Murder of a Bookstore Babe

A Scumble River Mystery

By: Denise Swanson

Narrated by: Christine Leto

Length: 8 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

Who could be driven to kill by books and sweets? While school psychologist Skye Denison eagerly anticipates the grand opening of a new bookstore called Tales & Treats, many of Scumble River's most outspoken citizens want to shut down the owners before they even open - and one is angry enough to commit murder....

Dropping off some books at Tales & Treats, Skye trips over a toppled bookcase, which has crushed a woman beneath its weight. While police search for motives, Skye sees the messy aftermatch of a half-baked plot to murder somebody else.

Skye is juggling her own busy life, but when all the clues lead to dead ends, she turns up the heat on her own investigation... and stumbles upon the deadly secret that got this bookstore babe done in. And if Skye isn't careful, the killer just might make her the sequel.

©2011 Denise Swanson Stybr. (P)2011 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

"One of the best traditional mystery series being written today." ( CrimeSpree magazine)

funny and twisting plot

This is the first book by Denise Swanson. I love murder mysteries. Some go way on the dark side. Swanson's Murder of a Bookstore Babe is a lighthearted deviance from the dark and deep throws of the hard core murder mysteries.

Nap-able

I bought this on the deal of the dey so I can't say I wasted a lot of money... It is an achievement to make a murder so sanitized and bland. It was a challenge to finish the whole story. I kept falling asleep and having to go back and find my place. Buy it if you need a really good nap.

Simple plot, poor reader

Is there anything you would change about this book?

The narrator. Also, I like a little more depth and a little less lip-gloss color detail.

If you’ve listened to books by Denise Swanson before, how does this one compare?

n/a

What do you think the narrator could have done better?

She is extremely nasal and her overuse of vocal fry for every single character (I could see using it on purpose for one or two characters) was so irritating, I may not be able to finish the book at all.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

I would not go to a theatre to see this. It's really more in the Lifetime Movie genre anyway.

Good story!

This book stands out as one of my favorites in this series.

The story was great and the mystery was enthralling.

As usual, the narrator has these characters down pat! I never have to think about who is speaking!

One of the best in this series. Yes, I'd recommend it!

Cute book

Cute cozy murder mystery that kept my attention. Funny little town where nearly everyone is related introduces funny situations.

Unexpectedly Behavior…. not ok.

I have an issue with Simons behavior. It has stopped being romantic, him not excepting Sky’s decision is not ok. Someone who can’t accept the word no has issues. Especially when said multiple times!!

Sunny with some clouds

I really want to give this book a better review. I am enjoying the series. Skye Dennison is likable and funny. Her fiancé, Wally, is a nice guy , her family is a little quirky and very big. The story itself is suspenseful with lots of suspects and the ending is ........ well, I won’t tell. The love triangle with Simon, Wally and Skye ran its course several books ago, it is getting old and boring. I hope it ends soon because I do want to keep reading this series.

Second time around

This is the second time we have listened to the whole series and enjoyed it just as much as the first time

Cute

Nice little cozy. Well told, but drawn out in parts. Narration was decent. Haven’t read the whole series, but seemed ok as a stand alone.

What lovers do when they are hurt

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes I would, this book and the series are very entertaining and exciting. there is not just one story to each book which is pretty neat. The author is able to

What was one of the most memorable moments of Murder of a Bookstore Babe?

When Sky read the letter about her brother Vince getting married.

Which character – as performed by Christine Leto – was your favorite?

I think all of them she does very good at changing her voice and bringing emotion to the characters. I really like when she reads the Earl and his family.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I didn't really have an extreme reaction to this book, but I was sad when I found out who the killer was and why he killed his girlfriend.

Any additional comments?

none