Smile Now, Die Later [Hardcover]

Vivien Armstrong (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 2003

Zoe Templeman is a Londoner who works in the seemingly respectable world of antiques. One horrible day she discovers Max Loudon-Fryer, her boss, hanging from the high rafter in his studio. He leaves behind the beautiful, Saba, and her son who had become dependant on him, plus his estranged wife Desiree, as well as Zoe, who is desperate for the money Max owed her. When a hammer complete with a bloody clump of hairs is discovered in Max's car, this doesn't seem like a straightforward suicide. As Zoe begins to realize who might be responsible for the ensuing deaths, she is left feeling very confused and very alone.

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Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

When London textile conservationist Zoe Templeman discovers her boss's body hanging from a rafter in his studio, it's just the beginning of what will prove to be a nightmare of murder and personal tragedy in this flawless page-turner from British veteran Armstrong (Beyond the Pale). Well-respected by other antiques dealers and customers alike, Max Loudon-Fryer seems an unlikely suicide candidate. A blood-stained hammer that turns up in the victim's car appears to be the first important clue to the crime. Zoe's natural curiosity and genuine human warmth lead her to uncover the secrets of a number of people, including Max's gorgeous Pakistani housekeeper, Saba, and her four-year-old son; Max's estranged wife, Desiree; and even the love of Zoe's own life, renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Haydon Masure. After more than one impeccable reputation shatters in the course of the investigation, Zoe flees to Paris to deliver a valuable restored tapestry to its owner, and there all the pieces come together in a heart-wrenching conclusion. As skilled at plot weaving as her heroine is at restoring antique tapestries, Armstrong combines credible secondary characters, vivid settings (notably cold and rainy London in autumn), subtle hints and misdirections into a seamless whole certain to appeal to a broad range of mystery fans.
Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Imagine London art restorer Zoe Templeman's shock when she discovers the body of her employer, Max Loudon-Fryer, hanging from a self-fashioned noose in his studio. Max seemed like the last person who would kill himself, but a police investigation reveals that he was in financial hot water. Max's death is only the beginning of her troubles: her workshop is destroyed in a flood, the police keep pestering her, and she's saddled with Max's now-homeless housekeeper and his cold-hearted wife. Her boyfriend, cosmetic surgeon Haydon Masure, begins to act strangely, and Zoe learns that Haydon has lied to her on several occasions. Then the caretaker at Haydon's country home is savagely murdered, and soon after, Haydon is killed by intruders. Will Zoe be next? Escaping to Paris, she begins to piece together the whole sordid truth. With its inventive (albeit occasionally overcomplicated) plot, jaunty heroine, and happy ending, this makes entertaining reading for those who prefer Thriller Lite. Emily Melton
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Severn House Publishers (January 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0727858963
• ISBN-13: 978-0727858962
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 6.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 1.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,520,384 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:

1.0 out of 5 stars A WEAK SMILE, September 22, 2003

By 

charles falk (Novato, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Smile Now, Die Later (Hardcover)

This book is more romance than mystery. Its central character, Zoe Templeman, is a textile restorer who does freelance work for antique dealers in London. Her lover is a successful cosmetic surgeon with a flat in Belgravia and a large country place. His stitching is more lucrative than hers. The story begins with Zoe finding an important client hanged in his own studio. In trying to shield his housekeeper, a beautiful Pakistani prostitute, and her asthmatic son from police attention, she complicates her own life. In the process Zoe discovers that her lover has secrets of his own. After this promising start the story goes tepid. Armstrong telegraphs the solutions to her dual mysteries long before her heroine figures them out.

Armstrong writes crisp, sometimes witty dialogue, but her storytelling is eccentric. At times she switchs from Zoe's perspective to that of other characters for no apparent reason. Much of the plot's action takes place offstage while Zoe is introspecting about her love life and business problems. The reader learns nothing about textile restoration, the antique business, or cosmetic surgery because we see almost nothing of Zoe or her surgeon at work. The story ends with love triumphant, but with precious little resolution.