Ex-Rough Rider Joseph St Clair has joined the Secret Service and his duty is to look after President Theodore Roosevelt's daughter, Alice, who is not a typical late 19th/early 20thC young society woman. For one, she smokes. She also visits bookies, spends time in the company of 'non-society' types, and, in this instance at least, solves murders.

I'm not American so the historical aspect of presidents and their families isn't that interesting to me, but I did learn that Alice was very real, only died in 1980, and was actually the controversial, outspoken and fascinating woman more or less depicted in the book. She sounds like a real kick! Certainly well ahead of her time and very much her own woman.

This second installment finds Agent St Claire back in Washington to keep an eye on Alice, who has been brought back from New York in order that her aunt and father can keep a somewhat closer eye on her. When Lynley Barker, an 'unreliable' member of Society and the group the XVII, drops dead at a Society party, no one is upset but a few are curious enough to wonder who actually did it. An easy suspect in the form of African-American mechanic, Peter Carlyle, is arrested by the police and most consider it over and done with. He'd had an argument with the victim earlier about a car. Society, after all, protects one from the uncomfortable and nastier things in life like murder and cushions one from even being questioned about it. The blacks, the Irish, the Chinese, the Jews - no one would care if any of them were arrested for it, whether they did it or not.

Alice dislikes the fact that her friend Peter has been arrested, simply because the police are lazy and no one is making any real effort to find the killer. Once a second body is discovered, however, the police get a little bit more interested, but it's Alice who continues to lead the charge, figuring out how the two victims are related and what they both have to with the secret XVII club.

The mystery flows well and has enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, although I was right about the killer. Overall, I enjoyed the story and the fact that it was based on a real person who, by the sounds of things, may actually have done very well if she'd taken it upon herself to investigate a murder or two!

Several passages, however, where nothing happened and did nothing to move the story forward or add anything to it were left in. These could easily be removed and not affect the story in any way.

This is the second book of Alice Roosevelt Mystery series. I haven’t read the first one but I love Lady Frances Efolkes series which are R.J. Koreto’s another historical mystery books. This book is very intriguing! I got totally engrossed in it.

Alice Roosevelt is a daughter of president Theodore Roosevelt and she witnessed a poisoned murder at the ballroom. She and her secret service bodyguard, Joseph St. Clair start to dig this crime as their innocent friend was suspected as a killer. They come to reveal romances, financial deal, immigration issue and also secret society.

The story is well written even I haven’t read its first book, I had no problem following the plot. I also enjoyed to read about the historical background. It describes American class society, immigrant and financial circumstances.

I think the best part of this book is the characters ;) I love all the characters especially the main characters, St. Clair and Alice. Alice was described as a pistol and I think it’s absolutely her! Lol
Alice is a witty, cheerful and passionate 18 years old lady. It’s very cute that when it comes about St. Clair, Alice becomes child-like a bit. I want to read more about them! I also like there is Japanese parson involved in this mystery even he seems not good guy :) As I am Japanese, I like reading about it from different aspect.

I marked this book 4.5 stars out of 5.0

Alice Roosevelt and her Secret Service bodyguard Joseph St. Clair are on the case again when Alice witnesses a murder at a swanky social event. Lynley Brackton has a glass of the Rutledge's infamous punch and then dies. Alice doesn't really get involved until the New York police arrest the mechanic who worked on his car and who works on the Roosevelt cars too. Peter Carlyle is a black man.

Alice knows that the murderer has to be a member of the highest society and that the police aren't able to investigate there. It is up to her and St. Clair to see that justice is done. As Alice pays condolence calls on affected members she finds a tangled mess of personal relations and business connections. Then there is a second victim of the same poison. The much younger wife of a reclusive businessman also dies. She was at the same party as Alice and standing with the Brackton and his wife. Then Brackton's wife is sent the same poison but doesn't drink it since she's been warned.

As Alice investigates, she sees the growing tensions between the various ethnic groups coming to New York in the early 20th Century. Between the Irish and Italian gangs, the Jewish immigrants, and the blacks, New York is a hotbed of change. Old New Yorkers represented by a club they have formed are against all the changes. For a while it looks like the murders were related to the club membership.

I really enjoy the historical setting of this mystery. I am also a big fan of Alice Roosevelt who at eighteen is brave, bold, and more than a little outrageous. St. Clair has his hands full trying to keep Alice safe and is also a great guide and companion for her.

I can't wait for Alice and St. Clair's next case. Fans of historical mysteries will be very pleased with this wonderful story.

This is the second book in R.J. Koreto’s Alice Roosevelt series, so there may be spoilers ahead for the first book. You could likely read this book as a stand-alone, but reading Alice and the Assassin first is a better choice.

Alice Roosevelt and her intrepid bodyguard, Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, have been reunited and sent back to New York for the social season. When a man is poisoned at the coming-out ball of one of Alice’s friends, Alice can’t help but get involved in the investigation. As they dig deeper into the man’s death, Alice and St. Clair find rumors of a secret society, and a surplus of suspects. It seems a lot of people had good reason to wish the victim dead…

R.J. Koreto writes a great female protagonist. In this series, he bases his leading lady on real-life Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Teddy Roosevelt, and verifiable hellion. Koreto brings the plain-talking, cigarette-smoking, taboo-busting Alice into a great historical mystery plot and lets her loose.

The first book had some rough areas, which can usually be attributed to the difficulty inherent in introducing a new world and new characters without sacrificing plot and pacing. Happily, this installment is a fun, engaging ride, with Alice and St. Clair hitting their respective strides. Fans of historical mysteries will find a lot to like in Alice Roosevelt.

An advance copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks Crooked Lane Books and netgalley for this ARC.

Alice keeps our attention and makes us cheer for her and this series by being vivacious, fun, and naughty. The story line also keeps us guessing and wanting more.

Body In The Ballroom is the second book in the Alice Roosevelt Mystery series.

I enjoy reading historical mysteries and this was a very entertaining series. Extremely interesting and well developed characters. It was easy to see that the author spent time researching the times and life of the citizens of this country in the early 1900’s. The series centers around eighteen year-old Alice Roosevelt, daughter of President Teddy Roosevelt and Alice’s bodyguard and former Rough Rider, Joseph “Cowboy” St. Clair. St. Clair certainly is a busy man, not only guarding the President’s daughter, but keeping Alice out of trouble.

Alice and St. Clair have returned to the home of Mrs. Cowles, the President’s sister, New York City. Alice has returned to the city to attend the debut ball of Rutledge family’s daughter, Philadelphia. As people are gathered around a punch bowl, Lynley Brackton’s wife hands him a glass of punch and shortly after drinking it became very ill and quickly passed away. The Rutledge’s family physician is called and he feels that Brackton was poisoned by wolfsbane. It is soon learned that Rutledge has a garden that in fact does have some wolfsbane growing, which has been broken into and some of the plants show signs of recently being disturbed. Against his better judgment St. Clair agrees to help Alice investigate the murder.

They begin to wonder if Brackton might not have been the intended victim and they also need to look into an organization called XVII a group who is against anyone who is not a White Protestant and whose family has been in New York for 4 or 5 generations.

The book is well-plotted and told story. I enjoyed all the characters, but especially Alice and St. Clair. The interaction between the two was very enjoyable. Alice will put a smile on your face many times. Plus you will find yourself thinking that poor St. Clair, what will Alice get him into next.

I will definitely be watching for the next book in this enjoyable series.

historical-novel, historical-fiction, historical-figures, historical-places-events, law-enforcement, murder-investigation, humor

The author totally captures the spirit of Alice Roosevelt! The exasperated staff (and even a brief appearance of her father during his presidency), the kinds of attitudes held by certain segments of the public, and her penchant for pushing the envelope all ring true based on public accounts. But this is fiction, and fascinating, as is the construction of the investigation into the murders and a number of side issues as well. The publisher's blurb gives hints and there is no need for spoilers, but that can't begin to prepare you for all the laughs! There are lots of twists, suspense, and red herrings, and lots of hilarious situational and verbal humor. I really loved this fun read!
I requested and was lucky to receive a free review copy from the publisher via NetGalley.

This book was spectacular for so many reasons. I spent a lot of time researching history just to enhance my joy with the story. The descriptions of Alice Roosevelt were entirely believable, and her 'Cowboy' was delightful. I was transported into another time and place, one that I could visit no other way. All in all it was wonderful. I look forward to more!

Have you ever wanted to be friends with a president's daughter or son? For me, Alice Roosevelt would be a killer friend to have and I would love to be caught up in a mystery with her by my side. She has a huge personality and lively spirit. At least, according to "The Body in the Ballroom" by R.J. Koreto. The author's ability to bring Alice to life was perfect and really made me wish she was a friend at a coffee shop with me today or send me back in time...

The mystery was moderately paced and was well done. The scenario was well done and set up right along with maintaining the historical aspect of things while creating engaging characters. I am ready for MORE Alice Roosevelt mysteries!

A well done cozy mystery!

***I received a galley via NetGalley from the publisher for my review***

This was a great read. It had lots of mystery and history. I highly recommend!

"Deal me in, Cowboy."

Joseph St. Clair, agent of the Secret Service and a former sergeant of the Rough Riders of San Juan Hill, has really met his match. St. Clair is assigned protective care of young eighteen year old Alice Roosevelt, lively daughter of President Theodore Roosevelt. (1901 - 1909) (Teddy once said that he could either mind his daughter Alice or run the country. He couldn't do both.) Joe had also been deputy sheriff in Wyoming in which reining in a wild mustang was akin to keeping Alice in check.

Alice, with Joe St. Clair in tow, attends a debutante ball held at the Rutledge mansion in New York City. During the course of the evening, Lynley Brackton, a well-to-do businessman of High Society, falls dead after imbibing in a cup of punch. Shock filters through the attendees. Alice becomes suspicious when the crystal cup is found on the floor shattered. The tension is kicked up a notch further when another guest is found dead days later. Joe St. Clair feels the reverberations coming off Alice. Like a huntin' pup pulling on the lead, Alice is ready for some action.

R.J. Koreto has outdone himself in The Body in the Ballroom. Although second in this series, each book can be read as a standalone. This current offering is chock full of timely issues that parlay into today's world as well. The turn of the 20th century brought severe hardships on the streets of New York City for African Americans, Irish, Italians, Chinese, and Jews. Neighborhoods became strongholds for individuals who leaned in on these groups and make life simply oppressive for them. Koreto even laces his storyline with Wall Street and the underhanded exchanges of money and goods. Impending war in the coming years takes its place at the table, too.

"Keep it simple, Cowboy."

While a mystery lined with murder is still at hand here, Koreto sticks to imbuing his storyline with the historical downfalls of life in New York City with its judgments and social hierarchies that tended to rumble across America. Plenty of challenges then and plenty of challenges now. Factor in the role of women as well and the expectations. Alice, dear girl, you were light years ahead of your time. Just ask Teddy who beckoned in women's right to vote as early as 1912. Always surrounded by strong, intelligent women, Teddy knew a good thing eye to eye.

I rceived a copy of The Body in the Ballroom through NetGalley for an honest review. My thanks to Crooked Lane Books and to R.J. Koreto for the opportunity.

The Body in the Ballroom is a nice enough, moderately-paced, historical cozy mystery, but I was uncomfortable with the relationship between Alice and Joseph. He is her bodyguard and older, and is overly familiar with her. She is 'feisty' (read bratty), hates being bored, and is often reckless and inappropriate,

In this installment, Alice has taken Joseph to a lavish society ball, where an unsavory male socialite obligingly falls dead next to the punch bowl. Lazy police work and unfounded allegations encourage Alice to track down whodunit to clear those innocently accused.

This book was a delight and just what I hoped it would be! Engaging characters, historical detail and a clever mystery!

A very good historical mystery. Even if I didn't read the other books in this series there was no problem in understanding the plot, the characters and their relationship.
The book is really enjoyable and entertaining and I appreciated both the setting and the plot.
Recommended.
Many thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley

I loved this Alice Roosevelt mystery! Alice and her Secret Agent bodyguard, Joseph St. Clair, become involved in a murder mystery. A man is murdered at a ball that Alice and Mr. St. Clair are attending. One of her friends is accused of the murder. In order to clear his name, Alice starts digging in to find out who committed the murder.
I wanted to find out more about Alice Roosevelt. Even though this story is historical fiction, I could picture her involved in solving murders. She seemed to be a lively, hard to tame person. I also liked the references to her father and his career. I liked this story so much that I checked out the first book from my library. It was also very good. Waiting for more in this series!

Alice Roosevelt, the daring daughter of the president, exasperates father and aunt as she seeks to stave off boredom. When she comes across a murder, with the assistance of Secret Service Agent Joseph St. Clair, she pursues every lead to get to the bottom of the crime.

As I did not read the first book in the series, I can only judge this book by itself. And what a book it is! It is told from the point of view of Agent St. Clair, who has been placed in charge of the security and safety of the president's daughter. That is not an easy task when the young woman charges headfirst into solving the mystery.

Although there were a few moments when I was confused, mostly because of references to the first book, I found this to be a well paced, well plotted, and all around fun book. The characters, even those taken straight out of history, are interesting and the time period was portrayed just as I would have expected.

I would highly recommend this to readers who enjoy stories based on people who really lived but enjoy the edge of fiction and mystery.

Alice Roosevelt (daughter of President Teddy) is the main character on this mystery. She is a lively young woman, or this is how the narrator, her secret service 'minder' portrays her.
A really easy read which has a lot to say about attitudes and prejudice at the start of the twentieth century. And there are cowboys!!

The Body In The Ballroom is a light, quick read and what I would call a "cozy" mystery. I enjoyed it but had a little bit of trouble with the concept of Alice Roosevelt being the main character. It may have just been my own take on it because I kept expecting it to be more historically slanted. I can still give it 4 stars because it is well done.

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane for the ARC.

Alice Roosevelt was a witty and beautiful women, intelligent, spirited and the daughter of a President. These ingredients should make for a fascinating character to include in a work of fiction. However in this book I found her spoiled and irritating and, worst of all, rather dull.

Early 20th century New York likewise should provide an interesting backdrop, but I came away with no real sense of the historical period here depicted.

The plot with two Society deaths, attempted murder, financial dealings, risky romance and a secret society, was worthy and rather plodding. I found much of the investigation routine and somewhat repetitive. The interplay between Alice and her Secret Service bodyguard was not as sparky as I expected.

Overall, this was rather disappointing with a lot of interesting potential going unfulfilled.

If someone offered me the opportunity to go back in time and meet any historical character I wanted, Alice Roosevelt would be on my short list. Lively and ahead of her time, Alice has always fascinated me so when I saw this book, I knew I had to read it. The Body in the Ballroom does not disappoint. Alice and the Secret Service agent assigned to her, Joseph St. Clair (who is a former Rough Rider), are sent to New York for the spring season. Soon after their arrival in New York City, Alice attends a ball and witnesses the death of one of the wealthy guests. Naturally, Alice with the help of St. Clair feels compelled to investigate and attempt to solve the crime. The farther the duo delves into the crime, the more they realize that there’s a lot more at issue than one murder.

My favorite part of this book is Alice herself. Koreto manages to recreate Alice’s effervescent and spirited personality, and Alice is so real she almost leaps off the pages. The author opens with a fabulous quote of Alice’s: “If you haven’t got anything nice to say about anybody, come sit next to me.” This quote is perfect for the story that unfolds in The Body on the Ballroom. I also really like that the story is told in first person from the viewpoint of St. Clair. He is a clever choice to narrate and is very effective. My one small caveat is that while at times I was questioning small aspects of the story that seemed maybe out of place or unlikely to have been accurate for the time period, I enjoyed the story so much that I just ignored those minor issues. The book is a ton of fun to read, and I love both the characters and the plot.

People always say that history repeats itself, and I kept conjuring up that saying as I read The Body in the Ballroom. New York City’s immigrant community had blossomed in the years prior to the time period in this book. Much like the issues the United States is facing today, this change in the cultural and ethnic makeup of the city at the beginning of the 1900’s threatened some individuals in power and cause them to create anti-immigrant groups and policies. Roosevelt’s invitation for Booker T. Washington’s to visit the White House and Washington’s subsequent visit sparked outrage in some parts of the country, and various ethnic groups were targeted just based on their ethnicity or color. While thankfully we have made some progress, the immigrant issue has come blazing to the forefront again almost 120 years later.

I very much enjoyed reading The Body in the Ballroom and recommend it to anyone who loves a fun mystery. I received this book to read and review. All opinions are my own.