Murder of a Snake in the Grass

School psychologist, Skye Dennison has an uncomfortable past and as the history of her hometown is celebrated during the Scumble River bicentennial, hers comes back to haunt her. As Skye says, "sometimes it's better to let sleeping dogs lie, because if you disturb those canines they might wake up and bite you in the butt."Skye left her hometown at eighteen after telling off everyone during her high school graduation. She vowed to never come back. She lied. Two years ago, after being jilted, fired, and maxing out her credit cards she came crawling back, and because it was home they had to take her in and forgive her, but they didn't have to forget. Just as the citizens of Scumble River have begun to forget Skye's past, her ex-fiancé, Luc, shows up and makes everyone remember. He's an aristocrat from New Orleans and he claims he made a huge mistake in when he jilted her and he wants her back. Skye tries to send him packing, but when the bicentennial guest of honor is found murder and Luc becomes a suspect she's stuck with him until the murder is solved. Although Skye tries not become involved in the murder investigation, it becomes clear she has to either figure out the real killer or put up with Luc's presence.I enjoyed this mystery on many levels. First the setting is wonderful. It is clear the author is both familiar and fond of small towns, but that she sees the foibles as well as the charm. Next, the characters are wonderfully fleshed out. These are people you could have a cup of coffee and a piece of pie with while you put your feet up for a good gossip. Lastly, the plot is full of twists and turns. While the author plays fair and the clues are present, guessing whodunit is not easy.But my favorite part of his book, and this series is Skye herself. She is someone with morals and values, and is fearless in her quest for justice for all. But best of all, because she is not perfect, she is utterly believable. This is a perfect summer read. Unfold your lawn chair, get your lemonade, and have a delightful afternoon.

Skye Denison is the school psychologist in Scumble River. Her ex-fiance, Luc, comes to town to try to woo her back. He also wants her to help him to set up a foundation for abused children. She knows that if she doesn't see him and get closure once and for all, she and Simon, the town mortician and coroner, will never have a future.Scumble River is celebrating its bicentennial. There are many activities, including the re-enactment of the discovery of Scumble River. Gabriel Scumble, the last of the Scumble's, has been brought from Montreal to participate in the re-enactment. Then he is discovered dead at the bandstand. Skye once again gets involved in helping to solve this crime. This time Wally, the police chief, does not get mad that she is helping; neither does Simon. She has her hands full with problems at the high school as well. Also, her uncle Charlie is acting strange. And then Luc is suspected of killing Gabriel Scumble. What more can go wrong?This is small town at its best. Denise Swanson has a hit series on her hands. I truly enjoy every book and love the various small-town characters. They are so true to form. There is always something going on behind the scenes in town as well.I feel as if I've been there. She does a great job of describing the location and characters. You can also feel the tension between the various people. Skye's mother is a real character. This book only has a few members of Skye's family really introduced. In previous books the whole family has been involved. What a group of characters!If you haven't read one of Denise's books, I recommend you run out and buy one. Once you do, you won't be able to stop reading them!

This book is the 4th Book in the Scumble River Mystery series written by Denise Swanson. In this installment, Skye Denison has a lot to deal with. The town of Scumble River is celebrating its bicentennial by throwing a large celebration, which means everyone in town will be participating in the events. Skye's ex-fiancé, Luc St. Amant, has chosen this time to come to town to try to win over Skye's heart once more, bringing into question whether Skye wants to turn to the past for a romance, or if she sees herself in a long-term relationship with her current love interest, Simon Reid. Also adding to her trouble is a gang of rowdy teenagers and then the murder of the guest of honor at the Scumble River celebration. At first, Skye does not want to get involved in the murder investigation, but when several people close to Skye become involved, she once again sets out to find a killer.I have really enjoyed the entire Scumble River series, and this book was a delight. This book was interesting and entertaining with just the right amount of suspense thrown in. I thought I knew the identity of the killer several times throughout the book, but was mildly surprised at the ending. I was also happy to see that Skye makes a decision about her love life at the end of this book, since I felt that the Simon/Wally triangle had dragged on long enough. This is a fun, easy read for any cozy mystery lover. The first book in this series is "Murder of a Small-Town Honey". Enjoy!

The bicentennial celebrations in Scumble River are in full swing. A descendant of the original Scumble is in attendance. Skye's love life is ever more confusing. Things are going well with Simon, but she still has feelings for Wally, and to make things worse, her ex fiance` seems to want her back. As usual, there is a particularly tricky problem with one of the children at the High School. Skye doesn't need another murder investigation right now, but when Gabriel Scumble is found murdered on the bandstand at the celebration and her ex is implicated, Skye has to get involved. If only to get him out of her life forever.This series keeps getting better and better. The characters are quirky and fun and the problems of the residents of Scumble River are very realistic. I read this one in one sitting and look forward to the next.

When she turned eighteen, Sky Denison couldn't wait to leave her hometown of Scrumble River, a small town an hour and a half outside of Chicago. After doing two terms in the Peace Corps, she went to New Orleans where she earned a psychology degree and was engaged to a wealthy Creole aristocrat. When he dumped her, she returned to Scrumble River, broke, disillusioned and homeless. Her uncle Charlie used his influence to get her a position as psychologist for the school system and in the time she has been home, she has made a place for herself in the community.She is therefore very unhappy when her ex-fiancé Luc St. Amant turns up wanting to reconcile and needing her to sign some papers that would put her on the board of the foundation that would help abused children. She is so upset that Luc is in town that she doesn't even want to get involved in the latest homicide case, but circumstances conspire to get her to investigate the mystery because that is the only way her ex-fiancee will be able to leave town.Denise Swanson is one of the better new writers of amateur sleuth mysteries, a writer who shows the problems of the big city are just as prevalent in a small town. The heroine has gone from a shallow depressed person to a woman who is making a difference to the students who are under her care. Readers are going to love MURDER OF A SNAKE IN THE GRASS.Harriet Klausner