Body Over Troubled Waters: A Cozy Mystery
(Welcome Back to Scumble River)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Setting – Illinois
Poisoned Pen Press (July 27, 2021)
Mass Market Paperback : 352 pages
ISBN-10 : 149268600X
ISBN-13 : 978-1492686002
Kindle ASIN : B08SDTFVH4
Love is deadly
Stupid Cupid is making School psychologist Skye Denison-Boyd regret returning to work after her maternity leave. It starts with an emergency school lockdown, continues with her godfather’s arrest by the state police, and ends with a dead body!
It’s every teacher and administrator’s worst nightmare—a school shooter lockdown. And even worse for Skye because she’s trapped in a tiny room with the district’s creepy superintendent, Dr. Wraige while they wait for the all-clear.
When Dr. Wraige turns up dead in his home just a short time later, is it a coincidence, or something more?
Skye joins her police chief husband, Wally, in an investigation that becomes more complicated by the minute. With a dead boss and a mysterious killer on the loose, Skye is caught between a rock and a heart place—but she won’t give up until Scumble River is safe once again.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
It’s almost Valentine’s Day in Scumble River and a couple of cupids are causing a little mayhem.
Skye Denison-Boyd is back to work after her maternity leave but she may wish she was still at home. First, there is a crazy school lockdown. Next, the state police arrest her godfather. And then there is that pesky dead body. Skye finds herself sitting out the lockdown with the school superintendent who is just plain creepy. She is totally surprised when he is found later dead at his home. Police chief/hubby has asked Skye to assist him on the case because she knows the would-be suspects at the school. But this case doesn’t have an easy solution. Skye doesn’t give up though. She keeps digging until the killer is found.
I really enjoy visiting these characters. The bond between Skye and Wally is so strong. They make an excellent team both as parents and catching criminals. They are surrounded by an excellent supporting cast. Strong relationships really bring the story to life. The Dooziers also return in this story and shake things up a little bit. Ms. Swanson has kept these characters fresh which is hard to do with a long-running series. Nineteen books with one publisher and now four books with a new publisher. I hope this series continues for many years.
There is more than one mystery to solve in this story. Before his murder, someone was stealing the superintendent’s valuable items. Also, Skye’s godfather is behind bars for illegal activity at his motor court. The author twists the mysteries together along with daily life happenings like the pro she is. The murder weapon is truly unique. I had my own theories on the murder and thefts as I read the book but wasn’t completely sure of anything until the final reveal. Uncle Charlie’s arrest had his family up in arms but that mystery wrapped up the way I hoped it would.
The fictitious Scumble River, Illinois setting is really ideal. It is the perfect size with plenty of quirky characters and everyone knows everyone’s business. It has its issues and the occasional murder but it sounds like a nice place to live.
Body Over Troubled Waters was a fun and entertaining read. I am really invested in these characters and I can’t wait for my next visit to Scumble River.
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About the Author
Denise Swanson is the New York Times bestselling author of the Scumble River Mysteries, the Devereaux’s Dime Store Mysteries
, the Change of Heart romances, and the Delicious romances She worked as a school psychologist for twenty-two years before quitting to write full-time. She lives in Illinois with her husband, classical music composer David Stybr.
Check out the publisher’s book page with a list of characters and a Scumble River map here.





























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