Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (A Scumble River Mystery, #2) By Denise Swanson
Book 2 in the Scumble River Mystery series.
Skye's grandmother has died, and Skye pushes until the police check and discover she was murdered. Could one of the family have killed the grandmother?
It's good to read the series in order; I read book 3 before book 2 and needed to know why Wally was so upset with Skye. It feels like Wally, whose wife just left him, was pushing way to hard for a relationship with Skye. It also felt like he is a control freak (and his tantrums in book 3 are way out of line).
In any event, Skye seems to becoming a bit more confident as this book progresses. There's still some character development going on in book 2. The writing was good, although I felt that Skye;s dysfunctional extended family was a bit much...overdone just a tad. However, I'll be continuing the series. 251 If I'm being honest, this is probably only a two and a half. I like the main character and her parents, but I really don't like most of her aunts and uncles. Plus, it's got the whole love triangle thing. I probably won't read any more of them. 251 This was really dark for a cozy mystery.
There was a lot going on plot wise so although I had my suspicions about who the murderer was I didn’t quite have it down until the reveal.
I really like Skye. I find her to be really relatable because we are the same person only she has a career and a masters degree.
Love this series. Can’t wait to read the next book. 251 Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (Denise Swanson)
Murder/Mystery. Skye Denison is a school psychologist. Not so perfect, she can't seem to lose those few extra pounds she gained after the break up with her boyfriend. After recently being fired from her job in New Orleans, and her break up, she returns home (reluctantly) to Scumble River, Illinois. She has been back for about a year, trying to adjust to her new job and her hometown.
Her grandmother dies, and Skye is not to sure it was of natural causes. The next day her grandmother's caretaker ends up dead as well. The local coroner deems her death a murder, and Skye is on the scene. Turns out her family has some hidden secrets, are these secrets scandalous enough to cause one of her family members to turn to murder? Skye is about to find out.
I am really starting to get hooked on this series. Skye is so likable. A bit over weight, unable to commit to a relationship, and definitely outspoken. A little bit of humor, descriptive details about life in a rural town , secrets, mystery and suspense. If you like a fun mystery you will enjoy this read. 251 I enjoyed the second book as much as the first. Skye is quickly becoming a character that I connect instantly with every time I open the book. She is not afraid to stand her ground with others unless it is her parents. I get that so much.
I am sad Grandma Leofanti is no longer with us in the series but her murder made for interesting reading. She was a woman with many secrets. What she did was normal for the time period it took place in but I could not imagine the decision was or is at any time period. You try to do what you think is best for your children.
I really hope Simon becomes a secondary character as I cannot stand him. There is something off about him. He treats Skye with love one moment and the next he is overbearing and exerting his manly dominance. He comes off as an A**. I'm sorry about that but I don't really know how else to explain Simon. Skye can do so much better.
I'm already cueing up book three. 251
Read Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (A Scumble River Mystery, #2)
When she left Scumble River years ago, school psychologist Skye Denison thought she’d never be back. But after a run of bad luck in the big city, she has a new appreciation for the down-home charm of small-town life--and decides to start over in the town where she started out…When Skye’s beloved grandmother is found dead in her bed, the family consensus is natural causes. Still, Skye insists on an autopsy--an examination that proves the sweet old lady was, in fact, murdered! But who could have done the deadly deed? Skye is determined to find out, though her snooping doesn’t sit well with the relatives. Family tensions can mean only one thing: family secrets. And when a series of hooligan attacks on Skye’s property leads to an outright physical assault, Skye has to wonder if by exposing the rotten roots of her family tree, she’s one step closer to exposing the killer… Murder of a Sweet Old Lady (A Scumble River Mystery, #2)
Families can be deadly
Skye Dennison finds her beloved grandmother dead. Her caregiver gone.
So begins a book that I read in one day.
The slight humor in the book is by way of sayings such as 2 cokes short of a picnic.
The story line brings out the family dynamics and Skye's own determination to do things her way. Usually causing her to be in trouble with everyone.
The ending was a surprise. Not so much who the murderer was but the way it concluded.
I found this to be better than the first book of the series and I hope the rest keep getting better. 251 Skye Denison warily studied the hostile faces of Gus Yoder's parents.
In addition to the murder in this book, Skye is presented with stressful situations at school. I was very sad when Skye discovered the body of her grandmother, Antonia Leofanti. Skye immediately knew that something was amiss and did not accept natural causes for the cause of death.
I'm really starting to like Skye in this series. She has a job that I would not want for any amount of money. I cannot imagine dealing with obnoxious parents that don't see the true character of their children.
There was so much family strife in this book. I understand that death brings that out in people but I wanted to smack her cousins every time they were in a scene. I started suspecting the culprit early on. I just didn't have all the facts about the reason. So very sad!
I am hoping that Skye and Simon are not going to be an item. It does seem to have come to a stalemate. I'm kinda concerned about seeing her with Wally as well. I guess I need to keep reading to see where the relationships lead.
I enjoyed getting to know more about Skye's extended family. I can't say that I care for all of them.
This was an enjoyable afternoon read and I am looking forward to the next book.
3.5 stars
251 Enjoyed the second book as much as the first. Skye is growing more down-to-earth as her character progresses. Her family is definitely a mess, and her love life is worse. But I do sympathize with her in her schools, and the craziness that she gets called on to do (been there, done that). The mystery itself was fairly entertaining, but I had the solution worked out a little over half way through. It was still a good story. Looking forward to book 3. 251 3 stars
This book was just as good as the first book in the series if not better. I really had no idea how Skye was going to find out who killed her grandmother.
I’m feeling good about my challenge, having enjoyed this book as much as I have just hoping the next 10 are just as good. 2020 Series Read: Scumble River 251 Skye Denison, a school psychologist looks
forward to her after school visits with her
grandmother, Antonia Leofanti. Skye is
learning about her family history from her
grandmother now that she is back living in
Scumble River, Illinois.
When she arrives at her grandmother’s farm
after school no one answers the door. This
is very unusual as their is always a caregiver
there with her grandmother.
Entering the house, Skye discovers that her
grandmother is dead and the caretaker missing.
Something is not right!!!
Enter the family members....who get huffy when
they discover Skye asked for an autopsy as she
believes foul play.
The family members all have distinct personalities
that are well defined, quirky, colorful and very
interesting.
Now Skye faces her family being very unhappy with
her, problems with school parents, the tires on her
car being flattened, her front windows smashed,
the family bible stolen, deer blood smeared all over
her driveway plus romantic tiffs.
Skye stays determined to discover her grandmother’s
cause of death plus two other unexplained deaths.
This is book # 2 in the Scumble River Mysteries series.
It can be read as a stand alone.
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