Murder in the East Room

Eleanor Roosevelt #12

by Elliott Roosevelt

In 1940, the world was hurtling toward war. And in Washington, D.C., the First Lady was hunting for a killer.

Fine food and drink are not a hallmark of FDR's White House. But bad bubbly isn't the reason Senator Vance Gibson staggers away from a state dinner. Moments after his departure, the man is dead in the East Room, his throat slit from ear to ear.

The world is being engulfed by the flames of war. The British have been defeated at Dunkirk and France is collapsing. While FDR agonizes over a third term, and the White House is invaded by movers, shakers, and plotters, the First Lady can't help but investigate the murder of Senator Gibson, a man who was irresistible to women, including Greta Garbo herself. Examining the suspects, from jealous husbands to a corrupt politician, Eleanor finds herself in a steamy world of sex and secrets. But for the President's wife, the most shocking truth is yet to come.

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

201 pages, Hardcover

First published November 1, 1993

About the author

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

Reviews

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is 1940, and the Germans are entering France. As usual, the book gives some of Mrs. Roosevelt's daily duties along with the fictionalized murder investigation. I figured out the murderer fairly early in the book, but that did not detract from the process of gathering clues. The history and public figures of the time are definitely more interesting. It is giving me a whole new perception of the times when my parents were young. They got married three or four months after the events in this book.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER IN THE EAST ROOM is Book 12 in the Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery Series. During a White House State Dinner, Senator Vance Gibson falls ill and leaves the room only to be found dead minutes later in the East Room. His throat was slit and he is lying in a pool of blood when found by his dumpy, young wife.

It is 1940 and the Nazi Army is poised to march into France. President Roosevelt's hands are tied and he has no help to offer the French. He and the First Lady are pondering a third race for the Presidency and he has to appoint a Secretary of War knowing that whether he runs or not, whoever the next President is will have to get the United States involved in Europe's troubles. Readers will meet some very interesting historical characters in this novel, young Congressman Lyndon Johnson of Texas, Congressman Dirksen of Illinois, Congressman Sam Rayburn and Senator Harry Truman and his young daughter Margaret.

The mystery is full of historical facts and the interactions of politicians we have come to notice over the years. Eleanor Roosevelt as sleuth continues to be very entertaining and I did not pinpoint who the killer might be until the very last page. This one is great fun!

[Chazzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is nearing FDR's second term in the White House. Rumours are circulating about whether he will run for a third term. Hitler is on the move and heading for Paris. There are tensions in the air.

During a state dinner, Senator Gibson is found dead in the East Room. Known as being irresistible to women, even though he is married and his wife claims they are both in love with each other, more rumours fly about his infidelities and the idea of jealous husband and spurned lovers are looked at as suspects. The home front now has its own tensions.

Eleanor Roosevelt finds herself drawn into solving another mystery. What she uncovers about the victim and those who are involved with him is more shocking that she originally thought. Sex, secrets, corruption are just hints of what Senator Gibson has been involved in. It is the others who are part of the escapades that are the real shockers.

Another enjoyable read that can also be a short read. I read it within 24 hours and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Martha Groeber · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt is on the trail of crime again when a senator is murdered in the East Room during a dinner to honor retiring congressmen. The year is 1940. President Roosevelt is considering running for a third term and Germany is marching toward Paris. With this as a background, Mrs. Roosevelt, along with Captain Kennelly of the District Police and Mr. Baines of the Secret Service, runs down leads to discover who has murdered the senator. In the process, they discover that the senator had three mistresses and was a target of the insurance company lobby.

Elliott Roosevelt, the son of Eleanor and President Roosevelt, tells the story like no one else can. The insights he gives into the Washington political and social culture of the time make this series truly unique. While the story is fiction, it reads like a true story, and the reader feels like he can truly understand the incomparable Eleanor.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the book. Have never read any of this authors books. I will read more. The only thing is I found a discrepancy. In the written confession of a character, on page 150, it says he received payment in 50 bills and a few pages later on page 155, the captain was relaying some information in the confession and he said that the payment was paid in 20 dollar bills.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 1 out of 5]

A HIGHLY fictionalized account of a murder at the White House. Amateur detective and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt (the author’s real life mother) helps solve the crime. It’s hard to suspend disbelief on this mediocre plot with unrealistic and unsympathetic characters. For Roosevelt fans only.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed another book in this series. This one was easy to figure out, and I did; but I liked reading about prominent persons of that day.

[Sally Lindsay-briggs · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new author for me this time. Elliott is FDR’s and Eleanor Roosevelt’s son. It was a well written murder mystery. The reader finds out much about politics in that era and especially what FDR and the country felt about Germany’s invasion of France during WW II. Several recognizable figures are mentioned like Lyndon Johnson and Dewey. Eleanor is instrumental in helping solve this curious murder that happened in the White House during a special dinner for quite a few people. There were too many characters to sort out in this short novel but it was intriguing anyway.

[Tommie Nicholas · Rating 5 out of 5]

An interesting series of books written by Elliot Roosevelt with his mother as the crime solver. There are several of these and, so far, I have liked every one of them. There is generally a link to history and in this one the country is teetering on the brink of WWII. With France being seized by the Nazis, Elanor is working on the murder of a young congressman who is killed while dining at the White House.

[Sherrill Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

See Livia's review.

Written by Eleanor Roosevelt's son. A little simplistic in spots -- did tough guys and policemen really talk like that? Maybe? A true story -- at least in parts. See the last pages (198-201) for a playbook of the real players and what happened to them.

[Helenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this book rather ponderous. However I always enjoy historical fiction from this time period. As was noted by another reviewer it was of interest to have the historical facts at the end of the book. It makes me think not much has changed in the world of politics.

[Robina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Historical mystery featuring Eleanor Roosevelt with familiar real characters who would still be in Congress by the time I could vote. Several reasons to kill the dashing senator from Idaho. Several suspects. A few twists. Set in 1940 the month France surrendered to Germany.

[Cathy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Though I find it hard to believe that a first lady would spend time solving a murder mystery, it does give her something to fill the empty hours spent in the White House.

[Carol · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another mystery that Eleanor Roosevelt helps to solve. Amazing! I hear she fought vampires, too!

[Kathy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I feel this book is poorly written. It's as though the author is following the 1, 2, 3's of how to write a murder mystery. I'm guessing he only got published due to his name.

[Sarah Foote · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

[Michael · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as satisfying as Margaret Truman's murder mysteries, but an adequate story.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#14: a handsome young senator has his throat slashed while attending a dinner at the White House. Mrs. Roosevelt comes to the aid of his wife/widow and aids in detecting and unraveling who-done-it. Improper congressmen, insurance fraud, illicit sex, attempted suicide, arson, debutants, affairs, all part of the game as Paris falls to the Germans.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun read

[Anne-Marie · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery had a lot of players to investigate. I rather figured the ending just had to go through all of the facts. Not sure about seeing First Lady Roosevelt as a detective.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great read. I was talking about this author to a fellow reader and she said she didn't like his works at all. She also said she didn't like Margaret Truemans series and I love those to. I guess I just like the underside of DC.

[Mom/Dorothy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Quick read...interesting background on DC during the years of FDR. Fascinating insight into the White House, featuring tidbits about FDR and Eleanor. Lots of books in this series, will probably read more.

[Anne-Marie Chandler · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery had a lot of players to investigate. I rather figured the ending just had to go through all of the facts. Not sure about seeing First Lady Roosevelt as a detective.