Murder at the President's Door

Eleanor Roosevelt #20

by William Harrington, Elliott Roosevelt (Creator)

Murder at the President's Door is the 20st installment in the venerable but still very spry Eleanor Roosevelt mystery series, written by no less than the First Lady's own son. In her most intriguing adventure to date, the First Lady traces an assassination attempt to the depths of Washington D. C.'s underworld. It is 1933 and the President and First Lady have just settled into the White House to face a nation in the depths of a depression and a world on the brink of war. When the body of a White House police officer is discovered at the foot of the president's bedroom door, Eleanor knows that the crime must be solved without attracting the attention of the FBI or the press. So with signature determination, the First Lady enlists the confidential aid of District of Columbia Lieutenant Edward Kennelly and trusted Secret Service agent Stanislaw Sxcygiel to help her investigate. Eleanor soon realizes someone may have been trying to assassinate the president, but it is unclear why, after stabbing the officer, the suspect didn't crash into the bedroom and finish the job. Furthermore, it appears the killer knew the White House and its routines sufficiently well, leading the First Lady to question the motives of her White House staffers and grow wary of she and the President's new surroundings. As the intrepid and charming Mrs. Roosevelt engages in her latest bit of Hawkshawing, readers are treated to all the historical re-creation and rich storytelling that have become hallmarks of the series. This satisfying wartime whodunit starring America's First Lady of Mystery is a warmly rewarding look at a fascinating era, and at a woman beloved by her family and her country-Eleanor Roosevelt.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Adult Fiction, Historical

240 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2001

About the author

William Harrington is mainly known as the author of Murder at the President’s Door, his specialty was mainly in detective stories. He was a lawyer from 1958 to 1976, an electoral adviser from 1962 to 1965 in Columbus, and finally an attorney from 1978 to 1980. His first novel The Justice Which, Which the Thief, published in 1963, received positive critics. It was a real case story about a couple of jewelry robberies in Ohio.

His other popular book was published in 1982, The English Lady, it is an espionage novel about Winston Churchill and her confidante spying on the Germans during the Second World War. Between 1993 and 1998, he wrote the Columbo series, inspired by the television series American Columbo. He Co-authored with Elliot Roosevelt on the investigations of Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the US president, Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Between 1963 and 2001, he has written over 20 interesting and captivating books.

Reviews

[Read1000books · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was so disappointing that I quit after fifty pages. When Eleanor Roosevelt's friend takes her to a bar (during Prohibition, mind you), that was unlikely enough. At which bar was J. Edgar Hoover and his gay lover. This topic (or myth depending on whom you believe) was brought up several times (strike two). But the final straw was that the bar was also a strip club and the first stripper was moonlighting then-evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson! That was enough for me. In fairness to Elliot Roosevelt, he didn't write this book, it was contracted out to another author after Elliot's death. I can hardly believe the Roosevelt family approved it. Eleanor probably wouldn't have.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first mystery I’ve read. I’ll be reading more, as this one was great. I read this to go along with my readings about FDR and the results of his presidency. I figured a work of fiction that included many real people associated with his and Eleanor’s life along with a cast of fictional characters would be very interesting. And it certainly was.

The book was written by William Harrington in 2000, completed not long before his suicide on November 8, 2000. It was based on information provided by Elliott Roosevelt before he died in 1990. As such, it includes fascinating inside information about the real people involved with the Roosevelts as well as inside information about the White House.

[Leigh · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book. Although it is fiction, I still feel like I am stepping back in time to when FDR was president and I get to peek inside the White House. A secret service agent is killed outside the president's door and Mrs. Roosevelt has to determine who the culprit - and intended victim - was. The storyline is well developed without being dreary.

[Rosie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dennis Port, MH, The Soundings Blue/Green resort book.

It is 1933 and the President and First Lady have just settled into the White House to face a nation in the depths of a depression and a world on the brink of war. When the body of a White House police officer is discovered at the foot of the president's bedroom door, Eleanor knows that the crime must be solved without attracting the attention of the FBI or the press. So with signature determination, the First Lady enlists the confidential aid of District of Columbia Lieutenant Edward Kennelly and trusted Secret Service agent Stanislaw Sxcygiel to help her investigate.

Eleanor soon realizes someone may have been trying to assassinate the president, but it is unclear why, after stabbing the officer, the suspect didn't crash into the bedroom and finish the job. Furthermore, it appears the killer knew the White House and its routines sufficiently well, leading the First Lady to question the motives of her White House staffers and grow wary of she and the President's new surroundings.

As the intrepid and charming Mrs. Roosevelt engages in her latest bit of Hawkshawing, readers are treated to all the historical re-creation and rich storytelling that have become hallmarks of the series.

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

I am thankful that I have now exhausted all the Elliott Roosevelt (or ghostwriter, William Harrington) mysteries available at my public library. I have used these as my insomnia books for the last few weeks. The historical background kept me interested while the process of solving crimes put me back to sleep. I think it's a sense of someone else figuring things out that is so good for this purpose.

It has been great getting to "know" Eleanor a little better, but the racism, misogyny, homophobia, and anti-Semitism that surrounded her were, well, deplorable. Actually, they attributed homophobia to her, too, which came up in most of the books regarding J. Edgar Hoover. He had plenty of things wrong with him, but there was hardly a mention of him where his sexuality didn't come up. There is some irony there.

There's a lot that I didn't know or had forgotten about FDR's terms. It was an easy way to be reminded of those.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

FDR and Eleanor have just moved into the White House in 1933. Many influential people are still very unhappy about his election. The media attacks are often nasty in tone.
Then a White House policeman is stabbed to death in front of the President's bedroom door. Who? Why? An assassination attempt?
Eleanor joins with a Secret Service agent and a D.C. Lieutenant to find the perpetrator and the answers.
The history in this book is from the beginning of FDR's attempt to stem the Great Depression and get the country working again. WWII may have lots of drama, but the Depression was a disaster for many Americans.
This is again an interesting slice of life revealing more about the people and events of the times. It is a fast, enjoyable book.

[Alice · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is last written book in series after the death of Elliot Roosevelt. Written by a ghost writer from his notes. Chronologically it is one of the first in the series. Writing was very different ghost author seemed to axe to grind against Roosevelts and their personal lifestyle. The language and words he used were different that what Elliot Roosevelt has used in previous books. With that said I still enjoyed a trip back in time to 1933 with the of prohibition, meeting Joseph Kennedy, Senator LaGuardia, Gloria Swanson. Quick read.

[Helenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the last book in the series and I must admit I am glad it is over. It continue to give insights of historical figures of the time and they were not all favorable. I don’t think many of our leaders of 1933 would fare favorably in the “me too” era. The mystery aspect of the story was fair and it jumped
back to the beginning of the Roosevelt presidency. Gangsters, J Edgar Hoover, Lucky Luciano, Missy LeHand (FDRs live in girl friend) as well as Lorena Hickok (Eleanor’s love) Douglas MacArthur all play a role. The series is worth reading and the books are not too long.

[Scott Drake · Rating 1 out of 5]

Of all the Eleanor Roosevelt detective novels I have read to date, this was by far the worst. This ghost writer for Elliott was trying to show how clever he thought he was by naming practically every person alive in 1933. Pathetic. On top of that, he had the terrible idea of backtracking and trying to make #20 the story of the supposed first ER novel as they move into the White House. And the solution is so deliberately convoluted to make it sound clever it results in annoyance and disgust.

Skip this one.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Much of the history is a repetition of the last book, although this one takes place in May 1933 and that one in 1943. Since Roosevelt was not inaugurated until March 4, 1933, they had been in the White House for only two months and were still finding their way. The 100 Days of legislation to help the people affected most by the depression was just getting under way. The mystery seemed far-fetched, so it was difficult to get a handle on from the get-go.

[Katherynne Boham · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mr. Roosevelt brings historical figures into his books which is something I usually enjoy. In this book, however, I had to research what he had the historical figure doing only to find there was no proof it has ever happened beyond rumors and innuendo. Mr. Roosevelt wrote it like it was an absolute truth and it was derogatory.
I just don't like it and I am done with Mr. Roosevelt's books. Plenty of other authors to try!

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#20: a White House police officer is stabbed to death outside FDR’s bedroom. Eleanor helps with the investigation of numerous slips in security making it look like an inside deal. FDR’S Private Secretary, Missy LeHand is plagued by a wealthy unwanted suitor, a General is compromised, security officers in debt and on the take, as the investigation ends in another attempt on the president’s life.

[Nancy Thormann · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very easy to read. The detecting is a bit on the weak side, but you get a good insight into what life was like in the White House in the 1930s. Describing Aimee Semple McPherson as a striptease artist is a little far fetched. I think she'd be horrified at this description of herself. Other than that, I liked this book.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although the plot of the mystery is pretty thin, this book is full of 1930s atmosphere, gossip, and name-dropping. Eleanor Roosevelt herself is not featured as prominently as she is in other books in the series.

[Sharon · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book a lot. It was a good mystery but the real draw for me is that incudes many historical references and facts including the situation with his President Roosevelt’s mistress Missy LeHand. Very interesting.

[Eden · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading about the history in this book of FDR's time in the White House. The author shared personal details of everyday life of the Roosevelts in the White House. The mystery was average. There seemed to be too much preoccupation with sex that didn't add to the story.

[Rick · Rating 5 out of 5]

An enjoyable story with I hope some truth in the characters backgrounds.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoy this series - and it always makes me want to have a martini with "FD"!

[Sandra Thierer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A continuation of the Eleanor Roosevelt Mysteries after the death of Elliott Roosevelt. A nice little mystery that seems incomprehensible in some ways but still an enjoyable read.

[Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of intrigue.

[Phoebe · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had lots of history and was an ok mystery

[Adam N.]

Murder At the President’s Door
Wait, What I Fell Asleep Reading this Book?
Why would someone kill the president’s bodyguard, but not the President? In Elliott Roosevelt’s Murder At the President’s Door Douglas Douglas has just been murdered outside of the President’s door. This book takes place in Washington D.C. The year is 1933. Some of the main characters are the detectives and Mrs. Roosevelt the president’s wife. The genre of this book is mystery. My rating of this book is be 1.2 out of 5 stars. You should not read this book because it has a lack of character development; a lack of action and a lack of making you want to read on in the story.
One of the reasons why Murder At the President’s Door is such a bad book is because it has a lack of character development. All they talk about in the book is how the detectives plan to solve the case. The character development is so bad it would be more fun to watch paint dry. One of the many examples in the story of poor character development is “…SZCZYGIEL called on the telephone. He said he and Ed Kennelly would like to talk with the first lady…‘Well …once we were in Albany I almost threw in the garbage some pheasants that had been spent as a gift to Franklin.’”(58-59) Oh my god I can’t tell you how much I could not care less about that. What they were talking about
had absolutely nothing to do with anything having any relevance to the story at all. Also, who cares about when you were in Albany and you almost threw out the pheasants. That is just one of the many poor examples of poor character development in this book.The worst part, or maybe the saddest, I read the entire book and I put up with all of this nonsense.
Another reason why Murder At the President’s Door is such a bad book is because it has a lack of action. All they do is sit around and talk to other people to check if the suspects have any criminal record. The book is so boring it is like "Today on Oprah, How to get in touch with your inter-self and why you should..... oh hear that that’s me snoring. If you think that’s boring you should read this book. An example is “Lets start with Antonio Flores. Tony is a fish wholesaler….Then there is Trent MacDougal. MacDougal owns a furniture store”(157) There was more to this quote, but I thought I had given you enough to read. In this quote the detectives are looking to see what the suspects do for a living. Now this could have been one of the most suspenseful moments in the entire story. Now I understand that this is semi important, but oh my gosh who cares what you did before you came and worked in the White House. I can tell you that for sure I don’t care. That’s another reason why I think you should not read this book.
Finally, one of the reasons why Murder At the Presidents Door is such a bad book is because it has a lack of making you want to read on. I would compare this to watching your parents play croquet. Reading this book gave me a disease. It was called boredom. One example of this book being especially dry is “The hall continued east in what was in
what was called the Center Hall. A room south of that is the president’s bedroom.”(3) this to me sums up the axiom of the entire story. Boring topic, boring plot and boring hallways. I think that this would have been a better book if there were a killer in a ski mask. I think that that would have made the book just that much better. That is why I think it does not keep your interest.
You should not read this book because it has a lack of character development; a lack of action and a lack of making you want to read on in the story. Well I’ll be honest with you and tell you that I have no personal connection to this story. But wait my personal connection to this story is not actually having a personal connection. Sometimes in my life I find that I am having a rather bland day and I try to brighten my day and others by using comedy. What I learned from doing this paper was that I need to pick out better books when I go to the library. I also need to never judge a book by its cover. Now you usually hear this when you think that the book is going to be bad and it turns out to be good. However in my case I thought that this book would be about murder and drugs, but it wasn’t. It was about hallways.
I think that I deserve a good grade on this project. The easy part in doing this project was figuring out what I wanted to make fun of. However, the hard part was finding the quotes to go with it. If I could revise this or add more I would add more quotes to show you how bad of a book it really was.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

MURDER AT THE PRESIDENT'S DOOR is book 20 in the series and as usual is a great mystery. It's 1933 and President Roosevelt is still new to the office when the body of a White House policeman is found in front of his bedroom door. Once again the reader will discover the poor security that exist in the White House during this time. First Lady Eleanor suspects someone is out to kill the President and brings in the Secret Service and DC Police to get to the bottom of things.

The characters the reader meets in this book makes for fascinating reading, Gen Douglas MacArthur, Dutch Schultz, Oliver Wendell Holmes, Justice Brandeis, County Commissioner Harry Truman, Louis Armstrong and Joe Kennedy all make an appearance. The history is rich and exciting and the murder investigation is riveting. This series is fantastic and there are plenty more books to go.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I didn't think the writing was as good in this book of the series about Eleanor Roosevelt. Since the author had died, another person apparently wrote or finished Elliott Roosevelt 's book. It was disappointing because of the stiffness of the writing and the different tone from other books in the series. I also thought this book seemed out of order and older mentioning the beginning of FDR's presidency, not following the time line established in the other books I have read. Some of the First Lady's escapades in this book seemed out of character for her. It was not my favorite book.

[Arlene · Rating 5 out of 5]

A period piece staring Eleanor Roosevelt in the White House in 1933. It is fascinating to read about the goings on in Washington early in FDR's first term in office during the height of the depression. It was a very different world than now. The author has a unique insight into that world since he was the son of FDR and Eleanor.

[Fredrick Danysh]

Elliot Roosevelt has written a score of mysteries about his mother and the White House. In this one Mrs. Roosevelt calls on DC Police Lieutenant Edward Kennedy and Secret Service agent Stanislaw Szcygiel for help when a body is found at the president's bedroom door in 1933. This is an enjoyable read.

[Amy · Rating 2 out of 5]

I learned some history (mostly that FDR was a philandering ass)....but the mystery was weak and Eleanor wasn't really the detective. She just popped in every now and then and asked the real detectives a questions that made them go do something. Not a great read.

[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.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was great! I picked up 6 books at the Calais Free Library bookstore and the hard covers were only $1 each. Great bang for my buck! I love reading about the underside of DC. Great fun!

[Julie Meis · Rating 2 out of 5]

More like a short story, written at about the eighth-grade level.