School psychologist Skye Denison didn't realize how cut throat parents, especially mothers, can be when it comes to running school projects. Their line of thinking is that the more they do for the school, the more popular their daughters will be. It looked like it was going to be a knock-down-drag-out between Annette Paine and Evie Harrison over who was going to be Promfest chairwoman, but Annette whispered something to Evie, and that lady bowed out of the running. Skye is at this meeting as the faculty liaison to the Promfest committee. She is coerced into being one of three witches at the Halloween Haunted House fund raiser. Sky has a phobia against dark places and witch costumes, so she is dreading her part in this venture.

On opening night of the "House" project Annette insists on a run thru before the doors open. Skye gets locked in the bathroom, which is supposedly truly haunted, sees and hears things that gets her adrenalin going, and is late to her post by the time she gets out. In the dark she stumbles over a body -- Annette Paine's body. Is this an accident or a murder? Annette is in Skye's assigned place and dressed identical to her. Could this accident/murder be a case of mistaken identity? Since Skye's boy friend, Chief of Police Wally Boyd has been called home on a family emergency, the detective in charge isn't eager to share information with Skye.

Meanwhile, the school board has finally gotten Annette an eager beaver assistant. Jackie Jennings has impressive credentials and an excellent attitude. Jackie wants to make Skye's job easier for her and will deal with irate parents, committee meetings, or anything -- and everything -- possible. This gal is just too good to be true -- honestly. Also, there is a hunky new reporter in town, Kurt Michaels, who wants to be good friends with Skye. Then, there's her ex-husband Simon who keeps popping up to see if our heroine needs help with anything.

MURDER OF A ROYAL PAIN is an excellent addition to this smart and entertaining series. Excellent characters, especially familiar faces from previous stories, make this cozy tale very comfortable, and the storyline with all its twists and turns keeps you turning pages like mad