Speak Now [Hardcover]

Margaret Dumas (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 2004

Charley Van Leeuwen can tell by a man's kiss whether he's been drinking Taittinger or Veuve Clicquot. Not that she kisses many men, a fact her friends deplore. So imagine their surprise when she comes home to San Francisco with her new husband.
Jack Fairfax is the definition of tall, dark, and handsome. But is he the mild-mannered meteorologist he claims to be?
Sometime between finding a dead body in her bathtub, tagging along on a ransom drop, and getting rescued by her husband in a hail of bullets, Charley begins to believe there's more to Jack's past than he's willing--or able--to admit.
So, here's Charley, used to her money as a cushion, forced to protect her family and friends and rescue her non-profit repertory theater from artistic and financial ruin. If that means dealing with kidnappings, murders, bitter ex-boyfriends, out-of-control relatives, and vicious former spies--all while staging a play--well, nobody ever said marriage would be easy.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Short-listed for Britain's C.W.A. 2003 Debut Dagger Award, Dumas's sparkling debut should appeal to both cozy and chick-lit fans. Thirty-four-year-old Charley Van Leeuwen, who runs her own "non-profit rep company in San Francisco," has married Jack Fairfax, a dashing former U.S. Navy meteorologist (who reminds her of "Roman Holiday Gregory Peck"), six weeks after meeting him in London. Their honeymoon comes to an abrupt halt when they discover a dead body in their bathtub at San Francisco's posh Mark Hopkins Hotel. Charley must solve the mystery (which somehow involves Jack) and direct a new play while getting kidnapped and held at gunpoint along the way. Stock characters abound: the queeny, bisexual artistic director of her theater; the no-nonsense, sometimes tactless financial manager; the uptight, shy women's studies professor. At times Charley comes across as little more than a collection of references to designer labels and expensive champagne, but her engaging voice ("It would be nice if I could say I look like Aubrey Hepburn, but I'm not delusional") will keep readers turning the pages.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

From School Library Journal

Adult/High School - Charley Van Leeuwen is a 30-something woman of considerable financial means who enjoys independence and life's finer things. Narrating the story in a wryly humorous voice, she explains that though her money cushions her from most of life's bumps, she does work hard, managing (and largely financing) an independent repertory theater company in San Francisco. A year before she had sold her flat, left her beloved Rep in the hands of associates, and gone to England to study theater. While away, with uncharacteristic impulsiveness, she acquired a husband after knowing him only six weeks. Jack is a handsome meteorologist just retiring from the U.S. Navy (but why was he stationed in the desert?) and, as the story begins, she is bringing him home with her. They plan to stay in a luxurious hotel until they can find a place to live, but as soon as they get there, a dead body turns up in the bathtub. As Charley struggles to keep her unstable company together, put on a new show, dodge embarrassing questions from friends and family members about her sudden marriage and mysterious husband, and deal with the occasional kidnapping, she tries to figure out what's going on. With its San Francisco setting; theatrical background; hint of espionage; a witty, sophisticated hero and heroine who thoroughly enjoy one another's company; and brisk pace, this humorous if unlikely tale will entertain readers who like a light mystery with an urban attitude. - Christine C. Menefee, Fairfax County Public Library, VA
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 318 pages
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press; First Edition edition (October 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590581210
• ISBN-13: 978-1590581216
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.3 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,336,966 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A very good debut!, September 12, 2005

By 

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

This review is from: Speak Now (Hardcover)

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, theatre, 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.

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Well written mystery with some humor to spice it up, November 1, 2004

By 

Kalolu (Virginia) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Speak Now (Hardcover)

I really like reading funny books, and this one has some funny stuff in it. I've been looking for an author besides Janet Evanovich that I found to be funny, and Dumas is it. There's a character in the book named Flank--well, I won't ruin it for you, but there are some funny scenes with him. But it's not just funny, there's a good mystery going on too. I hope I will read more soon from this author.

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars fabulous screwball mystery, September 29, 2004

By 

Harriet Klausner - See all my reviews
(#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Speak Now (Hardcover)

As she returns from London to San Francisco, Charley Van Leeuwen wonders how her friends will react to the hunk sharing the first class row with her as everyone knows Charley as the "most romantically challenged woman in the Western hemisphere". Charley is bringing with her a husband Jack Fairfax whom she met six weeks ago, but the hunk's eyes hooked the commitment phobic woman.

Jack and Charley stay at the Mark Hopkins, but when she goes to turn on the water in the bathtub, she finds a corpse there. SFPD Inspector Yahata leads the investigation, but Charley asks all the questions. The honeymooners go to another room, but Charley's ensemble of friends arrives to interrupt.

Converting from single life to married becomes more chaotic as Charley is in the middle of a tangle involving a ransom and bullets aimed at her and Jack. Realizing her spouse is not just the weatherman, Charley takes charge of insuring he, Uncle Harry, other family members, and her friends are safe from kooks, killers and kidnappers while also trying to keep her not for profit repertory theater from bankruptcy.

SPEAK NOW is a fabulous screwball mystery that is reminiscent of the zany 1930s Bob Hope movies. The story line is action-packed but with a tongue in cheek manner as Jack comes across as James Bond but "protected" by his theatrical spouse. While Jack and Charley adapt to marital bliss, the ensemble (friends and foes) interrupt their romantic moments. Readers will take immense delight with this solid amateur sleuth espionage thriller that never slows down until the final confrontation with the realtor.

Harriet Klausner