Murder of a Real Bad Boy
|
Murder of a Royal Pain by Denise Swanson |
| (Obsidian, $6.99, NV) ISBN 978-0-41-22658-7 |
 |
| Scumble River school psychologist Skye Denison loves her job, but working at all three schools, the elementary, junior and senior highs, is being to take a toll on her. When she learns that her nemesis, principal Homer, has hired a social worker, Jackie Jennings, Skye is delighted at first, until she begins to feel that Jackie is a little too pushy and finds Jackie in places that are a little too close to home: at the dinner table at Skye’s mother’s house, out on a date with Skye’s ex-boyfriend Simon, and at the same movie and restaurant that Skye and Wally are attending.
Skye has been drafted to work on the high school’s Promfest committee, and even worse, has been assigned to be a witch in a haunted house, one of her biggest phobias in life. Skye looks at this as a chance to overcome her fears; but when she trips over the body of the bossy committee chair, Annette Paine, who has filled in as one of the three witches at the last minute and looks like Skye in her costume, she knows she will never overcome her fears. Skye can’t believe someone would kill over the prom queen title, and begins to suspect she may have been the intended target, especially when a series of other incidents occur, including an attempted hit and run and tampering with Skye’s beloved Oreos. Skye can’t figure out who would want to do her in, unless it is the disgruntled parent, Mrs. Idell who is insisting that Skye place her son in special ed when all Skye suspects he need is a little parental discipline. Now Skye is watching over her shoulder, first for a murderer, and secondly, to try and figure what Jackie’s game is and where she will turn up next. A trip to Scumble River is like visiting with old friends. Murder of a Royal Pain has a neat twist as it ties in seemingly innocuous events from two previous novels. Skye continues to be a vivacious heroine, even attracting the attention of the new reporter in town, despite, as she points out, perhaps once too often, her larger-than-most size. As always, Skye is accompanied on her investigations by former boyfriend, mortician Simon, current beau, police chief Wally, her student Justin, and mother May is never far behind. Many readers will guess who is behind Skye’s near misses, and may even be able to figure out all the loose ends long before Skye and Wally catch on to what is happening.
Murder of a Royal Pain contains clever plot twists and a likable heroine who has many of the usual insecurities about herself and her life, yet is able to continue to help her students, family and friends, and find time to solve a murder and spend time with hunky detective Wally. This is another entry into a fine series that is sure to be on most must-read lists.
--Jennifer Monahan Winberry |
Please tell us what you think!
Back Home