Murder in the Map Room

Eleanor Roosevelt #17

by Elliott Roosevelt

A delightful combination of history and mystery, the Eleanor Roosevelt novels bring readers back in time as our most beloved First Lady scours the nation's capital for clues, while crossing paths with many of her famous contemporaries.

Abroad there is war-at home there is murder...

While World War II rages on, the White House is aflutter with preparations, awaiting the visit of Madame Chiang Kai-shek, beautiful wife of China's leader and a well-loved celebrity both at home and in the States. Escorting the powerful woman around the Capital City, Eleanor must balance Madame's nationalistic demands with the good of the United States. But diplomacy is made in the President's top-secret Map the dead body a shoe salesman. With enormous amounts of opium in his bloodstream and a photograph of a beautiful Asian woman in his pocket, the dead man unearths more questions than he answers. Now the First Lady must map out a sinister killer with a twisted political agenda...

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Historical, Crime

251 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1998

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

[Marilyn Kellogg · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. A very enjoyable read. Fiction but based on factual events. I can't wait to read another one of his books.

[Suzanne · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, it gave some interesting insights into what it was like to be in the White House during WWII. I had not really studied much about the role of the Chinese government during World War II, so from a historical perspective, I found that to be very interesting. The writing was "meh" and some of the dialog as well as the course of events seemed a little implausible, even for that time in history. All in all, an entertaining mystery, but definitely not as good as the Margaret Truman series!

[Gail Holm · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading a mystery with intimate details of the life in the White House during the Second World War. Of course, it's difficult to say what's history and what's mystery, but Elliott Roosevelt did have knowledge of what went on there. The story has piqued my interest about the historical characters. Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, a character in the story, must have been a complex and fascinating woman in real life, too.

[Adelyne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was an incidental finding, and I’m really glad I picked it up. I had no idea that Franklin D. and Eleanor Roosevelt had a son who went on to write a series of mystery novels – featuring a fictional version of his mother as the detective no less. I absolutely loved the White House setting, Elliot being who he is obviously gave him insight that someone who had not previously seen the inside of the White House couldn’t have dreamed of having. Having served during the war also, I felt, gave him a bit of an edge in knowledge of military conflicts and the like, and I thought all of these came off brilliantly in this work of fiction.

The book is #17 of the series, but at no point did I feel that I lacked any form of introduction. I was quite bemused at the inevitable introduction of political big-shot characters given the White House setting, and there were parts of the story that had me questioning how much was fact and how much was purely a figment of Elliot’s imagination. I can’t help but think that Eleanor herself possessed some of the detective traits described here, although I certainly hope she wasn’t actually chasing down murderers and Russian spies during her time as First Lady! It was really fun to read about her deductive reasoning when putting the facts together, and then unleashing the armada of resources she had at her disposal.

As is quite typical of a mystery written at the time, the case itself was relatively simple and I appreciated that. There are not many characters, and the reader is walked through the workthrough of the case together with the detective Eleanor Roosevelt. I read plenty of newer books where for the best part of the story the author is trying to keep facts sneakily hidden from the reader (and I do enjoy those for what they are), but it was fun for once to have the facts laid out and actually have a chance of following the logic throughout. I didn’t see the ending coming, despite the fact that there weren’t that many candidates for who the culprit could have been!

Another solid 4 star, and a series that I have ordered a copy of the first book and will be on the lookout for the rest of.

[Peggy Huey · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is interesting to observe that the children of two of our twentieth century presidents chose to write murder mysteries based in and around Washington DC. While I have previously enjoyed multiple Margaret Truman mysteries, I thoroughly enjoyed this interaction with Elliott Roosevelt, who apparently has a series of mysteries featuring his mother, First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. This time, a Chinese delegation led by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek is visiting the White House as the Chinese try to drum up financial support for their participation in the war against the Japanese, who have invaded mainland China and control the northern part of that country. When an unknown Chinese man is found murdered in the Map Room (located on the second floor near the President's living quarters), Mrs. Roosevelt works with the Secret Service and a D.C. police officer to unravel the mysteries--Who is this person? How did he get into the Map Room? Why was he killed? The answers lead to an additional question--What is the Chinese delegation really up to? The answers create a fun read for anyone interested in what was going on in America during World War II.

[Sherry · Rating 3 out of 5]

#17: Madam Chang Kai Shek visited the White House in 1943 with her entourage to demand US aid to China. The first Night of their visit, and ban is murdered in the map room adjoining FDR’s private study and just down the hall from the queen suite where Madame Shanghai shack is staying. He is discovered to have a letter in code in his pockets and also to have a cyanide tablet anchored between his teeth. Who is George Shen, how did he get into the White House, who murdered him, how did murderers get in? Who is his fiancé in San Francisco. Keeping the murder quiet between Elinor, secret Service and Officer Kinnelly of DC Police as they try to unravel the mystery. Japanese occupied China, spies, lethalittle red opium pills, South Pacific invasion plot all make for fascinating look at WWII in 1943.

[Karen GoatKeeper · Rating 4 out of 5]

Winston Churchill helped FDR set up a Situation Room to track international events, later to track the WWII events and plans. It was downstairs. So a Map Room with current deployments was set up near the President's room for easy consultation.
How did a Japanese agent get into the Map Room? Who murdered him there? And why would a spy carry a coded message in his pocket?
If the message is real, FDR must make changes in Naval deployment. Or is it a Japanese ruse?
And there is the problem of Madame Chiang Kai-shek visiting for a week along with her entourage.
Eleanor is again in the thick of the investigation. Personalities take the stage with the author's impressions of the people involved. The book is an interesting, enjoyable, fast one to read.

[Pamela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and worth reading for a slice of history of what life was like in WWII in Washington DC. Fascinating look at the myriad of ways people conserved resources to help soldiers and how difficult it was even then for some Americans to want to help people overseas, both in Europe and the Pacific.
This is an eye opener about the changes happening in China and how little attitudes toward their own people have changed. The book follows the murder of an unknown Chinese man in the map room on the second floor of the White House while Chinese dignitaries are visiting.
Having read the books in order, this is one of the most complicated murders to date and certainly kept my attention.

[Susan Jo Grassi · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love these mystery novels not only for the mystery itself but for the history and the life real characters that appear in them all, especially Mrs. Roosevelt.

On a visit to the United States in 1943 Madame Chaing Kai-Shek amd her entourage stays at the White House for a 2 week visit and an attempt to obtain further funding for China's fight against the Japanese. Of course there is a murder in the map room of the White House and Mrs. Roosevelt tackles the questions of who, what, why with Captain Kennelly of the D.C. Police and Agent Kirkwal of the Secret Police. Murder, spies, treason, this one has it all.

[Maria · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are getting quite exciting. This one takes place in 1943 during Madame Chaing Kai-shek's visit to our country, particularly her time in the White House. Murder and espionage and drugs all intermix to create a truly awesome story. Eleanor is at her best, and the bigotry shown to the Chinese and Blacks during the story make for a great uneasiness with the people of the time. FDR gets a little more involved in the mystery, too. Lovely book. If the history is accurate, it is even lovelier.

[Loraine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Elliot Roosevelt features his mother as a mystery solver. When a murder of an Asian man occurs in the Map Room of the White House and he has never been logged in by the White House guards, Eleanor Roosevelt once again finds herself involved with both the military and the police to try and solve the murder. At the same time, Eleanor is busy hosting Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and her entourage while Franklin is caught up in World War II.

Interesting read as it takes a look at Madame Chian Kai-Shek that paints an interesting picture of her and her entourage.

[Barbara · Rating 5 out of 5]

(1998) is a manuscript that Elliot Roosevelt had not published at the time of his death (1990). It is a charming portrayal of Eleanor Roosevelt as a detective helping to solve the murder of someone found i(dead, of course), in the White House second floor map room. Madame Chiang Kai-Shek is visiting, and the everyday activities with Chinese guests during war time must go on. An easy read with some historical facts, President & Mrs. Roosevelt writes a good story.

[Bekke · Rating 4 out of 5]

As usual in this series, many political and Hollywood and other well-known figures make brief appearances in this book. The characters speak in the dialect/slang of the time; the clothes, cars, and smoking habits evoke the era with flair. Good plot, good detecting.

[Monica · Rating 3 out of 5]

This particular story featuring Eleanor Roosevelt as detective centers on the visit of Madame Chiang to the White House. The Roosevelt mysteries are always entertaining for the historical backdrop and insight into the family life, if not as literary masterpieces.

[Helenk · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was good as are the others in the series. This one was a little more difficult as it had to do with the war in the Pacific Theater. I recommend to those who like detective stories as well as historical events. Alas I am almost finished with this series.

[Mona Zaki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This murder mystery involves the Chinese and Japanese - interesting ambiance and full of detail. It lags a bit toward the end but it is still interesting.

[Scott Drake · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not great. 20% mystery sleuthing and 80% historical nonsense.

[Madeline · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the historical references and the fact that it was written by FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt's son!

[Elizabeth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Embarrassingly dated in a lot of ways, but interesting. It's fun to have Eleanor in the story. A palate cleanser. True escape from 2020 reality.

[Marti · Rating 3 out of 5]

The reason that I read this novel is that our book group will be discussing Doris Kearns Goodwin's book, No Ordinary Time--abour Elliott's mother and father--Eleanor and Franklin Roosevelt, and I thought that I could add a little to the conversation by doing so. This is a pleasant murder mystery--if one can say that--and the fact that the author was quite familiar with the White House certainly adds to the enjoyment. Eleanor has some help solving the mystery, but she was quite an intelligent and extraordinary person so could have donne much--though interrogation is best left to professionals. In paperback, this is 251 pages--not too many to strain the reader. Mr. Elliott Roosevelt does a good job. This is the 12th of a series. I believe that I shall search for more of them in the library sales shelves.

[Antoinette · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's 1943 and the White House is visited by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and her entourage. A body is found in the Map Room, close both to the rooms of Madame Chiang and President Roosevelt. Mrs. Roosevelt takes a part in the investigation along with the Navy and the Secret Service.
Elliott Roosevelt's name appears on the cover as the author, but of course he passed away in 1990, eight years before the book was published. The book jacket would have us believe that Elliott left behind a number of unpublished manuscripts to be enjoyed by readers for years to come. Murder in the Map Room is the nineteenth in the series. Whoever is writing the books has done a remarkable job of researching the WWII years in Washington DC as well as the real characters who populate the books.

[Ellen Moore · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was another interesting book in the Eleanor Roosevelt mystery series written by her son Elliott. This one involves a lengthy visit to the White House by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek and her entourage during war time. A Chinese man is found murdered in the Map Room, not far from President FDR's bedroom and also near the suite occupied by Madame Chiang Kai-Shek. The First Lady assists the head of the Secret Service and the District police chief with their invrstigation and finds the solution to the crime. The Harry Truman family, Ethel Merman, and Henry Luce are among historical figures mentioned in this book.

[Cindy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was not aware of this kind of repore with the Chinese during the second world war. This was another very beleiable look at what it was like duiring that time. Fun read.

[Sherrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book drag at the beginning. when you get toward the middle that when it pick up.

[Mary (Biblophile) · Rating 1 out of 5]

I don't care for this writer and gave up on this one.