your needs. We aren't even slightly one-size-fits-all.

[Susan Johnston · Rating 4 out of 5]

Princess Fuzzypants here: Charlotte feels a kinship for Anabel as they both suffered with high maintenance glamorous mothers. She is heartbroken to learn of Anabel’s bizarre and tragic death at a construction site. When she is contacted by Anabel’s parents to help organize the mother’s closets as a way to help her deal with the loss, she is full of sympathy. Lorelei,, Anabel’s mother, is too riven with grief for the project to get a foothold. So, when Lorelei begs Charlotte to find out who murdered her daughter, even though her death has been ruled an accident, she is not sure if it is simply her anguish or whether there is something awry..

She continues to be sceptical until strange and dangerous things start happening her friend. The new mother, a cop of maternity leave, confesses to Charlotte that she thinks her husband, a not very bright cop, is in big trouble. When her suspicions are borne out in a very violent way, Charlotte begins to wonder if the two, seemingly dissimilar cases, might be connected. If they are, the nefarious deeds are but the tip of some deep and dark conspiracies.

Not only is a a good story with lots of twists but there are some really good ideas for decluttering and organizing closets. Four purrs and two paws up.

[Lori · Rating 5 out of 5]

In the fourth book of this series, Charlotte Adams returns to do more organizing and more investigating. A woman that she has known for years died in a tragic accident only the woman's mother is convinced that it was murder. She asks Charlotte to look into the death to prove it was murder. The police have no to reason to believe it wasn't an accident. In the meantime, Pepper, Charlotte's best friend since childhood was attacked and left for dead and the police think that her husband did it. Charlotte doesn't believe that he could do it, but the evidence is beginning to build against him. Will Charlotte be able to find out the truth of what happened to the woman to set the mom's mind at ease? Will she be able to find out the truth about what really happened to her best friend? Who can she really trust? This is another great book by Mary Jane Maffini. I like how her stories flow smoothly and the characters are developed more with each book. I have really enjoyed getting to know Charlotte and all of her friends, including Truffle and Sweet Marie her two dachshunds. I cannot wait to read the next book to see what mischief Charlotte will find herself in.

[Bobbie Kirkland · Rating 5 out of 5]

Through NetGalley, I received a free copy of CLOSET CONFIDENTIAL (Book 4 of the Charlotte Adams Professional Organizer Mysteries), by Mary Jane Maffini, in exchange for an honest review. Charlotte accepts a closet organizing job from a longtime friend of her mother. The woman’s husband is hoping that the project will help the woman cope with the recent death of their daughter. When the woman maintains that her daughter’s death was murder rather than accidental, Charlotte reluctantly agrees to look into the matter. Charlotte begins asking questions with the intent to prove the death to be simply an accident, but the answers to those inquiries lead to more questions. Charlotte finds herself doubting the official ruling in the case. Can Charlotte find out what really happened?

I liked this book and the series. I recommend the book to fans of cozy mysteries featuring murder, organizing, small towns, old friends, and old frenemies.

#ClosetConfidential #NetGalley

[Soozee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very enjoyable series. Charlotte is a personal organiser (and she inspires the reader to have a look in their closets at the same time!), who somehow seems drawn to murder and violence. This time she is asked to organise the closets of Lorelei, a former model, who's daughter died in what was accepted as an unfortunate accident, but which Lorelei is convinced was murder. As she sets about trying to prove it was an accident, her friends are drawn into a series of events leaving them injured. As a by-plot we have a potential romantic interest for Lilith, her sometimes assistant, and we learn more about her friend Jack.

Overall its a fun read, and if sometimes it feels that Charlotte is just swamped by mystery, murder and policemen, it just all adds to the charm and fun.

Thank you to NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Laura Salas · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really like the main character, Charlotte. She's witty and sarcastic and organized. I can relate! I find myself chuckling at lines like someone smiling with "the general warmth of dry ice" and "The dogs were waiting with their legs crossed."

I like the writing style, but the plot itself and Charlotte's personal skills both seem lacking. The killer seemed obvious, and Charlotte is way too clueless about Connor and about Jack's pics. I love the great ending, though, with the closet secret.

I give this one 3.5 stars--I want to like it more!

Review copy provided by the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is book 4 in the Charlotte Adams series. It can be read as a stand alone. Charlotte is called by a husband whose daughter has died to cleans his wife's closets. He want's to give his wife something to do and stop obsessing about the daughter being murdered when the police say it was an accident. As soon as Charlotte starts looking into the accident she is being threatened. A good cozy and I love all the cleaning tips and how to part with things you don't need. I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

[Teresa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun cozy mystery. This book provides an interesting murder mystery as well as hints on how to organize and declutter your closets. The characters are entertaining and the mystery is well done. In fact, the author does a great job of keeping the reader guessing so you won’t be able to solve it easily.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for my advanced review copy. All opinions and thoughts are my own.

[Holly · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this, but it was hard to put down once I finally did. It's not flawless--my biggest issue with it was some redundant characterization. Someone's lanky, someone has teal hair, someone has blue eyes . . . and you can expect them to be described that way every single time. But overall, it was a fun whodunnit with some clever red herrings, and generally a good time.

[Terri Borkgren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great story about an Organizer solving a murder. A young women dies and Charlotte is hired to help the young woman Anabel's motherl to organize her closets. Her friend Pepper is attacked and Jack becomes a baby sitter for little Nick. Laughter and a story that takes the reader on a puzzle solving adventure. Great tips too.

[Barbara Tobey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved it. Love the series even if she does remind me at the beginning of every chapter that I really do need to work on my closets. Fast moving and great friends. Thanks to the publisher for providing a copy via NetGalley. I am eager for the next one.

[Diane · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 stars

[Chelsea · Rating 4 out of 5]

This has been my favorite book in the series. So much character development.

[Dogsandbooks]

donated to dpl august 2020

[Anna Fox · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love the organizing tips that start each chapter. When I get this in hardback, I'll have to get them written down.
The story was entertaining and I liked the characters. The mystery kept me guessing and I look forward to reading the last one in the series to find out what else happens to Charlotte ( and the rest of the characters)

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Helen Geng]

Read 2021

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this novel and loved the main characters. Story well paced and well executed. Look forward to the next installment in the series.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good mystery. This is a good series.