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Capital Crimes #13
Murder at the National Gallery
“Powerful . . . Fascinating . . . Truman absolutely amazes.”— Atlanta Journal & Constitution
When the senior curator at Washington's famed National Gallery finds a missing painting by the Renaissance master Caravaggio, he mounts a world-class exhibition—and plots a brilliant forgery scheme that will stun the art world.
“A thrilling chase.”— Publishers Weekly
But an artful deception suddenly becomes a portrait of blackmail and murder—as gallery owner and part-time sleuth Annabel Reed-Smith and her husband go searching for clues in the heady arena of international art and uncover a rare collection of unscrupulous characters that leads all the way to Italy.
“Highly recommended . . . One of [Margaret] Truman's best.”— Booklist
When the senior curator at Washington's famed National Gallery finds a missing painting by the Renaissance master Caravaggio, he mounts a world-class exhibition—and plots a brilliant forgery scheme that will stun the art world.
“A thrilling chase.”— Publishers Weekly
But an artful deception suddenly becomes a portrait of blackmail and murder—as gallery owner and part-time sleuth Annabel Reed-Smith and her husband go searching for clues in the heady arena of international art and uncover a rare collection of unscrupulous characters that leads all the way to Italy.
“Highly recommended . . . One of [Margaret] Truman's best.”— Booklist
368 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 12, 1991
57 people are currently reading
641 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Truman
86 books259 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 84 reviews
November 29, 2021
Intrigue at the National Gallery of Art in D.C. and in Italy as a result of a long lost painting by Caravaggio. Government corruption and deception, mafia, murder and much more.
This book started a little slow but then it got to the point where I couldn't put it down.
This book started a little slow but then it got to the point where I couldn't put it down.
November 26, 2021
She was a great mystery writer. And to think her father was the President.
The book was great fun to read. The jargon and descriptions were fun to note. The mystery was an excellent read to follow the hero, and watch the steps taken to catch the bad guy.
The book was great fun to read. The jargon and descriptions were fun to note. The mystery was an excellent read to follow the hero, and watch the steps taken to catch the bad guy.
September 3, 2011
Murder at the National Gallery has been my back-up book Since May 2nd. During that four months I finished 20 other books and gave up on four. It is time to give up on this one. For awhile it seemed to have enough promise that I kept it on my bedside table and read it when I ran out of other books. You'd expect that at some point what appears to be a tense mystery would pull me in. Usually I read a mystery in a a day or two. With this one I didn't care about the characters and (at least in the first half) there wasn't much of a mystery. Don't waste your time on this one.
August 29, 2016
This book was a bit of a chore to read. There was so much extra information that was just not relevant. It was like she was getting paid by the word so did her best to pump things up with needless material that simply distracted from the story.
January 14, 2025
I said in my last Margaret Truman review that I wouldn't read any more of her novels. Well this utter turd of a novel came bobbing to the surface of my book pile and I thought, why not try again.
Oh lord.
This is a serious contender for the worst book I have ever completed reading, which I only accomplished through a steely determination to cure myself from ever reading another Truman novel.
The protagonists are even more stereotypical gender performers than other Capital Crimes novels I've read, with literally every male she meets hitting on Annabelle like that's a compliment.
The only element of the book more incoherent than the text is the pretense of a plot.
The ghostwriter for this one utterly phoned it in. The telling is both repetitive and digressive, so that the digressions repeat. Imagine the ghost of Horatio Alger trying to branch out into murder mysteries.
None of the characters have motives for what they are doing. We are even told that they don't know why they are doing something, just that they feel that they need to.
There is an entire lengthy section at the middle of the book full of maudlin and self-justifying letters... that are never sent. It's all exposition intended to give us some sense of sympathy with an utterly repellent character.
The sexual relations in these pages are only believable in the frame of plot service, and should never have happened. The exception to this observation are the heroes, whose sex life is ambitious, frequent, overly detailed, and an entirely unnecessary addition to the novel as always.
Furthermore, the main series characters have no reason to be in this book. They are only there to tie this book to their established series. They can be skipped.
The heist plot is preposterous and entirely stupid in conception. This simply would not work as a theft scheme.
Planning the heist following the instructions and guidance of an ambitious and sociopathic art journalist who shouldn't even have a cable TV gig in an art scene as inbred and tiny as DC's, where even the Post only retains a part time art critic. There just isn't that much interest or news in the art world anywhere, let alone Washington DC.
Too many glowing adjectives around paintings that we can't see, and are often just identified by obscure artists.
I find it incredible that art curators and professionals would act in ways that would utterly destroy the artworks they have in their care. But in here, they do. Repeatedly.
Tooah mucha Italiano pidgeano is included for a book where even the Italians speak English flawlessly.
The same fantasy foodie nonsense as the other novels of the series. Food culture in DC is okay, but not worthy of this level of obsession, and every meeting is at a different SUPERB eatery.
Mafia Mafia everywhere, I mean everywhere.
But most of all, and overarchingly, it's just a very inept and dumb book.
I read really quickly when engaged. I made it to maybe fifteen pages from the ending and set the book down, and didn't pick it up for three days I was so dreading it. Astonishingly, the climax was far more stupid than I expected. So if there is a reason for the one-star rating - it's that this novel did surprise me with just how much I overestimated the creativity of the writer who churned this out.
It's far below the bar set by other 1980's genre novels if only because it's at minimum three times the length it needed to be to tell this story. It's awful.
I didn't like it.
Oh lord.
This is a serious contender for the worst book I have ever completed reading, which I only accomplished through a steely determination to cure myself from ever reading another Truman novel.
The protagonists are even more stereotypical gender performers than other Capital Crimes novels I've read, with literally every male she meets hitting on Annabelle like that's a compliment.
The only element of the book more incoherent than the text is the pretense of a plot.
The ghostwriter for this one utterly phoned it in. The telling is both repetitive and digressive, so that the digressions repeat. Imagine the ghost of Horatio Alger trying to branch out into murder mysteries.
None of the characters have motives for what they are doing. We are even told that they don't know why they are doing something, just that they feel that they need to.
There is an entire lengthy section at the middle of the book full of maudlin and self-justifying letters... that are never sent. It's all exposition intended to give us some sense of sympathy with an utterly repellent character.
The sexual relations in these pages are only believable in the frame of plot service, and should never have happened. The exception to this observation are the heroes, whose sex life is ambitious, frequent, overly detailed, and an entirely unnecessary addition to the novel as always.
Furthermore, the main series characters have no reason to be in this book. They are only there to tie this book to their established series. They can be skipped.
The heist plot is preposterous and entirely stupid in conception. This simply would not work as a theft scheme.
Planning the heist following the instructions and guidance of an ambitious and sociopathic art journalist who shouldn't even have a cable TV gig in an art scene as inbred and tiny as DC's, where even the Post only retains a part time art critic. There just isn't that much interest or news in the art world anywhere, let alone Washington DC.
Too many glowing adjectives around paintings that we can't see, and are often just identified by obscure artists.
I find it incredible that art curators and professionals would act in ways that would utterly destroy the artworks they have in their care. But in here, they do. Repeatedly.
Tooah mucha Italiano pidgeano is included for a book where even the Italians speak English flawlessly.
The same fantasy foodie nonsense as the other novels of the series. Food culture in DC is okay, but not worthy of this level of obsession, and every meeting is at a different SUPERB eatery.
Mafia Mafia everywhere, I mean everywhere.
But most of all, and overarchingly, it's just a very inept and dumb book.
I read really quickly when engaged. I made it to maybe fifteen pages from the ending and set the book down, and didn't pick it up for three days I was so dreading it. Astonishingly, the climax was far more stupid than I expected. So if there is a reason for the one-star rating - it's that this novel did surprise me with just how much I overestimated the creativity of the writer who churned this out.
It's far below the bar set by other 1980's genre novels if only because it's at minimum three times the length it needed to be to tell this story. It's awful.
I didn't like it.
Read
October 12, 2024Annabel has many duties as a trustee of the National Gallery of Art. She is friends with the Vise Pres' wife & keeps her informed. There are several trips to Italy needed for an exhibit. She doesn't know there is trouble with the current exhibit. The senior curator is planning on stealing the main painting. There are many people trying be part of the theft. Several people are killed during the passing of the stolen painting & the 2 forgeries. Mac & Annabel return to Italy with the police to try to ransom the original.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 21, 2022
I have read several of M. Truman's and liked them.
This one however I thought I would never get through.
It did improve near the end.
This one however I thought I would never get through.
It did improve near the end.
January 10, 2018
"Murder at the National Gallery" is one of those books where the individual experience reading each page was fine, the story was never boring or offensive, but as a whole I do not think it worked. Also, upon reflection, I think the only thing that I really liked about it was the premise: intrigue around a lost artwork by Caravaggio (who I am a fan of) that is suddenly found, and I liked the main setting of the National Gallery (which I am a fan of). The National Gallery is used well as a familiar yet exotic backdrop.
The execution, however, is not so good. There is very little mystery here--I had no clue what was going on, but not in a whodunnit way, just in a, What is the point to all this? way. Luther Mason is just a so-so main character (are we supposed to sympathize with him, demonize him?), and we are told about his illicit plans as they occur with no suspense whatsoever. Annabel seems to be the main protagonist but was virtually useless to the story (and I kept thinking the detail about her statue being attacked was going to tie in, but it never did). Pims acting as a force for everything that happens was also weird; all this just for a TV show? The plot does pick up when Mason dies, but this is more than 2/3rds into the book.
Frankly, I just don't understand why Mason went to this complex of a scheme. If he wanted to sneak away with the original Caravaggio, why not just get de Brasco's seed money as he did, buy the painting from the mafia, and then run away to Greece right then and there? Why bother with copies to pass around and letting it hang at the National Gallery?
As I said, my overall poor review is not based on a bad reading experience, but the overall impression once I'd finish.
The execution, however, is not so good. There is very little mystery here--I had no clue what was going on, but not in a whodunnit way, just in a, What is the point to all this? way. Luther Mason is just a so-so main character (are we supposed to sympathize with him, demonize him?), and we are told about his illicit plans as they occur with no suspense whatsoever. Annabel seems to be the main protagonist but was virtually useless to the story (and I kept thinking the detail about her statue being attacked was going to tie in, but it never did). Pims acting as a force for everything that happens was also weird; all this just for a TV show? The plot does pick up when Mason dies, but this is more than 2/3rds into the book.
Frankly, I just don't understand why Mason went to this complex of a scheme. If he wanted to sneak away with the original Caravaggio, why not just get de Brasco's seed money as he did, buy the painting from the mafia, and then run away to Greece right then and there? Why bother with copies to pass around and letting it hang at the National Gallery?
As I said, my overall poor review is not based on a bad reading experience, but the overall impression once I'd finish.
January 29, 2019
Luther Mason, world-class expert on the works of Caravaggio and head curator at the the Nation Gallery in DC, has arranged for a special exhibition of Caravaggio artworks. On view will be pieces from London, France, Russia, Spain and Italy. It seems all is set until Mason is told of a recently discovered Caravaggio work in Italy. When he goes to view it he is presented with a proposition. One that involves forgery, deception, prestige, fame and more. The unveiling of this piece will make it the centerpiece to the exhibition.
Needless to say, this plan is highly complicated with international links. It becomes even more so as each link has its own tenuous place in the chain leading to the final charm. Certain players are found murdered, some demand more, questions as to the truth of the provenance of the 'found' work; one break in a link and the plan may fail.
Annabel Smith, gallery owner and previous high profile attorney, is asked to be liaison between the White House and the National Gallery by her old college friend Carol Aprile, the current Vice President's wife. The White House has gotten concerned with relations with Italy, there are rumours of possible rifts between the upper echelon at the National Gallery. Aprile feels that Smith could be the 'eyes and ears' for the White House due to her status in the Arts Community.
There are a good number of characters to keep track of and quite a bit of travelling back and forth between the U.S. and Italy. I did find I had to go back and re-read at time to be sure I was on track. The flow does build to a crescendo, but it seemed to end a bit abruptly. I still did enjoy reading it. It has been a while since I've read any of Margaret Truman's books. And I know I will read more.
Needless to say, this plan is highly complicated with international links. It becomes even more so as each link has its own tenuous place in the chain leading to the final charm. Certain players are found murdered, some demand more, questions as to the truth of the provenance of the 'found' work; one break in a link and the plan may fail.
Annabel Smith, gallery owner and previous high profile attorney, is asked to be liaison between the White House and the National Gallery by her old college friend Carol Aprile, the current Vice President's wife. The White House has gotten concerned with relations with Italy, there are rumours of possible rifts between the upper echelon at the National Gallery. Aprile feels that Smith could be the 'eyes and ears' for the White House due to her status in the Arts Community.
There are a good number of characters to keep track of and quite a bit of travelling back and forth between the U.S. and Italy. I did find I had to go back and re-read at time to be sure I was on track. The flow does build to a crescendo, but it seemed to end a bit abruptly. I still did enjoy reading it. It has been a while since I've read any of Margaret Truman's books. And I know I will read more.
January 22, 2024
Purchased this second hand paperback for $1.00 at a local coffeeshop. Got my money's worth and then some. Had no idea that Margaret Truman was THAT Margaret Truman. Not surprising that the daughter of a POTUS would know her way around Washington D.C.'s geographic, social, and political circles, not to mention the major European historical destinations.
After my past few books, I was looking for a stay-up-til midnight page turner that didn't have me running to Google Translate and Wikipedia every couple of pages. Murder at the National Gallery served this purpose with aplomb.
The missing 5th star is due to the rather chaotic penultimate chapter which felt like the author tossed all of the moving pieces into a improbable climatic conclusion which more or less satisfies the reader but fell short of the careful orchestration of characters and events up to that point.
If I said anything more specific about the plot it would spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that this book will get you through a long flight with pleasure. And, the author has at least ten other "Murder at [some other Washington DC Institution]" novels published in convenient paperback if you need a regular escape from reality.
-jgp
After my past few books, I was looking for a stay-up-til midnight page turner that didn't have me running to Google Translate and Wikipedia every couple of pages. Murder at the National Gallery served this purpose with aplomb.
The missing 5th star is due to the rather chaotic penultimate chapter which felt like the author tossed all of the moving pieces into a improbable climatic conclusion which more or less satisfies the reader but fell short of the careful orchestration of characters and events up to that point.
If I said anything more specific about the plot it would spoil it for you. Suffice it to say that this book will get you through a long flight with pleasure. And, the author has at least ten other "Murder at [some other Washington DC Institution]" novels published in convenient paperback if you need a regular escape from reality.
-jgp
September 15, 2017
Mac and Annabel are back with Annabel taking the lead in this one. Her college roommate is the Second Lady and they are both involved in the National Gallery's Caravaggio exhibition. But something is wrong with the curator and his story of the discovery of a lost masterpiece. Annabel helps in other art crimes as well. Got a little slow and I actually paused reading a couple times to read other more interesting books. This series is fun, but not great for some reason
February 1, 2019
Am I the only person left who still enjoys a late-90's Margaret Truman mystery. Maybe, but I don't care. About 2/3 of the way through this one I got kind of upset because I kind of wanted the thief to get away with it. But then the story took a turn and I was back on board. I like the way Truman writes encompassing several different perspectives and with quick, might I even say snappy dialog. I enjoyed the ride.
September 21, 2022
I picked this up mostly because I'm a big fan of Caravaggio. There's not much else to recommend it, though. A fairly standard art forgery/theft plot populated with bland characters. Padded with lots of description of food and clothes. The murders are hardly investigated, and one in the middle of the book is treated mostly as a joke. Maybe I should have started at the beginning of the series, as this one's not very good.
May 11, 2020
An introduction to the National Gallery in Washington, D.C. How it's staff interacts with the public and with other Museums around the world. Throw in a long lost painting by an Italian master, and many criminals who want to possess it. All sorts of chaos erupts, including murder. This time Annabel Reid-Smith was a pivotal character during the high points in the book.
January 11, 2021
Murder at the National Gallery is OK, but no murder ever takes place at the National Gallery. And the crime ends up being so convoluted that, by the end, it's turned into a host of crimes that's difficult to track. And difficult to believe. If you're looking for something light to read between two more weighty tomes, this book may work. But I've read better mysteries.
September 26, 2023
Double twists multiple stories
Fascinating story. So many twists and turns. Just as you get to the end of one story and you think its all over something starts to unfold and another story line comes forward. It continues like this to the end. I enjoyed this book. Great read if you are looking for a good book Highly recommend.
Fascinating story. So many twists and turns. Just as you get to the end of one story and you think its all over something starts to unfold and another story line comes forward. It continues like this to the end. I enjoyed this book. Great read if you are looking for a good book Highly recommend.
February 7, 2017
I have read many of Margaret Truman's books. I've loved most of them. This one was different - more difficult to read. All of her previous books were such a joy to read - the pages flew by with no effort. This one took discipline. Not my favorite.
April 27, 2020
This was the perfect audio book to listen to while doing gardening or other activities around the house. I enjoyed the behind the scenes art info and of course the political and Washington DC setting.
November 23, 2020
A good page turner
This is a good mystery with enough twists and turns to be interesting. And it is also a good introduction to famous art.
My only criticism is that the number of characters makes it confusing. It is sometimes hard to know who is doing what!
This is a good mystery with enough twists and turns to be interesting. And it is also a good introduction to famous art.
My only criticism is that the number of characters makes it confusing. It is sometimes hard to know who is doing what!
January 29, 2021
The foremost parts weren't that as exciting. A bit slow and bland and uninteresting. But i do like the twist towards the end. I didn't anticipate it and had faraway expectations so i love that surprise. Very good book nonetheless
July 13, 2021
I started this book on a trip to Washington, DC, and finished it once we were home. This murder mystery novel takes place in DC and in Rome, Italy. Stolen art and several murders make this an exciting read. Recommended.
November 5, 2023
My least favorite in the series so far. Plot driven, unlikeable characters. While it combined art and culture, as well as Washington DC and Italy, it was a very slow paced book. Moving on to the next in the series.
August 15, 2025
Solid mystery with a bit of shark jumping. This book was a quick read, perfect for summer. It was fast-paced and smart, though the use of a "PBS-Style" art critic/insider in the storyline was over the top.
May 27, 2018
I think the plot dragged on too long. The plot should have been wrapped up sooner.
June 25, 2019
Always enjoyable.
October 8, 2019
I've been going back and rereading multiple of Margaret Truman's books. Enjoy many of her stories. The descriptions of Washington, politics of the time make for fun reading
December 8, 2019
unlike anything I have ever read.
January 13, 2020
Her best I’ve read so far. Story of curator obsessed with Caravaggio’s paintings. He finds a lost one on the eve of an exhibition he’s doing at the Gallery which leads to murder and intrigue.
February 26, 2020
Such fun books. I’d have finished much more quickly had I not accidentally left my copy at the house from which we moved, but anyway...
March 19, 2020
Author kind of spoil alerts you in Ch 22 . Good read.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews