Murder in the House [Hardcover]

Margaret Truman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 1997

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.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

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 --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From School Library Journal

YA. "Congressman Found Dead on Capitol Hill, Murder Suspected" could be the newspaper headline initially reporting the nasty deed involved in this novel. However, the murder does not occur until well into the plot. Readers have gotten to know Paul Latham and will empathize with his teenage daughter, Molly, who is just starting as a page in the Capitol. It is Mackensie Smith, attorney and friend of Latham, who unravels the secret spheres of influence?political, industrial, and social?that reveal the truth in an exciting climax that involves Molly. The many background details of life and politics in Washington make this novel an entertaining way to reinforce what has been taught in government class. The book also shows many behind-the-scene details and events that otherwise go unnoticed. However, there are many characters, both Russian and American, to keep straight. The involvement of a teenage character makes this an excellent hook for YAs who have not read any of Truman's prior novels. They will also appreciate the humor, the fast pace, and the unintimidating format.?Claudia Moore, W. T. Woodson High School, Fairfax, VA
Copyright 1997 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 322 pages
• Publisher: Random House; 1 edition (July 1, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 067943528X
• ISBN-13: 978-0679435280
• Product Dimensions: 8.2 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,056,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Murder In The House is terrific and well worth reading, June 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder in the House (Hardcover)

Kira Albertini I felt that the novel, Murder in the House, by Margaret Truman was quite intriguing. If you find the scandals that engulf our government appealing, then this is the book for you. It deals with the daily life of a senator from California named Paul Latham. A plane goes down carrying the reputable Secretary of State, Jacob Baumann. The crash killed all who were on board. President Joe Scott feels Latham is the best man to fill the position. After Latham is appointed as Secretary of State, he is mysteriously found dead, a suspected suicide. This is a huge blow to our country. Why would this respectable presidential advisor kill himself? Is there more going on than what meets the eye? Something doesn't add up. This novel deals with uncovering what goes on behind closed doors in our nation's capital. There are always cover-ups and behind the scenes action that the general public never gets the privilege to know about. This book gives you, the reader, a chance to become apart of all the action that you otherwise would not even know about. I recommend this book because it is exciting and adventurous. This is a novel, which you will never be able to put down. It gets your heart racing with spine tingling suspense. The book, Murder In The House, by Margaret Truman is terrific and well worth reading.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good mystery without obscenity, March 31, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder in the House (Hardcover)

Easy reading mystery without obscenities or perverse sex, keeps your interest, predictable suspense.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Professional Killers in Washington, DC, October 6, 2003

By 

George Webster, Ph.D., (Orlando, FL USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Murder in the House (Capital Crime) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.