Rating: 
Summary: A Real Treat. The Perfect Pick-Me-Up.
Review: This is one of the best amateur sleuth mysteries I read all summer. School psychologist, Skye Denison is portrayed extremely realistically and I wasn't at all surprised to see in her bio that the author herself is a practicing school psychologist. I loved getting a behind the scenes look at schools in general and special education in particular. I hope Ms. Swanson includes even more of that element in her next book.Skye's return home to Scumble River after what she herself terms a 12 year escape is fun to watch. On one hand Skye wants to slip into town, do her job, save some money, and move out ASAP. But her family and the townspeople have other ideas. The author really nails the whole Midwest casserole culture to a T, but she does it with a light touch and with affection, not in a mean way. Another element I especially liked was the spin she puts on stereotypes. At first glance it is just very funny, but it also makes the reader reflect on her/his own prejudices. Although I read mostly for the characters, this book had a good solid mystery at its core. The story moves right along and if the first chapter of the next book (which is included at the end of this boook) is any way to judge, the pacing just gets better. The humor in this book is more of the giggle and smile to yourself type, than the laugh out loud kind, but there were a couple of places people looked at me funny as I let out a rather loud laugh or snort. I hope this new writer gets the large readership she deserves so we can enjoy many, more Scumble River Mysteries.
Rating: 
Summary: Good introduction to Scumble Creek
Review: This novel was a very entertaining introduction to a new series. The characters are entertaining and there are a few good plot twists. The main character's motivation for coming back to Illinois is never really explained. It doesn't make sense that a small town girl who spent four years in the Peace Corps would apire to high society in New Orleans while working as a school psychologist. That's a mouthful that needs more explanation. I'd like to know more about her and less about color coordinating your shoes to your outfit. However, this doesn't detract much from the story, and this is a diverting mystery.
Rating:
Summary: Small Towns, Small Minds
Review: What a great new character! Skye Denison is a woman who says what she thinks. Valedictorian of her small-town high school years ago, Skye talked about "Small minds and small intellects". Now she has to come back to the same old small town to make a living as a school psychologist. Busy-body relatives, quirky small-town personalities abound. The insights into school psychologist work were very interesting and entertaining as well. Skye uses her wits and her professional abilities to solve a murder which occurs during the annual Chokeberry Days festivities. A nice look at a small town, and a great debut mystery. Well written, and well edited. I can't wait to see more of Skye!
Rating: 
Summary: Disappointing
Review: When I started reading, I thought I had a really great find -- a debut that was well-written and had tons of potential as a series. However, by the time I finished, I was disappointed. While the book was written well, I didn't find any of the character likeable in the least. And when it was revealed that the murderer was the most obvious choice of all the people Skye suspected, I felt like I'd wasted my time. I also was bothered by the fact the author kept hinting at some secret in Skye's past that was the catalyst for her returning home, but we never got any details about it. I certainly hope the next story in the series is told better.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent cozy
Review: When Skye Denison announced during her valedictory address that she "can't wait to get away from this town of small minded people with small ideas" she had no idea that 12 years later she would have to eat her words and move back to Scumble Creek. Although her family and friends love Skye they also have long memories and Skye has to start working for forgiveness. When her brother is arrested for murdering his old girlfriend, she feels compelled to investigate and as she closes in on the killer she becomes a target. You can tell that the author has a great deal of experience with living in a small town and that she also has great affection for her characters. This is a humorous look at small town life and includes an interesting mystery to solve.
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