Swanson has written another "can't-put-down' book in her Scumble River series. The characters are quirky at times, but fun...with a touch of crazy. I alwYs enjoy visiting the Scumble River gang and miss them when the book ends.

A teacher who is estranged from her religious family resorts to blackmail to boost her income. ( )

I look forward to Denise Swanson’s Scumble River series every year. Truth be told, I wish I could have more of these stories every year, but I understand the writing process. So, since it released yesterday, I have to admit I devoured it and, luckily, was inspired to write a review of the newest chapter of Skye Denison-Boyd’s life.

Skye is back from her honeymoon, settling into life with Wally when she has a terrible and humiliating run in with one of the teachers at the high school. The next morning, during Skye’s normal swim, she feels something in the water that turns out to be a body—the body of the very teacher/coach whom had been so cruel. Now, Skye will have to use her wits to find the killer—and keep the tight-knit community of Scumble River in the dark about her pregnancy (at least until she tells her family). Will she find the killer BEFORE they strike again?

Denise Swanson continues to write a compelling mystery with this, her eighteenth full-length novel featuring the awesome Skye. A background in school psychology, Swanson uses her unique perspective to write a cast of characters that pull the reader into the pros and cons of life in a small town like Scumble River. Swanson’s style is concrete and relatable, as usual.

I love Skye and her common sense approach to mystery solving. All too often, readers of mysteries can figure out whom the guilty party is too soon. While I had an idea, it was a little harder to figure out the responsible party in Murder of an Open Book. I love that it was a challenge!

My only complaint is that these books have a way of ending and then I have to wait a WHOLE YEAR for the next one—I guess it is a small price to pay for reading a really GOOD series.

Denise Swanson’s Murder of an Open Book hit shelves yesterday, September 1, 2015. It is available in paperback (like I bought), eReader and audiobook formats. Pick up yours THIS week and help us bump this up for first week releases! ( )

Murder Of An Open Book is the 19th book in the A Scumble River Mystery series.

Things are going fine for the newlyweds, well almost. Skye is pregnant, which is nice, the morning sickness isn't. With cold weather setting in, she has been using her schools swimming pool for exercise. As she is about to exit the pool, the school's lady volleyball coach, Blair Huxsford, informs her that she has reserved the pool and has to leave immediately, she doesn't even let Skye shower of change clothes. The next time she goes, Skye is sure to check that the pool hasn't been reserved. With her goggles on she is about to start her laps and see that something seems to be at the bottom of the pool. She dives down and finds the body of Blair on the bottom of the pool. Skye is on the police department's payroll as a psychologist, but in this case she feels she is too close to the situation and with being in the early stages of pregnancy, she thinks that for the sake of the baby she is carrying she should not become involved. But, as she is counseling members of the volleyball team, she sees some animosity between some of the members of the team. In addition, she knew she wasn't particularly well thought of by some of the other teachers.

In addition to this, her BFF, Trixie has roped her into helping organize a rubber duck down the Scumble River to raise funds for no-kill animal center. Try as she might, there is no way for Skye to convince Trixie that she doesn't have time. Since Skye and Wally haven't announced her pregnancy, she doesn't want to tell Trixie, gossip central.

Another fun visit o Scumble River and it's delightful residents.

Definitely be watching for book #20. ( )

Do you read the acknowledgements and dedications in books? I do. I love to know who inspired the authors I read. In this book author Denise Swanson thank her street team, the Swanson Sleuths. These are fans and friends who help promote books by handout bookmarks and other items, and by talking about the author’s book. Very cool of you, Ms. Swanson to remember your street team!

You would think after so many books in the same series, an author would run out of ideas. Not so for author Denise Swanson. MURDER OF AN OPEN BOOK was fresh and well written, while holding to the integrity of this long running series. After reading this book, any reader will see why the Scumble River Mystery series has enjoyed such longevity.

Skye is married, pregnant, and starting a whole chapter of her life, but some things never change, like finding a dead body and searching for a murder. As I mentioned above, this was an extremely well written story. It held my attention with every page turned. Ms. Swanson has a way with words and a plot that always leaves the readers coming back for more. I for one will return to Scumble River.

I have to mention the named chapters. I love it when an author does that! Reminds me of my Nancy Drew books. And with chapters entitled…AWHFY - Are We Having Fun Yet, and  - Frownie Face, I had as much fun reading the chapters titles as I did enjoying this wonderful mystery!

Get a sneak peek of BETWEEN A ROCK AND A HARD PLACE, book 5 in the Devereaux’s Dime Store Mystery series! ( )