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Take yourself on a journey into the world of international art dealers and museum curators, European castles and the White House. Margaret Truman's Murder in the Smithsonian tangles readers in an international plot that spans continents and governments. When Dr. Lewis Tunney, a brilliant historian, is boldly murdered during a posh black-tie affair at the Smithsonian Museum, Washington is set spinning with intrigue. DC Police Captain Mac Hanrahan takes over the case, but the more he uncovers, show more the more deeply he becomes entangled in the web of secrets, lies, and revenge. From the deceased Tunney's strong-willed fiancé, Heather McBean, to the congressmen with secrets to hide, Hanrahan finds himself under increasing pressure from all sides. He must do whatever he can to protect his government and Heather McBean. Murder in the Smithsonian is the fourth volume in Trumans beloved Capital Crimes series, in which Truman enlivens history with her first-hand knowledge as the daughter of a US president. The twenty-five Capital Crimes novels, published between 1980 and 2011, all revolve around Washington, DC and its landmarks. The Smithsonians museums, with their quirky staff, forensic scientists, and sometimes-spooky exhibits are the perfect setting for a thrilling political crime novel. show lessTags
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Member Reviews
I really do enjoy this series. The author has a lifetime of Washington, DC experience (of course), and first-hand familiarity with the various landmarks she uses as settings for her murders. This gives the reader a strong sense of place for well-realized characters and well-thought-out mysteries.
In this one, a brilliant historian is murdered in the middle of a reception at the Smithsonian (falls over a balcony railing and lands in the middle of the Foucault Pendulum, as a matter of fact.). His fiance arrives from Scotland determined to solve the murder of her beloved - and almost immediately runs afoul of Captain Mike Hanrahan who is in charge of the case. The art scandal that is uncovered is fascinating. A good book.
In this one, a brilliant historian is murdered in the middle of a reception at the Smithsonian (falls over a balcony railing and lands in the middle of the Foucault Pendulum, as a matter of fact.). His fiance arrives from Scotland determined to solve the murder of her beloved - and almost immediately runs afoul of Captain Mike Hanrahan who is in charge of the case. The art scandal that is uncovered is fascinating. A good book.
Fast paced and wonderful locations (Scottish estate amongst them) a historian is murdered and his fiancee comes to Washington to find out why and starts her own investigation. Enter Mac Hanrahan, investigating Metro Police captain, who wants to help her out. More murders as Mac starts to worry about Heather, who he thinks may be a target for the killer. I just had to give this five stars - my favourite so far!
I really enjoyed this book. Excellent murder mystery and loved the settings both at the Smithsonian, London and Scotland. Woman comes to Washington DC after her fiance is murdered at the Smithsonian. Detective investigating the case has to deal with political interference and museum snobbery while juggling his relationship with ex-wife.
Something funny is going on in the Smithsonian, with knife stabbed bodies falling over railings and a Scottish miss bent on solving her fiancé's murder. It's not a great mystery, little development, and a lot of filler to round out the page count.
Police Captain Hanrahan attempts to solve a murder involving a theft from the Smithsonian Institute's American History Museum. A medal from a post-American Revolutionary Society has disappeared and several murders have occurred which seem to be related. Heather McBean, whose uncle and fiance are two of the victims, comes out from Scotland to do a little investigating herself. A friend of her uncle's also becomes involved. Soon, it is difficult to figure out who can and cannot be trusted, as suspects are being added to the list and a crime ring of Smithsonian employees is discovered. I enjoyed this mystery set in Washington D.C.
Lewis Tunney, a historian, uncovers an international art scandal and is murdered. His fiancée, Heather McBean, leaves Scotland and comes to Washington, D.C. to be of assistance in the investigation. She meets Captain Mac Hanrahan, the MPD officer in charge of the case. Tunney was stabbed with Thomas Jefferson's sword while the Harsa Medal was stolen from an exhibit. The rest of the novel follows these people as well as Prof. Evelyn Killinworth, who is investigating the theft for the Vice President of the United States.
Reading these with my Mom.
A favorite series.
Great mysteries and great insight into behind the scenes Washington DC.
I'm reading them ALL.
Read in 2005.
A favorite series.
Great mysteries and great insight into behind the scenes Washington DC.
I'm reading them ALL.
Read in 2005.
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Author Information
47+ Works 12,714 Members
Mary Margaret Truman, daughter of President Harry S. Truman, was born on February 17, 1924 in Independence, Missouri. She graduated from George Washington University in 1946. She was also known as Margaret Truman or Margaret Daniel. She was an American singer who later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries and a number of show more works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including a biography of her father, President Harry S. Truman. The only child of Harry Truman and First Lady Bess Truman; she was called "Margaret" for most of her life. Truman made her concert debut with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra in 1947 and her first television appearance on Ed Sullivan's Toast of the Town. She substituted for Edward R. Murrow on Person to Person, and later had her own radio shows (Weekday in the 1950s and Authors in the News in the 1960s). She was active with organizations such as the Harry S. Truman Scholarship Foundation and the Truman Centennial Committee. She published her first book, Souvenir: Margaret Truman's Own Story in 1956. She also wrote a series of mysteries set at historic locations in Washington, D. C. She died on January 29, 2008 following a brief illness. (Bowker Author Biography) show less
Series
Common Knowledge
- Canonical title
- Murder in the Smithsonian
- Original title
- Murder in the Smithsonian
- Original publication date
- 1983
- People/Characters
- Lewis Tunney; Peter Peckham; William Oxenhauer (Vice President); Alfred Throckly; Ford Saunders; Chloe Prentwhistle (show all 7); Mac Hanrahan (Captain)
- Important places
- Washington, D.C., USA; Scotland, UK; Smithsonian, Washington, D.C., USA
- Dedication
- To all the dedicated people who make the Smithsonian the wonderful place it is
- First words
- Lewis Tunney stopped in front of a small shop on Davies Street, in London's fashionable Mayfair district.
- Last words
- (Click to show. Warning: May contain spoilers.)And then he went home, decided he wasn't really hungry, and poured himself a Scotch neat.
What else?
Classifications
Statistics
- Members
- 523
- Popularity
- 56,933
- Reviews
- 8
- Rating
- (3.49)
- Languages
- English, German, Portuguese
- Media
- Paper, Ebook
- ISBNs
- 16
- ASINs
- 8
