Murder on K Street

This is another great Who Dunit from one of murder mystery's finest authors. Keeps you wanting to read to the next page to find out all of the plot twists and turns and to see if anyone else gets "knocked off" before they find out who was behind the main murder. This is Ms. Truman's 23rd murder mystery novel in 27 years, and it's amazing how she was able to keep coming up with new material and places in which to murder who next victim. Looking forward to reading the crowning achievement in the series, and it is only appropriate that her children dedicated the last novel to her, upon her death in January 2008, just as the last book was set to be released.

Good book, keeps moving and although the moment you realize a lobby group is involved, you know that they are probably the bad guys, however, it keeps your interest and has a good ending.

M. Truman has written one of her best books - it held my attention. The story moved right along without being too wordy and praising the cast too much which she had done in past novels saying cast members were too perfect. The story had good detail and good description. Yes, it was not too short and not too long.

In "Murder on K Street," Margaret Truman explores the world of the power brokers in our nation's capital. She focuses, in particular, on the lobbyists who raise influence peddling to a fine art. Truman informs us that "there are more than thirty-five thousand registered lobbyists in Washington, and more than enough special interest cash for all." Lobbyists are known as "the fourth branch of government" because of their ability to affect legislative decisions. One of the most charismatic men in Washington is Senator Lyle Simmons. He has good looks, charm, and plenty of money to help him in a possible run for the presidency. His plans are temporarily derailed, however, when he enters his lavish home only to find the body of his bludgeoned wife, Jeannette, sprawled on the floor. His reaction to this tragedy appears strangely cold-blooded. Is the senator merely in shock or does he no longer care about a wife who turned to alcohol for comfort when her marriage went sour? Lyle's best friend from college is Phil Rotondi, a former United States Attorney who himself has been the victim of tragedy. Phil is a man of unquestioned integrity; he can always be relied upon to remain loyal and discreet. Although the police are doing everything they can to solve Jeannette's murder, Phil launches an informal inquiry of his own. As he digs deeper into the circumstances surrounding the crime, he discovers a tangled web of greed, deceit, and betrayal. In the past, Mac and Annabel Smith have been front and center in Truman's Capital Crimes novels, but this time, they play a supporting role. Mac, an eminent criminal defense attorney, steps in to assist an acquaintance who is wrongly accused of killing Mrs. Simmons. In addition, Mac serves as a sounding board for Phil, who is conflicted about his relationship with Lyle. There are a number of intriguing secondary characters who add spice to the narrative. Marlene, Jeannette's unbalanced sister, is a jealous woman whose behavior is wildly unpredictable. Lyle's troubled and weak-willed son works for an unscrupulous lobbying firm and his rebellious daughter opposes everything her father stands for. Jonell Marbury, an African-American who works with Neil, loves the high salary and perks of lobbying but is extremely uncomfortable with the underhanded tactics that his boss employs to obtain important clients. Truman, to her credit, avoids explicit gore, profanity, and histrionics in this morality tale about arrogant politicians and venal lobbyists who cut corners and skirt the boundaries of the law. The author skillfully combines a number of disparate elements that give the novel added resonance. She uses flashbacks to provide insight into the personalities of Phil and Lyle back when they were young men competing for the same woman. There is a touch of romance, intrigue, and a compelling murder mystery to hold the reader's attention as well as an involving subplot about the painful conflicts that divide dysfunctional

Illinois senator Lyle Simmons arrives home from a fund-raising dinner to find his wife dead. First he calls his son, Neil. Second he calls his friend, former DA Philip Rotondi. Third he calls 9-1-1. Detective Chang has the senator at the top of the suspect list. Polly, the senator's estranged daughter, isn't helping one bit either. Polly is making her loud voice heard as she tells anyone who will listen that there's no need to look further than the senator for the killer. Phil comes out of retirement to help Lyle out. He gets help with the case by Mac and Annabel Smith, a couple of former attorneys. **** Mac Smith and his wife, Annebel Reed-Smith, have become pretty popular in the mystery genre. This political mystery shows why. I believe the character development of the senator, and a couple of others, could have been better. Yet, all-in-all, this story is well worth your time and money. **** Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.