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Scumble River school psychologist Skye Denison and her boyfriend Simon Reid find there isnıt much of a social life so they have decided to broaden it by joining the Grand Union of Mighty Bulls, a fraternal organization which also contains all the movers and shakers in town. Skye can only be a Gumbette since of course women must be part of the auxiliary which does not endear the organization to her. Trying to be ³one of the crowd² she is forced to attend parties put on by people with whom she might never associate, wealthy couples who live in the monumental houses in town. At the opening of the book she is attending a product demonstration party at the home of Barbie Addison (husband Ken). In spite of her attempts to fade into the wallpaper, she is shamed into buying a monthıs supply of the gourmet meals. When Skye goes to the Addison house to pick up her purchase, she discovers both Barbie and Ken dead, strangled with Kenıs body shoved into the freezer and piles of meals stacked around. Ken is the leader of the GUMBs and a powerful man in town, but no one, even his friends, seems especially sorry that he is dead. Skye is appalled by the murder and surprised to have several people ask her to help solve it. To complicate Skyeıs life further Simonıs mother, whom he has rejected entirely and has no desire to see, arrives at Skyeıs door. There is a blizzard outside, no rooms at the inn, and Uncle Charley has sent Bunny to Skye assuring her that there will be a room for her. Simon is not happy and Bunny is not a helpful house guest. But working closely with the police, Skye is able to figure out who must have killed Barbie and Ken. With the help of the two adorable teenagers (rejects from ³normal² teenage society) Justin and Frannie, the culprit is nailed and all is well again in the town of Scumble River. At least, as well as itıs ever going to be. Swanson does a wonderful job of portraying a small town, catching the nuances, making the reader understand the benefits and hazards of living in one. It is easy for Skye to discover what is happening around town; her mother hears everything the minute it occurs and so does everyone else. People watch over her for good and not so good. Skye doesnıt want the whole town talking (even though they already are) so she has to proceed very slowly in her relationship with Simon. Scumble River is the essence of small town Midwest. The character of Skye Dennison and, to a slightly lesser extent, the other main characters (Simon, Uncle Charley, May, and Police Captain Wally Boyd) are growing and developing from book to book. Skye, who never wanted to come back to Scumble River, is beginning to discover the joys of living there. All of these characters are old friends whom we have met in earlier books and weıre glad to get back and see them again, praising how they have changed, catching up on the gossip in their lives. What Swanson also does especially well is develop the school setting. She has a good eye for adolescent behavior (of course, she should because she works with them) and gives us just enough of the daily work of Skye so that we understand and appreciate what she must do. As in every school district there are more needs than there are resources and people are stretched very thin. The book is well-written, it is humorous in a subtle and self-deprecating way (no slapstick here), and it is eminently readable. I predict you will love a visit to Scumble River. If you havenıt read the previous books in the series, why not take the time before this one is in the book stores to catch up.
Reviewed by Sally A. Fellows, August 2003
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