Book Review: Murder of a Snake in the Grass

Reviewed By: Dawn Dowdle

Murder of a Snake in the Grass     Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Denise Swanson
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth   Woman Main Character
Series: Scumble River Mysteries
2003, 262 pages

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!

Dawn Dowdle

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Please visit Dawns website at www.mysteryloverscorner.com