Book Review: Murder in Georgetown

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Murder in Georgetown     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Elliot Roosevelt
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Cozy
Series: Eleanor Roosevelt # 18
St. Martin’s Minotaur, Oct 1999, $23.95, 256 pp.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt learns from the newspaper that the police arrested Senator Long staffer Jessica Dee for killing her married lover Sergeant Peavy. Evidence clearly points towards Jessica firing a bullet into the head of the naked body of Peavy, a member of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve after he had sex. As she has done before, Eleanor takes an interest in the investigation because her memo to Kingfish led to Jessica joining the charismatic senator’s staff.

Calling her friend, police Lieutenant Edward Kennelly, Eleanor joins the investigation. However, by 1935, the President finds his administration battling with Congress over various social issues such as Social Security. Knowing he needs to stay squeaky clean, Franklin warns Eleanor not to embarrass him by crossing any questionable lines when she makes her inquiries into the Jessica case. The case turns more complex as two more murders occur. Eleanor believes that if they do not act quickly, the true killer, will escape.

The fun of MURDER IN GEORGETOWN lies in author Elliot Roosevelt’s ability to provide insight into numerous historical figures, especially that of his parents. The who-done-it is very simplistic but entertaining. Historical mystery buffs will enjoy seeing the interrelationships of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, their personal staff, and several famous people such as Joseph Kennedy and Huey Long. It is that insider’s glimpse that makes Mr. Roosevelt’s Eleanor mysteries so enthralling.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner