Dead in the Water

Welcome Back to Scumble River, Book 1

By: Denise Swanson

Narrated by: Tanya Eby

Length: 7 hrs and 22 mins

Publisher's summary

The first audiobook in a brand new series featuring New York Times best-selling author Denise Swanson's beloved Scumble River setting and characters, Dead in the Water is a gripping mystery that won't let you go until the end.

A twister, a kidnapping, and a murder - oh my! Scumble River may never be the same.

For school psychologist Skye Denison, there's certainly no place like home. When a violent tornado devastates her small hometown of Scumble River, she can't see how the community will ever recover - especially since town councilman Zeke Lyons appears to have perished in the twister.

But things get even worse for Skye when her police chief husband, Wally, disappears in the midst of investigating Zeke's death, and evidence arises pointing to foul play. Did Zeke really die in the storm, or was he murdered? And could Wally be next on the criminal's hit list?

©2018 Denise Swanson (P)2018 Blackstone Audio, Inc.

BRING BACK THE VOICE OF SCUMBLE RIVER!

I love the Scumble River books. I was afraid the author would end the series with Skye and Wally's marriage, so I was totally excited to see that she was starting a new chapter in their story. I was disappointed to see that Christine Leto wasn't narrating, but hey, it's a Scumble River book so I had to get it. I. AM. SO. DISAPPOINTED! The new narrator just ruins what is otherwise a great book. She mispronounces names and her delivery is wooden. No one else has Christine Leto's Scumble River twang, but come on! Couldn't she listen to Ms. Leto's delivery of just one of the previous Scumble River books so she could at least pronounce the names correctly? I'm starting a review campaign. Any other Scumble River fans with me? BRING BACK THE VOICE OF SCUMBLE RIVER!!

Great story, Horrible Narration

I am so sad that Christine Leto is not narrating the new revamped series. I LOVE the Scumble River series. I own all the Paperbacks and the audible versions. I think Dead in the Water was a perfect title for the new launch. Not only did the twisters destroy Scumble River, the new new narrator Tanya Eby destroyed all the characters. I tried to finish listening but when she didn’t even make the correct pronunciation of Doozier, it was over for me. She sounds so much like a robot I looked her up to hear a sample of her other work. She sounds less robotic in some others. Sadly this will be my last audible visit to Scumble River. The stories are great so I am definitely continuing the books but am really sad to lose the audible version because Christine Leto brought such life to all the characters. This will be the first audible book I have ever returned for a refund.

Good story, awful narrator. 😳

as usual for the scumble river books, I loved the story line! However, the narrator was wooden and mechanical. The voices were awful and I spent the whole book wishing for the end. She didnt even pronounce Doosiers correctly. I don't know why the change of narrator, but I have just listened to the last in this series if this reader stays...

Nice installment in the series— HORRIBLE new narrator

If you’re a fan of Skye and Wally, you’ll like the continuation of their story. I enjoyed that it was current and that Skye is no longer afraid of technology. 😊 However, the new narrator is hideous. I just could not get past it. She over pronounced every single word. Combine that with the fact that she was so monotonous that she literally sounded like a computer voice much of the time. This was a problem especially when the characters became upset or emotional.

I honestly have never written a book review and I can get past a lot in a narrator. But this one has got to go or she will kill this series for me.

Please don't change narrators!

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

No, only because I couldn't relate to the characters due to the change in narrator.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Dead in the Water?

I liked that Wally's dad was more involved.

What didn’t you like about Tanya Eby’s performance?

Her inflections were wayyyyy off. I would have been better off reading this book myself. Her narration was a constant irritation the whole time I listened to this book.

Did Dead in the Water inspire you to do anything?

no

Any additional comments?

I probably won't buy anymore from this series if they keep the same narrator. Christine Leto became the voice of the characters after listening to all the previous books.

Completely ruined by new narrator

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

If you are a long time listener of the Scumble River series, you are likely to be utterly broken hearted. The characters we've come to know are gone. Although the story seems right in line with the rest, the narrator destroyed the experience. I actually began to wonder if the narrator was an AI or robot. Horrible. Please bring Christine Leto back or at the very least a decent narrator.

Would you be willing to try another one of Tanya Eby’s performances?

Never.

Good book Bad narrator

I really love this series. This book was great but the narration was awful!! Why did they bring in a new narrator?

Not happy with change of Narrator

What would have made Dead in the Water better?

I was excited that there was a new book out for one of my favorite Book Series but very dissatisfied with the change of Narrator. I like Christine Leto. She did all the books before and I fell in love with the cast and got to know each person well. Changing the narrator also changes the character.

Would you recommend Dead in the Water to your friends? Why or why not?

No. This one bored me

How did the narrator detract from the book?

She should have listened to books before this one and got to know each character. Make sure that you pronounce the names correctly. It was annoying!

Tanya Eby sounds like a robot. Terrible.

If I didn't love Denise Swanson I would have returned this book in the first 2 minutes.I almost want my money back anyway. Her voice turned this great story into something painful. I am just out done after 18 books how could and would you ever change to this Tanya person. Tanya you need to find another way to make money because this is not it honey!

Unexpectedly Bad

I have listened to all the books in the original series and really enjoyed them. There are a several issues with this book. The narrator is terrible. The men’s voices are off, Sky voice is whiny and pitchy and the name of one of many characters is consistently mispronounced.

There are leaps from the last book in the old series that don’t translate to this series. And, I’m sick to death of Wally whining about Simon. Sadly that stayed the same from the original series. Lastly, the story wasn’t very good. I will probably return this book it was so bad.

No story here, I’m afraid

If you are looking for a bit of excitement, drama or suspense, this isn’t the book for you. No excitement, no drama and no suspense. It takes almost three hours of listening before you arrive at ‘the story’. In fact, if you read the blurb at the beginning, you’ve got the whole story.
I hate writing poor reviews but I just don’t know what else to write. So Sorry Denise. 🥴

Good for a light read

Started rather slow, but got better a few chapters in. Would recommend as a light read - the American accent added variety.

cheesy

a bit too cheesy for my liking with the overly romantic story but it was interesting enough to follow and finish the book.

Could not finish it

Tedious tale, boring performance. Not at all worth another 4 hours hoping it would improve.

Gave up and deleted from my library.

Great story

Really enjoyed this book, the characters were involving and the story lines was strong will listen to others in the series

On the boring side. Narration a bit tedious

If this was tidied up a bit, it would be much better. Get rid of the bedroom scene.

Not for me

Voices grate connections seem weird. A police force who don't talk to each other .

utter crud

predictable whodunnit, I guessed every plot twist in advance and only listened till the big reveal in the hope I was proven wrong, I wasn't.
don't waste your time on this free book.

A wonderful story.

This was my first time reading a Denise Swanson story, it was fabulous! Tanya Eby portrayed all the characters, really well, and kept the narrative flowing well. Denise has a clever way of quoting from ‘The Wizard of Oz’ at the beginning of each chapter which takes us through a town recovering from a hurricane and a murder ( and more)! I was hooked all the way and will, certainly, be clicking to hear more of Wally and Skye’s adventures. Over and above the storyline is quite insightful of post hurricane and relationship trauma. Highly recommended.

disappointing

This was a slowly moving story with a predictable ending. The narration wasn't for me and actually grated as she spoke too quickly. May suit some listeners but not me I'm afraid.