Murder of a Creped Suzette

A Scumble River Mystery #14

by Denise Swanson

When megamillionaire and imitation cowboy Rex Taylor proposes building a country music theater in Scumble River, everyone's ready to do the boot-scootin' boogie except school psychologist Skye Denison. She's been asked by Suzette Neal, Rex's assistant and a rising county star, to investigate her mother's suspicious death twenty-seven years earlier. No sooner does Skye agree to help than she finds Suzette literally flattened- and very dead.

This has fast become a case of two questionable deaths, and suspicion seems to be hovering over Suzette's inner circle: Rex's jealous wife, a mysterious man in a black pickup truck, and the sizzling-hot singer Flint James, who also happens to have been Suzette's bitter rival for country-western fame. With a honky-tonk full of suspects and a tangled web of motives that stretches back two decades, Skye has two options: Rise to the occasion or end up as flat as a crepe.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Crime, Romance, Audiobook

252 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 4, 2011

About the author

Denise Swanson lives in rural Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr.

After 22 years as a practicing school psychologist, she's happiest sitting in her scree porch reading. However, when the weather turns too cold, she's willing to leave the Midwest to cruise the sunny Caribbean.

Denise is an animal lover, but her home is currently furless, since her kitty of 20 years passed away in August of 2016. Instead, she enjoys watching the wildlife out her office window.

Reviews

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye Denison had to admit that Flint James was hot.

A music promoter is in Scumble River providing a free concert in exchange for the town's support in building the "Branson of illinois". Suzette, the rising singer, comes to Skye to ask for help regarding her mother's death in Scumble River when she was three. Of course, Skye finds the singer dead in a rather gruesome manner the next day.

This was a very good addition to the series. Skye presented herself in a smarter way and did not put herself into harm's way as much. Wally is a good solid character and we learn a bit more about him in each book. Simon was briefly in the story but he didn't annoy me quite so much since he was willing to help take care of little Toby. Trixie and Owen's storyline was worrisome until all the details were explained.

The mystery was good and I enjoyed how Suzette's mother's death was intertwined into the storyline.

I've come to enjoy reading this series and look forward to finishing it out this year so that i can start on the Return to Scumble River.

I vacillated about the killer but ended up picking the culprit.

[Ronda · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am so glad that Skye's mother wasn't so over the top in this one. Frankly, after the last one, I was ready for Skye to move to Florida, with or without Wally. While I liked this story, I will say that I am missing hearing about the other characters. Sure, they were mentioned, but even in the last story, it was more like they were there in name only. I miss the small town interactions and snippets if other characters's stories that the earlier installments had. Still line the series, but this is startingto remind me of the difference between black and white Mayberry and color Mayberry. I liked the older episodes of Andy Griffith better for many of the same reasons I like the earlier episodes of Scumble River.

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worst of the series, imho. (At least of the ones I've read!) Early on, Skye stays the night with Wally and clearly puts on loafers that she's got stowed at his house to go to work. After work, to climb the stairs to the barn, she takes off her heels to do it. A decent editor should have caught that. The plausibility that people keep wanting to come to a tiny little town and build some sort of large, money-making venue there was hard to swallow once. Now I've seen it at least twice. How many times is this going to happen? What convinced Rex to come to the town in the first place? Was it just a coincidence that brought Suzette to him? It's all pretty flimsy. Also, Swanson needs to write for older people and take advantage of her lack of experience on common phrases. Little girls refer to their best friend as their BFF. 30-something year old women do not.

[Nell · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mystery in the on-going series. Enough suspects and red herrings to keep you guessing. Swanson does a good job of moving forward Skye's personal relationships and blending that with the mystery. I complained about a previous book where the behavior of her ex-boyfriend bordered on stalking. In this one, their relationship is handled much better with the ex regretting Skye's choice but accepting it. Dragging out a love triangle can be an annoying distraction.

The mystery is a good puzzle, the killer was not an obvious suspect. Skye, the amateur detective, works with the police and does not put her self in danger with TSTL behavior. The questions are answered and characters' suspicious behavior explained. All in all it's a good read.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a nice cozy murder mystery. Our friendly sleuth, Skye Denison is asked by a Country Western singer to find out if her mother was murdered, but before Skye can begin, she learns her client has been brutally murdered.

Skye is still engaged to Wally, the Chief of Police and their romance is still on hold for his annulment. I would like to see this resolved.

The murder was solved and I had figured out the culprit with little effort, which surprised me as usually I'm the last to know.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Scumble River mystery. What I love about these books is, the protagonist, Skye, is a school psychologist. As I do a similar job in Australia, I particularly enjoy the glimpses into her work life.

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

loved it....a little extra mystery besides the main plot..and I liked how characters from the last book were brought into the story.

[Gale Penton · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series. I love the characters and the plot. It was one of the first cozy mysteries I ever read. I will definitely continue this series.

[Fred · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder of a Creped Suzette is the 14th book in the enjoyable series set in the Scumble River series. It's always enjoyable check in with school psychologist and part time amateur sleuth,Skye Dennison.

Rex Taylor has brought country star Flint James to Scumble River to put on a free concert in hopes of getting the communities support to build a country music theater in the area. Just prior to concert Skye over hears a heated argument between Taylor and Flint, over the worthiness of the opening act, Suzette Neal. The next day Suzette approaches Skye asking that Skye look into the death of her mother. Suzette feels that it was murder.

Then Suzette turns dead, having been ran over by a heavyduty roller. Now, Skye really feels the need to look into Suzette's mother's death. Could they be related? Taylor has been trying to have an affair with Suzette, is Flint worried that Suzette will replace him or become a bigger star, maybe Taylor's wife has gotten fed up with is wondering eyes and who was driving that black pick-up truck that is of interest. Having the police chief as boyfriend certainly is helping Skye. LOL

A great cast of characters, some you love and some won't. But that's what makes for an interesting read.

One nice thing that Swanson included in this book is a timeline. So now we wi;; know when exactly the books took place.

Fred

[Georgiann Hennelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Rex Taylor mega millionarie proposes to build a country music thetter in Scumble river everyones ready to do the boot- scootin 'boogie except Skye Denision school Psycholist. Suzette Neal , Rex's assisant and a rising country star asks Skye to investigate her mothers suspious death twenty -seven years earlier. But no sooner does Skye make the decision to help find out what really happened to Suzettes mother than Suzette herself gets literally flattened -and very dead. Suspion seems to be hovering over Suzettes inner circle. Rex's jealous wife, a mysterious man in a black pick up truck, and Flint James the sizzling hot singer.I was a little disappointed in this book the final in the series as of yet we Don,t know about Skyes marriage to Wally.It's still a cliff hanger which i wish would be resolved .

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 Stars rounded up to 3 Stars.

[Rosemary · Rating 4 out of 5]

My first exposure to A Scumble River Mystery and Denise Swanson's writing. I've read a wide variety of cozies and this rated high on that list. The story was well rounded. The author did a nice job getting the reader into the community and people of Scumble River. I liked being there and intend to revisit. As usually happens the mystery is secondary, this one was fine but not outstanding, to the main characters. The book had an enjoyable quick pace, just as I expected and wanted. A lot of cozies on first person and I enjoyed that this one was third, it was a nice change.

I've picked up one of the books in Denise Swanson's other series, Devereaux's Dime Store Mysteries, while I had hoped it was also third person it was not. Still reading some book jackets and peeking inside I'm confident I will enjoy this series as well.

[Karen Voitik · Rating 5 out of 5]

>Book Review – Murder of a Creped Suzette
>I am an independent reviewer. This book is the 14th in the Scumble River mystery series and ends with the mystery being solved. Wally and Skye are working towards a wedding. Wally needs to get an annulment, but his ex is causing trouble and trying to extort money from him. I do love how compatible and in love Skye and Wally are.
>The murder in this story involves the planning to make Scumble River the “Branson of Illinois”. As usual, Skye is stuck in the middle of the murder and gets saddled with a small dog, as well as the murder. Skye’s ex, Simon, and Skye seem to have their final goodbye.
>This book is appropriate for an adult audience. I am giving this book 5 stars. I love the different small town characters and the mystery is complex enough to be fun, but not so complex it is confusing.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy this series but I’m starting to get a bit annoyed with the whole annulment thing. I get that a Catholic wedding is important to Skye, but she’s not conducting any other part of their relationship within the rules set forth by the church so why has she chosen to follow the one rule that’ll keep them from getting married? Why not just get married and have the church do later? It just seems like she’s dragging her feet and Wally’s now being treated badly by both his former and his future wife.

The mystery in this one is good. The killer should be pretty obvious but that person is kind of written off early on and only comes up later by chance. There’s also a side mystery that brings in several characters and adds in some red herrings for the main mystery, which worked really well. I definitely like this series a lot but I’ll be glad when the whole annulment thing is resolved!

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

#14 in the series, and the series just keeps getting better and better.

Fortunately, this one lacked the drama between Skye and Simon, which was a relief. May was not featured, which was a relief. Bunny was not featured, which was a relief.

Skye comes into danger, but not from where you think. The murder to be solved was particularly awful, which was an interesting change from the norm. There was a lot less about Skye at school and the various students and situations; not sure if this is a one-off or if that is going to play more into future stories; focusing on the mystery rather than the day to day life of a school psychologist.

And the Doozers still provide comic relief. All in all, a good and entertaining story.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one takes the cake in most disgusting ways to die. Needless to say Skye is sleuthing around again this time the tangle web leads to disaster. This was easily the largest and brutal murder weapons that I could ever think of. The main characters face their own challenges in the middle of this murder investigation but the new characters have some secrets too. You will not be disappointed.

[Janiska nordstrom · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was ready to quit the series because I was tired of the over the top mother as well as the love triangle with Simon and Wally, it was just getting old and tedious. This book was more about the actual investigation and there wasn’t all the drama. I enjoyed it and will move on to the next in the series

[Tomi Alger · Rating 4 out of 5]

A country music show comes to town, but the opening act singer, Suzette, is late to the show, causing a bit of trouble. Suzette hires Skye Denison to help her solve Suzette's mom muder from 27 years earlier. Trouble continues when Suzette is found dead. Both murders are solved by the end. I liked this book better than the other book I read in the series.

[Hermione Volino · Rating 5 out of 5]

The beginning of the book all the way to the middle was very strong. We find out things that helped us try and piece together who killed Suzette. The middle was weak, which sucked. I really didn't understand a lot of what the story was telling me. However, the ending was good, and strong, and I loved how justice was finally served.

[Keela · Rating 1 out of 5]

This series - not great to begin with - officially jumped the shark with this one. The murder mystery and resolution is almost an afterthought.

The author needs a technical consultant to advise her on certain legal points that she has all wrong.

[Annie Seroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this series.. the only downside is Skye's abusive boss and principal. This book, in particular, showcases his abusive behavior that everyone seems to let go unchecked. Other than that, this series is a joy and a wonderful break to the world's insanity. Love it, will keep on reading!

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

Big changes are coming to Scumble River, or will they? The town is torn as new money comes to town and wants to make it another country music venue.
Several twists near the end help pick up the pace at the end of the book.

[Lori · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye and her crazy family always makes for a good story. But when you throw in an ex-wife, a steam roller, llama farms, blackmail and the Doozers setting up a paintball adventure land you get a crazy good story.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun read. I really laughed at the paintball scene. Plot and storyline were fun. Characters were well developed. Some good twists and turns. It's nice to see that Wally and Skye are actually developing some trust in their relationship. Highly recommend.

[anonymae anonymae · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this series to learn how certain writing errors effect a readers experience of a story's narrative. I also read this series to learn about creative similes.

[Hope Broadway · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ah Scumble River. It's been awhile since I read a book in this series. I really enjoyed this one.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fast and cute book .

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery. Scumble River mystery.

[Kathi Olsen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a fun who done it read. It's pretty quick and something to read without having to think too deeply

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denise Swanson's characters are always interesting!