by Margaret Truman
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Product Description
Congressman Latham has maintained an impeccable record in Washington, and so he seems the logical choice when nominated by his friend, President Scott, to become the next secretary of state. His confirmation hearings appear to be a formality until rumors emerge of sexual misconduct and influence peddling. Then, early one morning, he is found shot to death, an apparent suicide.
Nobody close to Paul Latham believes his demise a suicide; there are just too many questions left unanswered. Why would he kill himself, and why would he do it in a public place? Why was there no suicide note? Where did he get the gun? Where is Latham's appointment secretary, Marge Edwards? So Latham's close friend lawyer-professor Mackensie Smith goes about uncovering the truth. In the process he unearths connections to the CIA, businessman Warren Brazier, Russian communists, and a shady private detective. Eventually Smith's own life is threatened, leading him to a dramatic and shocking truth.
Murder in the House is a story about the webs of influence people weave to protect their interests, and about those innocent people who, by accident or design, get caught in these webs. It is the story of the abuse of power for personal gain, and of the increasing influence that the global economy has on the way our nation is being run.
Margaret Truman, with her intricate know-ledge of the political, social, and practical workings of Washington, masterfully explores these connections in this highly suspenseful tale of intrigue, deception, and murderous intent.
From the Hardcover edition.
Amazon.com
Congressman Paul Latham is about to be named secretary of state but dies beneath the Statue of Freedom before he can accept the honor. When his body is found, a 9-mm pistol clutched in his hand (is it suicide or murder?), rumors begin to fly, targeting Latham as no better than Warren Brazier's lackey and threatening the credibility of the administration's foreign policy. Brazier, a wealthy industrialist and potent political force (à la Ross Perot), is conducting questionable business with the Russian government (à la George Soros's evil twin), and nothing will stop him in his quest to snap up formerly state-owned industries at bargain prices--certainly not a trivial consideration such as trade legislation pending in the House Foreign Relations Committee. When Mac Smith is asked to bring his legal expertise to a research mission in Moscow, he finds himself attempting to clear Latham's name--and getting closer and closer to some very dangerous individuals. Margaret Truman is operating according to established parameters in Murder in the House, but fans will appreciate the relative skill with which she weaves together the themes of disturbing relationships on two continents: hard-line Communists with the Russian mafia on one hand, and politics with American big business on the other. Readers may want to check out other entries in the Capital Crimes series--try Murder on Embassy Row, Murder at the National Gallery, or Murder in the CIA. --Kelly Flynn
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Average Customer Review:
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 What's the point?, 2006-02-17
The mystery is obvious and while the characters are engaging, very little happens besides the crime that sets off the novel. There is plenty of wading through verbose descriptions and conversation however. This book might be welcome as distraction but it is not a rewarding, informative or particularly pleasant read because it is hollow and devoid of meaning or even a challenging plot.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Good Read As Usual, But Wait Awhile Before Reading Another, 2005-05-28
Another of Truman's books that's hard to put down and keeps one guessing to the end. She definitely knows D.C., both inside and out.
However - It might be my age (G) but so many characters are included in her books I have difficulties keeping them all straight - still a good read though.
I'm also not too impressed with the way she starts many of her stories (this one included) with something/someone that has little or absolutely nothing to do with the rest of the story...but I still enjoyed the book.
My suggestion would be to make sure you space out the time between reading Truman's books. If two or more are read back to back, one can see how much alike most of her stories are...only a change in name, location, and "who-dunnit."
Just like each of my reviews of her "Murder In/At ..." books.
1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
MARGARET IS TOO POLITICAL, 2005-03-14
I have read many of Margaret Truman's books and enjoyed some of them. This one is ok for light reading.......but don't believe we need her editorial on all the
Republicans in Washington. Adds nothing to the story by taking nasty little digs
at them. She would do well to stick to mystery in these books and if she has a
'beef' with the Republicans.......write a book about that. The two don't mix
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:
 Professional Killers in Washington, DC, 2003-10-06
This is the most interesting and exciting of the Margaret Truman mysteries that I have read. Congressman Paul Latham has been nominated by the President to be Secretary of State. Then, he is found lying dead beneath the Statue of Freedom, a pistol clutched in his hand. Rumors swirl about suicide because of impending disclosure of illegal activity with a billionaire supporter or sexual harrasment charges by a secretary. But the medical examiner finds that it is not suicide. It is murder. As suspects are eliminated, the FBI finds that hired killers, members of the Russian mafia, are loose in Washington. But for whom do they work? When suspicion turns to the man controlling the killers, the story becomes intense, as the suspect uses his hired killers to protect himself. All in all, it is a good story, and you get the usual, wonderful insight into Washington.
0 of 0 people found the following review helpful:
 Mindlessly entertaining formula book, 2001-11-02
The most interesting thing about this book is that Truman really knows her Washington. Otherwise, this quick and easy read is standard formula fare. Her characters are mildly interesting, and this book plays on the Russian mafia as the evil ones. Good book to read at the beach.
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