Murder of a Real Bad Boy

A Scumble River Mystery #8

by Denise Swanson

Still recovering from breaking up with her boyfriend and alienating half the people in town, Skye Denison has sworn off men—but she hires sexy contractor Beau Hamilton to renovate the old house she inherited. After all, who can ignore his qualifications? Golden hair, bronzed chest, muscular thighs—he’s just too good to be true.

Sure enough, he has a reputation for conning the ladies. But before the not so naïve Skye can fire the hunk, he turns up dead. Since even bad boys deserve justice, Skye has to juggle more than a passionate police chief, a cagey brother with a secret, and a possibly haunted house. She’s got a killer to catch.

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

252 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published August 1, 2006

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]

"Dude?"

Skye has moved into the Griggs estate that was bequeathed to her in the last book. The stately house is in terrible shape and she has hired hunky Beau Hamilton to renovate the place. Unfortunately, he is a really bad contractor and things are not being done. Skye finds Beau bleeding in the bottom of a boat the day that she has decided to fire him. Of course, she becomes the prime suspect.

This was a really good addition to the series. There is a lot going on in Skye's life right now. She has finally kicked Simon to the curb (Yay!) and Wally is moving for fully into her life. I enjoy the interaction between the two of them a great deal more than I did with any of her other boyfriends.

As a cat lover, I was bothered by the disappearance of Bingo. I would be devastated to find that one of my babies was missing. I knew that Skye would be undeterred in her attempts to find him.

The county sheriff, Buck Peterson, is a horrible man and an even worse lawman. I truly hope that after his actions in this book that he is removed from office. He is so incredibly obnoxious.

Vince has his own little secret going on that I picked up on very early. I'm looking forward to seeing where this will lead.

There were so many people that hated Beau that it was at first difficult to figure out who killed him. I did pick up on certain clues and realized who the killer was. It took a bit to discover the why.

The new contractor, Dulci and her crew of women were empowering. I hope they pop back up in future books.

Uncle Charlie wasn't around much in this installment and I missed him. May is always goo for a laugh. One of my favorite exchanges between her and Skye was when May asked Skye why she couldn't be normal. Skye's response was that normal is a setting on a washing machine. That about sums it up.

I look forward to my next visit to Scumble River.

[Heidi Prockish · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

#8 in the Scumble River series. We're still in 2003 in this installment. School has just started again. Skye has hired a contractor to work on her new home, and nothing is getting done. Simon still has not explained Spike to Skye, and they have broken up. Wally is making his moves, and Skye is responding. Bingo has gone missing. And as luck would have it, Skye finds her do-nothing contractor dead. Murdered.

I've liked others in the series a bit better than this one. Some things appear disjointed and it feels like dots are missing when trying to connect the story. It looks like perhaps the author is trying to interject a paranormal feel in this book, which to me is a distraction. There was much less interaction with the students than in previous books. Many of our primary characters from prior books were largely missing in this one (like Uncle Charlie). And the violence the sheriff shows (Buck Peterson, not Wally) is disturbing.

I also am not a fan of love triangles, and this has been hinting for a couple of books, even though Skye and Simon were an item. She seems to fall for Wally's charms so easily. I had not liked the way the last book ended, which set this book up for the Simon/Wally conundrum. Speaking of which, it is best to read this series in order. Some series books are stand-alone; this one builds from one book to the next.

I did figure out who our bad guy was, because it was so obvious. Ditto on who Vince is dating.

I will continue the series, but do admit to being a tad disappointed overall with this one.

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

Oooooohhhh! A "real bad boy" is defined as a male that rides a motorcycle? OK. How can Skye be seen as the murder solving sleuth the town knows her as when she is a person who constantly backs down from any confrontation? The police are trained and skilled in solving crimes but in every book they have "missed the mark" with such blatant in-your-face clues.

Once again, I purchased the Scumble River books as a set and vow to get through them but I have to voice my disgust with the writing attempt of Ms. Swanson.

Skye, supposedly sooooo intelligent, does too many idiotic things. She is not a likeable heroine. Her house gets "broken into" yet she stays on without reporting it until the next day. There is something always more important on her agenda. She is a flake.

Let's address the fact that the very beginning has a disclaimer concerning the artwork that isn't even mentioned until the very end of th story. That alone gave a clue as to who what and where. Ms. Swanson is a terrible mystery writer and even worse at romance. Is Wally not the right guy because he too likes the Marx Brothers? Get real!

Beau was a real bad boy? Hmmmm. No.

[Annie Seroyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun cozy mystery! Loving this series!

[Jenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm finally caught up. I've read these all out of order and this is my last one. If possible, Skye was even less intelligent here than she's been in other books. I just...I just wanted to hit her.

"Hi. I know you don't know me, but your lawyer friend says I should fix up your house for you. Go ahead and look around your house with me, all by yourself, with no protection, alone without even confirming with your friend that I'm legit. Ooh! And then let me change your lock for you! I know you've been having break-ins and your last contractor was killed out on the river behind your house, but you can totally trust me."

And she does. This was the most glaring incident of her stupidity, but it never seems to end. There were several other things, but I've totally blocked them out of my head. These books are a total guilty pleasure for me. There's not much redeeming about them and most of the plots are terribly transparent. But still I read. A glutton for punishment?

Ooh, I forgot. How in the HELL does sky get hit by the Sheriff and not freaking tell anyone????!?!!

[Edel Waugh Salisbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is book eight in the Scumble River mystery series by Denise Swanson. Scumble River is a fictional town and here lies plenty of adventure and secrets. In this book Skye Denison(school Psychologist) hires hunky bad boy Beau Hamilton to do some construction work on her house but this bad boy has a bit of a reputation and it was not long before Skye had to start looking for another contractor.

Poor Skye is really having a heard time in this book with her love life and there seems to be something coming between herself and Wally every time they try and get close. Add some interfering family into the mix , a dead body, more mysteries then you could shake a stick at and you have yourself one very fun read. I listened to this on audible and the narrator was very good and she really makes the scenes and different characters come alive. Skye is one of my favourite cosy mystery heroines. If you have not already, check out this series where you get to meet this awesome lady yourself.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye is fixing up the house she inherited from Alma Griggs. Her contractor is horrible. He doesn't actually do any work on the house so Skye is gearing up to fire him. Before she can do that, he is found dead. The county sheriff is convinced that Skye killed him. I really dislike this sheriff. He is very unlikable. He doesn't actually do his job. He just goes with the easiest outcome. Skye and Simon are broken up in this book. Thank God. I don't know why I even liked Simon the first time I read these books. This time around I couldn't stand him. There seems to be the start of something with Wally which I really enjoyed. I love how every time Skye and Wally started kissing something would break in the house that would pull them apart. The mystery was good. I always like how the cases Skye has at the school usually tie in with the murder.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK, that May and Bunny stuff? Too silly for words. And, I'm not sure if it was this book or the other I read today, but in the Acknowledgements section in one of them our author thanked her husband for being, among other things, her copy editor. Because she said that, and ONLY because she said that (or proofreader, I can't remember), I'm going to pick a nit: What's with all the stupid typos? As in, cat for eat, and things like that. I dunno, maybe other people don't notice stuff like that as much as me. But for at least the past two, and maybe three, books, it's been quite annoying. But obviously not so much so as to stop me from my binge!

[Joanna · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series is so bland and repetetive, I spent a good chunk of time wondering if I had already read this one. Why do I bother? And yet by the end I am invested in the "mystery of the week" enough to forgive lovely Skye for repeating herself, verbatim, book after book. I want to like her and her friends, I really do. It's just that she explains herself so thoroughly and with such a superior yet sniveling manner that I just want to shake her editor. Plus it's great for when you are zonked on the couch with a headcold and want every little bit spoonfed. More cocoa please!

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

The mystery and back story and characters were all very interesting in this book. What wasn't interesting to me was Skye's ridiculous man situation. What did Simon ever do to make everyone think he was such an amazing guy? I couldn't stand him from the beginning. And don't get me started with that "if you trusted me you wouldn't ask" bullshit. Never a valid excuse. Maybe if you are an international spy? Nope, even then I think your partner has the right to know what is going on. Unfortunately I can already predict what the author is going to do. Skye is going to date Wally, sleep with Wally, love Wally, then there is going to be some ridiculous misunderstanding and Simon is going to swoop in to prove that he didn't sleep with random California woman and then Skye will go back to him. Repeat ad infinitum. Exhausting!

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actually 3.5 stars. My favorite of this series so far. Skye doesn't irritate me as much anymore and there was a lot less of Simon, which made me much happier. Vince's new relationship makes me smile (had that one pegged from the start of the book) and the siblings should not be so sure of how May will react to things. And I hope renovation of the house continues for several books, because I genuinely like Dulci and Co. Oh, the mystery was really good as well. I had the killer figured out but not the why. I've forced my way through this series for a year long challenge (I'm way behind but I'm still going), but this one made me look forward to the next Scumble River adventure.

[Lori]

Skye still getting over her break up with her boyfriend comes home to the constructions at her new house to find the contractor near death in a boat in the river behind her house. Diving in trying to save him starts a whole new adventure for Skye.

This book is a great addition tot the series and answers some questions I had from reading the summary of future books. We get to see Skye's brother in a new point of view which I find very nice based on my life. There was even a funny moment that I had lived out with my grandmother similar to Skye with her parents. I would highly recommend this book and series.

[Gina H · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series, but what is wrong with this woman!?

I like the series, and for the most part, I like the character. I like that she knows about IEPs and 504s. it’s nice for someone to speak our language. My problem with her is that she will get really mad at somebody for calling her a girl or lady, but let somebody slap the crud out of her, and she’s OK with that. Leaving someone else to be slapped by this person, I’m not OK with that. Figure out your priorities and where you need to stand up. I’m fine with you not being cool with them calling you that, but you really need to stop letting this other abuse happen! It’s absurd!

[Lacey · Rating 3 out of 5]

In many series that I read character occasionally will change tracks in their personal lives. I always find it interesting to see the characters reactions and see how they deal with personal and very real emotions. And in this case Skye Denison was forced face some changes in her life. Some completely out of her control. While attempting to keep up with her regular life. She may find herself knee deep in another murder and another murder as the books continue. But how she manages her responsibilities and her failures is also interesting.

[Whi · Rating 4 out of 5]

These are getting better as they go.

Have to say - not so thrilled with the moving her out of her house, but the plot flowed well and mostly realistically around the "new" house reconstruction.
Character does deviate from "don't touch i can't handle it" to "hot & heavy" uncharacteristically. As a note to authors - I don't think most women spend as much of their time wishy washy thinking their attraction to others as portrayed.

The killer is, of course, the boyfriend of the sister of the victim.
And she gives away 120,000 painting??

[ElaineY · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured out who the killer was pretty early as it wasn't difficult. As a result, I ended up being more interested in the whereabouts of Bingo and hoping he was alive.

The only good thing in this installment is that Skye and Wally are securely an item. No going to and fro between the two men, thank God.

[Noell · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would say 3.75 stars rounded up. There are plenty of laughable moments (in a good way) as well as near rage-inducing moments regarding parental meddling and MC stupidity. However, the story is enjoyable and- thanks to watching British drama, Professor T -was able to figure out the murderer fairly easily. Nice to see Scumble River expanding and character growth and want to see what happens next

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A contractor that is not doing his job is found dead in a boat and Skye has many issues with the sheriff. Her house keeps getting broken into due to the contractor that didn't finish anything he started and the sheriff doesn't like her or her family. This was one you don't want to put down.

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

My wife was reading this series and I was waiting for a book to become available from the library so I read this one. I will now have another series to catch up on.
This is basically a chic-lit mystery series but has a few interesting twists.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty good book. The storyline and plot were interesting. Characters are okay but I wished she leave out the social crap. There was some good humor. The main character seems unusually clumsy. The book would be better if she just dropped Simon. He is not a nice person. Wally is better. Recommend.

[Ewa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like this book, in general this series was OK, but stating that main character was going hunting as young kid and loved it - really, how screwed up can people be? how can someone (especially female author) add such disgusting thing to so-called cozy??? DISGUSTING

[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.

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read in one day! Such a great ride - love Denise's series!

[Beth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scumble River Mysteries just keep getting better and better

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun read!

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good quick read

[Amy Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very predictable, unlike the previous one in the series. Although, it is written well, and is an easy relaxing read.

[Angela (Kentuckybooklover) Brocato-Skaggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Woo hoo, Simon is history. I have never been so happy to see a character not be a love interest. I really wish he would disappear from Scumble River all together but we can't get everything we want.

This is the first one in the series that I was able to figure out the killer before it was revealed. It was almost hard not to. Even though I did it did not lessen my joy of this book.

[Connie Becerra · Rating 3 out of 5]

A cute little mystery.