Customer Reviews (4)

Dissapointed
The writing is fairly decent, however the author's reading of the material is hard to tolerate.The thick New York accent detracts from the material being read.I would not recommend the audio book.

George Washington As Family Man and Friend
If you are like me, you have often wondered how our most talented novelists would see important historical characters.Gore Vidal has whetted our appetite with his novels about the first hundred years of the United States.In Aspire to the Heavens, talented mystery writer Mary Higgins Clark makes George Washington come alive as a simple man with many personal challenges in his life.Although I was familiar with the material in this book,Ms. Clark did a wonderful job of both making it more interesting and accessible by making his life into a personally focused biographical novel.As a result, I got a lot of new perspectives on my own life that I will benefit from for many years to come.

The book's title alludes to a promise that George Washington's mother asked for and received from him.She wanted him to always do his utmost.In her family, that had meant "Aspire to the Heavens."He took on that promise with her encouragement.Out of his own character, though, he decided to be the most decent man he could possibly be.That latter promise to himself is the one that this book focuses on.

The form of this book is to describe George Washington through the lens of his personal life, rather than his public accomplishments.The style reads more as though it is a novel rather than a biography, and there is certainly some literary license in the ascriptions of motives and personal thoughts.Yet, these devices work well as long as you remember not to take them too seriously and literally.

Although Washington will always seem larger than life to all Americans, he was a man who had many setbacks in his own life.Before the Revolutionary War, he was certainly not considered to be the great man most now believe him to have been.

Life was hard as a youngster.His father died when he was fairly young, and his mother carried a whip to help assert her authority over him and his siblings.She did not keep a very attractive household, which young George resented.Although she loved her son, she put him down verbally at every opportunity.Her opposition to his desire for an ocean-going career was a fortunate one for the United States and democracies everywhere, but a bitter disappointment to him at the time.George sought escape from her whenever possible, especially to the home of his half-brother at Mount Vernon (which he would eventually inherit and buy out from his sister-in-law).

An early friendship with the Fairfax family led to a long relationship with the first and greatest love of Washington's life, Sally Fairfax, his proposal to her similar-appearing sister (which was refused), as well as his interest in surveying as a career.

His mother constantly tried to discourage his military career, and complained bitterly about the risks he was taking during the colonial campaigns before the Revolutionary War.She blamed the early death of George's favorite half-brother on war-related illnesses.

It is fun to read Martha Washington referred to by her pet name of "Patsy" throughout the book.You will also read here a sensitive interpretation of Washington's frustrations as a step-father and in securing Patsy's love and attention.As you may know, the story ends tragically as both step-children die at fairly young while, while the Washingtons never have children of their own.Their step-daughter asks them to adopt two of her children after her husband dies, whom the Washingtons' raise.

The book's structure is an interesting one.The main historical thread is the aftermath of John Adams's inauguration and the Washingtons' trimphant return to Mount Vernon to farm.This development is interspaced with flashbacks of key moments in the lives of both George and Patsy.

After you have finished enjoying the book, I suggest that you evaluate your own life from the perspective of how you will be remembered as a family member and as a friend.Many people focus too much on their careers and public accomplishments.This book can help you assess the balance you have achieved in your life.All of us can learn from how George Washington came to keep silent when something upset him rather than creating a fuss that would have hurt his closest relationships.He was a fine family man and friend, as a result, as well as an inspiring, steady leader.

Show loving support for all those you care about . . . always!

An absolute suprise!
I just finished reading Aspire to the Heavens for the second time. When I first discovered this true gem a few years ago, I didn't understand why it was the only Mary Higgins Clark novel left shelved at my local library during peak lending season. Admittedly I was somewhat surprised after reading Ms. Clark's introductory page stating that this was NOT a suspense novel, but rather a story about the life of George Washington. Expecting to dive into a juicy suspense - imagine my disappointment!However, after browsing over the first few pages, Ms. Clark's writing style (as always) had me immediately intrigued. This fabulous little book took us into Mr. Washington's personal life from his uncomfortable relationship with his own mother, to his lifelong infatutation with his best friend's wife, through to his spunky courtship and marriage to the wonderful and intuitive Mrs. Washington (Martha). Mary Higgins Clark taught us to KNOW George Washington, with all his leadership q! ! ualities and common sense mannerisms, allowing us to respect and admire him for the great person he was (much in the same way that he WAS perceived by his countrymen of the 1700's). This magnificent book gives us history, adventure, romance and a glimpse into a bygone era.A suspense novel it was not - but my, what a pleasant surprise! And once again, Ms. Clark's amazing writing talent managed to wrap up the novel at precisely the best possible moment, leaving me feeling like the characters were good acquaintances, yet leaving me with still another feeling - that I had gained privileged information about a truly amazing person who was not a mere piece of fiction. This is a book you will want to keep in your home library and share with the entire reading community!

glowing portrait of the real George Washington
ASPIRE TO THE HEAVENS was first published in the late 1960's, well before Mary Higgins Clark's meteoric success as a author of mystery/thrillers. This biographical novel breathes life into the stick figure we know as George Washington.Portrayed as a kindly and responsible man with a welcome dash of humor, ASPIRE TO THE HEAVENS covers Washington's career from rash youth to an undaunted and vital old age.Interesting light is shown on Washington's hopeless love for the beautiful Sally Fairfax, wife of his best friend, also illuminated are his difficulties with his controlling virago of a mother.After rereading this underappreciated yet gleaming work of fiction, one can almost feel regret that Mary Higgins Clark did not continue in the field of historical literature, it is to be wondered what she might have done with figures like Jefferson and Adams.ASPIRE TO THE HEAVENS is highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Good Suspense - Buena historia de suspense
Tipical M.H. Clarks story, good suspense can put the book down utill finish.Not a classic but great summer read.

Excelente!
El Libro Me Gusta Musica Me Gusta bailar es muy interestante y comico.Es mi libro favorito!

Entretenido pero....
Cuando lei este libro era el primero que leia de esta autora, y en verdad me parecio entretenido por la manera en que lleva el relato, aun cuando descubri al asesino cuando aun no leia la mitad del libro. Luego de leerlocompre otro libro de ella, lei en total tres de sus novelas, y me di cuentaque explota mucho los mismos temas, y la heroina y el estilo del asesinoson en general los mismos en todos ellos. ... Read more

Product Description

Mary Higgins Clark is a master storyteller, who keeps hr readers spellbound. Now, in her first two published stories, written in the fifties, she draws on her career as a young Pan American Airway-flight attendant to create these tales of adventure and intrigue.

In Stowaway, a courageous flight attendant helps a dsperate young man of the underground escape the Soviet police.

In Milkrun, a flight attendant becomes immersed in a web of deception when she serves as a courier of an important documetn -- only to find it's been stolen during the flight.

Stowaway and Milkrun are two edge-of-your-seat classics that could only come from Mary Higgins Clark. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Milk Run Review
Very good stories.Keeps the readers attention until the end.Stories are short enough to enjoy.

I liked it
Good, Kept mw on the edge of my seat!! ... Read more

Product Description
America's Queen of Suspense -- Mary Higgins Clark -- joins forces with her daughter Carol -- bestselling author of the Regan Reilly mysteries -- in this fast-paced novel set on a special holiday cruise that sets sail from Miami the day after Christmas.

Alvirah Meehan, the lottery winner turned amateur sleuth; her husband, Willy; recently hitched private detective Regan Reilly and her groom, Jack, head of the NYPD Major Case Squad; and Regan's parents, Nora and Luke, are guests on the Royal Mermaid's maiden voyage, the Santa Cruise. The cruise is Commodore Randolph Weed's gift to a select group of people who in the last year "made the world a better place." What he really wants is good publicity that will generate future bookings for his struggling new venture. He also plans to scatter his beloved mother's ashes at sea during this four-day odyssey in the Caribbean. What he doesn't know is that his ne'er-do-well nephew, Eric, has smuggled two escaping criminals on board.

Alvirah won the cruise at a charity auction and persuaded the Reillys to accompany her and Willy. Other passengers include members of the Oklahoma Readers and Writers group, who volunteer their time teaching people to read. The group is planning a mystery seminar dedicated to a Ghost of Honor, the late Left Hook Louie, a champion prizefighter turned bestselling author. There are also ten men on board who had donated their time playing Santa Claus during the holiday season as well as assorted other charitable folk, all planning on a restful post-Christmas vacation.

The hoped-for tranquility soon vanishes. A terrified mystery fan swears she has spotted the Ghost of Honor in the ship's chapel. Two Santa suits disappear from a locked supply room. A storm develops, and in the infirmary an attempt is made on the life of a seemingly feeble passenger. Back in Miami, a TV reporter is turning the cruise into a public-relations nightmare, thanks to her spies on the ship.

As the Royal Mermaid sails through troubled waters, Alvirah, Regan, and Jack are uncovering the clues that lead them to dangerous criminals who were not on the original guest list!

Filled with suspense and humor, Santa Cruise is a holiday mystery you won't want to miss. Join the Clarks as they bring this unpredictable voyage to a hair-raising and heartwarming conclusion and ring in the New Year. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (56)

yolielynn
Great story any thing written by this young lady will keep you entertain I could not put it down until it was fininshed

If I were Santa, I'd sue!!
IT STINKS!!!Santa Claus should sue the authors for attaching his name to this piece of garbage.One star is the least I could give - it deserves five NEGATIVE!MHC should drop her daughter.CHC is no writer and she's dragging her mother, a truly talented writer, down to her bottomless level.

Santa Cruise
Zero stars. This must have been Carol's first book supported by her mother because it is
terrible.I was forced to listen to it on tape on a car trip.I would have rather had silence.
Has this author ever even read a good mystery?

Fun, but lacking in intesity and dramatic element
This is a fun read, but nothing very deep about it.I really enjoy the plot buildup in Mary Higgins Clark novels.This just doesn't do it.The bad guy is caught and the book is over before you even get to know the characters.

Okay... Just Okay
I heard the audiotape of this one and found the characters hard to follow.No one had a personality.I couldn't tell Jack, from Alvira, Regan, and Willy.

The plotting was okay.A lot of coincidences but I guess that's to be expected. ... Read more

Product Description
Three New York Times Bestselling Novels
The master of suspense returns with three of her newest—and best—novels:While My Pretty One Sleeps; Loves Music, Loves to Dance, and All Around the Town. All three of these powerful thrillers have topped New York Times bestseller lists. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Full of Suspense !!
As little as I like to read books which involve the abuse of children, I found this to be a gripping novel which covered the condition of Multi Personality Disorders as well as the often common reason for murder--greed! Laurie is a very beautiful girl who was kidnapped at the age of 4 and was held and abused sexually for 2 years.During the years of abuse, the tiny child learned to retreat into her mind to block out whar was happening.After her rescue, she made wonderful progress until the accidental death of her parents,which made her alter personalities emerge. When one of her teachers is murdered and she is connected with the scene, her sister Sarah, a prosecutor with the District Attorney's Office, becomes aware that the murder may have been committed by one of her alter personalities. Meanwhile Laurie's kidnappers,Bic and Opal have become TV evangelists and are intent on continuing their control over Laurie's fragile mind.This is a suspensful thriller and will keep you glued to the book till the end.

WhileMy Pretty One Sleeps
I really enjoyed this book.I especially liked the ending. It was a great storie of mystery,horror,murder, and love. I would recamend this book to eny one who likes mysteries, and murders. I also really like the auther she is a great wrighter.

Don't start it unless you have the time to finish it!
"You Belong To Me" by Mary Higgins Clark was an intriguing and suspenseful murder mystery.Even after I finished the story I wanted to still continue reading about the private and professional lives of the characters that were presented in such interesting details.

MARY HIGGINS CLARK NEVER CEASES TO AMAZE ME!
EVERY TIME I READ ONE OF CLARK'S BOOKS, I THINK THAT I HAVE FINALLY FIGURED OUT HER FORMULA. BUT...EVERY SINGLE TIME SHE STUMPS ME. I HAVE READ EACH OF HER NOVELS, AND I CAN NEVER FIGURE OUT THE ENDING. SHE IS TRULY THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE. LOVES MUSIC, LOVES TO DANCE IS MY FAVORITE THRILLER. THE PREMISE IS BASED UPON DATING VIA THE PERSONALS. MARY HIGGINS CLARK TAKES REAL LIFE SCENARIOS AND PEOPLE AND BRINGS FASCINATION AND INTRIGUE TO ANY CIRCUMSTANCE.

All Around the Town
This was a great book.It's plot was chilling and terrifying.I couldn't stop reading it.The way it turned out was a real surprise.I didn't know what to think of Laurie's alternate personalities. Could she really be a murderer without knowing it? I loved how Laurie's alternate personalities would jump out while talking to Justin.They would slowly release information from her past, but would it be enough to know what happened?This book it a suspenseful must-read. ... Read more

Product Description
Willy and Alvirah have won the lottery! That means that Alvirah can sleuth to her heart's content--and that's just what she does. 4 cassettes. ... Read more

Product Description
While attending her class reunion at St. Polycarp's in Oxford, England, private eye Regan Reilly is soon investigating the mysterious death of her former roommate, a rebellious Greek heiress. Reprint. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (24)

Enjoyable, humorous mystery
"Decked" is a humorous mystery novel. The mystery was a who-done it that kept me guessing until about the same time as the detective figured it out. Several people with different motives wanted to be in or near Lady Exner's cabin, which built the suspense as each tried to achieve their goal and as I wondered if any of them would mess up the others' plans. And, of course, there was the suspense of knowing someone was intending to kill Regan and Lady Exner--and they didn't realize it.

Some of the characters were a bit exaggerated to create humor, but the characters were varied and had realistic motives. The pacing was good, and the story never lost my interest. The world-building was very good, especially in portraying what traveling on a cruise ship would be like.

There was no sex. There was a minor amount of bad language. Overall, I'd recommend this novel as enjoyable, fairly clean reading.

snozzzzz
I found I couldn't keep from falling asleep trying to get into this book. I finally had to hang it up after the third chapter when it couldn't hold my interest. To be fair I did buy the first book after a friend raved about the 8th book because I wanted to get in on the beginning of the series. I guess Ms. Higgins-Clark got better as the sequels moved on but I'm not interested enough to move on with her.

Hello Regan Reilly, A Wonderful Beginning
I have been reading Carol Higgins Clark for several years, but never had the opportunity to read her first Regan Reilly book.Now I have and I loved it.I have been addicted to Carol's books ever since the first read, and this one did not dissapoint.
Regan goes to her 10 year reunion in Oxford with her best friend.She discovers that her roommate who had dissapeared 10 years earlier was murdered and her body only recently found.After attending a tea at the home of an elderly aunt of one of the professors who had befriended the girls in school, Regan is pursuaded to take a sea voyage with the aunt.Also on the ship are Regan's parents (an author and a funeral parlor owner), some kooky passengers, a jewel thief, and a murderer.
The characters are believable, the plot is tricky and humorus, and the intrigue is stimulating.Carol never dissapoints and she is no amature even in this first book.
I appreciate a book that moves along at a nice pace, has no drag and does not leave loose ends.Thank you, Carol.

Over Easy
Not too bad but very light....no suspense here. A quick, forgettable read to pass summer day. I would have like a little more substance, but it was okay. I'll probably try another of her books but I'm not in a hurry.

Not decked - flogged!The dead horse.
This is Carol Higgins Clark's first book.A friend gave me the book and I paid too much for it.I can't say this is the worst book I have ever read, but it is close.As an author, Carol Higgins Clark has fallen far from the tree.Her mother, Mary Higgins Clark is known as the Queen of Suspense.Carol isn't the Princess nor close to being the heir apparent.
Regan Reilly is a private detective in England for the tenth reunion of her class.The body of one of her classmates, who all thought had run away prior to graduation, is discovered near a professor's home.Regan is able to put pieces of the crime together while accompanying an elderly woman on a cruise to New York City.
Higgins Clark relies on cliched characters and situations.Despite the vapidness of this book, I will try another of the series to see if Carol Higgins Clark's writing matures.And, yes, I'm still talking to the friend her gave me the book.Turns out she had very similar feelings about it. ... Read more

Product Description
4 Great Novels, 1 Book. ... Read more

Product Description

The crowned Queen of Suspense, #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark, has no peer in the realm of stylish, sophisticated thrillers -- brilliant, breathtaking tales that delve into the deepest affairs of the heart,the darkest crimes of passion. Now, in that same haunting tradition, she invites a star-studded cast of authors to share original stories of men and women joined in love...and driven to murder.

Sara Shankman puts a chilling new spin on payback...Joseph Hansen slaps a rancher with a cold wake-up call out on the trail...Loren D. Estleman cuts a honeymoon short when a bride learns she's married to the mob...Brendan DuBois drives a brother to distractionon the road to revenge...Sally Gunning pushes jealousy to a murderous extreme...Nancy Pickard exposes the truth behind the headlines as a young love leads to old-fashioned homicide...and a panoply of other renouned writers spellbind us with the seductive charms of love, lust, and other lethal attractions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

One or two good ones, but .......
There were a couple of good stories here, and I even found one author to follow up on, so I guess it was worth the two bits I paid for the book and the few evenings of bedtime and bathroom reading spent on it.But most were middlin' at best and several were almost painful to read.

Part of the boredom factor is that only about half are actually mysteries or investigations, the rest simply involving crime in some form.

Just FYI, although others have pointed this out, none of the stories is actually by Mary Higgins Clark, if that's what you are looking for.

Buy it cheap and recycle it, or just borrow it.

NOT GREAT-BUT NOT BAD EITHER
Light reading and not a bad choice to take with you for a long appointment or trip.Not a whole lot of suspense or mystery, but fairly enjoyable way to be introduced to a new author or two.

Decent Vacation read!
I took this book on vacation and it was good for light reading around the pool.Two of the ten stories were rather boring, but the rest were entertaining and at least three (All You Need Is Love by Sarah Shankman; Afraid of the Dark by Nancy Packard; Sibling Rivalry by Brendan DuBois) were VERY good.Well, I felt I got [my money's] worth of entertainment out of it anyway.

Someone Better Take Some Caffeine Pills for This One!
This book is so boring- ZZZZZZZ. It was very hard for me to finish. If you are going to buy a book, buy one that Mary Higgins Clark has written, not EDITED. Because this one is SLOW.

Perfect for Light Reading.
When asked why her suspense novels always had an air of romance about them, author Mary Higgins Clark replied, "crime stories have been part of the human experience since Adam and Eve. Think about it. Only two peopleon earth, and she persuades him to commit a felony. They have two kids, andone murders the other. The die was cast for the rest of us." Perfectlylogical. And such logic makes Mary Higgins Clark the perfect editor for anew group of suspense-filled, romantic mysteries in "The NightAwakens: A Mystery Writers of America Anthology."

These ten storiesvary from murder and crime to tangled affairs of the heart and home, eachoffering its own puzzle. Every writer in the series delivers a polishedperformance with believable dialogue and impeccable timing. These tales arejust perfect for light reading. The stories are great, and give you aninsight into the style of the other authors. It is a great way to find andtry out other authors.

-Sharon Galligar Chance ... Read more

Product Description

While My Pretty One Sleeps

The murder of gossip columnist Ethel Lambston had eerie echoes of another death for Neeve Kearny, owner of an expensive Madison Avenue boutique.The killing of one of her best customers reminded her of the one thing -- they slaying of her own mother years earlier.Faced with a variety of suspects, Neeve plunges into the mystery of Lambston's death, determined to find the truth.But as she is drawn into a whirlwind of money and romance, she is also being stalked by a killer who's closer than she could ever dream . . .

Weep No More, My Lady

Young Elizabeth Lange is haunted by the tragic death of her beloved sister, the legendary actress Leila LaSalle. Ted Winters, Leila's multi-millionaire fiance, has been accused of her murder -- and Elizabeth is slated to be the star witness for the prosecution. But before the trial begins, Elizabeth gets an invitation to unwind at a swank California spa. There is caught up in a torrent of confusing emotions and perplexing questions. Elizabeth must discover the truth -- and soon. Because someone is stalking her, patiently waiting for the right moment to strike . . .