Murder at the National Cathedral

Capital Crimes #10

by Margaret Truman

Murder didn't stop Mac Smith and Annabel Reed from falling in love, or from getting married at the glorious church on the hill in Washington, D.C., the National Cathedral. But the brutal murder of a friend drags them from their newlywed bliss into an unholy web of intrigue and danger. The body is found in the cathedral. There are scant clues and no suspects. And to further complicate matters, a parallel crime is committed at a church in England's Cotswolds, where the honeymooners have recently been visitors. Across the sea go the Smiths again, and straight into the center of an ungodly plot of secret agents, a playboy priest, a frustrated lover, a choleric cleric . . . and a murder so perfect it's a sin.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Suspense, Adult, Thriller

338 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1990

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

[Richa · Rating 2 out of 5]

The author seems to have been 'inspired' by the Perry Mason series. The premise of the series is same -- a lawyer-cum-investigator, a female sidekick and staunch supporter, a male private detective-cum-friend working to solve a crime and successfully defend in court.

Although, it is fine to be 'inspired' and at times it creates something really beautiful (Hercule Poirot-Sherlock Homes), but here, I wasn't impressed by the inspiration.
I can appreciate that the author tried to make this racier (clear romance between Smith and Mrs Smith) and more interesting (arranging the murders in World Famous Monuments), but, well, it still comes across as a doppleganger than anything else... At times I had to check if it was a mystery book or a tourism literature, considering the amount of space and detail given to describing the architecture!
It is an ok-ok read. If asked to pick up a Perry Mason or Mackensie Smith, I would pick Perry Mason anyday.

[Liesl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first of her books that I read. The story is set in Washington DC, as the main characters get married and then the priest who marries them gets murdered. Definitely some conspiracy theory in this book, which I always find interesting to ponder, if not to wonder about. Easy to read, not so complex that you are confused by the number of characters or what is going on with them. I enjoyed it a lot. This has lead to me to take out several more of her books. Hopefully I will enjoy them just as much.

[Madisen · Rating 3 out of 5]

A customer brought me two of their favorite books from this series and it was fun to read. They work as standalone books, so they don't need to be read in order. Murder mysteries like this always make me think of Clue (the movie), especially when someone is murdered via candlestick.

I would recommend this to someone looking for an easy-to-read whodunnit, anyone who enjoys classic archetypes, and to people who are into sexy priests.

[Geri · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have read Margaret Truman before but
for some reason this book just didn't hold
my interest.

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I chose this book for several reasons. One was that I grew up in Washington, D.C. and have spent untold hours in the National Cathedral since the early 1960s. Yep, I'm that old. Anyway, it has been fascinating watching the Cathedral's construction over the decades. Both of my children were baptized in the Cathedral--one in the chapel where the murder in this book occurred. Another reason is that I have never read a book by Margaret Truman and I have been curious about her books set in Washington. Lastly, this book satisfied the Washington, D.C. setting for the mystery challenge that I'm involved in. That said, I doubt that I will be reading any more Margaret Truman books. I enjoyed the location of the story--the Cathedral, Foggy Bottom, and George Washington University, but the plot was thin and the characters were not very well developed. Also, being familiar with the Cathedral, the errors contained in the book drove me crazy. Truman referred frequently to the pews in both the Nave and in the Chapels. There aren't any pews, there are chairs. Also, she wrote about windows that could be opened in one of the chapels--really Margaret?--and about details in some of the chapels that don't exist. Other than that, the information about D.C. and the Cathedral was interesting and brought back many memories. An easy read, but fluffy.

[Tushar · Rating 4 out of 5]

With me being a guy who turns to books only when he needs to refresh and recharge his mind, this was the perfect match. The manner in which the characters and the plot have been depicted in the book is so fluent and so fantastic that you will find it hard to get away from the book once you start reading it. The language in which the National Cathedral is described is both subtle and sultry at the same time.It seemed to me as if the whole crime scene is taking place in front of my eyes and from the beginning till the end the set of suspects remains large enough to add a lot of vigor to the story. I would recommend this book to anyone who likes reading crime fiction.

[Danielle Gonzalez · Rating 4 out of 5]

These books are usually standalone books, so they don't need to be read in order. Additionally, they usually don't carry forward the same characters. I have been reading them in order, just because. This book brought back the characters from the last book. You still don't have to read them in order, but it was nice to see the characters again.

[Gail · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, light reading but very formulaic. If you are looking for escapism it serves the purpose.

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was fluff, no two ways about it. Overall, it was decent, though the end was a bit abrupt. Still, a fairly enjoyable light read just to relax.

[Alicen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyable enough murder mystery set in the National Cathedral, one of my favorite places to visit in DC.

[Ami Morrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Newlyweds Mac Smith & Annabel Reed find themselves caught up in two remarkably similar murders: one in Washington D.C.’s glorious National Cathedral & the other in a village church in England’s Cotswold region."

I will be 100% honest with you. I bought this audiobook because Rene Auberjonois narrated it.

Murder at the National Cathedral is from a series I had never heard of before. A series based on capital crimes in Washington D.C. isn’t really my type of thing. Even though this book was 10 books in to a series, I had no problem following along with the murder mystery part of the book, but I was a little confused by a side plot about a movement called World of Peace. It seemed to take up a lot of the story but ended up having nothing to do with the main murder. :/ Maybe because my audiobook was abridged, and I didn’t get the full story…? It just felt like there were a lot of set up that didn’t really amount to anything other then to be distracting. It was kind of vague and there was a lot of time spent talking about it without really getting any details about why it was a big deal or what was wrong with it. Also, when we got to the end and it was to be revealed who the murder was and why they did it… it happened so fast it felt kind of like too abrupt of an end. Sometimes it felt like the author wanted to just show off how well she knew locations in D.C. instead of making a tight plot with a captivating story. It wasn’t a terrible story, but it feels kind of like forgettable fluff. It had potential but just didn’t get there.

Rene’s performance narrating the story was top notch. He really has such a great voice. It’s soothing yet commanding. Rene really is a talented actor. I think I could listen to him read anything and it would sound good. I doubt I would have liked this story as much as I did if someone else had been narrating it.

Murder at the National Cathedral was ok. Too many vague false starts kept it from reach it’s full potential. Not a terrible book thanks to the performance by Rene Auberjonois. Mostly just kind of meh.

[Martha Patterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

A recent visit to the National Cathedral inspired me to re read Murder at the National Cathedral. The story opens with the wedding at the Chapel of the Nativity, of Mackenzie Smith and Annabel Reed, partners in crime solving, despite their day jobs as a law professor and gallery owner. A few weeks later, the priest who officiated their wedding is found in the Good Shepard Chapel, brutally murdered. Mac and Annabel's delayed honeymoon to London becomes a sluething trip...with not a lot of honeymooning...or even time together. The story reveals many moving parts and motives...the angry choir master, the pompous clergyman, a world peace organization with some shady characters thrown in. And of course, theres always a female seductress! It does leave you guessing though....I didn't have a clear idea whodunnit til the end.
First published in 1990, the story is a bit dated...pay phones were a thing! Beyond that though, are subtle but cringeworthy racist and sexist descriptions, that add nothing to to the plot. Truman has a dencency to delve too deeply into the descriptions of characters attire. Having recently been to the cathedral, I would've liked a little more description and back story of the cathedral itself. Truman's stories are always a great quick read. Though not one of her best, it is a page turner.

[Les · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I read by this author. It is a simple plot. Paul Singletary a Episcopal priest who was murdered at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC. Mackensie Smith who is a professor of law at George Washington University. He had his own law practice, but gave it up when his wife and only son was killed by a drunk driver. He was asked to investigate the murder and if it was done by a member of the church to defend that person, he declined to defend the criminal, but will help with the investigation. Paul Singletary was one of the primarily members of the Word of Peace. Was one of members of this organization did the crime. Paul Singletary also performed his second marriage.
We also have MI5 investigating the crime. A priest in England is also killed the same way. Mack and his wife were in England at the time and he found the body. His new wife is almost killed by a women who was chasing her on Horseback.
The book is a fast read and if you enjoy mysteries, you will enjoy this book. The characters are great and very interesting,

[Scott Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

You can read the synopsis in a variety of places, so I'll not cover that here.

Not Truman's strongest book. While I was intrigued with the set-up, there is too much waffling around on the story direction. It's obvious from the start that the boy saw someone connected to the first murder, and yet she chose to ignore that character until much later in the game. Furthermore, for the ending she provides, again there is much ado about nothing as there were so many false starts it was impossible to NOT figure out at least the motive, if not the doers.

You might want to read this after its 'prequel' which introduces the two main sleuths, who met in it and start be getting married in this one. Perhaps it's the curiosity of them and their relationship that is supposed to carry this tale to its conclusion. Drudging my way through until the end was like dragging a body across a chapel ...

[Jean Browne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another quick read, but I do enjoy the Capital Hill series. This murder takes place in Washington’s National Cathedral. A young priest is murdered at the cathedral and shortly thereafter another murder with eerily similar circumstances occurs in London. The two crimes are linked due to the relationship between the two priests. But, MI5, the CIA, FBI, and Naval Intelligence are quite interested as well.
Detective Mac Smith, and his new bride Annabel Reed, who just got married at the Cathedral, find themselves caught up in the thick of the action and perhaps a bit closer to murder then they want.
The quick, easy pace of this book, along with likable characters, ensure a fun read. Probably not really a 4 star, but definitely a 3.5.

[Kim · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5 raised to 3 stars - This was the third book that I've read in this series, by this author (and additionally one by Donald Bain, who continued the series after her death.) The series is fine, but it's not one that inspires more than an occasional reading. I enjoy the sense of setting, both in Washington, D.C. and London, England. There's always political intrigue, although rarely on a national level (more often local D.C. politics or international) and some kind of international travel. I might pick up one or two more of these, especially since there is yet a third writer who has carried on the series, just to see where it goes.

[David Hibberd · Rating 5 out of 5]

A reverend is murdered. A choir boy saw someone in the area. "Mac" Smith is drawn into the case because of his association with the murdered reverend and the church's Bishop. While Mac and his new wife, Annabel, are on honeymoon in London, Mac discovers the body of another reverend murdered in a similar manner. Both reverends know each other and are associated with Word of Peace, an organization devoted to helping the needy around the world. Suspects include two other reverends, the choir director, a love interest of the first murder victim and a Word of Peace member who happens to be a known assassin. There are also CIA and MI5 connections.
A great read that keeps you guessing.

[Patsygermany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book started off with a priest being murdered in the National Cathedral in Washington D.C. Soon after another priest was murdered in the same exact way in England. Both priests were active in a program to help the poor and needy. You will change your mind several times about who was the murderer and the reason for the act. Mac and Annabel Smith from another book are involved in this one also.

[LeAnne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't dislike it, but it's not one of her best. Kind of slow getting started but the suspense finally built with several characters to pick from for the murderer. A little international intrigue involving religious affiliations in England, but Baldacci it's not. The last part of the story was more about what makes people act the way they do, psychologically. There were some likeable and some very unlikeable characters. The book was okay, but she has written better later ones.

[Libraryassistant · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve come to the conclusion that I mainly like Margaret Truman books when they have Mac Smith as the protagonist/detective.
Law professor and former attorney— he’s intelligent, cultured, often compassionate, and has some ethical standards. He and Annabel have a fun relationship based on mutual respect. In this one they get married (not a spoiler, it’s on the book jacket).
And I didn’t guess the solution to this.

[Helenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

Annabel and Mac Smith are on another worldly adventure with murders to solve. This one is focused on a murder of a priest in the National Cathedral. The death is soon linked to another similar murder in a small town in the Cotswalds in England. The murders have ties to a nefarious supposedly great world wide organization. The suspect (s) are not determined until the end of the book. Description of the National Cathedral is good--makes me want to visit.

[Janet Balliet]

Mac & Annabel are back & getting married at the National Cathedral! Before they go on their honeymoon, the priest who married them is murdered at the Good Shepard chapel. The bishop calls Mac. He starts investigating even on his honeymoon in England! He finds another priest dead an English chapel. Annabel is threatened by a rider on a horse. After returning home, several suspects are interviewed. In the end, it was a love triangle that was the root of the US murder.

[Caleigh O'Shea]

This would've been better/clearer if there had been an illustration of the National Cathedral at the front of the book. Those of us who've never been inside would then have an idea what chapel lies where. And a small glossary at the front would have been helpful, too. Some of us aren't familiar with terms like transept, rochet,and chimere.

[Alyssa Marie · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best mystery thriller novel I've read. It was really hard contemplating who the murderer is and I kind of expected that "that person" is the one, but the book played some other games and so I left again as clueless as I am, wondering who did it. Anyways, the former first daughter definitely did a great job writing it. Sad to know that Margaret passed away already.

[Carolyn (in SC) C234D · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first of this author's books that I have read. Shortly after Mac and Annabel Smith were married, the priest who performed the ceremony was found murdered. A similar crime is committed in England. Are they related? Not a bad mystery.

[Christopher Ramsay · Rating 3 out of 5]

A slowly evolving story of murder in the National Cathedral. In my opinion, not one of her better stories. Though we do see further development of some of her main characters, Mackenzie Smith, Annabel Smith, and Tony Buffolino.

[Kathy Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s kind of fun taking a book set in the city you are visiting on your trip. I went to the March for our Lives in DC last weekend and took Truman’s book with me. It didn’t disappoint. The mystery was decent but a bit unraveled for me. I only wish we’d visited the Cathedral on this trip!

[Carfig · Rating 2 out of 5]

Thought I'd try this because it's set at the National Cathedral. Too much description of the cathedral itself and a lot of detailed description about food being eaten and what color the car was. Skimmed a lot.

[Becca Harris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I looked into this book before I read it and made sure that I did not have to read them in any type of order. This is a good read. Quick read as well, it took me hardly any time at all. The plot twist at the end is really good and it is well written. Cannot wait to read more of this series!

[Mo Winograd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clever and Engaging

This mystery was both clever with multiple stories going on that tied together and engaging because of development of many different characters. A good read that kept you guessing until the end.