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A Scumble River Mystery #9
Murder of a Botoxed Blonde
A health spa complete with tofu turkey and "Dress for Sexcess" lectures is the last place school psychologist Skye Denison wants to spend Thanksgiving. But when her best friend Trixie Frayne convinces her to take a complimentary weekend at the new Scumble River Spa, Skye accepts her fate and prepares to be slathered, wrapped, and roasted-until a murder ruins the good time.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 3, 2007
38 people are currently reading
779 people want to read
About the author
Denise Swanson
69 books1,128 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 76 reviews
June 29, 2012
This series is really going downhill for me. The CONSTANT carping on food and dress size is really wearing on me. I get the point, but what used to be a few mentions per book is now probably one per chapter. The author insists the main character is "fine" with plus-sized, but she most clearly is not. Which I suppose means the author is not ok with *her* plus-size. Since *I* am okay with both of them being plus-sized, I really with the author would just move on already.
For a much better example of how to handle this, see the show "Drop Dead Diva", of which I, coincidentally, have just seen the first three episodes. Very funny show, with the size issues handled really well.
Anyway, the plot of this particular installment made no sense at all. The characters were not believable, the plot points were not believable, and the whole thing was farcical. Bleech.
I will read on, in the hopes that it will get better. The first few installments of this series were great, so hopefully this book is not part of a trend.
For a much better example of how to handle this, see the show "Drop Dead Diva", of which I, coincidentally, have just seen the first three episodes. Very funny show, with the size issues handled really well.
Anyway, the plot of this particular installment made no sense at all. The characters were not believable, the plot points were not believable, and the whole thing was farcical. Bleech.
I will read on, in the hopes that it will get better. The first few installments of this series were great, so hopefully this book is not part of a trend.
June 19, 2011
Aren't later books in a series supposed to be better, since the author's had more writing experience and so on?
This was not better (than the first book in the series).
Not a single staff member at this spa seems remotely qualified - though I think that some of that is the author getting some digs in at people who actually like working out. Look, I'm happy - thrilled, actually - to run across characters who are not a size two and are not trying to be one, but Skye comes across as less happy with her body and more defensive of it.
The bigger problem, of course, is that the book doesn't make all that much sense. There's a "detective" who's not actually a detective (but who is never explained), a long-lost half-sister (whose mother is not concerned with getting to know her daughter - but rather concerned with whether or not this means that Skye will be getting back together with her son), a bunch of women who are obsessed with an ego-inflated trainer...
Not going to bother with the rest of this series, I think. Enough was enough.
This was not better (than the first book in the series).
Not a single staff member at this spa seems remotely qualified - though I think that some of that is the author getting some digs in at people who actually like working out. Look, I'm happy - thrilled, actually - to run across characters who are not a size two and are not trying to be one, but Skye comes across as less happy with her body and more defensive of it.
The bigger problem, of course, is that the book doesn't make all that much sense. There's a "detective" who's not actually a detective (but who is never explained), a long-lost half-sister (whose mother is not concerned with getting to know her daughter - but rather concerned with whether or not this means that Skye will be getting back together with her son), a bunch of women who are obsessed with an ego-inflated trainer...
Not going to bother with the rest of this series, I think. Enough was enough.
December 24, 2021
Skye goes to the spa to investigate vandalism when a high profile guest turns up murdered in the spa’s mud bath. I love cozies where the main characters vacation or travel, this was a really fun setting and even more fun when Skye is joined by the other Scumble River ladies.
December 6, 2020
"Ahhhhhh!"
Skye has been invited to the soft opening of a local spa to help locate supposed lost treasure on the grounds. She invites Trixie as her plus one. To her surprise, her mom, Simon's mom, her friend Loretta and Frannie all end up at the spa for the Thanksgiving weekend. Skye has a murder to solve after an ex-model dies.
Skye never ceases to amuse me. The opening chapter had me laughing before I really even got into the book. She gets involved in some of the strangest situations.
There were so many suspects for this murder that is took a bit to really flush out the culprit. It was an interesting twist.
I love that Skye and Wally are allowing their relationship to progress even though her family does not approve. Simon once again ticked me off. His explanation for his previous behavior and the secrets he hid really aggravated me for some reason.
The Dooziers are such a hot mess as a family. I can't wait until something happens that allows us to see into their lives. This is another series that I need to check out on audio because I would love to hear the narrator portray this clan.
I have really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Scumble River and can't wait to start the next book.
Skye has been invited to the soft opening of a local spa to help locate supposed lost treasure on the grounds. She invites Trixie as her plus one. To her surprise, her mom, Simon's mom, her friend Loretta and Frannie all end up at the spa for the Thanksgiving weekend. Skye has a murder to solve after an ex-model dies.
Skye never ceases to amuse me. The opening chapter had me laughing before I really even got into the book. She gets involved in some of the strangest situations.
There were so many suspects for this murder that is took a bit to really flush out the culprit. It was an interesting twist.
I love that Skye and Wally are allowing their relationship to progress even though her family does not approve. Simon once again ticked me off. His explanation for his previous behavior and the secrets he hid really aggravated me for some reason.
The Dooziers are such a hot mess as a family. I can't wait until something happens that allows us to see into their lives. This is another series that I need to check out on audio because I would love to hear the narrator portray this clan.
I have really enjoyed getting to know the characters of Scumble River and can't wait to start the next book.
October 5, 2020
#9 in the Scumble River series.
There's vandalism at the new spa, and Skye has been asked to investigate. There is supposedly hidden treasure on the grounds. Is the treasure what leads to murder? Or is ther something else going on at this spa?
The usual cast of characters is back, with questionable success. Mother May has become grating and fixated on getting Simon back with Skye. Frannie has turned into a petulant teenager, ignoring orders and putting herself at great risk. Bunny has become a caricature of herself. It would have been nice to have seen more of Loretta in this story.
The answer of who is Spike is answered. Simon continues to be a jerk. That whole component is curious...why would Swanson create such a Jeckyll/Hyde character is beyond me.
While I have enjoyed the series prior to this, and this was an interesting mystery with the treasure component, it wasn't 4 star worthy.
There's vandalism at the new spa, and Skye has been asked to investigate. There is supposedly hidden treasure on the grounds. Is the treasure what leads to murder? Or is ther something else going on at this spa?
The usual cast of characters is back, with questionable success. Mother May has become grating and fixated on getting Simon back with Skye. Frannie has turned into a petulant teenager, ignoring orders and putting herself at great risk. Bunny has become a caricature of herself. It would have been nice to have seen more of Loretta in this story.
The answer of who is Spike is answered. Simon continues to be a jerk. That whole component is curious...why would Swanson create such a Jeckyll/Hyde character is beyond me.
While I have enjoyed the series prior to this, and this was an interesting mystery with the treasure component, it wasn't 4 star worthy.
November 23, 2021
This might be my favorite so far.
December 20, 2011
Skye Denison is spending Thanksgiving at the new Scumble River Spa.. Thanks to her bestfriend Trixie Frayne who convinces Skye to take advantage of the complimentary weekend. Than an annoying quartet which includes Skye's mom and her ex boyfriends mother impulsively joins them for a girls only holiday. Skye wonders how bad it can get, she soon finds out- when she,s confronted with treatments and a diet plan fit for a Barbie doll, plus there is a trouble some trepasser digging up the property looking for a cache of jewels supposedly hidden seventy years ago. But when a famous former model turns up dead in the miracle mud bath. It looks like no one is leaving the spa until Skye can identify who the killer is, was it one of the eccentric guests, the pesky local protesters or a sneaky treasure hunter. Which one deserves special treatment in the county jail?
August 29, 2017
.
This is a cozy, quick-paced mystery about a woman sleuth, school pyschiatrist, that is fun to read. Each time you pick up a book in this series, you feel like you are meeting up with old friends.
Even though there is a murder involved, it is a clean and wholesome book. In this book, Skye becomes the police dept's psychological consultant, giving her the opportunity to share clues and help solve murder cases legitimately.
The book stands on its own and there is a definite conclusion. These are attributes that I prefer when reading a series.
Ms. Swanson has done a great job with this series and I plan to read more! I would recommend them to anyone that is interested in this genre.
This is a cozy, quick-paced mystery about a woman sleuth, school pyschiatrist, that is fun to read. Each time you pick up a book in this series, you feel like you are meeting up with old friends.
Even though there is a murder involved, it is a clean and wholesome book. In this book, Skye becomes the police dept's psychological consultant, giving her the opportunity to share clues and help solve murder cases legitimately.
The book stands on its own and there is a definite conclusion. These are attributes that I prefer when reading a series.
Ms. Swanson has done a great job with this series and I plan to read more! I would recommend them to anyone that is interested in this genre.
May 7, 2011
Murder of a Botoxed Blonde (Scumble River Mystery, #9) Denise Swanson
I really enjoyed this one. I did laugh out loud at some of the "spa scenes". Skye, Trixie, Bunny, May, Frannie & Loreata all check into the new spa for a weekend. Skye is there to investigate the murder of a former celebrity. Simon is back and Skye learns more about his past, causing Skye to evaluate her relationship with Wally. I did like this aspect because of the past relationship trouble Skye has had, and this leaves open the possibilities in future reads. I look forward to the next book in the series Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry.
I really enjoyed this one. I did laugh out loud at some of the "spa scenes". Skye, Trixie, Bunny, May, Frannie & Loreata all check into the new spa for a weekend. Skye is there to investigate the murder of a former celebrity. Simon is back and Skye learns more about his past, causing Skye to evaluate her relationship with Wally. I did like this aspect because of the past relationship trouble Skye has had, and this leaves open the possibilities in future reads. I look forward to the next book in the series Murder of a Chocolate-Covered Cherry.
October 1, 2020
This starts out with Skye and Trixie talking a spa weekend to help find out who wants to sabotage the new spa in Scumble River. I loved the change of scenery in this book. I didn't like the special agent that came to help with the investigation. She didn't even give Skye a chance and immediately disliked her. I always like the addition of Frannie and Justin. The mystery was interesting and kept me guessing.
October 20, 2011
I'm still enjoying this series, though I've only been able to read them as I've found them, so a lot of the small details don't make sense. Still, this is a cute little series and not one of the ones where the female lead just stumbles onto things and they call her a sleuth. It's also not one of the ones where the female lead heads into dangerous situations because she's an idiot.
August 28, 2025
3.5 rounded up. As always, the Scumble River Mysteries are as follows: Enjoyable, quirky, and harrowing. While these are definitely meant to be more on the cozy and occasionally romantic side, would have liked to see Skye actually use her psychology degree more. As for the murderers, it was sensible but also at the exact same time would have liked them to get more of a comeuppance.
However, we do see the characters grow and come into themselves more, which can also lead to some problems as well. Shame Skye doesn't really always lead by example in that regard. Still, it was also nice to see some story threads finally connect and conclude. Though I will say there is an amazing surprising twist I did not see coming.
However, we do see the characters grow and come into themselves more, which can also lead to some problems as well. Shame Skye doesn't really always lead by example in that regard. Still, it was also nice to see some story threads finally connect and conclude. Though I will say there is an amazing surprising twist I did not see coming.
July 8, 2018
The plot had me to the very end. I also struggled to keep certain characters straight. In previous novels the characters choices and actions helped keep them organized. There was a lot of new characters. The new characters were from a stereotypical group and somewhere in my mind facts got mixed up. However, it was an interesting to see how well the author hid the key relationship in the story and how that relationship turned Scumble River into a murder capital.
July 21, 2020
Wow. I thought "Murder of a Smart Cookie" was soap opera-y, but this? This took it to a whole new level. Enough love-triangle drama, endless fat shaming towards the protagonist (but the men could eat her up with a spoon!), and a weird teaser that seemed pointless other than to make sure people keep reading the book.
So glad this is the last one my household has lying around because it was painful.
So glad this is the last one my household has lying around because it was painful.
August 20, 2020
Because a town too small for stop lights can host a spa w/ national clients? Ha Ha. Nevertheless, it's a good story - we find out Simon's secret - a 1/2 sister, the Dooziers make a brief appearance, Skye has sex with Wally (so much for restraint eh?) (getting a bit graphic there - ), Simon finds the treasure, the killer turns out to be the spoiled rich girls - homage to "Strangers on a Train", and, of course, the story is delightful with quirky characters that make it so entertaining
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 23, 2021
This mystery was a bit different. A new luxury Spa has been built by transforming a mansion with a mysterious past. Skye and Trixie are hired to go undercover to find out who is disturbing the past and trying to prevent the Spa from opening on time.
Just about all the women that Skye knows show up for the opening long holiday weekend. Will they be able to solve the problems without help from the men and catch the guilty party without blowing their cover?
Just about all the women that Skye knows show up for the opening long holiday weekend. Will they be able to solve the problems without help from the men and catch the guilty party without blowing their cover?
October 26, 2025
Good book. The storyline and plot were good. Some good suspense. What I found difficult to believe is that the main character even considered reuniting with Simon, especially after the connections she felt for Wally. That just didn't make any sense and rather farfetched. They're was some good humor. Overall, it was a easy read. Recommend.
December 25, 2016
This was the weakest in the series so far. I like the heroine because she works at liking herself. In this story her cleverness didn't come through. The plot seemed forced and Skye whined her way through it. I'm not giving up on the series, though!
September 13, 2020
I enjoy the mysteries and the characters and the setting, but Skye's love life drives me up the wall. I like Wally. I truly don't understand why most of Scumble River seems to think Simon is god's gift to Skye. It feels so random and forced. Oh well. Still a good series.
June 20, 2017
Moved slower than most of her books, but enjoyed the interaction of characters from her community. Ready to read more in this series.
October 4, 2018
I didn't connect with any of the secondary characters but as usual, the primary characters were fun! This was another good read!
June 19, 2020
The mystery was good. I wasn't sure if the killer until it was revealed.May and Bunny are around but not in your face as much which I enjoyed.
July 12, 2020
I loved this book. It's so refreshing the way Wally treats Skye. He's much different than Simon. I just hope she can get over her hangups and realize what a gem he is.
November 7, 2020
3 - Good
December 5, 2020
I was in the mood for a quick, light read and this fulfilled that! The story is campy and a bit unbelievable, but overall, entertaining!
March 2, 2021
Will the new spa in town be a success or will a murder stop everyone?
March 23, 2021
It's all Trixie's fault for this murder
April 30, 2021
A clever case for Skye and company. The whole murder concept was ingenious and I enjoyed following the clues to conclusion. Still not a huge fan of the series, but this book was creative.
August 1, 2025
I liked it! I enjoyed the character development. I wasn’t expecting the ending :)
September 21, 2020
Love this series! Finished this book in one day!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews