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Capital Crimes #1
Murder in the White House
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 unofficial connections with international wheeler-dealers.
In death as in life, Blaine is a power to be reckoned with. For Fairbanks, who loves the President’s daughter, one point is soon only a few highly placed insiders had access to the Lincoln Bedroom that fateful evening. And one of them was the president. . . .
In death as in life, Blaine is a power to be reckoned with. For Fairbanks, who loves the President’s daughter, one point is soon only a few highly placed insiders had access to the Lincoln Bedroom that fateful evening. And one of them was the president. . . .
262 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1980
About the author
Margaret Truman
82 books271 followersMary 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 277 reviews
May 16, 2024
Murder in the White House
by Margaret Truman is the first book in the Capital Crimes series and is set in Washington D.C. Most of the book takes place in the White House and the Justice Department building. While political in-fighting is normal in Washington, the murder of Secretary of State Lansard Blaine in the sitting room off the Lincoln Bedroom in the White House is not normal. President Robert Webster assigns White House counsel Ron Fairbanks to investigate using an executive order. The Office of Special Investigator is established with those responsible for investigating reporting directly to Ron, including the FBI. As the investigation unfolds and Blaine’s secrets are revealed, any number of people could have wanted him dead. Which of those individuals had access late at night on the second floor of the White House?
Ron is bright, honest, organized, and a bit of a skeptic. However, I felt the investigation focused too much on those individuals who had no access instead of comprehensively interviewing and investigating those that were there on the fateful night. Despite this, there is some intrigue, one action scene, and a lot of investigation and speculation. This novel focused more on the various characters and less on the world-building and atmosphere. It had some fascinating characters plus several plot twists and turns, many possible suspects, a couple of surprises, and a somewhat predictable ending.
Overall, it was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
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My 3.48 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
Ron is bright, honest, organized, and a bit of a skeptic. However, I felt the investigation focused too much on those individuals who had no access instead of comprehensively interviewing and investigating those that were there on the fateful night. Despite this, there is some intrigue, one action scene, and a lot of investigation and speculation. This novel focused more on the various characters and less on the world-building and atmosphere. It had some fascinating characters plus several plot twists and turns, many possible suspects, a couple of surprises, and a somewhat predictable ending.
Overall, it was an entertaining and enjoyable read.
---------------------------------------
My 3.48 rounded to 3 stars review is coming soon.
March 11, 2018
My magical mystery tour rolls on with Margaret Truman's Murder in the White House. Truman is the daughter of former President Harry S Truman and after writing a touching biography of her father, turned her hand toward a series of mysteries taking place in the nation's capital. As a lover of both history and mysteries, I decided to give the first book in the series a try.
President and First Lady Robert and Catherine Webster are returning from a key trip to France where they had been promoting an international trade agreement. Other nations are not happy with the Websters pro American sentiment as this new agreement may promote jobs but focuses on stimulating the American auto industry while the economies of Japan, England, and Germany could stand to lose millions upon billions of dollars. Yet, Americans are happy with Webster, a former senator, and tabloids tend to focus on a supposed budding relationship with the Websters' daughter Lynne and White House counsel Ronald Fairbanks. All appears to be rosy for the Websters and a second term seems to be a foregone conclusion.
A foregone conclusion, that is, until Secretary of State Lansard Blaine is found murdered in the Yellow Room. Only someone with access to the residence on the second floor could have committed the crime, and Webster desires a quick resolution to the case. He assigns Fairbanks to head the investigation, and he appoints civil servant Jill Keller to assist him. Together, they dig up a lot of dirt on Blaine, discovering his lewd private life and a long list of prominent people who would have like to see him murdered. The list includes President Webster who is not absolved until the crime is solved. Although an old family friend of Blaine, the two did not see eye to eye on the trade agreement, leading to Blaine being forced to announce his resignation. As Fairbanks and Keller dig deeper, they find more secrets and wrong doing occurring in both the public and private life of cabinet members.
Truman takes readers for a thrilling ride in a way that only a Washington insider can, although I enjoyed the story more so than the writing. The story is nearly forty years old and seems dated with the lack of computers, cell phones, and social media to aid the detectives in their work. This book could easily be updated to become a modern movie but then it would not be an old fashioned style whodunit full of sleuthing using deductive reasoning. Fairbanks and Keller are so-so characters who I would not mind following up on, but with only average writing, this is not a series that I see myself investing much energy in. All in all a fun read.
3 stars
President and First Lady Robert and Catherine Webster are returning from a key trip to France where they had been promoting an international trade agreement. Other nations are not happy with the Websters pro American sentiment as this new agreement may promote jobs but focuses on stimulating the American auto industry while the economies of Japan, England, and Germany could stand to lose millions upon billions of dollars. Yet, Americans are happy with Webster, a former senator, and tabloids tend to focus on a supposed budding relationship with the Websters' daughter Lynne and White House counsel Ronald Fairbanks. All appears to be rosy for the Websters and a second term seems to be a foregone conclusion.
A foregone conclusion, that is, until Secretary of State Lansard Blaine is found murdered in the Yellow Room. Only someone with access to the residence on the second floor could have committed the crime, and Webster desires a quick resolution to the case. He assigns Fairbanks to head the investigation, and he appoints civil servant Jill Keller to assist him. Together, they dig up a lot of dirt on Blaine, discovering his lewd private life and a long list of prominent people who would have like to see him murdered. The list includes President Webster who is not absolved until the crime is solved. Although an old family friend of Blaine, the two did not see eye to eye on the trade agreement, leading to Blaine being forced to announce his resignation. As Fairbanks and Keller dig deeper, they find more secrets and wrong doing occurring in both the public and private life of cabinet members.
Truman takes readers for a thrilling ride in a way that only a Washington insider can, although I enjoyed the story more so than the writing. The story is nearly forty years old and seems dated with the lack of computers, cell phones, and social media to aid the detectives in their work. This book could easily be updated to become a modern movie but then it would not be an old fashioned style whodunit full of sleuthing using deductive reasoning. Fairbanks and Keller are so-so characters who I would not mind following up on, but with only average writing, this is not a series that I see myself investing much energy in. All in all a fun read.
3 stars
February 18, 2015
Big surprise, no Mac or Annabel.
July 27, 2009
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 whatever it was, it sure didn't work for me.
May 21, 2024
I thoroughly enjoyed "Murder in the White House," the first in a series by Margaret Truman, the daughter of President Harry Truman, and who mostly grew up in the White House. The book is a wonderful historical mystery with well-developed characters and a superb sense of place.
November 18, 2021
El título la vdd no es que llame mucho la atención pero le di la oportunidad.
No considero que sea una lectura que recomiende, ya que a medio libro no salíamos de lo mismo en 100 150 páginas y lo hizo tedioso y cansado.
Me llamaba la atención por qué buscando a la autora y sus más de 30 libros pensé que tal vez si está me gustaba conseguiría toda su obra y no fue el caso.
Sin pena ni gloria
No considero que sea una lectura que recomiende, ya que a medio libro no salíamos de lo mismo en 100 150 páginas y lo hizo tedioso y cansado.
Me llamaba la atención por qué buscando a la autora y sus más de 30 libros pensé que tal vez si está me gustaba conseguiría toda su obra y no fue el caso.
Sin pena ni gloria
October 12, 2020
Humph. Why have I not devoured this series before? I've owned a paperback of this one - and one or two in the series - for decades! I have a niggling feeling that I acquired them used and never read because I then heard negative reviews on them. Well, silly me for listening and not just reading and making my own judgment, as I usually do. I LOVED this and cannot wait to check out more in the series!
Ron, a young lawyer, is special counsel to President Webster, may or may not be serious about Lynne, the President's daughter, but whatever the relationship (and even Ron isn't sure), everyone considers him the son-in-law-to-be in the Webster family, and thus part of the very narrow inner circle. Also important in the cast of characters are Lan, the Secretary of State and a longtime intimate friend of the Webster family, and Gimbel, general factotum and fixer for the President, also a long time intimate of the President. Lan & Gimbel are privy to information and old secrets of the Webster family, Ron is not.
The story opens as the President and his family arrive back on Air Force One from Paris where the preliminary settlement documents for a controversial new global trade treaty were signed. All the key players meet in the Oval Room to debrief the trip and signing. And the author provides us with important clues as to the relationships and behavior of all the key characters. It is late at night and soon all go their separate ways, including Ron who heads into his office in the West Wing to read some important papers. When he finishes, locks up and heads home, he's stopped and finds himself with the President in the Lincoln Sitting Room on the 2nd floor of the White House, staring at the murdered body of the Secretary of State, who was murdered while making a phone call.
Note: these were written in 1980 - no mobile phones, no internet, no computers, but dictaphone and tapes - but they do not feel dated at all. In part because I think, of the static locale - the White House and the highest reaches of government.
Ron is by Executive Order of the President put in charge of the investigation. Truman does a superb job of tossing you an obvious murderer at the beginning, so obvious that you immediately start looking for clues as to what's really happened. It was an engaging read, with a bit of excitement just as it was a little too much interviewing suspects and reviewing timelines. And at the end, there is a twist or two that you only partially see coming, but absolutely not completely.
The series is called Capital Crimes and I do not believe the same characters appear in each one. I also note that another author has taken over the series and continued it after Margaret Truman's death. And yes, Margaret Truman is President Truman's daughter. She knows of what she writes.
Ron, a young lawyer, is special counsel to President Webster, may or may not be serious about Lynne, the President's daughter, but whatever the relationship (and even Ron isn't sure), everyone considers him the son-in-law-to-be in the Webster family, and thus part of the very narrow inner circle. Also important in the cast of characters are Lan, the Secretary of State and a longtime intimate friend of the Webster family, and Gimbel, general factotum and fixer for the President, also a long time intimate of the President. Lan & Gimbel are privy to information and old secrets of the Webster family, Ron is not.
The story opens as the President and his family arrive back on Air Force One from Paris where the preliminary settlement documents for a controversial new global trade treaty were signed. All the key players meet in the Oval Room to debrief the trip and signing. And the author provides us with important clues as to the relationships and behavior of all the key characters. It is late at night and soon all go their separate ways, including Ron who heads into his office in the West Wing to read some important papers. When he finishes, locks up and heads home, he's stopped and finds himself with the President in the Lincoln Sitting Room on the 2nd floor of the White House, staring at the murdered body of the Secretary of State, who was murdered while making a phone call.
Note: these were written in 1980 - no mobile phones, no internet, no computers, but dictaphone and tapes - but they do not feel dated at all. In part because I think, of the static locale - the White House and the highest reaches of government.
Ron is by Executive Order of the President put in charge of the investigation. Truman does a superb job of tossing you an obvious murderer at the beginning, so obvious that you immediately start looking for clues as to what's really happened. It was an engaging read, with a bit of excitement just as it was a little too much interviewing suspects and reviewing timelines. And at the end, there is a twist or two that you only partially see coming, but absolutely not completely.
The series is called Capital Crimes and I do not believe the same characters appear in each one. I also note that another author has taken over the series and continued it after Margaret Truman's death. And yes, Margaret Truman is President Truman's daughter. She knows of what she writes.
October 13, 2011
I have been meaning to read this for years. It was written by President Truman's daughter, Margaret.
March 29, 2015
I knew Ms. Truman was a mystery writer, but I never had any interest in reading her works until I visited the Truman’s Little White House in Key West and learned Ms. Truman was inspired by Agatha Christie. Had the two been publishing at the same time, Ms. Christie would not have had to worry about the competition. I guess this was okay as far as a political thriller goes, but I figured out who did it early on, like before page 50. Usually I like figuring things out early and experiencing how the author gets to the conclusion. However, I found myself pretty bored with this. Possibly because the characters weren’t very interesting. I’ll read more of Ms. Truman simply because was able top pick up four of her novels for $1 ea. Am hoping the reading experience will deepen.
June 23, 2021
2.5 stars. This is a really weird book. The author knows the Whitehouse well and clearly understands politics. What she doesn't do well is write mystery. I picked the murderer almost immediately. That's not usually a deal breaker for me as the joy is in solving the crime. This was all over the place. So many pointless periphery characters, introduced only so the author could show off her insider knowledge. Adds nothing to the mystery. And the ridiculous abrupt ending. So 2 stars for the setting and period (ah the 80s) and half a star for retro cover.
July 14, 2021
Classic murder mystery in a Washington, D.C. setting. Interesting and held my attention throughout. There were several characters, realistically flawed, but fairly easy to follow. Not remarkable, but entertaining and I plan on reading more from this series.
July 6, 2021
I didn't really get into this, alas.
August 17, 2023
Exciting introduction to the Capital Crimes. The Secretary of State is found murdered in the White House. The president assigns a young lawyer to act as the special counsel and investigate the killing, which had to have been done by someone with easy access to the second floor area. Have to admit I was surprised by the ending
November 9, 2015
Murder in the White House, Margaret Truman
This is a murder mystery written in third person by Margaret Truman, President Truman’s daughter, who is familiar with the White House, and writes with authenticity. It is not based on factual events however. The book is divided into two parts, the first includes an introduction and a day by day transcript of events as they occur from June 12 throughout June 19. The last part presents the evidence and speculation and reveals the guilty. Don’t cheat and skip to the end, it may spoil it for you. Truman does a good job of developing believable characters and realistic dialogue. Being a murder mystery it entails a lot of investigation, mystery, a little romance, and a tragic and sensitive secret.
This is a murder mystery written in third person by Margaret Truman, President Truman’s daughter, who is familiar with the White House, and writes with authenticity. It is not based on factual events however. The book is divided into two parts, the first includes an introduction and a day by day transcript of events as they occur from June 12 throughout June 19. The last part presents the evidence and speculation and reveals the guilty. Don’t cheat and skip to the end, it may spoil it for you. Truman does a good job of developing believable characters and realistic dialogue. Being a murder mystery it entails a lot of investigation, mystery, a little romance, and a tragic and sensitive secret.
February 7, 2017
Not a bad start
3.5 star. The President assigns his Special Counsel Advisor to solve the murder. He wants to keep as much as he can from the press. As the killing is being looked into you get some insight into politics and things that possibly go on in Washington. Wasn't a bad start to the series. It will be interesting to see how the next one takes place after the finish in this one.
3.5 star. The President assigns his Special Counsel Advisor to solve the murder. He wants to keep as much as he can from the press. As the killing is being looked into you get some insight into politics and things that possibly go on in Washington. Wasn't a bad start to the series. It will be interesting to see how the next one takes place after the finish in this one.
August 18, 2020
What a disappointment
For years, I've heard how wonderful this series is. So I've collected a few and sat down to read in order.
This book needs an editor: run-on sentences, sentences with a period in the middle, sentences that don't make sense and have to be read aloud to be understood.
And the ending that isn't. The writing just stops. Nothing is resolved.
Disappointing.
For years, I've heard how wonderful this series is. So I've collected a few and sat down to read in order.
This book needs an editor: run-on sentences, sentences with a period in the middle, sentences that don't make sense and have to be read aloud to be understood.
And the ending that isn't. The writing just stops. Nothing is resolved.
Disappointing.
March 29, 2016
A good old-fashioned whodunit, by a woman who knows the ins and outs of Washington politics. Even though these were written years ago, they still have plenty of intrigue.
June 15, 2020
Not overly long ago, it came to my attention that beginning back in the 80s, Margaret Truman, daughter of former US president Harry Truman, penned a longrunning series of murder mysteries set among the highest echelons of power inside the US government. Now, I love a good mystery and political thriller, and the rather unique settings (this first book involves the murder of the Secretary of State inside the White House) informed by the author's unique insights made this an almost irresistable series to try out. If this series opener is anything to go by, she can certainly spin a good story - I'll be back for more.
January 8, 2022
3.5 stars. I’ve listened to a couple of these books in the middle of the series and enjoyed them so now plan to do the rest in order. This one was a bit choppy in transitions but got better. I’ll probably read one a month throughout the year. Easy read. I am interested in how she’ll transition stories through different administrations and locations.
Margaret Truman wrote 25 books in the series and another author has continued on with 5 more. Yikes! That’s a lot to add to my list!
Margaret Truman wrote 25 books in the series and another author has continued on with 5 more. Yikes! That’s a lot to add to my list!
August 9, 2023
4.5 stars The end was a little too neat, but overall, this was a gripping, suspenseful read. I’ll check out more titles by this author, especially more titles in this series. I recommend it.
Read
September 20, 2021Quick read.
Want to Read
March 28, 2022Did Not Finish. I figured out who the killer was right away. I try not to figure it out, but it was obvious.
March 13, 2021
As a POTUS history nerd, I’ve long been intrigued by Margaret Truman’s writings. As the daughter of a president, she had a unique knowledge of the White House’s—and Washington, DC’s—inner workings. In addition to some biographical work on her parents, she also penned a mystery series called Capital Crimes, which focused on dastardly deeds set in our nation’s capital city. There’s not a recurring character, which almost makes the series easier to digest; it’s sometimes intimidating to jump into a long-running set of books, especially if you’re a completist like me.
Nonetheless, I insisted on starting with Book #1 of Capital Crimes. Though it wasn’t the most tightly-plotted mystery story, Murder in the White House was plenty entertaining for the couple days it took to plow through.
You can’t beat the intrigue of the premise, which really propelled me through the whole thing: in the upstairs of the White House, the Secretary of State is murdered. Given the restricted and highly monitored nature of that space, there’s only so many people who could have done it—is it possible that the president himself is a suspect?
I saw the ending coming, but how Truman got us there was still quite satisfying. There’s enough twists and turns to keep you interested, but not so many as to make your head spin.
Though there seems to be some mystery as to how much Truman actually wrote, I love the idea—no matter how mythic—of Margaret recalling her White House days while tapping away at the typewriter. Since her death in 2008, the series has been taken up by a couple other authors—the latest of which just hit my doorstep (which is what prompted my finding the first in the series).
If you need a fun political romp, Murder in the White House is a great pick.
Nonetheless, I insisted on starting with Book #1 of Capital Crimes. Though it wasn’t the most tightly-plotted mystery story, Murder in the White House was plenty entertaining for the couple days it took to plow through.
You can’t beat the intrigue of the premise, which really propelled me through the whole thing: in the upstairs of the White House, the Secretary of State is murdered. Given the restricted and highly monitored nature of that space, there’s only so many people who could have done it—is it possible that the president himself is a suspect?
I saw the ending coming, but how Truman got us there was still quite satisfying. There’s enough twists and turns to keep you interested, but not so many as to make your head spin.
Though there seems to be some mystery as to how much Truman actually wrote, I love the idea—no matter how mythic—of Margaret recalling her White House days while tapping away at the typewriter. Since her death in 2008, the series has been taken up by a couple other authors—the latest of which just hit my doorstep (which is what prompted my finding the first in the series).
If you need a fun political romp, Murder in the White House is a great pick.
February 23, 2017
I read this many years ago. I didn't think it was great then and I don't think it's great now, but it's certainly readable and Truman is competent.
The basic plot: the secretary of state is found murdered in the White House. An investigation by the President's Special Counsel, Ron Fairbanks, a bright young man, reveals some darkness in the Secretary of State's handling of his job. There are different reasons he might have been murdered, but there is a limiting factor: only a small number of persons had access to that floor of the White House at the time he was killed.
Ron investigates so thoroughly that he is himself threatened. But why? By whom? He has his suspicions but proof is harder to find.
I found Truman's use of ellipses a bit profligate. Every chapter has several paragraphs ending in three dots. As if she couldn't express certainty, but rather a kind of wandering mind. I think she should have just ended those sentences with a period and been done with it.
I also felt that the story was short on nail-biting drama. Much of the story was telegraphed so there were few surprises, and times of uncertainty were short-lived. I think real life tends to be this way so I didn't mind it too much but others may.
I wondered if an investigation of this type could have been handled in this way: by appointment of an investigator who was a lawyer, not a detective. Not sure how that works, although many of us have lived through years of special prosecutors who interviewed those involved, so maybe it does work that way.
The basic plot: the secretary of state is found murdered in the White House. An investigation by the President's Special Counsel, Ron Fairbanks, a bright young man, reveals some darkness in the Secretary of State's handling of his job. There are different reasons he might have been murdered, but there is a limiting factor: only a small number of persons had access to that floor of the White House at the time he was killed.
Ron investigates so thoroughly that he is himself threatened. But why? By whom? He has his suspicions but proof is harder to find.
I found Truman's use of ellipses a bit profligate. Every chapter has several paragraphs ending in three dots. As if she couldn't express certainty, but rather a kind of wandering mind. I think she should have just ended those sentences with a period and been done with it.
I also felt that the story was short on nail-biting drama. Much of the story was telegraphed so there were few surprises, and times of uncertainty were short-lived. I think real life tends to be this way so I didn't mind it too much but others may.
I wondered if an investigation of this type could have been handled in this way: by appointment of an investigator who was a lawyer, not a detective. Not sure how that works, although many of us have lived through years of special prosecutors who interviewed those involved, so maybe it does work that way.
July 10, 2026
I had started reading this series several years ago but moved on when I could no longer find books to borrow. However, I have since located several more, including e-books, so have come back to see if I can finish what I started. The series, set in various landmarks in Washington D.C., is easily read out of order as there is no overarching story line, although some of the characters appear in subsequent volumes. That makes for a convenient reading experience with readers able to pick up whichever book becomes available and continue the series.
This first book was published years ago in 1980, but despite its age is still an interesting look through the rooms, halls and conference rooms as the seat of a powerful government. It showcases what the public never sees, the behind the scenes politicking between the government and other countries, the persistent presence of powerful lobbyists and the wealthy influential leaders of industry. It is also the home of the First Family.
The Secretary of State Lansard Blaine was in the Lincoln Sitting Room late in the evening talking on the telephone, when he was approached from behind by someone with a slim metal wire who wrapped it around his neck and garroted him. It took a determined killer only a few seconds and Blaine bled to death where he sat, the phone still in his hands. The murder sets off an intense search for the killer and an investigation that will change many lives, including that of the President and his family.
President Robert Webster appoints Ron Fairbanks, one of the bright young men he recruited to work for him, to lead the investigation. Webster signs an executive order creating the office of the Special Investigation, giving Fairbanks sweeping powers to see all evidence, question anyone and issue subpoenas to find out what happened and identify the killer. Fairbanks accepts the appointment reluctantly, knowing if he succeeds, he will be praised, but if he fails, he may lose his job.
Fairbanks quickly identifies a key point about the murder. It occurred in the Lincoln Sitting Room, an area few had access to, especially late at night. Whoever committed the crime was someone able to move easily and unchallenged close to midnight in the White House without arising suspicion. That means the killer must be a White House insider, someone among the senior staff. But who would want to kill Blaine, a long-time friend of the President, his wife Catherine and their daughter Lynne. A confident, well liked, congenial man and longtime scholar of diplomatic history, he appears to have had no enemies. Fairbanks therefore focuses on identifying a motive for the murder to lead him to the killer.
As he begins his investigation, he gathers two respected lawyers to his team, Jill Kellor a career lawyer from the Justice Department and Gabe Haddad also from Justice. They intend to keep the unit tight, vowing to keep everything they find secret. Many of the people and organizations that will be involved in the investigation are not happy being under Fairbanks authority, given the sweeping powers the President has given him. They make it clear, carrying out his orders but not without some reluctance.
The team quickly identify two sources for a motive, one stemming from Blaine’s private life, the other from his public role as Secretary of State. They have just started their work when the newspapers begin speculating about Blaine, hinting that for a long time in Washington there have been rumours about the many attractive young women he dines with, his extravagant life style and his love of good food, wine and valuable artwork. There has been a leak. Someone is talking but the team have no idea where it is coming from. They also question whether the information is intended as a convenient smokescreen to divert their attention from a much larger issue. A murder committed by a jealous lover would easily accomplish that goal. The newspaper stories continue over subsequent days with more allusions to his scandalous behavior.
Fairbanks discovers the secret life Blaine lived, filled not just with many beautiful women, but a number of foreign diplomats, business men and lobbyists. The number was far greater than one would normally expect for a man helping the President push the multi-lateral trade agreements he had been promoting for over three years. The President has promised that the interests of the United States would be well served by this economic program but there was a major sticking point. The question still to be settled was how much free trade would be all allowed and how much protection would be afforded to key foreign economies. There was a lot of money at stake in these agreements. Some industries and countries would gain millions, while others would suffer heavy loses.
When Fairbanks and Lynne who share a quiet romantic relationship, are involved in a serious incident, it becomes clear there are some pushing to get him off the case and he wonders if this investigation may cost him his life.
Initially, the narrative moves at a very slow pace, the team’s progress is slow and so is the narrative. Fairbanks keeps shuffling the same pieces of the puzzle and has many theories and suspicions, but with no hard evidence, fails to make significant progress. Then about two thirds of the way through the book, the pace picks up and then comes rushing to a final conclusion.
Given the date of the novel’s publication, there are obvious aspects of the narrative that identify it as dated. There are no cell phones, texting or computerized data analysis systems to quickly make connections between sets of data, cross refence them and identify outliers. Information is kept on paper in files carried from one place to another. There are references to the many cigarettes that are smoked and glasses of whiskey or gin frequently appear when discussions become fractious or heated, no matter the time of day.
Still, it proved an interesting read. The public know so little about what goes on in the building that holds the key to what happens in their country. If anyone should know, it would be Margaret Truman, the daughter of former President Harry Trumann and his wife Bess, who lived in the White House for many years before she wrote this twenty-five-book series.
This first book was published years ago in 1980, but despite its age is still an interesting look through the rooms, halls and conference rooms as the seat of a powerful government. It showcases what the public never sees, the behind the scenes politicking between the government and other countries, the persistent presence of powerful lobbyists and the wealthy influential leaders of industry. It is also the home of the First Family.
The Secretary of State Lansard Blaine was in the Lincoln Sitting Room late in the evening talking on the telephone, when he was approached from behind by someone with a slim metal wire who wrapped it around his neck and garroted him. It took a determined killer only a few seconds and Blaine bled to death where he sat, the phone still in his hands. The murder sets off an intense search for the killer and an investigation that will change many lives, including that of the President and his family.
President Robert Webster appoints Ron Fairbanks, one of the bright young men he recruited to work for him, to lead the investigation. Webster signs an executive order creating the office of the Special Investigation, giving Fairbanks sweeping powers to see all evidence, question anyone and issue subpoenas to find out what happened and identify the killer. Fairbanks accepts the appointment reluctantly, knowing if he succeeds, he will be praised, but if he fails, he may lose his job.
Fairbanks quickly identifies a key point about the murder. It occurred in the Lincoln Sitting Room, an area few had access to, especially late at night. Whoever committed the crime was someone able to move easily and unchallenged close to midnight in the White House without arising suspicion. That means the killer must be a White House insider, someone among the senior staff. But who would want to kill Blaine, a long-time friend of the President, his wife Catherine and their daughter Lynne. A confident, well liked, congenial man and longtime scholar of diplomatic history, he appears to have had no enemies. Fairbanks therefore focuses on identifying a motive for the murder to lead him to the killer.
As he begins his investigation, he gathers two respected lawyers to his team, Jill Kellor a career lawyer from the Justice Department and Gabe Haddad also from Justice. They intend to keep the unit tight, vowing to keep everything they find secret. Many of the people and organizations that will be involved in the investigation are not happy being under Fairbanks authority, given the sweeping powers the President has given him. They make it clear, carrying out his orders but not without some reluctance.
The team quickly identify two sources for a motive, one stemming from Blaine’s private life, the other from his public role as Secretary of State. They have just started their work when the newspapers begin speculating about Blaine, hinting that for a long time in Washington there have been rumours about the many attractive young women he dines with, his extravagant life style and his love of good food, wine and valuable artwork. There has been a leak. Someone is talking but the team have no idea where it is coming from. They also question whether the information is intended as a convenient smokescreen to divert their attention from a much larger issue. A murder committed by a jealous lover would easily accomplish that goal. The newspaper stories continue over subsequent days with more allusions to his scandalous behavior.
Fairbanks discovers the secret life Blaine lived, filled not just with many beautiful women, but a number of foreign diplomats, business men and lobbyists. The number was far greater than one would normally expect for a man helping the President push the multi-lateral trade agreements he had been promoting for over three years. The President has promised that the interests of the United States would be well served by this economic program but there was a major sticking point. The question still to be settled was how much free trade would be all allowed and how much protection would be afforded to key foreign economies. There was a lot of money at stake in these agreements. Some industries and countries would gain millions, while others would suffer heavy loses.
When Fairbanks and Lynne who share a quiet romantic relationship, are involved in a serious incident, it becomes clear there are some pushing to get him off the case and he wonders if this investigation may cost him his life.
Initially, the narrative moves at a very slow pace, the team’s progress is slow and so is the narrative. Fairbanks keeps shuffling the same pieces of the puzzle and has many theories and suspicions, but with no hard evidence, fails to make significant progress. Then about two thirds of the way through the book, the pace picks up and then comes rushing to a final conclusion.
Given the date of the novel’s publication, there are obvious aspects of the narrative that identify it as dated. There are no cell phones, texting or computerized data analysis systems to quickly make connections between sets of data, cross refence them and identify outliers. Information is kept on paper in files carried from one place to another. There are references to the many cigarettes that are smoked and glasses of whiskey or gin frequently appear when discussions become fractious or heated, no matter the time of day.
Still, it proved an interesting read. The public know so little about what goes on in the building that holds the key to what happens in their country. If anyone should know, it would be Margaret Truman, the daughter of former President Harry Trumann and his wife Bess, who lived in the White House for many years before she wrote this twenty-five-book series.
June 28, 2014
After the first couple of pages I was coming up with one line reviews to cover this whole book;
"You know those conversations you hear old people having and can't believe anyone in the world would find them interesting, this book was just a boring old person conversation." and "This book would have never been published if she were not a president's daughter." &t.
But, it got better. The dialog was really good and kept the story going. The details and plot action, eh, not so much, but it was a good quick read. I really have no complaints. Well, except for the first two or three pages. Those were pretty awful. And the fact that the chapters were so long. Two were over 40 pages, and one was over 60. Ok, so I have two complaints. Three if you count how boring the stuff that wasn't dialog was.
"You know those conversations you hear old people having and can't believe anyone in the world would find them interesting, this book was just a boring old person conversation." and "This book would have never been published if she were not a president's daughter." &t.
But, it got better. The dialog was really good and kept the story going. The details and plot action, eh, not so much, but it was a good quick read. I really have no complaints. Well, except for the first two or three pages. Those were pretty awful. And the fact that the chapters were so long. Two were over 40 pages, and one was over 60. Ok, so I have two complaints. Three if you count how boring the stuff that wasn't dialog was.
January 21, 2012
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 that I googled and it exists and I even know approximatly where it is!
December 2, 2021
This is a quick read and I enjoyed it, although not as much as some of the other books in the series. The suspense and sense of danger build throughout the story as the investigative team tries to uncover the motive for the murder, which is the key to determining the identity of the killer. The story benefits from Ms. Truman's first-hand knowledge of the White House and of the political realities of Washington. The character development could be stronger, but all in all it's an enjoyable read.
April 4, 2022
The author's entire series is enhanced by her intimate knowledge of the workings of the government. This book was no exception. Well-written, lots of interesting details, and several suspects. My guess of who killed the Secretary of State, which I made once the "secret" was revealed, turned out to be correct, but not entirely. I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
July 24, 2014
This was my first Margaret Truman book. I enjoyed it and really like her writing style. I agree with some other reviewers that the story was a little lacking but it was a very quick read and I will definitely read more of this series as I understand it gets better.
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