Biography

Denise Swanson, The New York Times best-selling author of the Scumble River Mystery series, began writing after coming face-to-face with evil. She quickly decided she would rather write about villains than encounter them in her daily life. She was also shocked to discover that getting a book published was nearly as difficult as vanquishing scoundrels. Chef-to-Go Mysteries Chili Chili Bang Bang is the fourth book in her Chef-to-go Mystery series. It features Danielle Sloan, the happy owner of Chef-to-Go, preparing delicious, ready-made meals for hungry students attending the nearby university, as well as providing personal chef services and catering events for the local community. To help support her new business, she opens her home to a few students, renting them rooms and becoming almost like a big sister figure in their lives. Things in Normalton, Illinois, are getting hot, hot, hot. When the small Midwest college town is chosen to host the Route 66 Rally’s Chili Challenge, not everyone’s excited by the prospect. Campus activists are upset about the environmental impact, the economic inequity, and the consumption of meat. And when the contestants’ ingredients and equipment are peppered with sabotage, it becomes clear that there’s someone who’s willing to take a life to get their point across, and Dani Sloan must not only cook a killer batch of chili, she also has to follow a trail of clues to save the contest, her fellow competitors… And herself. Chef-to-Go Mysteries   Book 1 - April 2018: Tart of Darkness   Book 2 - March 2019: Leave No Scone Unturned   Book 3 - September 2020: Winner Cake All   Book 4 - September 2023: Chili Chili Bang Bang

Her Devereaux's Dime Store Mystery series features Devereaux Sinclair, the happy owner of the old-fashioned shop in Shadow Bend, a small town near Kansas City, Missouri. If only murder didn't keep landing on her doorstep...

Denise was nominated for RT Magazine's Career Achievement Award. Her fellow nominees included Sue Grafton and Janet Evanovich. She has spoken at hundreds of library events and other civic organizations. She has also been interviewed on radio and TV.

Her continuing Scumble River Mystery series is set in Scumble River, a fictional small town in Illinois, and features Skye Denison-Boyd, a full-figured school psychologist-sleuth who is torn between a handsome police chief and an urbane coroner. All of her books are in multiple printings and many have featured in the Barnes & Noble Mass-Market Mystery, IMBA and BookScan Best-Sellers lists. They have also been BookSense 76 Picks and Top Picks for RT Magazine, as well as nominated for the Agatha Award, the Mary Higgins Clark Award, and the Reviewers Choice Award. Several of her books débuted on The New York Times Best-Sellers List!

The Change of Heart romance series is about a group of small town friends who all need a fresh start and a change of outlook in order to find their forever loves.

Denise Swanson lives in Illinois with her husband, classical composer David Stybr ( http://www.DeniseSwanson.com/Stybr ). Unlike her protagonist Skye, Denise realizes she can never really move very far from her hometown. But several times a year she and Dave sneak away for a little adventure.

Independent Music:
Andante Cantabile for String Orchestra by David Stybr (5 minutes, © 2004)