Customer Reviews

Murder of a Botoxed Blonde (Thorndike Mystery)

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Scumble River school psychologist Skye Denison reluctantly agrees to accept a complimentary visit to Scumble River's swanky new spa with her best friend Trixie over the Thanksgiving weekend. The Scumble River Spa is housed in a renovated mansion located on the river. Margot Avanti, the owner of the new spa, has invited amateur sleuth Skye to the resort to investigate the vandalism that has been plaguing the spa since it opened. When Trixie and Skye arrive at the spa, they find that Skye's mother May and college friend Loretta, as well as Bunny, the mother of Skye's ex-boyfriend, and high school reporter Frannie are all spending the weekend at the spa too. It appears that the vandalism at the spa is the result of someone who is searching for a rumored Depression-era treasure hidden somewhere on the spa's property.

Readers of the previous books in the Scumbe River series know that Skye is a "Real Woman" who has made her own peace with her size 12 body. For her, a weekend featuring Tofu Turkey for Thanksgiving dinner and carob brownies is not the holiday she has envisioned. But when Skye finds the body of another resort guest drowned in the spa's Miracle Mud bath, the weekend takes a definite turn for the worse. In her new position of psychological consultant to the Scumble River Police Department, Skye finds herself searching for the killer of the model.

Skye continues to juggle her complicated personal life as she debates whether she should take her new relationship with Police Chief Wally Boyd "to the next level". Plus, it doesn't help that everyone from Skye's own mother right down to her high school students think that she should get back together with her ex-boyfriend Simon, proprietor of Scumble River's funeral home.

I highly recommend this latest installment in the Scumble River series. These stories just keep improving! You won't be disappointed in this latest trip to the little town of Scumble River.

Skye Denison is planning on having a traditional Thanksgiving dinner with her family in Scumble River, Illinois, but her best friend, Trixie, has other ideas. Trixie convinces Skye that they should accept a free weekend at the newly-opened Scumble River Spa, and try to find treasure which is reputedly buried in the backyard of the old, converted mansion. Skye has her doubts, but soon she finds herself at the spa, wrapped in seaweed and eating tiny portions of inedible food. Soon a murder takes place in the mud bath, and Skye is knee-deep in the investigation. She is also caught between her current boyfriend, Wally, and her ex-boyfriend, Simon, and
her mother and Simon's mother come to the spa to help convince her to return to her old love interest.

According to her biography, author Denise Swanson was a school psychologist for 22 years, so her references to Skye's experiences in the same job always ring true. This book is a welcome addition to an enjoyable series.

Another great Scumble River Mystery. Denise's "real women" heroine masterfully solves another mystery with humor and intrigue and keeps you guessing until the very end. Thanks again for another fun glimpse into Skye's life and for putting into words the way so many women feel about themselves the world around them.

A spa with tofu turkey & "Dress for Sexcess" lectures is the last place school psychologist Skye Denison wants to spend Thanksgiving. But when her best friend convinces her to go, Skye thinks the worst that can happen is a bad manicure. However, when a former model is murdered Skye must identify which of the eccentric guests, pesky protesters, or sneaky treasure hunters is the killer.

In this, Denice Swanson's ninth book in her Scumble River mystery series, the humor is turned up a notch. The laughs start from the very first page where Skye finds herself wrapped up like a taco and continue throughout the book when she is pummeled, starved, and attacked by a crazy exerciser.

One of the aspects of this series that I especially like is that Skye is comfortable with her ample curves (the author never says just how ample or what size Skye is, which I think is a good idea) and imperfections. In this book, she does have a few second thoughts about not fitting society's image of the perfect woman, but who could spend four or five days surrounded by people who were telling you that you need to do this or that to be beautiful, and not have a tiny self-esteem crisis?

Tight plotting, plenty of surprises, and another peek at Skye's love life make this book a winner.

This is another good edition to the Scumble River series. I enjoyed the plot line and the characters. The ending did have a twist I wasn't expecting. Skye and Wally make a good couple and I hope they stay together.

I found the story delightful. It is one of the "cozy" murder mysteries, and those are the type I enjoy. I thought the plot was well thought out and I was surprised by the ending. As my first Scumble River Mysteries, I am happy to say I'd read another.

Okay, the opening scene would have your seatmates in either place scowling at you, but it's probably one of the funniest scenes I've ever read--including the Janet Evanovich. Clearly, a lot of work's gone into developing Scumble River and its people. This is my first in the series and if I need a good fast fun read, I'm going to definitely check more out.

i met this author in the airport. she was such a delight that i ordered all of the books in the series when i returned home from vacation. we all know someone like the main characters in these stories and we all know someone from a place just like scumble river! these are easy reading, fast moving story lines. if you like charlaine harris, you will love denise swanson. p.s, her hubby was a nice guy too!

This adventure involves a new spa in Scumble River. They are having problems with vandalism and treasure hunters. Skye and Trixie check into the spa for a long weekend over Thanksgiving to try to find the culprit. In addition, while they are there a murder in a mud bath occurs.

they are a little short as a read for me- i can finish one in an evening but i just love the series highly recommend!