The White House Pantry Murder

Eleanor Roosevelt #4

by Elliott Roosevelt

In December, 1941, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt suspects an imminent assassination plot while preparing the White House for the arrival of Winston Churchill

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Historical

231 pages, Hardcover

First published March 1, 1987

About the author

Elliott Roosevelt (September 23, 1910 – October 27, 1990) was an United States Army Air Forces officer and an author. Roosevelt was a son of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Reviews

[FangirlNation · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt wrote a series of mystery books with his mother, Eleanor Roosevelt, as the chief protagonist, and The White House Pantry Murder is the only one available to date on Audible. It is Christmas 1941, three weeks after the start of the Second World War, and Winston Churchill is about to visit Franklin D. Roosevelt at the White House to make plans for winning the war. The day after the Brits arrive, a kitchen maid comes screaming because she has just found a body in the refrigerator. He has been killed with a ice pick in the back of the head. DiConccini, one of the top secret service agents, takes with him British Lieutenant Commander Leach on a secret mission to prove that it would be possible for someone to infiltrate the White House grounds through the storm drains, where they find a German gun wiped clean of fingerprints but with prints of the dead man on the ammunition. When further surveillance discovers grenades in the storm drain, they realize just how serious the case truly is.

Read the rest of this review and other fun, geeky articles at Fangirl Nation

[Denise Spicer · Rating 2 out of 5]

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt helps solve the mystery of the identity of Nazi spies in the White House. British Prime Minister Winston Churchill is a guest and both he and the President are assassination targets. This book purports to show an inside view of The White House and its staff. The book is somewhat dated and has viewpoints and opinions that would now be considered very NOT politically correct.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual, it is wonderful to read about historical personalities from the Franklin era in a work of fiction. I have to struggle from time to time to separate the characters who actually existed from the ones that are pure fiction, and this book didn't help matters by giving an epilogue on what happened to each of the characters after the mystery was solved. I particularly loved the reference to Francis Perkins in this one. It was brief but telling. These are fun books.

[Linda Smatzny · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mystery set in December, 1941 in the White House when Churchill was visiting President Roosevelt. A murder happens in the White House and Mrs. Roosevelt puts herself into the investigation but it seems that more is happening than just the murder case. The book was a quick easy read that drew you into the story.

[Jessica Leffelman · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorites so far, it's a good read. Keeps you guessing, and it's action packed right to the end

[Faith Flaherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Plot is a Plot

This is my first Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery. I didn't even know they existed. St. Mary's Book Club chose The White House Pantry Murder by Elliott Roosevelt for January. The setting is Franklin Roosevelt's White House and the time is set for Christmas 1941 just as the US entered WWII.

I didn't know that Eleanor was a major character and that she would be involved in solving the crime, nor that there are other mysteries with her as the sleuth, either. I learned that after reading. I also thought the story was true or at least based on actual events because the author gives a biography of a few of the interesting characters. I had to look at the ISBN page to make sure it said FICTION.

The plot is a plot. The enemy, the Nazis, have infiltrated the White House. I won't spoil the suspense but you never know if the bad guy has been caught, or are there more. And whomever you suspect may or may not be guilty. I was right and I was wrong.

The purpose of the plot was to kill Franklin, Churchill too, if possible, and/or cause as much mayhem as possible. To highlight the danger, let me tell you that this was a suicide mission.

I enjoyed the interaction with Churchill. From what I've read, heard, and have seen in movies, Churchill's characterization was accurate. He was stubborn, impetuous, a voracious reader, liked to take baths and took the time to craft and practice speaking his speeches.

I was surprised at how much everyone smoked and drank. But that was a different era. It was an easy read and since the setting was Christmas and that hectic time was made even more hectic with murders and murderers running around the White House, it made me exclaim, "And I think my Christmas season is busy!"

[Stereo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this. I don't read much Mystery but I will seek it out more. Never read any others in the series so I went in completely blind. The writing was mostly well done and the characters distinct. I thought for a while there were too many characters involved and so some of them blend together, especially those that are insignificant, but I suppose it helps to have multiple possible suspects in a story like this. But when it cooked, it cooked. Doesn't overstay its welcome. The only really bad bit was at the end when there's basically a villain monologue for absolutely no reason. I would have expected some rationale for why the apprehended party just explained everything but there really isn't. The only real misplay here. Otherwise rad.

[Alton Motobu · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written in the 1980s; set in December 1941 when FDR and Churchill met in Washington DC to discuss WW II strategy. Dead bodies with no IDs start piling up in the White House freezer, and Eleanor Roosevelt investigates (although most of the leg work is done by the Secret Service and British intelligence). Turns out a Secret Service agent, whose relatives were held hostage in Belgium, was being used by Nazis to infiltrate the White House; their goal was to assassinate FDR and Churchill. Pretty preposterous plot, but similar story line was used in the Harrison Ford movie, AIR FORCE ONE in 1997, and the Angeline Jolie movie, SALT in 2010.

[Helenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am currently attempting to read the books by Elliott Roosevelt in order. I am enjoying them even if they are somewhat dated in comparison to present day mysteries. I feel The White House Pantry Murder has been the best thus far (#4 in the series). This one is set in World War II shortly after Pearl Harbor. Many historical figures make entrances in these books, particularly Winston Churchill this time.

[Panu Mäkinen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Valkoisen talon murhat on Franklin ja Eleanor Rooseveltin pojan kirjoittama dekkari, jonka tapahtumat sijoittuvat Valkoiseen taloon. On toisen maailmansodan aika, ja Valkoinen talo kuhisee arvovieraita. Teos selkoittelee mielenkiintoisella tavalla faktaa ja fiktiota, joskin lukijaa hämmentävät henkilöiden kepeä suhtautuminen kuolemantapauksiin ja varsin heppoiset toimenpiteet presidentin turvallisuuden takaamiseksi.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#4 Christmas 1941, Churchill is coming to White House to meet with FDR and work out agreements and establish plans for the United Nations. However a man is found murdered in the refrigerator of the White House pantry. Secret Service, military guards are all trying to up maximum security and keep the murder absolutely secret. When a second murder happens several nights later, inside traitors are suspected, and a murderer seems to be loose within the White House.

[AngelaGay Kinkead · Rating 3 out of 5]

Audiobook. Just right for a 6 hour round trip. Finished the last hour while I ate supper. A nice little mystery, featuring FDR, Eleanor, and Churchill. A little history and the White House setting were enjoyable. Based on true events with a good epilogue. Author Elliott Roosevelt (d. 1990) is the son of Eleanor and Franklin. I was quite surprised at his descriptions of his parents and their relationship. Published in 1987?

[Lynette Caulkins · Rating 4 out of 5]

Yes, I have read more finely-crafted mysteries, but Elliott's writing does hold your attention, and I love the historical setting. I don't usually like historical fiction depicting real people, however, coming from the son of Eleanor and Franklin, there's a lot more validity to the depictions of behavior. Fun series.

[Beatrice Drury · Rating 4 out of 5]

Espionage, attempted assassination of President FDR and Prime Minister Churchill, and two corpses in the White House. Who can be trusted? Christmas of 1941 is filled with the dangers of the beginning involvement of the US in the war and the knowledge that even the White House is not really safe.

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly enjoyable historical mystery with Winston Churchill as a central character and Eleanor Roosevelt as an astute detective. The action takes place during Christmas 1941. The plot is well-developed and, while not a thrilling page-turner, has a steady pace.

[Margaret · Rating 3 out of 5]

War time in Washington brings German spies in all shapes and sizes in this attempt to assassinate President Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Interesting look at the inner workings of the White House in a distant era.

[Kathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Didn't like this one as well as the others I have read. Was slow, and seemed to drag on and on. However, I really enjoy this series as a whole, so on to the next one.

[Paige Kuether · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt's book are a fun read because they give lots of historical information.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild from beginning to end! Plenty of plot twists, and I only gave it four stars because I thought there were just a few too many characters. Overall a great read!

[Hannu Sinisalo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Valju perusdekkari, kehno suomennos.

[Lourdes C. Davis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick, easy read

[Jackie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good, entertaining, quick read. It was fun to read about perspectives and how some things were back in the 1940s.

[Bill Graf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars.

[Maggie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this on audiobook. It was a very diverting mystery set at the White House during the December 1941.

[Connie Fisher · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a good story and quite suspenseful, but the author gave so many details about the war and the people involved that it was hard to keep all of them straight. Probably wouldn’t read another in the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

These books are carrying me through this phase of the pandemic. Just mindless enough, but with good history refreshers and within a presidential administration that got things done. Perfection for now.

[Marge · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad for a Christmas mystery.
It is 1941. In this cozy mystery,a body is found in the White House refrigerator with no identification. This is just as Winston Churchill is visiting for a war conference. As the White House security tries to solve the case, Eleanor Roosevelt puts her 2 cents in. She's not any kind of an ace detective and is sometimes wrong.
In this book by the Roosevelts' son Elliott, the most interesting elements are the backstage descriptions of life in White House and how they were preparing for the U.S. role in WWII. The story is a little simplistic but still a good read because of that.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. I learned more about the U.S. becoming involved in WWII and about Winston Churchill, who was a guest in the White House and a character in this book. Some things reminded me of our current situation with questionable persons gaining access to the White House far too easily despite all the security measures provided a President and his family. I find the Roosevelts very interesting and always learn more about them in these books. Eleanor solving mysteries is fascinating.

[Julie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt, son of Eleanor and Franklin, wrote a series of mysteries set in the white house with Eleanor as a Miss Marple character. This was fun because of the historical setting. Interestingly, the incident with Churchill and Roosevelt on Christmas Eve described in the story coincides with David McCullough's story telling in last year's Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert which is now on DVD.