Homicide in the House (Washington Whodunit) - Softcover

Colleen J. Shogan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1603813330 ISBN 13: 9781603813334

Publisher: Camel Press, 2016

Synopsis

Kit Marshall has bounced back from her first brush with the law, when she was suspected of murdering her senator boss. Now she is working for a freshman congresswoman, Maeve Dixon, a young Gulf War veteran representing North Carolina. It's February, and Kit is feeling out of sorts. A government shutdown has just been announced, wreaking havoc on the Hill, and Dan, Dixon's chief of staff and Kit's supervisor, is an inexperienced lightweight flying blind. Then there's Kit's distracted live-in boyfriend, Doug, who doesn't seem any closer to popping the question. Kit's best friend Meg is up to her eyeballs with her new beau and oversight committee job, and Clarence the beagle mix will certainly not win Capitol Canine if Meg has to campaign for him all by herself. Bad as things are now, they are about to get much worse. Early one morning Representative Dixon is caught standing over the corpse of Jack Drysdale, the Speaker of the House's top staffer, a man she argued with in front of the press the day before. The murder weapon was the Speaker's gavel. This item was entrusted to Dixon at the time, leading the police to believe they've found their killer. To save her job, Kit must clear her boss's name, and quickly. Dixon's career may be over if the police declare her a suspect or an anonymous blogger known as Hill Rat breaks the story. Solving this murder will test Kit's courage and all her fledgling powers of deduction as she roams a spooky, sparsely populated Capitol Hill looking for clues and sounding out suspects. Book 2 of the Washington Whodunit series, which began with Stabbing in the Senate.

About this title

About the Author:

Colleen J. Shogan is a senior executive at the Library of Congress. She is the former deputy director of the Congressional Research Service and previously served as a staffer in the United States Senate. A political scientist by training, Colleen has taught American government at Georgetown University, Penn, and George Mason. Colleen is a native of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. She received her BA from Boston College and her doctorate from Yale. A member of Sisters in Crime, she lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her husband Rob Raffety and their rescue mutt, Conan. For more information, please visit: colleenshogan.com

Review:

"Shogan's solid second Washington, D.C. (after 2015's Stabbing in the Senate) finds congressional staffer Kit Marshall serving as legislative director to North Carolina freshman Representative Maeve Dixon, a middle-of-the-road Democrat. On the eve of a government shutdown over the budget, Jack Drysdale, teh Speaker of the House's top aide, tries to persuade Dixon to toe the party line, but he ends up in a very public confrontation with her instead. When Drysdale turns up dead in the Capitol rotunda the next day, Dixon becomes the prime suspect in his murder. With the threat of Dixon's arrest imminent, Marshall begins to look for alternative suspects, who include Gareth Pressler, a senior aide for the Sergeant of Arms; Drysdale's spouse, Jordon Macintyre; and anonymous blogger Hill Rat. Shogan does a good job depicting the creaky, squeaky wheels of government, and Marshall plays politics and sleuth with equal dexterity in this capital Capitol Hill mystery."
--Publishers Weekly, April 18, 2016

4 Stars: "The gang is together again in this exceptional murder mystery as Kit, her friend Meg, boyfriend Doug and rescue dog Clarence collectively work to solve the crime. Each distinctive personality shines as they bring the case to a close. Be prepared for another adventure."
--RT Magazine

"Homicide in the House" is a fast-paced fun read, with an original concept. Author Colleen J. Shogan's education and work experience ensure that the details are factual, and fascinating to readers without inside-the-Beltway knowledge. There are plot twists every so often to keep the readers on their toes. The suspense at the end of the book — WOW! What a climax! I love the part that Clarence plays in the climax, as well as some comic relief earlier... I recommend "Homicide in the House" to all fans of cozy mysteries. I think it will particularly appeal to anyone who prefers fictional political shenanigans over the real ones in the news lately.  --Jane Reads, June 2016

"Book two of the “Washington Whodunit” series, “Homicide in the House” is a chick-lit mystery combining the ups and downs of a long-term relationship with the mystery of who killed the Speaker’s aide. Ms. Shogan has created a well-written mystery, with some political info mixed in to build the setting without bogging down the story. There is an excellent cast, some humor, some drama, and an edge of danger."  --InD'tale Magazine, June 2016

"Homicide in the House" is filled with great characters, secrets of the House, political intrigue, some laugh out loud moments and a wonderful mystery. Seriously well-written and a perfect whodunit. I was kept guessing until the end...I think "Homicide in the House" is even better than the first in this Washington Whodunit series. I love Kit as the protagonist and she is surrounded by well-developed and interesting characters... The whodunit is well plotted and intriguing. The characters are believable and real even if the action is far removed for me. The humor and wit really elevate this read. I recommend it to cozy lovers that enjoy political subterfuge and those that do not. If you are looking for a great, can’t put it down book, look no further than "Homicide in the House." --Open Book Society Reviews

"5 Stars: The plot is very engaging and intelligent with several twists. It's really hard to put down this book before the end. The characters are well developed and believable. It's been a pleasant journey to discover Washington and its political intrigue. Highly recommended!" --LibriAmoriMiei

"Congressional Research Service/Library of Congress worker and former Senate staffer Shogan knows life on Capitol Hill, and her expertise is reflected here. VERDICT A solid choice for political junkies and readers of ­Maggie ­Sefton, Fred Hunter, and Mike Lawson."  -- Library Journal

About this edition

• Publisher: Camel Press
• Publication date: 2016
• ISBN 10: 1603813330
• ISBN 13: 9781603813334
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 258