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sheilabookworm3369's review against another edition
3.0
A cozy mystery, decent plot, not so realistic characters, but the two main characters do have some depth. Enjoyed the story, felt like I didn't need to hear some of the thoughts running through one main character's mind, but do see that it's becoming more common with people in real life, which makes me wonder...
Are people voicing more of there less interesting thoughts because they read characters voicing their thoughts in books, or are we reading/hearing more of the characters' thoughts because people are voicing more of theirs? (Just illustrating the point).
Are people voicing more of there less interesting thoughts because they read characters voicing their thoughts in books, or are we reading/hearing more of the characters' thoughts because people are voicing more of theirs? (Just illustrating the point).
wildflowerz76's review
4.0
First, let's get it out of the way. This is #19 in the series. You can call it the first of a new series if you want, but it's REALLY not.
I've enjoyed these books quite a bit. It's hard to find a cozy series that I really like, but these are good ones.
I've enjoyed these books quite a bit. It's hard to find a cozy series that I really like, but these are good ones.
ncrabb's review against another edition
4.0
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.
lunifur's review
4.0
**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.
gothamgal's review
5.0
Denise Swanson returns to Scumble River and the fans of the original series will send up a big cheer! It looks like she did a complete time-redo and she was able to make it an even better series. Cannot wait for the next one!
ellie_a's review
4.0
This was a pick for Once Upon A Book Club. It was available to read for free with Amazon Prime.
krisrid's review
2.0
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.
dollycas's review
5.0
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.