Daddy's Gone A Hunting: A Review

I've been reading Mary Higgins Clark books since I was a teenager, and I'm a huge fan. However, I'm not sure what to think about her latest book.

It's hard to summarize the plot because there are several different story lines/threads/back stories that are woven together for a great plot. I liked all of the characters. Most are typical MHC....strong women who figure things out with the help of a few great guys.

Yet, something was a little off with the story. I don't know if it a few spots where the writing seemed off or that there wasn't a whole lot of action. It just didn't grip me  like most MHC books have in the past.

So, I enjoyed it. I liked the idea of several different people's lives being woven together. It just wasn't as good as I expect from The Queen of Suspense.

I'll Walk Alone

            Alexandra “Zan” Moreland is living in a nightmare. Two years ago, her son Matthew was abducted from a park where he was playing with a babysitter. On Matthew’s birthday, photos are found from the day of the kidnapping, showing Zan taking her son. Facing damning evidence, Zan’s life is spiraling out of control. When someone steals Zan’s identity and begins to make purchases in her name and she experiences blackouts, Zan wonders if perhaps she is losing her sanity. Can she find out who is impersonating her before it’s too late for her and her little boy?

                This tale is classic Mary Higgins Clark. The plot is tightly wound with clues planted for the reader to solve the case. I often figure out the mystery before the end of the book, but I have to say I was stumped on this one. Zan is a strong female heroine, like MHC always portrays. Fan favorites Alvirah and Willy are involved in this mystery, helping the police solve the crime.

                Mary Higgins Clark’s novels are often sparked by current events, and identify theft and kidnapping are no strangers to the headlines. I expected this book to be more about identity theft, so the identity theft as part of the plan to frame Zan was an interesting twist.

                Overall, I enjoyed this book. I’ve been a MHC fan since I was a teenager, and I look forward to the next book.  

The Shadow of Your Smile by Mary Higgins Clark

Summary from the back of the book:

At age 83 and in failing health, Olivia Morrow must decide--should she expose a long-held secret? Olivia has letters from her deceased cousin, Catherine, a nun being considered for beatification--the final step before sainthood. The letters are evidence that at age seventeen Catherine gave birth to a son whom she surrendered for adoption. The baby's father was Alex Gannon, who made a fortune inventing orthopedic devices. The rightful heir is Catherine's granddaughter, a 31-year-old pediatrician, Dr. Monica Farrell. Those now squandering the money must prevent Monica from learning the secret and will stop at nothing--even murder.

My thoughts:


Mary Higgins Clark is one of my all-time favorite authors. I started reading her books back in high school, and I have enjoyed them ever since. What I love about Mary Higgins Clark’s books is that it is obvious the book is well planned. The storyline flows, and the characters are woven to together perfectly. Like most books by Clark, the protagonist Monica is a strong, independent woman who is able to think and act for herself (with the help of a nice guy).

Even though the reader knows who the murderer is and who Monica Farrell really is, the ride to find out what will happen to the characters is still entertaining with a slight twist at the end. The supporting characters of Olivia, Ryan, and even Sally are balanced and support the main plotline well. The connection between the main character Monica and a saint was an interesting and thought-provoking subplot.

The one downfall of the novel is that the book seems to follow the same formula as many other books by Clark. The saint/healing subplot is what kept the book unique.

Overall, I recommend this book to readers who like mysteries without too much gore. Mary Higgins Clark is a class lady, and her books reflect that. Therefore, these books are also good for high school kids who want to read a good mystery.

Buy from Amazon: Shadow of Your Smile on Amazon