Murder in the Red Room

Eleanor Roosevelt #10

by Elliott Roosevelt

1937: FDR has been inaugurated for his second term as President of the United States. It will be a year marked by record-breaking floods in the Ohio and Mississippi valleys, the crash of the Hindenburg, Amelia Earhart's disappearance over the Pacific--and a little-known murder in the White House, solved by the First Lady of Mystery, Eleanor Roosevelt.

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

249 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1992

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 3 out of 5]

I enjoy the glimpses into the Roosevelt administration as much as the murder mystery. This mystery was somewhat mundane, but it covers the time when Roosevelt made one of his few political mistakes and tried to shove a bill through Congress that would allow him to pick six new Supreme Court Justices. I often wonder how some otherwise politically astute people can have a blind spot now and again. He really didn't see this as undermining the intentions of the Constitution because the Constitution doesn't set a number for the justices of the Supreme Court. However, it does explain the balance of power that is intended between the Supreme Court, the President, and the Congress - the three branches of government that are supposed to balance each other to keep one from getting too powerful. It is clear that the balance shifts from time to time, but not so badly as "packing the Supreme Court" would allow. He should have perhaps more correctly asked for a manditory retirement age for all branches. I don't care what that age would be, but it would get rid of some of our problems, wouldn't it?

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each book is more fascinating than the last, both the complex mystery and history occurring in that time period. I find it fascinating to follow the lives of so many real life people through the Great Depression, the build up to World War II and all the people Eleanor and Franklin met in the course of leading and encouraging the country through these tumultuous years. From lunch with Edward G Robinson, Lana Turner and Gary Cooper to enlarging the Supreme Court and Colonel George Patton in his younger days teaching the fine points of a martini, there is plenty of history and juicy mystery in this book and series!

[Loraine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt, son of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt, has penned a quaint series set during the presidency of his father. These are general market books so do contain a few profanities, some drinking, and mentions of behaviors that occurred during that time period. But it's interesting to see the ins and outs of political life during that time period as well as having an older sleuth, Eleanor Roosevelt, in the Jessica Fletcher vain. I read a few of these many years ago, but found this one an enjoyable read. I would call it a mix of cozy and suspense.

[Susan Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little mystery which reads more like a novel with a mystery at it's heart. I particularly enjoyed the sections which focused an Ms. Roosevelt and a cast of "fictionalized" real life persons in their mostly correct historical context. The mystery, involving a murder, with primary suspects being White House employees develops very slowly and it is not until the last 50 pages that substantial clues are dropped into the story. This book was interesting to read but not a top grade mystery.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#10: murder of a Cleveland mobster on the lam in the Red Room brings together Eleanor, Secret Service agent Stan Szczygiel and DC police detective Ed Kennelly to gather and sort out the facts with cast of characters including a senator and his adult daughter, a slew of Harvard educated lawyers, male and female, all of whom evade the truth, a high level call girl, a sleazy bartender, a congressman, and an alcoholic. Very convoluted.

[Helenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable addition to the series. A number of historical personages passed through the pages. The White House was not a glamorous place to reside. I think those who enjoy quaint mysteries will enjoy this book. I’ll be reading another soon.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Elliott Roosevelt has become one of my favorite mystery writers since I discovered his Eleanor Roosevelt mysteries series. They are quick reads that keep the readers guessing as to who the culprit is because he introduces at least four or five people who could've committed the murder.

[Celeste · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another look at the amazing Eleanor! This one felt very personal for some reason.

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting historical mystery.

[Natasha Rostova · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cozy mystery starring Eleanor Roosevelt as lead detective in a White House murder.

[Caroline · Rating 2 out of 5]

And I believed having Jane Austen solve mysteries was a questionable concept. Now here's Eleanor Roosevelt solving mysteries in the White House! Not only that, but this series is written by her son, Elliot. How truly bizarre.

The plot is standard issue; it is a sordid (and confusing) little affair involving gangsters and vengeful love. It doesn't really matter. This one is all about the surroundings.

Scattered throughout are cutesy little anecdotes and cameos. Eleanor inspects a flood damaged Ohio (she's compassionate, get it?). They meet an "unknown" lieutenant named George S. Patton (haw, haw). Occasionally, we are treated to a scene wherein Franklin attempts to pass a bill allowing him to pack the Supreme Court full of his supporters, and thus become an autocrat. These scenes have no bearing whatsoever on the "mystery" and are included for...I don't know, period atmosphere, maybe? On a side note, the estrangement between Franklin and Eleanor is treated in a curiously bloodless fashion, but I guess that's only to be expected.

I found it too weird to enjoy.

[Martha Groeber · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt is back, solving another murder that unfortunately happens in the White House. With an eye for capturing the details of life during the Roosevelt administration, Elliott Roosevelt portrays his parents realistically, yet without rose-colored glasses. He hints at his father's alleged affair with his secretary and acknowledges the public's negative perceptions of his mother.

Although the mystery is fictional, the reader is drawn into the pre-war setting and gains appreciation for the era and what life was like for Mrs. Roosevelt. Her interest in and sympathy for people is vividly shown and only adds to one's admiration of this unusual lady.

The case is solved in a rather formulaic way, with no real surprise at the end, however. The pleasure in these novels comes from getting to know Mrs. Roosevelt in a way only her son could show.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Book ten in this series has First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt lunching with her close friend Mary McLeod Bethune and meeting Gary Cooper, Hedy Lamarr, and Edward G Robinson. It is 1937, Hitler is now the Chancellor of Germany and war looms. The company that owns and operates the Hindenburg is requesting summer landing rights from President Roosevelt while he in turn is romancing Congress to expand seats on the Supreme Court.

It is during a white tie affair at the White House with members of the Supreme Court in attendance that a dead body is discovered in the Red Room. The victim a notorious pimp named Shondor Jack. The President warns Mrs Roosevelt not to get involved but the First Lady cannot pass up a good murder.

This one is outstanding!!

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this to be an interesting book. Another murder occurs in the White House in the Red Room near the room where the President and First Lady are entertaining the Supreme Court Justices. Again Eleanor works with the head of the Secret Service and the DC Police Lieutenant to solve the mystery. The book explores several issues--how the victim got into the White House, the true identity of several persons using false names, how a second murder is related to the first, and the connection so many persons had to Cleveland, Ohio. Several historical events are mentioned in the book as well as a number of well known persons. There is an interesting cast of characters involved.

[VerJean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eleanor to the rescue again.
I read quite a number of these books years ago - and still have some to go.
Good insight into the workings of the rooms of the White House and ya gotta love Eleanor !
Read in 2009.

[Janene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Elliott Roosevelt mysteries are wonderful for letting you see into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt and the political times.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This a page turner. I like how the histroy and mystery set each other up.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Roosevelt mystery!

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Easy read.