Murder of a Small-Town Honey: A Scumble River Mystery [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Denise Swanson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2001

When Skye Denison left Scumble River years ago, she swore she'd never return. But after a bout with her boyfriend and credit card rejection, she's back to home sweet-homicide....

Advance praise for Murder of a Small Town Honey:

"A delightful mystery that bounces along with gently wry humor and jaunty twists and turns... School psychologist, Skye Denison, is the quintessential amateur sleuth: bright, curious and more than a little nervy. She is an engaging, liberated every-woman who is sure to garner her rightful share of mystery fans."-Earlene Fowler

--This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 360 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Pr (June 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078623329X
• ISBN-13: 978-0786233298
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.8 x 1.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,747,198 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 26 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Real Treat. The Perfect Pick-Me-Up., November 5, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder of a Small-Town Honey (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 1) (Paperback)

This is one of the best amateur sleuth mysteries I read all summer. School psychologist, Skye Denison is portrayed extremely realistically and I wasn't at all surprised to see in her bio that the author herself is a practicing school psychologist. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at schools in general and special education in particular. I hope Ms. Swanson includes even more of that element in her next book.

Skye's return home to Scumble River after what she herself terms a 12 year escape is fun to watch. On one hand Skye wants to slip into town, do her job, save some money, and move out ASAP. But her family and the townspeople have other ideas. The author really nails the whole Midwest casserole culture to a T, but she does it with a light touch and with affection, not in a mean way.

Another element I especially liked was the spin she puts on stereotypes. At first glance it is just very funny, but it also makes the reader reflect on her/his own prejudices.

Although I read mostly for the characters, this book had a good solid mystery at its core. The story moves right along and if the first chapter of the next book (which is included at the end of this boook) is any way to judge, the pacing just gets better.

The humor in this book is more of the giggle and smile to yourself type, than the laugh out loud kind, but there were a couple of places people looked at me funny as I let out a rather loud laugh or snort.

I hope this new writer gets the large readership she deserves so we can enjoy many, more Scumble River Mysteries.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Extaordinary Debut, October 6, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder of a Small-Town Honey (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 1) (Paperback)

I was blown away by this debut novel. It is hard to believe that this is the first book this author has written. It has obviously been well polished and well edited. The wry humor and empathetic portrayal of both the town and the characters won me over.

The various descriptions of the characters are unique and well rounded, not the same old tall/short, brown/blond type of narrative you see in lots of books.

Skye is one of the most likeable sleuths I have met in ages. She's a real person, with troubles to which a lot of people can relate. Her reasonable explaination for her decision to quit dieting and accept the extra pounds is nicely slipped into the dialogue. Skye's dry sense of humor and obvious dedication to the children she serves gives her a personality that makes the reader want her as a friend. The mystery of her being jilted and fired has me anxiously awaiting the next book.

Another interesting aspect of this novel is the inside look at what a school psychologist does. I love the scenes when Skye is doing her job.

Although I don't want to give away the ending, let me just say it is a triumph for feminism and one of the more clever escape scenes that I've read.

This is an author to watch. I feel sure her future includes an award for best first mystery. Murder of a Small-Town Honey would make a great TV movie.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent cozy, July 22, 2002

By 

Alicia K. Ahlvers "alibrarian" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder of a Small-Town Honey (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 1) (Paperback)

When Skye Denison announced during her valedictory address that she "can't wait to get away from this town of small minded people with small ideas" she had no idea that 12 years later she would have to eat her words and move back to Scumble Creek. Although her family and friends love Skye they also have long memories and Skye has to start working for forgiveness. When her brother is arrested for murdering his old girlfriend, she feels compelled to investigate and as she closes in on the killer she becomes a target.

You can tell that the author has a great deal of experience with living in a small town and that she also has great affection for her characters. This is a humorous look at small town life and includes an interesting mystery to solve.