Murder of a Sleeping Beauty (Scumble River Mysteries, Book 3) (Paperback)

by Denise Swanson (Author) "As a school psychologist Skye Denison had dealt with many recalcitrant teens, but Justin Boward would be the death of her yet..." (more)
Key Phrases: guidance office, dismissal bell, tox screen, Scumble River, Allen Ingels, Sleeping Beauty (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
When school psychologist Skye Denison investigates the death of a popular teenager who was cast as Sleeping Beauty in the school play, she uncovers some shocking revelations about prominent Scumble River citizens. And even ever-optimistic Skye knows that in this case, finding the killer won't end this tale happily-ever-after.

"Swanson knows small-town America, its secrets and its self-delusions, and she writes as if she might have been hiding behind a tree when some of the bodies were being buried." (Margaret Maron)

"School psychologist Skye Denison is the quintessential amateur sleuth: bright, curious and more than a little nervy." (Earlene Fowler)

Product Details

• Paperback: 272 pages
• Publisher: Signet (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0451205480
• ISBN-13: 978-0451205483
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4.2 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #23,684 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

• This is item 3 in The Scumble River Series.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From MyShelf.com, November 3, 2002

By	Nancy L. Mehl "Author" (USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Skye Denison, school psychologist at Scumble River High School, stumbles across the girl who is playing the lead role in the spring musical, Sleeping Beauty. The problem is that Sleeping Beauty won't wake up. Not even Prince Charming can save this princess. Her slumber is permanent. The question is; who gave Sleeping Beauty poison this time? Skye delves into an investigation on her own since her once romantic relationship with the chief of police, Wally Boyd, is a thing of the past. Skye learns that the dead girl, Lorelei Ingels, was entrenched in the world of beauty pageants. Could someone be jealous of her success? Or could there be another reason?

Skye is stonewalled by parents and students alike as she tries to find out who Lorelei really was. She appears to have been a popular student, but sometimes popularity comes with a price. Skye must find out if the price in this case was murder.

MURDER OF A SLEEPING BEAUTY is an enjoyable mystery. It moves along nicely and holds a reader's interest. It is well-plotted and well-written. I particularly like that the protagonist is "full-figured" and easy to relate to.

Denise Swanson has a winning series here. Scumble River is a place I'll visit again and again!

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The murder of a beauty queen upsets Scumble Creek, April 28, 2002

By	Moe811 (New York USA) - See all my reviews (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)

Skye Dennison is called to the gym of Scumble Creek High School by a student. She finds the star of the school play dead on a prop bed used for the production of Sleeping Beauty. Since Wally and Simon want nothing to do with her she is stuck investigating alone, and discovers that the perfect girl is not as perfect as she seemed and finds out a little about the seamier side of the beauty pageant circuit.

The Scumble Creek series is a really enjoyable one. The books are full of eccentric characters and real issues. The mysteries are not terribly difficult but are alot of fun to solve.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three Cheers for the Third Skye, May 10, 2002

By	Karen Dyer (Dublin, CA United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Denise Swanson manages, for a third time, to give us an entertaining, engaging, satisfying Scumble River mystery with the intrepid Skye Denison in the lead.
The beauty who had everything (or did she?) is found dead. Who would have wanted her that way? More and more people as the book progresses.
I have really enjoyed this series and I hope the talented Denise Swanson continues to bring us more and more. The third one is just out and already I can't wait for the fourth!