2008 Woodie Awards
Politics get down and dirty in D.C.
Timothy Baghurst
Issue date: 10/5/07 Section: Life & Style
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"Murder on K Street: A Capital Crimes Novel" by Margaret Truman (Ballantine, $24.95)
All is not well for Sen. Lyle Simmons. On the surface, maybe, things couldn't be better. The possibility of running for president is a testament to his ability to negotiate the halls of power, yet simultaneously avoid the dirt that can so often derail such an opportunity.
However, when the senator returns home one evening, he finds his wife Kathleen murdered, thereby potentially destroying everything for which he has worked so hard.
Thus begins "Murder on K Street," by Margaret Truman. With the possibility of being charged with murder on the horizon, Simmons calls upon his long-time friend Rotundi for advice and support. Rotundi and Simmons go way back to when Simmons stole Rotundi's girlfriend Kathleen and married her. Things are not quite what they seem; for before she died she visited Rotundi and provided him with irrefutable evidence that Simmons was involved in illegalities. Although Rotundi is not about to rat out his friend, evidence and pressure begin to mount as it becomes clear that Simmons might have been the killer.
Truman has written several fictional and non-fiction works and it is clear that her familiarity with D.C. life and politics provide her with an inside perspective. The primary slant of this novel is to highlight the increasing number and power of lobbyists that have such an influence on government decisions. However, this focus is cleverly wrapped around an intricate plot that requires careful attention. Unfortunately, there are no unexpected twists and it quickly becomes evident who the killer was. Thus, although Truman spends much time and effort in character development, the book was disappointing.
All is not well for Sen. Lyle Simmons. On the surface, maybe, things couldn't be better. The possibility of running for president is a testament to his ability to negotiate the halls of power, yet simultaneously avoid the dirt that can so often derail such an opportunity.
However, when the senator returns home one evening, he finds his wife Kathleen murdered, thereby potentially destroying everything for which he has worked so hard.
Thus begins "Murder on K Street," by Margaret Truman. With the possibility of being charged with murder on the horizon, Simmons calls upon his long-time friend Rotundi for advice and support. Rotundi and Simmons go way back to when Simmons stole Rotundi's girlfriend Kathleen and married her. Things are not quite what they seem; for before she died she visited Rotundi and provided him with irrefutable evidence that Simmons was involved in illegalities. Although Rotundi is not about to rat out his friend, evidence and pressure begin to mount as it becomes clear that Simmons might have been the killer.
Truman has written several fictional and non-fiction works and it is clear that her familiarity with D.C. life and politics provide her with an inside perspective. The primary slant of this novel is to highlight the increasing number and power of lobbyists that have such an influence on government decisions. However, this focus is cleverly wrapped around an intricate plot that requires careful attention. Unfortunately, there are no unexpected twists and it quickly becomes evident who the killer was. Thus, although Truman spends much time and effort in character development, the book was disappointing.
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