Murder at Midnight

Eleanor Roosevelt #16

by Elliott Roosevelt

Judge Horace Blackwell is found stabbed to death in his room at the Executive Mansion, and Sara Carter, a black maid, is summarily arrested. Faced with the steamy facts of Blackwell's private life--his mob connections and the related death of a speakeasy bouncer--Eleanor finds suspects and motives aplenty. It takes sharp wits and common sense to solve a crime while serving tea to the ladies of the crusade for decency, but can Eleanor save Sara from the electric chair--and save Washington from a cunning killer?

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery

286 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

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

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

1933 - FDR has just started his first term and everyone is still getting used to the White House. Eleanor gets involved in solving the murder of a judge who is staying in the White House to help keep the scandal done. I felt like I was getting an inside look at the White House and the beginning of this presidency. The mystery definitely kept me guessing and because it was a different era I will allow that when confronted the killer was so quick to tell everything instead of lawyering up right away. The writing style was a little older which made it a little slower of a read but still enjoyable.

[Joan · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was one published after the author's death. I don't know who is ghost writing them but they seem to think extra attention to sex will make the book sell. Elliot had no problem with sex but he treated it carefully and kept the mores of the time in his mind. A lot of this seemed unnecessary. To be fair, I read it to the end but there wasn't much that was new, and no new information about the times such as changes in the way women were accepted into the workplace, etc. I wish these families would just let series END when the author dies off. I guess they ran through royalties fast enough they need the money which doesn't say much for the economic sense of the remaining family.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Roosevelts are busy dealing with the Great Depression. As past of this they brought people with them as a presidential think tank to come up with ways to combat the financial chaos. Judge Horace Blackwell is one of these men and is staying in a suite in the White House until he is found dead.
Eleanor is again on the trail as she refuses to believe the black maid is the culprit. The police are only too eager to stamp Closed on the file and send off a colored girl to jail or worse.
As Eleanor finds out, Judge Blackwell wasn't quite what FDR thought he was.
This mystery like the others in this series is filled with history and observations about the people in Washington, D.C. at the time. It is an easy and enjoyable book to read.

[Maria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although I continue to enjoy the history more than the mystery, this one has a lot of both, and very enjoyable it was, too. Set in 1932 just after the Roosevelts have moved into the White House, several events occur, including the passage of the National Industrial Recovery Act and the creation of FDR's brain trust to help him find ways to deal with the depression. Prohibition is still in effect, but repeal is not far off. Mrs. Roosevelt is getting used to the White House and learning to make her views known. The characters are interesting, and the murder opens an investigation that brings many indiscretions and illegal activities to light. The wrap-up was a surprise, and the epilogue even more so.

[Nancy]

A book that takes place at the White House, in the 1930s, with interesting political discussions and civil discourse, just made me sad. The First Lady becomes involved in a murder investigation on the premises, and really cares about seeking the truth and obtaining justice. President Roosevelt enjoys press interviews and answering questions. Not that this time period was all great; after all, the black maid is automatically accused of the crime. But, the current political atmosphere makes me yearn for the more respectful previous ones and just ruined reading a White House book for me.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#18: Murder of a Federal Judge in his White House suite across the hall from the President’s rooms causes concerts about security, a young black maid is the first suspect but Eleanor refuses to allow her to be a scapegoat. Search of the Judge’s rooms reveals he had had sex in the half hour before his death and that he was into kinky sex, preferably with young married women. Fast read.

[Martha Groeber · Rating 3 out of 5]

I figured out who the murderer was halfway through the book. I kept thinking that I must be following red herrings, but no. It was exactly who I thought it would be and why. It's always fun following Eleanor Roosevelt through an investigation, but the surprises were not here for me.

[Tommie Nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

An important judge is found in his White House bedroom with multiple stab wounds. However, it quickly appears that the judge wasn't as straight as everyone thought. A wild romp with multiple possible murder suspects shows that everyone, even judges have something to hide.

[Carol Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an enjoyable series, if somewhat unrealistic.

[Janet Mahlum · Rating 3 out of 5]

An easy read, a fun book to read, lots of intimate details about Eleanor and FDR. I don't think it would be possible for a reader to guess who did it.

[Theresa Lange · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good fun!

[Scott Drake · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not bad. It felt a little melodramatic at times. Too many suspects with uncreative motives.

[Livia · Rating 5 out of 5]

An outstanding mystery written by the son of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt! This is Book 16 in the series where the First Lady Eleanor is the sleuth. There's plenty of history in this one and the story takes place during the early days of FDR's first term. The couple is still getting use to running a country that is mired in prohibition and a financial depression when one of the President's "brain trust" members is murdered in his room in the Executive Wing of the White House. The deceased is Judge Horace Blackwell and while he may be considered a sharp cookie by FDR, turns out he is really the scum of the earth. A black maid is accused of the murder and the First Lady sets out to prove to the Secret Service and the DC Police that they have the wrong person in custody.

I enjoy this series so much and readers you should know that the books in this series were not released in order. I started reading this series in the late 90s and to date I've read only five and none in order. It doesn't matter, if you know your history you can pick up on the timeframe and what's going on in the world. These books are very hard to find in stores and it's taken a while for me to find the ones I have for a reasonable price.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

. (Note: Elliott Roosevelt, son of FDR and Eleanor, died in 1990. Apparently Elliott left a number of unpublished manuscripts (there are at least 20 books in this series) This book was published in 1997 by his two step-children from his 5th and last wife. The children adopted the Roosevelt last name.) Set in the first year of FDR’s presidency it revolves around the murder of one of FDR’s “Brain Trust” members who was staying in the White House. The immediate chief suspect was a black maid who came running out of the room where the murder had been committed. Eleanor Roosevelt, however, was not convinced of her guilt and worked with the White House security head and the DC police to investigate the murder. Although total fiction, the author works in many details of life in the White House in the early 1930s. A good, not great, mystery, of interest mostly because of the “behind the scenes” glimpse of life in the White House during those important times.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I find it fun to read this series as Elliott mixes events and news worthy items that took place during the time of the Roosevelt administration. Its intriguing to see he uses them in his murder mysteries. I find myself looking up many of the famous people mentioned in the book to find out who they were and what they were famous for.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this book interesting with several shady characters and several well known persons of that time. There were twists and turns in the story to keep the reader guessing. As usual, the first lady got involved and with her organization and observation skills and empathy for those falsely accused, she played a large part in solving the murders.

[J. Ewbank · Rating 4 out of 5]

Actually, was not sure what to expect when I began reading this book. Had read some of them by Margaret Truman, but not Elliott. It was surprisingly very good and I enjoyed it.

J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the 'Isms'"

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

These mysteries are excellent. I love how the author brings in all the history of the time. In this book, it's 1933 and everyone from baseball players to outspoken politicains are meeting at the Whitehouse. Great read.

[Michell Karnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Murder at Midnight continued with the style and fun plot of murder that Elliot Roosevelt brings. These books are quick and somewhat predictable but I do enjoy them. I love the historical aspects that pop in such as Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower being present at a dinner at the White House.

[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.

[Lesley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A fun book to read, relaxing but interesting.

[Jemera Rone · Rating 4 out of 5]

Eleanor Roosevelt solves this mystery at the same time as lkving in the White House and receiving notables of the time, such as Gertrude Stein.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a pretty 'meh' read. The story was interesting enough, the concept of Eleanor Roosevelt solving crimes, cool, but something about the style of writing just didn't work for me.

[Charles · Rating 5 out of 5]

An older novel, well written.