The provided text consists of excerpts from the novel "Death Comes as the End" by Agatha Christie, which is set in ancient Egypt around 2000 B.C. The Author's Note explains the historical inspiration for the plot and characters, derived from actual Egyptian letters, and provides context on the calendar and cultural concepts like ka-service. The main body of the excerpts details the return of Renisenb, a young widow, to her father's household, where she observes the tensions and power struggles among her extended family, including her frustrated brothers, their wives, and the much-disliked servant Henet. The central conflict arises with the introduction of Nofret, her father Imhotep's young, beautiful concubine, whose presence sparks jealousy and culminates in a series of suspicious deaths, eventually revealed to be the work of her seemingly meek brother Yahmose.

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“What did the council decide on item 42?” — answered with the speaker and the moment.