I believe that this thriller is one of the best works Mary Higgins Clark has ever written. The range from thriller through emotional suffering to psychological finesse is enormous and absolutely thrilling put into words. So, if you´re not familiar with the author´s work – which would be hard to believe, but possible nonetheless – this is a great start.


All Around The Town
by Mary Higgins Clark
Publisher Pocket Books on February 1, 1993
Genre Thriller
Pages 352
Format Paperback
Source Library
Goodreads
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It is the story of Laurie Kenyon, on trial for jealous murder, represented by her sister Sarah, a skilled lawyer. Everything about Laurie is mysterious. She is kidnapped as a child, remains missing for two years, and when she finally reappears out of nowhere, she has lost the memory of the terrible events. Under the pressure of events, Laurie's self splits into four deeply different personalities, who at first seem to be dormant behind a seemingly happy childhood. Until Laurie's parents die in a car accident. The shock releases the four personalities. One of them commits the murder...
Story
4-year-old Laurie Kenyon is kidnapped right in front of her parents' house. For two years she remains in the hands of the kidnappers and goes through hell. It is only through an unexpected coincidence that she is abandoned in front of a school in the dark and foggy and finally comes home to her family. The Kenyons try very hard to make her return as easy and pleasant as possible, and after a while, Laurie seems to have forgotten the nightmare of her kidnapping. Years later, she goes to college and only comes home for weekends and vacations. When her parents take her car and have a fatal car accident, Laurie blames herself and collapses at the funeral when she hears the voice of her kidnapper during the funeral service. The shock is so deep that four personalities who helped her get through the time of the kidnapping report back to her. Laurie begins to change, and her sister Sarah sees no other way than to put her into psychological treatment. But then a murder occurs, and it looks like one of Laurie's personalities committed the murder. But which one? And how can Sarah save Laurie from going to prison for the rest of her life?

Style
Mary Higgins Clark's Thriller consists of four parts. Some of the chapters are just half a page long, and others span several pages. But that doesn't bother the flow of reading in the slightest. The action is fast-paced, and the reader is only given a little breather every now and then. In her usual style, Mary Higgins Clark advances the plot through dialogue and gradually opens up the fascinating world of psychology to the reader.

Characters
Mary Higgins Clark characterized her characters simply, concisely, and with just a few words. Each of her characters is believable. One of the characters shows a completely surprising side at the end, and the author once again managed to surprise her readers with the solution to her plot.


Conclusion
A gripping thriller that offers a wonderful insight into the soul of multiple personalities in one person and is gripping from the first to the last line. A highly recommended book for thriller fans.



Happy reading







Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark ©Gunther Glücklich





Mary Higgins Clark, born in 1928 in New York, lived and worked in Saddle River, New Jersey. She sold her first story in 1956 for $100 to a magazine. After the sudden death of her husband in 1964 she wrote her first book, a biographical novel about George Washington. Her first suspense novel Where are the Children from 1975 meant a turning point in her life and career: He became a bestseller. She is #1 international and New York Times bestselling author, has written thirty-four suspense novels; three collections of short stories; a historical novel; two children´s books; and a memoir, Kitchen Privileges. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauthored five more suspense novels. Her books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. She is the most successful thriller author worldwide.


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