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Washington Whodunit #8
Lethal Legacies
It's springtime in Washington, D.C. and congressional staffer Kit Marshall has more on her plate than she can handle. With her boss campaigning for an open U.S. Senate seat, Kit is left to run the office in her absence and manage a new week long American history extravaganza filled with high-profile events, lectures, and receptions.
When the Director of the Capitol Visitor's Center ends up dead, Kit springs into action to clear a longtime friend, who becomes the prime suspect in the murder. With her best pal Meg pressuring her to solve the mystery quickly, Kit must figure out how to navigate her closest relationships while keeping an eye out for the diabolical killer.
The investigation takes Kit across the city to famous locations, including Georgetown University, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the White House.
When the killer strikes a second time, the pressure to solve the crimes intensifies. Has our favorite Capitol Hill sleuth finally met her match? In the end, Kit learns the hard way that history tends to repeat itself, often with deadly consequences.
When the Director of the Capitol Visitor's Center ends up dead, Kit springs into action to clear a longtime friend, who becomes the prime suspect in the murder. With her best pal Meg pressuring her to solve the mystery quickly, Kit must figure out how to navigate her closest relationships while keeping an eye out for the diabolical killer.
The investigation takes Kit across the city to famous locations, including Georgetown University, the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, and the White House.
When the killer strikes a second time, the pressure to solve the crimes intensifies. Has our favorite Capitol Hill sleuth finally met her match? In the end, Kit learns the hard way that history tends to repeat itself, often with deadly consequences.
- GenresMystery Thriller
255 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 9, 2022
4 people are currently reading
86 people want to read
About the author
Colleen J. Shogan
9 books632 followersColleen Shogan has been reading mysteries since the age of six. She conceived of the plot of “Stabbing in the Senate” one morning while taking a walk in her suburban Washington, D.C. neighborhood. Her Washington Whodunit series is published by Camel Press, with "Stabbing in the Senate" making its debut in 2015. In April 2016, "Stabbing in the Senate" won first place in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards for the Mystery Category. Her sequel was "Homicide in the House" followed by "Calamity at the Continental Club."
A political scientist by training, Colleen has taught American politics at Yale, George Mason University, Georgetown, and Penn. She previously worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative staffer in the United States Senate and as the Deputy Director of the Congressional Research Service. She's now a senior executive at the Library of Congress, working on terrific programs such as the National Book Festival. Colleen lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Rob and their beagle mutt Conan.
Photo credit: Glen Fuhrmeister, GF Photography
A political scientist by training, Colleen has taught American politics at Yale, George Mason University, Georgetown, and Penn. She previously worked on Capitol Hill as a legislative staffer in the United States Senate and as the Deputy Director of the Congressional Research Service. She's now a senior executive at the Library of Congress, working on terrific programs such as the National Book Festival. Colleen lives in Arlington, Virginia with her husband Rob and their beagle mutt Conan.
Photo credit: Glen Fuhrmeister, GF Photography
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
August 20, 2022
Dollycas’s Thoughts
With her boss on the campaign trail Kit Marshall is in charge of Congresswoman Dixon’s office in D.C. At the present time, the heaviest thing on her plate is managing a week-long American History Festival – Spring into History. The big draw is an outdoor display of the Lincoln catafalque. The rest of the festival will feature lectures, receptions, and other high-profile events. As Kit juggles a bunch of balls in the air she is leaving a lot to the office’s intern to handle and she is doing a great job.
As Kit and her friend Meg arrive at the outdoor tent on the north side of the Library of Congress to check on the catafalque, they notice the black cloth is not lying flat. When Kit pulls the cloth away she finds a dead body on top of the catafalque. Someone has killed the Director of the Capitol Visitor’s Center and left her covered to hide the crime. The Capitol Police who were guarding the tent have no explanation but Kit and Meg realize Trevor went to the tent the evening before to drop off the programs. He also had a verbal altercation with the director. Meg demands Kit investigate the death as she has done before and clear Trevor.
When the killer strikes a second time Kit is feeling pressure and she travels all around Capital Hill to find the killer. This could be the first case she doesn’t solve and there is a clear and present danger that she could be the next victim.
Colleen Shogan wraps up her Washington Whodunit Series in a powerful way.
Kit Marshall has been a strong protagonist from the start. Marrying Doug made her even stronger. Meg and Trevor are dating which I still have trouble believing it but they seem to be made for each other. I was glad to see Kit’s brother back in this final book too. All Ms. Shogan’s characters really developed over the course of the series. She leaves them all in a good place as their stories end.
The mystery in the book was complicated. I did push someone to the top of my personal suspect list but couldn’t come up with a motive. I enjoyed following along with Kit as she sorted through all the clues. Kit was still working on her theories and it almost got her killed. I will say that the corkscrew twist at the end and the showdown setting were very impressive.
Colleen Shogan writes about what she knows. A political scientist she has worked on Capital Hill and the Library of Congress. Just this month she has been nominated by President Biden to be the U.S. Archivist. All her knowledge brings real authenticity to every book in this series.
Lethal Legacies is a whodunit that takes readers on a trip to several D.C. monuments, museums, and restaurants. It has really wishing I could take another trip there soon.
I have loved this series from the start and I highly recommend every one of them. Each story is filled with wonderful characters, and top-notch mysteries, set in a place we all should visit several times in real life. Lethal Legacies brings the series to a close in a perfect way making it another Perfect Escape.
With her boss on the campaign trail Kit Marshall is in charge of Congresswoman Dixon’s office in D.C. At the present time, the heaviest thing on her plate is managing a week-long American History Festival – Spring into History. The big draw is an outdoor display of the Lincoln catafalque. The rest of the festival will feature lectures, receptions, and other high-profile events. As Kit juggles a bunch of balls in the air she is leaving a lot to the office’s intern to handle and she is doing a great job.
As Kit and her friend Meg arrive at the outdoor tent on the north side of the Library of Congress to check on the catafalque, they notice the black cloth is not lying flat. When Kit pulls the cloth away she finds a dead body on top of the catafalque. Someone has killed the Director of the Capitol Visitor’s Center and left her covered to hide the crime. The Capitol Police who were guarding the tent have no explanation but Kit and Meg realize Trevor went to the tent the evening before to drop off the programs. He also had a verbal altercation with the director. Meg demands Kit investigate the death as she has done before and clear Trevor.
When the killer strikes a second time Kit is feeling pressure and she travels all around Capital Hill to find the killer. This could be the first case she doesn’t solve and there is a clear and present danger that she could be the next victim.
Colleen Shogan wraps up her Washington Whodunit Series in a powerful way.
Kit Marshall has been a strong protagonist from the start. Marrying Doug made her even stronger. Meg and Trevor are dating which I still have trouble believing it but they seem to be made for each other. I was glad to see Kit’s brother back in this final book too. All Ms. Shogan’s characters really developed over the course of the series. She leaves them all in a good place as their stories end.
The mystery in the book was complicated. I did push someone to the top of my personal suspect list but couldn’t come up with a motive. I enjoyed following along with Kit as she sorted through all the clues. Kit was still working on her theories and it almost got her killed. I will say that the corkscrew twist at the end and the showdown setting were very impressive.
Colleen Shogan writes about what she knows. A political scientist she has worked on Capital Hill and the Library of Congress. Just this month she has been nominated by President Biden to be the U.S. Archivist. All her knowledge brings real authenticity to every book in this series.
Lethal Legacies is a whodunit that takes readers on a trip to several D.C. monuments, museums, and restaurants. It has really wishing I could take another trip there soon.
I have loved this series from the start and I highly recommend every one of them. Each story is filled with wonderful characters, and top-notch mysteries, set in a place we all should visit several times in real life. Lethal Legacies brings the series to a close in a perfect way making it another Perfect Escape.
September 14, 2022
I have read many of the books in this series, and I’ve enjoyed them all. This one is a setting with Kit overseeing a festivity on her own. Of course while she’s in charge, she and Meg find a body. What kind of cozy mystery would this be without a body? Unfortunately, Trevor, a part of their team and now a person of Meg’s affection, has had a shouting match with the now deceased. You can easily imagine who the capitol police have their eye on.
This is another enjoyable cozy mystery by Colleen Shogan. I was hard on this series at first. I felt the characters were shallow, discussing what to wear more than any clues. I called it a sort of Nancy Drew mystery in a political setting. But Shogan seems to have matured her characters with each book. It’s a very readable, visible change, and I’ve enjoyed it. I will still say this could also be read by younger people. It is as clean as can be, not always easy to find. I have a feeling most of what Shogan has written will be that way. I most certainly hope we see more of her books again.
This is another enjoyable cozy mystery by Colleen Shogan. I was hard on this series at first. I felt the characters were shallow, discussing what to wear more than any clues. I called it a sort of Nancy Drew mystery in a political setting. But Shogan seems to have matured her characters with each book. It’s a very readable, visible change, and I’ve enjoyed it. I will still say this could also be read by younger people. It is as clean as can be, not always easy to find. I have a feeling most of what Shogan has written will be that way. I most certainly hope we see more of her books again.
September 23, 2022
History is one of my favorite subjects, so all of the historical facts filling this book were very interesting to me. The main character, Kit, has a lot going on. She’s so busy, and most people would have a nervous breakdown trying to keep up with her schedule. As she’s working non-stop for the history extravaganza, the author shares so much information about the layout of DC and each buildings architecture and when it was built.
As a reader, I really wish I could be there and see all the interesting sites that she’s describing. When there is one of the fellow presenters found murdered, Kit is also expected to help the police by solving the crime. She would make a wonderful detective, but prefers her day job. When another murder occurs, it really seems to be connected to murder number one.
I like the style of writing and love that it’s a great cozy mystery. US history lovers will want to read this one!
Ivoluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
As a reader, I really wish I could be there and see all the interesting sites that she’s describing. When there is one of the fellow presenters found murdered, Kit is also expected to help the police by solving the crime. She would make a wonderful detective, but prefers her day job. When another murder occurs, it really seems to be connected to murder number one.
I like the style of writing and love that it’s a great cozy mystery. US history lovers will want to read this one!
Ivoluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book which I received from the author. All views expressed are only my honest opinion.
September 14, 2022
I have read several of the DC mysteries by Colleen Shogan. They are suspenseful, entertaining, and feature a bit of clean romance.
Lethal Legacies is the latest in the series. I feel like each can be read independently, but I think reading them in order enhances the experience.
This time, congressional staffer Kit Marshall is on her own coordinating an American History event. Naturally, a dead body shows up, causing chaos and shattered nerves.
Kit's investigation takes us on an in-depth tour of important places in Washington, DC.
The characters are fully developed, and the plot lines build tension. The settings are richly described making feel you are right there with the characters.
This is a great addition to the series and a quick reading book.
I don't think you will be disappointed if you are a fan of cozy mystery whodunit!
I received a digital copy of the book for a virtual book tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
Lethal Legacies is the latest in the series. I feel like each can be read independently, but I think reading them in order enhances the experience.
This time, congressional staffer Kit Marshall is on her own coordinating an American History event. Naturally, a dead body shows up, causing chaos and shattered nerves.
Kit's investigation takes us on an in-depth tour of important places in Washington, DC.
The characters are fully developed, and the plot lines build tension. The settings are richly described making feel you are right there with the characters.
This is a great addition to the series and a quick reading book.
I don't think you will be disappointed if you are a fan of cozy mystery whodunit!
I received a digital copy of the book for a virtual book tour. This review is my honest, unbiased opinion.
September 30, 2022
Another entertaining mystery from Washington. I have enjoyed Kit as she solved murders while doing her job in D.C. I loved the idea that this came full circle in the series. The clues were there to see (I did guess the murderer halfway through the book, very much not the usual for me), but I could not have foreseen the connections. The secondary characters were quite the family, supporting each other even when suspicion was cast upon them. The story was rich with history and detailed descriptions of the buildings and such throughout the story.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Read
November 3, 2023Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
A Washington Whodunit
Miniseries
A Washington Whodunit
September 9, 2022
Congressional staffer Kit Marshall’s boss Congresswoman Maeve Dixon is running for an open seat in the senate and while she is out on a campaign tour Kit is left in charge while she is away.
Kit is getting things ready for the Spring into History exhibition. When Kit arrives at the exhibition before it is scheduled to start making a last-minute walk-through to make sure everything is in order she finds the director of the Capitol Visitor’s Center, Bev Taylor's body.
When a friend of Kit’s becomes a suspect she puts on her sleuthing cap and starts looking for the one who did the deed. Did her friend do the deed? Who did do the deed? Kit’s investigation takes her on a journey around the city to different historical places.
The action steps up when another body is found. Is Kit’s friend responsible for this death as well? Lethal Legacies is sort of a slow burn kind of mystery as it likes to hold on to its secrets revealing them slowly while you are hanging on racing to the end to see who the real culprit may be.
If you like a good mystery then I highly suggest that you grab your copy of Lethal Legacies today!
Kit is getting things ready for the Spring into History exhibition. When Kit arrives at the exhibition before it is scheduled to start making a last-minute walk-through to make sure everything is in order she finds the director of the Capitol Visitor’s Center, Bev Taylor's body.
When a friend of Kit’s becomes a suspect she puts on her sleuthing cap and starts looking for the one who did the deed. Did her friend do the deed? Who did do the deed? Kit’s investigation takes her on a journey around the city to different historical places.
The action steps up when another body is found. Is Kit’s friend responsible for this death as well? Lethal Legacies is sort of a slow burn kind of mystery as it likes to hold on to its secrets revealing them slowly while you are hanging on racing to the end to see who the real culprit may be.
If you like a good mystery then I highly suggest that you grab your copy of Lethal Legacies today!
March 4, 2023
C minus.
Weird, obvious plot.
Word choice: often the synonym for the right word, rather than the right word.
Almost as if it were written by AI.
Weird, obvious plot.
Word choice: often the synonym for the right word, rather than the right word.
Almost as if it were written by AI.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews