The Last Act of All [Hardcover]

Aline Templeton (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

Returning to remote Radnesfield after serving time for the murder of her husband, soap opera star Neville Fielding, Helena Fielding becomes the target of the real killer when Detective Sergeant Frances Howard decides to unofficially reopen the original case.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

After serving time for the murder of her TV star husband, Helena Fielding returns to the isolated village of Radnesfield-a hateful place where her selfish, philandering, and now dead husband settled out of spite. Her current husband, a village native, throws a welcome-home party, but murder arrives as an uninvited guest. Templeton offers psychological depth, a nicely crafted plot, and an atmosphere of brooding intensity. Recommended.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Kirkus Reviews

A shattered actress beauty is claimed by her second husband after serving time for the murder of her divorced first, a schizoid TV star. In flashback, Helena Fielding describes the decay of her marriage to Neville Fielding, who had taken to imitating the brutal ``Harry Bradman'' of his series scripts. Neville manipulated and alienated the natives of ugly, isolated Radnesfield, where he'd bought a manse, and drove Helena into the recuperative embrace of gentle Edward Radley, a son of the gentry from whom Neville had bought the mansion. When Neville announced he was selling Radnesfield to developers, he was murdered. Innocent Helena pled guilty to protect her teenaged daughter; upon her release, however, she became vulnerable to the true killer. At this point, Sgt. Frances Howarth reopens the case, takes over the narrative and- -following some sex-role banter with her male boss and a second murder--traces the real culprit at the heart of Radnesfield. British author Templeton's first US appearance tries both psychological reminiscence and--changing horses--feminist-trendy procedural but to confused effect. The logic bends under pressure, and the murderer can be spotted practically on introduction. -- Copyright ©1996, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 202 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312143036
• ISBN-13: 978-0312143039
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,348,351 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful., October 2, 2005

By 

L. J. Roberts (Oakland, CA, USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Last Act of All (Hardcover)

I discovered Templeton with her current book "Cold in the Earth" and promptly ordered as much of her backlist as I could find. It was so worth it! She is a wonderfully atmospheric writer. In this, you feel the inclusiveness of the village and the frustration of Helena. But it's the way in which this story is told I particularly liked. The first "book" is Helena returning from prison and trying to adjust. The second "book" takes us back to her first marriage; moving to the village and up through her trial. The final "book" is the solving of the crimes. I was so engrossed in the story; I didn't suspect the villain until late. I highly recommend this book and this author.