Murder of a Wedding Belle

A Scumble River Mystery #12

by Denise Swanson

School psychologist Skye Denison reluctantly agrees to act as maid of honor in her California cousin's over-the-top platinum-style wedding- and is also expected to assist the control-freak wedding planner. But when Skye discovers the planner dead, just one week before the big event, Skye is suddenly working double-duty.

While overseeing every nuptial detail, she's also helping the police find out who hated the bridal consultant enough to kill her. Can Skye get her cousin to the church on time-and save herself from a killer who may actually be on the guest list?

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Romance, Chick Lit, Humor

246 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 6, 2010

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

[Allison Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really didn't love the re-emergence of the love triangle in this one. Why in God's name is Skye even talking to Simon? It is annoyingly frustrating and it overshadows the mystery that is supposed to be the focus of the book. I still don't like Skye's family and this book didn't change my feelings.

[Tom · Rating 2 out of 5]

The rating would have been 3 Stars but was dropped down a Star due to the constant dilemma of the Skye's romantic love triangle and constant references to her weight which dragged down my enjoyment of this cozy mystery.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

#12 in the Scumble series. In this one, Skye is pondering Wally's proposal. The murder component was interesting and had some complexities, which was nice. Simon is still being Simon. This triangle has no satisfaction; it isn't like Stephanie Plum, Ranger, and Morelli. Babe. I hope that in future books, this is resolved sufficiently.

Not sure either why all the pointed comments about Skye's weight have to continue through the series. This is getting tedious.

Having said all that, there were some interesting characters (suspects) in this installment, and as I said, the murder itself had some complexities which gave some depth to the story.

[Moondance · Rating 4 out of 5]

Skye Denison twisted her left hand from side to side, admiring the glitter of the diamond engagement ring on her finger.

Skye's cousin asks her to be her maid of honor in an extravagant wedding that brings California chic to Scumble River. She reluctantly agrees to please her grandmother. When the obnoxious wedding planner is found dead, Skye is asked to step in to coordinate the wedding. Of course she has to do a bit of sleuthing as well to find the killer.

This was a very good addition to the series. The flurry of wedding activities was over the top. Skye's cousin is the ultimate bridezilla and I think I would have had to smack her a few times. Skye is also trying to make a decision regarding Wally's proposal.

Skye and Wally work well together in this book. Having Skye function as the police department's psychologist helps. Their tag team approach to questioning the vendors was very well done. I knew the wedding industry was crazy but didn't realize how cutthroat it could be.

The addition of all the out of town people added chaos to the already over the top wedding. It also added so many suspects. I didn't really clue in on who the culprit was until Skye had figured it out.

I really like that Skye did not end up in a life threatening situation this go round. There were still plenty of missteps to keep me reading. The Doozier wedding was a blast and made me laugh.

I committed to reading twelve books in this series this year. I am thankful that I finished them. Now onward to the rest of the series.

[Sheri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Murder of a Wedding Belle (Scumble River Mystery, #12)
Skye is asked to help arrange her cousin wedding. Her cousin is wealthy and has been living in California, she sends all her friends out to Scumble River for her wedding. Soon Skye is paired up with an arrogant wedding planner, no sooner does she (wedding planner) end up dead.

Skye is on the scene to try and solve this murder. Light, fun fast paced who-done-it. I look forward to the next in the series.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Skye Denison agreed to be maid of honor in her cousin's wedding against her better judgement, but when the wedding planners is murdered, she has to take on two more repsonsibilities --- wedding planner AND sleuth!

This was a fun read! I stepped into the middle of the series, and yet I still loved it he main character and the ancillary townspeople that populated the story. The author did a great job of setting up plausible suspects, and still making the reveal a surprise.

I'm going back for more of the Scramble River series and excited to check out more of this writer's work.

[Wanda · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun cozy mystery. This is set in a small town where the main character, Skye, is the school psychologist and she also consults with the local police. Her cousin has decided to have her wedding in the small town of Scrumble River and is bringing all of her friends and designers from California. Skye has been reluctantly recruited to assist the wedding planner. When the planner is murder Skye has to take over and help figure out who the killer is. She is also dealing with making a decision on whether to marry her boyfriend and her ex boyfriend also wants to get back together. Lots going on.
A lot of stereotypes showcasing small towns versus big city life and the out of control bride.

[Steph Scherbart]

I am reading my way through this series. Not high prose by any means and some are a bit tedious as is this one. Godzilla bride, murdered wedding planner who was pretty evil and obscene amounts of money being spent, etc. I have noticed a lot of grammatical and spelling errors in this book series. One person even corrected the library's copy throughout the book. I am not for book defacement, but this amused me to no end. Now I do it mentally as I read and everyone knows that grammar is not my strong point so it has to be pretty bad for me to notice.

[Anastasia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder of a Wedding Belle by Denise Swanson is the 12th book in a Scumble River mystery series. Skye's cousin Riley is determined to have her platinum wedding in Scumble River but when her wedding planner Belle is found murdered, it is up to Skye to take over. I love this series which gets better with each book. It is always fun and entertaining. I love the contrast between the Doogier wedding and Riley's wedding. I'm looking forward to the next installment.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a better story than the previous one I read.

There were a few inconsistencies and the ending was less than satisfying. It's hard to believe that someone can change overnight from a nasty, entitled brat to a sweet, accommodating joy.

[Karen · Rating 1 out of 5]

This is probably one of the worst-written books ever. Clunky, wooden dialogue, uninteresting characters.

Avoid at all costs.

[Pam Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and enjoyed this series from the beginning. In this one school psychologist Skye Denison reluctantly agrees to act as maid of honor in her California cousin's over-the-top platinum-style wedding- and is also expected to assist the control-freak wedding planner. But when Skye discovers the planner dead, just one week before the big event, Skye is suddenly working double-duty. While overseeing every nuptial detail, she's also helping the police find out who hated the bridal consultant enough to kill her.

[Kellene · Rating 3 out of 5]

I still just can't make myself like this series. Skye has kind of grown on me, but could we please stop with the constant judgement from everyone about her weight. Wally is amazing, Simon is a butt and her family is super manipulative. The story in this one was fairly good, and the mystery was filled with turns that I didn't see coming. The Doozier wedding made me absolutely laugh out loud. I think my biggest issue with the series is the characters, which is usually where I have issues, so not a shocker.

[Alabama Anthony · Rating 3 out of 5]

The storyline of this book seemed very tedious to me. Just following what Skye had to do as the wedding coordinator for her cousin left me tired.
Maybe women who want a fairytale wedding of their own might like this,to me it was just a bridezilla flashback to my first wedding.
At the same time that Skye is trying to make sure Riley’s romance ends up with a “perfect” wedding she also is being forced to decide between her two lovers who are both demanding an answer to who will end up with her hand in marriage.

[Cathie Murphy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book. But I am getting tired of Simon. I think back to how rude he was when Skye and he met and can't help wondering how she can even think about him. People don't change. Wally has been steadfast. I normally don't like reading about weddings, and this one is no different. I can't imagine anyone putting up with an obnoxious bride. I don't even find that situation even interesting. But the plot and storyline was well played out. Some humor. Some twists and turns. It got a little boring in the middle. Recommend.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

I know the books in this series are nothing but fluffledy fluff, but sometimes they deserve 3 stars because of lines like this that make me smile: "Her hair gave the impression that she had spent the night in a Cuisinart." Also? Boy HOWDY was this one spot-on with the details when it came to both wedding planning and meshing big city and small-town approaches to nuptials. Heck, even the redneck wedding party sounded mostly realistic. :-)

[Goodreader · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fine little mystery if you're looking for something completely mindless and silly to pass the time on a plane or train. Completely forgettable and platantly pushes some pretty stereotypes that would be considered very un-PC in this day and age, although I think this book was written in the early 2000s when people were a little less uppity about such things. Ending was a bit ridiculous as expected. Wouldn't read this author again.

[L.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm not sure which was scarier in this book, someone getting bludgeoned to death or getting stuck acting as wedding planner for a million dollar wedding. Actually I am sure. I'd rather be bludgeoned. Though I was constantly cringing throughout all the wedding hullabaloo, this was a very good book.

This is a reliably good series overall, I don't know why I haven't binge read it because it has ended and I do enjoy reading it. I guess I want to stretch it out and make it last.

[Lacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a special case for Skye (main character). Just when she thought she was going to get take a break for summer. But she is truly in the mess this time. A wedding, a love triangle, affairs, parties, events, wedding planner disaster, and murder. For any cozy mystery reader this is good series.

[ElaineY · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why is Simon still around? Go away already, will ya? I'm tired of Skye's ambivalence about Wally and hope the next installment has her settled. I wasn't very invested in the murder other than I'm glad who the vic was.

[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.

[Tricia Maloney · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun read with good twists and turns.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm liking this series more as it goes along. Skye seems to be getting smarter. Although waiting 6 months to give a response to a wedding proposal seems excessive.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy reading, on a par with easy listening. Not especially memorable but pleasant, well done.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. The Doozier wedding was a hoot!

[Susan Moxley · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great read with lots of twists and turns that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what’s going to happen next.

[Dixie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series...I have enjoyed everyone of these so far.

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my favorite one so far

[Elizabeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have known Bridezillas like Riley

[Natalie · Rating 5 out of 5]

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