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Capital Crimes #19
Murder at Ford's Theatre
It was the site of one of the most infamous assassinations in American history. Now bestselling mystery master Margaret Truman premieres a new murder at Ford’s Theater–one that’s hot off today’s headlines.
The body of Nadia Zarinski, an attractive young woman who worked for senator Bruce Lerner–and who volunteered at Ford’s–is discovered in the alley behind the theatre. Soon a pair of mismatched cops–young, studious Rick Klieman and gregarious veteran Moses “Mo” Johnson–start digging into the victim’s life, and find themselves confronting an increasing cast of suspects.
There’s Virginia Senator Lerner himself, rumored to have had a sexual relationship with Nadia–and half the women in D.C. under ninety. . . . Clarise Emerson, producer/director of Ford’s Theatre and ex-wife of the Senator, whose nomination to head the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is now threatened by the scandal . . . Jeremiah Lerner, her aimless, hot-tempered son, said to have been sleeping with Nadia when his famous father wasn’t . . . Bernard Crowley, the theatre’s controller, whose emotions overflow at the mention of the crime . . . faded British stage star Sydney Bancroft, desperate for recognition and a comeback, and armed with damning information about Clarise Emerson . . . and other complex characters from both sides of the footlights.
With her unparalleled understanding of Washington and its players, and her savvy sense of how strange bedfellows cut deals even in the midst of mayhem, Margaret Truman always delivers the most sophisticated and satisfying suspense. Murder at Ford’s Theatre is her most compelling, insightful novel yet, sure to earn her a standing ovation from her many fans and new followers alike.
From the Hardcover edition.
The body of Nadia Zarinski, an attractive young woman who worked for senator Bruce Lerner–and who volunteered at Ford’s–is discovered in the alley behind the theatre. Soon a pair of mismatched cops–young, studious Rick Klieman and gregarious veteran Moses “Mo” Johnson–start digging into the victim’s life, and find themselves confronting an increasing cast of suspects.
There’s Virginia Senator Lerner himself, rumored to have had a sexual relationship with Nadia–and half the women in D.C. under ninety. . . . Clarise Emerson, producer/director of Ford’s Theatre and ex-wife of the Senator, whose nomination to head the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) is now threatened by the scandal . . . Jeremiah Lerner, her aimless, hot-tempered son, said to have been sleeping with Nadia when his famous father wasn’t . . . Bernard Crowley, the theatre’s controller, whose emotions overflow at the mention of the crime . . . faded British stage star Sydney Bancroft, desperate for recognition and a comeback, and armed with damning information about Clarise Emerson . . . and other complex characters from both sides of the footlights.
With her unparalleled understanding of Washington and its players, and her savvy sense of how strange bedfellows cut deals even in the midst of mayhem, Margaret Truman always delivers the most sophisticated and satisfying suspense. Murder at Ford’s Theatre is her most compelling, insightful novel yet, sure to earn her a standing ovation from her many fans and new followers alike.
From the Hardcover edition.
336 pages, Hardcover
First published November 19, 2002
173 people are currently reading
588 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Truman
87 books260 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 106 reviews
August 16, 2012
Murder at Ford’s Theatre
Written By: Margaret Truman
Published by: Ballantine Books
Murder at Ford’s Theatre
This is a story about the murder of a young female intern of U.S. Senator, Bruce Lerner. The intern, Nadia Zarinski, was found in the alley behind the Ford’s Theatre. “Cause? Subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Manner or death? Blow to the head with blunt, broad object.”
Ms. Zarinski has been rumored to be having an affair with the senator. The senator is ex-husband of Clarise Emerson, the theatre’s producing director. The case is assigned to Rick Klayman and Mo Johnson, detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Unit, of the MPD.
The senator and his ex-wife are both career oriented, him wanting to run for president and her currently under consideration for the director of the NEA. It does not help when their son, Jeremiah, who had a sexual relationship with the intern, is charged with the murder.
The book was well researched as far as history of the Ford’s Theatre and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. There were a couple of mistakes in the author’s police procedural knowledge and a couple of streets were incorrectly names. Otherwise, I enjoyed to mystery.
This book is part of the Capital Crimes series written by the author, the daughter of President Harry Truman.
Written By: Margaret Truman
Published by: Ballantine Books
Murder at Ford’s Theatre
This is a story about the murder of a young female intern of U.S. Senator, Bruce Lerner. The intern, Nadia Zarinski, was found in the alley behind the Ford’s Theatre. “Cause? Subdural and subarachnoid hemorrhages. Manner or death? Blow to the head with blunt, broad object.”
Ms. Zarinski has been rumored to be having an affair with the senator. The senator is ex-husband of Clarise Emerson, the theatre’s producing director. The case is assigned to Rick Klayman and Mo Johnson, detectives from the Crimes Against Persons Unit, of the MPD.
The senator and his ex-wife are both career oriented, him wanting to run for president and her currently under consideration for the director of the NEA. It does not help when their son, Jeremiah, who had a sexual relationship with the intern, is charged with the murder.
The book was well researched as far as history of the Ford’s Theatre and the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. There were a couple of mistakes in the author’s police procedural knowledge and a couple of streets were incorrectly names. Otherwise, I enjoyed to mystery.
This book is part of the Capital Crimes series written by the author, the daughter of President Harry Truman.
May 8, 2017
Who killed Nadia Zarinski who volunteered at Ford’s Theatre and who is rumored to be a former lover of Senator Bruce Lerner?
Margaret Truman did an extraordinary job in making us suspect everyone then redirecting us when we believe we have figured out the identity of the actual killer! Richard Allen was phenomenal in his storytelling.
What I liked was that we never get lost in all the twists and turns and smoke and mirrors. Not only was Murder at Ford’s Theatre a good read, we learn a lot about the history surrounding the theatre.
Margaret Truman did an extraordinary job in making us suspect everyone then redirecting us when we believe we have figured out the identity of the actual killer! Richard Allen was phenomenal in his storytelling.
What I liked was that we never get lost in all the twists and turns and smoke and mirrors. Not only was Murder at Ford’s Theatre a good read, we learn a lot about the history surrounding the theatre.
October 1, 2024
I volunteer at Ford's Theatre and a visitor mentioned this book, so naturally I had to check it out. It was a bit odd, jumping into a series at #19; I spent a bunch of time trying to figure out which characters had been involved in the previous books in the series. A glance at descriptions tells me that the lawyer-turned-law-professor Mac Smith and his wife were prominently featured in multiple other books; I doubt anyone else in this book was.
A Senate intern/Ford's volunteer is found murdered one morning just behind the theater. There are a handful of good suspects; I appreciate that one of the detectives working the case is frustrated at the focus on the Senator's son to the exclusion of other possibilities. The book was a bit confusing at first; there were a LOT of characters introduced and it took a while to focus in on who would be our main characters for the book.
It was an interesting enough read; I'm not much of a mystery fan, but this was decent. I don't think I liked any of the characters in it, but I enjoyed the portrayal of Washington, DC. Truman goes into a lot of detail--a LOT of detail, most of which we don't necessarily need, but is sometimes fun to read. Sometimes it's just too much. (Also, I can see referring to it as Kramerbooks & Afterwords once, but not twice. Nobody in conversation would say the whole name.) It was amusing seeing the Shakespeare Theatre's Michael Kahn make a cameo. It seems that Washington, DC itself is the connecting link between the books--it's clearly the star. And it's fun remembering what Ford's was like before the renovation in the late 00s.
A Senate intern/Ford's volunteer is found murdered one morning just behind the theater. There are a handful of good suspects; I appreciate that one of the detectives working the case is frustrated at the focus on the Senator's son to the exclusion of other possibilities. The book was a bit confusing at first; there were a LOT of characters introduced and it took a while to focus in on who would be our main characters for the book.
It was an interesting enough read; I'm not much of a mystery fan, but this was decent. I don't think I liked any of the characters in it, but I enjoyed the portrayal of Washington, DC. Truman goes into a lot of detail--a LOT of detail, most of which we don't necessarily need, but is sometimes fun to read. Sometimes it's just too much. (Also, I can see referring to it as Kramerbooks & Afterwords once, but not twice. Nobody in conversation would say the whole name.) It was amusing seeing the Shakespeare Theatre's Michael Kahn make a cameo. It seems that Washington, DC itself is the connecting link between the books--it's clearly the star. And it's fun remembering what Ford's was like before the renovation in the late 00s.
April 11, 2018
This is the 4th straight Washington DC mystery I've read, after three White House chef stories. I enjoyed this novel more than those fine books. The main reason was the characters, you really got to know them. The book is really more of a character study as opposed to a straight mystery. The murder of a loose young female intern is the basis for the story, but we really are not given clues expect for those the detectives uncover, in fact some facts are hidden from the reader. An example is some very important news characters exchange but we don't find out what the news is until the mystery is solved. In a mystery story that would bother me, but in this novel it didn't - too much. Another interesting note, we really don't have a main character. The story shifts back and forth from the two detectives on the case, a lawyer/professor and his wife, a high powered woman who heads Ford's Theatre, a powerful Virginia Senator who was rumored to have an affair with the dead girl, and a has been English actor employed at the theatre. The main suspect, the surly son of the divorced Senator and head of Ford's Theatre, seems too pat to be the killer. The Washington background is well covered. I don't know if Margaret Truman really wrote this or it was ghost written, as claimed, but whoever wrote it did a good job. Not a great mystery, but an interesting and well written story.
December 12, 2011
This is my 2nd Margaret Truman book. I didn't realize they were a series. It's interesting because there are recurring characters and they are central to the main plot but at the same time not really (I know that makes no sense). They are always involved somehow it seems but the story and new characters could really stand on their own if necessary. To be honest I was suprised when the recurring characters were introduced 1/3 of the way through the book.
I'm enjoying Margaret Truman. She's not as fast paced as say Harlan Coben or Patricia Cornwell but her mysteries are solid. I did unfortunately figure out "who done it" prior to the end of the book though.
I'm enjoying Margaret Truman. She's not as fast paced as say Harlan Coben or Patricia Cornwell but her mysteries are solid. I did unfortunately figure out "who done it" prior to the end of the book though.
May 6, 2017
I've read several from this Capital Crimes series and they have all been good, rating 4 or 5 stars. This one only rates 3 stars from me. It wasn't bad, just not as interesting or challenging to figure out. I did like the two cop characters that are introduced...they carry most of the first half of the book before the recurring lawyer/law professor and his wife enter the story. It's still a good read, just not as exciting as her others.
March 30, 2024
Here’s the thing, the merits of this as a literary masterpiece are questionable. I rate this five stars because I bought this random book from the used book store by an author I never read before, to go on a cabin vacation and read in a jet bathtub with bath bombs. Its story was paperback mystery thriller enough to fulfill its role in the whole ordeal.
September 18, 2017
4.5 Mac Smith comes to the aid of an old friend when her son is jailed for the murder of an intern that worked for her ex-husband. Nadia's body was found outside in the back alley behind Ford's Theatre. Mo Johnson & Rick Klayman are the detectives on the case. Jeremiah is suspected and arrested because he dated Nadia (as did most everyone else) and his shoe print was found at the murder scene. There are many suspects in this story - any one of whom could have killed her with good reason. I fingered the murderer quickly, but enjoyed reading the story and the twists and turns. I do like Mac & Annabel Smith.
February 9, 2020
This is an enjoyable Capital Crimes Mystery by Harry Truman's daughter Margaret. There are many suspects--some possibilities presenting even at the end of the book. Thus you are kept guessing until the end. It also has two of my favorite recurring characters featured in a number of these books--Mac Smith and his wife, Annabelle. It is always fun to be presented with Washington DC historical facts.
March 20, 2020
This book comes with a history lesson about historic events at Ford's Theatre as Mac Smith finds himself back in the courtroom representing the son of the theater's director, who has been nominated to head the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA). The son has been charged with the murder of a young intern who has been linked romantically with the boy's Senator father. An intriguing read for many mystery fans!
February 7, 2018
The ending didn’t (in my mind) line up with the clues, and there were several unnecessary additional storylines that felt cluttering. Overall, decent, but not spectacular. But I love the Lincoln history interspersed throughout.
February 1, 2019
Everybody needs to read a crime novel from time to time. This one fits. Intern working with the non-profit group using the Ford Theater turns up dead in the back alley. Lots of red herrings before we get to the fact that the xxxxx did it.
February 8, 2020
She is a master at this!
What a complex plot that kept you guessing right up to the very end. She certainly understood the nature of DC and politics, as well as a wonderful grasp of the theatre and Shakespeare. A great read!
What a complex plot that kept you guessing right up to the very end. She certainly understood the nature of DC and politics, as well as a wonderful grasp of the theatre and Shakespeare. A great read!
June 30, 2020
Secrets and lies! What else! It's Washington!
Good and enjoyable reading. A little predictable in the end.
Suitable for any reader to enjoy without feeling embarrassing it's content.
Good and enjoyable reading. A little predictable in the end.
Suitable for any reader to enjoy without feeling embarrassing it's content.
July 19, 2020
A good one
Very little politics in this one, but it does give a lot of interesting details about Abraham Lincoln. The big question, who killed the intern? This story has a couple of twists.
Very little politics in this one, but it does give a lot of interesting details about Abraham Lincoln. The big question, who killed the intern? This story has a couple of twists.
October 28, 2021
All the characters in this book knew something about Abraham Lincoln and John Wilkes Booth. The book starts with a murder at Ford's Theatre's back door. Solving the murder uses history as a back drop. Read it and see if you knew all the history.
November 14, 2022
3.5/5. While I enjoyed the historic bits about Lincoln and the obviously in depth research that was done to accurately describe the legal process; parts tended to drag and didn't have much to do with the actual plot.
December 30, 2017
Another spicy plot in Washington D.C - really enjoying this series.
December 31, 2017
As advertised on the tin: there's a murder. At Ford's Theater. Protagonist? Less plucky. Additional Colorful Characters? Sure. CAN YOU SOLVE THE MYSTERY? Mostly.
January 17, 2018
Meh. Easy to read, but so is The Cat in the Hat.
February 1, 2018
It isn't who you think that did the deAD
August 22, 2018
Meh. Nothing to write home about.
March 22, 2019
I think this is my speed of murder mystery. Not a lot of graphic detail - some history thrown in for good measure and if you know Washington DC area, even better. I will read more from this author.
May 7, 2019
Very boring and I fell asleep every time I tried to read it. I wanted so much to like it too!
December 11, 2019
GOOD MYSTERY WRITER
FIRST TIME - I enjoyed it very much - setting in Washington quite interesting
FIRST TIME - I enjoyed it very much - setting in Washington quite interesting
February 9, 2020
good read
A lot of misdirection, but very predictable. if you follow the money, its obvious early on who is guil of murder
A lot of misdirection, but very predictable. if you follow the money, its obvious early on who is guil of murder
Read
June 21, 2021Pleasant surprise, did not realize what I had been missing. Very good writer, in addition to history.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 28, 2021
This was a long read. I skipped over various lengthy descriptions and still took me a long time to read. Not a page turner. There were a few twists at the end which redeemed the story.
October 28, 2021
Interesting history lesson about the theatre where Lincoln was assassinated.
September 6, 2022
Good book. Somewhat dated but that's okay.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 106 reviews