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The Last Act of All
Forbidding and remote, Radnesfield was a village whose inhabitants resented all outsiders. So when soap opera star Neville Fielding moved into the old Radley mansion with his beautiful, aloof wife, Helena, and their horse-mad fifteen-year-old daughter, Stephanie, the villagers closed ranks and turned their backs on their new neighbors. No one could have guessed the storm that would blow their sheltered world apart.
Before long, Neville's inveterate philandering drove Helena to divorce, and then into the gentle arms of the retiring Edward Radley. Neville's grisly death shocked the quiet community, and Helena, caught in a string of lies, confessed to the killing and was sent to prison. But why did she refrain from making the plea that would have softened her sentence?
When Helena returns to Radnesfield after serving time for the murder, Detective Sergeant Frances Howard, fearing for her safety, decides unofficially to reopen the case. Another killing soon confirms the evil lurking in Radnesfield - evil that finally, shockingly, exposes the diseased heart of the society.
Before long, Neville's inveterate philandering drove Helena to divorce, and then into the gentle arms of the retiring Edward Radley. Neville's grisly death shocked the quiet community, and Helena, caught in a string of lies, confessed to the killing and was sent to prison. But why did she refrain from making the plea that would have softened her sentence?
When Helena returns to Radnesfield after serving time for the murder, Detective Sergeant Frances Howard, fearing for her safety, decides unofficially to reopen the case. Another killing soon confirms the evil lurking in Radnesfield - evil that finally, shockingly, exposes the diseased heart of the society.
202 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 1996
323 people are currently reading
503 people want to read
About the author
Aline Templeton
33 books121 followersAline Templeton grew up in the East Neuk of Fife and was educated at St Leonards School, St Andrews and Cambridge University. She has worked in education and broadcasting and has written numerous stories and articles for national newspapers and magazines. Templeton was a bench Justice of the Peace for ten years and is a former Chair of the Society of Authors in Scotland, now living in Edinburgh. She is married with a grown up family.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
She has written nine crime novels, published by Hodder & Stoughton in Britain, and has also been published in the United States and several European countries. After writing seven stand-alone books, she started a series set in Galloway and featuring DI Marjory Fleming, the first of which – Cold In The Earth – was an Ottakar's Crime Novel of the Month and an Independent Best Summer Read. The second, The Darkness and the Deep, was published in July 2006, and there are now six books in the DI Fleming series.
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Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
August 25, 2007
LAST ACT OF ALL (Mystery-England-Cont) – VG
Templeton, Aline – Standalone
Constable Crime, 1995- UK Hardcover
Helena Radley has been released from prison for killing her first husband, actor Neville Fielding, in spite of her claiming her innocence. Upon returning to her home in the village of Radensfield, her husband, Edward, has arranged a party. When Neville's wife, Lillian, who looks similar to Helena, is found murdered, the question is whether the right person died.
*** 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.
Templeton, Aline – Standalone
Constable Crime, 1995- UK Hardcover
Helena Radley has been released from prison for killing her first husband, actor Neville Fielding, in spite of her claiming her innocence. Upon returning to her home in the village of Radensfield, her husband, Edward, has arranged a party. When Neville's wife, Lillian, who looks similar to Helena, is found murdered, the question is whether the right person died.
*** 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.
October 27, 2025
A really good plot full of questions and small village intrigue. Interesting characters and an enjoyable novel overall.
May 7, 2014
First Sentence: Each time tonight, when her eyelids dropped over burning eyes, she could see the scene again, lit by memory as mercilessly as any performed under television arc-lights.
Actress Helena Fielding gave up her career when she became the wife of actor Neville Fielding, star of a highly successful television series. When Neville decides they should buy a house in the remote village of Radnesfield, nothing is the same.
Talk about an intriguing opening. One, at first, can’t help but wonder where the story is going, but you sense it is well worth following the author’s path. You soon realize the story actually begins in the middle of the character’s narrative, than moves back to. Rather than this being distracting or frustrating, it proves a fascinating way of learning about the characters, the backgrounds, and potential motives. In this case, it is incredibly effective and impactful.
The characters, both good and bad, are very effective. Templeton captures perfectly the nature of a small, insular village and the collective of gossiping church ladies. Mr. Tilson, an observer of people and the village, is someone with whom you would very much like to spend time. The dialogue between him and D.S. Fielding is a treat… “He smiled. ‘Come and talk to me again. I collect people, you know.” “’Like slugs in a jam jar,”’ Frances quoted… [No, I don’t know the source. Anyone?] Tilson’s assessment of people’s reactions to a disturbing announcement is quite wonderful.
Templeton is a wonderful writer. There is an analogy that is particularly memorable.
“Last Act of All” is an excellent read. It draws you in and keeps you there, including a very well-done surprise, and a killer I certainly didn’t see coming.
LAST ACT OF ALL (Mys/Pol Proc-Helena Fielding/D.S. Frances Howarth-England-Contemp – Ex
Templeton, Aline
Amazon Digital Services, 2014-Novelette
Actress Helena Fielding gave up her career when she became the wife of actor Neville Fielding, star of a highly successful television series. When Neville decides they should buy a house in the remote village of Radnesfield, nothing is the same.
Talk about an intriguing opening. One, at first, can’t help but wonder where the story is going, but you sense it is well worth following the author’s path. You soon realize the story actually begins in the middle of the character’s narrative, than moves back to. Rather than this being distracting or frustrating, it proves a fascinating way of learning about the characters, the backgrounds, and potential motives. In this case, it is incredibly effective and impactful.
The characters, both good and bad, are very effective. Templeton captures perfectly the nature of a small, insular village and the collective of gossiping church ladies. Mr. Tilson, an observer of people and the village, is someone with whom you would very much like to spend time. The dialogue between him and D.S. Fielding is a treat… “He smiled. ‘Come and talk to me again. I collect people, you know.” “’Like slugs in a jam jar,”’ Frances quoted… [No, I don’t know the source. Anyone?] Tilson’s assessment of people’s reactions to a disturbing announcement is quite wonderful.
Templeton is a wonderful writer. There is an analogy that is particularly memorable.
“Last Act of All” is an excellent read. It draws you in and keeps you there, including a very well-done surprise, and a killer I certainly didn’t see coming.
LAST ACT OF ALL (Mys/Pol Proc-Helena Fielding/D.S. Frances Howarth-England-Contemp – Ex
Templeton, Aline
Amazon Digital Services, 2014-Novelette
August 13, 2008
Took a real strong sense of duty to persevere through the first half of this book. Good mystery after that. To some extent this was a modern 'novel of manners'. The manners of a small nasty English village in a seeming time warp.
May 27, 2017
Mostly enjoyable
When I started this I didnt think I was going to like it as it seemed a bit too drawn ou,wever it got hold of me.
It was atmospheric and towards the end suspenseful
A bit predictable, guessed the culprit around half way through.
Most of the characters were unpleasant but quite convincing, would read more this arthur.
When I started this I didnt think I was going to like it as it seemed a bit too drawn ou,wever it got hold of me.
It was atmospheric and towards the end suspenseful
A bit predictable, guessed the culprit around half way through.
Most of the characters were unpleasant but quite convincing, would read more this arthur.
December 7, 2018
If possible I would rate this 2 and half stars. It's not amazing but it's also not terrible.
The book feels like two different books. The first and second halves are completely different but I think it works. The second part is way more interesting and it feels like it takes a long time to get to that, but again, the first part doesn't seem terrible.
The book feels like two different books. The first and second halves are completely different but I think it works. The second part is way more interesting and it feels like it takes a long time to get to that, but again, the first part doesn't seem terrible.
October 15, 2019
This story seems a bit far-fetched in every sense. The movie star who has it all and then turns into his own fictional character that everyone hates including his wife. The threat to the village where the movie star decides to buy the ugliest house in the world, and then decides to sell it to a developer. I did read it to the end.
September 8, 2019
To be honest, I didn't make it that far. I just could not get into this book. I was hopeful even after some of the bad reviews, but that didn't last long. I need books that really grab my attention right off the bat or its a no go and this was one of them.
July 21, 2022
A throwback into today
What an enjoyable read. The prose gives you a sense of it having been written a century ago. The descriptions, the use of language, the characters all blend together exceedingly well. It is easy to view this as having been written by Sir Conan Doyle.
What an enjoyable read. The prose gives you a sense of it having been written a century ago. The descriptions, the use of language, the characters all blend together exceedingly well. It is easy to view this as having been written by Sir Conan Doyle.
November 24, 2019
Old fashioned murder mystery with lots of suspicious villagers as potential killers. Not a challenging read, but fairly pleasant on a cold winters evening.
October 8, 2020
An Amazon reviewer likened this story to a Midsommer Murder episode and I agree. Set in the English counrtyside with a killer on the loose, it is an enjoyable read. Mysteries all solved in the end.
October 27, 2025
I did not enjoy this one. I won't be reading the stand alone stories anymore. Horrible characters. Unredeemable nastiness showed by all except for the persistent Police sergeant.
June 23, 2017
Niet eerder had ik iets gelezen van deze schrijfster, sterker nog: ik had eigenlijk nooit eerder van haar gehoord. Ik had dan ook geen idee wat ik kon verwachten.
Op de achterflap stond, dat ze zich kan meten met detectiveschrijfsters als Ruth Rendell, Elizabeth George en P.D. James, en dat maakte, dat ik toch wel wat verwachtte.
Ik werd niet teleurgesteld: Het boek deed me zelfs ook aan Agatha Christie denken. Het was super Engels, met een dorp, waar iedereen alles van iedereen wist, en ervoor zorgde, dat verder niemand iets te weten kwam. Met een lelijk landhuis, waar een wat vreemde familie huisde, maar waar een nog vreemdere familie introk, nadat et verkocht was. De vrouw des huizes zat gevangen, omdat ze haar ex-man zou hebben vermoord. Het boek begint, wanneer ze haar straf heeft uitgezeten en door haar tweede man, vorig bewoner van het landgoed, bij de gevangenispoort wordt opgehaald.
De politiebrigadier, die indertijd mede het onderzoek had gedaan, twijfelt aan de schuld van Helena, de hoofdpersoon. Ze neemt contact met haar op en gaat met een paar mensen praten. De ex-man van Helena blijkt vele vijanden gehad te hebben. die allemaal tot de moord in staat kunnen worden geacht.
Zo ongeveer het hele dorp is verdacht, en zeker is, dat de spanning in het dorp om te snijden is. Wat weet iedereen,. en waarom vertelt niemand wat?
Op de achterflap stond, dat ze zich kan meten met detectiveschrijfsters als Ruth Rendell, Elizabeth George en P.D. James, en dat maakte, dat ik toch wel wat verwachtte.
Ik werd niet teleurgesteld: Het boek deed me zelfs ook aan Agatha Christie denken. Het was super Engels, met een dorp, waar iedereen alles van iedereen wist, en ervoor zorgde, dat verder niemand iets te weten kwam. Met een lelijk landhuis, waar een wat vreemde familie huisde, maar waar een nog vreemdere familie introk, nadat et verkocht was. De vrouw des huizes zat gevangen, omdat ze haar ex-man zou hebben vermoord. Het boek begint, wanneer ze haar straf heeft uitgezeten en door haar tweede man, vorig bewoner van het landgoed, bij de gevangenispoort wordt opgehaald.
De politiebrigadier, die indertijd mede het onderzoek had gedaan, twijfelt aan de schuld van Helena, de hoofdpersoon. Ze neemt contact met haar op en gaat met een paar mensen praten. De ex-man van Helena blijkt vele vijanden gehad te hebben. die allemaal tot de moord in staat kunnen worden geacht.
Zo ongeveer het hele dorp is verdacht, en zeker is, dat de spanning in het dorp om te snijden is. Wat weet iedereen,. en waarom vertelt niemand wat?
May 17, 2012
I must say I am rather in love with the way this woman writes. The story itself is not quite as riveting as it makes out to be but I didn't find it at all predictable (though I did wonder along the right lines) which was kind of nice since I usually can tell who the murderer is as soon as he or she walks onto the page. Plot aside though, Aline Templeton's writing is superb. It seems almost academic without being boring. I can't quite describe it. She writes in that way that Stephen King and Margaret Atwood do - where the fact that this is their craft is so apparent and there is no room for a pesky personality to shine through (this I find particularly fascinating since I can't write a single thing without vomiting my character all over the page). That said she has an uncanny ability to pinpoint human emotion and motivation in the most deliciously matter-of-fact way. Really did enjoy this book - and I'm pretty sure I paid next to nothing for it at a second hand book sale!
September 18, 2016
First few chapters of this book were difficult to read because of the writing style. Long descriptive sentences made it a slow read. However later what stayed with me from the book was the style.
The story starts with the crime already happened and the culprit - our protagnist getting released from the jail. She had not commited the crime however had plead guilty, the reason is not revealed until after mid of the book.
She is out, has to adapt to the society, to the village which is her home but one she hates. There is something sinister about this village and the people. The book is more character driven than plot driven and I liked the way Templeton has created this one village with twisted characters.
The story starts with the crime already happened and the culprit - our protagnist getting released from the jail. She had not commited the crime however had plead guilty, the reason is not revealed until after mid of the book.
She is out, has to adapt to the society, to the village which is her home but one she hates. There is something sinister about this village and the people. The book is more character driven than plot driven and I liked the way Templeton has created this one village with twisted characters.
November 16, 2016
Story was told in an inside-out fashion. Helena gets out of prison after serving a sentence for killing her ex-husband. The story then takes us back to an earlier point in their marriage, through their divorce and leading up to the murder. Then back to present day, when the police officer shows up to tell Helena she believes that Helena was unjustly convicted so the real murderer must still be lurking about.
August 3, 2014
Slower and less engrossing than Past Praying For. Very long opening section. Unlikeable characters seem to be this authors specialty. Still a complex mystery but easier to figure out than Past Praying For. A lot of unpleasant characters but very few are real viable suspects. Probably no one's favorite book. I felt it was better than 3 stars (so so readable) but not quite the 4 I gave it.
February 9, 2016
Always a good read!
Well written with believable character sketches. I read straight through. It was difficult though to sympathise with any of the characters except for the police woman.
Well written with believable character sketches. I read straight through. It was difficult though to sympathise with any of the characters except for the police woman.
October 20, 2016
Not worth the time!
Hard to understand the reason for this book. Vacuous drivel is a good way to describe it. It was consistent describing the characters from front to back. Even with that it had Little appeal.
Hard to understand the reason for this book. Vacuous drivel is a good way to describe it. It was consistent describing the characters from front to back. Even with that it had Little appeal.
December 4, 2016
Gripping and we'll written, this book gradually draws the reader in. With many twists and turns to keep you guessing all the way to the end and then what a surprise! This really is an excellent read.
December 17, 2016
Not good
This was absolutely the most horribly boring book I have ever read. I tried to keep reading it, hoping it would get better, but. it. never. did. It was just had. Really bad.
This was absolutely the most horribly boring book I have ever read. I tried to keep reading it, hoping it would get better, but. it. never. did. It was just had. Really bad.
November 26, 2015
I enjoyed this book very much. I found it well-written and engaging.
December 19, 2015
Excellent, atmospheric read of characters who live in a reclusive village. An intriguing opening which begins with the protagonist in jail. Love this author.
September 1, 2016
Well written whodunnit type murder mystery, with a different format - the detective comes in quite late! Dark and ugly, as it is meant to be.
September 6, 2016
very good
September 12, 2016
Put Down
I rarely give low ratings to books, but this particular book did not keep me hooked. The characters were not convincing. JMO.
I rarely give low ratings to books, but this particular book did not keep me hooked. The characters were not convincing. JMO.
September 25, 2016
I enjoyed this book. It was a gentle who dun it but a good read.
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews