Murder at Union Station

Capital Crimes #20

by Margaret Truman

When Washington’s splendid Union Station opened its doors in 1908, the glorious structure epitomized capital stylishness. Today, restored and refurbished, the station is again a hub of activity where the world’s most famous and infamous people meet–and often collide. Now, in Margaret Truman’s new Capital Crime novel, this landmark locale becomes the scene of a sensational shooting whose consequences ricochet from seedy bars to the halls of Congress.

Historic Union Station means nothing to the elderly man speeding south on the last lap of what turns out to be a one-way journey from Tel Aviv to D.C.–on a train that will soon land him at Gate A-8 and, moments later, at St. Peter’s Gate. This weary traveler, whose terminal destination is probably hell, is Louis Russo, former mob hit man and government informer. Two men are at the station to meet him. One is Richard Marienthal, a young writer whose forthcoming book is based on Russo’s life. The other is the man who kills him.

Russo has returned to help promote Marienthal’s book, which, although no one has been allowed to read it, already has some people shaking in their Gucci boots. The powerful fear the contents will not only expose organized crime’s nefarious business, but also a top-secret assignment abroad that Russo once masterminded for a very-high-profile Capitol Hill client. As news of Russo’s murder rockets from the MPD to the FBI and the CIA, from Congress to the West Wing, the final chapter of the story begins its rapid-fire unfolding.

In addition to the bewildered Marienthal and his worried girlfriend, there is an array of memorable rock-ribbed right-wing Senator Karl Widmer; ruthless New York publisher Pamela Warren; boozy MPD Detective Bret Mullin; shoe-shine virtuoso Joe Jenks; dedicated presidential political adviser Chet Fletcher; and President Adam Parmele himself–not to mention freelance snoops, blow-dried climbers, and a killer or two. There’s no place like the nation’s capital, and as her myriad fans know, Margaret Truman always gets it right. Murder at Union Station is a luxury express, nonstop delight.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Audiobook, Thriller, Suspense

384 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published October 26, 2004

About the author

Mary Margaret Truman Daniel was an American classical soprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of President Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywide whistle-stop campaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media.
After graduating from George Washington University in 1946, she embarked on a career as a coloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings for RCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs like What's My Line? and The Bell Telephone Hour.
In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the program Weekday with Mike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, President Harry S. Truman and mother Bess Truman.
She was married to journalist Clifton Daniel, managing editor of The New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite.

Reviews

[Diane (IF U'RE PRIVATE, PLEASE SKIP ME!!!) Wallace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read! Include excellent writing and some kinda plot twist in how the storyline is played out -- highly recommend to everyone (paperback!)

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the thing about her books is that they all just kind of end... you keeping waiting for a climax and there isn't one. Like she decides she's written enough words so she can stop now. Again, I knew who did it and why, but there wasn't ever really a confrontation. Also, the I didn't get how the FBI guys were so slow on the uptake when they had wire taps and stuff. One minute they are right there and the next they are asleep missing everything.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a delightful portrayal of the political climate in Washington DC. Much of it reminded me of current events. Politicians were using a young author's book currently being published to discredit the sitting President who was seeking a second term. This book had a lot of action--2 murders and several persons trying to obtain the tapes on which the book had been based. The author disappeared for a while to avoid reporters and persons attempting to steal the tapes. Mac and Annabel had some involvement in the mystery as in other books in the series.

[4cats · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining crime novel set in Washington, an old man returns to the USA (however this man has a history as a mafia informant) when he is murdered questions are asked.

[Russ Cross · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very good!

[Jay Wind · Rating 4 out of 5]

I certainly enjoyed reading Murder at Union Station, and now I want to read Margaret Truman's other books.

Murder at Union Station spins around roughly 20 characters, all drawn in picturesque detail -- what color shirt, what color tie, what flavor of ice cream and booze -- with two main adversaries circling each other, without actually knowing each other. (They briefly meet, for just one step.) We get to know everyone from the highly-observant shoe-shine man at Union Station to the President of the United States. A well-detailed U.S. Senator lurks off-stage -- we never actually see him, but he's an important presence. What we DO see, however, are realistic picture of mid-range character who could actually exist.

We expect them all to collide at the end ... and then it doesn't happen. The suspense up to that point is real, then the story ends abruptly. Too bad. I would have liked to see the Senator, maybe Senate hearing that drives the book forward but never quite happens.

Nonetheless, 90% of something good is still something good. I'll give it four stars.

[Vannessa Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac and Annabelle are drawn into the murder of a former enforcer.

The sitting president is accused of ordering the murder of a sitting Chilean president while head of the CIA. A former enforcer of the Mob claimed to have been the hit man and hired a Ghost Writer to write his story. A right wing Senator who has made it his life to not let the sitting president see a second term is doing all he can to get the book published.
Guerin Barry does a good job and telling the story.

[Katie Trujillo · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was...okay. It's one of those books that just never quite grabs you but it's not necessarily bad either so you keep reading it hoping that the good part is just a few pages away. Like other readers, I kept waiting for the climax to happen but it just never did. It was a straight easy read through to the end but it never had the excitement that I craved. It wasn't really a waste of my time but I wouldn't read it again. 2.5 stars.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A visitor from Israel arrives in Washington, DC, and is promptly (you guessed it) murdered at Union Station. Who was he? Why was he here? And why are so many governmental agencies concerned about him?

This is one of the best of Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes series. I just wish I hadn't waited 15 years to read it.

Errors found in text: p. 25, Israeli Mosad, the Mosad / Mossad ; p. 26, the heartiest of souls / the hardiest ; p. 45, Keep things going here, Vinny (Ms. Truman used both Vinnie and Vinny, but since Vinnie appeared much more frequently, I'm going to assume Vinnie was the norm, and Vinny was the exception) / here, Vinnie ; p. 66, Detective Vinny Accurso / Vinnie ; p, 203, Try and reach him / Try to reach ; p. 206, How's Vinny / Vinnie ; p. 262, he's nowhere to found / nowhere to be found ; p. 263, The bag slung over his shoulder, he wandered / With the bag slung over his shoulder, he wandered ; p. 293, Please try and understand / Please try to understand .

[Daniel · Rating 5 out of 5]

A former hitman for the mob arrives at Union Station in DC and is murdered. He was arriving from Israel to appear before a Senate committee to validate what was written in a new book where he claims that, twenty years earlier, he was hired by the CIA to assassinate a visiting leader of a foreign country. At the time the head of the CIA was a man that is now the current president of the US who is seeking a second term. The author of the book has tapes and papers of the hitman stating what he did 20 years earlier and now everyone is after them.

[Trish · Rating 5 out of 5]

M. Truman's mysteries are always delightful in many ways. There is the continuing romance between Mackensie Smith and his wife, Annabel Lee. The interesting tidbits of information about the history and development of D.C., the political intrigue, the 'sitting' president is always a Democrat like her father, and the intricacies of the various policing departments in D.C. including the CIA and FBI. Who ordered the shooting of an old, infirm former mobster, then a day later, the shooter was shot. Since the mob is suspected, that trail ends and the chase begins for the tapes he recorded before leaving Israel. Why does everyone want those tapes? Who will get them?

[Steven Decknick · Rating 1 out of 5]

*DNF* (stopped after chapter 4)
Pros: some interesting descriptions: he kissed “like a campaign promise, no commitment.”
Cons: no hook, sluggish and uninteresting story more concerned with romantic relationships than murder. Used words like “adroit” and “stoic” more than necessary within a few dozen pages for my liking. A single hint at a mystery revealed at the end of chapter one quickly evaporated into an ongoing discussion of political characters in Washington DC, where they dined and what they had to eat (*yawn*).
Overall: No one could be killed off fast enough to keep me reading.

[Julie Trapp · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Louis Russo was murdered in Union Station just as he arrived from Israel to testify at Senate hearings. He had been in the Witness Protection Program & had given interviews to a writer for a book on a mob killing many years before (his reason for being in the WPP). There were a lot of people in this book, it dragged for the first third, at least. When it finally got going, wasn't too bad, but the ending didn't appeal to me.

[Susan · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read this mystery out of curiosity. Several years ago, we visited the Harry Truman museum in Independence, MO, and his daughter's mysteries were available in the gift shop. I chose this one simply because I remembered how beautiful the re-do of Union Station had been. The story is ok, but the characters are pretty flat (except for the cop, Det. Mullin). It is interesting to read a book written 18 years ago since Truman's view of D.C. politics is apparently timeless.

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book I've read by this author. She has a whole slew of books and I think I will look for a few more. I liked how she presented each character and then wove them into the story. POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT I thought the fall guy set up came a little late, but perhaps I missed an earlier clue. I also thought the ending was a little rushed and perhaps a bit unrealistic in the setting of the novel.

But, overall I liked the book and enjoyed reading it.

[Janet Balliet]

A old style mobster comes to DC to testify at a Senate hearing He is murdered at Union St when he leaves the train. His hitman is then killed several days later. The writer who told his story by writing a book is the stalked & go into hiding. Both sides of the politics want the tapes and notes the writer used for the book. Mac is asked his idea of what to do with them & says to do whatever they feel is right. The writer's girlfriend burns them so no one can use them against the other side.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually write reviews but wanted to share why I liked this book. In short, the characters are real. There isn't an all knowing detective with unlimited resources, nor is there an ex-Navy SEAL who kicks butt all the time. In addition the plot is real, there isn't a cataclysmic earth shaking tragedy in the balance. It's politics in the nation's capitol with a lot of characters...a fun read.

[Paula Schumm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this murder mystery novel on the train to Washington, D.C., the setting of the book. A twenty-year-old murder is the subject of Rich Marienthal’s book, and in doing research he interviews the hit man who actually committed the crime. The truth may influence the next Presidential election. Recommended.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Entertaining, quick read; what I call a "fluff" book. There were some loose ends at the book's end, and it felt like the story was cut short in order to finish it: like there was a time limit and it suddenly needed to have an ending for this episode.

[E. Lang · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed the read especially learning some little known info about government and politics. Sensed some bitterness on author’s part concerning Washington DC and the functions of government and especially politics.
Too many characters. Needed to keep a list and the character’s part in the story

[Donna · Rating 2 out of 5]

I couldn't believe that I disliked this book so much. So implausible and scary - if you think about how politicians know they can get away with just about anything.

[Judy Nappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twists and turns - interesting characters.

[Michael · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was disappointing.

[Nancy Nash Keefer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one; perhaps I’m getting my reading mojo back for the year finally, but I had that, “Can’t wait for time to go read” feelings again the last 2 days.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s a murder mystery set in DC that also name checks my favorite Mexican place for rooftop dining & margaritas (even 20 years later), so yeah, I dug it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Actual rating 2.5 stars

This book is a little dated. There are lots of parts to the plot which involves political intrigue. I wish the ending had been a little more fleshed out.

[VerJean]

Read ALL of her Capital Crimes books. 
Enjoyed and learned something from a "Washington Insider" about various venues. 
Noticed I hadn't recorded all of them from years past. 

[Geri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Truman writes some pretty good political stories.
I really like most of them.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Truman is always good.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes the CIA doesn't know who the FBI's investigating. So they often create additional problems for each other.