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Welcome Back to Scumble River #1
Dead in the Water
The first book in a brand new series featuring New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson's beloved Scumble River setting and characters, Dead in the Water is a gripping mystery that won't let you go until you've turned the last page.
A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder--oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.
For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover--especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.
But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list?
A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder--oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.
For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover--especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.
But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list?
352 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published September 5, 2017
473 people are currently reading
1792 people want to read
About the author
Denise Swanson
69 books1,129 followersDenise Swanson lives in rural Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr.
After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.
Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.
After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.
Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 238 reviews
September 3, 2017
Dollycas’s Thoughts
We go back to Scumble River to find Skye Denison-Boyd almost near the end of her pregnancy and a mighty tornado bearing down on the community. As the debris is cleared the body of Zeke Lyons is found dead in his home. But he wasn’t killed by the twister, someone murdered the man using the storm as a cover. The investigation barely gets going when Skye’s police chief husband goes missing. Skye calls in some reinforcements to find her husband and she may just catch a killer too before she goes into labor.
Fans of the Scumble River series are rejoicing this book’s release, but I want to make something very clear, if you have never read any of the previous Scumble River mysteries or have only read a few you can jump into this book with ease. Denise Swanson is a pro, she has included everything you need to know to enjoy this book. She has rebooted the timeline so this and future stories take place in present day with the characters not aging a bit 🙂 and given us enough backstory to the town and its residents to not feel one bit lost.
These are dynamic characters that jump off the pages. Skye is a strong determined woman that doesn’t back down. As a school psychologist she knows how to deal with people and can get them to open up to her when they may not to others. Wally Boyd is the police chief and while also strong and determined he has a boss, the mayor, and this can get him into trouble. The love they have for each other is heartwarming and shines clearly throughout the story. We meet several residents of Scumble River and some visitors, good and bad too. All introduced (or reintroduced) perfectly.
I read this story as Hurricane Harvey was bearing down on Texas and Louisiana. Like there, the people of Scumble River band together to help. Shelters are opened for the displaced, police and fire work overtime to find everyone affected by the tornado, and donations are needed and come pouring in. So much of the town was damaged. It is going to be a long road of recovery. Disasters like these bring out the best in people. Well, most people because someone did kill Councilman Zeke Lyons.
This story was very fast paced with the tornado, a murder and a missing Wally. It had sort of a movie like quality about it. Ms. Swanson has a wonderful descriptive writing style that gives the reader an excellent understanding of time and place. From the Boyd’s basement, to the police station, to the devastation seen all over town, I saw everything as clear as crystal. I loved the references to the Wizard of Oz. Scumble River may not be in Kansas but a tornado can strike anywhere in the Midwest and leaves us all clicking the heels of our red shoes together to go “home”. I read the entire book in one day. It was very hard to put down.
Ms. Swanson has penned an outstanding mystery. I am thrilled that she has been able to continue this series. I am so excited for the next installment, I want to read it right now.
We go back to Scumble River to find Skye Denison-Boyd almost near the end of her pregnancy and a mighty tornado bearing down on the community. As the debris is cleared the body of Zeke Lyons is found dead in his home. But he wasn’t killed by the twister, someone murdered the man using the storm as a cover. The investigation barely gets going when Skye’s police chief husband goes missing. Skye calls in some reinforcements to find her husband and she may just catch a killer too before she goes into labor.
Fans of the Scumble River series are rejoicing this book’s release, but I want to make something very clear, if you have never read any of the previous Scumble River mysteries or have only read a few you can jump into this book with ease. Denise Swanson is a pro, she has included everything you need to know to enjoy this book. She has rebooted the timeline so this and future stories take place in present day with the characters not aging a bit 🙂 and given us enough backstory to the town and its residents to not feel one bit lost.
These are dynamic characters that jump off the pages. Skye is a strong determined woman that doesn’t back down. As a school psychologist she knows how to deal with people and can get them to open up to her when they may not to others. Wally Boyd is the police chief and while also strong and determined he has a boss, the mayor, and this can get him into trouble. The love they have for each other is heartwarming and shines clearly throughout the story. We meet several residents of Scumble River and some visitors, good and bad too. All introduced (or reintroduced) perfectly.
I read this story as Hurricane Harvey was bearing down on Texas and Louisiana. Like there, the people of Scumble River band together to help. Shelters are opened for the displaced, police and fire work overtime to find everyone affected by the tornado, and donations are needed and come pouring in. So much of the town was damaged. It is going to be a long road of recovery. Disasters like these bring out the best in people. Well, most people because someone did kill Councilman Zeke Lyons.
This story was very fast paced with the tornado, a murder and a missing Wally. It had sort of a movie like quality about it. Ms. Swanson has a wonderful descriptive writing style that gives the reader an excellent understanding of time and place. From the Boyd’s basement, to the police station, to the devastation seen all over town, I saw everything as clear as crystal. I loved the references to the Wizard of Oz. Scumble River may not be in Kansas but a tornado can strike anywhere in the Midwest and leaves us all clicking the heels of our red shoes together to go “home”. I read the entire book in one day. It was very hard to put down.
Ms. Swanson has penned an outstanding mystery. I am thrilled that she has been able to continue this series. I am so excited for the next installment, I want to read it right now.
September 9, 2017
This was an enjoyable and easy read. The characters were likable and the mystery kept me guessing. It's interesting how evil can be hidden beneath such a benign looking surface.
I would definitely read more in this series.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
I would definitely read more in this series.
Reviewed for Affaire de Coeur magazine. http://affairedecoeur.com.
August 23, 2017
Dead In The Water is the first book in the Welcome Back To Scumble River series...but for me it is my first visit to Scumble River. The original Scumble River Cozy Mystery series has 18 books. Following a publisher change, the series is having a restart/reboot. The author explains in the foreward that there are a few cosmetic changes Scumble River fans might notice, but all the characters from the original series are still there. For me, this is the first Scumble River book I've read, so I just went with the flow. :)
The basics: School Psychologist Skye Boyd is pregnant. Very pregnant. Almost feeling like she could pop pregnant. Just after she and her Police Chief husband Wally have finished decorating the nursery and life seems perfect, a tornado rips through Scumble River leaving destruction in its wake. As if that isn't bad enough, a city councilman is found dead in the rubble of his house. Turns out, the twister didn't kill Zeke Lyons. He was murdered. Bad goes to worse when Wally disappears while investigating the killing. Where is Wally? Did the murderer kill him too? Has evil come to Scumble River?
Although this is the first book from this series I read, it was relatively easy to figure out the characters and understand the plot. There are some references to prior books, but nothing that is central to the plot. I'm glad that Denise Swanson is able to continue her series after it got cut by her original publisher. This is definitely a great start to a reboot of the series. I loved the Wizard of Oz quotes that start each chapter. :)
I have the first book to the original series on my bookshelf and can't wait to start reading it! It will take me awhile to read my way through 18 books, but if this new release is any indication, I'm sure the series is well worth reading! I like Skye as a main character. She is smart and seems to really roll with the punches when things go wrong. Wally is a great character as well. He's a very good police officer, and a kind husband. Nice mix! :)
The mystery moved along at a steady pace, with plenty of surprises to keep it interesting. The ending surprised me...I thought I knew the killer's identity, but I was wrong! I love it when a mystery catches me off guard! The tornado theme didn't overpower the murder mystery portion of the plot, but added to it. It will be interesting to see how the town rebuilds itself in this new series!
The cover art for Dead In The Water is fantastic! It's what first drew me to the book. Definitely eye-catching artwork!
Denise Swanson also writes the Devereaux Dime Store cozy series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.deniseswanson.com/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
The basics: School Psychologist Skye Boyd is pregnant. Very pregnant. Almost feeling like she could pop pregnant. Just after she and her Police Chief husband Wally have finished decorating the nursery and life seems perfect, a tornado rips through Scumble River leaving destruction in its wake. As if that isn't bad enough, a city councilman is found dead in the rubble of his house. Turns out, the twister didn't kill Zeke Lyons. He was murdered. Bad goes to worse when Wally disappears while investigating the killing. Where is Wally? Did the murderer kill him too? Has evil come to Scumble River?
Although this is the first book from this series I read, it was relatively easy to figure out the characters and understand the plot. There are some references to prior books, but nothing that is central to the plot. I'm glad that Denise Swanson is able to continue her series after it got cut by her original publisher. This is definitely a great start to a reboot of the series. I loved the Wizard of Oz quotes that start each chapter. :)
I have the first book to the original series on my bookshelf and can't wait to start reading it! It will take me awhile to read my way through 18 books, but if this new release is any indication, I'm sure the series is well worth reading! I like Skye as a main character. She is smart and seems to really roll with the punches when things go wrong. Wally is a great character as well. He's a very good police officer, and a kind husband. Nice mix! :)
The mystery moved along at a steady pace, with plenty of surprises to keep it interesting. The ending surprised me...I thought I knew the killer's identity, but I was wrong! I love it when a mystery catches me off guard! The tornado theme didn't overpower the murder mystery portion of the plot, but added to it. It will be interesting to see how the town rebuilds itself in this new series!
The cover art for Dead In The Water is fantastic! It's what first drew me to the book. Definitely eye-catching artwork!
Denise Swanson also writes the Devereaux Dime Store cozy series. For more information on the author and her books, check out her website: http://www.deniseswanson.com/
**I voluntarily read an advanced readers copy of this book from Sourcebooks Landmark via NetGalley. Opinions expressed are entirely my own.**
September 24, 2017
A tornado storms through the small town of Scumble River leaving the town nearly destroyed. As the town tries to pick up the pieces of their broken lives, police chief Wally Boyd discovers a dead body amidst the rubble. The body turns out to be a local councilman. Wally investigates what looks like a case of murder and not by a tornado. During his investigation, Wally disappears leaving his very pregnant wife, Skye, frantic and desperate to find him.
Skye is beyond frustrated as the entire police force are busy dealing with the destruction from the tornado. They can't spare the manpower to search for Wally. Skye has no choice but to do it herself with some help from family and friends. She needs all the help she can get as she investigates both the murder and her husband's disappearance.
What a wonderful visit with my old friends from Scumble River. Denise Swanson still has it! She brings the close-knit community of Scumble River to life with a cast you truly care about. I read the original series way back before I knew “cozy mysteries” were a genre unto itself. I still have a couple more to read from the original series, but I didn’t mind skipping ahead to this brand new series, “Welcome Back to Scumble River”.
For those not familiar with the original series, not to worry. The author provides plenty of background info throughout the book to fill in the blanks. This new series is a great start for new fans, as well as a welcome return for old fans. You definitely do not need to read the original, but I think you'll want to. It's a fun, warm series...cozies at their best.
This is a timely story since there are hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes happening all around the world today. The author paints a realistic, vivid and frightening picture of what people go through after experiencing such a disaster. I found myself caring about the town as much as I do for the characters.
The ending is explosive and the killer reveal took me by surprise. I felt as if I lived this whole experience with Skye. It even left me teary-eyed, which rarely happens to me.
Denise Swanson never ever disappoints me. I devoured this book and enjoyed every minute of it. Skye is one of my favorite amateur sleuths and I’m thrilled her story continues.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
Skye is beyond frustrated as the entire police force are busy dealing with the destruction from the tornado. They can't spare the manpower to search for Wally. Skye has no choice but to do it herself with some help from family and friends. She needs all the help she can get as she investigates both the murder and her husband's disappearance.
What a wonderful visit with my old friends from Scumble River. Denise Swanson still has it! She brings the close-knit community of Scumble River to life with a cast you truly care about. I read the original series way back before I knew “cozy mysteries” were a genre unto itself. I still have a couple more to read from the original series, but I didn’t mind skipping ahead to this brand new series, “Welcome Back to Scumble River”.
For those not familiar with the original series, not to worry. The author provides plenty of background info throughout the book to fill in the blanks. This new series is a great start for new fans, as well as a welcome return for old fans. You definitely do not need to read the original, but I think you'll want to. It's a fun, warm series...cozies at their best.
This is a timely story since there are hurricanes, tornadoes, and earthquakes happening all around the world today. The author paints a realistic, vivid and frightening picture of what people go through after experiencing such a disaster. I found myself caring about the town as much as I do for the characters.
The ending is explosive and the killer reveal took me by surprise. I felt as if I lived this whole experience with Skye. It even left me teary-eyed, which rarely happens to me.
Denise Swanson never ever disappoints me. I devoured this book and enjoyed every minute of it. Skye is one of my favorite amateur sleuths and I’m thrilled her story continues.
FTC Disclosure: I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are my own.
February 1, 2025
____________________________________
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
--Dorothy Gale
About 15 years or so ago, I noticed a copy of one of the Scrumble River mysteries displayed on a shelf in my local bookstore. I am not a fan of cozy detective fiction, but I noticed the cover blub said that Skye Dennison, the sleuth in this particular series, works for a school district in a fictional town of 3000 people not far from where I grew up and that she is a school psychologist. This caught my interest, because I was in the midst trying to payoff two of the degrees that my daughter needed to become a school psychologist, and I wanted to know what I was paying for. Apparently, it was a program for making her proficient at solving murders.
Dead in the Water is a rather unusual Scrumble River entry in that it has a Wizard of Oz theme. I don’t know why. Oh, it does have a tornado that leaves Skye homeless, like Dorothy. It also has a witch, but she doesn’t have a pointy hat or flying monkeys. There are also quotes from the Wizard of Oz books that appear at the beginning of each chapter. Again, I don’t know why.
Skye doesn’t do much sleuthing in this book. She is 7 months pregnant, that’s why. But she does turn on her mother bear hormones when her husband, the police chief, disappears suddenly. This is not the best of the Scrumble River books, but is a solid 3 star cozy.
Getting back to my daughter, I am a patient man. I can sit through up to 15 minutes of “90 Day Fiancé” or “The Bachelor” before I start throwing things at the TV, but my daughter’s been a school psychologist for 16 years now, and she hasn’t solved a single murder. Not one. Nada. Zilch. Diddly-squat. Zippo. Not even a simple man slaughter. I’ve been sending her all of my Scrumble River books, but she obviously can’t take a hint. I love her. She’s a great kid. But it is time for me to face reality. While it devastates me to say this, she obviously doesn’t have what it takes to be a school psychologist.
And I want my money back.
Are you a good witch or a bad witch?
--Dorothy Gale
About 15 years or so ago, I noticed a copy of one of the Scrumble River mysteries displayed on a shelf in my local bookstore. I am not a fan of cozy detective fiction, but I noticed the cover blub said that Skye Dennison, the sleuth in this particular series, works for a school district in a fictional town of 3000 people not far from where I grew up and that she is a school psychologist. This caught my interest, because I was in the midst trying to payoff two of the degrees that my daughter needed to become a school psychologist, and I wanted to know what I was paying for. Apparently, it was a program for making her proficient at solving murders.
Dead in the Water is a rather unusual Scrumble River entry in that it has a Wizard of Oz theme. I don’t know why. Oh, it does have a tornado that leaves Skye homeless, like Dorothy. It also has a witch, but she doesn’t have a pointy hat or flying monkeys. There are also quotes from the Wizard of Oz books that appear at the beginning of each chapter. Again, I don’t know why.
Skye doesn’t do much sleuthing in this book. She is 7 months pregnant, that’s why. But she does turn on her mother bear hormones when her husband, the police chief, disappears suddenly. This is not the best of the Scrumble River books, but is a solid 3 star cozy.
Getting back to my daughter, I am a patient man. I can sit through up to 15 minutes of “90 Day Fiancé” or “The Bachelor” before I start throwing things at the TV, but my daughter’s been a school psychologist for 16 years now, and she hasn’t solved a single murder. Not one. Nada. Zilch. Diddly-squat. Zippo. Not even a simple man slaughter. I’ve been sending her all of my Scrumble River books, but she obviously can’t take a hint. I love her. She’s a great kid. But it is time for me to face reality. While it devastates me to say this, she obviously doesn’t have what it takes to be a school psychologist.
And I want my money back.
September 24, 2017
This was my first book by this author and it was pretty good. A quick read and I look forward to reading more from this author.
September 8, 2017
This reboot (due to change in publishers), of the wildly popular Scumble River Mystery series, is a clever idea from author Denise Swanson. Followers of the original series will be happy to find their much loved characters are present and accounted for, and will also see that DEAD IN THE WATER has the same feel as the books in this series’ predecessor. New readers will be able to follow along, though I’m sure many will want more detailed backstories.
In DEAD IN THE WATER, “a violent tornado devastates” Scumble River. The author plays off the tornado with a Wizard of Oz theme. Before every chapter she uses a quote from the Wizard of Oz. Also, many characters have Oz themed names such as, Mrs. Gulch, Mr. Lyons, Glenda, and Tin. It was a lot of fun finding these, though a tiny bit distracting as it made my mind wander to Oz.
Packed with lots of adventure, and action, multiple mysteries, and a lot of emotion, by the time I finished DEAD IN THE WATER I was exhausted! This story was tense, and sad, at times funny, tender and sweet. Seriously an emotional twister of a read you’re going to want to try for yourself!
In DEAD IN THE WATER, “a violent tornado devastates” Scumble River. The author plays off the tornado with a Wizard of Oz theme. Before every chapter she uses a quote from the Wizard of Oz. Also, many characters have Oz themed names such as, Mrs. Gulch, Mr. Lyons, Glenda, and Tin. It was a lot of fun finding these, though a tiny bit distracting as it made my mind wander to Oz.
Packed with lots of adventure, and action, multiple mysteries, and a lot of emotion, by the time I finished DEAD IN THE WATER I was exhausted! This story was tense, and sad, at times funny, tender and sweet. Seriously an emotional twister of a read you’re going to want to try for yourself!
December 9, 2018
Dead in the Water by Denise Swanson is the first book in the Welcome back to Scumble River mystery series. Psychologist and police consultant Skye Dennison-Boyd is heavily pregnant when Scumble River is hit by a twister during which time a councilman is found murdered. Soon after her husband, police chief, Wally Boyd goes missing. I love that the Scumble River series is continuing and that all the usual characters are back including the Doosiers. It was nice to be present at the birth of the twins. The book was entertaining and difficult to put down and I'm looking forward to the next instalment.
July 23, 2022
School psychologist Skye Denison-Boyd woke with a start.
Skye is back in the Return to Scumble River series. Skye is training a replacement for the school district as she nears the end of her pregnancy. A series of tornadoes blow through Scumble River leaving a path of destruction and the body of a local councilman. Wally disappears during the investigation causing Skye to start her own sleuthing.
It was good to visit with Skye and company again. The devastation from the twisters was extreme in parts of town and destroyed things dear to Skye. I love her complete devotion to Wally and the fact that she will go to so much to find him.
I liked that Wally's dad had a big role in this book. He has gone the extra step to heal the relationship with Wally. I love that he dotes on Skye.
Wally's kidnapping was interesting although I had figured out the roles of certain characters before the reveal.
The death of the councilman was pretty obvious to me as well. This did not distract from the story.
I enjoyed being back in Scumble River and sharing in the birth of Skye's children. I look forward to reading the next book soon.
Note: I really like that the author gives us a timeline of the books. I was happy to see that the series had fast forwarded a few years to make them more current.
Skye is back in the Return to Scumble River series. Skye is training a replacement for the school district as she nears the end of her pregnancy. A series of tornadoes blow through Scumble River leaving a path of destruction and the body of a local councilman. Wally disappears during the investigation causing Skye to start her own sleuthing.
It was good to visit with Skye and company again. The devastation from the twisters was extreme in parts of town and destroyed things dear to Skye. I love her complete devotion to Wally and the fact that she will go to so much to find him.
I liked that Wally's dad had a big role in this book. He has gone the extra step to heal the relationship with Wally. I love that he dotes on Skye.
Wally's kidnapping was interesting although I had figured out the roles of certain characters before the reveal.
The death of the councilman was pretty obvious to me as well. This did not distract from the story.
I enjoyed being back in Scumble River and sharing in the birth of Skye's children. I look forward to reading the next book soon.
Note: I really like that the author gives us a timeline of the books. I was happy to see that the series had fast forwarded a few years to make them more current.
July 4, 2017
Release Date: September 5, 2017
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Dead in the Water is the first book in the Welcome Back to Scrumble River series. It features the same characters from the Scrumble River series (which is different from this one). Gah! Sounds confusing right? For me, it was. Overall, I DID enjoy the book. The characters are interesting, the plot sucks you in, and the mystery was well done. However, I wish I knew that it was part of a previous series before diving into this one because apparently the characters have a ton of back story and I missed it. In cases like this I would normally go back and start from the beginning to see how everything played out up until this point BUT because the previous series has so many books (I think about 18) I wouldn't have the time.
Now, while this book may not have been exactly what I was looking for (although it did hit the spot in terms of my craving for a cozy mystery) I think those who have read the Scrumble River series would adore this one.
Rating: 3 stars
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Dead in the Water is the first book in the Welcome Back to Scrumble River series. It features the same characters from the Scrumble River series (which is different from this one). Gah! Sounds confusing right? For me, it was. Overall, I DID enjoy the book. The characters are interesting, the plot sucks you in, and the mystery was well done. However, I wish I knew that it was part of a previous series before diving into this one because apparently the characters have a ton of back story and I missed it. In cases like this I would normally go back and start from the beginning to see how everything played out up until this point BUT because the previous series has so many books (I think about 18) I wouldn't have the time.
Now, while this book may not have been exactly what I was looking for (although it did hit the spot in terms of my craving for a cozy mystery) I think those who have read the Scrumble River series would adore this one.
Rating: 3 stars
April 18, 2018
The writing was so juvenile and corny, but "don't go squatting on your spurs!" This is an actual sentence from the book, which contains many other such "gems!" Or, "Life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the more essential it is not to waste a single bit of it." Give me a break. The writing is abominable--the style too simplistic.
The title also made no sense as nowhere in the book's locale is there any body of water or did something not work per this cliché. Further, the identity of the killer was so obvious that a 5th grader could have figured it out. Very lame characters in what could have been a charming tale of a close knit community in a small town dealing with a natural disaster--in this case, a tornado. Also, too much detail, like the numerous bouts of Braxton-Hicks contractions that the pregnant main character experienced or unnecessary specifics, having the garlicky breadsticks at the Olive Garden. Who cares?
This is the first "cozy" I have read, and it will be the last. Not a genre for me. Too mundane and trite. Because it was so short, I finished it because I was hoping that it would get better or redeem itself in some way, perhaps the conclusion, but no. A very disappointing read and a waste of time.
The title also made no sense as nowhere in the book's locale is there any body of water or did something not work per this cliché. Further, the identity of the killer was so obvious that a 5th grader could have figured it out. Very lame characters in what could have been a charming tale of a close knit community in a small town dealing with a natural disaster--in this case, a tornado. Also, too much detail, like the numerous bouts of Braxton-Hicks contractions that the pregnant main character experienced or unnecessary specifics, having the garlicky breadsticks at the Olive Garden. Who cares?
This is the first "cozy" I have read, and it will be the last. Not a genre for me. Too mundane and trite. Because it was so short, I finished it because I was hoping that it would get better or redeem itself in some way, perhaps the conclusion, but no. A very disappointing read and a waste of time.
January 4, 2021
Read in one day.
One of my favorite mystery series.
A keeper for sure.
One of my favorite mystery series.
A keeper for sure.
August 18, 2017
Dead In The Water
Welcome Back To Scumble River, Book #1
Denise Swanson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The first book in a brand new series featuring New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson's beloved Scumble River setting and characters, Dead in the Water is a gripping mystery that won't let you go until you've turned the last page.
A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder--oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.
For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover--especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.
But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list? (Goodreads)
Review:
I have read some of the first Scumble River books many years ago, and I really liked them back then. And I am happy to say that I really like the new Scumble River books too. This book had everything I look for in a cozy mystery: great characters, great setting, great suspense and a great writing style.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with Skye and Wally. They were likable and felt like people I would like to be friends with. Skye is spunky, smart and is not afraid to take chances when it comes to people she cares about. Wally cares deeply for Skye and he has a keen sense of justice. I also really liked the relationship between Skye and her mother, May. Although they aggravate each other at times, you could tell how close they were and how much they loved each other. This made the book seem more realistic to me. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and I cannot wait to spend more time with all of them in upcoming books.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and for much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the activity taking place around me. I really felt like I was right there with Skye and Wally when the tornado was barreling into them. I also really felt that the author put personal touches into her writing, which pulls the reader into the book. One such personal touch for me was what Skye and her mom ordered from Olive Garden. They ordered chicken gnocchi soup, which is what I always order from there. Such a s small thing but it really made me feel more drawn into the story and made it more personal to me.
I liked the way there were more than one mystery to solve: who killed Zeke Lyons, who is behind the kidnapping of Wally and will he be rescued before it is too late? Finding out the answer to these questions kept me reading well into the night, when I should have been sleeping. The mysteries and suspense were well written.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I plan on reading the original Scumble River books that I have missed and am looking forward to the new books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
Welcome Back To Scumble River, Book #1
Denise Swanson
5 Stars
Synopsis:
The first book in a brand new series featuring New York Times bestselling author Denise Swanson's beloved Scumble River setting and characters, Dead in the Water is a gripping mystery that won't let you go until you've turned the last page.
A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder--oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.
For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover--especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.
But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list? (Goodreads)
Review:
I have read some of the first Scumble River books many years ago, and I really liked them back then. And I am happy to say that I really like the new Scumble River books too. This book had everything I look for in a cozy mystery: great characters, great setting, great suspense and a great writing style.
The characters are well rounded and well developed. I really enjoyed getting to spend time with Skye and Wally. They were likable and felt like people I would like to be friends with. Skye is spunky, smart and is not afraid to take chances when it comes to people she cares about. Wally cares deeply for Skye and he has a keen sense of justice. I also really liked the relationship between Skye and her mother, May. Although they aggravate each other at times, you could tell how close they were and how much they loved each other. This made the book seem more realistic to me. The secondary characters added a lot to the story and I cannot wait to spend more time with all of them in upcoming books.
The author is very talented in her descriptive writing and for much of the book I felt like I was right there, watching all of the activity taking place around me. I really felt like I was right there with Skye and Wally when the tornado was barreling into them. I also really felt that the author put personal touches into her writing, which pulls the reader into the book. One such personal touch for me was what Skye and her mom ordered from Olive Garden. They ordered chicken gnocchi soup, which is what I always order from there. Such a s small thing but it really made me feel more drawn into the story and made it more personal to me.
I liked the way there were more than one mystery to solve: who killed Zeke Lyons, who is behind the kidnapping of Wally and will he be rescued before it is too late? Finding out the answer to these questions kept me reading well into the night, when I should have been sleeping. The mysteries and suspense were well written.
I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a well crafted cozy mystery. I plan on reading the original Scumble River books that I have missed and am looking forward to the new books in the series.
I received a free copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for a honest review. I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the opportunity to read and review this great book.
January 19, 2021
This is my first experience with the author, and I enjoyed it a great deal. She portrays her characters vividly and develops them as well as anyone can for a book of its size. I didn't predict the outcome of the book early or even late, so that made the read that much more impressive. I want to back fill and read the original Scumble River mysteries. This is a reboot of that series with a new publisher. You don't need to have read any of the older series to enjoy this; I know that firsthand.
Skye Boyd is as pregnant as one woman can be and still retain her sanity. Skye is a school psycologist; her husband, Wally, is the chief of police in Scumble River, Illinois. It's more than clear the two share a happy marriage, and both are eagerly awaiting the baby. So eager are they that they've finished the upper-floor nursery in the house they recently bought.
But all that changes when the tornado rages through town destroying much of the community in its path. Skye and Wally survive it, but the house does not. So now, Skye is pregnant and essentially homeless, at least temporarily. But she and Wally still have each other, and that's all that matters. Even that changes when Wally gets word that Zeke Lyons, a city councilman, is dead. When he investigates, he determines that someone used the tornado as a cover to murder the councilman.
Things go steadily downhill for Skye when the obnoxious mayor, who is also Skye's uncle, sends Wally to check on some property damage. Kidnappers ambush Wally and hold him for ransome.
This is well written, and Swanson provides fast-paced action that keeps you turning pages. My decision to back fill the series is largely driven by Skye Denison-Boyd. She seems so delightful, I want to know more about her.
Skye Boyd is as pregnant as one woman can be and still retain her sanity. Skye is a school psycologist; her husband, Wally, is the chief of police in Scumble River, Illinois. It's more than clear the two share a happy marriage, and both are eagerly awaiting the baby. So eager are they that they've finished the upper-floor nursery in the house they recently bought.
But all that changes when the tornado rages through town destroying much of the community in its path. Skye and Wally survive it, but the house does not. So now, Skye is pregnant and essentially homeless, at least temporarily. But she and Wally still have each other, and that's all that matters. Even that changes when Wally gets word that Zeke Lyons, a city councilman, is dead. When he investigates, he determines that someone used the tornado as a cover to murder the councilman.
Things go steadily downhill for Skye when the obnoxious mayor, who is also Skye's uncle, sends Wally to check on some property damage. Kidnappers ambush Wally and hold him for ransome.
This is well written, and Swanson provides fast-paced action that keeps you turning pages. My decision to back fill the series is largely driven by Skye Denison-Boyd. She seems so delightful, I want to know more about her.
February 2, 2018
I don't know, maybe I'm just getting harder to please and less patient as I get older, but either I'm choosing the wrong books, or there are more boring books out there. Either way, I did not finish this one.
Considering this book starts out with a tornado hitting the town and leaving havoc and destruction in its wake, I didn't expect it to feel so slow and, well, dull.
I kept hoping for that spark - either in the story or with one or more of the characters - to really grab me and draw me in to this book. It never happened.
I got as far as chapter 5, but I was so not into this book, it seemed silly to keep going. I gather from the author's foreword that this is some type of "re-boot" of a previous incarnation of books set in this world with these characters. I will give the author credit for explaining enough that readers who never read the earlier books - like me - could jump right into this book and understand what they needed to to follow the story and understand who's who. Unfortunately, while I *could* follow along, ultimately, I was to bored to want to.
This one goes back to the library.
Considering this book starts out with a tornado hitting the town and leaving havoc and destruction in its wake, I didn't expect it to feel so slow and, well, dull.
I kept hoping for that spark - either in the story or with one or more of the characters - to really grab me and draw me in to this book. It never happened.
I got as far as chapter 5, but I was so not into this book, it seemed silly to keep going. I gather from the author's foreword that this is some type of "re-boot" of a previous incarnation of books set in this world with these characters. I will give the author credit for explaining enough that readers who never read the earlier books - like me - could jump right into this book and understand what they needed to to follow the story and understand who's who. Unfortunately, while I *could* follow along, ultimately, I was to bored to want to.
This one goes back to the library.
April 22, 2018
Dead in the Water by Denise Swanson
A kind of cozy mystery novel. It is branded as first in a series, but really that’s just way to jump the time line. This was my first read for this author. While I was able to read it as a standalone, it was obvious there was a lot of backstory I wasn’t familiar with. Not a bad thing, but if you are a reader that needs to start from the beginning of a series, go back and read the original series first.
A town of interesting quirky characters, including the Mayor serving only his own interests.
I enjoyed the mystery and was a bit frantic when Skye didn’t get a message with a clue to where her was was been held prisoner. I did love the philanthropic works that his father gave to the town to help the tornado victims.
I received a copy of this book at BookExpo.
A kind of cozy mystery novel. It is branded as first in a series, but really that’s just way to jump the time line. This was my first read for this author. While I was able to read it as a standalone, it was obvious there was a lot of backstory I wasn’t familiar with. Not a bad thing, but if you are a reader that needs to start from the beginning of a series, go back and read the original series first.
A town of interesting quirky characters, including the Mayor serving only his own interests.
I enjoyed the mystery and was a bit frantic when Skye didn’t get a message with a clue to where her was was been held prisoner. I did love the philanthropic works that his father gave to the town to help the tornado victims.
I received a copy of this book at BookExpo.
April 9, 2020
I read the author's Chef To Go Series first and loved it. The characters in this series were mentioned in the aforementioned series. The book details what happens when multiple crimes take place and collide during and after several tornadoes hit a small town and the police chief goes missing. Authors who make me love and loathe characters in their books help to pull me into their stories. Can't wait to read more of Denise Swanson's books.
August 22, 2017
**I voluntarily reviewed this ARC**
That was a whirlwind of emotions. Before I start my review, I have to share a quick, bizarre coincidence. When I started reading this book, I only made it a couple chapters in before bedtime. Well, I woke up the next morning to a tornado warning! We were lucky and didn't get hit, but it was a bit weird when I remembered what I had read right before I fell asleep. OK, time for my review. I really enjoyed reading this book, although at times I forgot about the murder. The kidnapping plot was so well written that I was caught up in it and forgot about the murder for most of the book. I really loved how this book was written as both a start of a new series and a continuation of an old series. It is perfect for both old and new fans.
That was a whirlwind of emotions. Before I start my review, I have to share a quick, bizarre coincidence. When I started reading this book, I only made it a couple chapters in before bedtime. Well, I woke up the next morning to a tornado warning! We were lucky and didn't get hit, but it was a bit weird when I remembered what I had read right before I fell asleep. OK, time for my review. I really enjoyed reading this book, although at times I forgot about the murder. The kidnapping plot was so well written that I was caught up in it and forgot about the murder for most of the book. I really loved how this book was written as both a start of a new series and a continuation of an old series. It is perfect for both old and new fans.
June 22, 2017
This is the first book in the welcome back to Scumble River series. The Scumble River series has always been a favorite of mine so I couldn't wait to see what Wally and Skye were up to. Skye is now in the last trimester of her pregnancy, when a violent tornado sweeps through Scumble River and destroys her and Wally's home. In addition, a councilman was found dead, but he didn't die in the storm. It appears he was murdered. Wally starts investigating, but things turn bad, when he goes missing. Skye's father in law, Carson, comes to Scumble River to help find his son and to make sure Skye is okay.
I absolutely love this series. The characters are great and I look forward to reading about them in each new book that comes out. The plot and mystery were well written and was very fast paced. I read it in one sitting. It was that good. I received an advance copy from netgalley for review.
I absolutely love this series. The characters are great and I look forward to reading about them in each new book that comes out. The plot and mystery were well written and was very fast paced. I read it in one sitting. It was that good. I received an advance copy from netgalley for review.
September 7, 2019
There was a lot of things I wanted to like about this book. Small town, natural disaster, cozy mystery. Sadly, all of those things fell short. The characters were too over the top. Either too controlling, unbearably rich, unredeemable jerk. Even the main characters pregnancy felt extremely inrealistic. At her age a pregnancy would have been considered high risk, and the way it played out was beyond my ability to suspend belief.
I knew the who-dunnit early on, and the side drama turned into major drama, with the leading lady's priorties feeling skewed and off track. I had a slight desire to know how it played out, so I mostly skimmed and skipped to the end from the halfway point. Otherwise, I honestly would have put it down. I just couldn't connect.
I knew the who-dunnit early on, and the side drama turned into major drama, with the leading lady's priorties feeling skewed and off track. I had a slight desire to know how it played out, so I mostly skimmed and skipped to the end from the halfway point. Otherwise, I honestly would have put it down. I just couldn't connect.
September 11, 2017
Denise Swanson's new series beginning with Dead in the Water is a smash !!! And I'm not just saying that because the town of Scumble River is dealing with tornado's and the after effects.
You will fall in love with Skye and Wally and the love they have for each other and their community. With Wally being the Chief of Police he has a lot to deal with regarding the tornado and then when a dead body is discovered it becomes over-whelming. But before he can begin any kind of investigation, he is sent on an errand by the Mayor and kidnapped.
You can't help but worry about Skye as you read the story seeing as she is very pregnant, dealing with the tornado destroying her home and then not knowing where Wally is. Her strength and determination are amazing.
Swanson also has the over-bearing mother, the unlikable mayor and an overly rich father. Skye's mother, who also works as a dispatcher for the police, is like any mother when her daughter is pregnant.....or just a tad bit more but you can see that she only wants whats best for her daughter. The Mayor, who is also Skye's uncle, on the other hand is a horrible person !! With him there is instant hatred that you will have throughout the book. Which is fine, there always has to be someone to dislike, even if its not the murderer. And everyone wants a father or father-in-law like Carson, Wally's dad. He is so rich that it is crazy but what he does with his money only makes you love him.
Not only does Swanson tell a great, mind catching story but the characters are so unique as well. Even the motorcycle gang has loveable characters, if you can wrap your head around that.
Dead in the Water was extremely hard to put down. You will want to continue reading to see what happens in Scumble River, who killed the councilman Zeke, and how Skye and Wally handle the tornado.
It is clear when reading Dead in the Water that family and community mean everything to the people of Scumble River and the extent that a family member will do for their family is the difference between life and death.....
September 4, 2017
Dead in the Water by Denise Swanson is the first book in the Welcome Back to Scumble River series. Skye Denison-Boyd is at home when violent storms strike the area. Wally rushes home to get Skye into the basement (along with Bingo, the cat) when the tornado sirens ring out there warning. After the storm, they discover that their home is destroyed. Three separate tornadoes struck Scumble River leaving devastation in its wake. The mayor has Wally check on their newest councilman, Zeke Lyons who got separated from his family. Wally finds Zeke dead in the bathroom of his home and knows his death cannot be attributed to the storm. Who took advantage of the tornadoes to wipe out mild mannered Zeke Lyons? Wally has a full plate with a murder investigation, rescuing citizens, the burglaries occurring around town, his limited staff, and a pregnant wife. Wally heads out one afternoon and fails to return. Sergeant Roy Quirk, Wally’s right hand, does not have the staff to hunt for Wally. Skye calls Carson Boyd, Wally’s father, who flies in from Texas to help her. What happened to Wally? Will Caron and Skye be able to find him in time? To find out what happens, pick up a copy of Dead in the Water.
Dead in the Water is the first book in Welcome Back to Scumble River series, but it is actually a continuation of A Scumble River Mystery series (with some changes). This was my first visit to Scumble River, and I had no problem reading Dead in the Water. Ms. Swanson provided the needed history on the main characters. There are quite a few characters mentioned in the beginning (as Skye checks in on family and friends), but it settles down to a manageable level. My rating for Dead in the Water is 4.5 out of 5 stars (I downgraded a little since I accurately solved the mysteries). Dead in the Water is an engaging and entertaining story. It has lively and quirky characters (except the mayor who I hope gets ousted in the upcoming election). I thought the story was easy to read, had a good pace, and just the right amount of humor. The two mysteries were interesting with one being more complicated than the other. I believe many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity (depends on your sleuthing prowess). I thought the method of murder was clever. The suspense ramps up towards the end of the book which had me up late turning the pages. The ending is sweet and will leave you smiling. I will definitely be reading the next installment in the Welcome Back to Scumble River series.
Dead in the Water is the first book in Welcome Back to Scumble River series, but it is actually a continuation of A Scumble River Mystery series (with some changes). This was my first visit to Scumble River, and I had no problem reading Dead in the Water. Ms. Swanson provided the needed history on the main characters. There are quite a few characters mentioned in the beginning (as Skye checks in on family and friends), but it settles down to a manageable level. My rating for Dead in the Water is 4.5 out of 5 stars (I downgraded a little since I accurately solved the mysteries). Dead in the Water is an engaging and entertaining story. It has lively and quirky characters (except the mayor who I hope gets ousted in the upcoming election). I thought the story was easy to read, had a good pace, and just the right amount of humor. The two mysteries were interesting with one being more complicated than the other. I believe many readers will be surprised by the killer’s identity (depends on your sleuthing prowess). I thought the method of murder was clever. The suspense ramps up towards the end of the book which had me up late turning the pages. The ending is sweet and will leave you smiling. I will definitely be reading the next installment in the Welcome Back to Scumble River series.
September 9, 2017
I have to say thank you Denise Swanson for the new Skye and Wally book I have been hanging out for it and yes it was worth the wait.
Skye seems to be 100 months pregnant poor bugger, she is loving carrying Wally's baby but term 3 is just darn uncomfortable her reaction at the Dr's was just adorable.
A tornado hits Scumble river, Wally finds a dead body and it doesn't look natural death, Skye is having braxton hicks contractions and she worries the baby might come early, there is so much to be done after the tornado 75% of the town has no power Skye and Wally's house is all but gone and then to top it off Wally goes missing and through it all Skye stays stronger than I thought she would I just love her.
Wally's dad Corson flies to Skye's rescue and does an amazing job of being wonder dad and keeping Skye safe just as Wally would want him to. Sky's mum is trying not to worry Sky to much and I have to say May stepped up for me in this one she was a lot less critical of Skye which was awesome I prefer May less critical I would love to see her and Skye become closer and Skye to focus less on her body image, she is gorgeous just the way she is.
All round another wonderful Scumble River mystery with all my favourite characters and great murder solved and a very wonderful ending.
Skye seems to be 100 months pregnant poor bugger, she is loving carrying Wally's baby but term 3 is just darn uncomfortable her reaction at the Dr's was just adorable.
A tornado hits Scumble river, Wally finds a dead body and it doesn't look natural death, Skye is having braxton hicks contractions and she worries the baby might come early, there is so much to be done after the tornado 75% of the town has no power Skye and Wally's house is all but gone and then to top it off Wally goes missing and through it all Skye stays stronger than I thought she would I just love her.
Wally's dad Corson flies to Skye's rescue and does an amazing job of being wonder dad and keeping Skye safe just as Wally would want him to. Sky's mum is trying not to worry Sky to much and I have to say May stepped up for me in this one she was a lot less critical of Skye which was awesome I prefer May less critical I would love to see her and Skye become closer and Skye to focus less on her body image, she is gorgeous just the way she is.
All round another wonderful Scumble River mystery with all my favourite characters and great murder solved and a very wonderful ending.
April 20, 2019
Skye Denison is back in Scumble River and married to the chief of police. Tornados hit the town in three different places and Skye who is 8 months pregnant looses the top two floors of her house. Skye is now a psychology consultant for the police. The Chief finds a victim of the storm, a council member for the town. Did the councilman die because of the storm or because of foul play.
I really liked this book but since this is a book about going back to Scumble River there were references to the other series about Scumble River. I found these very distracting because I like to read book in order. Others might not have the same issue. I liked the way the author writes so I will probably go back and read the first series.
I really liked this book but since this is a book about going back to Scumble River there were references to the other series about Scumble River. I found these very distracting because I like to read book in order. Others might not have the same issue. I liked the way the author writes so I will probably go back and read the first series.
August 27, 2018
This series is filled with a ton of great characters, a lovely setting, and a story line that will keep you coming back for more. I'm liking the direction that the author is headed in and hope that there are many more books to come. Even though this says it's the first book it is a new start to a already wonderful series.
October 23, 2017
Terrific couldn't put down mystery. I was fooled on who done it. Great to see all of our favorite characters again, including the red raggers, I love the many strange ways the Doozier's have of making money. A great series.
June 3, 2018
Exciting story, will keep the pages turning!
August 26, 2017
I received an ARC of this book from the ALA and I enjoyed it very much. The Scumble River series has been rejuvenated and I am thrilled. I have been a fan of these books for a long time and I was kind of worried when a new publisher came on board but I think it was a good move. I don't want to give anything away but readers will be happy with this book. It has everything a good mystery needs and then some. Murder, kidnapping, a tornado, and a birth are just a few of the events that will keep you reading. Denise Swanson has been re-energized and I am happy to be going along for the ride.
September 3, 2017
Skye Dennison-Boyd is back, with an exciting new Welcome Back to Scumble River series. She is very pregnant and very in love with her husband of eight months, police chief Wally Boyd. New readers will be introduced to Scumble River as the author seamlessly weaves together past and present. Reading this during Hurricane Harvey brings the crises up front and personal through Denise Swanson’s prose, based on a real tornado in Coal City, Illinois.
Skye is a school psychologist as well as a consultant to the police department. Two students who Skye helped during their high school years stopped for a brief visit. While they are making plans for the needs of one student’s parents, the town’s tornado alarms sound. Bingo, Skye’s cat, is popped into the carrier. Wally arrives just in time to herd everyone to the cellar.
When the terrible noise stops, Wally looks out to find that the beautiful home Skye had inherited and lovingly remodeled was gone. They leave behind the rubble, taking only Skye’s purse, surprisingly intact. They arrange for a place to stay and Wally hunkers down to work until the worst of the crisis is over.
Skye’s Uncle Dante, the mayor, sends Wally in every direction. First, he goes to find Zeke, a town councilman, whose wife and mother-in-law have gone to the Dante’s office demanding he be found. Sadly, Zeke is the first casualty found since the storms began, but it looks much more like murder to Wally.
Dante then sends Wally out to check on the home of someone who is currently out of the area. About the same time, Skye learns something from her baby doctor that she must tell Wally, but he hasn’t returned. Nobody knows where he is, and Dante, n*ow down with the flu, doesn’t even know Wally missing. Wally’s father, on his way from Texas, gets a ransom demand. From Zeke’s killers, or who?
Skye, her family and friends, even the Dooziers and Red Raggers are as delightful (or frustrating, depending) as in the earlier series. I really enjoyed getting to know Wally’s father, Carson, as it shows more of who the man Wally is learned from. Skye’s trademark humor and caring personality that has endeared her to her readers only gets better! Of course, I love Skye best, and even her mom, knowing how hard change is for her, especially for a small-town, Midwest mother. This Scumble River family rocks!
One thing I like is how each chapter begins with a quote from The Wizard of Oz that is fitting to the chapter. It is a favorite tale that with lessons relevant to today, through tornados and other dangers. There are plot twists and turn that bring excitement, apprehension, or pure alarm and dread. This first in the new Scumble River series combines crises reflecting what many around the country face, being suddenly homeless and very pregnant, or getting unexpected news from the doctor, or discovering that a loved one has disappeared. It also includes the very positive ideals of watching people work together to help each other and what is needed most by those whose lives have just been dramatically changed. The mysteries are well-planned with stunning plot twists. I highly recommend Dead in the Water!! It is an amazing start to a new series, not to be missed! Scumble River has never been so awesome!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
Skye is a school psychologist as well as a consultant to the police department. Two students who Skye helped during their high school years stopped for a brief visit. While they are making plans for the needs of one student’s parents, the town’s tornado alarms sound. Bingo, Skye’s cat, is popped into the carrier. Wally arrives just in time to herd everyone to the cellar.
When the terrible noise stops, Wally looks out to find that the beautiful home Skye had inherited and lovingly remodeled was gone. They leave behind the rubble, taking only Skye’s purse, surprisingly intact. They arrange for a place to stay and Wally hunkers down to work until the worst of the crisis is over.
Skye’s Uncle Dante, the mayor, sends Wally in every direction. First, he goes to find Zeke, a town councilman, whose wife and mother-in-law have gone to the Dante’s office demanding he be found. Sadly, Zeke is the first casualty found since the storms began, but it looks much more like murder to Wally.
Dante then sends Wally out to check on the home of someone who is currently out of the area. About the same time, Skye learns something from her baby doctor that she must tell Wally, but he hasn’t returned. Nobody knows where he is, and Dante, n*ow down with the flu, doesn’t even know Wally missing. Wally’s father, on his way from Texas, gets a ransom demand. From Zeke’s killers, or who?
Skye, her family and friends, even the Dooziers and Red Raggers are as delightful (or frustrating, depending) as in the earlier series. I really enjoyed getting to know Wally’s father, Carson, as it shows more of who the man Wally is learned from. Skye’s trademark humor and caring personality that has endeared her to her readers only gets better! Of course, I love Skye best, and even her mom, knowing how hard change is for her, especially for a small-town, Midwest mother. This Scumble River family rocks!
One thing I like is how each chapter begins with a quote from The Wizard of Oz that is fitting to the chapter. It is a favorite tale that with lessons relevant to today, through tornados and other dangers. There are plot twists and turn that bring excitement, apprehension, or pure alarm and dread. This first in the new Scumble River series combines crises reflecting what many around the country face, being suddenly homeless and very pregnant, or getting unexpected news from the doctor, or discovering that a loved one has disappeared. It also includes the very positive ideals of watching people work together to help each other and what is needed most by those whose lives have just been dramatically changed. The mysteries are well-planned with stunning plot twists. I highly recommend Dead in the Water!! It is an amazing start to a new series, not to be missed! Scumble River has never been so awesome!
From a grateful heart: I received this eBook from the publisher and NetGalley, and this is my honest review.
October 25, 2017
Dead in the Water
By: Denise Swanson
Series: Welcome Back to ( Scumble River #20)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Date: September 2017
Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Tornado
Plus(es): The main characters are very likeable, strong family connections, two mysteries rolled into one
Although Dead in the Water is advertised as a Scumble River series reboot, in actuality, it is a continuation of the Scumble River series with a new publisher. Skye Denison-Boyd, a school psychologist and a consultant for the police department, is blissfully married to Wally, the local police chief, and they are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.
With maternity leave fast approaching, Skye is frantically trying to prepare for her substitute to take over. If that wasn’t enough upheaval, a tornado is raging its way towards Scumble River.
After the tornado practically levels the town, there is no calm after the storm because Wally finds the town’s councilman dead in his home, and foul play is suspected. Although Skye’s uncle is the mayor, he is too much of a coward to tell the councilman’s family what the police found. Secretly, the mayor pulls Wally aside to send him on what seems like a mundane errand, but then Wally disappears.
Skye is pregnant, her house has been destroyed, and now Wally has vanished without a trace. Skye is frantic, and where is Wally and will he ever be reunited with his family?
Another thrilling whirlwind of mystery and fun characters! More plot twists than a tornado. Don’t start this at bedtime, because you will want to read it through to the end!
By: Denise Swanson
Series: Welcome Back to ( Scumble River #20)
Publisher: Sourcebooks Landmark
Date: September 2017
Cozy Mystery, Mystery, Fiction, Tornado
Plus(es): The main characters are very likeable, strong family connections, two mysteries rolled into one
Although Dead in the Water is advertised as a Scumble River series reboot, in actuality, it is a continuation of the Scumble River series with a new publisher. Skye Denison-Boyd, a school psychologist and a consultant for the police department, is blissfully married to Wally, the local police chief, and they are eagerly awaiting the birth of their first child.
With maternity leave fast approaching, Skye is frantically trying to prepare for her substitute to take over. If that wasn’t enough upheaval, a tornado is raging its way towards Scumble River.
After the tornado practically levels the town, there is no calm after the storm because Wally finds the town’s councilman dead in his home, and foul play is suspected. Although Skye’s uncle is the mayor, he is too much of a coward to tell the councilman’s family what the police found. Secretly, the mayor pulls Wally aside to send him on what seems like a mundane errand, but then Wally disappears.
Skye is pregnant, her house has been destroyed, and now Wally has vanished without a trace. Skye is frantic, and where is Wally and will he ever be reunited with his family?
Another thrilling whirlwind of mystery and fun characters! More plot twists than a tornado. Don’t start this at bedtime, because you will want to read it through to the end!
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