Murder of a Botoxed Blonde

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!

Fortunately, I have been to a spa because if I hadn't, and then read this book, I might have been too scared to try one! Once again, Skye comes through and finds the culprits even with her mother and her ex-boyfriend's mother with her at the spa. I just love Skye. I don't think of her as a size 12 but more like a size 14. After all, she sneaks out of the spa to replenish her food stash! I like that. I'll read everything Denise Swanson writes because I know I'll be in for a treat. Read one Scumble River mystery and I promise you'll be hooked. Thanks, Ms. Swanson! I appreciate you. --Karen Dyer, Dublin, CA

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.

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.

Scumble River school psychologist Skye Denison is now a paid consultant in the SRPD. Margot Avanti, owner of a beauty spa and resort on the old Brufeld Estate, asks the "Nancy Drew of Scumble River" to investigate vandalism with holes in the ground and walls that keep appearing. Margot assumes it is treasure hunters seeking the rumored buried jewels hidden by the former owner allegedly somewhere on the property or inside the converted building. Skye first says no but her best friend persuades her and asks to come along as her guest so she won't have to host Thanksgiving for a horde of relatives. From the very beginning she knows she isn't the stereotype type of the guest with the emphasis on beauty and being thin. When one of the women, a former high profile model is murdered, the chief of police wants Skye to help on the investigation. While she is delving into her inquiries, treasure hunters keep appearing on the property and valuable items go missing. The staff have secrets that they are hiding but which one has a secret so deadly he or she is willing to kill to keep it from being revealed. The Scumble River mysteries are one of the most satisfy cozy series on the market today. The heroine is a perfect role model for anyone. She sticks to her beliefs but isn't inflexible, is strong enough to accept her full figure size and is bold enough to solve a whodunit that has the police stymied. The romantic triangle between her, Simon the undertaker, and Wally the chief of police jazzes up an already satisfying storyline. Harriet Klausner