A beauty pageant turns ugly when a judge is murdered in this mystery featuring a "witty heroine [with] a winning combination of grit and finesse" (Publishers Weekly).

The star reporter for the Atlanta Constitution, Samantha Adams bristles at the thought of covering this year's Miss America Pageant—but at least she'll get to take her boyfriend, Harry, on a trip to Atlantic City. Getting the inside story on the pageant business, Sam encounters some larger than life characters. But one of the judges, Kurt Roberts, is notably absent. So why does no one seem to care?

As Sam gets into the grime beneath the showbiz glamour, it becomes clear that Kurt had a talent for making enemies. Hitting on contestants, abusing his girlfriend, and holding out on loan sharks were just a few of his hobbies. And as Sam uncovers a plot to throw the contest, she'll need all her Southern grace and journalistic poise to foil a killer's crowning achievement.