The Body in the Ballroom

Alice Roosevelt Mystery #2

by R.J. Koreto

President Teddy Roosevelt’s daring daughter, Alice, leaps into action to exonerate a friend accused of poisoning a man just about everyone hated.

Alice Roosevelt, the brilliant, danger-loving daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, has already risked an assassin’s bullet to solve one murder. She never expected to have to sleuth another, but she’d never pass up the opportunity, either. Anything to stave off boredom.

And such an opportunity presents itself when Alice is invited to a lavish ball. The high-society guests are in high spirits as they imbibe the finest wines. But one man, detested by nearly all the partygoers, quaffs a decidedly deadlier cocktail. An African-American mechanic, who also happens to be a good friend of former Rough Rider-turned-Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, is suspected of the murder-by-poison, but Alice is sure he’s innocent and is back on the scene to clear his name.

From downtown betting parlors to uptown mansions, Alice and Agent St. Clair uncover forbidden romances and a financial deal that just might change the world. But neither Alice nor her would-be protector may survive the case at hand in The Body in the Ballroom, R. J. Koreto's gripping second Alice Roosevelt mystery.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Historical Mystery, Fiction, Historical, Cozy Mystery, Audiobook

304 pages, Hardcover

First published June 12, 2018

About the author

R.J. Koreto is the author of the Lady Frances Ffolkes mystery series, the Alice Roosevelt mystery series, and the Wren Fontaine Historic Homes series. His short stories have been published in Ellery Queen's Mystery Magazine and Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine.

In his day job, he works as a business and financial journalist. Over the years, he’s been a magazine writer and editor, website manager, PR consultant, book author, and seaman in the U.S. Merchant Marine. Like his heroine, Lady Frances Ffolkes, he’s a graduate of Vassar College.

With his wife and daughters, he divides his time between Rockland County, N.Y., and Martha’s Vineyard, Mass.

Reviews

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Deal me in, Cowboy."

Joseph St. Clair, agent of the Secret Service and a former sergeant of the Rough Riders of San Juan Hill, has really met his match. St. Clair is assigned protective care of young eighteen year old Alice Roosevelt, lively daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. (1901 - 1909) (Teddy once said that he could either mind his daughter Alice or run the country. He couldn't do both.) Joe had also been deputy sheriff in Wyoming in which reining in a wild mustang was akin to keeping Alice in check.

Alice, with Joe St. Clair in tow, attends a debutante ball held at the Rutledge mansion in New York City. During the course of the evening, Lynley Brackton, a well-to-do businessman of High Society, falls dead after imbibing in a cup of punch. Shock filters through the attendees. Alice becomes suspicious when the crystal cup is found on the floor shattered. The tension is kicked up a notch further when another guest is found dead days later. Joe St. Clair feels the reverberations coming off of Alice. Like a huntin' pup pulling at the lead, Alice is ready for some action.

R.J. Koreto has outdone himself in The Body in the Ballroom. Although second in this series, each book can be read as a standalone. This current offering is chock full of timely issues that parlay into today's world as well. The turn of the 20th century brought severe hardships on the streets of New York City for African Americans, Irish, Italians, Chinese, and Jews. Neighborhoods became strongholds for individuals who leaned in on these groups and made life simply oppressive for them. Koreto even laces his storyline with Wall Street and the underhanded exchanges of money and goods. Impending war in the coming years takes its place at the table, too.

"Keep it simple, Cowboy."

While a mystery lined with murder is still at hand here, Koreto sticks to imbuing his storyline with the historical downfalls of life in New York City with its judgments and social hierarchies that tended to rumble across America. Plenty of challenges then and plenty of challenges now. Factor in the role of women as well and the expectations. Alice, dear girl, you were light years ahead of your time. Just ask Teddy who beckoned in women's right to vote as early as 1912. Always surrounded by strong, intelligent women, Teddy knew a good thing eye to eye.

I received a copy of The Body in the Ballroom through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to R.J. Koreto for the opportunity.

[Cindy Burnett (Thoughts from a Page) · Rating 4 out of 5]

If someone offered me the opportunity to go back in time and meet any historical character I wanted, Alice Roosevelt would be on my short list. Lively and ahead of her time, Alice has always fascinated me so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. The Body in the Ballroom does not disappoint. Alice and the Secret Service agent assigned to her, Joseph St. Clair (who is a former Rough Rider), are sent to New York for the spring season. Soon after their arrival in New York City, Alice attends a ball and witnesses the death of one of the wealthy guests. Naturally, Alice with the help of St. Clair feels compelled to investigate and attempt to solve the crime. The farther the duo delves into the crime, the more they realize that there’s a lot more at issue than one murder.

My favorite part of this book is Alice herself. Koreto manages to recreate Alice’s effervescent and spirited personality, and Alice is so real she almost leaps off the pages. The author opens with a fabulous quote of Alice’s: “If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” This quote is perfect for the story that unfolds in The Body on the Ballroom. I also really like that the story is told in first person from the viewpoint of St. Clair. He is a clever choice to narrate and is very effective. My one small caveat is that while at times I was questioning small aspects of the story that seemed maybe out of place or unlikely to have been accurate for the time period, I enjoyed the story so much that I just ignored those minor issues. The book is a ton of fun to read, and I love both the characters and the plot.

People always say that history repeats itself, and I kept conjuring up that saying as I read The Body in the Ballroom. New York City’s immigrant community had blossomed in the years prior to the time period in this book. Much like the issues the United States is facing today, this change in the cultural and ethnic makeup of the city at the beginning of the 1900’s threatened some individuals in power and cause them to create anti-immigrant groups and policies. Roosevelt’s invitation for Booker T. Washington’s to visit the White House and Washington’s subsequent visit sparked outrage in some parts of the country, and various ethnic groups were targeted just based on their ethnicity or color. While thankfully we have made some progress, the immigrant issue has come blazing to the forefront again almost 120 years later.

I very much enjoyed reading The Body in the Ballroom and recommend it to anyone who loves a fun mystery. I received this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.

[Magdalena · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was thrilled to get the chance to read the sequel to Alice and the Assassin. Alice Roosevelt is a fabulous character, just as colorful in the series as she was in real life. Joseph St. Clair returns to be her bodyguard in the book and one of the first events they do are a ball. Well, not together, it's Alice that's going to the ball, Agent St. Clair is just waiting for her and playing poker with drivers, etc. Just a peaceful evening. Until Alice finds St. Clair and tells her there is a dead body...

The Body in the Ballroom is a good sequel to Alice and the Assassin. I have become quite fond of Alice Roosevelt. She's a bit unconventional and that's something I truly enjoy. It would be great fun to see her interact with her cousin Eleanor in some book in the future. Especially since they don't like each other.

The man that was killed was pretty much hated by everyone, but when a good friend to both Alice and St. Clair is accused of the murder must they act fast to catch the real murderer. Now they just have to find who hated him enough to kill him. The drawback with this murder investigations was that I suspected the truth for a long time before it was revealed that I was right. It was not that hard to figure out the truth, to be honest. The story would have been much more interesting if there had been some surprising twist to it. But, all and all a really nice book and I will definitely read more books in the series.

I want to thank Crooked Lane Books for providing me with a free copy through NetGalley for an honest review!

[QNPoohBear · Rating 4 out of 5]

Former cowboy and Rough Rider Joseph St. Clair chased down an assassin with the President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter Alice and was promptly dispatched to St. Louis to deal with some "funny money." Now he's back in Washington with a new assignment: escort Alice to New York where she will attend certain political and Society functions. (Translation: No one in Washington can control Alice and she's being sent back to New York for her aunt and St. Clair to deal with). Alice is a pistol (and tries to shoot one too) and can't be held down. When a man drops dead after drinking the (much disliked) Dutch punch at her friend Philadelphia Rutledge's debut ball, Alice doesn't believe for a minute that it was natural causes. The doctor declares poison and the poison comes from Mr. Rutledge's very own special locked conservatory. Who wanted Lynley Brackton dead? Alice discovers it's harder to determine who DIDN'T hate Mr. Brackton. It seems he was the most hated man in New York but which suspect hated Brackton enough to kill him on the spot? Alice's search takes her through New York from Society to the immigrant neighborhoods as she uncovers forbidden romance and a secret society targeted foreigners. Can St. Clair keep up with Alice fast enough to keep her safe from a ruthless killer?

I enjoyed this story about as much as the previous book. It works fine as a standalone if you missed Alice and St. Clair's first adventure together. I couldn't put the book down. I wasn't entirely surprised by any of the revelations. The thoughts crossed my mind but the big one seemed implausible. I got distracted by the numerous red herrings. I don't know exactly how Alice figured it out from her little charade but she is certainly clever. I want to be friends with this Alice. She's young and rather naive at times but in true teenage fashion wants to appear worldly. Alice is a little crazy but she's intelligent and compassionate. I don't get the impression the real Alice was that compassionate or cared about anyone outside her own family. 18-year-old Alice is running around New York and not Washington and has yet to develop the caustic wit she was known for. Teenage me would get caught up in her sleuthing and want to help.

St. Clair is a fun character. He leaps to life on the page and I can hear his voice in my head. He's rough around the edges and proud of it but I believe he has a soft spot for Alice. She certainly has a crush on him but he sees her more as a kid sister. I love his relationship with his sister Mariah and how he stands up for what he believes in. His methods leave a lot to be desired though.Alice's friend Philly also seems like a level-headed woman, unlike her mother. Philly may be more innocent than Alice but she's kind and intelligent. I think she should team up with Alice to solve crimes in the future. Philly seems to be hiding something. What does she know?

Mr. Rutledge, Philly's father, wants an arrest made like now to avoid a scandal. He's a tough businessman, probably not any different from other men at the time but I don't like him very much. The murder weapon was in his home and it seems a little too convenient to me. The police land on the easiest suspect: Peter Carlyle, a car mechanic who was seen arguing with Lynley Brackton. The police choose Peter because he's black. Peter is friends with St. Clair and knows Alice. She likes him a lot and will do anything to get him out of jail. However, Peter won't share his alibi. I figured it out pretty quickly and think more highly of him for taking the high road and not sharing that information with anyone. It isn't only his secret to tell. He seems like a nice man who deserves all the happiness he can get.

Alice sets her sights on bigger fish. She is convinced the murderer is someone from Society when she uncovers a connection to a secret organization known as XVII. This organization is a nativist society angry at the changing nature of New York with all the immigrants and "coloreds" from the South moving North. XVII is not at the level of the KKK but if Lynley Brackton had his way they would be. Did someone kill him because he was unreliable or did someone fight back? Abraham Roth is a young Jewish man and an acquaintance of Alice's friend Philly. I like him from the brief moment he's in the story. He seems to have a sense of humor and doesn't act like a ninny like Alice's escort. Someone like Abraham would make a good husband for Alice but he is Jewish and that just isn't DONE in Society. He's tolerated because of his father's wealth but only just. His father is a tough businessman who hates what XVII stands for. Could he have killed Mr. Brackton? Alice suspects Miles Van Dijk, a man come down in the world. He is nowhere near as bright as Alice and bungles things badly. He has a nasty temper when pushed into a corner and isn't opposed to physical violence. I like him as the murderer! He is awful.

The couples in this story all seem to be Society matches. Victoria Brackton married a man everyone despises because he's wealthy and powerful. She's been beaten down by his casual cruelty. You know the type. He has had other women in his life and isn't afraid to flaunt it. I feel so so sorry for her. Victoria seems to have inspired devotion in her ladies' maid, Miss Whatley. I don't like how Alice manipulates them both to get information she wants. Delilah Linde also made a Society match but her marriage seems to work. Her husband seems to dote on her even if he doesn't go out much. She doesn't seem to feel the same way. Poor Alice gets an earful about what kind of man NOT to marry. Maybe if she had met these people in real life she wouldn't have married Nick Longworth.

Single women of middle class seem to do better than Society women. Mariah is a strong female role model for Alice. A woman of color, Mariah had the courage to leave a bad marriage and follow her brother east where many people are unwilling to accept people like her. She has a career she seems to enjoy and like her brother, has a soft spot for Alice. Miss Felicia Meadows is a society reporter for the New York Herald. She's basically a tabloid reporter but she knows where to draw the line between what she knows and what she's heard. She's shrewd and drives a hard bargain. Miss Meadows has a dream and knows how to go after it with a little help from Alice and St. Clair. I enjoyed her repartee with St. Clair but I find her a little bit callous or jaded, perhaps. She's hard and tough.

This is a fun mystery novel with a heaping dose of the history of New York in the early 1900s. It's not a pretty drawing room story or even a pretty drama like Downton Abbey. I didn't like all the swearing in the story. I had forgotten that from the first book. Even Alice engages in some swearing once in awhile.

[Belinda (Belle) Witzenhausen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received a complimentary ARC copy of The Body in the Ballroom
(An Alice Roosevelt Mystery #2) by R.J. Koreto from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books in order to read and give an honest review.

Having read and reviewed Mr Koreto’s first book in the series, Alice and the Assassin, I have to say he has outdone himself, this book is fantastic!

Alice Roosevelt, the daughter of President Roosevelt, after being banished to Washington due to her exploits in “Alice and the Assassin”, has returned to NewYork with Joe St.Clair, her re-assigned secret service agent in tow. While attending a debutante ball a murder occurs forcing Alice and St.Clair to plunge headfirst into the start of an intriguing, thrilling plot that will keep you guessing. Mr Koreto has done an amazing job at combining history, fiction, intrigue and humour in his work as well as tackling some relevant (then and now) issues such as racism, misogyny and antisemitism with tact and class.

Although at first, I was sure I knew who did it, I was left second guessing with all of Mr Koreto’s cleverly placed red herrings. I also love the development that has taken place in Alice. At eighteen years old now, still young in many ways, she is coming into her own with her intelligence, fearlessness and pride. Still precocious in so many ways, there is a softer side, a genuineness, blooming that endears you to her. Agent St. Clair is also showing development and you have to appreciate him for his patience…and oh what patience he has. This time around there was also a nice secondary cast of characters, although some made appearances in his last book, this book I felt more of a camaraderie between them.

I have always been a fan of authors such as Agatha Christie and Arthur Conan Doyle, in my opinion, R.J. Koreto is joining them. This book would be great as a stand-alone, but I do recommend reading the first as it is also a fantastic read, both I feel are suitable for most ages. A fun, brilliant read that will keep you turning pages!

[Kathy Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Roosevelt and her Secret Service bodyguard Joseph St. Clair are on the case again when Alice witnesses a murder at a swanky social event. Lynley Brackton has a glass of the Rutledge's infamous punch and then dies. Alice doesn't really get involved until the New York police arrest the mechanic who worked on his car and who works on the Roosevelt cars too. Peter Carlyle is a black man.

Alice knows that the murderer has to be a member of the highest society and that the police aren't able to investigate there. It is up to her and St. Clair to see that justice is done. As Alice pays condolence calls on affected members she finds a tangled mess of personal relations and business connections. Then there is a second victim of the same poison. The much younger wife of a reclusive businessman also dies. She was at the same party as Alice and standing with the Brackton and his wife. Then Brackton's wife is sent the same poison but doesn't drink it since she's been warned.

As Alice investigates, she sees the growing tensions between the various ethnic groups coming to New York in the early 20th Century. Between the Irish and Italian gangs, the Jewish immigrants, and the blacks, New York is a hotbed of change. Old New Yorkers represented by a club they have formed are against all the changes. For a while it looks like the murders were related to the club membership.

I really enjoy the historical setting of this mystery. I am also a big fan of Alice Roosevelt who at eighteen is brave, bold, and more than a little outrageous. St. Clair has his hands full trying to keep Alice safe and is also a great guide and companion for her.

I can't wait for Alice and St. Clair's next case. Fans of historical mysteries will be very pleased with this wonderful story.

[Book Him Danno · Rating 5 out of 5]

A medium paced murder mystery that is full of droll dry wit if the reader is astute and able to separate the wheat from the chaff. It is an art, the in it's self, to be able to pluck forth a real life figure and then build a fictionalized story which will hold the reader's attention. This story held my attention from beginning to end and gave me a lot of chuckles while doing so.

I have rated this book 5 stars.

I received an ARC from Netgalley for my unbiased opinion

[Jaime H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Have you ever wanted to be friends with a president's daughter or son? For me, Alice Roosevelt would be a killer friend to have and I would love to be caught up in a mystery with her by my side. She has a huge personality and lively spirit. At least, according to "The Body in the Ballroom" by R.J. Koreto. The author's ability to bring Alice to life was perfect and really made me wish she was a friend at a coffee shop with me today or send me back in time...

The mystery was moderately paced and was well done. The scenario was well done and set up right along with maintaining the historical aspect of things while creating engaging characters. I am ready for MORE Alice Roosevelt mysteries!

A well done cozy mystery!

***I received a galley via NetGalley from the publisher for my review***

[Lorraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” Alice Roosevelt. This quotation sums up Alice Roosevelt. R. J. Koreto’s The Body in the Ballroom (Alice Roosevelt #2) is a great cozy read as well as an educational one. I learned quite a bit about President Theodore Roosevelt, NYC in the early 1900s, and, of course, what a pip 18 year old Alice Roosevelt is! I always read the auther’s notes, and in this book Alice has a Secret Service agent. The author states in his notes that The Secret Service began guarding the President’s family at about this time. Alice and her Secret Service agent have an ‘in sync’ relationship, and at times had me laughing out loud. Fun with a social commentary! Definitely recommended!!

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alice Roosevelt is at it again in "The Body in the Ballroom", the second in R.J. Koreto’s series “starring” Theodore Roosevelt’s daughter, who was a “media darling” of the early 1900s in the United States. (If Alice was alive today she would have her own reality TV show and a vast Twitter following, indubitably.)

This mystery is once again set among the hoi polloi of New York. When a member of this American aristocracy, albeit a despised one, is murdered, his peers are very, very happy to let sleeping dogs (literally and figuratively) lie. Which might be good enough for someone who isn’t the daughter of the President of the United States. Especially when the eyes of the police fall on an African-American mechanic who just happens to have argued with the un-lamented deceased. Added by her long-suffering bodyguard Joseph St. Clair, she sets out to find the culprit, along the way rubbing shoulders with every level of society and uncovering a mysterious group of men who are quite willing to do anything necessary to achieve their (dubious) aims.

As in the first book, Alice is a wonderfully realized, a fully alive character, and Joe St. Clair ain’t far behind. The author uses the “real” Alice to full effect, bringing to his readers someone who we truly would be privileged to know. I look forward to further adventures.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the copy of this book, in exchange for this review.

[L.A. Chandlar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a favorite series!!! I always love a good historical mystery that has a unique approach and this is perfect. Koreto's characters are wonderful and the twist of having a Rough Rider be one of the main characters is so much fun. I love real history and bringing little pieces that were hidden in the history books is fun to read. I will always read every one of his books.

[Kristin · Rating 2 out of 5]

I would like to thank netgalley and Crooked lane books for a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

The writing was so sappy and this book did not hold my attention at all.

[Don Brynelsen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Theodore Roosevelt’s feisty daughter Alice, and her trusted Secret Service bodyguard Joseph St Clair are back in another adventure by author R. J. Koreto, who introduced them to the mystery reading public in their debut adventure, Alice and the Assassin. This latest adventure begins one year following the events of the previous book, with St Clair returning to the nation’s capitol from an assignment in St Louis, (which is hinted was arranged by Alice’s aunt as a way of exiling him as punishment for allowing her niece to get into all the trouble she did in their first adventure.) After meeting with the President and finding out he’s to be her bodyguard once more since she’ll be returning to New York city after spending time in Washington D. C., St Clair tracks down Alice in a basement storeroom of the White House where she has set up a shooting range to practice with the old Colt revolver she’s somehow managed to get her hands on. She of course is ecstatic to see him, and begs him to show her how to shoot and reload her new toy, which he refuses to do, which becomes a running plot point throughout the book as she asks for a gun whenever the opportunity arises, leading to St Clair to one time caution her that she wouldn’t want her father or aunt to see the headlines about innocent people and property put into jeopardy by the President’s daughter on a shooting spree. Once in New York, the pair attend a lavish party for one of Alice’s debutante friends where a prominent, yet almost universally despised tycoon is murdered after a deadly poison is slipped into his glass of punch. Suspicion initially falls upon an African American auto mechanic who is a friend of St Clair’s, and he is arrested, but later released due to the lack of solid evidence, and the intervention of Alice and St Clair on his behalf. What follows is a well paced pursuit of the truth, revealing anti Semitism and anti immigrant sentiments, two things still prevalent in today’s world, the latter via a secret society called the XVII, made up of members of prominent patrician families who can trace their lineage back to the 17th century and the founding of New York City, who feel their status as the ruling class is threatened by the influx of Jews, Irish and other Europeans, and former southern blacks flowing into the city. There are twists and turns aplenty, including an interracial marriage, and the discovery of a Japanese diplomat sequestered in an East side brownstone as he negotiates with a prominent Jewish banker for funding for a possible war with Russia, before the identity of the murderer is revealed in a surprising twist of an ending.
While I enjoyed the plot and pacing of the book, I must draw attention to the lack of historical ambiance needed to fully immerse the reader into the Edwardian world in which the novel takes place. Being a lifelong devotee of the era, I had no trouble picturing the characters and settings in their proper context, but someone not as knowledgeable might have difficulty doing the same as well as recognizing some of the actual historical personages, including Alice’s aunt, Mrs. Cowles, who appear as minor characters. Better descriptions of the clothes people are wearing like the sweeping floor length ball gowns of the women at the party, the suits of the men, the sights and sounds of the city as Alice and St Clair roam through it, as well as other descriptive touches would have gone miles towards properly placing the lay reader into the correct historical frame of mind so as to better enjoy the adventure.

This is a review of an advance copy of the book, sent to me courtesy of the author R.J. Koreto

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always admired Alice Roosevelt, so outspoken, so full of life and determination so this series was an instant favorite for me. We get to know 18 year old Alice and her former Rough Rider, former deputy sheriff from Laramie, WY now Secret Service agent, Joseph (Joey) St. Clair. St. Clair served with Teddy Roosevelt and has been tasked with keeping Alice safe. San Juan Hill and the wild west of Laramie can't hold a candle to the challenge of keeping up with a free spirit like Alice. She calls him Cowboy and he calls her Princess (she was know as Princess Alice). She speaks her mind, ventures out to places proper ladies shouldn't even know exist and, by the way, she smokes and hates bourbon.
Here we are in the second adventure for Alice and St. Clair. While attending a debutant ball, a guest keels over dead, poisoned by a really nasty punch, hated by almost everybody but it's a tradition that everybody must drink at least a few sips. That's all it takes to kill the guest. Other deaths follow and Alice and St. Clair are in the thick of it because Alice was one of the guests at the party and was near the punch bowl when the poor man took his fatal sip. Reluctantly, the police engage her help because there is no way an Irish cop could get the information needed to catch the killer. Alice is in her element and St. Clair has to run to keep up with her. Under other circumstances, Alice would have made a great detective.
The relationships between the characters is well developed, funny and I love the banter between Alice and St. Clair, it's based on mutual respect. As for her Aunt..well, let's just say I would never want to get on her bad side. She is truly a force to be reckoned with, which is a Roosevelt family trait.
The mystery is very good and has depth to it, addressing the issues of immigrants, religion and racial interactions - they all figure into the motive and means of the crimes. How far did someone go to try to keep the status quo? Leave it to Alice to figure it out. I'm eager to read the next mystery Alice and St. Clair get mixed up in. It's bound to be a doozy.
My thanks to the publisher Crooked Lane and to NetGalley for giving me an advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Catherine · Rating 5 out of 5]

After a short stay in Washington, D.C., eighteen-year-old Alice Roosevelt returns to New York City to engage in political and social events on behalf of her family, and Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair is again called upon to act as bodyguard for the President's daughter. Alice's aunt, Anna Roosevelt Cowles is more determined than ever to keep a watchful eye on the fearless Alice, and St. Clair has promised to do his best to steer Alice clear of situations unsuitable for her social stature. This is, of course, much easier said than done . . .

Alice is attending the debutante ball for Philadelphia Rutledge, one of her contemporaries, when a guest collapses and dies after drinking a cup of the Rutledge's famously detestable punch. The victim is Lynley Brackton, a society man feared and hated by many. When it is determined that the punch was poisoned with wolfsbane taken from the Rutledge greenhouse, an investigation is launched to find the person or persons responsible. Because of Brackton's social standing, the police feel pressured into making a quick arrest and closing the case. As a result, Peter Carlyle, a black auto mechanic is accused and arrested. This doesn't sit well with Alice, who overheard Brackton heatedly arguing with another gentleman earlier in the evening, or St. Clair, who knows Carlyle isn't capable of such an act.

Alice's quest for justice leads the duo on a highly adventurous and dangerous investigation from the mansions of New York's elite to the impoverished neighborhoods of immigrants. It is a tumultuous time in New York City history, and the story touches on the journalistic, political, ethnic, class, and race issues of the day. Alice and St. Clair discover secrets, prejudices, rivalries, and emotions that ultimately lead them to uncovering the truth and seeing justice served.

Koreto's well-drawn characters and fascinating plot make this a thoroughly engaging and enjoyable story. While The Body in the Ballroom can be read as a stand-alone, I encourage anyone who likes historical mysteries to treat themselves to Alice and the Assassin, the first book in the series.

[Misaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second book of Alice Roosevelt Mystery series. I haven’t read the first one but I love Lady Frances Efolkes series which are R.J. Koreto’s another historical mystery books. This book is very intriguing! I got totally engrossed in it.

Alice Roosevelt is a daughter of president Theodore Roosevelt and she witnessed a poisoned murder at the ballroom. She and her secret service agent/bodyguard, Joseph St. Clair start to dig this crime as their innocent friend was suspected as a killer. They come to reveal romances, financial deal, immigration issue and also secret society.

The story is well written even I haven’t read its first book, I had no problem following the plot. I also enjoyed to read about the historical background. It describes American class society, immigrant and financial circumstances.

I think the best part of this book is the characters ;) I love all the characters especially the main characters, St. Clair and Alice. Alice was described as a pistol and I think it’s absolutely her! Lol
Alice is a witty, cheerful and passionate 18 years old lady. It’s very cute that when it comes about St. Clair, Alice becomes child-like a bit. I want to read more about them! I also like there is Japanese parson involved in this mystery even he seems not good guy :) As I am Japanese, I like reading about my country from different aspect.

I marked this book 4.5 stars out of 5.0

Thank you Crooked Lane Books vie NetGalley an ARC of this book

[Bethany Swafford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice Roosevelt, the daring daughter of the president, exasperates father and aunt as she seeks to stave off boredom. When she comes across a murder, with the assistance of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, she pursues every lead to get to the bottom of the crime.

As I did not read the first book in the series, I can only judge this book by itself. And what a book it is! It is told from the point of view of Agent St. Clair, who has been placed in charge of the security and safety of the president's daughter. That is not an easy task when the young woman charges headfirst into solving the mystery.

Although there were a few moments when I was confused, mostly because of references to the first book, I found this to be a well paced, well plotted, and all around fun book. The characters, even those taken straight out of history, are interesting and the time period was portrayed just as I would have expected.

I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy stories based on people who really lived but enjoy the edge of fiction and mystery.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent series continues with the irrepressible daughter of Theodore Roosevelt once again determined to be in the center of any interesting action. She has returned to New York and the only Secret Service body guard who has has any success, limited as it may be, keeping Alice safe and only on the fringes of trouble has been called back into service.
From the moment they attend their first social event tragedy follows.

The initial victim appears to have poisoned in the middle of a crowd of influential residents.
Without hesitation Alice jumps in to investigate and volunteers St. Clair as well.
Their investigation takes them into a seedier side of the wealthy and influential families of New York and uncovers a secret society. Much relates to the changing population make-up and climate of the city.
This is brilliant fictional narrative augmented with historical data. Realistically plausible.

[Nancy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Alice in Koreto land is much more interesting than Alice in Wonderland.

I really like Alice Roosevelt. I would love to have been her contemporary. She managed to move through various levels of society with ease. Plus, she’s one smart cookie.

Alice knows how to get information, although some of her methods are more questionable than others. But always interesting.

Mr. Koreto had me guessing right up to the end. I’m eager to read more Alice mysteries. Once you’ve read one, you will be, too.

Thank you, Mr. Koreto, for bringing Alice into my life.

***Book provided without charge by PICT.***

[Joe Slavinsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am really impressed with this series! Alice Roosevelt is utterly audacious, for a teenager at the beginning of the twentieth century. And yes, it is historical FICTION, but there's a plausibility to it, which is something I appreciate, as a reader of historical fiction, as well as a history buff. The best historical fiction is often as interesting, and absorbing, as the real thing. I've never read anything else by Mr. Koreto, but I will have to check out his Lady Frances Ffolkes Mysteries. In the meantime, I'm hoping he plans to continue with Alice Roosevelt, as I am looking forward to many more.

[Deb Haggerty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A secret society, a jealous wife, murder, and blackmail--a delightful cocktail.

R .J. Koreto's second Alice Roosevelt mystery is as delightful as the first. I find I'd love to meet her and her equally delightful Secret Service bodyguard.

Alice is at a society ball when one of the guests dies suddenly. She immediately summons St. Clair to take charge of the scene until Captain O'Hara and the NYC police arrive. And she's off--after the discovery the guest, an "unreliable" personage, was murdered, Alice is determined to solve the crime.

[Patricia Gulley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another interesting read and a good complicated mystery. I'm sure Alice was the 'wild child' of the day.

[Cindy B. · Rating 4 out of 5]

History, murder, romance - I loved this novel, I’ve read it 3 times. This audiobook is entertaining and well performed Tristan Morris (who has a terrific voice).

[Fred · Rating 5 out of 5]

Body In The Ballroom is the second book in the Alice Roosevelt Mystery series.

I enjoy reading historical mysteries and this was a very entertaining series. Extremely interesting and well developed characters. It was easy to see that the author spent time researching the times and life of the citizens of this country in the early 1900’s. The series centers around eighteen year-old Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Teddy Roosevelt and Alice’s bodyguard and former Rough Rider, Joseph “Cowboy” St. Clair. St. Clair certainly is a busy man, not only guarding the President’s daughter, but keeping Alice out of trouble.

Alice and St. Clair have returned to the home of Mrs. Cowles, the President’s sister, New York City. Alice has returned to the city to attend the debut ball of Rutledge family’s daughter, Philadelphia. As people are gathered around a punch bowl, Lynley Brackton’s wife hands him a glass of punch and shortly after drinking it became very ill and quickly passed away. The Rutledge’s family physician is called and he feels that Brackton was poisoned by wolfsbane. It is soon learned that Rutledge has a garden that in fact does have some wolfsbane growing, which has been broken into and some of the plants show signs of recently being disturbed. Against his better judgment St. Clair agrees to help Alice investigate the murder.

They begin to wonder if Brackton might not have been the intended victim and they also need to look into an organization called XVII a group who is against anyone who is not a White Protestant and whose family has been in New York for 4 or 5 generations.

The book is well-plotted and told story. I enjoyed all the characters, but especially Alice and St. Clair. The interaction between the two was very enjoyable. Alice will put a smile on your face many times. Plus you will find yourself thinking that poor St. Clair, what will Alice get him into next.

I will definitely be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.

[nikkia neil · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Alice keeps our attention and makes us cheer for her and this series by being vivacious, fun, and naughty. The story line also keeps us guessing and wanting more.

[Kathleen Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joseph St Clair, who narrates this fun mystery novel, is the Secret Service Agent assigned to protect Alice Roosevelt, which turns out to be as much of a challenge as being a Rough Rider. Only 18, she's already been involved in one murder case (I didn't read the first book but this one catches you up just fine) and now, when she's supposed to be doing the debutante thing, there's another. Koreto does a nice job of capturing the essence of the culture and the time- and Alice's voice. This is funny, sometimes in an understated way that might have you going back to the line, and it's well plotted. A few twists. Who murdered Lynley Brackton and why is at the root of this one. No spoilers. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. For fans of the genre as well as those looking for a good read.

[John Sargent · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting characters Well done

[Bookworm · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Body in the Ballroom: An Alice Roosevelt Mystery was a nice historical murder mystery centered around former president Teddy Roosevelt’s daughter Alice and her Secret Service Agent/Bodyguard Joseph St. Clair. This book is second in the Alice Roosevelt series but stands fine as a standalone read.

There is a diverse cast of characters here and the topic of class status and race are women into the storyline as well. I liked Alice right away. She’s smart and sassy. I liked St. Clair too, they work well together. The dialogue between these two was entertaining. The writing pulled me right along and this one was a quick read.

As far as the mystery went it made sense and it wasn’t too hard to figure out. The ending wraps up and there is room for another installment. At the end of the book the author includes a note saying he based Alice and a few other characters in the book on real people.

Lastly, I also like the cover on this one, the teal is pretty. If you check out the author’s site there’s some nice covers on his other books too.

[David Freiman · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderfully twisted story which will bring chuckles on every page

Looking forward to the next in the series! Koreto brings the characters and old New York to life—even the the Brooklyn Bridge and the borough of Queens make appearances.

[Annie (is so far behind 😬) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Ex-Rough Rider Joseph St Clair has joined the Secret Service and his duty is to look after President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice, who is not a typical late 19th/early 20thC young society woman. For one, she smokes. She also visits bookies, spends time in the company of 'non-society' types, and, in this instance at least, solves murders.

I'm not American so the historical aspect of presidents and their families isn't that interesting to me, but I did learn that Alice was very real, only died in 1980, and was actually the controversial, outspoken and fascinating woman more or less depicted in the book. She sounds like a real kick! Certainly well ahead of her time and very much her own woman.

This second installment finds Agent St Claire back in Washington to keep an eye on Alice, who has been brought back from New York in order that her aunt and father can keep a somewhat closer eye on her. When Lynley Barker, an 'unreliable' member of Society and the group the XVII, drops dead at a Society party, no one is upset but a few are curious enough to wonder who actually did it. An easy suspect in the form of African-American mechanic, Peter Carlyle, is arrested by the police and most consider it over and done with. He'd had an argument with the victim earlier about a car. Society, after all, protects one from the uncomfortable and nastier things in life like murder and cushions one from even being questioned about it. The blacks, the Irish, the Chinese, the Jews - no one would care if any of them were arrested for it, whether they did it or not.

Alice dislikes the fact that her friend Peter has been arrested, simply because the police are lazy and no one is making any real effort to find the killer. Once a second body is discovered, however, the police get a little bit more interested, but it's Alice who continues to lead the charge, figuring out how the two victims are related and what they both have to with the secret XVII club.

The mystery flows well and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, although I was right about the killer. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the fact that it was based on a real person who, by the sounds of things, may actually have done very well if she'd taken it upon herself to investigate a murder or two!

Several passages, however, where nothing happened and did nothing to move the story forward or add anything to it were left in. These could easily be removed and not affect the story in any way.