SPEAK NOW (Amateur Sleuth-San Francisco-Cont) – VGDumas, Margaret – 1st bookPoisoned Pen Press, 2004- HardcoverCharley 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? *** 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.
Charley Van Leeuwen surprises everyone by returning from London with a new husband, Jack Fairfax. He's a mild mannered meteorologist who is tall, dark and handsome, all that you could wish for in a husband. But Charley begins to suspect there is more to Jack than meets the eye, especially after finding a dead body in their bathtub, following him on a ransom drop and being rescued by Jack while bullets are flying. Charley has her hands full dealing with kidnapping, murder, bitter ex-boyfriends, crazy relatives and trying to stage a play for her struggling repertory theater.Margaret Dumas has written a delightfully funny mystery featuring Charley and Jack who are reminiscent of Nick & Nora Charles with a modern twist. Witty banter, humorous characters and a good solid mystery keep you enthralled from beginning to end. An entertaining debut novel that will leave you wanting to hear more about the adventures of these madcap newlyweds.
Do You like book Speak Now: Married To Mystery (2005)?
I bought this for my wife a few Xmas's ago after reading the first two chapters on line (whatever happened to that mailing list?)A very good, if by the numbers, cute couple mystery. This book is really very solidly written. I wanted to really like it more, but the narrator's (author's) obsession with brand names and luxury goods was really annoying. The litany of the narrator's perfect meals, perfect hotel room, perfect clothes, great lifelong friends, and now perfect husband gets tedious (and a bit over wordy). Give me Stephanie Plum. A great first effort for the author though.
—Scoats
