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MURDER OF A BOTOXED BLONDE
by Denise Swanson
Signet, April 2007
256 pages
$6.99
ISBN: 0451221419


Buy in the UK | Buy in Canada

Skye Denison at first demurs when Margot Avanti asks her to come to her almost open spa near Scumble River to investigate acts of vandalism . . . not to mention holes on the property as various people dig, looking for allegedly buried jewels that a long ago owner of the building had left. However, Skye's best friend Trixie cajoles until Skye gives in and surrenders her Thanksgiving weekend to the spa.

On her first day, while experiencing a seaweed wrap, she hears unearthly screams. Still wrapped like a mummy, she makes her way to the adjacent room. No crime has been committed. Trixie is screaming while getting a bikini wax.

Soon, the whole crew from Scumble River shows up – Skye's mother May, Skye's ex (maybe) boyfriend's mother Bunny, and one of Skye's students Franny, a reporter for the high school paper to which Skye is advisor. Hard on their heels comes the imperious has-been model Esme, with her whiney step-daughter Whitney.

The first meal, from a diet designed by Margot's husband, leaves everyone unsatisfied with the paltry portions. Soon, with the help of her new boyfriend, Sheriff Wally Boyd, Skye is smuggling in all manner of junk food for her pals.

Unfortunately, Esme is drowned in a mud bath. One of the protesters, who line the gates, confesses to the crime, arguing that the spa promotes a false vision of beauty. Neither Skye nor Wally believes the confession, but they must pretend that they do to give the murderer a false sense of security.

Since Wally has hired school psychologist Skye as a consultant to the Scumble River police department, she is able to corral guests and staff for interviews, and corral them she does, all the while musing why the staff seems so well-fed and jolly – until she uncovers a black market in goodies run by the trainer Frisco.

Skye seems a bit out of her element at the spa; the environment produces a plot less strong than those in the other books in the series. The conclusion, while unexpected, makes perfect sense. Skye's Scumble River entourage provides an interesting background and many laughs. Skye's dithering between two lovers, Simon (one-time boyfriend) and Sheriff Wally Boyd (apparently new boyfriend) got stale about two books ago. There is a vulgar expression (which I won't repeat) for what Skye ought to do. Let's hope she gets on with it.

Reviewed by Mary Elizabeth Devine, March 2007

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