In 1902 New York, Alice Roosevelt, the bright, passionate, and wildly unconventional daughter of newly sworn-in President Theodore Roosevelt, is placed under the supervision of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, ex-cowboy and veteran of the Rough Riders. St. Clair quickly learns that half his job is helping Alice roll cigarettes and escorting her to bookies, but matters grow even more difficult when Alice takes it upon herself to investigate a recent political killing–the assassination of former president William McKinley.
Concerned for her father’s safety, Alice seeks explanations for the many unanswered questions about the avowed anarchist responsible for McKinley’s death. In her quest, Alice drags St. Clair from grim Bowery bars to the elegant parlors of New York’s ruling class, from the haunts of the Chinese secret societies to the magnificent new University Club. Meanwhile, Alice finds herself increasingly attracted to St. Clair–but he’s struggling with his hard and violent past, even as they try to stop a killer whose greed knows no bounds. Published by Crooked Lane Books.
What the Critics Say
“The first daughter’s lively personality, her chemistry with her Secret Service agent, and Koreto’s detailed knowledge of turn-of-the century New York City make for an entertaining series debut.”
—Kirkus Reviews
“This is a fun start to a new series, with characters that will leave readers hungry for more. Alice Roosevelt…is endearing in her own feisty, irreverent way. Joseph St. Clair…makes an entertaining and sexy cowboy counterpart. Their back-and-forth banter is smartly hilarious…”
—RT Book Reviews
—Suspense Magazine
Where to Buy
President Teddy Roosevelt’s daring daughter, Alice, leaps into action to exonerate a friend accused of poisoning a man just about everyone hated.
Alice Roosevelt, the brilliant, danger-loving daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt, has already risked an assassin’s bullet to solve one murder. She never expected to have to sleuth another, but she’d never pass up the opportunity, either. Anything to stave off boredom.
And such an opportunity presents itself when Alice is invited to a lavish ball. The high-society guests are in high spirits as they imbibe the finest wines. But one man, detested by nearly all the partygoers, quaffs a decidedly deadlier cocktail. An African-American mechanic, who also happens to be a good friend of former Rough Rider-turned-Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, is suspected of the murder-by-poison, but Alice is sure he’s innocent and is back on the scene to clear his name.
From downtown betting parlors to uptown mansions, Alice and Agent St. Clair uncover forbidden romances and a financial deal that just might change the world. But neither Alice nor her would-be protector may survive the case at hand in The Body in the Ballroom, R. J. Koreto’s gripping second Alice Roosevelt mystery. Published by Crooked Lane Books.
Available in June 2018–Pre-Order Now
R.J. Koreto's Mysteries 