Murder in the Executive Mansion

Eleanor Roosevelt #14

by Elliott Roosevelt

Washington D.C., is buzzing with activity when the King and Queen of England visit for a weekend. In the confusion, Lucinda Robinson, an assistant closely connected with the First Lady, can't be found. Two days later, she turns up strangled in a White House linen closet.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Fiction

197 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1995

About the author

Elliott Roosevelt (September 23, 1910 – October 27, 1990) was an United States Army Air Forces officer and an author. Roosevelt was a son of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt.

Reviews

[ShareStories · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like these books by Roosevelt's son, Elliott, that put his mother, Eleanor into various fictional sleuthing situations. I fully believe that ER was certainly intelligent enough to have helped the police solve crimes and as someone who reads nearly any book on the Roosevelts I can get my hands on, these books are a welcome addition.

[Helenk · Rating 4 out of 5]

World War II is looming on the horizons of Europe. However the United States is doing it's best to remain neutral. Little do people know of the infiltration of German spies. As usual this Eleanor Roosevelt is entertaining with many historical figures mentioned (including the King and Queen of England). If you enjoy historical mysteries that are short and easy to read this series is for you.

[Janene · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Elliott Roosevelt mysteries are wonderful for letting you see into the life of Eleanor Roosevelt and the political times.

[Chazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt may be the First Lady but there are other activities she is involved with outside of her White House duties. One that she really enjoys is the role of Det. Martha Broderick of the D.C. Police. It allows her to assist in investigations. In this case the investigation involves the death of a young woman who was working in the White House.

The King and Queen of England have come to visit the U.S. and are visiting the White House. Special preparations have been made for the visit. During that time, Lucinda Robinson, assistant to the First Lady’s social secretary, seems to have gone missing. Her body is finally located in one of the laundry closets. How and way and who are the questions to be answered.

The period is leading up to WWII and espionage is in the air. The First Lady is determined to find the answer to the murder and other questions that arise.

It’s an enjoyable read, set in an interesting period. People who were involved in government are part of the cast of characters, giving the reader a glimpse back in time.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

In 1939 just prior to Germany invading Poland, King George and Elizabeth visited the White House and Hyde Park as guests of the Roosevelts. This book contains a very interesting account of their visit, complete with a few accidents that occurred, like a table at Hyde Park that collapsed under the weight of all the food piled there and a waiter falling down two stairs with a tray of drinks crashing all around. I found the sang-froid of the king and queen appearing not to notice either event really amusing. The murder mystery revolves around spies and naive Americans. Hoover and the FBI are also depicted in an enlightening way.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The world is on the brink of WWII. The King and Queen of England are visiting the White House for a weekend. And the person organizing all the details disappears.
After the guests have gone on to their next destination, Lucinda's body is discovered. Was it a lover's quarrel? Maybe. Eleanor has her doubts. Her reasons are enough to set the investigation off into new territory.
What happens behind the scenes in the White House? What goes on when important people visit? This book touches on this. As always the history and people are as interesting as the mystery in this fast, enjoyable read.

[Pamela · Rating 5 out of 5]

From an English royal visit to complex codes for communication with Germany, we are given a look at how the President and First Lady prepared for possible war, while maintaining as much normalcy as possible. This outing is both grittier and sexual than previous books in the series. It fits the murder and the time period, just a warning. I enjoyed the undercover role Eleanor plays in this one, including her reactions to some sensational aspects and entertainers.

[Loricaprio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not a gripping tale, but enjoyable nonetheless.
Shocked at the degree of sexuality given the topic and by the son of an extinguished author !!! I believe this book was found posthumously. Copyright 1995, author died 1990. I’m not sure how much of his childhood translated to his knowledge of the White House, but his “insider take” was intriguing.

[Deb · Rating 1 out of 5]

After enjoying books by Margaret Truman I thought I would give these books a try. I found this book to be unbelievably boring and poorly written. It was like comparing a Monet to a three year olds finger painting.

[Lynne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found this at a thrift store not realizing it was written by the son of Eleanor and Franklin D. Roosevelt! I enjoyed this little mystery, mystery was good and the historical value even elevated that! Fun to read.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Light reading, the Most interesting part was the use of history during the time the Roosevelts were in the White House. The murder mystery itself was lacking in intrigue. Overall a bit flat.

[Scott Drake · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another delightful period murder and Mrs. R. is charming and tenacious. And her visit to the burlesque (to be polite) and Sophie Tucker! LOL

Loved it.

[Mary Ellen Barringer · Rating 2 out of 5]

As a long time Washington DC resident, I thought this might be a fun read. I disliked the portrayal of the President and the First Lady. A good book for a plane ride.

[Delores Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the King and Queen come to the White House Eleanor’s aid disappears. She is later discovered dead. So Eleanor and the chief of police work together solve the murder.

[Sharon Bezrutczyk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this series I read one every time I find one.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

#16: In 1939 with King and Queen of England arriving, the White House is all a flutter with preparations and additional security. Mrs Roosevelt’s Assistant Social Secretary disappears and her strangled body is not discovered in a third floor linen closet under all the dirty sheets until after the Royal couple have departed for Canada. Who did it, why, how got in. The suspects grow until a Nazi spy ring is uncovered.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I can't stop reading these. As long as the library has one I haven't read yet, here I am.
Tawdry, historically interesting, and making me love Eleanor more than I already did.

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light reading with a little historical flare. Characters were fun, yet somewhat flat. A fun read.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. The White House hosted the King and Queen of England for a weekend during which a young woman employed in the WH as an assistant close to the First Lady is found murdered. As usual, Eleanor works with the secret service and DC police captain to solve the crime. This is the first book in this series I believe where J. Edgar Hoover of the FBI was involved in an investigation. A German spy ring working in the WH was discovered.

[Jean Perry · Rating 3 out of 5]

Always fun to speculate how much of what ER writes about the real life characters is "real". I think he has a little fun w/ us, especially about his mother, ER. Enjoyable, not great.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great read. I just chew these books up. I love all the famous people and how they come and go from the story. Too fun!

[Marilyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love all of this series. They have been fantastic!