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A Scumble River Mystery #10
Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry
Skye Denison has never aspired to culinary excellence. In fact, she can't tell the difference between mousse and meringue. So when Grandma Sal's Soup-To-Nuts Cooking Challenge comes to town, competing is the last thing on her mind. But that's before she's bullied into entering by her mother, who has four recipes - one of which she has submitted under Skye's name.
Right from the start, trouble brews among the contestants, among the judges, and even Grandma Sal's own family. But a spiteful saboteur takes things too far when cocky contestant Cherry Alexander is discovered drowned in a chocolate fountain. Still struggling with the basics of cooking, Skye must catch a killer. And when it comes to suspects, there are just too many cooks in the kitchen from whom to choose.
Right from the start, trouble brews among the contestants, among the judges, and even Grandma Sal's own family. But a spiteful saboteur takes things too far when cocky contestant Cherry Alexander is discovered drowned in a chocolate fountain. Still struggling with the basics of cooking, Skye must catch a killer. And when it comes to suspects, there are just too many cooks in the kitchen from whom to choose.
246 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2008
62 people are currently reading
749 people want to read
About the author
Denise Swanson
69 books1,129 followersDenise 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
February 4, 2017
Gosh. I kept getting books in this series reccommended as "if you like x then try y" suggestions so when I spotted a shelf of them on my trip to Hay on Wye, I treated myself to one. Thank goodness I only bought one. I had problems with this, a lot of problems. There's not a character I liked, the dialogue is flat and wooden and no one acts like a real human being.
Added to that there's the fact that one of the plot points is that the school newspaper is getting sued for publishing a story saying that a girl in the school slept with the entire basketball team, one after the other in their locker room after a game (I think that's pretty much an exact quote) - and the main character is caught up in it. Now why would a character we're meant to like go along with "slut-shaming" like that? And when the character is a psychologist? And that's leaving aside the fact that letting a student newspaper publish a story like that is clearly irresponsible and inappropriate (and legally risky obviously).
It's always a risk coming in to a series part way through, but I've read books where you get enough background to the characters to like them and empathise with them and understand why they're doing what they're doing. This is not one of those books. Perhaps in earlier books in the series, these are wonderful characters - who are engaging and relatable and likeable - but that's not what you get from this as a first time reader.
Still at least I know not to bother with any more.
I hate writing reviews like this.
Added to that there's the fact that one of the plot points is that the school newspaper is getting sued for publishing a story saying that a girl in the school slept with the entire basketball team, one after the other in their locker room after a game (I think that's pretty much an exact quote) - and the main character is caught up in it. Now why would a character we're meant to like go along with "slut-shaming" like that? And when the character is a psychologist? And that's leaving aside the fact that letting a student newspaper publish a story like that is clearly irresponsible and inappropriate (and legally risky obviously).
It's always a risk coming in to a series part way through, but I've read books where you get enough background to the characters to like them and empathise with them and understand why they're doing what they're doing. This is not one of those books. Perhaps in earlier books in the series, these are wonderful characters - who are engaging and relatable and likeable - but that's not what you get from this as a first time reader.
Still at least I know not to bother with any more.
I hate writing reviews like this.
August 5, 2021
Okay I need to rant, this is book #10 and by now I am expecting more depth and less frivolous crap with the characters. I have enough trouble with my own weight and when I like to read a cozy I like to escape the annoying issues I deal with and constantly and I mean constantly being reminded about Skye's weight and her overly too-generous curvaceous plus sized body which she claims she is comfortable with yet when others point out her being fat and overweight or when she sits in a chair and it creaks as if it will break her inner insecurities surface with a vengence. Truthfully after a point I just get fed up of that topic concerning the MC. But mostly I cannot stand Skye's mother May, enough already with the stupid over the hill pushing the coupling of Skye with her ex boyfriend Simon, it is not funny, it is not cute, it is simply downright annoying. Phew! that rant was somewhat cathartic.
December 14, 2020
School psychologist Skye Denison had endured the situation for as long as she could.
Another fun adventure in Scumble River. May has entered four recipes in a contest and they all qualified. She has called upon the family to help her out with three of the categories. Skye is not much of a cook and her practice trials with Wally have left a lot to be desired. Of course there has to be an obnoxious contestant and she ends up dead fairly quickly.
I have really enjoyed the books I've read in this series. This round we get to know more about Wally and his family, particularly his father. I was very pleased with how Skye handled Wally's dad and the potential for a bad situation.
It amuses me that Skye and Wally can't be together in her home. Is it truly the ghost of Mrs. Griggs causing problems or just an old house? I guess we will wait and see.
The addition of a storyline involving a missing popular cheerleader added to the suspense of the plot. I had my suspicions regarding the culprit and it turned out to be correct.
The book includes the "winning" recipes at the end of the book. Perhaps I'll give Skye's casserole a try.
These are quick easy reads that are quite satisfying. I look forward to reading the next book.
Another fun adventure in Scumble River. May has entered four recipes in a contest and they all qualified. She has called upon the family to help her out with three of the categories. Skye is not much of a cook and her practice trials with Wally have left a lot to be desired. Of course there has to be an obnoxious contestant and she ends up dead fairly quickly.
I have really enjoyed the books I've read in this series. This round we get to know more about Wally and his family, particularly his father. I was very pleased with how Skye handled Wally's dad and the potential for a bad situation.
It amuses me that Skye and Wally can't be together in her home. Is it truly the ghost of Mrs. Griggs causing problems or just an old house? I guess we will wait and see.
The addition of a storyline involving a missing popular cheerleader added to the suspense of the plot. I had my suspicions regarding the culprit and it turned out to be correct.
The book includes the "winning" recipes at the end of the book. Perhaps I'll give Skye's casserole a try.
These are quick easy reads that are quite satisfying. I look forward to reading the next book.
June 25, 2020
Not bad. Ending felt rushed. I'm liking the subtle mystery that has played in the background through the last couple of books.
October 11, 2020
Much better than book 9.
Skye gets coerced into entering a cooking contest (May's doing of course). When a contestant ends up murdered, and Uncle Dante is stabbed, well, something is just not right. Skye's in the mix. Then there's a missing cheerleader who may or may not be hiding at the venue. Will all these come together. And who is that mysterious man that's been at Uncle Charlie's cabins?
Much better story than the lead in prior book. Skye treats Simon with civility, although for the life of me I don't know why given his nastiness in the last book. Fortunately, he plays a back seat in this book.
There are still mysterious mishaps when Wally goes to Skye's home....is it haunted, and does the ghost of the prior owner agree with May that Wally isn't right for Skye? Fortunately again, this plays a minor role in the story.
All is revealed about the mysterious man, the cheerleader is found, and Skye risks life and limb again. But it all wrapped up nicely in the end. And at the end, there are also a few recipes, from the cooking contest. I won't tell you who won!
Part of the mystery from book 9 about the fake state police woman is carried into this book. I suspect it will continue in dribs and drabs.....interesting to see how this plays out.
Skye gets coerced into entering a cooking contest (May's doing of course). When a contestant ends up murdered, and Uncle Dante is stabbed, well, something is just not right. Skye's in the mix. Then there's a missing cheerleader who may or may not be hiding at the venue. Will all these come together. And who is that mysterious man that's been at Uncle Charlie's cabins?
Much better story than the lead in prior book. Skye treats Simon with civility, although for the life of me I don't know why given his nastiness in the last book. Fortunately, he plays a back seat in this book.
There are still mysterious mishaps when Wally goes to Skye's home....is it haunted, and does the ghost of the prior owner agree with May that Wally isn't right for Skye? Fortunately again, this plays a minor role in the story.
All is revealed about the mysterious man, the cheerleader is found, and Skye risks life and limb again. But it all wrapped up nicely in the end. And at the end, there are also a few recipes, from the cooking contest. I won't tell you who won!
Part of the mystery from book 9 about the fake state police woman is carried into this book. I suspect it will continue in dribs and drabs.....interesting to see how this plays out.
December 28, 2017
There is nothing better than a good mystery. I absolutely loved this book with adorable lead characters. I quite enjoyed it.
January 8, 2010
You know, I originally gave it 2 stars, and then I thought..."Wait a minute...why did I do that? I didn't like this book at all." So, I went back and gave it one star.
You would think that it would be worth it just for the recipes in the back, but alas...no. The recipes are all Velveeta and butter. Even my grandma doesn't cook like that anymore! No wonder Skye (whose name just does not suit the character at all) has "generous curves". It's a wonder she doesn't also have heart disease and a Hoveround!
The only redeeming sentences in the book at all are about Skye's makeout sessions with local humble heartthrob, Officer Wally. Wally is an over-dramatized hero and his character is far too obsessed with Skye after far too few dates, which adds to the books overall problem with lack of realism to the point of distraction. On a more positive note, if the author (Swanson) wrote tawdry romance novels, she might have a future, because the few action-oriented lines about the actual romance are not too bad. Of course, they cut off a little early, presumably in the interest of keeping the book PG-rated.
There are far too many dropped or ridiculous plot lines; a potentially haunted house, a kidnapped girl - what happened to her?, a wealthy father who has been obsessed with making his son follow in his footsteps, but gives up after 20 minutes of matching wits with Skye.
The book started out with a thud and I had hopes that it would get better. It didn't. Ever.
Ms. Swanson's book reminds me of the bland TV dinners from the 80s served under the same name. Looks promising...but all filler and food coloring.
You would think that it would be worth it just for the recipes in the back, but alas...no. The recipes are all Velveeta and butter. Even my grandma doesn't cook like that anymore! No wonder Skye (whose name just does not suit the character at all) has "generous curves". It's a wonder she doesn't also have heart disease and a Hoveround!
The only redeeming sentences in the book at all are about Skye's makeout sessions with local humble heartthrob, Officer Wally. Wally is an over-dramatized hero and his character is far too obsessed with Skye after far too few dates, which adds to the books overall problem with lack of realism to the point of distraction. On a more positive note, if the author (Swanson) wrote tawdry romance novels, she might have a future, because the few action-oriented lines about the actual romance are not too bad. Of course, they cut off a little early, presumably in the interest of keeping the book PG-rated.
There are far too many dropped or ridiculous plot lines; a potentially haunted house, a kidnapped girl - what happened to her?, a wealthy father who has been obsessed with making his son follow in his footsteps, but gives up after 20 minutes of matching wits with Skye.
The book started out with a thud and I had hopes that it would get better. It didn't. Ever.
Ms. Swanson's book reminds me of the bland TV dinners from the 80s served under the same name. Looks promising...but all filler and food coloring.
April 1, 2009
Once again, a cozy that does what it's supposed to do. Lets me have a fast read, fits in my purse, doesn't tax the brain, and is highly enjoyable.
It's been a little while since I've visited the area of Scumble River and it's school psychologist, Skye Denison, finds herself in uncharted waters....or kitchens...Her mother has entered Skye in the Grandma Sal's Soup-to-Nuts Cooking Contest. This would be just fine, but Skye can't cook. She knows better than to disappoint her mother, queen of the guilt trips, so she goes along with the plan.
Along with trying to turn in a relatively unsinged casserole, Skye finds a dead body in the chocolate fountain and that there is a missing teenager from Skye's school. Skye to the mystery solving rescue.
This one was slightly different than other cozies I've read. This one had a cliffhanger. Making me want to get the next in the series, MURDER OF A ROYAL PAIN. I 'need' to see what happens next...dagnabbit!
It's been a little while since I've visited the area of Scumble River and it's school psychologist, Skye Denison, finds herself in uncharted waters....or kitchens...Her mother has entered Skye in the Grandma Sal's Soup-to-Nuts Cooking Contest. This would be just fine, but Skye can't cook. She knows better than to disappoint her mother, queen of the guilt trips, so she goes along with the plan.
Along with trying to turn in a relatively unsinged casserole, Skye finds a dead body in the chocolate fountain and that there is a missing teenager from Skye's school. Skye to the mystery solving rescue.
This one was slightly different than other cozies I've read. This one had a cliffhanger. Making me want to get the next in the series, MURDER OF A ROYAL PAIN. I 'need' to see what happens next...dagnabbit!
March 22, 2011
Skype Denison has never really aspired to cook. So when her mother enrolls her in the Grandma Sal,s Soup to Nuts cooking challenge. That has come to Scrumble River. Her mother has four recipes- one of which she has submitted under Skye's name. Right from the start, trouble brews among the contestants, Judges and even Grandma Sal's own family. But a spiteful contestant takes things to far when a cocky contestant Cherry Alexander is drowned in a chocolate fountain. Skye is still struggling with the basic's of cooking. Skye must help catch a killer. But when it comes to suspects, there are just too many cooks in the contest from whom to choose.
January 25, 2015
Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry by Denise Swanson is the 10th book in a Scumble River mystery series. Skye is entered in a cooking competition by her mother, when one of the contestants Cherry Alexander is found murdered in a chocolate fountain. A teenager from school is also missing, thought to have been kidnapped by another student. Another fun and entertaining addition to the series which has become one of my favourites. I love everything about it and especially catching up with all the characters. There is never a dull moment in Scumble River.
April 26, 2016
I love these books, a fun read, always interesting and quick. It is like having your favorite snack or dinner, you enjoy and just smile when it ends.
February 17, 2018
Skye is forced to enter a cooking contest due to her mom entering it in her name. Skye who doesn't cook has very little to learn to make chicken surprise. Then the day of the contest one of the other people cooking is found dead in a pool of chocolate. Skye then goes about finding a missing teen that may cause the school newspaper to be shut down and find the killer of lady in the chocolate.
I really enjoy this series but had to read it out of order which was confusing at the beginning but I soon caught up. Will definitely go back and catch up and continue it. Would recommend this series to anyone who like quirky characters and good old fashion fun.
I really enjoy this series but had to read it out of order which was confusing at the beginning but I soon caught up. Will definitely go back and catch up and continue it. Would recommend this series to anyone who like quirky characters and good old fashion fun.
November 3, 2017
I'm a little disappointed that the main character, Skye, isn't showing growth as a character. She still allows herself to be manipulated. Though I live in an urban area, I wonder if life in a small town is similar to what is depicted in this series. I just find it difficult to believe the police are so unprofessional and share case notes with a school psychologist. Maybe this is why many mysteries are set in similar settings to provide this literary license. Perhaps I need to take a break from this series.
October 13, 2020
Good mystery but the romance parts still mystify me. Why does everyone and even the ghost seem to think Skye and Simon were meant to be? Is Wally going to end up as a mass murderer? He seems like a good guy with a sense of humour and he seems to love Skye as she is, unlike Simon who she felt she had to change for. He even accepted his dad hanging around secretly trying to trick him. How is he not a good person and therefore a good partner? It's just such a jarring weird note in an otherwise enjoyable series.
dnf
December 29, 2022I just couldn't get into this. I used to read this series when I was in high school/college and it was cute. I always liked the main character and wanted her to end up with Wally, which she clearly eventually does. I have not picked up one of this books in over 10 years and I found this one at a used book sale so I thought I'd try to finish the series. But, I just have a hard time reading about really small town stories, overly involved families, etc. This might be why I have been reading fewer cozy mysteries. Oh well, the search continues, but I am now done with this series.
December 31, 2022
REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK; DECEMBER 30, 2022
Narrator:Christine Leto
I've been enjoying this series for the most part but one thing really annoys me - how does the author think it's plausible for a school psychologist dealing with all those adolescents to get on without a cell phone??? Puh-lease. I know it helps ramp up the suspense when your protagonist gets herself in a sticky situation - as all cozy mystery heroines do - and she needs to call for help but come on. Doesn't own a cell phone? In a book written in 2010?
Narrator:Christine Leto
I've been enjoying this series for the most part but one thing really annoys me - how does the author think it's plausible for a school psychologist dealing with all those adolescents to get on without a cell phone??? Puh-lease. I know it helps ramp up the suspense when your protagonist gets herself in a sticky situation - as all cozy mystery heroines do - and she needs to call for help but come on. Doesn't own a cell phone? In a book written in 2010?
February 4, 2018
May, Sky's mother, is more than a little over-bearing in this book. She forces Sky, who can't boil water, to enter a cooking contest using her recipe (also Vince and Charlie enter to give May's recipes extra chances to win).
Sky discovers that Wally's Texan father is a multi-millionaire, although he doesn't want the Scumble River locals to know.
Sky discovers that Wally's Texan father is a multi-millionaire, although he doesn't want the Scumble River locals to know.
September 12, 2018
I have always enjoyed this series. The situations the main character seems to find herself in. And there was special cliffhanger at the end of this one. Denise Swanson can truly write lighthearted mystery. You feel where the characters are in there lives and in the main characters case what is buzzing around in her mind. If you are cozy mystery reader this is great series to read.
August 20, 2020
Story is good, while the Dooziers put in an appearance, and May is way obnoxious in this one, not so much on the characters. Twist and turns aplenty. Not sure when she became officially working for the PD - guess I missed that somewhere??
Killer is the one grandson - turns out he's unable to finish law degree and won't receive anything if the plant is sold.
Killer is the one grandson - turns out he's unable to finish law degree and won't receive anything if the plant is sold.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 25, 2021
Somehow Skye has accidentally been entered as a finalist in, of all things, a cooking contest. Before she has a chance to back out a murder has been committed and Skye must finish the competition without anyone discovering that she is undercover to catch a killer. Other mysteries abound and only Skye can put all the puzzle pieces back together.
January 21, 2022
I love this series. It's got a great cast of characters and each book is a new setting and new set of issues to resolve. This book took us to a food contest at a local factory. The family that owns the factory was introduced, as well as the contestants in the contest. Everyone had secrets and Skye had to figure them all out, while also trying to locate a missing teen. Really good read!
November 3, 2025
Good book. I enjoy the characters. Good twists and turns. Plot and storyline were interesting. Clever why to tie in Wally's dad and the factory. Some good humor. However, there was something about Skye in this book that bothered me. Some of her reasoning skills are weird. Not sure. Recommend.
May 21, 2017
This time it was a murder at a cooking contest, a missing teen, and Wally's father. It is a quick read but Skye needs to improve her self esteem.
July 3, 2017
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.
May 7, 2018
Oops- already read this! But while I'm on the subject, why do food related cozies always have to have a food competition in them?? Why???
May 31, 2018
Messy way to go
I always look forward to skye and her adventures in scumble river. Greed never prospers to bad murder was the results.
I always look forward to skye and her adventures in scumble river. Greed never prospers to bad murder was the results.
July 18, 2018
Delightful read. Enjoy all the Scumble River Mystery.
August 20, 2018
A fun read.
August 25, 2018
This one was really good. I liked the cooking contest angle of the story.
October 8, 2018
Another good read. It amazes me that Denise Swanson can come us with interesting characters in a small town!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews