Jack S. (jack1) reviewed on 2/16/2011 + 67 more book reviews

I wondered what kind of author Margaret Truman might be. Could the daughter of Harry S Truman, a not-so-good singer, write a decent book? She wrote 21 or so books in the Capital Crime Seriesbooks with tales of crime in and around Washington, D.C. I was pleasantly surprised, enough so to read a second of her series. She crafts a good story with characters that are well-developed and a not-readily apparent perpetuator of murder most foul.

Murder at the Washington Tribune takes us into the workings of a big daily paper that, like most newspapers, is struggling to survive the competition of tabloid journalism from 24x7 television and electronic-age digital competitors. What are the staid, respectable papers doing to keep readership yet compete with the changing interests of American readers (that could say, the dumbing down of people today)? It is intriguing to watch a well-respected journalist slide into the trap of sensationalism in trying to retain his hold on his readership.

All of the places mentioned in the bookthe hotels, the restaurants, the placesare real. If you have any familiarity with Washington at all, this helps the book come to life. My only complaint is that Ms Truman focuses a bit too much on what people eat when dining out or at home. Perhaps she is a secret foodie of some sort. That is a minor issue though and rather than detract, merely slows the speed of the tale being spun. (I find that many writers go into unnecessary detail merely to add heft to a book.)

I also recommend Murder at Union Station, the other book I read, which deals more with the political intrigue at the Capital.

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