Customer Reviews

Murder at the Watergate: A Novel (Random House Large Print)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Margaret Truman's Capital Crimes mysteries are always fun to read. With this one it is amazing how many current issues she squeezes into the plot: campaign spending, relations with Mexico, corrupt police and politicians, drug traffic and other crime, and even a vice-president friend who does not have firm footing. Mac and Annabel Smith do their stuff again. A good read. You care about the characters and are kept guessing until almost the end. Not her best, but very good.

But this one wasn't as great as most of the others. I enjoyed the action and even found the opinionated descriptions of corruption in Mexico somewhat interesting and thought-provoking. But wish that this book didn't feel so rushed and that it had more heart. I was getting a "Lawrence Sanders" kind of feeling (whose books I also enjoy, but in a different way).

Margaret Truman is a very talented writter. She describes things down to the smallest detail. She does employ too many characters however and sometimes one gets lost in the plot trying to remember which character she is writing about. I do however like the fact that she keeps some characters constant, like the Smiths. In this book,however, she casually glosses over the killing off of a large number of characters that she has gone into detail to describe. In one instance, she doesn't even describe the murder. It was just referred to as, Oh yes, he is dead too. Still love the whole series, and will continue to read them.

I've read a few of the Margaret Truman mystery series, and was disappointed in this book. Too many characters; almost wishing to continue to add characters to throw the reader off-balance for the real killer. Very interesting history of Watergate complex and the politics with Mexico, but I ended up skimming to the end of the book. My favorite was Murder at the Library of Congress..more intrigue.

This was another one of Margaret Truman's gems in the Capital Crime series. I had set out to read all 24 books in the series in order and was able to accomplish the journey. It was fun making friends with some of the same characters from the previous books. Sadly the journey came to an end with the publication of the final episode shortly after her death. I will enjoy reading these books again in the future, after a period of time has gone by so that I won't fully remember the story lines.

I love mysteries. I love suspense as well. And this book didn't fail in that respect. However, I am spoiled, I like really good writing when I am reading a mystery ~~ this book doesn't qualify.

Mac Smith is appointed by the Vice-President Angrile to go to Mexico to oversee the elections there. There have been a series of murders lately ~~ and it all points to the ruling class in Mexico ~~ as they fought to keep the political powers in their grasp. Stories and rumors fly about in Washington and Mac Smith is right in the middle of it. His wife joins him on the trip to Mexico and they're in the midst of all the excitement.

It is a fast read ~~ an interesting one. But if you're looking for a book with some substance to it ~~ this book would not be it. It is just a fast mystery read that you don't have to think about the characters much. It's a perfect read for a lying-in on a blanket while enjoying the fall colors.

9-22-03

Truman has outdoone herself with this one! its the best mystery ever by the queen of political mystery. Who did it? ask Margaret and she will tell you who!

All of M. Truman's books are entertaining. However this one doesn't live up to expectations. The main theme seems to editorialize about her opinions concerning U.S. policies re' Mexico. The mystery plot is late arriving and almost incidental.Hope the next one returns to her former standard.

While Murder at the Watergate will not be listed at the top of Margaret Truman's Capitol Crimes mysteries, it won't be anywhere near the bottom. Since Ms. Truman found her characters, Mac Smith and Annabel Reed, her mysteries have become more fun, her comments and asides about Washington DC more spirited and pointed and her writing breezier. While not every plot is a winner--the murders at the National Gallery, the National Cathedral and the Kennedy Center were hits, while the Potomac, the Pentagon and particularly the FBI were misses, each new entry in the series is eagerly anticipated. Keep the mysteries coming, along with the barbs, the insider references and the pointed comments. Each one makes for an easy and pleasant summer read.

I really like her series. But I find it tough reading as she tells the story from too many points of view. I prefer reading a story written in 1st person with one point of view. I like this series because it mentions many landmarks I know. This story found Mac and his wife living in the Watergate. Once again Mac gets involved and has to help solve the mystery. This book dealt a LOT with politics.