yuck. old lady-ish.

Well this was certainly a pretty surprising, suspenseful read. It has a little something for everyone, lots of talk about Lincoln his life, law career, and of course assassination. There’s plenty Shakespeare references (YUCK!!!) and it’s a murder-mystery about a recent (fiction) murder (in case you could not tell), and it got me as to the murderer because I was wrong (although the person who I thought did it did make a very good ending and almost murder). I’d have to say I’m glad President Truman’s daughter went away from singing to writing, she’s up there with my one of my favorite authors John Grisham. Five out of Five Stars!

I'm not entirely sure where I acquired this book, although I think it might have been one of those book club things. I remembered nothing about it from my first time through, and after the second time, I see why. The characterizations are weak, the plot is okay but poorly executed, and the writing is barely adequate, and occasionally laughably bad.

Whoever wrote the copy for the dust jacket must have been drinking when they came up with the following: "With her unparalleled understanding of Washington and its players, and her savvy sense of how strange bedfellows cut deals even in the midst of mayhem, Margaret Truman always delivers the most sophisticated and satisfying suspense. Murder at Ford's Theatre is her most compelling, insightful novel yet, sure to earn her a standing ovation from her many fans and new followers alike." Maybe she wrote that herself?

P.S. Turns out the author is President Harry Truman's daughter?!

I really like her "capital crimes"

Read 3/03

Usually I have a pretty good idea who the villain is about halfway through a Margaret Truman book. In this case, however, the identity of the murderer, and the motivation, took me completely by surprise. Well done!

this was one of Ms Truman's better efforts, I thought. I chose this large print hardcover to give to my husband's aunt, but read it before adding it to the pile to take to her. The characters are good, and there is just one question I have at the end.

GOOD MYSTERY WRITER

FIRST TIME - I enjoyed it very much - setting in Washington quite interesting

Haven't read Margaret Truman in a while. Really enjoyed this, good characters.

She is a master at this!

What a complex plot that kept you guessing right up to the very end. She certainly understood the nature of DC and politics, as well as a wonderful grasp of the theatre and Shakespeare. A great read!

Everybody needs to read a crime novel from time to time. This one fits. Intern working with the non-profit group using the Ford Theater turns up dead in the back alley. Lots of red herrings before we get to the fact that the xxxxx did it.

Proof positive that she can produce a perfectly adequate Beltway mystery when toning down on the marital fuzzies and unsolicited politics.