Murder at the Washington Tribune: A Capital Crimes Novel

"Murder At The Washington Tribune" is a story about a journalist Wilcox, past his prime trying to jumpstart his stalled career when feeling threatened by so many young journalists fresh out of journalism school who have better writing skills and are critisising him behind his back. His boss isn't too pleased with him and tells him to find the killer of one of their staff who was found strangled in a closet at the Tribune. Then another woman is found dead in Franklin Square, Wilcox senses this is just the story he needs to regain favour. Problem is his daughter, Roberta, is a talented young TV newscaster who also wants the scoop. They don't share scoops which puts a strain on their relationship. Joe determined to get the story at any cost, baits a trap for the killer which may place Roberta in danger. Complicating matters even further is the return of Wilcox's brother who has been charged for killing a young girl and who was put into a mental institution. He returns to Washington just before the first murder. The plot thickens with many twists and turns. I would highly recommend this story. I have also listened to the MURDER AT THE OPERA by Margaret Truman and it is only a 3 star story compared to this brilliant mystery.

I found myself pulled into this mystery. I've read a number of the Capital Crimes Series and feel this is one of the best ones that the author's written. I was guessing all the way until the end to figure out who the murderer was. I highly recommend this book. It is well written and the attention to detail was good without being overwhelming. Susan K. Behm, author of The Journey, Secrets in Paradise, and Civilized Savages.

Margaret Truman is one of my favorite writers. I learn about DC politics and the city while getting a good yarn, and usually can't put them down. Unlike other mystery writers, I do not skip her words -- I do nto "speed read" but savor the whole book!

I found this book to be a bit of a departure from Truman's other novels and I have to say I really enjoyed it and found it to be a breath of fresh air. Not that Truman's other novels aren't spectacular, they really are! This book however is quite special in that the main character turns takes a path that strays away from the straight and narrow. With books where Mac Smith is the main character, we are used to him taking the high road, so this is definitely a departure from that way of thinking! Joe Wilcox, a respected, but aging reporter finds himself in a moral dilemma when he has the opportunity to gain some fame in the autumn of his career. One thing leads to another and soon he finds himself losing is journalistic integrity in order to show up a young, hot shot reporter. To add further intrigue, someone from his past shows up on the scene that has a lot more to hide than the reader first realizes. This complicated tale of deception and murder in the Nation's capitol should not be missed!

Margaret Truman has won legions of fans with her Capital Crimes series, and voice performer Dick Hill (dubbed a golden voice by AudioFile) has captured hosts of listeners with his virtuoso readings. Thus, it comes as no surprise that this pairing has resulted in a first-rate audiobook. "Murder At The Washington Tribune" is a story just as much about a past his prime man trying to jumpstart his stalled career as it is about murder. Hill delivers the story narrated by crime reporter Joe Wilcox with equal parts poignancy, determination, and fear as Joe finds himself jeopardizing his daughter for the byline he so desperately needs. Wilcox has been at the Washington Tribune for some time now, and he's feeling threatened by the younger reporters who seem to be delivering the hot news. His boss isn't too pleased with him and he's not at all happy with himself. To make matters worse, newspapers are suffering from tabloids and TV investigative reporters. When a young woman is found strangled in a closet at the Tribune, and then another is found dead in Franklin Square, Joe senses this is just the story he needs to regain favor. Problem is his daughter, Roberta, is a talented young TV newscaster who also wants the scoop. Joe determines to get the story at any cost and baits a trap for the killer which not only may backfire but also places Roberta in danger. Complicating matters even further is the return of Joe's brother who has been incarcerated for killing a young girl. Listen as Truman and Hill deliver a dark tale of deception, greed, and murder. - Gail Cooke