President Alfred Bagshaw has been murdered inside the walls of the iconic White House. Shock and despair threaten to overtake Agent Robert Down, Director of the Secret Service, but he manages to put aside his emotions to take control of the unfolding scene. Vice President Green arrives and is assured that the perpetrator will be brought to justice. Who is to blame for the assassination? The President’s mistress, Elizabeth Tribe, is the only suspect. The only problem is that Tribe isn’t responsible. Instead, there are some wild conspiracies and stunning plays for power happening behind the scenes, and the real murderer may never be discovered.
Tragic Death in the White House is a dramatic thriller that demonstrates a true reverence for the office of the President. The setting and tone of the story builds a spirit of patriotism, all while detailing a shocking crime. However, the narrative is not without problems. There are persistent grammatical errors throughout, pulling readers from an otherwise engaging story. Also distracting are some peculiar expressions and phrases that give the feeling of a book that was translated into English rather than one written by a native speaker. What Anthony Wallace has done well, though, is come up with an intriguing plot and a whole host of interesting characters to keep readers on their toes. There are even ongoing ‘rules for assassins on the run’ that add balance and levity to a complex story. Inelegant yet exciting, Tragic Death in the White House dives right into a vast sea of suspense and mystery.
