Helpful Score: 6
Little 6-year-old Kay Lansing sneaks into the hidden chapel of the Carrington mansion in New Jersey where her father is a landscaper and overhears an argument where a man says, "I heard that song before." Kay grows up to marry Peter Carrington, who lives in the mansion. Twenty-two years before, Carrington's wife and a neighborhood girl, including Kay's father died under mysterious circumstances and now Peter is being charged with the murders.
I had trouble getting into this book and keeping the characters straight, but about a third of the way through the book, the story became more compelling and interesting. The second half of the book is the most interesting and suspenseful, but I thought the characters weren't that well developed except for Kay. The number of other characters, such as the teams of lawyers on both sides were hard to keep track of for me, at least. Other than that, the ending was fairly predictable in one way, but whodunit was a surprise to me.
I had trouble getting into this book and keeping the characters straight, but about a third of the way through the book, the story became more compelling and interesting. The second half of the book is the most interesting and suspenseful, but I thought the characters weren't that well developed except for Kay. The number of other characters, such as the teams of lawyers on both sides were hard to keep track of for me, at least. Other than that, the ending was fairly predictable in one way, but whodunit was a surprise to me.
Helpful Score: 4
I stopped reading MHC a few years ago because I didn't find her newer novels as good or as exciting as her older ones. After a friend recommended this, I read it in about a day. I think this storyline is more like the old MHC and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I gave her another chance!
Helpful Score: 4
After being disappointed by "Two Little Girls In Blue" I was almost afraid to read this one. Mrs. Clark came through, and wrote a "whodunit" that left me guessing till the end. The main characters are well developed and realistic, and the crimes could have actually happened, as opposed to some of her previously stretched plots. I'll take another chance on the next book she writes also.
Helpful Score: 3
Mary Higgins Clark is a national treasure. I read her first book, WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?, when it was first published 30 years ago, and I've faithfully read every one since. When it comes to neo-Gothic romantic suspense, she never disappoints. Her new novel is particularly enjoyable.
We have the heroine, Kay, the daughter of the landscaper for a great estate house in New Jersey. We have the house itself, complete with lush gardens and hidden chapel. And we have the brooding master of the house, with whom Kay falls in love against her own better judgement. It seems a young woman in his past disappeared mysteriously, then his pregnant first wife committed "suicide." Nearly everyone suspects him of being a ladykiller, including the police. And Kay just might be the next lady on his list....
Clark is one of the few writers who can take these classic ingredients and mix them together into a story that always seems fresh and new. It is a remarkable talent. If you enjoy her stories as much as I do, you'll want to read this one.
We have the heroine, Kay, the daughter of the landscaper for a great estate house in New Jersey. We have the house itself, complete with lush gardens and hidden chapel. And we have the brooding master of the house, with whom Kay falls in love against her own better judgement. It seems a young woman in his past disappeared mysteriously, then his pregnant first wife committed "suicide." Nearly everyone suspects him of being a ladykiller, including the police. And Kay just might be the next lady on his list....
Clark is one of the few writers who can take these classic ingredients and mix them together into a story that always seems fresh and new. It is a remarkable talent. If you enjoy her stories as much as I do, you'll want to read this one.
Helpful Score: 2
Enjoyable. Not one of her best, though. Quick read.
