Murder at the Watergate [Abridged, Audiobook] [Audio Cassette]

Margaret Truman (Author), Philip Bosco (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 30, 1998

2 cassettes / 3 hours
Read by Philip Bosco

"A first-rate mystery writer. . . ." - Los Angeles Times Book Review

Margaret Truman knows Washington's ins and outs.  In this absorbing, timely Capital Crimes mystery, she shows us around this fascinating city that is America's center of power and - some would say - corruption.

The Watergate is one of the world's most famous addresses - although not everyone knows exactly what it is.  This imposing complex is made up of a hotel, residences, restaurants, offices, ships, and more.  It is a haven for the famous after they break out and, on occasion, for the infamous when they break in.

The glittering cast of characters includes Vice President Joe Aprile who plans to become president, if he can avoid a tempting vice; a glamorous Washington hostess and fund-raiser; and a special assistant to the vice president with some very special ambitions.  And, of course, Annabel Smith, gallery owner, and Mac Smith, law professor.

Once again Truman offers a delight to the listener who enjoys the pleasure of insides information, the allure of high life crossing paths with lowlife, and the return of the attractive crime-solving couple Mac and Annabel Smith.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

One wonders what will happen if and when Margaret Truman runs out of "appropriate" Washington, D.C., landmarks in and around which to stage her murders. Murder at the Watergate fits nicely into the mold with which Truman's fans have long been familiar: that elegant couple, Mac Smith and Annabel Reed, newly ensconced in their Watergate apartment, become enmeshed in a political imbroglio that leads--as it must--to murder. Their good friend, the vice president, finds that U.S. policy on Mexico can be one hot potato. Or tamale. The dueling factions of the Mexican-American Trade Alliance and the Mexico initiative--the former an "unoffical" but deeply menacing lobbying presence with a stake in maintaining the status quo, the latter a think tank bent on exposing corruption deep within Mexico's ruling party--weave a ragged tapestry of blackmail, bribery, assault, and murder that threatens to envelop both Mac and Annabel--and the administration itself. Truman hopscotches rather frantically around the globe and throws in a few over-the-top minor characters to keep the loyal reader hot on her trail. A less devoted reader may be tempted to abandon the chase somewhere in London.

One doesn't read Truman for her dialogue, her characters, or her gripping cliffhangers. But her cogent meditations and snide asides on politicking and politicos are absolutely on target and a pleasure to read. --Kelly Flynn --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Publishers Weekly

Truman's capital crime wave reaches 15 volumes (Murder in the House, 1997, etc.) as the locale in which one presidency died becomes the focus for a murder that may doom the aspirations of a would-be president. Vice President Joseph Aprile, whose code name "Straight Arrow" will make readers think of Al Gore, is determined to stake out a position on Mexico different from his president's as he prepares to seek the Oval Office in the next election. Mackensie Smith, law professor at George Washington University and a friend of Aprile's, is in an ideal position to help, since he is already scheduled to be in Mexico as a U.N. election observer. When Mackensie accepts a clandestine assignment to meet with a Mexican rebel leader on Aprile's behalf, he is launched into a dangerous and deadly game involving diplomats and assassins, politicians and traitors, aristocrats and rebels. Truman's characterizations?from hard-driven deputy chief of staff Chris Hedras to wealthy party hostess Elfie Dorrance?remain fairly shallow. But her plot is well grounded in the realities of Mexico-U.S. relations, and she manages a couple of nasty surprises that enliven the all too predictable finish.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Random House Audio (June 30, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0375403027
• ISBN-13: 978-0375403026
• Product Dimensions: 7 x 4.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,410,339 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:

3.0 out of 5 stars It seems all too possible, September 26, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Murder at the Watergate: A Novel (Hardcover)

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.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars LOVE The Capital Crime Series!, October 12, 1999

By 

Chocolate Lab (Northern CA, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Murder at the Watergate (Capital Crime Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

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).

3.0 out of 5 stars Too many bodys, July 24, 2011

By 

Margaret R. Bailey (Coventry, RI, US) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murder at the Watergate (Capital Crime Mysteries) (Mass Market Paperback)

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.