Murder in the House

Capital Crimes #14

by Margaret Truman

Congressman Latham has maintained an impeccable record in Washington, and so he seems the logical choice when nominated by his friend, President Scott, to become the next secretary of state. His confirmation hearings appear to be a formality until rumors emerge of sexual misconduct and influence peddling. Then, early one morning, he is found shot to death, an apparent suicide. Nobody close to Paul Latham believes his demise a suicide; there are just too many questions left unanswered. Why would he kill himself, and why would he do it in a public place? Why was there no suicide note? Where did he get the gun? Where is Latham's appointment secretary, Marge Edwards? So Latham's close friend lawyer-professor Mackensie Smith goes about uncovering the truth. In the process he unearths connections to the CIA, businessman Warren Brazier, Russian communists, and a shady private detective. Eventually Smith's own life is threatened, leading him to a dramatic and shocking truth. Murder in the House is a story about the webs of influence people weave to protect their interests, and about those innocent people who, by accident or design, get caught in these webs. It is the story of the abuse of power for personal gain, and of the increasing influence that the global economy has on the way our nation is being run.

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

352 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Jan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Geez, after all the hype about Margaret Truman's books, I was expecting something amazing. Am I missing something about this story? I had it all figured out as soon as the congressman was murdered. I can't see the point of a plot that is so easy to unravel. I think I'll try to find something more challenging and engaging.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I found this book very interesting. Margaret Truman describes the Washington political climate quite well. This one involves the death of a respected congressman in the House, first thought to be a suicide and then revealed to be a murder. California Congressman Paul Latham chaired the important House International Relations Committee and was currently nominated by the President for Secretary of State to replace the cabinet member who had just died in a plane crash. Series regular Mac Smith, previously a top defense attorney and current law school professor at George Washington University, was asked by his friend the congressman to represent him at the confirmation hearing. A close friend of the politician is wealthy industrialist Warren Brazier, and his interest in expanding his business ventures in Russia are tied to his need for Congressman Latham's ability to get legislation passed that smooths the way for his business plans. There are many other significant characters and subplots which add to this story. I consider it one of her best books. Perhaps I enjoyed it more because I made another trip to DC several months ago, and the places mentioned are familiar.

[Ann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Congressman Paul Latham had just been asked to accept the nomination as the Secretary of State. He was ready to accept the post and asked his good friend Mac Smith to act as his attorney during the confirmation hearing. When he is found dead the next day, it is rumored that he committed suicide when it was discovered that a charge of sexual harassment was pending. Mac very quickly finds it was a murder and he is bound to try and clear Paul's name for the sake of his family and his legacy. This was a very good book. This is an intelligent series and the author is very knowledgeable about the workings of Washington. The action is good with Russian spies and hit men and crooked businessmen and the CIA. Very good book!

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much better than the last Capital Crimes novel which i read which was "Deadly Medicine" but this one at least had Truman's input. Obvious that she was a Democrat because they are always the good guys in her novels. Mackenzie Smith helps solve another murder in this story about a Congressman being nominated for Secretary of State but is involved with an American businessman who in turn has deep involvement with the Russian mafia in his attempts to buy and control Russian companies. Fits today's news about Trump's person involved with Russian companies.

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started this book and realized that I had read it sometime in the past. Skimmed through it to reacquaint myself with the plot and characters and found it just as interesting this second time around. Margaret Truman never fails to entertain with her murder mysteries centered around the political climate in our nations capital.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kind of a breezy light story. Not much body or depth to characters. One of those books to sit down and blow through quickly without giving much thought to plot. Although it was nice seeing author Margaret Truman making Democrats good guys and republicans bad guys !

[Jan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought I had read almost all of Margaret Truman’s books in this series but I had missed this one. The main character in this series is great. I’m never disappointed when I read one of these books.

[Kitty Ritenour · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read many of Margaret Truman’s books and enjoyed every one. Having been to DC it is fun to read about historical places I have visited and she has an easy, enjoyable writing style.

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mac and Annabel are back. A friend is a big deal Congressman and the President has just nominated him for Secretary of State. Mac agrees to represent him at the hearings. Meanwhile, Russia is struggling to become democratic with early Yeltsin years. Things are tense with Russian decentralization, American business interests, and normalizing relations. A big deal businessman is a big backer of the Congressman and has deep interest in Russia. When the Congressman is found dead, Mac feels a need to stay involved to help find out what happened to his friend. How do these themes converge? Crazy to read in 2017 where Russia once again takes on a new phase in American relations

[Rachel Simmons · Rating 2 out of 5]

ms truman is nothing if not predictable. This was the third book in the little three part series and the most enjoyable in my opinion. Drawn out? Yes. Uninspired? Maybe. Cliff hanger? Absolutely not. She’s made some compelling characters but I think she should reread her Grisham before her next novel, this one was a real A-B plot point from start to finish. But wow, we hate those russians right? She is her fathers daughter, and aren’t we all.

[Gabe Rothauser · Rating 3 out of 5]

A congressman is murdered. He was nominated as the new Secretary of State. Russian billionaire businessman is somehow involved as he tries to maneuver his business’ growth in Russia after the fall of the Soviet union. A bit messy the last 30 pages as everything comes together otherwise good intrigue

[krin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this mystery set in Washington, DC and Moscow in the mid 1990s. There were lots of events, both criminal and personal as we learn what happened to Representative Paul Latham and why. One criticism was the late explanation of a character's actions and where they have been. I liked learning what happened to this character, but I wished the explanation happened sooner in the plot.

[Susan Kosel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read.

[Joy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not crazy about this author.

[Terrie · Rating 1 out of 5]

way too political

[Nancy Nash Keefer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very dated, of course, but a nice trek back to when this series was first popular.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

A businessman rich from contacts with arias Ian monsters and a congressman he funded for many races are the central figures in this story.

[Gpkarr · Rating 4 out of 5]

It has been at least 20 years since I've read Margaret Truman. It was like meeting up with old friends. Mac and Annabel.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beware of people in power. All is not as it appears. Or so the characters in this book find out.

[Barbara · Rating 4 out of 5]

It had a slow start but became good after the 1st 100 or so pages. Good finish.

[Sylvia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The ending was too abrupt.

[Darcee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good one.
I am reading these Capital Crimes mysteries all out of order. However, I really like the Mac and Annabel Smith recurring characters.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

She has gotten more graphic in her murder scenes. I'm not so much a fan of that, but engaging story. Like most, the action on the last 40 pages helped me finish the book quickly.

[Hank · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't really care about the characters.

[Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well written with an interesting plot. The action snowballs to the end like an avalanch.

[Frederick Bingham · Rating 2 out of 5]

I listened to the book on tape on a trip.This is a rather disjointed story. There is a powerful congressman, nominated by the president to be Secretary of State, who is charged with sexual harassment by his office assistant and is murdered. There is his buddy, a somewhat shady wealthy businessman, with deep ties into post-Soviet Russia. There are Russian mobsters and oligarchs. There is a law professor who ends up trying to figure out who committed the murder. There are a couple of CIA and FBI agents involved too.

[Phillis · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was about Russia and when the Soviet Union dissolved and how some people were against it and wanted the old USSR back, and how greed among others including Americans to make money. Because of that greed people were killed. It was a very good story. As I move forward in time as the author's books are written I can see how much more intriguing and complicated things are getting story-wise and technology-wise. The comparisons are very interesting. This book was published in 1997.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a reread for me.....I can't remember when I'd first read it. I liked this book along with Truman's other books that featured the characters Mac and Annabel. Truman usually can make the workings of the government interesting when using them in her story plot.....occasionally she goes on a little too much, but it was a good read.

[Steve · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oct 2016 I'm surprised this is a new one for me! Not only a powerful story, but Truman taught me a new word: contumelious
“he had dealt with enough rich, woeful, contumelious men to understand,,,,"
noun, plural contumelies.
1.
insulting display of contempt in words or actions; contemptuous orhumiliating treatment.
2.
a humiliating insult.
insolently abusive and humiliating

[Judy Iliff · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Truman mystery, but not as well written as others, I didn't think. The last chapter read as if she was tired of writing and just wrote paragraphs to tie things up. I felt there could have been more explanation.