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Capital Crimes #21
Murder at The Washington Tribune
“Truman can write suspense with the best of them.”
–Larry King
“Satisfying . . . [a] solid mystery . . . a cautionary tale about ambition and a vote for journalistic integrity.”
–Publishers Weekly
At the big, aggressive Washington Tribune, a young woman, fresh out of journalism school, has been brutally strangled to death–and the hunt for her killer is making sensational headlines. Then a second woman is found dead. She, too, worked in the media. For veteran Trib reporter Joe Wilcox, the case strikes too close to His daughter is a beautiful rising TV news star. Seeing a chance to revive his free-falling career, Joe spearheads the Trib’s investigation and baits a trap for the murderer with a secret from his own past. Suddenly Joe is risking his career, his marriage, and even his daughter’s life by playing a dangerous game with a possible serial killer . . . one who hides in plain sight.
“Ripe with suspense, Truman’s mystery gets edgier with each page. . . . A captivating, fast-paced thriller.”
–Romantic Times
“Hooks the reader immediately.”
–The Ottawa Sun
–Larry King
“Satisfying . . . [a] solid mystery . . . a cautionary tale about ambition and a vote for journalistic integrity.”
–Publishers Weekly
At the big, aggressive Washington Tribune, a young woman, fresh out of journalism school, has been brutally strangled to death–and the hunt for her killer is making sensational headlines. Then a second woman is found dead. She, too, worked in the media. For veteran Trib reporter Joe Wilcox, the case strikes too close to His daughter is a beautiful rising TV news star. Seeing a chance to revive his free-falling career, Joe spearheads the Trib’s investigation and baits a trap for the murderer with a secret from his own past. Suddenly Joe is risking his career, his marriage, and even his daughter’s life by playing a dangerous game with a possible serial killer . . . one who hides in plain sight.
“Ripe with suspense, Truman’s mystery gets edgier with each page. . . . A captivating, fast-paced thriller.”
–Romantic Times
“Hooks the reader immediately.”
–The Ottawa Sun
369 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published October 25, 2005
56 people are currently reading
543 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 116 reviews
December 1, 2020
Nearing retirement, Joe Wilcox looks back at his 23 year career at the Washington Tribune with frustration and quiet desperation. He left a comfortable home in Detroit to join the prestigious paper hoping to launch a stellar career, but after more than 20 years he's still just a crime reporter. When two murders of young women in the media occur, he comes up with a theory about a serial killer but prints it as if it were fact. Meanwhile, his estranged brother Michael is back in town which bodes no good for anyone.
This book highlights some of the more unpleasant aspects of the world of print media, and shows how a life chasing stories and fame can damage a persons integrity.
This book highlights some of the more unpleasant aspects of the world of print media, and shows how a life chasing stories and fame can damage a persons integrity.
May 14, 2010
Murder at the Washington Tribune by Margaret Truman was a sad dissapointment to me. I suppose the author was going for sophistication. However, I like the hero (or heroine, or both) to be likable and veteran news reporter at the Trib, Joe Wilcox simply wasn't. Not only that, none of the characters in the book were, except Joe's wife Georgia, who he cheated on with the only other female character who was even remotely likeable, D.C. police detective Edith Vargas Swayze. Joe's TV news anchor daughter is constantly trying to steal stories from him and angry when he tries to protect his own news leads. Joe has a homicidal brother he hates who shows up after having spent forty years in a mental institution for brutally murdering a young girl. As a Christian, I may have over reacted, but the author has this brother, now calling himself Michael LaRue, fussy over serving wine and cheese when he finally gets Joe to visit his apartment. Michael wears tight fitting jeans and tops that reveal he's spending quite a bit of time at the gym, Michael also loves fine music and literature and meets with a woman who has similar interests, only that she has an interest in Michael that is totally unrequited. Michael does kill again in the book. He kills his drunken neighbor who makes the mistake of calling him gay. I thought there was a subtle suggestion that since Joe and the Michael were brought up in and ultra religious Christian home, Michale has somehow become homicidal because he had to surpress his homosexuality. This also didn't sit well with me
March 9, 2012
2.5 Stars
Margaret Truman is usually a good read. She knows how to meld character and plot driven narrative into her Capital Crimes Series, and that is what makes her mysteries good. However, Murder at The Washington Tribune was not her best novel. The plot line of young beautiful and rising “Panache” reporter, Jean Kaporis, at the fictitious Washington Tribune found brutally strangled in the supply closet at the far end of the newspaper’s main Newsroom immediately hooks the reader; especially when another young woman’s body is found in a nearby park soon after. Line Producer, Colleen McNamara was also strangled to death. With another young woman of the Media dead, headlines are screaming around Washington, D.C. Veteran Trib “cops” reporter Joe Wilcox is pressured to investigate the deaths with a task force of researchers and other Trib reporters to steer the MPD away from pursuing their theory that the killer works at the paper. His Editor also strongly suggests the bigger the story is, the greater the circulation and advertising revenue.
Feeling the heat not only from his bosses, Wilcox wonders if his own daughter, Roberta, is out to scoop him. Robbie is a rising TV reporter who desperately wants to break the story wide open and be the first to report the killer’s identity. Wilcox believes the murders are the work of one person and purposely floats his theory as fact, a no-no in journalism. Enter Joe’s brother, Michael. He has arrived in D.C. after spending 40 years in a Mental Institution for the Criminally Insane for killing a young girl in Illinois. Michael was in the Tribune building the night Kaporis was killed. Could Michael be the killer, Wilcox wonders. Could his indiscretion jeopardize the flow of information he relies upon from is MPD source? Could his beautiful daughter be the killer’s next victim?
Truman throws in a few more twists and mysteries, but loses threads here and there during the telling of the story, focusing on Joe and his relationships and his attempt to jump start his career in the cut-throat business that 21st Century Journalism has become with the advent of blogging and the 24/7 TV News cycle. He has become such a dinosaur that he missed the clue to Jean’s murderer that her father spoon fed him. The other investigations are predictable and the reader can solve some mysteries far ahead from when the answers are revealed. Other questions are never resolved, only to have Joe to exploit them. Veering away from her Capital Crime Series character, Mac Smith, just didn’t work well in this novel. Murder at The Washington Tribune was not bad, it just was not Truman's best.
Margaret Truman is usually a good read. She knows how to meld character and plot driven narrative into her Capital Crimes Series, and that is what makes her mysteries good. However, Murder at The Washington Tribune was not her best novel. The plot line of young beautiful and rising “Panache” reporter, Jean Kaporis, at the fictitious Washington Tribune found brutally strangled in the supply closet at the far end of the newspaper’s main Newsroom immediately hooks the reader; especially when another young woman’s body is found in a nearby park soon after. Line Producer, Colleen McNamara was also strangled to death. With another young woman of the Media dead, headlines are screaming around Washington, D.C. Veteran Trib “cops” reporter Joe Wilcox is pressured to investigate the deaths with a task force of researchers and other Trib reporters to steer the MPD away from pursuing their theory that the killer works at the paper. His Editor also strongly suggests the bigger the story is, the greater the circulation and advertising revenue.
Feeling the heat not only from his bosses, Wilcox wonders if his own daughter, Roberta, is out to scoop him. Robbie is a rising TV reporter who desperately wants to break the story wide open and be the first to report the killer’s identity. Wilcox believes the murders are the work of one person and purposely floats his theory as fact, a no-no in journalism. Enter Joe’s brother, Michael. He has arrived in D.C. after spending 40 years in a Mental Institution for the Criminally Insane for killing a young girl in Illinois. Michael was in the Tribune building the night Kaporis was killed. Could Michael be the killer, Wilcox wonders. Could his indiscretion jeopardize the flow of information he relies upon from is MPD source? Could his beautiful daughter be the killer’s next victim?
Truman throws in a few more twists and mysteries, but loses threads here and there during the telling of the story, focusing on Joe and his relationships and his attempt to jump start his career in the cut-throat business that 21st Century Journalism has become with the advent of blogging and the 24/7 TV News cycle. He has become such a dinosaur that he missed the clue to Jean’s murderer that her father spoon fed him. The other investigations are predictable and the reader can solve some mysteries far ahead from when the answers are revealed. Other questions are never resolved, only to have Joe to exploit them. Veering away from her Capital Crime Series character, Mac Smith, just didn’t work well in this novel. Murder at The Washington Tribune was not bad, it just was not Truman's best.
April 13, 2016
I enjoy Margaret Truman's writing and this was no exception. I was kept guessing all the way through although I definitely had my suspicions - which were ultimately confirmed.
One criticism is that things wrapped up quickly and neatly at the end. It seemed like there was all this drama and drawing out to set the stage and then, boom! mystery solved and the book ended. Another criticism was the ease of the main character, Joe, of selling out his ethics. He suffered a few pangs of conscience but I would have enjoyed knowing what his thought process was for his rationalizations.
I still enjoyed the book.
One criticism is that things wrapped up quickly and neatly at the end. It seemed like there was all this drama and drawing out to set the stage and then, boom! mystery solved and the book ended. Another criticism was the ease of the main character, Joe, of selling out his ethics. He suffered a few pangs of conscience but I would have enjoyed knowing what his thought process was for his rationalizations.
I still enjoyed the book.
October 30, 2016
Once upon a time I read Margaret Truman mystery novels. I don't remember which ones they were, sadly, but I do remember liking them. So I started to collect them as I found them at book sales and whatnot, and when I got back into audio books at the beginning of the year, I thought I'd start "reading" some of them.
Well, either my taste has changed or Ms. Truman's writing has faltered because this one's a total dud. Had it not been an audio book, I'd have probably given up. As it was, the story improved a bit as it went along, but ended flat.
Joe Wilcox is a good, but mediocre newspaper man who happens to be in the right place at the right time for a murder, and turns it into the story of his life. His daughter's on the TV news, and he's extremely close to a cop on beat. As the story grows legs so does the body count. And a new player enters the scene--Joe's long-lost brother, an insane killer. As his life gets more and more complicated and lies flow fast, can Joe figure out things long enough to survive in this world that's threatening to pass him by?
Oh, and in case you care, there's murders, too, but they appear to be secondary to the breakdown of Wilcox, which is part of why this mystery ultimately fails. In a mystery, it's fine to have a good set of character problems, but they need to be secondary to the plot. For whatever reason, Truman (perhaps tired of writing mysteries?) goes for a character study and it doesn't work for me at all.
Part of the reason for this is the story is incredibly dull for the first half of the book. It was looking like a predictable open and shut, but layers started getting added as time goes on. The problem is, because they come into the plot so late--it's easy to tell they are the key to the crime, so it becomes a "Oh, you're telling me that because that's the killer" kind of thing. There's so much time wasted setting up Joe Wilcox and his world that there's not enough time for the reader to get the facts needed to formulate suspects. Entire chapters go into Joe's back story, telling of his parents, his brother, his courtship, his love of green beans (okay, not really but you get the idea) that the stuff in the here and now is too rushed. And the ending feels like she was given a page limit, realized she'd missed it, and had to shoe-horn about 5 too many epilogues.
I don't ask for much in a mystery, they're my "fluff" reading. I like a good story, well plotted, with characters who need to find the bad guy. This is none of those things. I'm severely disappointed. I'll try one more to see if this was a fluke, but if not, to half-price books they go. (Library, 02/08)
Well, either my taste has changed or Ms. Truman's writing has faltered because this one's a total dud. Had it not been an audio book, I'd have probably given up. As it was, the story improved a bit as it went along, but ended flat.
Joe Wilcox is a good, but mediocre newspaper man who happens to be in the right place at the right time for a murder, and turns it into the story of his life. His daughter's on the TV news, and he's extremely close to a cop on beat. As the story grows legs so does the body count. And a new player enters the scene--Joe's long-lost brother, an insane killer. As his life gets more and more complicated and lies flow fast, can Joe figure out things long enough to survive in this world that's threatening to pass him by?
Oh, and in case you care, there's murders, too, but they appear to be secondary to the breakdown of Wilcox, which is part of why this mystery ultimately fails. In a mystery, it's fine to have a good set of character problems, but they need to be secondary to the plot. For whatever reason, Truman (perhaps tired of writing mysteries?) goes for a character study and it doesn't work for me at all.
Part of the reason for this is the story is incredibly dull for the first half of the book. It was looking like a predictable open and shut, but layers started getting added as time goes on. The problem is, because they come into the plot so late--it's easy to tell they are the key to the crime, so it becomes a "Oh, you're telling me that because that's the killer" kind of thing. There's so much time wasted setting up Joe Wilcox and his world that there's not enough time for the reader to get the facts needed to formulate suspects. Entire chapters go into Joe's back story, telling of his parents, his brother, his courtship, his love of green beans (okay, not really but you get the idea) that the stuff in the here and now is too rushed. And the ending feels like she was given a page limit, realized she'd missed it, and had to shoe-horn about 5 too many epilogues.
I don't ask for much in a mystery, they're my "fluff" reading. I like a good story, well plotted, with characters who need to find the bad guy. This is none of those things. I'm severely disappointed. I'll try one more to see if this was a fluke, but if not, to half-price books they go. (Library, 02/08)
April 14, 2012
Published in 2005, Murder at the Washington Tribune, is like Margaret Truman's other mysteries. Superb! There has been a murder in the fictional "Washington Tribune". (All other locals such as eateries, and other landmarks are authentic to D C ) The police are investigating, but the paper starts it's own investigation as well. Enter Joe Wilcox, a veteran crime reporter. He's married, has an adult daughter with a career in broadcast journalism. Joe is in full tilt midlife crisis. He's knocking on retirement's door and feels he hasn't accomplished his career goals. He's desperate to achieve something big before he's forced out by new journalist in a new climate for news. So, when another murder occurs in a park, and Joe is close to the scene, he takes the story. When he gets wind of the theory some might believe this murder was connected with the earlier murder, he starts a series for the paper about the possibility of a serial killer being responsible. Joe's boss loves how the papers start selling and encourages Joe to continue with that theme. But, the cops aren't on board with the theory. They think the two crimes are unrelated. But, the theme through out the novel, explains how down hill journalism has gone. They must compete with 24/7 cable channels, the internet, blogs, and their ability to film news as it's happening. Newspapers don't have that edge. They are less concerned with fact and more concerned with revenue and the bottom line. Whatever sells papers. Joe hate tabloid reporting, but he's getting pressure from upstairs to consider early retirement, so he goes along. On top of all his job pressures, Joe has been contacted by his long lost brother, who has been "away" for 40 years.Everything starts to take it's toll on Joe, who makes a terrible decision, which could cost him everything. The book ends on an uplifting note, showing how our society now responds to scandal. At the time of this publication, Truman couldn't have imagined what would come in the next 7 years, with social media etc. A good authentic, old fashioned murder mystery.
June 29, 2016
A middling effort that seems to pile on details in place of plot. The descriptions are flat; the word choices and stilted dialogue is unbelievable; the coincidences are supposed to be red herrings I think, but are instead dead ends that not even the police or journalists are interested in pursuing; the only passions anyone in this novel have are for food and screwing; but most of all, there is no structure to the story, stuff just happens in no particular order.
Now some of this I could overlook, but I am taking off an accuracy star. I know DC pretty well and the city Truman describes simply does not exist. The strange love that her characters show for the truly terrible restaurant culture in DC makes me suspect that she was paid by the DC tourism council. Also, the book is suspiciously lily white for a story taking place in a city more than half Black and even in 2006 there was a stiff backbone of Latino and Somali neighborhoods within easy walking distance of all the action. Perhaps that is the one believable element to this novel; the police and news media only care when a couple of pretty white girls die close to the White House.
Also, if you are going to try and humanize your Hispanic characters by having them speak a little Spanish, and you don't actually know any Spanish yourself, I recommend having someone who knows the language either write that part or read what you think it should be. Don't just wing it...
Now some of this I could overlook, but I am taking off an accuracy star. I know DC pretty well and the city Truman describes simply does not exist. The strange love that her characters show for the truly terrible restaurant culture in DC makes me suspect that she was paid by the DC tourism council. Also, the book is suspiciously lily white for a story taking place in a city more than half Black and even in 2006 there was a stiff backbone of Latino and Somali neighborhoods within easy walking distance of all the action. Perhaps that is the one believable element to this novel; the police and news media only care when a couple of pretty white girls die close to the White House.
Also, if you are going to try and humanize your Hispanic characters by having them speak a little Spanish, and you don't actually know any Spanish yourself, I recommend having someone who knows the language either write that part or read what you think it should be. Don't just wing it...
November 2, 2011
In lieu of moving my life 3,000 miles my book goal for the year got slightly skewed... After the start of unpacking and being desperate for a book and having this one be the one I found... It still wasnt all & all awful, but it was more like a re-heated Cromwell/Patterson book. This genre is in some serious need of a re-vamp.
While we all know what Truman is famous for... and if you don't stop reading only the comics in the paper, she's not an awful writer, but I'm fairly certain publishers can do better in creativity than this one. Snooooooze.
While we all know what Truman is famous for... and if you don't stop reading only the comics in the paper, she's not an awful writer, but I'm fairly certain publishers can do better in creativity than this one. Snooooooze.
March 9, 2016
This is the first Truman book that I read after reading so much praise about her other DC crime books. Truman tells the story of a seasoned reporter who's likely at the end of his career and has little motivation. An easy book to read. I was actually expecting more of a revealing end to the book, I had high expectations and it wasn't so shocking.
I definitely have to say that Truman's description of a crime reporter job, what it entitles and the frustrations are very, very accurate. She didn't romanticize the job or added Hollywood like characteristics.
I definitely have to say that Truman's description of a crime reporter job, what it entitles and the frustrations are very, very accurate. She didn't romanticize the job or added Hollywood like characteristics.
August 2, 2021
I liked the characters - Joe Wilcox, veteran reporter for the Washington Tribune, his wife and daughter, Roberta, who was a a television reporter. Add an attractive police detective who Joe had a one night stand with a long time ago and a brother who mysteriously calls him after not being in the picture for many years. Then add his boss and a few fellow co-workers. The plot started out well but then got kind of tangled. About two thirds of the way through, I just wanted it wrapped up. Not one of her better books but it was okay. I miss the Reeds...
November 10, 2023
This installment of the Capital Crimes Series poses serious questions about the integrity of media at this time when newspapers compete with television and the internet to hold the attention of consumers.
Joe Wilcox is an aging reporter approaching retirement at the Washington Tribune, wondering whether his long career in journalism has amounted to anything worthwhile. Under pressure from his editor Paul Morehouse to produce something to catch the attention of their readers, he sees an opportunity to do that and make one final scoop before he leaves. The body of Jean Kaporis a beautiful female reporter at the paper, was found dead and stuffed in a supply closet at the office, a discovery that has everyone in a panic. Anxious to get things under control, the paper appoints Joe to lead an in-house investigation and he hardly gets started before the body of TV producer Collen MacNamara is discovered in a nearby park. Joe notes the similarities between the crimes: both women were beautiful, both worked in the media and both had been strangled. He begins to speculate that a serial killer may be on the loose, targeting that profile. Soon the other media pick up and run with his theory and Joe is suddenly in the spotlight, requested for interviews. The media attention gets him exactly what he wants, a chance at some last bit of glory before he retires. This may be his big break, his chance to leave his career on a high note.
The Metropolitan Police Department are running their own investigation and insist there is no evidence to substantiate Joe’s claims. The two task forces set up by the newspaper and the police are soon competing with one another, clashing over evidence, approach and conclusions. But as Joe’s speculations lead to outright lies, he discovers he must do more to maintain the momentum he has created and keep the story going, so he decides to set a trap for the killer, wading into dangerous waters.
During this time Joe has other things on his mind, including the safety of his daughter Roberta who is a TV reporter, his connection to a police detective who is bending a few rules to help him, and his brother Michael who has suddenly reappeared in Joe’s life after being committed to a mental institution for killing a young girl.
This crime story does not include a complex mystery. Instead, Truman uses her narrative to explore the question of journalistic integrity, posing questions about what separates fact-based journalism from tabloid rags that offer sensational fodder for consumption. It calls into question the ethics and integrity of ambitious reporters, all competing for jobs and their careers in the cutthroat world of the media. It questions their commitment to maintain ethical standards in their work, use verifiable quotes and reliable contacts, and avoid speculation and sensationalism. It speaks to the need to report facts, not what they believe their readers want to hear.
An interesting read that poses important questions, even if the mystery is easy to solve, leaving one large loose thread hanging, as it closes.
Joe Wilcox is an aging reporter approaching retirement at the Washington Tribune, wondering whether his long career in journalism has amounted to anything worthwhile. Under pressure from his editor Paul Morehouse to produce something to catch the attention of their readers, he sees an opportunity to do that and make one final scoop before he leaves. The body of Jean Kaporis a beautiful female reporter at the paper, was found dead and stuffed in a supply closet at the office, a discovery that has everyone in a panic. Anxious to get things under control, the paper appoints Joe to lead an in-house investigation and he hardly gets started before the body of TV producer Collen MacNamara is discovered in a nearby park. Joe notes the similarities between the crimes: both women were beautiful, both worked in the media and both had been strangled. He begins to speculate that a serial killer may be on the loose, targeting that profile. Soon the other media pick up and run with his theory and Joe is suddenly in the spotlight, requested for interviews. The media attention gets him exactly what he wants, a chance at some last bit of glory before he retires. This may be his big break, his chance to leave his career on a high note.
The Metropolitan Police Department are running their own investigation and insist there is no evidence to substantiate Joe’s claims. The two task forces set up by the newspaper and the police are soon competing with one another, clashing over evidence, approach and conclusions. But as Joe’s speculations lead to outright lies, he discovers he must do more to maintain the momentum he has created and keep the story going, so he decides to set a trap for the killer, wading into dangerous waters.
During this time Joe has other things on his mind, including the safety of his daughter Roberta who is a TV reporter, his connection to a police detective who is bending a few rules to help him, and his brother Michael who has suddenly reappeared in Joe’s life after being committed to a mental institution for killing a young girl.
This crime story does not include a complex mystery. Instead, Truman uses her narrative to explore the question of journalistic integrity, posing questions about what separates fact-based journalism from tabloid rags that offer sensational fodder for consumption. It calls into question the ethics and integrity of ambitious reporters, all competing for jobs and their careers in the cutthroat world of the media. It questions their commitment to maintain ethical standards in their work, use verifiable quotes and reliable contacts, and avoid speculation and sensationalism. It speaks to the need to report facts, not what they believe their readers want to hear.
An interesting read that poses important questions, even if the mystery is easy to solve, leaving one large loose thread hanging, as it closes.
August 30, 2019
Two young women and one elderly man are killed in this book. But the plot is less about the murders than it is about the reporters covering the story: Washington Tribune crime reporter Joe Wilcox, and his daughter, television reporter Roberta Wilcox.
(Here are some suggested areas of improvement which I found in the Hardcover version of Murder At The Washington Tribune:
Page 11, The Washington Tribune's recently opened the Detroit bureau / The Washington Tribune's recently opened Detroit bureau (remove "the" before "Detroit") ; 36, Her former roommate might by pushing thirty / Her former roommate might BE pushing thirty ; 41, No you wouldn't, Georgia / No, you wouldn't, Georgia ; 62, I may try and talk with them / I may try TO talk with them ; 68, No I didn't / No, I didn't ; 76, Feeling better now though / Feeling better now, though ; 107, London Bridges Falling Down / London BRIDGE IS Falling Down ; 156, and wiled away the time / and WHILED away the time ; 163, to try and spare Michael's life / to try TO spare Michael's life ;
Page 204, going to try and scoop me / going to try TO scoop me ; 236, not to try and force another / not to try TO force another ; 237, forgive him his sins and---" / forgive him his sins and--- (quotation mark should be removed; this is an indirect quote) ; 238, having phone trouble he reasoned / having phone trouble, he reasoned ; 262, She'll try and lowball you / She'll try TO lowball you ; 264, Thanks guys / Thanks, guys ; 269, Joseph was such good boy / Joseph was such A good boy ; 315, to try and retain the plug / to try TO retain the plug .)
(Here are some suggested areas of improvement which I found in the Hardcover version of Murder At The Washington Tribune:
Page 11, The Washington Tribune's recently opened the Detroit bureau / The Washington Tribune's recently opened Detroit bureau (remove "the" before "Detroit") ; 36, Her former roommate might by pushing thirty / Her former roommate might BE pushing thirty ; 41, No you wouldn't, Georgia / No, you wouldn't, Georgia ; 62, I may try and talk with them / I may try TO talk with them ; 68, No I didn't / No, I didn't ; 76, Feeling better now though / Feeling better now, though ; 107, London Bridges Falling Down / London BRIDGE IS Falling Down ; 156, and wiled away the time / and WHILED away the time ; 163, to try and spare Michael's life / to try TO spare Michael's life ;
Page 204, going to try and scoop me / going to try TO scoop me ; 236, not to try and force another / not to try TO force another ; 237, forgive him his sins and---" / forgive him his sins and--- (quotation mark should be removed; this is an indirect quote) ; 238, having phone trouble he reasoned / having phone trouble, he reasoned ; 262, She'll try and lowball you / She'll try TO lowball you ; 264, Thanks guys / Thanks, guys ; 269, Joseph was such good boy / Joseph was such A good boy ; 315, to try and retain the plug / to try TO retain the plug .)
October 16, 2022
Margaret Truman mysteries are generally good, solid page turners. That was not the case for Murder at the Washington Tribune. Perhaps it is because the Tribune is ficticious ( maybe to avoid legal issues with the Washington Post?), but I found this mystery lacked the energy and pull most of the Capital Crimes mysteries have. The book is long...nearly 400 pages. While Trumans attention to detail is part of what makes her books good, this book is especially and unnecessarily wordy that adds nothing to the plot....Do we really need to know where a character's necklace came from? Who gave the editor the antique coat rack? How long a character napped before cocktails? Why does it matter that a woman's robe is freshly pressed when she comes downstairs for her morning coffee? I found myself wondering when the action was really going to begin. Even though the book was written in 2005, it seems dated. The lavicious descriptions of the young female characters physical attributes were almost uncomfortable to read, and the banter between the reporters and cops is full of racist, sexist and agist microagressions that just would not fly in the current workplace. Some of the characters were stereotypical caricatures....the Italian couple who run the neighborhood pizzeria; Wilcox's devoutly religous parents. Finally, I found Joe Wilcox's lamenting over feeling washed up at age 53 a bit implausible, though if current journalists partake in the multiple cocktail lunches described here, it is possible. All of this excess got in the way of the mystery, which was pretty obvious to me who did it early on. Not one of Truman's strongest reads.
July 15, 2021
Joe Wilcox, in print, and his daughter, Roberta, in TV, are rivals for the same story: a female reporter at Joe's paper, The Washington Tribune, has been murdered. Detective Edith Vargus-Swayze, one of the few interesting characters in the book, has been Joe's source within the police department in the past and he tries to use her again. When a second woman is killed, the pressure is on from all their employers to find the killer(s).
The story meanders on far too long with a focus on Wilcox, an aging reporter who's being pushed out by younger people and younger ideas about what reporting is becoming - more tabloid and less facts. Tabloid is winning. Midway, Joe's long lost brother shows up to add a little tension. But Joe cracks under the pressure and makes a desperate and duplicitous decision that betrays both his professional standards, his relationship with Vargus-Swayze, and his family. Then far too easily, it's all wrapped up and tied with a bow and everyone lives happily ever after.
The story meanders on far too long with a focus on Wilcox, an aging reporter who's being pushed out by younger people and younger ideas about what reporting is becoming - more tabloid and less facts. Tabloid is winning. Midway, Joe's long lost brother shows up to add a little tension. But Joe cracks under the pressure and makes a desperate and duplicitous decision that betrays both his professional standards, his relationship with Vargus-Swayze, and his family. Then far too easily, it's all wrapped up and tied with a bow and everyone lives happily ever after.
September 24, 2023
I have read a couple of Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes Novels and liked them. This one was hard to put down, but not my favorite of the ones I have read. That might have been because none of the characters were likable. Joe Wilcox was a star reporter for the Washington Tribune and now finds his career fading and younger journalists taking over. In a last stab for glory, he willfully fabricates a story that a serial killer is on the loose in Washington, DC, targeting young, beautiful women in the news business. Though the police are certain the 2 murders are unrelated Joe starts a panic with the articles he writes in the paper. His willingness to lie to create a front-page story is abominable. His daughter, Roberta, is a TV newswoman, and it was awful to me that they would keep secrets from each other so they could be the one to get the scoop out first and make names for themselves. Father and daughter profess to love each other, but deceit goes both ways. I will say a twist at the ending had me surprized.
June 16, 2018
Margaret Truman's books have a certain sameness to them. She was a very nice woman and just couldn't write about really bad people, so most of her criminals are that way because of circumstances.
Forty years ago, Joe Wilcox's older brother. Michael brutally murdered a teenaged neighbor girl and was sent to a mental hospital after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. No time is spent on whether he really WAS insane, or just used that defense to save his life.
Now, a woman reporter at Joe's newspaper, The Washington Tribune, has been killed in the newsroom!! And Michael has re-appeared, having been judged sane and released. But, Joe doesn't know about Michael, nor does his daughter, Roberta, a rising TV journalist. Michael makes himself known, appearing as charming and a talented guitarist and chef.
Then Joe commits an absolutely unbelievable (and TOTALLY out of character!) crime, which for me ruined the rest of the book.
Forty years ago, Joe Wilcox's older brother. Michael brutally murdered a teenaged neighbor girl and was sent to a mental hospital after being found not guilty by reason of insanity. No time is spent on whether he really WAS insane, or just used that defense to save his life.
Now, a woman reporter at Joe's newspaper, The Washington Tribune, has been killed in the newsroom!! And Michael has re-appeared, having been judged sane and released. But, Joe doesn't know about Michael, nor does his daughter, Roberta, a rising TV journalist. Michael makes himself known, appearing as charming and a talented guitarist and chef.
Then Joe commits an absolutely unbelievable (and TOTALLY out of character!) crime, which for me ruined the rest of the book.
February 22, 2025
I had never read a Margaret Truman mystery, and I started out liking this one quite a bit. The main character's struggle to come up with a "big story" at the end of his career seemed realistic, and when the murder occurs right at his newspaper, the possibility seemed plausible. His disappointment in his own career is exacerbated by the arrogance of a hotshot young reporter eager to show him up and his ambivalence about his daughter's growing success as a TV reporter. Add to that his relationship with a detective, and there's the making of a good story. But then Truman adds one more plot twist after another, each more implausible than the first. I won't say more because I don't want to spoil the story, but family history plus unethical journalistic practices get Joe Wilcox into increasingly complex dilemmas. The ending seems almost too good to be true considering his questionable actions. First and last Margaret Truman mystery for me.
March 9, 2023
Not one likable person in this book. I got pretty tired of the cutthroat attitude between father and daughter and all the other reporters, police, etc. but I guess the story they are chasing is more important than being civil to each other. Mz Truman, being her father's daughter, is a Democrat, and had a lot bad to say about conservatives. I knew the moment one of the characters was described as having a ahem...R... after his name, he would be the killer (plus, they are always made to be the most unsavory people). Well, as it turned out, just one of the victims was of his doing--another drunk with an R after his name.
After slogging through pages and pages of useless words and unimportant situations, everything was wrapped up in a couple pages of the last chapter. Oh--and one of the murders was never solved.
After slogging through pages and pages of useless words and unimportant situations, everything was wrapped up in a couple pages of the last chapter. Oh--and one of the murders was never solved.
January 10, 2017
This was another intriguing murder mystery by Margaret Truman set in Washington at the fictitious Washington Tribune newspaper. This book did not feature or even mention Mac and Annabelle Smith, usual characters included in this series. A gripping story of a seasoned newspaper reporter and his tv daughter reporter, a rising media star, dealing with some of the same murders to report and the added complication of an old murder in their own family. How they handled their confidential sources and facts of the investigations were woven into a fascinating story that offered twists, turns, and surprises.
June 10, 2017
A young woman who works at the "Washington Tribune" is strangled in the office building. another young woman who works in the media is found dead. Is there a serial killer?
Joe wilcox, who has worked at the "Tribune" for years tries to push the idea of a serial killer.
Joe's daughter works in TV and he is concerned about her safety.
In the middle of all of this Joe's brother who has been in a mental institution for 40 years shows up and pushes his way into Joe's family and not everyone is comfortable about this.
Joe wilcox, who has worked at the "Tribune" for years tries to push the idea of a serial killer.
Joe's daughter works in TV and he is concerned about her safety.
In the middle of all of this Joe's brother who has been in a mental institution for 40 years shows up and pushes his way into Joe's family and not everyone is comfortable about this.
August 7, 2017
Two young, females in the media business are murdered, and the hunt is on. The police don't think they are serial murders, but Joe Wilcox, who is afraid for his daughter, Roberta, a young, attractive, female newscaster, does. He is at the end of his journalistic career (crime reporter and wanting to prove he is as good as the young hotshot in the newsroom. To complicate matters, his just-out-of-prison brother shows up and ingratiates himself into Roberta's life. Lies, compromised ethics, deception - all part of the story. I prefer Mac Smith stories, but this is pretty good.
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January 31, 2025No Mac or Annabell in this one. Joe is a newspaper reporter & his daughter is a TV reporter. They are always looking for story leads! Joe decides to add to the news after several murders, including one at his paper, and his brother tracking him down (he has been in a mental ward for forty years). Joe fake news is revealed & he has to leave the paper. The newspaper editor comitted the murder at the paper. The brother murdered his neighbor & confessed on air. The third murder was unsolved.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 22, 2018
I am a big fan of Margaret Truman but this book was just bad. The lead characters were unlikeable. Halfway through the book I knew who the murderer was, but the lead character had never looked in that direction even though he had huge clues to follow! Not a very good journalist if he can’t follow where the story leads. A big disappointment.
July 21, 2020
Getting old
Joe has been a reporter for 23 years, but he is not a go getter anymore. His daughter has become a great news person on tv. He feels left out and discouraged. A murder has happened, and Joe is told to get some fire. His brother turns up after 40 years, and this is just the beginning of many mistakes.
Joe has been a reporter for 23 years, but he is not a go getter anymore. His daughter has become a great news person on tv. He feels left out and discouraged. A murder has happened, and Joe is told to get some fire. His brother turns up after 40 years, and this is just the beginning of many mistakes.
August 28, 2021
The book opens with the murder of a Washington Trib employee being investigated. Then there is the murder of a second young woman also in the media business. Joe Wilcox, a veteran reporter for the Tribune is investigating the murders. Joe has his own agenda to reporting these murders.
There are no surprises and the ending is quite dull.
There are no surprises and the ending is quite dull.
September 17, 2021
Published over 15 years ago, this tale of backstage journalism in a changing media landscape that is reporting on what may be a series killer in the DC area seems very dated now with stifled dialog, but interesting, compels characters. However, I did enjoy the convoluted plotting that tied together for a satisfying ending.
May 3, 2025
started out slowly but intensified as Joe's brother surfaces after 40 years incarceration after killing a neighbor girl. Joe and his daughter are immersed in news reporting and while somewhat competitive are both committed to integrity in a time when newspapers and TV stations are facing decline due to internet and increasing sources of media information.
January 5, 2021
This was my first Margaret Truman book.I thought it was a good read, until the end of the book. That part was a let down of what it could have been. My friend tells me to try another one of her books, so I might.
July 1, 2021
I usually really like Margaret Truman’s books. But part of what makes them enjoyable are the characters. This just didn’t have that for me. The main characters here are selfish and too unlikeable for me to wade through a book this thick with. I skimmed a lot to the unsatisfying end.
June 3, 2025
It started off really strong, she took a lot of time to round out the characters and get me invested into the mystery. The ending fell flat for me though; things felt a little rushed and incomplete as far as actual conclusions and repercussions go.
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