Storm has been hired to handle the legal details behind the opening of a dive shop. Lara Farrell is opening the dive shop in a strip mall owned by her fiancé Ryan Tagomma and his father. But Storm knows something isn't quite right, because Lara refuses to discuss background details that will determine the kind of legal procedures Storm needs to follow.

Bewildered, Storm begins to investigate. The first thing she finds is a Japanese thug known as Obake, which means ghost. The name is appropriate, for Obake runs the local chapter of the Japanese mafia. Law enforcement officials know it, but Obake has been very careful to leave no evidence that would convict him. Apparently Obake and Lara have a history that is still creating issues. But until Storm knows the whole story, she will find it difficult to protect her client. So, she digs deeper to find out what happened.

Lara's fiancé Ryan doesn't know the whole story. Those who do won't talk. Storm pegs away until she sees someone following her in a black SUV. Evasive maneuvers cause her shadows to have an accident, and Storm escapes.

Pleasing the Dead is an absorbing tale of greed, cruelty, murder and revenge. Storm Kayama shines as she digs into the past despite the danger to herself. Lara learns that she could have been better off if she had only trusted Storm with the truth at the beginning.

The novel is well written, the characters are completely human, and the situations are quite plausible, while who could argue with having Maui as a setting? If you love a good mystery, read Pleasing the Dead. And follow the career of Deborah Turrell Atkinson. She is a rising star.