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Capital Crimes #16
Murder at the Library of Congress
In the depths of the U.S. Library of Congress toil thousands of researchers, chasing down obsessions, breakthroughs, and new contributions to human wisdom. But when amateur D.C. sleuth Annabel Reed-Smith enters this stately American institution, she discovers a hornet’s nest of intrigue and murder.
After a renowned scholar is bludgeoned to death among the scholarly stacks, an ambitious TV reporter links the case to the heist of a Spanish painting from a Miami museum and a killing in Mexico City. Annabel suspects that buried in the Library are secrets some people will do anything to keep silent–the secret of a rich man’s ambition, a researcher’s disappearance, and a mysterious diary of Christopher Columbus’s journey written five hundred years ago. . . .
After a renowned scholar is bludgeoned to death among the scholarly stacks, an ambitious TV reporter links the case to the heist of a Spanish painting from a Miami museum and a killing in Mexico City. Annabel suspects that buried in the Library are secrets some people will do anything to keep silent–the secret of a rich man’s ambition, a researcher’s disappearance, and a mysterious diary of Christopher Columbus’s journey written five hundred years ago. . . .
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published December 12, 1991
156 people are currently reading
774 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Truman
87 books262 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 138 reviews
September 25, 2012
Murder at the Library of Congress is the sixteenth novel in Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes series--but the first one I've read. I grabbed it up at the Friends of the Library Bookstore primarily because it was set at the Library of Congress. Mysteries set in libraries represent another sub-genre that I like to read. This one has Annabel Reed-Smith, former lawyer and current art gallery owner, doing research at the Library of Congress for an article about Christopher Columbus. Specifically, she is trying to determine if rumors of a diary written by Bartolome de Las Casas, one of Columbus's companions, are based in fact or if it is all just a pipe dream.
Also at the library is Michele Paul--the world's leading scholar on all things Las Casas. He has been doing research on the supposedly lost diary for years. Annabel wants to consult him, but the man is insufferably rude and unhelpful. He also has a knack for making nearly everyone he meets hate him. So, it's not much of a surprise when he winds up dead--whacked with the proverbial blunt instrument. Is his death related to the diary? And what does a missing painting by a second-rate artist have to do with it--if anything? Annabel and an ambitious television newswoman dig up clues and answers...and it all comes down to some very interesting files on computer disks discovered in one of the Library's forgotten collections.
This is a fairly decent mystery. I liked Annabel and her husband, as well as most of the other main characters. I saw the solution coming a long way ahead....although not the complete details. But I can't say that this book is so outstanding that I'll be tracking down the others in the series. If they come along, then I'll read them, but I'm in no hurry. Three stars for a decent outing.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
Also at the library is Michele Paul--the world's leading scholar on all things Las Casas. He has been doing research on the supposedly lost diary for years. Annabel wants to consult him, but the man is insufferably rude and unhelpful. He also has a knack for making nearly everyone he meets hate him. So, it's not much of a surprise when he winds up dead--whacked with the proverbial blunt instrument. Is his death related to the diary? And what does a missing painting by a second-rate artist have to do with it--if anything? Annabel and an ambitious television newswoman dig up clues and answers...and it all comes down to some very interesting files on computer disks discovered in one of the Library's forgotten collections.
This is a fairly decent mystery. I liked Annabel and her husband, as well as most of the other main characters. I saw the solution coming a long way ahead....although not the complete details. But I can't say that this book is so outstanding that I'll be tracking down the others in the series. If they come along, then I'll read them, but I'm in no hurry. Three stars for a decent outing.
This review was first posted on my blog My Reader's Block. Please request permission before reposting. Thanks.
August 3, 2010
Art gallery owner Annabel Reed-Smith is assigned the task of writing an article on some missing diaries from an associate of Christopher Columbus. While doing some research in the Library of Congress, an expert in the field is murdered. Despite her intentions not to get involved, she ends up helping to crack the case. There is some interesting "insider" info on the workings of the library of congress, and also some interesting history about Columbus. However, I found Annabel to be annoyingly perfect (wealthy, goodlooking, well-connected art gallery owner and former high powered attorney) which kept me from enjoying the book more. Also, they kept referring to the head of the library as the "Librarian," which reminded me of the Seinfeld episode about "The Maestro."
May 11, 2011
Enjoyed the setting and descriptions of the LOC. Going for a class this summer so will be looking for things from the book.
July 25, 2015
My f2f book club choice for July. Wouldn't have read it otherwise. Truman writes a simple but interesting mystery. I especially liked the descriptions of the Library of Congress, though the stats would be a little old. I read some of Truman's mysteries a few years ago, but doubt that I'll read any more. Still good light reading with no cursing or objectionable material. Would be fine for younger readers.
July 15, 2014
Definitely fun due to the Washington DC location and history. Great as an audiobook.
July 28, 2020
Murder at the Library of Congress by Margaret Truman is #16 in her Capital Crime series. I have read a couple of other mysteries by Margaret Truman however, this one was really very fascinating because it centered on one of the nation's greatest assets...the Library of Congress, our national library. The story details many of the inter-workings of the library as well as presenting many of the overwhelming collections and the huge catalog job required of the library and its librarians. The mystery is well thought out and very clever; it is a quick read but very delightful.
From the publisher:
In the depths of the U.S. Library of Congress toil thousands of researchers, chasing down obsessions, breakthroughs, and new contributions to human wisdom. But when amateur D.C. sleuth Annabel Reed-Smith enters this stately American institution, she discovers a hornet's nest of intrigue and murder.
After a renowned scholar is bludgeoned to death among the scholarly stacks, an ambitious TV reporter links the case to the heist of a Spanish painting from a Miami museum and a killing in Mexico City. Annabel suspects that buried in the Library are secrets some people will do anything to keep silent-the secret of a rich man's ambition, a researcher's disappearance, and a mysterious diary of Christopher Columbus's journey written five hundred years ago. . . .
From the publisher:
In the depths of the U.S. Library of Congress toil thousands of researchers, chasing down obsessions, breakthroughs, and new contributions to human wisdom. But when amateur D.C. sleuth Annabel Reed-Smith enters this stately American institution, she discovers a hornet's nest of intrigue and murder.
After a renowned scholar is bludgeoned to death among the scholarly stacks, an ambitious TV reporter links the case to the heist of a Spanish painting from a Miami museum and a killing in Mexico City. Annabel suspects that buried in the Library are secrets some people will do anything to keep silent-the secret of a rich man's ambition, a researcher's disappearance, and a mysterious diary of Christopher Columbus's journey written five hundred years ago. . . .
July 25, 2020
2.5
Not my usual book. This book is only 269 pages and it took me five days to finish. Murder at the Library of Congress didn’t hold my attention for long periods of time. The first 100 pages were interesting but after that it was a struggle. I have two more Truman books that I was given. I will try those to see if I might like these types of books.
Not my usual book. This book is only 269 pages and it took me five days to finish. Murder at the Library of Congress didn’t hold my attention for long periods of time. The first 100 pages were interesting but after that it was a struggle. I have two more Truman books that I was given. I will try those to see if I might like these types of books.
February 1, 2020
A great breezy mystery from a DC insider. I learned a lot about the LC and enjoyed the characters.
April 12, 2023
As a library fan I enjoyed this peek inside our national Library.
March 5, 2013
I was really looking forward to getting into this series. I'd read about it on Jungle Red--the author is Margaret Truman, daughter of President and Bess Truman, so I expected well-crafted savvy writing about DC. What a clunker this was! She used very outmoded language, especially for the thugs--they actually referrd to women as dames and broads. They were so cartoonish. The two heroes are so perfect: the woman owns a gallery of pre-Columbian art in George town, which of course is doing so well she can leave it to her assistants to run while she spends a couple months researching an article about the Las Casas Diaries at the LC. The husband is a GU law professor, and their marriage is perfect. They're gorgeous, and the other male characters routinely make comments about the woman behind her back.
Too bad, because the mystery is intriguing: Las Casas was apparently a friend of Columus' and may have writtendiaries about the first three trips to the New World. There may also be a map showing where lots of gold is buried! Fun stuff. The LC wants the map and diaries for the prestige, and there is likely some really shady dealing involved in getting it.
The final straw for me: the director of the LC is talking with a wealthy man who wants to help acquire the docs, and is acting as go-between. He makes some cheesy reference to doing it for his country. The direcotr thinks :I wonder what Ayn Rand would have to say about that. No one does anything without significant self-interest." Clunky and contrived. It made me wonder if MT was a Rand enthusiast, but the only thing I found is she made antoher AR reference in another book.
I was reading City of Women at the same time, and comparing the writing was like comparing a Hershey's Kiss to chocolates from the St. Croix chocolate company. I gave up.
Too bad, because the mystery is intriguing: Las Casas was apparently a friend of Columus' and may have writtendiaries about the first three trips to the New World. There may also be a map showing where lots of gold is buried! Fun stuff. The LC wants the map and diaries for the prestige, and there is likely some really shady dealing involved in getting it.
The final straw for me: the director of the LC is talking with a wealthy man who wants to help acquire the docs, and is acting as go-between. He makes some cheesy reference to doing it for his country. The direcotr thinks :I wonder what Ayn Rand would have to say about that. No one does anything without significant self-interest." Clunky and contrived. It made me wonder if MT was a Rand enthusiast, but the only thing I found is she made antoher AR reference in another book.
I was reading City of Women at the same time, and comparing the writing was like comparing a Hershey's Kiss to chocolates from the St. Croix chocolate company. I gave up.
August 31, 2011
This was my first Margaret Truman mystery. It was just OK, although I will admit that since it was such an easy read (and I have 3 more of her books on my shelves - thank you Mommy McD?) I will probably read her again.
I just felt like there wasn't enough depth of character and story. It felt very skimmed over and I felt there was a ton of material that could have made this a really great historical ficton mystery. It was fairly obvious who had done it, but the link was weak.
I am probably being overly critical as I read this book in two days and wasn't completely disappointed by it, but as a mystery junkie, it just wasn't great!
I just felt like there wasn't enough depth of character and story. It felt very skimmed over and I felt there was a ton of material that could have made this a really great historical ficton mystery. It was fairly obvious who had done it, but the link was weak.
I am probably being overly critical as I read this book in two days and wasn't completely disappointed by it, but as a mystery junkie, it just wasn't great!
July 27, 2021
As far as mysteries go, this was somewhat predictable. Also, the book did not age well. It was written in the late 1990s. Didn't enjoy reading about a rich white lady selling "pre-Columbian" art, aka the belongings and artistry of the ancestors of indigenous people, for her own profit at her fancy art gallery in Georgetown while also getting to write about it all from her rich white lady perspective for the Library of Congress while ALSO solving a homicide from her Watergate penthouse while eating lobster salad.
April 26, 2011
If you are privy to the inner workings of special collections within libraries, this book will ring very true for you. She also illumintes on the ways that museums and libraries acquire rare pieces, which is in this case is dubious. Ms. Truman really knows her stuff about the political systems and how the quid pro quo system travels from the Hill rolling down to all aspects of the government. I found those aspects of the novel quite fun to read.
August 21, 2015
2.5 If she could confine herself to Washington, she can write a pleasant enough mystery. This one even had most of the right elements in good balance. But a wholly unnecessary detour to remind us how corrupt and unscrupulous the Mexican people are, an equally unneeded and weak final action scene and one final unsolicited political opinion demanded deductions.
August 18, 2015
I had no idea this book was part of a series until there were mentions of past exploits of the characters. This can be read as a stand alone, however.
I just didn't care that much about the people in this book, nor did I care about the politics of the LOC. I'm pretty easy to please with books, so....meh.
I just didn't care that much about the people in this book, nor did I care about the politics of the LOC. I'm pretty easy to please with books, so....meh.
September 11, 2015
A little dull and a lot cliche. This was written in the 90's, but the style of speech is not believable at all. The mention of knees were made so often that it might make a good drinking game. Overall, the story seemed very shallow and it felt as if Ms. Truman was simply phoning it in to continue the series.
April 4, 2014
This book was a little disappointing. For some reason the plot nor the characters held a lot of appeal for me. I have found her other books more 'page turners'.
September 7, 2014
Very simply written. I'm not sure why Mac needed to be mentioned in this book. This was my first Margaret Truman book. I will try another in hope that they will become more noteworthy.
February 18, 2020
This was a breezy mystery read that was fine, but didn't work in a few places. I read it ahead of starting a job at the Library of Congress, and while obviously fictional, the book was fun as I learned a bit about how the place operates. As to the murder, it was quite obvious by the end, especially since there's a chapter a few after the murder is discovered where a character acts extremely suspicious. It was so obvious I thought it must be a red-herring, but no it was just a very obvious hint to the murderer.
My other critique of the book, which was written over 20 years ago, is that the prose Margaret Truman (or her ghostwriter) uses is a bit outdated. All the women are described by how beautiful or not they are, and as many are attractive, the male characters often call attention to their looks. There also were some weird quirks that reflect little understanding of actual DC. For example, there's reference to "Maryland U" instead of University of Maryland, and there are several references that propagate cliches about the city only being obsessed with politics. But considering Truman was the daughter of Harry, it makes sense that this is the worldview present.
Final verdict: Fun if you want a light mystery set in the Library of Congress, but otherwise probably fine skipping it.
My other critique of the book, which was written over 20 years ago, is that the prose Margaret Truman (or her ghostwriter) uses is a bit outdated. All the women are described by how beautiful or not they are, and as many are attractive, the male characters often call attention to their looks. There also were some weird quirks that reflect little understanding of actual DC. For example, there's reference to "Maryland U" instead of University of Maryland, and there are several references that propagate cliches about the city only being obsessed with politics. But considering Truman was the daughter of Harry, it makes sense that this is the worldview present.
Final verdict: Fun if you want a light mystery set in the Library of Congress, but otherwise probably fine skipping it.
October 19, 2023
This is kind of between a 3 and a 4. I've read a number of Margaret Truman's Washington themed mysteries in the distant pass but decided to pick this one up at the Library of Congress. While it was kind of fun to read about the place I had just visited, I kind of felt like the killer wasn't really well hidden and honestly, I was kind of surprised at how the Library (Librarian) of Congress came out looking in the end. Also, why was Annabel so friendly with the journalist (lunch/dinner), and, was the journalist trying to seduce her husband? I'm not really sure why we saw so much of Mac. I thought he would end up playing a larger role in the mystery. Given the current thoughts on Columbus, it was interesting to read about a celebration surrounding him without the controversial comments. It felt like there wasn't as much cohesiveness as I would have liked (kind of like my review!).
August 25, 2022
I finished Murder at the Library of Congress. Okay, definitely a weird book, but I only read it because I found it in one of those free library things so I grabbed it. Also I never really read like murder mystery books so I gave it a shot. For me it was kinda hard to follow, especially cause it was set in a library, I just didn’t really care for the details lol. It was okay though, I felt like the ending was rushed and then there was this random side story that got solved but like it didn't need to be. This random character was getting creepy calls at night from a stalker, it had nothing to do with the actual murder. And at the end when they were chasing the murderer, this girl came up and was like, I found out my stalker, like bitch nobody cared in the first place. So dumb.
March 10, 2021
3.0/5.0 - The very best thing about this book was the setting, the Library of Congress. The book was part of a series about murder in Washington, DC written by Margaret Truman, the daughter of President Harry and Bess Truman. The protagonist is Annabel Reed-Smith, a former matrimonial lawyer, art gallery owner and a pre-Columbian scholar. She is commissioned to write an article on the missing diaries of one of Columbus' cohorts, reputed to hold secrets to the location of a treasure and to Columbus' true character. Along the way she gets caught up in a murder, and discovers clue to the true identity of the killer.
AtY #42: A mystery or thriller
Book 72 of 2021
AtY #42: A mystery or thriller
Book 72 of 2021
December 22, 2025
Well, you'll learn some things about the library that you may not have known: "velly intelesting".
The rest of the book is, yawn, ho-hum. A HUGE hint as to who the murderer is, is dropped right into your lap. Pay attention, readers.
The story is a short read, mostly, through the eyes of Annabel Reed-Smith. Annabel's husband is Mackenzie, who's largest challenge in life is getting his knee fixed and what to cook for dinner.
The bad guy, Michelle, is such an ass, you will look forward to him getting "kill't".
Keeping it fun,
Regards,
Johnny
The rest of the book is, yawn, ho-hum. A HUGE hint as to who the murderer is, is dropped right into your lap. Pay attention, readers.
The story is a short read, mostly, through the eyes of Annabel Reed-Smith. Annabel's husband is Mackenzie, who's largest challenge in life is getting his knee fixed and what to cook for dinner.
The bad guy, Michelle, is such an ass, you will look forward to him getting "kill't".
Keeping it fun,
Regards,
Johnny
July 6, 2017
One of the best ones from Margaret Truman. Book number 16 so it's well into the background of Mac and Annabel. Interesting to learn about behind the scenes of the authenticating process although the storyline was a little uninteresting as far as what was driving the mystery. There were several potential protagonists and I was guessing until the last chapter when it became clear. I enjoy reading her mysteries, all set in Washington D.C.
September 5, 2017
As the search is on for fabled diaries and maps kept by a companion of Christopher Columbus, researchers disappear or die along the way. Gallery owner & former criminal attorney, Annabel Reed-Smith has been commissioned to do research at the Library of Congress and write an article about the possibility that the diaries and maps exist, so she is drawn into the intrigue.
Well-plotted enough to keep me reading to the end, but the writing was uneven. Enjoyable enough.
Well-plotted enough to keep me reading to the end, but the writing was uneven. Enjoyable enough.
November 6, 2017
Mac and Annabel are at it again but mostly Annabel. She has been asked to write a magazine piece on Columbus fro the Library of Congress. But she quickly learns that all is not as serene as you expect. The very obnoxious expert is secretive and a giant pain in the butt, but two days in Annabel finds him dead. A journalist is on the scene because of a theft of a Columbus related painting in Miami. Big plots and the dirty side of art is explored
January 7, 2020
It was a fun, enjoyable and easy read. I was not astonished with who do the killer was in the story but was thrown for some curves. To me some of the action was predictable and I guessed what might happen before it did. One of the things I was not a fan of was how the author described people some times, fitting their physical description and life story in a few sentences. For me it was too much information too quickly some times (usually with secondary characters).
May 1, 2022
Murder at the Library of congress Truman, Margaret 3 hist. F researcher writer goes to library of congress to do research & finds a librarian murdered by intrigue related to papers Christopher Columbus & friend Bartotome de Las casas. (lost diaries might uncover what really happened columbus- Italian or spanish Jew? treatment of native American? are they found? Killer wing to kill for it or buy it 11/26/2016 Nov-16
June 1, 2023
Mildly amusing. I like the idea of reading a book with DC as the setting, but it felt forced. The setting didn't seem that important. It could have been written about an academic library in another city. It seemed repetitive as well. Clues that were already learned or uncovered were repeated to tell other characters. It felt unnecessary. Perhaps if it was told from the perspective of a librarian at the Library of Congress it could have scratched a different itch for me?
July 7, 2024
A friend (MH) sent me this book in a box of books. I may pass it on to another friend (AC) now that I've read it.
I've gone back and forth on how to rate it. The beginning dragged for me so I'd put that at a 3 but the story got more intriguing as it progressed making it a 3.5-4.0.
I enjoyed learning some details about the Library of Congress itself. The details on Columbus weren't as intriguing for me.
I've gone back and forth on how to rate it. The beginning dragged for me so I'd put that at a 3 but the story got more intriguing as it progressed making it a 3.5-4.0.
I enjoyed learning some details about the Library of Congress itself. The details on Columbus weren't as intriguing for me.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 138 reviews