Of course, Brixton’s investigation takes him right into the heart of Washington, D.C. where prominent politicians and their families will think nothing of committing crimes to save face and their good names. Once back in Washington, the plot grows a little more confused as law professor Mackensie Smith and his wife Annabel are brought into the mix of things, presumably because they are always in Truman’s books.   

If this had been written not as part of Truman’s long-standing series, and had stayed in Savannah and its environs and not felt the need to gratuitously include the Smiths, this plot has the potential to be a very good mystery. The plot is interesting with its the unsolved murder, almost cold after twenty years, and the social and political implications of the truth finally being revealed.  Brixton is a fine investigator and, although not much about his personal life is disclosed, he has the potential to be an interesting series character in his own right. 

Longtime fans of Margaret Truman will, of course, take the time to read this book, but may be disappointed that their beloved author who was so spot on in the past has not been given proper due in death.                                          

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry