Denise Swanson is a prolific writer with over 35 published books in her catalog, and I’ve enjoyed reading them all. It is now my pleasure to share with you the cover for the next book in the “Scumble River” mystery series, coming in February 2026 and now available for purchase.
Publication Date: February 27, 2026
Name of Series: A Scumble River Mystery, Book 24
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Format: Digital, Print
Author Website: DeniseSwanson.com
Book Synopsis
School psychologist Skye Denison-Boyd is already in a tizzy when classes are extended into June causing summer break to be delayed and overlap into her friends’ wedding week. However, that’s a minor inconvenience when an unforeseen discovery causes the rice to really hit the fan.
When Frannie and Justin return to their hometown to get married, things in Scumble River, Illinois blow up into the perfect storm of wedding chaos and mysterious past homicide.
Skye is Frannie’s Matron of Honor/wedding planner, but her plans to devote all her time to helping with her friend’s nuptials are disrupted first by her uncle the mayor going rogue, and then by an unsolved murder they uncover at the Starlight Theater while it’s being prepped to serve as the wedding venue.
Then unsavory characters began skulking around Scumble River, and it becomes clear that Hizzoner is up to his neck in a heap of trouble. Do the mayor’s shenanigans have anything to do with cold case tied to the Starlight?
Soon it becomes evident that the identity of the victim is by far the least of the secrets buried in the theater’s past.
Will Skye figure it all out before she or someone she loves becomes the killer’s next target? Or will the Scumble River Skeleton soon be joined by another fatality?
About the author
New York Times Bestseller author Denise Swanson was a practicing psychologist for twenty-two years. She writes the Scumble River, Devereaux’s Dime Store, Chief-to-Go, and Forever Charmed mysteries, was well as two contemporary romance connected series and apocalyptic novels. Her books all feature small-town heroines with lots of heart.Denise’s books have been finalists for the Agatha, Mary Higgins Clark, RT Magazine’s Career Achievement, and Daphne du Maurier Awards. She has won the Reviewers Choice Award and was a BookSense 76 Top Pick.
For more information, please check her website at www.DeniseSwanson.com or find Denise on Facebook at Denise Swanson’s Mysteries, Romances, and More or follow her on twitter at DeniseSwansonAu.
The book looks interesting and the cover is so engaging! Best of luck!
Thank you!
So nice to see another Scumble River story!
Thank you! This one has been in the works for two years, Phew!
The cover is great! Love the colors and the skeletal hand. Story sounds engaging!
Excited to read the Wedding Jitters and stormy rivers. Cover is inviting and the title is gripping. Enjoy author Denise Swanson work, she never disappoints
I’m excited to read Wedding Jitters and Stormy Rivers! The skeleton holding flowers., draws me in. Very catchy look and the title. Temping title encourages me to review who, what and where! Enjoy the fact that Skye’s uncle is involved. I’m ready to read.
I’ve looked on Amazon and Fantastic Fiction and see nothing about it at all. When might this show up so it can be ordered.