Murder on the Potomac

Capital Crimes #12

by Margaret Truman

When a weed-covered figure is discovered along the banks of the Potomac River, ex-lawyers Mac and Annabel Smith are called in to investigate strange doings in and around the Scarlet Sin Society, a dramatic troupe that recreates D.C.'s old murders. 75,000 first printing. $75,000 ad/promo.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Crime, Mystery Thriller, Thriller, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

290 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1994

About the author

Mary 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.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Long ago I read a few books in Ms. Truman's capital crimes series that I liked. This one...not so much. First, I failed to see the relevance of an incident that happens at the beginning of the book. Second, Mac and Annabel Smith are compared to Nick and Nora Charles when in fact I found the Smiths to be the exact opposite - completely lacking the chemistry and likability of the Charles duo. Lastly, the remaining players were also pompous and unlikable, and the crime was a snoozer. The best part was that it was a quick read.

[James Kuiken · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Dallas" in DC

If you're a fan of murder mysteries, this could well be entertaining. Having worked in DC for over a decade, it was very interesting for me to see all the local landmarks and hangouts - but from a very different perspective. The perspective is very slightly left of center, and is very much from an elite strata of society, not at all the mundane view of average or even moderately upper level Washingtonians.

It could very well appeal to those who loved to watch Dallas. The plot was slow to develop, and convoluted, but eventually came together (somewhat predictably - because the book was coming to a close) right toward the end. In great "Thin Man" tradition, after the murder(s) were solved, the protagonist and his witty, intelligent and beautiful wife went on a Paris getaway, and enjoyed entrecote (yeah, had to look that one up too) and petit fours as they wittily wrapped up the sub-plots.

[Fran · Rating 3 out of 5]

This, while not an unfamiliar author, was new to me. I enjoyed reading a book about the city I was born and grew up in. The mystery had twists and turns with multiple layers. The main characters, a "power" couple were too unbelievable in their interactions with each other for me to make a connection. Everything was bit too cliche.

[Denise Spicer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This MacKensie Smith mystery has another of Truman’s D. C. settings with upper crust arts and politics as “main characters” along with Professor Smith, his wife Annabelle, P.I. Tony Buffolino, and gorgeous MPD Detective Darcy Eikenberg (who has a big crush on Smith). The story includes the author’s usual insider comments and D.C. scenery and ambience. This 1994 book shows both its age and agelessness – the P.C. stuff was already running amok. With the author both commenting derogatorily upon it, yet at the same time indulging, perhaps unconsciously, in plenty of it herself.

[Emilee Ashline · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. I look forward to finding and reading more books by this author!

[Clare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love all the stuff involving the history of Washington DC that Truman includes in her books. The main characters are pretty one dimensional, though, and the murder plot resolution vaguely unsatisfying.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 3 out of 5]

I usually really like Truman's mysteries, but this one seemed to lose steam at the end. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.

[Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was okay but not up to her usual mysteries. Again I couldn't guess the murderer but that happens frequently with her books.

[Alger Smythe-Hopkins · Rating 1 out of 5]

The mystery here is how this very tedious collection of words was a bestseller.
This is my 3rd 'Capital Crimes' novel, and certainly my last. The first wasn't nearly this vacant an effort, while the second was a very late novel in the series written by a ghostwriter, so I was willing to cut some slack. This book however was written during Margaret Truman's high tide as an author, one who got national news coverage when one of her novels was coming out. This is just a series wrecking book, or it should be.
A core issue is that with the premise in place, a murder on the Potomac, Truman simply introduces the victim, tosses their corpse in the water, and then sidetracks that story for 300 pages while she instead treats us to some pretty weird low-stakes relationship drama that just drags on through chapters of awkward flirting and descriptions of clothes: tops of blouses unbuttoned, skirts smoothed, linen, floral prints.
The plot makes about as much sense as the relationship drama between Annabelle and Mac, which just sort of arrives out of no where. Mac walks the dog, Annabelle mentions that she imagines he is using the dog walks as an excuse to cover his fooling around. Then arrives the police detective with the suspiciously expensive wardrobe, and we are all supposed to be like, "Oooooooooohhhhh, is Mac gonna tear off a piece of that?", while reading lengthy descriptions of Darcy crossing and uncrossing her legs.
Then there are the bizarre descriptions of Washington DC, which is a city that kind of resembles the place Truman describes, but no one who lives here thinks that DC's Chinatown is worth visiting. It is so empty of interest that even Truman struggles to find anything more exciting there than the Surratt Boardinghouse (currently a karaoke bar). Meanwhile a series of murders happen that seem linked to the Scarlett Sin Society, but nope. No connection, just life in gritty DC. Otherwise, Truman's Washington DC is apparently populated by restaurants and embassies. It just isn't possible for someone to be a regular at all 315 restaurants Truman describes as being Mac's favorites.
But back to crime for a sec, nothing that is done solves the mystery, the the solution to the murder is just sort of mentioned at the end, and Domestic Harmony is restored though the old tried and true near death experience.

This is a terrible novel, badly plotted, loaded with false drama, and just boring.

[Vicky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third book I've read by Margaret Truman. While I really enjoyed the first two I read of her, this one was a little dry, and I found that it just wasn't as intriguing as the other two I read. I was not on the edge of my seat as I was with "Murder in the Smithsonian" and "Murder in Foggy Bottom." This novel featured Annabel and Mackenzie Smith, ex-attorneys with other pursuits. A weed-covered body was discovered on a Potomac riverbank, and Mac and Annabel become involved because they were acquainted with the dead person and friends with the wealthy man, Wendell Tierney, she was employed by. Enter a gorgeous female detective, a former student of Mac's, and problems begin. The National Building Museum, Washington's China Town, the Tierney family, money laundering, and gambling all figure into the story.
Definitely not the author's best novel.

[Argum · Rating 4 out of 5]

Series is growing on me because I like the continuity of Mac and Annabel. In this one, a high roller friend of Mac's has invited Annabel to join the board of the museum of which he is the chair. Then his personal assistant is murdered and more skeletons topple out of the closet. Mac gets drawn in as does Annabel. Didn't especially like the police or the personal stuff in this one, but good story.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

#12 in the series. Mac is a law professor and is joined by his wife Annabelle to solve crimes. In this particular book, a close business partner of a wealthy DC Patron is found murdered on the side of the Potomac River. Mac is called in as a consultant for the Patron and figures out the crime along with his lovely wife Annabelle. I liked all the observations and geographic references to the DC Area. Not to gory and the mystery was light. Short book makes it an easy read.

[Mommarush · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book never really interested me...I found it trite and banal, not to mention lacking a single scintilla of suspense in any of the 341 pages. I only continued because my husband really liked it... I found huge sections of it unnecessary. The two main characters, who were husband and wife, were Supposed to be in this amorous relationship; however, their dialogue was often forced, stilted, and overly formal.

Summary: don’t waste your time.

[Julia Cheung · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good intro to culture and geography of DC, but not an amazing detective novel. Nowhere near as good as Agatha Christie. Law professor Mackensie Smith and his wife Annabel investigate the murder of a wealthy developer’s assistant, Pauline Juris. Turns out the developer, Wendell Tierney, his son, Chip Tierney, and his adopted son, Sun Ben Cheong, are all implicated. Kind of boring with no narrative flow and loose threads everywhere.

[Carlana Lane · Rating 3 out of 5]

complicated plot

I loved the relationship of Annabel and Mac although it was a little romanticized. No couple is that amorous after several years of marriage.
The plot was just too complicated to understand. Other characters I loved: Tony and Darcy.
It was a good read but not one of my favorites. I’ve read almost all of them and really like Margaret Truman’s writing.
I would choose another of her books and skip this one.

[AnnieM · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked it more than the first one I tried, but it's not my favorite. Decent mystery, but a bit long winded in parts. Perhaps because it's earlier in the series I preferred it a bit more because I'm not required to figure as much out.

[Judy Nappa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've really enjoyed reading Margaret Truman's murder/mystery series - she's a first rate writer and knows DC like the back of her hand. I especially enjoyed the books with Mac and Annabel Smith, ex-lawyers who find themselves involved in helping to solve a myriad of murders in the DC area.

[Jenni · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little disjointed. Two deaths at the beginning of the book. Maybe it connects to others in the series later but one death seems irrelevant to the main story.

As always, loved learning little facts about DC. Chinatown was talked about in this book.

[Judy Parker Cohen · Rating 5 out of 5]

good book

[Lynn Atchley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoy

Truman is always a fun read. Characters are mostly believable and the story keeps a good pace. I would recommend

[Joanne Timm · Rating 4 out of 5]

OLDY BUT GOODY.

[Sally Andrews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Margaret Truman's DC mysteries make me want to visit again! Always good.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 4 out of 5]

What money and power does to the average person. Yet alone what it does to those already used to having both, whether through hard work or luck of birth.

[Leah Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok

I read this author because her books are decent. Some of them are good, and some are so so. This one is wordy. You do learn a lot about Washington DC.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought it started off well, but was a little disappointed that the first drama didn't quite tie up with the rest of the story. For a mystery novel, it's quite light in terms of tension.

There were also some parts which I thought didn't benefit the plot in any way, and that the novel itself could have been much shorter.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mac gets pulled into a murder case after discovering a dead body on the Potomac. Wife, Annabel, ends up getting involved as well, and has her life threatened as a result. Mac saves the day!

[Sydney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another good Margaret Truman murder mystery. This one brings back some familiar characters and develops them a bit more.

[Betty White]

All of her books that i have read so far are excellent.

[Brent · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.8

[Eco · Rating 3 out of 5]

The twisted description on the back cover poorly paints the content.
The only reason I continued reading was because of my familiarity with the DC locale.