Murder at Midnight: An Eleanor Roosevelt Mystery

EVEN THOUGH THIS STORY WAS "LIGHT" READING, I ALWAYS FIND ELLIOT ROOSEVELT'S WRITING ENTERTAINING WITH ENOUGH INTRIGUE TO MAKE THE BEDTIME RITUAL OF READING PLEASANT. THE TOUCHES OF HISTORY MAKE IT ALL THE MORE FUN.

In 1933, Franklin Roosevelt, new President of the United States, brought a "Brain Trust" of eminent people to Washington to find ways to end the Great Depression that was destroying the nation. Judge Horace Carter, a member of the Brain Trust, is murdered in the White House. Police arrest a maid, but Eleanor Roosevelt doubts her guilt. Investigation reveals that Judge Blackwell was a sexual sadist, with many people wishing him dead. But using the discarded Bertillon method of identification, Eleanor Roosevelt finds the murderer. It is a racier and faster-moving tale than many in this series, but it still gives us a window to view that long-ago time and its people. If you would like a fascinating mystery that gives you a thoroughly enjoyable insight into the early 1930's, this is the book for you.

In 1933, Judge Horace Blackwell, friend and personal advisor to the president, is found murdered in the White House. Police make a quick arrest since the evidence points towards a black housekeeper Sara Carter, who swears she is innocent. The First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt, believes that Sara is telling the truth and decides to investigate. ...... Eleanor quickly learns that Horace was not the squeaky clean judge that his image portrayed. Instead, he was a vicious womanizer. Several people surface who had legitimate gripes and grudges with the Judge. However, things turns nasty when a second murder occurs, making everyone wonder how safe is Franklin in the White House? Eleanor plans to insure her spouse's safety by uncovering the identity of the killer even if it places her won life at risk. ...... The entire Eleanor Roosevelt mystery novels (sixteen in all) are a lot of fun to read. Though the who-done-its are well designed, it is the presence of famous historical figures including such notables as Gertrude Stein, James Thurber, and Babe Ruth, etc. that brings the Depression Era DC into a lively perspective. Elliott Roosevelt, who died several years ago, has written a fabulous mystery that posthumously should garner him new fans. ......Harriet Klausner