Murder Of A Snake In The Grass (Paperback)

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.

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!

Skye just doesn't come across to me as your average midwestern adult professional. She comes across as stuffy, nerdy and silly -- certainly not someone schoolkids can relate to or feel comfortable with. The whole character just seems too forced to me, and her adventures are not at all entertaining. There's way too much minute detail -- what she wears, what she eats, what her phone messages say.

This book in particular I found very slow and confusing...like the resolution was something I was supposed to care about but didn't in the least, because I didn't know a whole lot about it. And the "mystery" behind Wally's strange behavior -- yawn.

Hopefully the author can get this series on track and concentrate more on developing Skye as an individual character, not a thinly-disguised clone of herself.