About
Reviews
Search
Submit
Home

Mystery Books for Sale

[ Home ]
[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]


  

MURDER OF A SNAKE IN THE GRASS
by Denise Swanson
Signet, April 2003
272 pages
$5.99
ISBN: 045120834X


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

It seems like visiting a favorite place to return to Scumble River and see all our old friends. The visit is, however, a bit edgy because we know there is going to be trouble before too long. On this visit we get to enjoy the Scumble River Bicentennial celebration with pageant and carnival and contests of strength and wit. When we arrive the celebration is opening with the visit of Gabriel Scumble, a direct descendent of the founder of the town. But things grow ominous when his body is discovered late that night on the deserted bandstand, dressed in pioneer costume and with a silver pickax sticking out of his chest.

Skye Denison, who has had some experience with dead bodies, says she is going to leave this one to the police because she has issues of her own. She had worked as a school psychologist in New Orleans and was engaged to a wealthy man-about-town when she felt obligated to report a case of child abuse by a prominent citizen. Her fiancé dumped her, cleaned out the apartment and the bank account, and she had to flee home to Scumble River in shame. Now her ex-fiance, Luc St. Amant, has come to Scumble River insisting he wants her back. Simon, the local coroner and her current heart throb, has other ideas.

In addition Skye is concerned about a student, Grady Nelson, who is nearly out of control and probably needs to attend an alternative school. When indications come that he may have killed Gabriel Scumble, then Skye begins to take an active role in the investigation.

There is no question that this is a tradition mystery, a cozy if you will. The violence happens off stage and it is muted. So if you like to escape for a bit and enjoy getting involved in the life of empathic character without being assaulted by blood and gore, I think you will enjoy this book.

It certainly portrays small town life with all its virtues and its nastiness. Everyone knows everyone and takes care of other peopleıs business as a matter of course. This can be very annoying at times but it also can be comforting. It doesnıt take long for any news to get around Scumble River. The grapevine is active and dynamic if not always accurate. This also means that young people are the responsibility of everyone and kids getting into trouble will be stopped as soon as possible. And everyone knows what you should do and they have no compunctions about telling you. I suspect if you donıt want your entire life on view to the community, you should never live in a small town.

I also enjoy watching the school psychologist at work. She has too much to do and not even help or support to get it done. The principal is marking time until his retirement dinner comes along. No one wants to pay more in taxes for security guards or extra personnel or the tools Skye needs to do her job. So she is left to battle as best she can and protect her children without adequate resources. This is entirely accurate, especially in todayıs world.

I think Skye is a realistic character. She is shown to us as a complete person with virtues and vices, with weaknesses and strengths. She cannot always make up her mind. She is drawn to Luc even though she remembers what he did to her. She lets her mother roll over her and rearrange her life.

This is a well-written, nonviolent, enjoyable story which captures the essence of the small Midwestern town. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Reviewed by Sally A. Fellows, January 2003

This book has more than one review. Click here to show all.

[ Top ]


QUICK SEARCH:

 

Contact: Yvonne Klein (ymk@reviewingtheevidence.com)


[ About | Reviews | Search | Submit ]
[ Home ]