Organizing expert Charlotte Adams loves nothing more than to help people organize and declutter their work and living spaces. With one possible exception—solving mysteries in the small town of Woodbridge. In fact, Charlotte has become notorious for her sleuthing abilities and she still suffers from flashbacks due to her latest misadventure. So when motherly Fredelle Newhouse approaches Charlotte with a sensitive organizational job, Charlotte agrees to take on the touchy task. No murders there, she thinks.

But Charlotte's work on the job starts off badly when the person who is the object of the office cleanup campaign almost runs her down. After seeing the disaster that's Barb Douglas' desk, Charlotte can tell her assistance is sorely needed. Unfortunately no real work can be done until Barb is located. Turns out she disappeared after almost creaming Charlotte with her car. When the police show little interest in the missing woman, Charlotte takes it upon herself to try to locate Barb and to learn any information about her.

Why has Barb disappeared? Is she in fact who she claims to be? What is going on at Quovadicon? Does the recent murder of an unidentified man bear any relation to the missing Barb? Do the Woodbridge police have a single officer with more than one working brain cell? Will Charlotte escape with her life this time? And what is going on with her so-called best friend, Jack Reilly?

DEATH LOVES A MESSY DESK is a warm cozy with a cast of engaging characters. This book is the fourth in this series, so readers may find it more enjoyable to read the books in order. But I was able to follow the story without having read the previous books. Ms. Maffini has written a cutesy story with organizing tips included. Give this one a try if you're a fan of cozy mysteries.