Speak Now: Married to Mystery

by Margaret Dumas

Book Overview

Charley Van Leeuwen, confirmed commitment-phobic theater director, shocks her friends when she returns from London with a husband in tow. But Charley still wonders about his past-and before she can settle her post-wedding jitters, they find a dead woman in the bathroom of their hotel suite. After another tragedy strikes, Charley fears she herself might soon exit stage left.

• Format: Mass Market Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0451216989
• ISBN13: 9780451216984
• Release Date: November 2005
• Publisher: Signet Book
• Length: 328 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.9" x 4.2" x 6.8"

Customer Reviews

Great Fun!

This book continues the adventures of Charley and her friends on a fun mission that is a great addition to "Speak Now." Readers new to Charley need not worry, you can jump right in with this one; but it will be more fun if you have read the first book. Guys, don't be afraid of the mention of "chick-lit" - this is just a great read! I hear there are plans for more books in this series - I can't wait!

Delightfully Funny Mystery

Charley Van Leeuwen surprises everyone by returning from London with a new husband, Jack Fairfax. A mild mannered meteorologist who is tall, dark and handsome. 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.

Wonderful debut novel!

Good mysteries are difficult to write well. Humorous mysteries are very rare. Margaret Dumas' debut novel is a funny, tender, romantic thrill ride. Commitment-phobe, San Francisco heiress Charley Van Leeuwen married Jack Fairfax after a whirlwind courtship in London. When they arrive back in her hometown, they're met with a corpse in a bathtub in their suite at the Mark Hopkins. As Charley tries to figure out who the body was--and why it was left for her (or Jack?), she also learns there is a lot she doesn't know about her new husband. Is he "just a weatherman" as he claims? Why did the Navy send him to predict weather in Oman? And most importantly, can he really cook? The theater company Charley founded needs a hit show, and she is persuaded to direct their new play. But it's hard to fit in rehearsals between ransoming back her kidnapped cousin, following her meteorologist husband, and planning dinner party menus. Both Charley and Jack are fully realized characters with chemistry so real, I expected the pages to be smoldering each time I picked up the book. The secondary characters are quirky but not cartoon-ish. The villain is plausible. My only quibble has to do with the dead body in the bath. Any Miss Marple fan would know who it was much sooner than Charley did. But I forgive her for not figuring that out earlier, as she was pretty busy with her honeymoon and the play. Oh, and the kidnapping. And the disappearing theater staff. Armchair Interviews says: This is a debut novel that promises great things to come. Just one question for author Margaret Dumas: When is Charley's next story coming out?

A very good debut!

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.

Well written mystery with some humor to spice it up

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.