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13th out of 75 books
—
30 voters
Murder in the White House (Capital Crimes #1)
In a town where the weapon of choice is usually a well-aimed rumor, the strangling of Secretary of State Lansard Blaine in the Lincoln Bedroom is a gruesome first. White House counsel Ron Fairbanks is ordered to investigate. There are persistent rumors that the Secretary was an accomplished womanizer with ties to a glamorous call girl. There is also troubling evidence of u...more
Paperback, 272 pages
Published
October 30th 2001
by Fawcett
(first published 1980)
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It didn't take me long to finish his book. It was a good read. I put myself in the 1980s and read the boo with out the expectations of 2011. The story line was good. A murder in the Whte Houe and no one saw or heard anything. So a non-discript White House aid is put in charge of the investigation with all levels of security at his fingertips. The president wants this murder solved a soon as possible. He has no idea what solving this murder will cost his family. Things that astonished us and seem...more
I loved this book. Maybe one of the reasons I loved it was because it was set in Washington DC and written by a first daughter...It was interesting to compare how things were doine in 1980 and how they are now..It is amazing that they even solved crimes back then with no DNA or ballistics or luminol or anything. ..I am going to read the rest of her books..it was a good quick read. I reccommend it for anyone that likes mysteries and the DC area...they even mentioned going to a st. in Alexandria t...more
Not a favorite of mine. It's a quick read; I'll give the book that. But that's just about the only positive thing I can say. The ending was really disappointing, and I thought the book contained a lot of unnecessary trash. Also, the author would randomly switch between 1st and 3rd person narrative right in the middle of things, and then suddenly switch back after a paragraph. I'm not sure if this was just really poor writing and editing, or if it was some weird attempt at creativity, but whateve...more
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Margaret Truman writes well and, as a President's daughter, with amazing detail. She shares insights that no one else has. It is the details that make her stories. In this one, yes, she makes it clear from the beginning, that with the White House Security, the pool of possible murderers is limited. But finding the inevitable end is the interesting part. How does the Special Investigator get there? He and I find out just how the White House and the First Family, ticks. Quick read. Fun to read.
Murder mysteries have not been a part of my reading repertoire for long, so I don't feel I can really make comparisons. I enjoyed this story very much and I had read Murder in Foggy Bottom, by Truman previously and enjoyed it. I appreciate the settings in Washingon DC and I like the characters; both of which I think she does a good job with considering both of these books were relatively short works.
I'll read a few more in the "Capital Crimes" series.
I'll read a few more in the "Capital Crimes" series.
For a first novel it was well written.
While it wasn't the best mystery I've ever read, what impressed me the most was the grasp of politics and Washington DC that Margaret Truman had. Of course, given that she was an ex-First Child, that's really not a surprise. For that aspect, it was quite interesting.
I had a hard time with the format and the ending, while it didn't surprise me, was very abrupt and didn't answer my questions.
But I am glad I read it.
While it wasn't the best mystery I've ever read, what impressed me the most was the grasp of politics and Washington DC that Margaret Truman had. Of course, given that she was an ex-First Child, that's really not a surprise. For that aspect, it was quite interesting.
I had a hard time with the format and the ending, while it didn't surprise me, was very abrupt and didn't answer my questions.
But I am glad I read it.
Thoroughly enjoyed this first in her series -- very impressive debut as a mystery author by a first daughter. I especially enjoyed the behind the scenes information about the White House and the jobs described. My husband started it with complaints about the "dated" syntax but quickly got involved and wouldn't put it down until he finished.
I started this book three times before I just made up my mind to finish the book. It did not hold my interest. I found the book to be less than interesting. But once I started the book I made myself continue until I finished the book. It was a quick read but had no meaniful value.
This series is usually well written (which at this point makes me wonder if she is the author still because they still hold together well, and she has to be getting up there in age), not too heavy on character development, and not driven by action--acceptable mysteries
Although this book was written in 1980, it doesn't feel dated. I thought the story went on too long and the secret harbored by the President and his wife was a little overdone. I had guessed who the killer was long before the end but I felt the ending was rushed.
Obviously Truman knows the inside scoop on how to use a white house setting and members of the government to weave a fictional murder behind security's back. I would've liked to get to know the characters a bit more, but the suspense of the plot was intriguing.
this is the first of Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes books that I've read. even though it is set in a Washington DC that is 30 years old. I found this mystery tight, good characters, plausible story-line, and wonderful color. I would like to recommend this to anyone who likes procedural types of mysteries.
If you like murder mysteries, Margaret Truman is a good solid read. She always includes some facts about Washington D.C. that you may not know. Her characters may change, but she still is an author I always come back to.
Feb 05, 2009
Jackie
is currently reading it
Just started - found a bunch at the local historical societies bokk sale. SInce I like murder mysteries thought I wold give them a try. I'll let you know what I think.
The Secretary of State is murdered in the White House, and the President assigns Ron Fairbanks, Special Counsel to the President to head up the investigation. During his investigation, Ron finds out many secret things about the lives of not only the Secretary of State, but also about the President, the First Lady, and their daughter, Lynne, whom rumor has it, Ron will one day marry. Ron realizes that he has been placed in a difficult position and it may cost his his job if he digs too deeply, bu...more
i was surprised by this -- it was pretty suspenseful and interesting. view of white house politics and the secrets therein. inuendo about sex so not comparable to Christie, similar in tone to McInerny
I was not very impressed, maybe I will try reading another of hers. For the time being, I'm going to try reading one of Sue Grafton's mysteries.
I was glad to read soemthing without the Smith's in it. This is a great dance through DC and I loved reading all the details.
Someone suggested I read Margaret Truman, never thought I'd be interested, but I liked her, looking foreward to reading more.
I wrote a review of this that "almost" got published! They held it, advised me of a publication date, then......no go.....
Really like her characters and it's obvious she's lived in the White House.
I think Truman got better as she wrote more books. This was an early one.
I had a few inklings, but didn't really figure it out completely until about 25 pages from the end...and I like that about a book! So glad I finally got around to starting this series!
easy to read on a plane or beach. Interesting, but not too obvious
Muddled through the book up to the outstanding ending.
Poor thing...couldn't sing...couldn't write...
Fun mystery!easy read & enjoyable.
This was the mystery book group's choice for February. Most people in the group liked it and would read more by Margaret Truman.
Oh so '80s.
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Mary Margaret Truman-Daniel, widely known throughout her life as "Margaret Truman", (February 17, 1924 — January 29, 2008) was an American singer who later became a successful writer. She was the only child of Harry S. Truman (33rd President of the United States) and his wife Bess.
Born in Independence, Missouri, she was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and her materna...more
More about Margaret Truman...
Born in Independence, Missouri, she was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and her materna...more
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