Tales and Treats, a new bookstore, is opening up in Scumble River, but some residents of the small Illinois town are not exactly welcoming them with open arms. Small businesses and conservative protesters see the new store as a threat. School psychologist and series protagonist, Skye Denison, is supportive of the new store and tries to convince the protesters that they are a positive addition to the town. The store will need more than her support to survive when a body is found under a heavy bookcase. Skye and her fiancé/chief of police, Wally, investigate.
When I read the summary of this book, I didn’t think it would work. How could anyone oppose a bookstore? However, Swanson really made the plot believable and natural.
I also appreciate Skye’s profession as a school psychologist. Too often in cozy mysteries the jobs of the protagonists are too twee. Swanson has over 20 years experience as a school psychologist and it shows. The scenes of Skye at work seem realistic and help to flesh out her character.
All in all, I really enjoy this series and always look forward to reading it.
