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May 25, 2020
The story begins with an unknown person collecting yew berries and intent on murder. After the first two murders, in a change of pace, Trudy is contacted by an old school friend who tells her that the beauty pageant contestant who died suddenly did not commit suicide. She also says that the pageant that she is obliged to help with has become beset by dirty tricks. Trudy immediately goes to see her friend, the coroner, who will be conducting the coroner's court on the death. He pulls some strings, much to Trudy's supervisor's continuing irritation, and she goes undercover at the pageant. And Coroner Clement Ryder is cornered into becoming a pageant judge. Some of the contestants are looking for rich husbands or a springboard for future careers. There is some rivalry. And the wife of the unfaithful businessman who is hosting the pageant could be a suspect. Of course, there are the judges, too, and the master of ceremonies. So who is the crank performing the dirty tricks? And was there really a murder? Will there be more murders? Is it just one person or two? And then there is a second murder. The English class system is on full display in this story. There is some blackmail going on. Clement meets and approves of Trudy's parents, who like him, too. He continues to try to hide his physical condition. Trudy is unhappy about the swimsuit competition and doesn't really have any talent, but she soldiers on.