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A Scumble River Mystery #3
Murder of a Sleeping Beauty
When school psychologist Skye Denison investigates the death of a popular teenager who was cast as Sleeping Beauty in the school play, she uncovers some shocking revelations about prominent Scumble River citizens. And even ever-optimistic Skye knows that in this case, finding the killer won't end this tale happily-end-after...
272 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published April 1, 2002
32 people are currently reading
759 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 86 reviews
November 29, 2014
An entertaining read. Shows the dark side of beauty pageants and the lengths some mothers will go to ensure their daughters are successful. Also shows a bit about high school life and how mean kids can be. How some kids are made to feel like outsiders and worthless. Love the small town and how everyone is related to each other and knows everyone else's business. Has the usual conflicts for the main character with not being able to decide which guy is most important in her life and balancing concern with snooping. Trying to be independent but also needing to be a little dependent on her family and friends.
September 20, 2020
School psychologist, Skye Denison, is at it again! She gets to the heart of crime-solving right off the bat. I think it's because people are willing to open up to her and spill their innermost secrets. Small town law enforcement would argue that it's because she's a pushy busybody! This time she tackles dysfunctional families and the not-so-glittering world of competitive beauty pageants. A teenaged girl is murdered at Skye's high school and suspects abound. It's up to Skye to figure it all out...
Excellent & very twisty!
Excellent & very twisty!
May 31, 2020
As a school psychologist Skye Denison had dealt with many recalcitrant teens, but Justin Boward would be the death of her yet.
A prominent teenage girl is found dead on the set of Sleeping Beauty and Skye finds herself thrust into another murder.
This installment of the series had so much going on from the cliques in high school to the underbelly of beauty pageants. You could certainly tell from this book that Denise Swanson spent many years working as a school psychologist herself. She understood the need for a crisis plan which was not in place.
I found it incredibly sad that the victim did not have any true friends. So many of her supposed friends were only a part of her group because of what she could give them. Such a sad statement for our youth.
The revelations of the beauty pageant world were certainly not new but were quite disturbing on their own. The need to win pitted very young girls against each other in horrible ways.
I felt so much for the teenagers that were being shamed for their size. When did a size eight become huge?!? I like seeing Skye deal with this issue.
Skye's taste in men is atrocious. Good grief! Kent was probably the worst so far. His extracurricular activities were simply loathsome. Wally is still ticked off at her over an incident from eight or nine months ago. Geez, man. Let it go! And let's not forget Simon. He sorta gives me the creeps. I hope that Skye will pick someone a little better to be involved with in the coming books.
The culprit almost made me cry. Such a waste of a young lady because of secrets and lack of communication. I really hated the way things turned out.
This was the best of the three books I have read. I look forward to reading more to see what Skye gets into next.
A prominent teenage girl is found dead on the set of Sleeping Beauty and Skye finds herself thrust into another murder.
This installment of the series had so much going on from the cliques in high school to the underbelly of beauty pageants. You could certainly tell from this book that Denise Swanson spent many years working as a school psychologist herself. She understood the need for a crisis plan which was not in place.
I found it incredibly sad that the victim did not have any true friends. So many of her supposed friends were only a part of her group because of what she could give them. Such a sad statement for our youth.
The revelations of the beauty pageant world were certainly not new but were quite disturbing on their own. The need to win pitted very young girls against each other in horrible ways.
I felt so much for the teenagers that were being shamed for their size. When did a size eight become huge?!? I like seeing Skye deal with this issue.
Skye's taste in men is atrocious. Good grief! Kent was probably the worst so far. His extracurricular activities were simply loathsome. Wally is still ticked off at her over an incident from eight or nine months ago. Geez, man. Let it go! And let's not forget Simon. He sorta gives me the creeps. I hope that Skye will pick someone a little better to be involved with in the coming books.
The culprit almost made me cry. Such a waste of a young lady because of secrets and lack of communication. I really hated the way things turned out.
This was the best of the three books I have read. I look forward to reading more to see what Skye gets into next.
April 5, 2020
This is the third book in the Scumble River series. Skye is working with a student when she is pulled to the gym by another student. One of the high school students is found dead on the stage. Skye tries to solve the case while balancing her job as a school pyschologist and trying to help the students grieve. I really liked this book. In this book we meet a few new characters that stick around in future books. It was nice to be reminded of how we meet them. The mystery was good and this is definitely a favorite series of mine.
June 4, 2008
This was a fairly entertaining, quick read. I picked it up because it is set in a fictional small town in Central Illinois. There were a few things that bothered me, some unlikely dialogue (How many teenagers do you know who would say, "Something abhorrent has happened!" upon discovering a dead body? Or ever?), some too cheesy elements, but all in all, I enjoyed it for what it was: a fluffy, passably written mystery.
February 9, 2011
Murder of a Sleeping Beauty (Denise Swanson)
Murder/Mystery.This is the third book in the Scumble River Series. A teen beauty queen is found dead and school psychologist Skye Denison is on the scene. Plenty of suspects and secrets. Also shows how young girls are obsessed with their bodies and being thin. I also liked the behind the scenes views of the "pageant" world of competition and anything goes rivalry.
Murder/Mystery.This is the third book in the Scumble River Series. A teen beauty queen is found dead and school psychologist Skye Denison is on the scene. Plenty of suspects and secrets. Also shows how young girls are obsessed with their bodies and being thin. I also liked the behind the scenes views of the "pageant" world of competition and anything goes rivalry.
December 1, 2012
This book was in the same vein as many others I have read. A nosy woman who would be arrested in the real world or murdered outright, and deservedly so). Skye Denison is a school psychologist who finds the body of a student on the stage of the latest high school play. She steals information, breaks into offices and noses around until she finds the murderer. The book is made of of very unsympathetic characters and I didn't find myself caring about any of them. This was not my cup of tea.
August 11, 2011
The star of the school play sleeping beauty is dead. Lorelei Ingels, cheerleader, beauty pagent queen the most popular girl in school. While the principal and the police are busy with the case. Skye Denison counsels kids and combs for clues. And even ever-optimistic Skye knows that , in this case finding the killer wonm,t end this tale happily ever after.
November 8, 2020
Wow. I am totally hooked on this series. I had no idea all that went into being a school Psychologist. Honestly, I didn't even know that position existed. I love the way Skye is able to connect with the students and use that to help solve the murder. Fantastic book and fantastic writer.
September 6, 2022
Fast paced. Beauty pageants. Skye’s boyfriends.
Nice characterizations.
Setting: small town northern IL.
Lots of suspects, humor. Nice writing.
Some icky moral garbage and Skye is a real managing type .. but very readable.
Nice characterizations.
Setting: small town northern IL.
Lots of suspects, humor. Nice writing.
Some icky moral garbage and Skye is a real managing type .. but very readable.
March 15, 2020
I had skipped book 2 in the series and went directly from 1 to 3. Big mistake. There were references to an incident that happened in book 2 which affected the relationship Skye has with the Chief of Police (and not in a good way). I think it would have been helpful to understand what happened so it could be in the right context for this entry in the series.
I had part of the various mysteries in the book figured out, but not all. And I am still confused about why Wally, the Chief of Police, is now being friendly with Skye and isn't as upset as he was in the beginning of the book. It's like a switch was thrown mid-way through the book.
And not sure why Simon is getting all chummy back with Skye after they broke up. I hope there is not going to be that dreadful love triangle being established.
All in all, a good read and I will continue the series.
I had part of the various mysteries in the book figured out, but not all. And I am still confused about why Wally, the Chief of Police, is now being friendly with Skye and isn't as upset as he was in the beginning of the book. It's like a switch was thrown mid-way through the book.
And not sure why Simon is getting all chummy back with Skye after they broke up. I hope there is not going to be that dreadful love triangle being established.
All in all, a good read and I will continue the series.
March 17, 2020
Skye Denison, a school psychologist is
led to the stage of the high school upcoming
play, Sleeping Beauty. Only it seems that
the lead girl for Sleeping Beauty is lying
on the stage set, not moving, in fact not
breathing. What has happened to
Sleeping Beauty? She was an extremely
popular girl involved in many activities.
But was she really liked?
Come along with Skye as she looks into
the young Sleeping Beauty’s death.
Skye will be confronted with the unseen
side of beauty pageants and what mothers
of the contestants will stoop to do to
ensure their daughters success. An interesting
part of the story of the pressure involved
in these contests.
An interesting and enlightening read!!!
led to the stage of the high school upcoming
play, Sleeping Beauty. Only it seems that
the lead girl for Sleeping Beauty is lying
on the stage set, not moving, in fact not
breathing. What has happened to
Sleeping Beauty? She was an extremely
popular girl involved in many activities.
But was she really liked?
Come along with Skye as she looks into
the young Sleeping Beauty’s death.
Skye will be confronted with the unseen
side of beauty pageants and what mothers
of the contestants will stoop to do to
ensure their daughters success. An interesting
part of the story of the pressure involved
in these contests.
An interesting and enlightening read!!!
July 1, 2013
In the third book in this series Skye Dennison sticks her nose into solving another murder. This time is popular teen, Lorelai Inglis, who is found dead while rehearsing for her "Sleeping Beauty" role in the school play. Despite being a school psychologist Skye learns there is a lot she doesn't know about teens, as learns more about the lives of the popular teens and beauty pageants too!
What I love about this series of cozy mysteries is how real they are. Yes they are set in a fictional town, but it could be a town you live in, or have lived in. I like that this one involved a high school teen. Usually you don't see teens as victims in cozy mysteries, and I like that Denise Swanson doesn't shy away from doing the unusual.
With Skye's job as a school psychologist, you definitely see more social issues than I have seen in other mysteries, and I really enjoy seeing this. Murder of a Sleeping Beauty concentrates of the "nastiness" behind beauty pageants. For someone like myself who grew up in a country that beauty pageants weren't a way of life this was certainly a huge eye-opener, and made the story more enjoyable as I got caught up in what mothers and daughters will do to win!
I'm really enjoying the Scumble River Mysteries. Everyone is a delight, from May, Skye's pushy mother who wants to see Skye settle down, to her complicated love life with Wally, who isn't sure he can trust her to keep her nose out of murders, to Simon, who wants more. I definitely can't wait to pick up Murder of a Snake in the Grass, book 4 of the series.
What I love about this series of cozy mysteries is how real they are. Yes they are set in a fictional town, but it could be a town you live in, or have lived in. I like that this one involved a high school teen. Usually you don't see teens as victims in cozy mysteries, and I like that Denise Swanson doesn't shy away from doing the unusual.
With Skye's job as a school psychologist, you definitely see more social issues than I have seen in other mysteries, and I really enjoy seeing this. Murder of a Sleeping Beauty concentrates of the "nastiness" behind beauty pageants. For someone like myself who grew up in a country that beauty pageants weren't a way of life this was certainly a huge eye-opener, and made the story more enjoyable as I got caught up in what mothers and daughters will do to win!
I'm really enjoying the Scumble River Mysteries. Everyone is a delight, from May, Skye's pushy mother who wants to see Skye settle down, to her complicated love life with Wally, who isn't sure he can trust her to keep her nose out of murders, to Simon, who wants more. I definitely can't wait to pick up Murder of a Snake in the Grass, book 4 of the series.
February 8, 2014
I would like to start my review with quite a lot of gushing..yes you guessed it folks , I loved this!!!!!!
Murder of a Sleeping Beauty is part of the Scumble mystery series written by Denise Swanson and it features a main character called Skye Denison who lives in the Midwest. Skye is a school psychologist and she is a really awesome lady who is kind and fair and always seeks justice while remaining true to herself, she is also curvy and cute which I think is awesome in a character.
In this book one of the cheerleaders in the school is found dead and it is up to Skye to help out the kids trying to cope with her death while also trying to find out who did it and why. The victim was not exactly the sweet and huggie type so there was likely to be plenty of people who would be keen to see the back of this pom pom toting diva.
There was plenty of red herrings in the book and I could not guess who killed Lorelei but it sure was fun trying to guess who did it.
This book was another five star winner in my eyes. This is one series I hope never ends!
Murder of a Sleeping Beauty is part of the Scumble mystery series written by Denise Swanson and it features a main character called Skye Denison who lives in the Midwest. Skye is a school psychologist and she is a really awesome lady who is kind and fair and always seeks justice while remaining true to herself, she is also curvy and cute which I think is awesome in a character.
In this book one of the cheerleaders in the school is found dead and it is up to Skye to help out the kids trying to cope with her death while also trying to find out who did it and why. The victim was not exactly the sweet and huggie type so there was likely to be plenty of people who would be keen to see the back of this pom pom toting diva.
There was plenty of red herrings in the book and I could not guess who killed Lorelei but it sure was fun trying to guess who did it.
This book was another five star winner in my eyes. This is one series I hope never ends!
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. This murder was of a high school girl cast as the lead in Sleeping Beauty in the High School play.
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. This murder was of a high school girl cast as the lead in Sleeping Beauty in the High School play.
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.
July 13, 2013
I really like this series. School psychologist, over worked, underpaid, floats from elementary, middle and high schools, doesn't really have a home at either, moved back home and is now working in the same school district she graduated from. "Loving family" (read as somewhat suffocating) and typical small town where everyone knows your business before you do and the rumor mill runs at warp speed......toss in a dead body and anything can happen! Third book in the series and I really enjoy it.
October 21, 2016
OK, the good news is that I still like this series three books in. The bad news? My library doesn't have books four through 10. So I'm going to have to bite the bullet and read the next several on my electronic device; no way can I make myself skip all the way to 11 (through 17) and miss out how things develop -- or not -- with the chief of police! And the Dooziers. Something else is going to happen with the Dooziers, of this I feel quite certain. Oh, and here's one more piece of not-good news: The library also doesn't have books 18 and 19. Sigh.
October 17, 2020
I like this series. I love Skye, May and Charlie. I still don't like Simon and Wally sure knows how to hold a grudge but I still like him. I feel like he is like a boy who pulls the hair of the girl he likes. The story though it was written well the story subject was one I didn't like. Of these young girls being pushed to diet, and keep a size 2 figure to make their mothers proud. I really hope Skye doesn't get back with Simon. I am also upset that there weren't any punishment for Kent.
January 18, 2017
Great series! Fun characters, great writing. I am always anxious to start the next book in the series as soon as I finish one. I highly recommend this series!!
May 22, 2020
Goodness, Skye sure has her hands full dealing with the chaos that happens in Scumble River and more importantly her very own job. When a popular cheerleader is found dead on the school stage, all sorts of dark secrets get revealed during this heartbreaking investigation.
This story was downright sad. It centered around pageants, horrible stage moms and the intense rivalry that occurs amongst many of the contestants. I felt horrible for the young victim. She didn’t have any positive support from role models or friends. Unfortunately, way too many kids can relate to this in real life.
The mystery was well built. I figured out parts of it, especially certain things about Lorelei. However, there were so many red herrings and believable horrid suspects that I was left selecting the actual culprit for quite some time.
I’m ticked that Kent walked away and didn’t have to face any serious repercussions from his disgusting actions. Glad that love interest is gone. Now to get rid of creepy Simon who has suddenly turned up the charm again. Yuck, I don’t trust him. Wally needs to get over his beef with Skye. His actions towards her were a bit annoying throughout this story. I need them to make up already because it’s clear they have chemistry and I’m ready to see them work together.
May is still the best character!! She might be overbearing at times, but she’s a caring mom and her wise cracks make me smile. Nice to see Justin come out of his shell too and have a prominent role in many scenes. My favorite parts of this series is watching Skye counsel these troubled kids. I like seeing their progress and slow trust build over time.
Trigger warnings: diet pills and numerous accounts of body shaming
This story was downright sad. It centered around pageants, horrible stage moms and the intense rivalry that occurs amongst many of the contestants. I felt horrible for the young victim. She didn’t have any positive support from role models or friends. Unfortunately, way too many kids can relate to this in real life.
The mystery was well built. I figured out parts of it, especially certain things about Lorelei. However, there were so many red herrings and believable horrid suspects that I was left selecting the actual culprit for quite some time.
I’m ticked that Kent walked away and didn’t have to face any serious repercussions from his disgusting actions. Glad that love interest is gone. Now to get rid of creepy Simon who has suddenly turned up the charm again. Yuck, I don’t trust him. Wally needs to get over his beef with Skye. His actions towards her were a bit annoying throughout this story. I need them to make up already because it’s clear they have chemistry and I’m ready to see them work together.
May is still the best character!! She might be overbearing at times, but she’s a caring mom and her wise cracks make me smile. Nice to see Justin come out of his shell too and have a prominent role in many scenes. My favorite parts of this series is watching Skye counsel these troubled kids. I like seeing their progress and slow trust build over time.
Trigger warnings: diet pills and numerous accounts of body shaming
November 11, 2020
Another great book in the Scumble River series. In this book the prom queen and Ms. Popular Lorelei is found dead on the high school stage set for Sleeping Beauty. Skye hunts for clues as to how a perfectly healthy young woman could end up dead in the middle of the school day. Lots of people, students, teachers, and parents, are behaving oddly and some people are pretty outspoken about the fact that they're not exactly broken up over the tragedy. As strange as things appear on the surface, the truth is even more shocking.
I love Skye and Charlie and May and even Skye's wicked twin cousins. The setting is great, from the small Midwestern town to the not-so-welcoming schools, to Skye's unique house on the river. Thanks to the ladies of the Cozy Mystery Bingo Challenges group for prompting me to start this series!
I love Skye and Charlie and May and even Skye's wicked twin cousins. The setting is great, from the small Midwestern town to the not-so-welcoming schools, to Skye's unique house on the river. Thanks to the ladies of the Cozy Mystery Bingo Challenges group for prompting me to start this series!
December 13, 2024
My bad habit is that I when I start a book, I have to read it all the way through, despite not liking it.
I found a lot of the characters to be insufferable, including Skye. She gave off a sense of entitlement, like she deserved to know everything the police did regarding the case. And I felt the whole using the JonBenet Murder to get into a pageant was in very poor taste. And she has a habit of blaming others for situations she mostly puts herself in. I can confidently say she’s not my favorite sleuth.
The mystery was okay, but everything else was pretty bland. And it makes almost no sense how people just open right up to Skye when she asks them questions. And too many coincidences happen that help her out in one way or another.
I only have two of the Scumble River mysteries, but I will not be keeping them or going to be looking for anymore to read.
I found a lot of the characters to be insufferable, including Skye. She gave off a sense of entitlement, like she deserved to know everything the police did regarding the case. And I felt the whole using the JonBenet Murder to get into a pageant was in very poor taste. And she has a habit of blaming others for situations she mostly puts herself in. I can confidently say she’s not my favorite sleuth.
The mystery was okay, but everything else was pretty bland. And it makes almost no sense how people just open right up to Skye when she asks them questions. And too many coincidences happen that help her out in one way or another.
I only have two of the Scumble River mysteries, but I will not be keeping them or going to be looking for anymore to read.
March 8, 2020
Barely missed DNFing this - I dislike having to deal with teenagers and worse, all that fuss over beauty pageants or whatever the murder was over this time. Wally continued to be an ass and I cringed everytime Skye had to talk to him. Thankfully, this was infrequent. Then suddenly he drops his jackass attitude and decides her nosiness can be an asset after all. And pulls her in to kiss her on her forehead like she'd been a good little girl and deserved that little reward.
And again? A confession to resolve the murder case? Minus points for this.
And again? A confession to resolve the murder case? Minus points for this.
July 26, 2020
I love this series and I need to get more in this series. Skye has her hands full with school and now a murder and with 3 boyfriends 1. who just is using her for a cover to date younger girls and married women 2. Her ex is trying to probably get back together with her 3. She is trying to get back into the good graces with the Chief Of Police Wally her new/ex because she knows deep down she was in the wrong last summer and she really misses Wally friendship and being with him. So it's up to Skye and her friends to help the High School Kids with grief from the death of their friend and her friends to look for clues of who killed the young teenager and find the real killer.
October 12, 2018
I am loving this series...as a special education teacher I feel for Skye's school issues. She is a school Psychologist who gets called to the gym because a student found a classmate who has died in the school gym. She goes out of her way to avoid trouble but, I love how she always seems to find herself tangled in a murder case. As usual, there are many twists, turns, red-herrings until the killer is finally revealed.
February 16, 2020
Each book I read in this series I get more attached. This book had a surprising end that I briefly thought about early on but thought no way. It made for excellent reading.
My only complaint is Skye's love life. Even though she has refrained from sleeping with any of her boyfriends I think there are too many potential love interests. Simon is still around and creepy.
I do believe I have found a binge worthy series.
My only complaint is Skye's love life. Even though she has refrained from sleeping with any of her boyfriends I think there are too many potential love interests. Simon is still around and creepy.
I do believe I have found a binge worthy series.
October 2, 2021
With Skye finding every dead body around she should have been made lead detective at the police station by now.
The most popular girl at school seems to have it all; good looks, cheerleader, football jock boyfriend, beauty pageant wins, money… but is that what it really takes?
The more Skye investigates the more this prefect lifestyle unravels.
Many people have motives, but who is the real killer?
The most popular girl at school seems to have it all; good looks, cheerleader, football jock boyfriend, beauty pageant wins, money… but is that what it really takes?
The more Skye investigates the more this prefect lifestyle unravels.
Many people have motives, but who is the real killer?
July 5, 2021
I love this series! The author touches on many issues in society. This book was basically about people appearing like having it all but in truth they are miserable! Being the perfect size 2 isn’t what it’s cracked up to be! Very good mystery but also sad! I definitely am reading the next installment
March 16, 2020
Much better than the last book. Skye's family was much less over-the-top evil in this book. Of course that was balanced by Wally being a complete dickhead, but oh well. Skye should probably just plan on being single for awhile anyway, her taste in men is completely atrocious. The mystery was fairly clever, I figured it out, but not on page 2 at least. :D Enjoying this series quite a bit.
July 6, 2024
Skye investigates the murder of a popular student who was the star of the school play, cheerleader and beauty pageant queen. I really enjoyed seeing Skye in action using her counseling skills. I also enjoyed getting insight into the beauty pageants.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 86 reviews