Commanding an Audience

When I was a boy, we celebrated two U.S. presidential birthdays in February: Abraham Lincoln’s on February 12 and George Washington’s on February 22. Nowadays, however, we’re left with only Presidents’ Day, which is supposed to honor both men--as well as the 41 others who have served in America’s highest elective office.

To commemorate this federal holiday, bookstore owner Judy Cross has put together a list, for The Little Blog of Murder, of “mysteries involving presidents.” You can find her suggested reading materials here. Also worth looking up is Janet Rudolph’s rundown of crime novels--compiled in association with Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration--that feature U.S. presidents, their families, or their often bruising campaigns.

READ MORE: “He’s No Ann Rule, But Still ...,” by J. Kingston
Pierce (The Rap Sheet).