Rating: 
Summary: reasonably good first novel.
Review: 12 years ago, after insulting the general townspeople in her valedictorian speech, Skye Denison left Scumble River, planning on never coming back.Unfortunately, after a large, unnamed disgrace occurs (leaving Skye with no fiance and no job), she moves back to Scumble River to take up a job as a school psychologist. After she arrives, she is talked into being a judge for the chokeberry jelly contest at the annual festival-and soon discovers the body of a former Scumble River resident... who just so happens to be a celebrity. The problem? All the evidence points to Skye's brother, and the police don't seem to want to search after any other possible suspects. Despite much opposition, Skye takes matters into her own hands-and risks her own life in the process. I enjoyed this novel. Every scene where Skye does her actual job, beyond investigating, is a true pleasure. Unfortunately, that could not save the book. There is little to no character depth in any character beyond Skye, hunches on furthering her investigation come out of nowhere, and her opinions changed within one sentence. For instance, take her love interest in the story-Simon, who was the town's Coroner and funeral home owner. He was evil and nasty in the first half of the book, and downright saintly in the second half. It just doesn't work. However, this is a very good example of a debut novel. Here's to hoping the rest are as good or better than this.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Debut Mystery
Review: Being both a mystery author (with his first novel in initial release) and a professional educator (with over twenty years of experience in a rural high school), I found Denise Swanson's MURDER OF A SMALL-TOWN HONEY satisfying in many ways. First of all, it introduces a winning amateur sleuth--Skye Denison. This protagonist is a contemporary every-woman, someone who is doing her best to do well in life on many levels--despite hardsips she encounters. Secondly, Ms. Swanson provides realistic insights into public education. She hits that social institution right on the bull's-eye. Thirdly, her tone and attitude is perfectly suited for the contemporary cozy-type mystery. Finally, MURDER OF A SMALL-TOWN HONEY has a fabulous mystery plot at its heart. It is a solid debut of what I hope will be a long line of Scumble River Mysteries.
Rating:
Summary: Agatha Nominee a Real Winner
Review: Denise Swanson's debut mystery, Murder of a Small-Town Honey, is a honey of a read. She introduces us to small-town life at its most amusing--during a town event (The Chokeberry Days Festival) when the community is forced to work together for success. Because her heroine, Skye Dennison, is both an outsider and an insider (she has just returned after a twelve year absence) she is able to see below the surface and appreciate the absurdity. I really like the way Swanson shows us through the types of clothing Skye chooses to wear, that even though she has gained weight, she still thinks of herself as attractive. Swanson writes on several levels. If you want a light read it is there for you, but if you want to look a little deeper her characters have something to tell you. No one is who they seem in this book. Even Skye has secrets. Skye's mysterious background is a great point of interest. What happened in the years she was away? Why was she in the Peace Corps? Why was she fired? Why did her fiance jilt her? I'm guessing the answers to all these questions will have a future book of their own--and I can't wait. Her second book, Murder of a Sweet Old Lady, will be out in less than a month. I already have mine ordered.
Rating: 
Summary: The mystery is how this book rates praise
Review: Do you think the average TV sitcom is funny and well-written? I could probably stop there and make my point, but just like the author of this tome I think I'll ramble on just a little bit more. Do you think a small midwestern town festival where they play Cow Chip Bingo (yes, cow chip) sounds funny? Well, I suppose the latter MIGHT be funny in the right hands, but unfortunately in the wrong hands it lands with, er, quite a thud. The stereotypical characters, vermicelli-thin plot, and weak writing of this book make for a tortuous read. Dull, dull, dull (and definitely NOT funny). Every single character is a cardboard cutout. Not one is given one spark of originality or life. And then there's the plot -- oops -- not a viable topic. Sorry. ...
Rating:
Summary: Kept me up all night reading!
Review: Frankly, I'm glad that Ms. Swanson has only written two books, or else I wouldn't get any sleep! I read both books in two days, and stayed up until about 2am both nights to finish them. FANTASTIC!!! I loved them both, (Murder of a Sweet Old Lady was a hoot, as well.) I am addicted to Scumble River, and can't wait to read more. I live close to the area where the fictional Scumble River is, and really enjoyed her extremely accurate view of the people and area. The things that I liked best about the books, aside from the great characters, and sayings was that it was about very realistic people. It shows that you don't need an exotic location or famous people to have a great mystery. I am looking forward to the next book! Great job.
Rating:
Summary: A promising series in the making!
Review: Have you ever started a book and by the end of the first chapter just know that you are going to like it? That's what happened to me when I started reading MURDER OF A SMALL TOWN HONEY. This mystery contains everything I like in a cozy, a likable protagonist, a unique mystery, plenty of twists and false leads, and, most of all, a humorous outlook at life. When Skye left her small hometown full of small-minded people twelve years ago, little did she imagine she would be back, eating humble pie and looking for a job. She finds employment as a school psychologist with the Scumble River School District. In her job, she realizes many have grown stagnant in their jobs, and dislike being dissed in Valedictorian speeches. Oh well, this doesn't stop our protagonist; she plows right in, shows her concern for the students and does her job (These actions alone had me cheering!). Skye tackles the mystery weaved throughout this terrific cozy debut with the same unwavering courage, and it's a good thing she is a strong woman because not only does Skye find the body of the murdered TV personality, she sets her mind to solving the murder and risking her life to free the person they've arrested and if that isn't enough she accepts a...blind date. Is there no mercy? MURDER OF A SMALL TOWN HONEY is super debut; you can't get any better than this the first time out!
Rating:
Summary: A Honey of a Debut Mystery
Review: I have read several mystery series and always like to start with the first--believe me, some of them have been really bad, but as the author matured his (or her!) writing improved. This first novel by Denise Swanson is written like a seasoned author. Skye Dennison is a fun, intelligent, and very real character. I am from a small midwestern town and Ms. Swanson has captured the essence of living there, from jello salads to magenta polyester pansuits to employment nepotism. All of this humor and description is cleverly woven into a mystery involving, of course, a member of her family since she is related to almost everyone in town. I look forward to Ms. Swanson's next book.
Rating:
Summary: Scumble River sounds alot like Cabot Cove
Review: I picked up the Scumble River mystery series because I was intrigued when I came across the title of Murder of Ken and Barbie. When I found it that it was a series, I decided that I had to get the entire series and read it in chronological order. For a first time author, this book was pretty good. I can't help but compare it to Muder She Wrote. The town Scumble River sounds alot like Cabot Cove and so do all the towns folk. Skye is a young beautiful woman who is a School Psychologist while Jessica Fletcher is a sweet old lady who is a Mystery Writer. While this is a contrast, both are alike in that they get involved in a murder which they have to solve in order to clear a friend or relative. In this book, Skye has to help clear her brother, Vince who has been accused of killing a woman named Honey. Both Jessica and Skye are alike in that they rub suspect the wrong way by trying to poke around for information. I happen to like Murder She Wrote so I enjoyed this cozy little book which I gave 4 stars only because it was not as suspenseful as most mystery. However I do like the fact that the author made a likable heroine and that her book does not rely on sex, violence and gore in order to attract an audience. I did not guess the identity of the killer until the last 10 pages or so just like on Murder She Wrote, you have to wait until the last 10 minutes of the show in order to have JB Fletcher reveal the killer and their motive.
Rating:
Summary: I'm hard to please!!!!
Review: I think I have found another author that I really like. I'm addicted to Sue Grafton and a few others, but haven't found a new author that I look foward to. I guess her new book will be out next year. It was a fun read that unfortunatley didn't last long. I finished the book in one afternoon. Read the book and have fun!!
Rating:
Summary: Extaordinary Debut
Review: I was blown away by this debut novel. It is hard to believe that this is the first book this author has written. It has obviously been well polished and well edited. The wry humor and empathetic portrayal of both the town and the characters won me over. The various descriptions of the characters are unique and well rounded, not the same old tall/short, brown/blond type of narrative you see in lots of books. Skye is one of the most likeable sleuths I have met in ages. She's a real person, with troubles to which a lot of people can relate. Her reasonable explaination for her decision to quit dieting and accept the extra pounds is nicely slipped into the dialogue. Skye's dry sense of humor and obvious dedication to the children she serves gives her a personality that makes the reader want her as a friend. The mystery of her being jilted and fired has me anxiously awaiting the next book. Another interesting aspect of this novel is the inside look at what a school psychologist does. I love the scenes when Skye is doing her job. Although I don't want to give away the ending, let me just say it is a triumph for feminism and one of the more clever escape scenes that I've read. This is an author to watch. I feel sure her future includes an award for best first mystery. Murder of a Small-Town Honey would make a great TV movie.
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