Murder of a Smart Cookie

A Scumble River Mystery #7

by Denise Swanson

Yard sales can bring out the worst in people. So when Scumble River school psychologist Skye Denison organizes a 100-mile yard sale, otherwise neighborly folk get downright nasty: her own mother creams a woman, and a battle of the sexes breaks out. But when her former boss is found murdered, nobody knows for sure how this cookie will crumble.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Murder Mystery, Crime, Humor

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 1, 2005

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

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye has been fired from two summer jobs and is forced into working with her uncle, Dante, organizing his huge yard sale that covers a hundred miles on route 66. When Skye's previous boss is found murdered, she immediately gets entangled with the case as her mother was the one to find the body. Things also become more difficult since the murder occurred just outside of Scumble River so Skye has to deal with a very rude sheriff from the county. I always love catching up with these characters. Skye is a very relatable character. I love the characters of Frannie and Justin. There was a development between the two that I was very happy about. The mystery was good and I thought this book set up the next one very well.

[Julie P · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good book, and interesting plot development. I'm liking the Skye Denison mysteries more with every one that I read. Some of the quips are very clever, and I feel that Denise Swanson is getting more comfortable with her writing. I'm anxious to read the next one which should be right away since I'm chain-reading this mystery series.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Still not really hitting it off with Skye or most of the rest of the characters, but do love the teens. This book didn't drag like most of the others and the mystery was fairly interesting. But the love triangle is really starting to bother me... or maybe that also goes back to not liking one of the characters a lot...

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoy this series and it’s been a while since I read the last one so I was excited to get back to it! Skye is trying to raise money to purchase her cottage on the river so she agrees to help her uncle, the new mayor, organize a yard sale. Of course things turn complicated when a TV crew comes to film and commandeers her cottage. Oh and there’s a tiny little matter of murder.

Things are going south among all the couples in Scumble River, whose relationships will survive and whose will be irrevocably damaged? This book kept me on the edge of my seat for a variety of reasons and I couldn’t put it down!

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great visit to Scumble River!

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder of a Smart Cookie (Scumble River Mystery , #6)Denise Swanson

I do admit I like these books. They may be a bit on the "cheesy" side, but I love a light who-dun-it.

Skye takes a summer job, only to find her boss murdered. Not only is she investigating this crime, but (she) becomes a suspect as well. It did not help that her mother was in a heated argument over her flaky (or not so flaky) pie crust. Add her mother and fathers little "spat" her uninvited house guest, causing her to have to stay with her parents.

Fast paced, fun, light read. I look forward to the next in the series, Murder of a Real bad boy.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots gong on in entry #7 in the Scumble River series. Denise Swanson starts us out with a timeline to the first 7 books. Skye has the summer off, and has just been fired from a job for being too honest. Uncle Dante, the Mayor, has worked with other communities to have a Route 66 yard sale over a weeks time, and Skye ends up being his coordinator. Her mom and grandma find a dead body in their booth, and Skye winds up in the middle. Meanwhile, Simon is off at a conference, which leaves Bunny unmanaged and Wally, well Wally is another story. There is lots going on in this book with a whole bunch of the usual, and new, characters involved.

I loved the idea of a multi-community many mile yard sale. There is much less of what is going on with the other communities, naturally. We are introduced to the sheriff, since the murder happened outside of Wally's jurisdiction. He seems to fit the stereotype of many of the cozy genre depiction of the police. And we see Uncle Dante in a whole different light in this book.

I did figure out who the perp was, although I did not have a clue why. Made sense.

The author is setting us up at the end of the book for a whole lot of emotional upheaval in #8. Without spoiling it, let's just say that I was disappointed in Skye and her reactions to 'things' at the end of the book.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder of a Smart Cookie by Denise Swanson is the 7th book in A Scumble River Mystery series. Skye is hired by her uncle to co-ordinate the biggest yard sale and antique fair for Scumble River, attracting collectors from all over the country. The local antique dealer is found murdered and it is up to Skye to prevent this from ruining the fair. Another great addition to the series. I love catching up with all the characters and can't wait for the next installment.

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
You can't go wrong with this cozy mystery series.

The Scumble River child psychologist compels you to read more about this quaint little town and its quirky characters.

Kudos to the author for allowing each book to stand on its own. Plus, it is clean and wholesom! That is a very important point when I choose a series.

It was light and entertaining. Would recommend!

[✨ Gramy ✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

.
You can't go wrong with this cozy mystery series.

The Scumble River child psychologist compels you to read more about this quaint little town and its quirky characters.

Kudos to the author for allowing each book to stand on its own. That is a very important point when I choose a series.

It was light and entertaining. Would recommend!

[Michele · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one takes place in the summer, so Skye doesn't have as much of the chaos of her public school psychologist job as in the other books, but her uncle and an annoying TV diva make up for it in spades!

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good entry in the series. I loved that all the chapter titles were named after TV shows and it did have a very Murder, She Wrote ending to it.

[Cynthia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the book. Scumble River always brings in new characters and murders. Skye is caught between 2 male friends who want to be her boyfriend, live is always changing.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, quirky type mystery. Really liked the main character and her ability to stay focused in the midst of a lot of little crazy scenarios.

[Scout Langley · Rating 2 out of 5]

“Never forget there’s a fine line between bill’s eye and bullshit.”

The book starts off with Skye working for her volatile uncle to set up a city wide garage sale for several counties. Balancing a snob tv star, her uncle’s antics, and her difficult financial struggles, Skye thought that her summer could not get any more crazy. That is until a former employer turns up dead with her family as the biggest suspect.

I loved the small town setting and the backdrop of a large antique garage sale. It allowed us to really get to know the characters in their home environment and was a fresh take on a cozy mystery. The author really brought the small town to life with all of the close friendships and petty quarrels.

However, the book fell flat for me in some points. As the moments of suspense have the same time pacing as the rest of the book. I love that the book is very relaxed pacing as it is set is a small town. However, even when the dead body was discovered, the pacing was confusingly slow. It just felt at odds with what was happening.

This is the first book that I have read from this series, but I found the summaries of previous books extremely annoying. It didn’t provide any clarification on what was happening and just slowed the story down. I would have preferred that the author spent this time with more characterization as I like the characters they just felt a bit underdeveloped.

[Liz Trombley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Swanson really enjoys bringing Skye's family into the murders. Literally. Her brother has been a suspect, twice! Her father was with her when she discovered some bodies. Now her mother, grandmother, and aunt have a body literally fall on them. I would like to start by saying that I was a bit disappointed. This book talked about how Scumble River had been re-zoned and therefore parts of the yard sale that occurs in this book arent in Scumble River jurisdiction. I feel like this could have been mentioned in a past book. Maybe when Wally was planning to run for Mayor. I was also disappointed at the way that Skye allowed her uncle to treat her. It reminded me of the way her cousins treated her (and I didnt like that very much). Despite these things (an being disappointed that Skye's cottage was sold from right under her) I enjoyed this book. I am actually looking forward to the next book. This one left so many things in the open. I had a lot of questions at the end of this book. I felt like there were a few loose ends with the murder (it is probably just me). Again despite these things I still enjoyed the book and cannot wait to see how things play out.

[AngieA Allen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scrumble River school psychologist Skye Denison is on summer vacay but needs cash for a down payment on the cottage she is currently renting. She gets fired from her job with Cookie Caldwell who just happens to end up murdered during the First Annual Route 66 Yard Sale. It also just so happens Skye is in charge of said yard sale, working for the Mayor of Scrumble River, her uncle Dante. Yep, things get complicated and this book is a fun romp. Well, except for the two murders. Part of a series where we have already been introduced to her boyfriend, Simon, who happens to be out of town at a coroner's conference. She is beginning to have 2nd thoughts about Simon. After all, she has conflicting feelings about the ever-so attractive police chief! I found this book in my Little Free Library and it was a great way to pass the time during car pool wait time. Will watch for more to arrive in the LFL!

[Whi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This might be one of the best yet.

The characters are great (can really see some of those people), the situations are both realistic and funny at times. I do like that the teens have moved more into the background - still there and participating, but not taking place for Skye. There is a good amount of action.

She loses her house at the end. The killer is the much hated tv star (naturally), there are some niffy twists (the ladies love affair among others). She ends up dropping Simon at the end as well.

The Route 66 100 mile yard sale has a murdered antiques dealer, a fight b/w Skye's parents & 2nd fight b/w her friend & spouse. I don't remember how the Uncle became Mayor, but there he was. The Dooziers are doozies in this one with a lion.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been binge reading this series and really enjoy Skye and Wally and the rest of the characters. I have a clue as to how things will end due to having read the Chef-to-Go series, but it is interesting to read the development of the characters. To my remembrance, this is the first story I've read that had such a blatant typo and I can't help but wonder what the heck? Mat for that? How it could have been missed is beyond me, but it made me laugh every time I read it in the book. :) I can't wait to see how the next book goes, although I'm already a few pages in it. I think her reaction to Simon is more a misplacement of her guilt onto him, but I'll soon see as I get further into it. Love, love, love her stories.

[Allison Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this installation a lot more than previous ones. Not exactly sure why, because I didn't like all the couple fighting and the drunken man bashing and the cheating and lying and "he should know why I'm mad" and the verbally abusive mayor and the jerk of a sheriff and the cliffhanger cottage. And Mrs. Griggs' storyline made me very sad. Hmmm, what did I like? I liked the background with the super long yard sale. I liked the mystery and the solution. I liked the horndog Jesus musician. And I like Skye, even when she's a little bit (or a lot) dumb. Guess that's why I like the series.

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s summer vacation and time to take a break and relax…. Except Skye gets roped into being the event coordinator for the first annual Route 66 100 mile long Flea market.
Skye, as usual, gets in over her head, with the flea market, fixing problems for her best friend, her students, and even trying to fix her parents marital problems, all while trying to sort out her own romantic feelings.
In the midst of all this confusion a body is discovered, then another, two obvious murders of two women who had been fighting over antiques.

Once again it is all up to Skye to use her unusual talents to solve all these problems, or face going to jail herself.

[Kiki Z · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not that I liked Simon (although he is much improved from the first book... which only makes his behavior either out of character there or suspicious afterward), but I'm not all that convinced I like the direction that the author seems to be going in with the love triangle. It just seemed odd and unfulfilling, and Wally isn't all that great either to be honest. His hot-and-cold, on-off behavior over the past couple books is seriously annoying, even if explained.

This mystery wasn't really all that great, and I still can't totally warm up to Skye's family but it wasn't that bad.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

"The show must go on..." And for the Skye Denison, she at the center of the show again. This time people are pointing there fingers at her. And Skye Denison is not taking that lightly. It was a slower read this time. However, there was many finite details that I was very pleased to see how was used later pull the story together. For all the cozy-mystery readers you will not be disappointed.

[Carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye Denison has moved home! Not her choice!
But her uncle who is the Mayor of Scumble
River has decided to run a 100 yard long yard
sale. Skye has gotten the job as coordinator of
this sale.
The place that Skye call home has been taken
over by a television star and her film crew until
after the sale.
Everything seems to be proceeding along fine
until the new woman in town that runs the
Antique Shop ends up dead.
Colorful, quirky, well created characters come
to the 100 mile yard sale plus the regular small
town personalities.
Come along with Skye as she gets involved in
not one but two murders, a robbery, her parents
standing off from one another, her best friends
problems all while handling the yard sale.

[Fairlee Corkran · Rating 4 out of 5]

After getting fired from three summer jobs Skye finally agree to work for her uncle Dante the mayor of Scumble River. She is helping run the Route 66 yard sale and trying to keep it up and running to earn the money to buy her beloved cottage. In the meantime two murders and Justin disappears to add to her problems. Can she again save the day

[MB · Rating 3 out of 5]

As cozy mysteries go, this was pretty fun. However, the characters are ALL, every single one of them, prone to jumping to conclusions first, and asking questions much, much later. I really didn't like the note the book ended on; it felt contrived and narrow-minded.

That being said, it was a fun little mystery to read.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book is okay. A lion? Really? I do like most of the characters. The plot and storyline were good. Some good twists and turns. Kept me engaged. I guess I'm just not big on her social issues or her stance on them. That's kind of a turn off. But she writes well and the social issues are easy to blow off since the plot and storyline work. Recommend.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denice Swanson’s Death of a Smart Cookie was a very enjoyable read. The characters were a well blended eclectic mix, the setting realistic, and the story flowed smoothly. This book was interesting and fun to read.

[ElaineY · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this installment even though I figured out who the killer was. It wasn't that difficult.

And oh, developments in the Romance department though that last bit about Simon and who he'd been staying with in California was a big surprise. I didn't see that coming.

[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.