Mary Higgins Clark
The
Melody Lingers On
I started reading Mary Higgins Clark with her first
published suspense novel, Where Are The
Children. She hooked me on the first chapter. I went on to read a dozen or
more of her novels over the years.
At some point, I
stopped reading her stories but not because the writing lagged.
She has always maintained a high quality in her writing style and level of
tension. She understands what her readers want in the way of a mystery, and
she consistently delivers. My tastes may have changed or I needed to
experience new writers as a means of learning the craft of writing. I believe
it is Stephen King who advocates that if you don’t read, you can’t write.
Over
the years, having already devoured all of Robert Ludlum’s books, and
impatiently awaiting the next gunslinger novel from Stephen King (oh, the endless
wait!), I “discovered” John Sandford, Sue Grafton, Michael Connelly, Tess
Gerritson, Kathy Reich, James Lee Burke . . . the list is also never ending.
But
all roads lead back to the Queen of Mystery, Mary Higgins Clark.
As
I read the opening chapter of The Melody
Lingers On, I felt the draw of Clark’s first novels, such as The Cradle Will Fall and Weep No More, My Lady. She builds
suspense slowly, allowing the reader to absorb each newly introduced character
before asking them to draw an opinion or conclusion. Villains and heroes are
treated evenly, making it difficult to determine which is which. My indecision
always keeps me reading to learn more.
If
you have ever been on the wrong end of some sadistic person’s scheme to derive
pleasure from cheating others, you will relate, as I did, to this
suspense-filled novel. With such a personal investment in the story, the hook
is set, and you will find that reading this novel from cover to cover is
inevitable.
Next
up for review is:
Moloka‘i
by Alan Brennert
