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Murder of a Snake in the Grass is the book Denise Swanson's fans have been waiting for ever since first meeting Skye Denison in Murder of a Small-Town Honey. At long last, readers learn exactly what happened to Skye several years ago in New Orleans that sent her back home to Scumble River, the hometown she couldn't wait to leave. Even readers who have never before had the pleasure of spending time with the delightful Skye are in for a special treat. Scumble River is marking its bicentennial and the entire town has turned out for the celebration. One of the attractions is the scheduled appearance of a descendant of the town's founder. Gabriel Scumble is due to arrive from Montreal and participate in a reenactment of his ancestor's landing. Gabriel's late arrival has the organizers on pins and needles, but when everything finally goes off more or less as planned, it appears to be a case of all's well that ends well. At least that's how it appears until Gabriel's body is found at the community's bandstand with a silver pickax sticking out of his chest. The body is found by two students at the local high school, one of several schools where Skye serves as the school psychologist. Even if they hadn't reported their grisly finding to Skye rather than to the police, she would no doubt have become involved; Skye's natural curiosity would never let her sit quietly on the sidelines when there's a mystery afoot. Skye could use the distraction of an investigation. Her ex-fiance, the man who led to her ignominious return to Scumble River, has come to win her back, to the displeasure of the current man in Skye's life. Unfortunately, Skye isn't certain whether she's as displeased as she should be, but with so much going on at work (might one of her students be involved in the murder?), her personal life has to take a back seat. Denise Swanson has, once again, crafted an appealing mystery. Scumble River and its inhabitants are, as always, entertaining and enjoyable. While all of Swanson's characters are well-crafted and believable, it's her adolescents who really shine. There is a general dearth of believable fictional teenagers, yet Swanson's always come alive. Murder of a Snake in the Grass will greatly please everyone who is already hooked on the Scumble River series and is bound to send new readers to the bookstore in search of Swanson's earlier books. They can rest assured that they won't be disappointed.
Reviewed by Susan Anderson, February 2003
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