Speak Now

Some blurb on the dust wrapper suggests that the two main characters in 'Speak Now' are a 'modern day Nick and Nora Charles' but I am afraid, for me, they do not resemble Dashiell Hammett's two characters very much at all. And that becomes apparent early on in the book, so whether that coloured my final overall view of the novel, I am not sure. Perhaps it did for I found the storyline quite engaging to begin with but then it became very average with the interplay between Charley and Jack somewhat predictable and a little boring.<br /><br />The story revolves around a repertory company's production and all the toing and froing that goes on in casting, rehearsing and everything else involved in putting on such a production. As is perhaps to be expected with repertory companies there are many petty jealousies and personality clashes all of which lead to trouble. Throw in a body in the bathtub of Charley and Jack's hotel room and it all gets a little fractious.<br /><br />Later there is another body discovered and by then the two main protagonists are well and truly into the investigation, which at times is a little unclear. A police inspector pops up and he plays rather a minor role in his bumbling sort of way but in the end everything is sorted out, to a degree, for the finale is a little confusing.<br /><br />Overall it was an agreeable disappointment for I was hoping for better.<br />

SPEAK NOW (Amateur Sleuth-San Francisco-Cont) – VG<br />Dumas, Margaret – 1st book<br />Poisoned Pen Press, 2004- Hardcover<br />Charley Van Leeuwen is famous to her friends as being commitment-phobic. So imagine both her, and their, surprise when she returns from London, married to Jack Fairfax, a man she's only known six weeks. When they check into their honeymoon suite at the Mark Hopkins, they are not alone due to the body of a naked woman in the bathtub. When Charley's cousin Cece is kidnapped and Jack seems to have some unexpected talents and friends, Charlie wonders how well does she know him? <br />*** The cover blurb by Donna Andrews describes the book as "a modern day Nick and Nora Charles," and I'd say she's not far off. The characters are part of the upscale, San Francisco, theater, cocktail set, but it's the self-deprecating, first person voice that gives the story balance and humor. All of the supporting characters are wonderful, particularly Flank. It's a quick, fun read that is cozy with a bit of romance, but also an entertaining break for those of us who usually prefer something darker. I'll be looking forward to Charley and Jack's next adventure.<br />

I read this when my neighborhood book club selected it. I enjoyed reading it at the time, but this was a few years ago and as I look back, it was just not memorable, which means it was "okay," thus, the two stars. I much prefer to read books that are more memorable than this one. As pure escape, it was "okay."

I don't usually read mysteries like this, but it was in the stack my mom gave me. It was probably the kind of light fluff I needed right now. But, dang, must the men in these books always be so handsome, so charming, so perfect? And the sex is always so good. These men don't exist in real life.

This was a roaring great read.<br /><br />It hit a lot of my buttons: San Francisco location, bantering investigators, local theater inside information, amateur investigators working with the police.<br /><br />The newlyweds arrive at their hotel to find a dead body in the bath.<br /><br />Even worse news is that the cousin has been kidnapped.<br /><br />Charley learns a lot about her new husband as he bonds with her overprotective guardian, Harry, whose daughter is the one who was kidnapped.<br /><br />She also learns that various people at the theater are missing, namely the writer and the director.<br />The production is ready to audition the cast and Charley steps up to direct and lead in his absence.<br />His girlfriend feels something is wrong about the note left behind, and that he abandoned her without a word. The staff feel he was hired under false pretenses and he did not have the knowledge he should have based on his resume.<br /><br />Charley and Jack investigate and the showdown comes on opening night.<br /><br />I borrowed a copy from the public library, but will recommend this to my mystery reading group ASAP.

Her friends are stunned when extremely wealthy Charley returns from a trip to London with a husband in tow. He's retired Navy, and claims to have specialized in meteorology. But Charley's paranoid uncle Harry is sure that Jack Fairfax was a spy, or worse. He certainly seems to have skills that you wouldn't expect from a weatherman. Sinister things seem to be happening--there's a naked body in the hotel suite, Harry's daughter is kidnapped, there are problems in the small nonprofit theater rep that Charley started. Jack finally admits that he thinks the problems may be caused by an enemy he made. I read this for the first time in 2004, when it was published (pre-GR in my life), but the sequel, which I'd also recommend, just came out recently. Fast paced, irreverent, enjoyable.

I really enjoyed this book. The relationship between husband and wife was very discreet but fun. The characters were delightful. The mystery kept you guessing. I would read this author again however this is her first book. I hope she continues to write about the new Mr and Mrs North.<br /><br />

Fun plot and some nice writing. A bit too "Sex in the City" for my tastes - too many scenes showing off how much money the characters inexplicably had, and too many chapters ending with"...and we had sex." Might be worth checking out her other work.

A very entertaining read.

Very, very enjoyable!