Why is it that I never meet any other Mary Higgins Clark fans? This lady is my hero! She is my curl-up-on-the-sofa-with-the-fire-on-and-a-good-mystery-in-hand QUEEN!!
Are there any closet fans out there or is it really just me?
A young radio journalist, Susan Chandler, decides to do a new series on her show about women who just vanish without trace. With the help of a book written by psychiatrist Donald Richards (whos own wife disappeared) she begins her new series with a piece on the unsolved disappearance of Regina Clausen who vanished into thin air whilste on a round-the-world cruise three years ago. When Susan started the show, what she didn’t bargain for was a mysterious call from a frightened lady calling herself “Karen” and who said that she was approached by a man on a cruise ship two years ago and who gave her a turquoise ring with the word “you belong to me” on it.
When Susan recieves another call from a young girl who also has a ring, alarm bells start to ring and soon anyone who seems to have any sort of tenuous link to the mysterious man who has been buying the rings start turning up dead. With the usual several possible suspects, all of which have some link to Susan, it becomes a race against time to catch the culprit before Susan becomes his next victim.
As always, I love Mary Higgins Clark books. I love the feeling of knowing you’re in for a good ride before you even begin: the strong female protagonist, the list of potential culprits with several red herrings thown in for good measure and the short chapters that have you declaring “just one more” before you find you have read the whole thing. This lady never lets me down!
This book has now put me at completing 4 / 8 books in my thriller & suspense challenge.
I read one Mary Higgins Clark novel in high school; I was running out of books to read from the school library. I don’t remember anything about it though! I’ve never bothered to pick up any of her books since mostly because I’m just not a pulp mystery/suspense/crime reader. But I thought she was really popular? I see people reading her books on the subway
I think she is really popular, Shannon, but I just can’t find anyone else who admits to liking her, LOL (actually, Virginie likes her – where are you Virginie?). Maybe it’s not cool to admit liking her unless you’re over 85 or don’t read anything but supermarket books.
Me? I’m loud and proud!!!
I feel bad but I know what you mean about the over-85 demographic! She’s always struck me as an author read by little old ladies – why is that? Is it just ’cause she’s been around so long? I think she could really benefit from some new, modern book covers! Good for you though – we shouldn’t be ashamed by what we read, should we?!
Exactly. Actually, it’s funny you say that as it’s only recently that I don’t care what people think of what I read anymore. I just want to be entertained so regardless of whether the book is a classic or chicklit doesn’t matter to me as if it makes me happy when I read it then job done.
i have to admit that i have never give Clark a try, but your ravings make me want to. do you have one that you would suggest for a first?
also, come by my blog and pick up an award.
Oooooh, I’ve managed to persuade someone! Yay!!! Hmmm, which one to recommend? I’d go with On The Street Where you Live or No Place Like Home to start with. I really liked those two.
Just turn on the fire, make coffee, snuggle up with dog / cat / hamster and settle down for some cozy mystery.
well, in hawaii i’m thinking a fire would be uncomfortable. but, i’m sure my pup will appreciate the snuggle time.
On the Street Where You Live is now on my kindle.
Ahh yes, the Hawaii part slipped my mind :0 Yes, perhaps a fire would be a little uncomfortable.
Here I am, Boof and I declare, along with you and without shame that I am a huge MHC fan !!!! Her books are my favorite cosy comfort reads of all times…….The plots are great, you can always very easily identify to the main female character .
I started reading her when I lived in the States 25 years ago and I have been looking forward to every new release eagerly eversince.
Hugs, Boof !!!
Virginie
Hurray! I knew you wouldn’t let me down, Virginie. Perhaps we should start a two-woman campaign to get the world reading MHC books!
I’m ashamed to confess- I’ve never heard of her but the first thing I’ll do tomorrow will be to order a copy of the book! It’s about time I curl-up-on-the-sofa-with-the-fire-on-and-a-good-mystery-in-hand
Hurrah! My plan to convert the world to MHC is working. MWAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Great review. You know I’ve actually never read anything by Mary Higgins Clark before. Do you have a particular favorite amongst her books?
Hurray Boof !!!
Here are my very favorite ones :
“The Cradle will fall”(Not to be taken along if ever you have to undergo surgery in a hospital, this one is real great and creepy !!!!I love it)
“Remember me”(This one has a gothic feel that I adored.Creepy)
“A Cry in the Night”(Gothic feel too, great suspense, creepy)
“Where are the Children”
“On the Street where you live”
“Moonlight becomes you”
Enjoy, but they are all very comfy , pleasant reads anyways.
I cannot wait for the next one to come out…..I will have to check , maybe it is already out
Thanks for those recommendations, Virgine, that’s great. I haven’t read as many as you as I only discovered her last year (and have been hooked ever since).
I have Remember Me at home (thanks to your recommendation) and also Moonlight Becomes You. I must look up the others that I haven’t read yet.
Her new one, Shadow of Your Smile, is out next month. The publishers, Simon and Schuster, are sending me a copy in the next few weeks to review. I cannot wait!!!!
Yeahhh, I am so glad a new one will be in my hands soon, I will pre-order it !!!!!The last two I have not read yet but I always save a couple for when I really need a comfort read ( I save a couple of unread MHC or Robin Cook which I love as well but they are definitely more medical thriller orientated, like “the Cradle will fall”)
Read “The Cradle will fall” Boof, it is the first one I read and it is this one that made me the fan I am today !!!
“Remember me” is great as well because it takes place in an old house by the sea, on the shore (I think that it is Cape Cod, beautiful Cape Cod in New England)and there are strange creepy things happening in this house…..(just to make your mouth water ;-D).
Yay, we can compare notes on the new one soon.
I have read The Cradle Will Fall and loved it! My first one was No Place Like Home and that was the one that hooked me. Now I can’t get enough of them!
I just came back from a mall where I bought “Just take my Heart” which I suppose is her 2009 one, I did not have it yet and your post made me feel like reading a good MHC next !!!!!
I read that one last year, Virginie. It’s probably my least favourite so far but I still gave it 4/5 stars!
You may be my new best friend. I am NOT a closet MHC fan. I am a shout it from the rooftops fan! I love every book that she has ever written, and I would recommend them all to you!
YAY!!!! I love that I’m unearthing all these MHC fans!
Ha, I’ve never come across her before! I might look out for one in the library, I like a good mystery!
I’m thinking of asking MHC for a share in her royalties
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