Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽'s Reviews > Madam, Will You Talk?
Madam, Will You Talk?
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![8734459](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p2/8734459.jpg)
Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽'s review
bookshelves: favorites, squeaky-clean-romance, suspense, you-go-girl-kickass-heroine, mystery
Nov 03, 2013
bookshelves: favorites, squeaky-clean-romance, suspense, you-go-girl-kickass-heroine, mystery
Read 5 times. Last read April 1, 2022 to April 3, 2022.
*2022 buddy read in the Mary Stewart group, starting today, April 1. Join us if you're interested!*
This is my second-favorite* Mary Stewart book, one of her best old-fashioned romantic suspense novels. Nobody does it quite like Mary Stewart.
It's about 1950, and Charity, a young English widow (her husband died in WWII), is traveling with her former co-worker, Louise. They begin their leisurely vacation with a stay in the lovely walled city of Avignon, France:
Little do they know the murderous plots they are stumbling into, in this small, sleepy French town.
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427056567i/14170830._SX540_.jpg)
Despite her penchant for alpha men, Charity is a capable person who spends much of the story driving around the south of France like a maniac, so:
For Charity's lazy, "plump and fair" friend Louise, I've found this unnamed 1950's plus-size model:
Cary Grant as Richard Byron, the sinister (and possibly mad) suspected murderer who chases her across half of France:
Jayne Mansfield, as the French femme fatale Loraine:
Louis Jourdan, as the drop dead good-looking Frenchman Paul Very:
and finally, Tommy Rettig (of "Lassie" fame) as David, Richard Byron's son:
(use your imagination to replace Lassie with a nondescript mutt named Rommel)
So, with our all-star cast in place, back to our story: Charity befriends young David and takes him on some local excursions. David is in the company of Loraine, his stepmother, since his father was accused of murdering his best friend (with whom Loraine said she was having an affair), and David is desperately trying to avoid his father--he tells Charity his father is "mad."
Charity accidentally meets Richard Byron and lets slip that she knows his son. That's all it takes to begin the mad chase across the south of France, with Richard hell-bent on finding his son and Charity in a panic to avoid being caught by him and, at the same time, avoid giving him any leads back to David.
This novel, admittedly, is quite dated in some ways. The social attitudes are pretty much straight from the 1950s, although Charity has a lot more gumption than most young women of the time, and the amount of smoking is not to be believed. I think it averages a cigarette every other page. There are some pretty far-fetched coincidences, and . . .
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1406838721i/10605649.jpg)
It's a very exciting book, perhaps not terribly deep, but I adore the main characters, and I make no apologies for loving this escapist novel. I've read it probably half a bazillion times. It really is quite a bit like an old-fashioned Hitchcock film, and you just have to accept it on those terms. As usual, Mary Stewart includes some great literary references, which really adds to my enjoyment of the book. Every single time!
Prior review:
If you like old-fashioned romantic suspense novels, this is one of Mary Stewart's best. The chase across France, where the heroine is being pursued by a sinister stranger in a fast car, is one of my favorite reads in any book of this type.
Stewart writes in a more literary style than most mystery/romance writers but for my money it makes the book much more enjoyable. Its 1950s roots show a little with the alpha male hero and incessant cigarette smoking, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this novel.
*Nine Coaches Waiting is my favorite Stewart book.
This is my second-favorite* Mary Stewart book, one of her best old-fashioned romantic suspense novels. Nobody does it quite like Mary Stewart.
It's about 1950, and Charity, a young English widow (her husband died in WWII), is traveling with her former co-worker, Louise. They begin their leisurely vacation with a stay in the lovely walled city of Avignon, France:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1426704837i/14083326._SX540_.jpg)
Little do they know the murderous plots they are stumbling into, in this small, sleepy French town.
And though the part I was to play in the tragedy was to break and re-form the pattern of my whole life, yet it was a very minor part, little more than a walk-on in the last act. For most of the play had been played already; there had been love and lust and revenge and fear and murder . . . and now the killer, with blood enough on his hands, was waiting in the wings for the lights to go up again, on the last kill that would bring the final curtain down.So, since we're talking a 1950-ish play here, let's cast the main roles: In the part of Charity, we have Grace Kelly:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427056567i/14170830._SX540_.jpg)
Despite her penchant for alpha men, Charity is a capable person who spends much of the story driving around the south of France like a maniac, so:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427056567i/14170831._SX540_.jpg)
For Charity's lazy, "plump and fair" friend Louise, I've found this unnamed 1950's plus-size model:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427060254i/14171214._SX540_.jpg)
Cary Grant as Richard Byron, the sinister (and possibly mad) suspected murderer who chases her across half of France:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427058760i/14171061.jpg)
Jayne Mansfield, as the French femme fatale Loraine:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1648856376i/32760456.jpg)
Louis Jourdan, as the drop dead good-looking Frenchman Paul Very:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427056567i/14170833.jpg)
and finally, Tommy Rettig (of "Lassie" fame) as David, Richard Byron's son:
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1427058760i/14171062._SX540_.jpg)
(use your imagination to replace Lassie with a nondescript mutt named Rommel)
So, with our all-star cast in place, back to our story: Charity befriends young David and takes him on some local excursions. David is in the company of Loraine, his stepmother, since his father was accused of murdering his best friend (with whom Loraine said she was having an affair), and David is desperately trying to avoid his father--he tells Charity his father is "mad."
Charity accidentally meets Richard Byron and lets slip that she knows his son. That's all it takes to begin the mad chase across the south of France, with Richard hell-bent on finding his son and Charity in a panic to avoid being caught by him and, at the same time, avoid giving him any leads back to David.
This novel, admittedly, is quite dated in some ways. The social attitudes are pretty much straight from the 1950s, although Charity has a lot more gumption than most young women of the time, and the amount of smoking is not to be believed. I think it averages a cigarette every other page. There are some pretty far-fetched coincidences, and . . .
![description](https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/hostedimages/1406838721i/10605649.jpg)
It's a very exciting book, perhaps not terribly deep, but I adore the main characters, and I make no apologies for loving this escapist novel. I've read it probably half a bazillion times. It really is quite a bit like an old-fashioned Hitchcock film, and you just have to accept it on those terms. As usual, Mary Stewart includes some great literary references, which really adds to my enjoyment of the book. Every single time!
Prior review:
If you like old-fashioned romantic suspense novels, this is one of Mary Stewart's best. The chase across France, where the heroine is being pursued by a sinister stranger in a fast car, is one of my favorite reads in any book of this type.
Stewart writes in a more literary style than most mystery/romance writers but for my money it makes the book much more enjoyable. Its 1950s roots show a little with the alpha male hero and incessant cigarette smoking, but I'll always have a soft spot in my heart for this novel.
*Nine Coaches Waiting is my favorite Stewart book.
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Reading Progress
Started Reading
1995
–
Finished Reading
Started Reading
2005
–
Finished Reading
November 3, 2013
– Shelved
November 3, 2013
– Shelved as:
favorites
April 16, 2014
– Shelved as:
squeaky-clean-romance
April 17, 2014
– Shelved as:
suspense
April 17, 2014
– Shelved as:
you-go-girl-kickass-heroine
November 5, 2014
– Shelved as:
mystery
March 18, 2015
–
Started Reading
March 19, 2015
–
47.4%
"I was caught again in the noose of the old fear, and now it was worse, threaded through as it was with the drab strands of hopelessness. It seemed that I literally could not get away from him, almost as if there were something so linking this dark and dangerous man with myself, that wherever I went, he was there."
page
91
March 19, 2015
–
53.13%
""You're so sweet and you're so sane. I think you could almost make the world seem a sweet, sane place again, the way it used to be. . . Am I to take it that you're telling me to go ahead and kiss you again?"
"Why, no, I---"
"Because I'm planning to," [he] said.
And did."
page
102
"Why, no, I---"
"Because I'm planning to," [he] said.
And did."
March 19, 2015
–
69.79%
"In that uncertain light the hand, disembodied, looked like some monstrous white sea-beast, a squid or an octopus, floating in the nebulous murk behind the glass. A monstrous, deformed creature of the dark . . ."
page
134
March 21, 2015
–
84.38%
"Cold, deadly, and infinitely comforting, the gun slid into my grasp."
page
162
March 22, 2015
–
Finished Reading
June 2, 2018
–
Started Reading
June 2, 2018
–
20.83%
"I was alone in that quiet little temple with Richard Byron, who had been acquitted of murder on the grounds of insufficient evidence, and who was looking at me now as if he would like to choke me.
He threw away his cigarette and took a step toward me."
page
40
He threw away his cigarette and took a step toward me."
June 2, 2018
–
85.42%
"I was conscious, first of all, of a tremendous wave of pure relief; I hadn't killed him after all. Then I began to struggle feebly against the arms that held me.
"I've got a gun," I said firmly."
page
164
"I've got a gun," I said firmly."
June 2, 2018
–
91.67%
"He gave a dry little chuckle. "Gosh! she was furious, being hoist in her own juice like that. Is that right? It sounds a bit odd."
"I rather think you mean stewing with her own petard.""
page
176
"I rather think you mean stewing with her own petard.""
June 2, 2018
–
Finished Reading
April 1, 2022
–
Started Reading
April 3, 2022
–
Finished Reading
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message 1:
by
Kim
(new)
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rated it 4 stars
Nov 05, 2014 10:58AM
![Kim](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1454402751p1/4542979.jpg)
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![Willow](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1472180488p1/4529669.jpg)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
I remember your casting of this book as well! I couldn't do anyone except Louis Jourdan as Paul, though I looked. :) And you're right--this is absolutely a 1950's period piece. It fits splendidly there, and I don't think you could change it to a more modern period. I'm not sure they could make it into a movie today either, even if they set it in the 1950's.
![Hana](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1458172215p1/10571559.jpg)
Willow--you are so right. It's was a brief shining moment and the wonder and delight is that we have writers, artists and filmakers who captured it.
![Willow](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1472180488p1/4529669.jpg)
By the way, I love the gorgeous cover on your book. :D
![Willow](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1472180488p1/4529669.jpg)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
Great point, Willow--it's a fantastic time capsule of the 50's. One of the things I love about it is the nostalgic feel.
BTW I think when you tried to "like" my review again you unliked it. I hope that wasn't the intent! ;)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
Good luck! Louise was a tough one. :)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
Thanks, Bobbie! Creating imaginary casts was a bit of a thing in the Mary Stewart group for a while. I also did it for This Rough Magic, and you should check out Willow's reviews for her casting of both books. :)
![Cathleen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1484264973p1/3362428.jpg)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
You have great taste in books! ;)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
I can't really argue with that, although at least some of the coincidences are explained at the end. But I still love it. :)
![Joseph](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1621610439p1/5095190.jpg)
![Peter Tillman](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1607621390p1/8101737.jpg)
https://www.pinterest.com/pin/4231273...
I've seen the original photo, and it's priceless.
![Jacqueline Davidson](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1376056842p1/22959077.jpg)
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0c/0d/d8/0c...
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0c/0d/d8/0c...-..."
Oh, that’s excellent!
![Jacqueline Davidson](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1376056842p1/22959077.jpg)
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/0c/0d/d8/0c......"
LOL! Now if only I could spell...Brigitte. :)
![Podenca](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1533375267p1/74671897.jpg)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
Big thumbs up! Let me know if you write a review when you're done; I'd like to see it.
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
No kidding! It’s a VERY retro book, but I still enjoy the ride.
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
![Julie](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1638593028p1/11728765.jpg)
Lol!
![Cathleen](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1484264973p1/3362428.jpg)
![Tadiana ✩Night Owl☽](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1648407601p1/8734459.jpg)
Feel free to wade in with this one in the Mary Stewart group read - there's a lot of discussion going on right now!
![Jackie](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1405637846p1/5925959.jpg)
I'm an insomniac so I was struck by all the late night coffee!
![KK](https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_25x33-ccd24e68f4773d33a41ce08c3a34892e.png)