Murder at the Library of Congress by Margaret Truman

"An author whose inside knowledge of Washington is matched by her ability to spin a compelling mystery plot."
                             -a review from Crime Times

We had a tour of Washington D.C. planned when I noticed this book on a shelf in the library. I wasn't looking for it but it just sort of found me. I started reading, hoping we would get to the Library of Congress although it was not on our itinerary. And what do you know? On the last day, something was cancelled and we ended up at the Library after all! Such a stunningly beautiful building! It was interesting to see the main reading room, really the only part mentioned in the book that was visible on a short tour.

I had read one other mystery by Margaret Truman and enjoyed it. This one was quite entertaining, as well, with a many-faceted plot including more than one murder and the theft of a painting. I liked the main character, Annabel Reed-Smith, an artist/writer researching an article on the diaries of Bartholome de Las Casas. He was a 16th century explorer who sailed with Columbus and may have kept his own diaries which, if found, would be extremely valuable historically. This history mystery was intriguing to a history buff like myself. With the elements of history, the sleuthing of a shocking murder AND mention of places I was visiting at the time, what was NOT to like about this one? I would give it a 4.