12/17/2021

Gebrochen Ist Dein Herz by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

One of the last books, Mary Higgins Clark wrote. Although I am a big fan of hers, this thriller is a bit different from the other Laurie Moran books. The psychological finesse is there, but the rest is sadly a bit too foreseeable. Nonetheless, I had some nice reading hours with it.

Gebrochen Ist Dein Herz*

by Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke
Under Suspicion Series #7
Translation Karl-Heinz Ebnet
Original Title Piece Of My Heart
Publisher Heyne on November 1, 2021
Genre Thriller
Pages 365
Format Hardcover
Source Heyne
Goodreads
✶✶✶✶

It should be the best day of her life … Years ago, Laurie Moran´s beloved first husband was shot in cold blood. Now she finally dares to go to the altar again. Everything seems perfect. But then the ten-year-old nephew of her fiancé Alex Buckley disappears without a trace. The suspicion that he was kidnapped is quickly confirmed. Johnny is adopted – could his birth parents have anything to do with it? Laurie´s father, former vice chief of the New York Police Department, in turn, suspects a convicted murderer whom he jailed 18 years ago and who swore revenge for it … (Personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

It was supposed to become the best few days of her life. Laurie is about to get married at a fantastic resort and have some special moments with her new family. But the moment her future nephew goes missing, things change. Can Laurie still tie the knot with Alex Buckley or will everything change again forever?

Style

Mary Higgins Clark also wrote this Laurie Moran case in her usual gentle and sensitive writing and language style. The psychological component is very well worked out, but I was missing that certain something. The thriller doesn´t have any big surprises or twists, which I thought was a shame. Sure, there is a certain amount of reading pleasure while reading, but I was a bit removed from genuine enthusiasm. In addition, the end was very predictable and that took away some of the fun from the tension.

Characters

The author created her characters wonderfully. The main character Laurie Moran has become very self-confident, compared to before, and has her life under control both professionally and privately. The way she deals with the private events before starting to fathom the situation from a professional perspective was impressive and logical. Even if a lot of the characters could be foreseen, it was interesting and up to a certain point also exciting to follow the development of the plot in connection with the individual characters.

Conclusion

This thriller gave me a couple of nice reading hours. Without any big surprises or twists, but from a psychological point of view, wonderful. My recommendation for all Mary Higgins-Clark fans or those who want to become one.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Heyne in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

Deutsche Rezension

Stil

In ihrem gewohnt sanften und feinfühligen Schreib- und Sprachstil hat Mary Higgins Clark auch diesen Laurie- Moran-Fall verfasst. Die psychologische Komponente ist sehr gut ausgearbeitet, aber mir hat das gewisse Etwas gefehlt. Der Thriller hat keine großen Überraschungen oder Wendungen, was ich schade fand. Sicher, ein gewisses Lesevergnügen stellt sich durchaus während des Lesens ein, aber von ehrlicher Begeisterung war ich etwas entfernt. Zudem war das Ende sehr vorhersehbar und das hat der Spannung doch etwas den Spaß genommen.

Charaktere

Ihre Figuren hat die Autorin wunderbar kreiert. Die Hauptfigur Laurie Moran ist sehr selbstbewusst geworden im Vergleich zu früher und hat beruflich und privat ihr Leben gut im Griff. Die Art, wie sie mit den privaten Ereignissen umgeht, ehe sie beginnt, die Situation aus der Sicht der beruflichen Perspektive zu ergründen, war beeindruckend und logisch. Auch wenn vieles bei den Figuren vorhersehbar war, war es doch interessant und bis zu einem gewissen Punkt auch spannend, die Entwicklung der Handlung im Zusammenhang mit den einzelnen Charakteren zu verfolgen.

Resultat

Dieser Thriller hat mir ein paar schöne Lesestunden beschert. Zwar ohne große Überraschungen oder Wendungen, aber vom psychologischen Aspekt gesehen, wundervoll. Meine Empfehlung für alle Mary-Higgins-Clark-Fans oder die, die es noch werden wollen.

*This book was published in the English language by Simon & Schuster on November 17, 2020 

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark, born 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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she is working as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan.

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3/21/2020

Denn Du Gehörst Mir by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

As an old Mary Higgins Clark fan, I am usually always eager to get my hands on her books. And when she partnered with Alafair Burke to keep going with her Laurie Moran character, I was thrilled after reading what they had written together. But this one? I am disappointed. It felt as if she only had put together bits and pieces from her other work and not come up with a completely new plot and story. And knowing, that MHC is no longer with us doesn´t make it easier to write this review. 

Denn Du Gehörst Mir*

by Mary Higgins Clark, Alafair Burke

Under Suspicion Series #6

Translation Karl-Heinz Ebnet

Original Title You Don´t Own Me

Publisher Heyne on February 17, 2020

Genre Thriller

Pages 335

Format Hardcover

Source Publisher 

Goodreads

✶✶✶ 

The highly respected doctor Martin Bell was shot five years ago. The perpetrator remained unknown. Now, Martin´s desperate parents ask Laurie Moran for help. She is supposed to bring the psychologically unstable widow, whom they think the guilty, to her just punishment. Laurie digs deeper into the shattering context and does not even notice that she has been targeted by a stalker herself. A stalker whose hatred of them seems to know no bounds. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Laurie Moran is looking for a new case for “Under Suspicion” when the parents of a highly respected doctor, who was shot five years ago, come to her office to ask her why she declined their case. After minutes Laurie knows that the widow of Martin Bell is playing games with her and her parents-in-law. To find out why Laurie has to dig deeper and what she finds is beyond everything she ever expected.

Style

Written in the proven gentle writing style of Mary Higgins Clark, this thriller shows the reason why she is called Queen of Suspense. Except that there is no suspense in this book. The plot is foreseeable, the story too and the psychological finesse you usually find in her books is lacking totally. I don´t know why but while reading I very often had the feeling that I know this sentence, scene or figure only too good. It looked all so familiar. There were no surprises that gave me a certain thrill. 

Characters

Laurie is preparing for her wedding with Alex Buckley while trying to get a case for her show together. She seems happy, as any bride to be should be, and still, you can see only a fraction of her in this story. The reason is, her son isn´t shown very much and the life she had before becoming engaged has changed a lot. But it was her interaction with her son that made her figure such a lovely one. In this book what the reader gets most to see is the working mother, the professional who tries to solve a case. That isn´t per se bad because Laurie shows that she is her father´s daughter and that she is smart and knows how to combine things and facts. But the woman who is eager to fight for what she wants is a bit calmed down and that is sad. It was one of the things I admired about this character.  

Conclusion

Sad to say it but this isn´t what I am used to getting normally to read from MHC. I know she was an old Lady, a Grande dame not only in her profession but also in her books. But this plot, this story was not at all filled with her usually psychological finesse or the deep and dark sides a human being can have. Sure, it was kind of entertaining to read, during some pages, but most of the thriller was no thriller at all and didn´t have the quality her work normally shows. Sad but I fear my expectations were way too high here.

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Heyne in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.










The original title was published You Don´t Own Me by Simon & Schuster on November 6th, 2018.

Mary Higgins Clark

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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she is working as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan. 

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4/30/2019

Mit Deinem Letzten Atemzug by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

Let me be straight with you. Every Breath You Take was disappointing. At least for me. This is not the MHC I know and love. It hurts to say it, but this is one of the few books written by her, I can´t give anything but an average rating. Sad, but this was almost a boring read. And after a few chapters, I couldn´t get rid of the feeling that I´ve read that story already. Hopefully, the next Laurie Moran thriller will be a hit again. This wasn´t. At least not for me.

Mit Deinem Letzten Atemzug

by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Under Suspicion Series #5
Translation Karl-Heinz Ebnet
Original Title Every Breath You Take*
Publisher Heyne on April 8, 2019
Genre Thriller
Pages 366
Format Hardcover
Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶

A bombastic gala evening in Manhattan ends in disaster. Virginia Wakeling an extremely wealthy widow and a generous patron of the arts falls to the death from the roof of the Metropolitan Museum. Was it murder? Urgently suspicious: her over twenty years younger lover Ivan. But as the police turn it around, they find no evidence against him. Therefore, Laurie Moran is using her TV program “Under Suspicion” to clear the case. She begins to research in the circle of the super-rich family - and soon encounters dark secrets. (a personal translation of the blurb on the dust cover/German edition by ©Vi at Inkvotary).

Story

Laurie Moran usually has her own way, finding a case that fits for her show. Not this time. Her boss wants her to do the story about Virginia Wakeling and if that wouldn´t be enough, he also has the day set already. A rich family, a heritage big enough to cause some fights and a woman who starts living and pays the ultimate price for it: her life.

Style

The first quarter of the book was wonderful to read. No sign that the rest of the novel sounded very familiar and so as if I´ve read it already somewhere else. The main figure Laurie has her little problems with the way how her male moderator of the show is working, but other than that she sees it when a case is worth being on “Under Suspicions”. What this thriller is missing, is the portion of tension, humor, and kind of action that make you literally jump to the next page just to see how things unfold. Not here. Sure, you are turning the pages – to keep reading – but not with the eagerness to find out who the real bad guy is. Because that is after a few chapters clear. At least it was for me. The author follows the same rules, she used to follow in most of her other work. The quiet and palest figure (I don´t tell any name, so no spoiler here) is the evil person and the reasons why are as boring as the rest of the story. Sad, very sad. Because the plot itself is full of tension and potential and if played outright, this would have been a fantastic book. Well …

Characters

What kept this book from total failure was the personal relationship between Laurie and Alex. In here, they are making some magnificent progress, and to watch that, it was well worth reading this thriller.

Laurie changes in a way that was nice to watch. She still loves her late husband and she still cherishes the memories she is having. But she also starts to realize and understand, that she wants happiness and the feeling being loved and not alone, back in her life. Sure, there is her son and her father, and they both love her, and she loves them. But the love of a man who is not her father or son is something else. Her inner conflict and how she turns things around are presented by Mary Higgins Clark in a very sensitive way. If not to say that those scenes were the best in this thriller. 

Conclusion

I am sad and very disappointed. The novel reads lukewarm, without big surprises and lacks wit, charm, and catchy dialogues. Either I´ve expected way too much because the other books of this series were a wonderful read or this just wasn´t for me. But judge for yourself. Maybe for you, it is what you are looking for. For me, it wasn´t. 

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Heyne in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

*The title was originally published Every Breath You Take by Simon & Schuster on November 7, 2017 

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark, born in 1927 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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she works as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan. 

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6/15/2018

Schlafe Für Immer by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

What a fast-paced and thrilling read The Sleeping Beauty Killer is. From the very first moment, you are in the middle of a drama that contains many twists and turns, surprises and the main character who knows how to do what she does best. I literally read The Sleeping Beauty Killer overnight. There was no chance to put it aside, even for one minute. And despite the feeling that this story wasn´t new to me, I was absolutely haunted by it.

Schlafe Für Immer*

by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Under Suspicion Series #4
Translation Karl-Heinz Ebnet
Original Title The Sleeping Beauty Killer
Publisher Heyne on May 14, 2018
Genre Thriller
Pages 382
Format Hardcover
Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶½

It´s been fifteen years since Casey Carter´s fiancé was murdered. Casey was behind bars for fifteen years. Innocent, as she always claimed. Only that did not even believe her own mother. Now, after her release, she finally wants to cleanse her name. In desperation, she turns to Laurie Moran, who treats uncleared criminal cases in her TV show Under Suspicion. Laurie hesitates initially because the evidence clearly speaks against Casey. But then she takes on the case – unaware of the misfortune she conjures up with it. (personal translation by ©Vi at Inkvotary). 

Story

Laurie is in an awkward position. On one hand, she has to find a new moderator for her show but doesn´t want to make a final decision, on the other she just lost a possible case for the show and needs another one. And that fast. Her boss is sitting on her neck and the desperate woman in her office is eager to convince her that she is really innocent and in need of her help. A help that soon turns into a dangerous situation for Laurie and the team.

Style

I am thrilled. This thriller is one of the books you can´t put down because of the haunting plot, the fascinating characters, and the perfect writing style. You feel it in every page, that the team Higgins Clark-Burke is absolutely worth your time. What reading pleasure. In a simple to read, a clear language you can see that this is a Mary Higgins Clark book. Her elegant choice of words always with a hint of humor and the carefully designed figures prove it from start to finish, that you can count on a surprise at the end.

What I love about Mary Higgins Clark is, that she doesn´t need loud tones or an erotic undertone to get the reader´s attention. All she uses is a brilliant created psychological plot and a few great characters to excite her fans.

Characters

Not everything is as it seems and the different figures in this thriller are as opposite as you can imagine. Good, during some pages I couldn´t get rid of the feeling that I´ve read that before, but still, you see the brilliance Mary Higgins Clark has when it comes to her leading lady. 

And Laurie is one hell of a leading lady. She knows exactly what she wants. At least when it comes to her show Under Suspicion. Her private life is one big building site. Yes, she loves Alex, but she can´t commit to him entirely. Her late husband and the vow she gave him are a big obstacle. 

But Alex isn´t willing anymore to wait until she comes along. And he is more involved in the case as Laurie knows or the reader. But on the last page of this thriller, he even surprised me with his thoughts and actions.

Conclusion

There are not many books in this world, that make me read them in one single swoop literally overnight. This one is one of those few. The light but exciting style, the well thought-through plot and the fantastic created figures let you dig deep into a bold world where the rich and powerful pull strings to protect their own from harm. 

Happy reading

*This book was kindly provided to me by Heyne in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the cover of the German edition is shown first in this review.

*The title was originally published The Sleeping Beauty Killer by Simon & Schuster on November 15, 2016.

Mary Higgins Clark

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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she works as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan. 

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5/31/2017

Und Niemand Soll Dich Finden by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

I loved reading the first book of this new series, where Mary Higgins Clark writes together with a co-author. So, when this book was available, I literally jumped to get it and was totally thrilled when I got the approval for the book. It is always a great feeling when I get a book sent by the publisher. And when it is a Mary Higgins Clark book, it is an even greater feeling.  She is the Queen of Suspense, but with Alafair Burke she seems to be even better. 

Und Niemand Soll Dich Finden*

by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Under Suspicion Series #3
Original Title All Dressed In White*
Publisher Heyne on April 25, 2017
Genre Thriller
Pages 366
Format Hardcover
Source Publisher

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶

Five years ago, Amanda Pierce was excitedly preparing to marry her college sweetheart in a lavish ceremony at The Grand Victoria Hotel in Palm Beach. Then, with their guests and families on site, Amanda disappeared. In present-day New York City, Laurie Moran realizes a missing bride is the perfect cold case for her investigative television series, Under Suspicion. She and her team set out to recreate the night of the disappearance at the Florida resort with Amanda´s friends and family in attendance, hoping to shed new light on the mystery as the series has done in past episodes. With a jealous sister, playboy groomsmen, Amanda´s former fiancé now married to a bridesmaid, and rumors about the “beloved” bride herself, Laurie and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley quickly realize everyone has a theory about why Amanda vanished into thin air. One thing is certain: whoever was behind Amanda´s disappearance plans to keep the truth hidden “until death do they part…” 

Story

Laurie Moran is planning which story she wants to present in her next Under Suspicion show when she has to deal with the surprise visit of Sandra Pierce. The mother of Amanda Pierce, who disappeared out of the blue on her wedding day.  But for some reason, Sandra touches a nerve in Laurie and within no time she knows: this is her next case.

Style

From the start, I was captured. Not only was the reading fast, but the characters also showed some sides I hadn´t seen in the other book. As usual, the language is soft and sensitive, but to the point. 

The authors show you all the figures that are important and you can see from the very first page, that not everything is gold and great. And through the change of scene, you never know what´ll come next. That way the tension rises and the psychological finesse gets an incredible way to unfold right before the reader´s eye.

Characters

At some point, I wished the authors would have gone into more detail when it comes to the relationship Amanda has had with her elder sister Charlotte. There was a lot of tension to feel and that a huge sibling rivalry must have been between them. Well, you can´t have everything, can you?!

It was quite interesting to see how all the different figures in this thriller saw the missing Amanda. Some of them called her an angel, others a calculating bitch. 

Conclusion

Again, a solid and wonderful to read Mary Higgins Clark thriller. Good, I wasn´t that excited as I was after reading the first book of her Under Suspicion series. But as long as I am well entertained I don´t mind. 

Happy reading

I received this book by Heyne in exchange for an honest and unbiased review. Thank you. Therefore, the German cover is shown first in this review.

The original book All Dressed in White was published by Simon & Schuster on November 17, 2015 

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark, born in 1928 in New York, lived and worked in Saddle River, New Jersey. She sold her first story 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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she works as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan. 

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10/14/2016

The Cinderella Murder by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke

This is the first book of a new series, which the Queen of Suspense wrote with co-author Alafair Burke. I can´t say which parts are written by Mary Higgins Clark and which one by her co-author, but one thing is clear: it seems to have been a good idea of MHC´s publisher to bring a second author on board. Alafair Burke is an author I never heard of nor read anything before. But that doesn´t mean anything because there are a lot of authors out there I never read or heard of. 

The Cinderella Murder*

by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Under Suspicion Series #2
Publisher Simon & Schuster on November 18, 2014
Genre Thriller
Pages 320
Format Hardcover
Source Library

Goodreads

✶✶✶✶

Television producer Laurie Moran is delighted when the pilot for her reality drama, Under Suspicion, is a success. Even more, the program – a cold case series that revisits unsolved crimes, by recreating them with those affected – is off to a fantastic start when it helps solve an infamous murder in the very first episode. Now Laurie has the ideal case to feature in the next episode of Under Suspicion: the Cinderella Murder. When Susan Dempsey, a beautiful and multi-talented UCLA student, was found dead, her murder raised numerous questions. Why was her car parked miles from her body? Had she ever shown up for the acting audition, she was due to attend at the home of an up-and-coming-director? Why does Susan´s boyfriend want to avoid questions about their relationship? Was her disappearance connected to a controversial church that was active on campus? Was she close to her computer science professor because of her technological brilliance, or something more? And why was Susan missing one of her shoes when her body was discovered? With the help of the lawyer and Under Suspicion host Alex Buckley, Laurie knows the case will attract great ratings, especially when the former suspects include Hollywood´s elite and tech billionaires. The suspense and drama are perfect for the silver screen – but is Cinderella´s murderer ready for a close-up?

Story

Laurie Moran gets the go from her boss to start the second show of her very successful first TV production Under Suspicion. Now she wants to feature another cold case in her show and in California she gets all those affected together and even more. But when one of her crew members is attacked and one gets killed, she knows that the real killer is still trying to cover its tracks. But Laurie is not the kind of person who gives up so easily. She wants to find the truth, not at all costs, but if she can find a way to make it possible to give the loved ones who were left behind a bit peace, she does what she can.

Style

A decent writing style in combination with great psychological finesse – that´s what Mary Higgins Clark is famous for. This new book shows not only that but a fresh style as well and it works out great. The tone is kind of swinging, not too much, but enough to catch the reader and its full attention. 

The Cinderella Murder is one great thriller where you come in touch again with Laurie, her wonderful son Timmy, her father Leo and Alex. No doubt, you can read this book without knowing I´ve Got You Under My Skin (where we met Laurie and her little family for the first time), but I recommend to read that one first if you want to get the full picture. In "The Cinderella Murder" are quite often scenes where the author brings up things that had happened in the other book. And some of those things are kind of important one way or the other. Written in the personal narrative perspective you see how Laurie´s life looks now, how the things of the past still affect her life and that of her son Timmy. But there is no darkness anymore. As a matter of fact, Timmy has a great way of using his bad experience to help his grandfather to see things from a different perspective. And he is very positive about that. 

As always, the author doesn´t give you a huge character description at once. In fact, she lets the reader see her figures through little pieces she puts into the ongoing plot. A wonderful way to let the reader imagine a lot of things himself but also to get everything that is important bit by bit.

Characters

Laurie Moran is quite familiar to Mary Higgins Clark fans as she is the main figure from I´ve Got You Under My Skin. In that book, she was frightened and very overprotective when it came to her son. That has changed now. She still doesn´t want her son to come too much in touch with her work, with the dark side of humankind, but it is incredible to see how Timmy is dealing with all of it. He is a remarkable young boy, sees things others don´t (in a very good way) and for him, only one thing is important: that his mother can be his mother no matter where her job leads her. 

I found it quite fun to watch Timmy, to see how he enjoyed every minute in this thriller, what he says, how he says it and what he has become. He is one heck of a fantastic boy!

Conclusion

I really enjoyed reading it. And although I know the rules when it comes to thriller/crime and where the evil is, I didn´t see it coming until the end. So yes, this thriller is haunting, fascinating, and big entertainment. For every MHC fan, a big must, for the rest a good recommendation.

Happy reading

*I read the German new release edition March 21, 2016, by Heyne

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark, born in 1928 in New York, lived and worked in Saddle River, New Jersey. She sold her first story 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.

Alafair Burke

Alafair Burke is the daughter of James Lee Burke and the youngest of four children. She is a graduate of Stanford Law School and a former Deputy District Attorney in Portland, Oregon. Now she works as a Professor of Law at Hofstra Law School, where she teaches criminal law and procedure. She lives with Sean and their dogs in Manhattan. 

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10/12/2016

I ´ ve Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark is one of my favorite authors for many, many years. But not each of her books was really enjoyable – at least not for me. There was a time when I read her thrillers literally spoken overnight and was flashed with her brilliance by using the spiritual abyss we humans can have. The very dark side of human nature hidden very carefully from the rest of the world – well, the Queen of Suspense knows how to play with that better than anyone else. This thriller is one, I was very eager to read. I read it some years back, so I can´t exactly remember why that was, but I remember that I was happy when I got it and that I couldn´t wait to dig deep into it.

I´ve Got You Under My Skin

by Mary Higgins Clark
Under Suspicion Series #1
Publisher Simon & Schuster on April 1, 2014
Genre Thriller
Pages 320
Format Hardcover

Goodreads
✶✶✶½

When Laurie Moran´s husband was brutally murdered, only three-year-old Timmy saw the face of his father´s killer. Five years later his piercing blue eyes still haunt Timmy´s dreams. Laurie is haunted by more: the killer´s threat to her son as he fled the scene: Tell your mother she´s next, then it´s your turn … Now Laurie is dealing with murder again, this time as the producer of a true-crime, cold-case television show. The series will launch with the twenty-year-old unsolved murder of Betsy Powell, a socialite, was found suffocated in her bed after a gala celebrating the graduation of her daughter and three friends. The sensational murder was news nationwide. Reopening the case in its lavish setting and with the cooperation of the surviving guests that night, Laurie is sure to have hit on her hands. But when the estranged friends begin filming, it becomes clear each is hiding secrets … small and large. And a pair of blue eyes is watching events unfold, too …

Story

Laurie´s son Timmy is a little Toddler when he witnesses the cold murder of his father Greg. For him, it was the man with the blue eyes that changed his life forever. Many years have passed since that tragic moment and since then a playground was never only just a playground for him. To come to terms with her broken and shattered world, and the fear she has to face every day – because Greg´s murderer is still on free foot – Laurie starts to convince her boss to produce a show called Under Suspicion, to solve cold cases. And during her preparation for it, she starts to get the pieces together, that could probably solve her own cold case: the murder of her dead husband.

Style

I´ve Got You Under My Skin is a well-written thriller, in which you actually read about two different cold cases. In a very decent tone, the author describes one that happened twenty years ago and one that happened about five years back. During the ongoing story, the reader gets to know known facts about the old case during scenes, dialogues, and thoughts Laurie is having. Written in the figural narrative situation, Mary Higgins Clark created a puzzle that seems at the beginning very confusing and none of the pieces seem to fit. But from page to page and scene to scene the reader becomes a more and more clearer picture. Subliminal fears and long-denied feelings lead to a cat-and-mouse play that brings all kinds of different feelings to the surface and shows at the end a solution that the attentive reader knew long before that. Yes, without a doubt, this thriller is without any surprises. But don´t get me wrong. The plot is perfectly arranged. The writing style is, as always, great. It is just the feeling that the story isn´t new and that you can guess what happens next. I don´t know the author that way. Well, now I do.

Characters

When it comes to her figures, Mary Higgins Clark doesn´t present any new things or surprises. Her main character is, as always (and which isn´t bad in general) a self-confident and well situated young woman in her thirties. A single mother after her husband was killed.

Laurie works as a TV-producer, has her ups and downs and fights now for a show, she wants to use to solve a long-forgotten cold case. She follows her instincts, raises her son with the help of her father, a former police officer, and is happy for every day she stays alive.

Alex Buckley is a very dashing attorney with a razor wit. He becomes the host of the new show, has a very fascinating way to ask questions and get answers people actually don´t want to give; and his style to corner people are charming. Despite that, he sees things and notices what others don´t or what isn´t visible at first sight. His interest in Laurie is more than she wants, but he is already in love with her.

Conclusion

No doubt, the plot is refined and placed and implemented perfectly. But despite that, I had at some point the feeling, that I´ve already read the story. Somehow the author has lost her kick. This thriller is not reaching the brilliance of her latest work.

Happy reading

Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark, born in 1928 in New York, lives and works 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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