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Capital Crimes #17
Murder in Foggy Bottom
Once it was a swamp. Now Foggy Bottom is swimming with real-estate sharks. When a man is found stabbed to death in this trendy D.C. neighborhood, it is major news. But within forty-eight hours the nation is gripped by a fear that leaves this comparatively small crime in the dark.
Three passenger planes are shot out of the sky. Everywhere–in law enforcement, in the media, and in the most secret realms of government–men and women scramble to find out who shot hand-held missiles at the planes, and why. It is a search that reaches from Moscow to the Pacific Northwest, putting some people’s lives in jeopardy and turning others lives inside out. But no one can guess the truth: that the epicenter of the terrorist outbreak is Washington D.C. . . . and a dead man behind a park bench in a place called Foggy Bottom.
Three passenger planes are shot out of the sky. Everywhere–in law enforcement, in the media, and in the most secret realms of government–men and women scramble to find out who shot hand-held missiles at the planes, and why. It is a search that reaches from Moscow to the Pacific Northwest, putting some people’s lives in jeopardy and turning others lives inside out. But no one can guess the truth: that the epicenter of the terrorist outbreak is Washington D.C. . . . and a dead man behind a park bench in a place called Foggy Bottom.
314 pages, Hardcover
First published July 1, 2000
88 people are currently reading
574 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 85 reviews
January 11, 2019
Margaret Truman’s Capital Crimes series has mysteries set in different Washington locations, giving readers a flavour of the place itself, and the power games always on in the Capital. This one, book 17 in the series, is set in Foggy Bottom. Once a swamp, this became a trendy area with the Watergate, and the Kennedy Center, among other things. In this book, a body is found in a park in the area, a victim of a stabbing. Joe Potamos, a Washington Post reporter we’ve “met” in one of her books before is assigned to the case, and feels this is more than just a random stabbing, and keeps pursuing it even against instructions to drop the investigation. Meanwhile three planes are shot down in different locations killing many innocents and sending chill waves through the country and the administration. Jessica Mumford, an employee of the State Department, and Max Pauling, who she is dating, and who is with the CIA are involved in the investigations at different levels, and we also see how different government and law enforcement departments respond to it. But these two events turn out to be connected: and it is these characters that identify the connection.
While I didn’t find myself immediately gripped by the book (even though it was very readable), after a third of the way in, I was really hooked and found myself reading on right to the end to see how things turn out. What was kind of unnerving about this one was that it was written in 2000 just a year before 9/11 and on a smaller scale deals with the same kind of situation, and the impact that it had on people in their daily lives. While there was a mystery in this one as always, it had somewhat more of a thriller vibe. What stood out more than the mystery itself was the politics and diplomacy, and how these are what take the forefront pretty much all the time. So the “truth” is sometimes never to surface and sometimes moulded to suit the demands of politics. I enjoyed meeting recurring characters from her books, Mac and Annabel Reed-Smith, who are very much present through the book, though they don’t have a role in the actual mystery, reporter Joe Potamos and his pianist girlfriend, Roseann, and also new to me characters Max Pauling and Jessica Mumford, who I think appear in other books as well. This was a fast-paced and gripping read. Very enjoyable.
While I didn’t find myself immediately gripped by the book (even though it was very readable), after a third of the way in, I was really hooked and found myself reading on right to the end to see how things turn out. What was kind of unnerving about this one was that it was written in 2000 just a year before 9/11 and on a smaller scale deals with the same kind of situation, and the impact that it had on people in their daily lives. While there was a mystery in this one as always, it had somewhat more of a thriller vibe. What stood out more than the mystery itself was the politics and diplomacy, and how these are what take the forefront pretty much all the time. So the “truth” is sometimes never to surface and sometimes moulded to suit the demands of politics. I enjoyed meeting recurring characters from her books, Mac and Annabel Reed-Smith, who are very much present through the book, though they don’t have a role in the actual mystery, reporter Joe Potamos and his pianist girlfriend, Roseann, and also new to me characters Max Pauling and Jessica Mumford, who I think appear in other books as well. This was a fast-paced and gripping read. Very enjoyable.
February 27, 2008
Another murder mystery by Margaret Truman that's easy but intriguing to read. Per usual she uses her knowledge of Washington,DC to give insight to the workings of governmnent, and even after 60+ years since she reigned there as first daughter she still can get to the heart of the government bureaucracy. What is uncanny about this book is that, written in the year 2000 and dealing with terrorist activity, she is able to capture the mood of the American people in a scary foreshadowing of the attacks on the twin towers on 9-11.
October 21, 2020
Wow. Much better than expected. I will be adding other books from the series to my tbr list
November 25, 2011
Foggy Bottom was built on a swamp, but the D.C. real estate is home to the Kennedy Center and the State Department. Murders don’t often happen here. The corpse is well dressed and Post reporter Joe Patamos is going to find out who has killed the Canadian. But his story will have to wait. Three planes have been shot out of the sky. Russian SAMs have been found at all of the scenes and all of the alphabet agencies been investigating.
The Russians are suspect, yet the FBI strongly suspects a Washington state Neo-Nazi Militia. CIA operative Max Pauling is sent to Russia to gather Intel on the weapons as well as a potential link to the down planes that killed over 4 score American men, women, and children. Patamos believes that the body found in Foggy Bottom is relevant and both he and Pauling discover the link to the murder and the terrorist attack about the same time, but in separate hemispheres.
Written in 2000, Truman keeps the suspense taut and captures the fear that all Americans felt that September morning in 2001. The characters are well developed and likable, but I felt that the story line could have been better developed.
The Russians are suspect, yet the FBI strongly suspects a Washington state Neo-Nazi Militia. CIA operative Max Pauling is sent to Russia to gather Intel on the weapons as well as a potential link to the down planes that killed over 4 score American men, women, and children. Patamos believes that the body found in Foggy Bottom is relevant and both he and Pauling discover the link to the murder and the terrorist attack about the same time, but in separate hemispheres.
Written in 2000, Truman keeps the suspense taut and captures the fear that all Americans felt that September morning in 2001. The characters are well developed and likable, but I felt that the story line could have been better developed.
May 8, 2017
What does the dead body found in D.C.’s Foggy Bottom district have to do with planes being blown out of the sky? With the combine efforts of a newspaper reporter, the FBI and the CIA we learn how the events are tied together and the people who are responsible.
Living in the D.C. area makes reading Margaret Truman’s books an added treat. Not only do we get to read great thrillers, we get to revisit places we’ve been, places we plan to go, or new places to go because all of author Truman’s landmarks are real. Alan Sklar did a great job in bringing the characters to life.
Margaret Truman books are great reads in that you get a great story with real landmarks to visit when you visit the D.C. area and you’ll learn how the different agencies work within the federal government.
Living in the D.C. area makes reading Margaret Truman’s books an added treat. Not only do we get to read great thrillers, we get to revisit places we’ve been, places we plan to go, or new places to go because all of author Truman’s landmarks are real. Alan Sklar did a great job in bringing the characters to life.
Margaret Truman books are great reads in that you get a great story with real landmarks to visit when you visit the D.C. area and you’ll learn how the different agencies work within the federal government.
March 18, 2009
Too many characters, hard to follow and not very much depth.
May 25, 2020
This is my third in reading Truman's detective series set in Washington DC and it better than those that I have already read. She seems to struggle to develop credible characters. Truman clearly has done some homework about the State Department. "Murder in Foggy Bottom" begins with the death of a Canadian diplomat in Foggy Bottom, the Washington neighborhood where the State Department is headquartered. The State Department does not have "divisions" as Truman writes, but rather bureaus. I do not think any president would stake his administration on whether an FBI agent provides better information than any other source. No, a real president would respond with caution, not hot-headed vanity to start another Waco.
Another fault -- Max gets the info he wants in a quick couple of days in Russia. How? Some guy hands it to him written out on a sheet of paper. Jessica takes some bird-watching photos in upstate New York and just happens to film her ex-husband in a hate-group. Really?
I am also tired of the good guy becoming the bad guy. I don't think I'll be reading any more in this series.
Another fault -- Max gets the info he wants in a quick couple of days in Russia. How? Some guy hands it to him written out on a sheet of paper. Jessica takes some bird-watching photos in upstate New York and just happens to film her ex-husband in a hate-group. Really?
I am also tired of the good guy becoming the bad guy. I don't think I'll be reading any more in this series.
March 15, 2022
OK...Let me just say this is a VERY busy book. This is the first book I've ever read by Ms. Truman. And it is book #17 in the Capital Crimes series.... Ms. Truman also has other books one written about her Father Harry. S. Truman(yes THAT Truman) and others written about First Ladies which she is knowledgeable about being herself a former First Daughter. The story line is full of intrigue, spies, counter spies Washington's posh Elite as well as other Countries. (Russia, Canada) and how Washington's "inner circle" somewhat works. a dead body is found in a Washington park no identification but a Post reporter notices Canadian Flags on his tie,3 commuter planes are blown out of the sky on the same day in three different locations and 2 witnesses swear they saw missiles hit them...The F.B.I. and the C.I.A. try to run down who is responsible...Rogue Agents, Bird Watchers taking pictures, and a no nonsense Madame Secretary of State also round out the cast of players... I will be reading more of this series (all of which have Murder in their titles) Good Book though and worth a look if you like murder, intrigue, mystery, and a little mayhem....
April 13, 2023
This is the second book I've read by this author. A well-dresed man is found murdered in the park in Foggy Botom. The police investigate along with a disgraced reporter, Joe Potamos. It look like a simple case, but unknown to investigators there more to the crime than appears on the surface. Then 3 commuter planes in various parts of the country are shot down by shoulder launched missiles. When pieces of the missile are put together they are discovered to be Russian. This discovery leads to investigations in Russia and hate groups in the US. The president of the US, the FBI, CIA, Joe Patamos get involved.
A good book at espionage and what happens when plans are made without all the information, even at the highest levels of US government. The hard thing about this book was remembering who several of the characters were as there were so many in the book. Good story. I wanted to know the ending right away, but to follow the plot it took a little bit. Still a page-turner.
4 1/2 stars of 5 due to keeping track (and backtracking) to remember who all the many characters were.
A good book at espionage and what happens when plans are made without all the information, even at the highest levels of US government. The hard thing about this book was remembering who several of the characters were as there were so many in the book. Good story. I wanted to know the ending right away, but to follow the plot it took a little bit. Still a page-turner.
4 1/2 stars of 5 due to keeping track (and backtracking) to remember who all the many characters were.
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September 11, 2021This book was not very good. It’s a standard political thriller, I guess, but I haven’t read many. I wouldn’t put any down for enjoying it. A few odd things about it:
It was published before 9/11 but details coordinated terrorist attacks on multiple civilian airplanes.
After the attacks, there’s a surge in hate crimes against people of African, Asian, and middle eastern decent.
The terrorists are actually a white supremacy group within the U.S. A lot of the descriptions and scenes of the all-white, patriarchal, extremist “patriotic” evangelical group were, frankly, a bit triggering based on what’s happened in the last one, five, ten, twenty years.
Is Margaret Truman a warlock?
It’s happenstance, but I also finished this book on 9/11.
You may wonder why I read this book at all, and that’s because my dad and I have a very dumb inside joke about how Alex Trebek says Foggy Bottom. I read this book as a joke. I guess the joke’s on me.
It was published before 9/11 but details coordinated terrorist attacks on multiple civilian airplanes.
After the attacks, there’s a surge in hate crimes against people of African, Asian, and middle eastern decent.
The terrorists are actually a white supremacy group within the U.S. A lot of the descriptions and scenes of the all-white, patriarchal, extremist “patriotic” evangelical group were, frankly, a bit triggering based on what’s happened in the last one, five, ten, twenty years.
Is Margaret Truman a warlock?
It’s happenstance, but I also finished this book on 9/11.
You may wonder why I read this book at all, and that’s because my dad and I have a very dumb inside joke about how Alex Trebek says Foggy Bottom. I read this book as a joke. I guess the joke’s on me.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2018
This was a bit strange to read. Several places in the book it mentions the “World Trade Center Bombing” … but it means the 1993 bombing in the basement of the Trade Center – not the 9/11 bombing of 2001. – Here in one day three US airline planes were brought down by missile fire (small local carriers total 87 people killed.) FBI and State Department must work together to find out 1) information on the missiles – where they came from, who bought them etc. 2) what group(s) were responsible for the bombings 3) what other danger is there? --- a really exciting book that kept me guessing…
February 8, 2023
This is best book by Ms Truman I have read. When I was in the middle of the book, she had so many different stories going on, I could never see how she could tie them together. Everything is tied up and they all are part of the conclusion. It all starts with a dead man in a city park.
A good crime novel. The story goes across the U.S. and to Russia. Ms Truman had a great knowledge of multiple government offices as well as the FBI and CIA. A fun book that was hard to put down.
A good crime novel. The story goes across the U.S. and to Russia. Ms Truman had a great knowledge of multiple government offices as well as the FBI and CIA. A fun book that was hard to put down.
December 9, 2017
Lots going on and lots of old friends, but just a little all over the place. Mac and Annabel don't do anything except remind us we like them and they are just like us. Joe Potamos is kind of important as is Roseann. Jessica is around too. A dead Canadian and downed flights are just part of the drama as Russian mafia is also going. It was just a bit higgledy piggedly
March 7, 2021
An interesting story that involves many of our countries finest law enforcement and diplomatic staffs. How do you sort out the mysteries behind three separate commuter plane crashes that occur within the same day? What do these crashes have in common? Could these be coincidental or due to terrorists? Spend a few days with this book and you will learn these answers and many more.
March 25, 2021
I enjoyed this authors writing; the story had a few too many coincidences in the characters but it was a story that kept pace. I didn’t feel as though I knew enough of the character back stories- that felt like a rush job, but I thought the premise and story line were good, and the ending was a little unexpected.
September 12, 2023
It's a series I recently discovered and Margaret Truman has me hooked! Living outside of DC, I am shocked I never stumbled upon these tales. I really enjoy the writing and it's true to form -- I know the buildings, the streets, etc. Not a "Marvel" depiction of DC for sure.
This one got me -- didn't see the ending. Great storyline.
This one got me -- didn't see the ending. Great storyline.
April 12, 2018
Bought in Ljubljana. One her best I’ve read. Several vignettes that end up tying together. Three commuter plains go down as the result of Russian missiles brought in to the US by domestic terrorists.
November 13, 2019
Enjoyable read. Fast pacing with interesting, flawed characters. Everything gets tied together nicely at the end. This is the second of Truman’s books I’ve read. I would read more. They are fairly quick and not too crazy. Don’t make you think too much-just enjoy the story as it unfolds.
February 7, 2021
I enjoyed the mystery and the story, but boy were the number of disparate characters hard to keep track of. Not sure why Mac and Anna-Belle were introduced in here at all; they have nothing to do with the story.
September 22, 2017
Another intriguing plot and a reappearance of characters from past stories. Fairly fast paced and surprise twists.
December 31, 2017
Enjoyed it, however I figured out who the real bad guys were 1/2 way thru book.
November 29, 2019
Intriguing. It held my interest throughout.
April 27, 2020
Easy, fast, and too-to-terribly-thought-inducing during the quarantine books. Great for pick up/put down, travel, etc.
June 24, 2020
Kept my interest throughout although it did bog down a bit in the middle with lots of details.
One thing I didn't like was the gratuitous sprinkling of the happily married couple, Mackensie and Annabell. What's that about?
One thing I didn't like was the gratuitous sprinkling of the happily married couple, Mackensie and Annabell. What's that about?
December 3, 2020
One of my favorites in this collection. Very contemporary.
November 13, 2021
Super good!
May 4, 2022
Some interesting parallels to 9/11 especially since this book was written in 2000. Fiction meets Truth!
July 10, 2024
Possibly the best in the series I've read yet. Creepily parallel to 9/11 events. The book was written in 2000. Plot twist and action packed!
August 5, 2024
Published in 2000, this was strangely prophetic, accurately predicting what we saw happen with the country after 9-11, and describing hate groups that we've seen since then.
August 20, 2024
A fantastic novel, which kept me glued! Margaret Truman didn't disappoint!!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 85 reviews