Product Description
A high-powered Hollywood agent is found drowned in her swimming pool. Jane Sheridan, a former classmate of the deceased, believes this new death - the fifth from her graduate year - is related to the forthcoming twenty-year reunion of Stonecroft Academy. She is there to be honoured during a ceremony, but slowly realises someone is out to stop her. And when she recieves a mysterious, taunting fax about her daughter Lily - a daughter she secretly gave up for adoption twenty years before - Jean understands that whoever it is knows far more about her life than she first thought. With the deaths and the message haunting her, Jean attends the reunion - but events begin to spiral out of control. As she draws closer to the truth, Jean is unaware that a vicious killer is among the guests; a killer who works under the cover of darkness, and who will stop at nothing to complete his mission... ... Read more

Product Description

At the heart of this "diabolical plot that Mary Higgins Clark prepares so carefully and executes with such relish" (The New York Times Book Review), a respected doctor is murdered -- and his beautiful young wife is charged with the crime.

Dr. Gary Lasch, prominent Greenwich, Connecticut, doctor and founder of the HMO Remington Health Management, is found dead in his home, his skull crushed by a blow with a heavy bronze sculpture, and his wife, Molly, in bed covered with his blood. It was the Lasches' housekeeper, Edna Barry, who made the grisly discovery the morning after Molly's unexpectedly early return from Cape Cod, where she had gone to seclude herself upon learning of her husband's infidelity. As the evidence against Molly grows, her lawyer plea-bargains a manslaughter charge to avoid a murder conviction.

Released from prison nearly six years later, Molly reasserts her innocence to reporters, among them an old school friend, Fran Simmons, an investigative reporter and anchor for a true-crime show. Molly convinces Fran to research and produce a program on her husband's death, and as hidden aspects of Gary Lasch's life and the affairs of Remington Health Management come to light, Fran herself becomes a target for murder.Amazon.com Review
We'll Meet Again is filled with the ingredients that Mary HigginsClark devotees will devour: fast-paced suspense, double-crossing villains,romantic intrigue, and a resounding showdown at the end. Harder to swallowis the excessive use of theatricals whenever the author describes a sataniclike HMO, and its legion of evil doctors. The darkest knight of all isPeter Black, whose eyes "were cold, angry, menacing--certainly not the eyesof a healer." Still, melodrama aside, Higgins Clark still knows how to spina good yarn.

Her heroine in We'll Meet Again is an investigative reporter namedFran Simmons, who is not unlike the bright, resourceful Dr. Susan Chandlerin You Belong to Me.Fran has just been hired to work on a popular new TV show called TrueCrime. Coincidentally, her very first assignment involves an ex-pupilfrom her old high school, the posh Cranden Academy in Greenwich,Connecticut. Molly Lasch had been incarcerated in her mid-20s, accusedof pulverizing her husband's head with a Remington bronze sculpture. Themurder of this community doctor, and chief executive officer of a localHMO, stunned Greenwich.

For half a decade Molly claimed to have no memory of the event, but now outon parole, slivers of memory trickle back--and Molly informs the press thatsomeone else was in the house at the time of her husband's murder. Fewpeople believe her--even less so when a key witness from the original trialis stabbed to death and evidence links Molly to the scene of the crime.It's up to the ever vigilant Fran to investigate what the police won't--andshe unearths some very dark and extremely dirty secrets that will furthershock the quiet community. --Naomi Gesinger ... Read more

Customer Reviews (154)

We'll Meet Again
This was the third "used" book purchased through Amazon.Like the other two, it also was in excellent condition.

To Clear Molly's Name
A respected doctor Gary Lasch was found dead with a blow to his skull. This shows an act of rage. Of course his wife Molly is arrested. The trial was not going well and Molly accepted a plea bargain rather than facing a possible murder conviction. Molly when she is released is determined to clear her name with the help of an old school friend, Fran. There is also the suicide of her father on the night of her graduation that she had never accepted. Molly has more and more questions as the investigation unfolds. Fran finds herself in great danger when she opened the Pandora box of intrigue and danger in her investigation. This is one of Clarks best stories. By Ruth Thompson author of "The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above The River."

Fairly decent, a little slow at times.Spoilers
I did enjoy this book very much. But some parts were really slow. I really liked Molly and Fran. Molly wasnt your typical strong woman, especially not at the end. Heres a emotionally fragile woman, desperate to remember the events of the night her husband died. Towards the end, she's contemplating suicide, to escape from everything. She married Gary Lasch, and spent 5 years in jail for killing him after discovering he was having an affair.

Fran is a strong woman, but her backgroud is not as smooth as Mollys. Her father committed suicide after losing 400,000 dollars from a fund for a library. Unable to face what he had done, he left his wife and daughter to pick up the pieces. She originally believes Molly did it, but then starts to have doubts. Another murder shortly following Mollys release seems to point to Molly, but does it?

The friendship between Molly and Jenna doesnt seem entirely believable. Nor the marriage between Jenna and Cal. Granted, they both admit they married for money and power, but still.

I was disgusted at Edna Barry, the housekeeper who knew Molly for years and does things to point the finger at Molly rather then her son. Heres a woman who knows her son might be involved, and her fear keeps her from saying anything.

Overall, a good read. Just slow at times, and sometimes, the relationships between the people seem straned.

Another Winner for MHC
Mary Higgins Clark is by far one of my favorite authors because of her easy going and suspenseful writing style.This book is no exception.There are two main female characters, one a women on parole from being incarcerated for killing her husband and the other is a journalist.MHC does a great job developing both characters and provides a quite entertaining story.The twist and turns are many and there is never a dull moment.

So-So
First of all, it's hard to figure out who the heroine is, since there's two of them - Molly and Fran.It seems like Molly is the heroine, then suddenly it's Fran.Then it's Molly again. Even though she's weak and insipid and can't wait to kill herself.

The start of the book is fake, with Molly getting out of jail and returning to a house that somehow was paid for and maintained miraculously for 5-1/2 years while she was in jail.Everything is spic and span, no problems whatsoever, house was never broken into, appliances are all working perfectly, there's hot water, furnace works great, etc.No 3-foot high grass in the yard either, or piles of junk mail or rodents nesting in the house.And of course somehow the utilities are all turned on.Some of this was done by the previous housekeeper, who just happens to be sitting around available with no job even after 5-1/2 years and who no doubt doesn't mind putting all the utilities in her own name, paying the deposits, etc.

The rest of the book was ok, with a kind of convoluted plot that was overall sort of interesting.I never could like Molly though, she was such a weak spineless wimp.Of course, even though she was completely boring and lifeless, everybody wanted to visit her every day and she usually had about 19 guests over.Like nobody else had a life of their own but just existed to worry about Molly.

Anyway, I liked Ms. Clark's earlier books a lot better.

... Read more

Product Description

Ronald Thompson knows he never killed Nina Peterson... yet in two days the state of Connecticut will take his life, having found him guilty via due process of law. But Thompson's death will not stop the pain and anger of Nina's husband, Steve. Thompson's death will not still the fears of Nna's six-year-old son, Neil, witness to his mother's brutal slaying. Not even the love and friendship of Sharon Martin, a journalist who is slowly becoming a part of their world, will ever erase their bitter memories. Only time, perhaps, will heal their wounds. But in the shadows a stranger waits, a cunning psychopath who has killed before, who has unfinished business at the Peterson home... ... Read more

Customer Reviews (44)

This is NOT a spoiler review
Unlike a lot of people I have no desire to write a review for this book like I work for the San Francisco chronicle. This book was listed as a classic.. so I decided to buy it. The writing was good and the story line believable... A nice read but not as much as a "thriller" as I had hoped.. Still worth buying.... to me at least.

A Starnger is Watching
Mary Higgins Clark Is a Phenomenal writer. A real page turner novel. Can't put her books down till your finished them

Old but enjoyable
Reading this book I was struck by how dated it was.Although the book I was reading appeared new the copyright was 1977.

Despite being dated, it is still an enjoyable read.I read the last half in about two days as I didn't want to wait to see what happened next.I fought sleep the last night to finally finish the book at midnight.This is a typical Mary Higgins Clark but does not seam cookie cutter so you won't feel like you have read this already.Some of the characters (the police) I found a little irritating and hopefully not true to life.Maybe I'm too used to the police being the heros in suspense novels.

Overall this is an enjoyable book weaving together a couple different story lines.

She keeps you guessing
Classic MHC. A teenager wrongly convicted of a woman's murder, waiting on death row for his execution in a few days. A grieving widower and son, seeking closure and healing. A psychotic killer who has never been traced to five unsolved murders. Well-written, entertaining, nail-biting.

A child Witness Murder.
A Stranger Is Watching?

In the novel A Stranger is watching, by Mary Higgins Clark, a drama novel; was about a murder that took place two years ago, in which a six year old child witnessed the murder. The novel opens as Steve and Shawn debate capital punishment.A young man named Ronald Thompson has been sentenced to death for Nina's murder. Throughout the novel they give clues on who could be the killer. At the end of the novel the last person you would think was accused of the murder. The main character was Ronald. I personally liked the novel because I like suspense novels and movies. I would recommend this book to anyone because it is so dramatic and detailed. Also it's full of thrill.

Jessica Acosta
... Read more

Product Description
The New York Times called her a "master of horror," and her harrowing, best-selling stories are chilling proof.First time together in a collection sure to shock, three national bestsellers:Weep No More My Lady, A Cry in the Night, and Stillwatch.Even the price is thrilling! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (13)

Stillwatch
If you enjoy these suspenseful books, then this is the book for you. It's a book about a woman named Pat, who is a reporter for a local cable news station that is doing a segment on Senator Abbigal Jennings and how she may become the first female Vice President. Along the way she comes into problems. Pat is starting to get threats about the airing of the segment. What could the Senator be hiding that could put herself at danger to not get elected the first female Vice President?

Where are the children
I have to say that the book started out pretty slow, but it got more and more interesting as you read it.
I have read several suspense books by this author, but I have to say that I believe that this is the best ever.

Mysteriously interesting
Being an ardent Agatha Christie fan, Mary Higgins Clark was recommended to me and this was the first volume of her books that I read.

There aren't any detectives like Hercules Poirot or Miss Marple still the stories keep you glued to the book till you reach the end.

'Weep no more, my lady' has a certain Christie's touch. The story is about a young woman Elizabeth. Her sister, Leila is murdered and Ted, her sister's fiance is convicted, with Elizebeth being the only witness. There are other charachters like Leila's friend the Baron and Baroness, her agent, another rival actress. The interesting thing is that each charachter has some motive for the murder. And finally the real murderer turns out to be... (You have to read the book to find out).

'Stillwatch' is about a young reporter who is making a television documentary. But what she does NOT know is that this documentary is linked to her past and will affect her present life. Not much of a mystery here but still an interesting read.

'A cry in the night' reminded me of Alfred Hitchcock's movie Psycho and hence the reason for 4 stars.

A good selection for those who have a preference for mysteries (minus politics, violence and sex).

mary higgins clark
i find her books so engrosing that i can not put them down until i find out who did it. her method of delivery always leaves you guessing. i would recommend these books highly to anyone.

Better selections....2 out of 3
I read all stories & enjoyed most of them.I would say, this is a 4 1/2 starrer.The only thing keeping me from giving it a 5 is that I didn't like the "Cry in the Night" so much.Had it been "Where are the Children", I would have given it a 10 star rate, if there is such a thing :-)Moreover, I like the compilation here better than the other MHC trilogy.

After reading 6 MHC stories in a row, I am becoming familiar with her style & events albeit characters taking on different forms.Nevertheless, her books are interesting & will make you lose track of time. ... Read more

Product Description
Intrigue abounds when the body of actress Fiona Winters is found in the closet of a Manhattan apartment. ... Read more

Product Description

Elizabeth Lange has arrived at Cypress Point Spa in Pebble Beach, California, weary of heart and soul. Still grieving for her beloved sister, a famous actress who plunged to her death from her Manhattan penthouse, Elizabeth is determined to unearth the truth about how Leila died. Dashing multimillionaire Ted Winters stands accused of her murder, but Elizabeth has doubts.

Along the windswept cliffs of the Monterey coast, in luxurious bungalows, between gourmet meals and beachfront walks, uneasiness stalks Elizabeth while she begins opening doors to the past. As glimpses of the dark truth about Leila's life and death -- and about Elizabeth herself -- start to crash against her mind, an ominous wave from an unexpected source threatens to engulf her entirely. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (66)

Weep no More, My Lady
Mary Higgins Clark Is a Phenomenal writer. A real page turner novel. Can't put her books down till your finished them

Satisfying
There is nothing like the blatant atmosphere of rich and powerful celebrities being killed off to make for a good popcon mystery. Fluffy and fun, Ms. Clark takes the sister of a famous actress (a famous actress who just so happens to be a recent murder victim) and makes her an unlikely heroine in murders among the rich.

'Tis Okay, Typical Mary Higgins Clark Script
Weep No More My Lady follows the Clark formula for her stories. The suspense and guessing part is to find out who amongst the people surrounding the principal players is the killer. Clark was okay, but is now beginning to be a "read one, read all" type.

KEPT ME IN SUSPENCE
Yes! one of my fav ones from Mary higgins clark my oh my i finished this book in 3 days! that's how interesting it was! loved the end!!! WOW!

So, so
I found this book to be pretty dull, unrealistic, and just overall boring.generally I can get through a MHC book within days, but this one took weeks.Not the best from Clark. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (55)

once again...awesome Tammy, Minnesota
As always I find MHC to be brilliant.The turn of events keep you turning the pages until your done and asking for more!!

The Cradle will Fall
Mary Higgins Clark Is a Phenomenal writer. A real page turner novel. Can't put her books down till your finished them

Twisted Tale!
This cliff-hanging story is about a widow, named Katie DeMaio, who ends up getting in a car accident on her way home from work one day.When she is in the hospital recovering she looks out the window and sees a man placing a body into the trunk of a car.She cannot tell if she is glancing at an illusion, or if this really happened.When she returns to her daily life, Katie begins her job again.Quickly she starts investigating a suicide, that in her eyes did not seem possible. A man named Richard Carroll, who helps Katy with her investigations, seemed to see a mystery behind the doctor who "cures" infertile women.These women included the woman who apparently killed herself. Before Richard can tell Katie about his discovery she was going to have surgery by that exact same doctor, Doctor Edgar Highley.

These twisted events end up all fitting together, just as a puzzle.The nightmare of a plot tends to make you take a glance behind you to make sure no one is staring you down.If you pick this book up, someone will have to rip it from your hands to get you to stop reading it because you get pulled into it instantly. This is now one of my favorite books, and authors, because Clark lets you see the mystery from all points of view including the murderer.I greatly recommend that you choose this book to read, for Mary Higgins Clark was simply genius while constructing it!

Great book
This is one of the most thrilling books I have ever read in my life.I felt like I was actually in the story.

Mary Higgins Clark's Third Book is a Great Read!!!
"The Cradle Will Fall" by Mary Higgins Clark is by far the best of her first three books. I loved the subject matter and somehow knowing the killer's identity made the book more gripping than in "Where Are the Children?" (when I had a good idea of the killer's identity early in the book)and "A Stranger is Watching."

Vangie Lewis is a spoiled, barren woman who goes to a Dr. Edgar Highley--a brilliant OB/GYN--to try and have a baby. Within a few visits, Vangie becomes pregnant. Vangie is never alive in the actual book, though, but is dead by the very beginning. Dr. Highley has just killed her and is taking her to her home to make her death look like a suicide.

We soon meet Vangie's husband, Dr. Highley's secretary and a young, widowed woman named Katie deMaio among others. They are all searching for answers. Investigators quickly realize that Vangie did not kill herself, rather someone killed her. Their suspect is Chris Lewis, Vangie's husband. Katie has a feeling that Chris is not the true killer, and her feelings turn out to be right--but not before two other people are killed by Dr. Highley and we learn of more murders that the clever doctor has gotten away with.

You will not be disappointed with this excellent book! ... Read more

Product Description
"I am so pleased to have written my first children's book and to have my dear friend Wendell Minor illustrate it. I thought it would be a daunting project, but with six grandchildren and eleven stepgrandchildren, I've been telling stories to children for a long time."

-- Mary Higgins Clark

Thomas loved his summer visits to his grandmother's on Cape Cod. He spent hours wondering about the sailing ships of the past and imagining their stories. He dreamed of being on a sailing ship himself. One afternoon after a night of terrible thunderstorms, Thomas finds, deep in the sand, a weathered, old-fashioned belt buckle. When he picks it up, a boy his own age, Silas Rich, who was a cabin boy on a ship called the Monomoy that sailed almost 250 years ago, appears. Suddenly the world of sailing ships is very near as Silas tells his tale.

Beloved and bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark tells a story of mystery and adventure that will transport readers to a time and place beyond their imaginings in her first book for children. Wendell Minor's inspired paintings make a time long ago very real. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

Mary Higgins Clark
I have all of Mary Higgins Clarks books so when I began a search for "Ghost Ship" the only book of hers I could not find, I searched Amazon and AMAZING, I found it here.Now my collection is totally up to date until her next book comes out.It arrived promptly, in excellent condition and am very happy with the service..

Children's Picture Book
The Ghost Ship is a great introduction to chapter books for children.Not quite a chapter book, but a bit more in depth than your typical picture book, this book will light a fire in the imagination of young children, while encouraging a fascination with historical events.

DeeDee Fox, author and illustrator, The Ruby Red Slippers

Engaging historical fiction for elementary stage readers
When young Thomas Fleming spends his summer with his grandmother at her historical old house in Cape Cod, he has no idea of the adventure that awaits him. Whilst digging for buried objects in the beach, he comes across a very old buckle from 300 years past, and the object conjures the spirit of the owner, a young boy of Thomas' age named Silas Rich. Silas recounts the story of Captain Andrew Hallett, who once owned the house Thomas' grandmother resides in. Silas' village was being razed by a storm fire, and in the chaos that followed, Silas realized that a number of village men had refrained from rendering help - instead, they were up to no good. Led by a villain, Samuel Lewis, the group planned to destroy Captain Hallett's ship, the Monomoy, by way of mooncussing, a devious act of placing lanterns on the beach to lure unsuspecting ships to shore, marooning them, and stealing the cargo. The rest of the story recounts Silas' own role in the drama.

This is an engaging story that captured my 5-year-old's imagination, and it has all the elements that would interest children (and adults) for that matter - a ghost, a historic old house with an interesting past, tales of villains and nighttime adventures. The author, Mary Higgins Clark is well-known for her mysteries, and showcases her talent for writing atmospheric children's stories here. There are a couple of nautical terms in here which may need to be explained to younger readers, but the language is generally quite easy to understand, and older readers (ages 6-8) should have no problems.The illustrations by artist Wendell Minor are beautiful - richly detailed paintings that bring the story to life. Highly recommended!

Ghost ship by Mary Higgins clark
Excellent! I purchased the book as a birthday gift for my grerat nephew who was just 6 years old.His older brother who will be 8 in October, liked it as well.

Stories for Children Magazine 5 Star Review
REVIEWED BY: Wayne Walker

Nine-year-old Thomas Flemming, who lives in California, is spending the summer with his grandmother who lives in a very old house on Cape Cod, MA, which once belonged to a sea captain.One day, Thomas finds an old belt buckle in the sand on the beach.All of a sudden, a polite voice says, "Thou has found my belt buckle."When Thomas looks up, he sees a boy about his own age.He learns that the boy, Silas Rich, was a cabin boy for sea captain Andrew Hallett who had built the house that his grandmother now lives in.Thomas wants to know more about Captain Hallet and also how Silas's belt buckle ended up on the shore.Was there a shipwreck?

Mary Higgins Clark is the author of many suspense novels for adults, some written with her daughter Carol Higgins Clark.Mary is one of my wife's favorite authors.This is her first children's book.Ms. Clark is an excellent story teller, and this book, filled with mystery and adventure, is an intriguing look for young readers into the great sailing history of Cape Cod, where Ms. Clark lives.The lovely paintings by Mr. Minor make that time of 250 years ago seem quite real and close.Easily read in a short period, it is a great choice for children who are just beginning to read or for a cozy read aloud with preschoolers.This was a fortunate find!
... Read more

Product Description
SOLVING CRIMES FROM COAST TO COAST!

Alvirah Meehan, the ever-resourceful former cleaning lady who struck it rich in the lottery, won the hearts of millions of readers and listeners when she narrowly survived a stalking killer in the #1 bestseller Weep No More My Lady. Now she returns with her occasionally befuddled mate Willy in this dazzling collection of interconnected stories.

From the glittering streets of New York City to the shores of both California and Cape Cod, Alvirah and Willy come to the aid of a vacationer accused of murder in "Death on the Cape," assist a fellow lottery winner in distress in "A Clean Sweep," return to the Cypress Point Spa to solve a brutal slaying among the rich and beautiful in "The Lottery 'Winner," and track down a kidnapper at Christmas time in "Bye, Baby Bunting."

Written with Mary Higgins Clark's trademark wit, romance, and keen eye for thrilling detection, and presented here in unabridged recordings, these Alvirah and Willy stories are destined to become perennial favorites. ... Read more

Product Description

Joining together for a good cause brings out the best in today's top mystery and suspense writers!For this marvelously entertaining anthology, these outstanding contributors rose to a unique literary challenge: each penned a tale that ingeniously features a thick fog, a thick book, and a thick steak.

The result is a collection of wonderfully imaginative tales that both chill the spine and warm the heart: proceeds from The Plot Thickens will help bring the gift of reading to millions of disadvantaged Americans. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (22)

The Plot Thickens
Interesting anthology.All the short stories were interestig some moreso than others.I purchased the book because my favorite author Janet Evnovich wasamong those selected to parfticipate.
Fay Slater

Not worth buying just to be able to read a Mary Higgin Clark story
The Mary Higgins Clark story was really great, but there were about three other authors that had so much filthy language in their stories, that it caused this entire book to be not worth buying. I am surprised that Mary Higgins Clark would endorse and write a story in a book with authors who have the reputation of writing in this way. So, overall the only great story in this book is Mary Higgins Clark's, which does not justify this book being worth buying unless you are able to get it for less than $1.00 or at a library.

***
not as good as I thought it was gonna be. it still wasn't too bad. I love Mary Higgins Clark and her short story was great but I didn't like the other writers.They are nowhere as talented as her.

My book
Book came in record time.I will update review as soon as I find time to read it.

A mixed bad, some great stories, some terrible
This book is a mixed bag, with some excellent stories, and some terrible ones.

I won't bother typing summaries of each story's plot as other reviewers have done that.

"How Far it Could Go" by Lawrence Block: Terrible

By far this is the worst story in the book. There is almost nothing to the story, if it can even be called a story. Lawrence Block should be ashamed of himself for submitting this, and the story should have been rejected by the publisher.

"Foolproof" by Edna Buchanan: Poor

A drop better than the first one, but pretty stupid at the end. Great build up, and then, plop, the story is just thrown away. Make the mummy a recent murder and you would have had a much more interesting story.

"The Man Next Door" by Mary Higgins Clark: Excellent

One of the best in the book. Her portrayal of the bad guy is amazingly realistic.

"Too Many Cooks" by Carol Higgins Clark: Good

Good, but pretty bland and with a massive plot hole: wouldn't the director try to finish the commercial quickly, and move on, instead of delaying things by many days?

"Revenge and Rebellion" by Nelson & Lauren DeMille: Weird

I didn't really understand this one, it's almost like the whole thing was an inside joke to other authors. None of the actions of the characters made any sense.

"The Last Peep" by Janet Evanovich: Excellent

The reason I got this book, and I was not disappointed.

"Going Under" by Linda Fairstein: Good

Good, but very straightforward, as soon as you find out what's going in, you know how it ends. But it's a short story, so I guess that's OK.

"Thick-Headed" by Walter Mosley: Very Good

Pretty hard to read. I nearly gave up at the paragraph containing: "Big Bill Baretti up in Frisco got a big load'a queer in." As hard as I tried to parse that paragraph, I could not figure out what was going on, and eventually decided to just continue. It's only at the very end that I figured out that "big load'a queer" meant "a lot of counterfeit money". And then the story made much more sense.

"Love's Cottage" by Nancy Pickard: Good

Not much mystery (or action), but good flavor, and unique amongst the rest for it's style.

"The Road Trip" by Ann Rule: Very Good

Suspenseful and well portrayed. The actions of the truck drivers didn't completely make sense, but an excellent twist.

"Take it Away" by Donald E. Westlake: Good

Sort of funny. Not a ton of plot, but it didn't need it.

Overall only some of the stories are worth reading. And it's really too bad the stories are in the alphabetical order by last name since the first two stories are so bad. Are there enough good stories in the book to make it worth getting? Hopefully my review will help you decide. ... Read more

Product Description
Mary Higgins Clark, the “Queen of Suspense,” and her daughter, bestselling author Carol Higgins Clark, join forces for the first time to create an exciting and entertaining suspense novel—the story of a kidnapping played out against a holiday setting.

Three days before Christmas, Regan Reilly, the dynamic young sleuth featured in the novels of Carol Higgins Clark, accidentally meets Alvirah Meehan, Mary Higgins Clark’s famous lottery winner and amateur detective, at a New Jersey dentist’s office. That’s where it all begins.

While Regan’s mother, Nora, the famous mystery writer, is in the hospital with a broken leg, her husband, Luke, and his chauffeur, Rosita, are kidnapped and held for a million-dollar ransom. Together, Regan and Alvirah track the case as the inept yet dangerous kidnappers make their demands known. Meanwhile, Luke and Rosita are held captive on a houseboat on the Hudson River and a fierce winter storm is gathering force.

DECK THE HALLS blends suspense with poignancy, laugh-out-loud humor, and all-around holiday cheer—a Christmas classic for many seasons to come. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (54)

Christmas Sleuths
Regan Reilly (Carol's sleuth) has her plate full just before Christmas. First Regan's father does not meet her at the dentist office. Alvirah (Mary's sleuth) is there with her husband and offers the worried Regan a lift, which she accepts. In the car Regan receives a cell phone call for a ransom of $1,000,000 for her father and Rosita, his driver. This is not all of Regan's problems. Her mother is in the hospital. Alvirah gives her a helping hand. It is Christmas. Regan, Alvirah, and Jack Reilly work hard to unravel this case. This is the Clarks first time to write together. Their sleuths blend nicely together. It is fun read for the holidays. By Ruth Thompson author of"The Bluegrass Dream" and "Natchez Above the River."

A clumsy attempt
Not much need be said about this book.The plot is far-fetched, and I never accepted the premise or the denouement.Moreover, the jeopardy is cooked.The writing is full of cliches.The characters are flat and unbelievable.The atmosphere is not there.The dialogue is clumsy and stilted.

One has to wonder how something like this passes the editor's blue pencil.It was published, obviously, because there is an audience for the Clarks' work, although I can't imagine who they are; I picture suburban women with lots of cocktail rings.If this be wrong and on me proved....

An Okay Higgins ClarkCrime Story
The story of Deck The Halls takes place a few days before Christmas.
Nora a crime novelist's husbandand his employee are kidnapped for a million dollar ransom (That's not much). The kidnappers are not terrible people and I felt a little sorry for them. Nora's private investigator daughter Regan is helping the police. Romance is in the air for Regan.
The characters are likeable in this story and the plot is easy to follow. Alls well that ends well. A fun book to read around the holidays.

The real mystery is: Who wrote this book?
I have enjoyed Mary Higgins Clark's other books and with Christmas just around the corner, this seemed to be a good pick.

Plot:
Regan Reilly, a private investigator in California, is the daughter of funeral director, Luke Reilly, and famous mystery writer, Nora Reilly.Alvirah Meehan, an amateur detective, was a former cleaning lady and a winner of the lottery.When someone looking for 1 million dollars decides to kidnap Luke and his chauffeur, Rosita, these two women must brace the impending windstorm and rescue them--before the boat they are kept on sinks.

Good:
Lacking in more quantities than I have hair follicles (and people are always complementing me on my thick hair), this book is none-the-less fast-paced and funny (although most of the times inadvertently).The last 100 pages of this slim read whip by--and that isn't just because the writing is about as challenging as a Boxcar children book.There is a lot of action and intense sequences.And while most of the humor made my eyes roll instead of my belly laugh, sometimes a clever joke would crop up and smile creep across my face.

Bad:
I can not believe that someone of Mary Higgins Clark's caliper wrote this!This is so disgusting that I wanted to "Deck" someone's Halls!
1. WRITING STYLE:
* Number 1 bad thing missing from this "mystery" is: subtlety.It was Mary Higgins Clark's trademark in previous books.Instead, the audience is whacked vehemently over the head with a Christmas tree (or a bell or a Christmas tree ornament) whenever a point is to be made.C.B. is a bad guy...he acts strange around his uncle's body.Whack!Jack is going to be Regan's woman...Nora gushes about how much her husband would love her future son-in-law.Whack!Fred is a great guy...and doesn't mind watching the children of a woman he has dated all of two times.Whack!Rosita likes Fred--she's always calling herself "Cinderella".Whack!The bad guys relate their entire scheme--who, what, when, where, and why--to their kidnapees.Whack!Whack!Whack!I just wished that I had a wall to hit into.Or a quarter for every time I rolled my eyes.I'd never have to work again!
* Characters are introduced in the same way each time: with a paragraph or ten describing every aspect of the character.I mean, here's the first paragraph of Jack Reilly's introduction: "Jack Reilly had sandy hair that tended to curl, hazel eyes more green than brown even features with a strong jaw and a broad-shouldered, six-foot-two body.Keenly intelligent, quick-witted, and with a sharp sense of humor honed by growing up in a large family, he had undeniable charisma.Both at social gatherings and at work, his laid-back presence somehow filled the room..."This was good--when I was ten and reading The Babysitters' Club.But mature writers know the real secret to good novels: show your audience *Fill in the blank*, don't tell.
2. CHARACTERS: I should say actually "Caricatures".Not one character in this book could be described with more than one (okay, maybe two words).I'll prove it.
Regan: attractive, smart
Nora: helpless
Luke: brave
Rosita: mom
Jack: cop
Fred: prince
Alvirah: annoying (okay, "detective")
Petey: stupid
C.B.: criminal "mastermind"
Let's start at the top.Regan has about as much personality as a cheese slice wrapper.For someone supposedly smart and a private investigator, she doesn't do a whole lot of smart things or even investigating.She'd rather think about romancing the man she met ten seconds ago and leave the investigating to someone else.Nora shouldn't have even been included--her little "Luke would like my future son-in-law" bit was inappropriate and stupid.Luke is flatter than pancakes.Rosita calls herself "Cinderella" to a man she barely knows?Yeah, right.Jack is said to be oh, so many things (charismatic)--but I never saw him act that way.Fred has no problem staying with two kids he barely knows--he only dated their mother twice!--over going to a party.Yeah, right.And what kids would be okay with a guy they probably have met all of one time?Not me!Alvirah is like an annoying, know-it-all, irritating version of Nancy Drew, Hardy Boys, and every other child's mystery story hero.She pops in and starts bragging about all the cases she's solved and acting like she owns the world.I don't see how anyone could stand her--she drove me nuts from her cheesy back story to her stupid "sunburst pin" cassette tape (that must be one heck of a small cassette--or one heck of a big pin!).And the bad guys are complete doofuses, which leads me to...
3. PLOT:The audience knows from the moment they are introduced to The Bad Guys (which is on page 10) that there is no way in hell that Luke and Rosita will not make it out in time for Christmas.These guys are so dumb.Petey talks like a child.C.B. is so smart...all his ideas came out of the latest Sue Grafton or James Patterson novel!Whoopee!Not to mention that there really isn't any mystery.We meet The Bad Guys 10 pages into the book and are robbed of the only other means of asserting a mystery in this horrific holiday hoax--if The Bad Guys get away.However, all the "Will *fill-in-the-blank* be home for Christmas?" remarks are a dead give-away that the end will be another "happily, ever after".Lastly, the romantic element is cheesy, corny, and stupid.Fred wants to stick around Rosita after two dates and taking care of her kids for two days?Regan falls for Jack after two days during which her dad is kidnapped?I mean, come on.

Dialogue/Sexual Situations/Violence:
Mild.Sparse usage of da** and other foul language.Hugh Hefner is brought up.Men hold guns.

Overall:
I cannot believe I would not like a Mary Higgins Clark book.Throughout the entire time I read this, I felt like I had read better books when I was 10.If you get this for Christmas, give whoever sent it to you a bag of coal, even if they do get the better end of the deal.

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*C.S. Light*

A fast, fun read!
Believe it or not, I had never read a Mary Higgins Clark book before. It's only recently that I started branching out into this lite-mystery genre. The style of writing and cadence of the story was highly enjoyable, and the colorful characters where so likeable. As a New Yorker, I appreciated the local setting.

A fascinating and entertaining story to cuddle up with on a cold December evening! ... Read more

Product Description

Mary Higgins Clark, America's Queen of Suspense, is the author of twenty national bestsellers. Her career as one of the most successful writers of our time was launched with the publication of Where Are the Children? This debut suspense thriller, originally published by Simon & Schuster in 1975, was Mary Higgins Clark's first bestseller. It marked a turning point in her life and set the standard for her distinctive page-turning style.

Where Are the Children? is the story of a woman whose past holds a terrible secret. Nancy Harmon had been found guilty in a California court of murdering her two young children, but she was released from prison on a legal technicality. Deciding to make a fresh start, to change her identity, she left San Francisco and sought tranquillity on Cape Cod.

Seven years later, Nancy is remarried and has two small children: five-year-old Michael and three-year-old Missy. Finally she feels that she has been able to reclaim all that she had lost. Then the nightmare begins again.

One day a local Cape Cod paper runs an article about a famous California murder trial involving a mother accused of killing her two children. Along with the article is a photo of Nancy. On that same morning, Michael and Missy disappear. They had been playing in the yard, but when she looked for them, they were gone...all that remained was Missy's red mitten.

While Nancy becomes the prime suspect in the disappearance of her children, no one in the small Cape Cod town is aware of a stranger in their midst -- someone whose plans for revenge have been festering for seven long years. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (116)

Were are the Children Book Review/Report.
A conflict in the story is if Nancy had killed her 2 children or not.In the beginning of the story Nancy has a lot of quilt.She was accused of murdering her 2 children but was never sent to jail for it.She is afraid that all of the public think that she is still guilty.The conflict is resolved by the murderer admitting to murdering the 2 children.

Carl in the story is alike to the giant in "Jack and the Bean Stalk".Carl is described as being big and heavy like a giant is.To Nancy's 2 children, he must look like a giant because they are so small.The giant is a made up fairy tale but Carl is a real and there could be people like him in real life.Carl stole something from somebody in the book, just as the giant did in "Jack and the Bean Stalk".

These 2 characters would not get along together because they are so mean.In the book "Jack and the Bean Stalk" the giant doesn't have any friends or anyone he talks to besides his wife because he is so mean.Since they are both monsters they would end up killing each other.

Nancy Harmon was a mother of 2 children, her 2 children were kidnapped and murdered.She was charged with murdering them but was never sent to jail.She moved to a new town, changed her name, and she was remarried.She had 2 more children with her new husband and one day when they were outside playing alone they dissapeared.Her life had become a nightmare again.Did she kill her 2 children?Did she do something to her new children in her new life?Does Nancy know the truth?

I would not recommend this book to anyone close to my age.I thought it was a disturbing story and that it could be scary to other kids.The author never comes out and says Carl abuses the little girl but it is implied, and the reader believes that it is really happening.I found that part to be really crazy and I don't like to read about pedophiles.An adult might enjoy reading this book, but only if they enjoy these kind of mysteries.The part about trying to figure out we was trying to find out who was kidnapping the kids was interesting so an adult might like that part.

Nancy had alot of issues because her 2 children were murdered and a lot of people felt that she was the one that killed them.She felt that she had to hide and make a new life for herself as a way of disguising herself.If I had ever done something that everyone thought I was guilty of, but I knew I was innocent, I would do everything that I could to prove that I was innocent. I would not want people thinking that I was guilty.I would not just give up the way Nancy did in the story.

Where Are the Children?
I purchased this hardback copy through Amazon.It is in excellent condition.My only disappointment was that it did not come with the book jacket.

The first Higgins Clark I read, and I still love it!
This is such an excellent mystery! A woman with a terrible past, and only her husband and one friend know about it. The world thinks she escaped justice when the trial over her 2 murdered kids is thrown out because of mistrial, and a key witness running off. It happened on her birthday. She rebuilt her life, has 2 more little kids, and they go missing. This proves she's a monster, right? Things like this just don't happen twice without direct reason. Did she do it? Is their any chance her children are still alive???? This book has twists, and I was shocked at what really happended and why.

Mary Higgins Clark is only ok:
This is my favorite Mary Higgins Clark book.Nancy is the main character.I loved the way Higgins Clark developed her character and made her believable.She reacted in ways that seemed real for a distraught mother.I really did not predict the outcome and would have never guessed who the kidnapper/murderer was.There were so many twists and viable suspects that made this book keep my interest until the very end.

I can't give this more than 4 stars thought because I am not a big fan of Higgins Clark's style of writing and probably will not be reading any more of her books.I enjoyed this book but there are better mystery writers out there.

Completely predictable, but a little entertaining
I read this book for my book club and have to say that I do not think I am reading her again.The plot was not that complicated or interesting.The book was so predictable and cliché that I really wanted to put it down.I guess that after reading Harlan Coben, it's hard to find some of the mystery writers that much of a mystery.I would definetely not recommend it to a friend.There is not even that much to talk about the book.

Spoiler alert:Nancy's children dissapear and found dead a couple of days later.She is acquited of killing her two children.Husband commits suicide.She changes name and appearance and moves to small town.Gets married again and has two more children.Children get abducted and she is the suspect.Children are found with the previous husband, which apparently did not commit suicide.That's it.There is nothing else to the story, other than a couple of people who actually believe she did not kill any of her four children.I guess the book is a little fantasy then.

As other reviewers said, don't waste your time.It is very cliché and predictable. ... Read more

Product Description
Even as a young girl, growing up in the Bronx, Mary Higgins Clark knew she wanted to be a writer. The gift of storytelling was a part of her Irish ancestry, so it followed naturally that she would later use her sharp eye, keen intelligence, and inquisitive nature to create stories about the people and things she observed.When Mary's father died during the Depression, her mother decided to open the family home to boarders, and placed a discreet sign next to the front door that read, FURNISHED ROOMS. KITCHEN PRIVILEGES.The family's struggle to make ends meet; her employment as a hotel switchboard operator; the death of her beloved older brother in World War II; her brief career as a flight attendant for Pan Am; her marriage to Warren Clark; sitting at the kitchen table, writing stories, and finally selling the first one for one hundred dollars (after six years and some forty rejections!) - all these experiences figure in Kitchen Privileges. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Wrong book
I ordered Kitchen Privileges and got a Reader's Digest book with only one chapter of Kitchen Privileges. It was not worth it sending it back. ... Read more