Amazingly, the beautiful young innkeeper takes pity on Rye s situation and invites him home to stay with her for the night. Smitten by her kindness, Rye returns the next day with flowers to thank her, only to find her distraught with the discovery that one of her guests has been found dead in his cabin. Although it looks like an allergic reaction, Rye s trained eye finds a few discrepancies at the death scene. When the local sheriff ignores his well-intended observations, Rye s investigative instincts kick in, even though it takes him further from his assignment and the deadline is looming. He sees this death as both an opportunity to impress the lovely innkeeper as well as his key back into the world of political reporting.
Rye fishes a little more, both in and out of water, and has a little success in both endeavors.
Finally, thanks to a seemingly unending supply of friends in all the right places, Rye gathers enough background information on poisons, mushrooms and fly-fishing to master the latter and solve the former. If Elkjer matures his character and finds his pace, Rye has a chance to make a return appearance, but this one s not a keeper. Toss it back.