Rating: 
Summary: Keep them coming, Mary Higgins Clark!
Review: This was a great book. I have read all of Mary Higgins Clark's books and am amazed that she can still keep her plots unique as well as the reader guessing who the "bad guy" is. I found the characters (and romantic interest) appealing and the whole New York atmosphere intriguing..something that added charm to this fast-paced mystery. Thank you, MHC!
Rating: 
Summary: A well-plotted tale chock full of colorful characters
Review: Mary Higgins Clark is known worldwide for her suspenseful thrillers and she is considered one of the most popular and prolific writers in the genre. Her latest book, titled THE SECOND TIME AROUND, is a well-plotted tale about the discovery of a cure for cancer and the balance between the good and the evil that motivates the players with a stake in its development.The novel begins with a stockholder's meeting that takes place "... two weeks [after] Nicholas Spencer, president and chief operating officer of Gen-stone had been killed in the crash of his private plane while flying to San Juan ... his company expected to receive the blessing of the Food and Drug Administration for a vaccine that would both eliminate the possibility of the growth of cancer cells and bring to a halt the progression of the disease in those already afflicted-a preventive and a cure that he ... was responsible for bringing to the world". Unfortunately, soon after this celebratory event, "the headline proclaiming Spencer's disappearance was followed ... by the announcement from the chairman of the board of Gen-stone that there ha[d] been numerous setbacks in the experiments with the vaccine and that it could not be submitted to the FDA for approval in the foreseeable future". This chilling news story "further said that tens of millions of dollars had been looted from the company, apparently by Nicholas Spencer." Stockholders, both the rich and the ordinary who had invested their life savings in Gen-stone, lost everything. And since Spencer's body was not recovered, many believed he orchestrated his own "death" and that he was cavorting on a beach in some country with no extradition laws. Others, who may have believed that he really was dead, were at a loss to understand how this shining hero turned out to be a consummate con man and the miracle drug a fraud. Marcia "Carley" DeCarlo, a financial writer, tells the story in the first person; later, her voice is joined by that of a madman who tells his side of the story in the third person. He is a murderer who seeks to avenge all the wrongs life has imposed upon him, especially the death of his beloved wife. She died in an accident while fleeing from their home, after an argument over the money he lost in Spencer's scheme. In a race to save lives and uncover the truth, Carley joins a team of writers who are assigned to write "The Nicholas Spencer Story" in a way no other publication has ever printed it. THE SECOND TIME AROUND is chock full of colorful characters from all walks of life and whose only real connection to each other is Gen-stone. They are left with the sad bond that marks the wreckage of their lives in the aftermath of the drug companies' devalued stock. We meet Spencer's wife, Lynn, a rich, self-absorbed, selfish and cold woman, who happens to be Carley's stepsister. We are introduced to Dr. Broderick, who participated in the very early experiments conducted by Nicholas's father, ones that comprise the primary work on the new drug. We meet people in the town where Nicholas Spencer grew up who are shocked by the accusations against him and outraged by what seems to be his betrayal. We are introduced to Vivian Powers, Spencer's personal assistant whose involvement with him exceeds her job description. We meet Marty Bikorsky, a man broken by his losses who finds himself the main suspect in a near fatal fire that burned the Spencer mansion to the ground. The CEO of Gen-stone, Charles Wallingford, and Adrian Garner, the head of the pharmaceutical firm, ready to market the cancer cure, hover like dark shadows over the narrative. Throughout, Carley follows her instincts and uses her common sense as she put the bits and pieces of the puzzle together. She carefully investigates Nicholas Spencer's disappearance; who, if anyone else, could have stolen the money; the probability (or not) that the drug will really work; who is being framed and whom is doing the framing. Each step she takes not only brings her another clue but also puts her in danger. Nevertheless, this determined writer ... sleuth manages to maintain her integrity and vows she will explore every twisted path along her journey to discover the truth of the matter. THE SECOND TIME AROUND is Mary Higgins Clark's twenty-seventh novel. Readers will find this book fresh and new whether they are reading her for the first time or have read all twenty-six others. Enjoy! --- Reviewed by Barbara Lipkien Gershenbaum
Rating: 
Summary: Suspenseful Thrill-Ride
Review: As the author of twenty plus novels, Mary Higgins Clark tirelessly invents new plotlines amidst the theme of murder and suspense. In her latest, Nicholas Spencer, the charismatic leader of the medical research company, Gen-stone, is presumed dead when his plane crashes into the ocean. On assignment with WALL STREET WEEKLY, reporter Carley DeCarlo is trying to discover why Nick apparently embezzled funds from his own company and misrepresented to investors the apparent success of Gen-stone's cancer vaccination. In a unique twist to this story, Carley tries to be empathetic to Lynn Spencer, Nick's widow and Carley's estranged stepsister. Add in a sub-plot where Lynn's mansion is burned, and she barely escapes, and you have a novel where no one is above suspicion. Did Nick fake his own death knowing his company was going belly up, or was his demise carefully orchestrated by moles wishing to take over his company? Intensely gripping, Ms. Higgins Clark's latest leads the reader on a roller-coaster ride of thrills as Carly uncovers clues in Nick's disappearance using her gently probing investigative skills. And as she realizes that her discoveries might have put herself and others in harms way, her rekindled romance with an old high school crush might quite possibly save her life. ...
Rating:
Summary: entertaining thriller
Review: Everyone who met the charismatic Nicholas Spencer felt drawn to him so it isn't too hard for him to get people to invest in his medical research company Gen-stone. He was very excited that his company had developed a vaccine that would prevent cancer or cure people who had it. A few weeks before it was supposed to be given to the FDA for testing, Nick's plane crashed and though his body wasn't found, he was presumed dead. A couple of weeks later, it is discovered that funds are missing from the company and Gen- stone's test results prove that the miracle elixir doesn't work. Most people believe that Nick was a con artist who defrauded innocent folks and that his wife, Lynn was part of the scam. Lynn asks her stepsister Carley, a financial reporter for the Wall Street Weekly, to help her clear her name. Coincidentally, Carley is assigned to do a profile of Nicholas Spencer. The deeper she gets into her investigation the more she's convinced that Nick was just as much a victim as the company's stockholders, a theory that could get her killed if she isn't careful. Mary Higgins Clark can always be counted on to write an entertaining thriller and she doesn't disappoint her fans in her latest work THE SECOND TIME AROUND. The protagonist is likable and her actions make sense within the context of the plot. The novel moves along briskly so that readers never lose interest in the tale. The only quibble with the novel is that the stalker-subplot feels like filler so ignore it and enjoy a relatively taut and exciting thriller. Harriet Klausner
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Summary: The Queen of Suspense in top form.
Review: Gen-stone is the leading medical research company involved with the development of a cancer vaccine and at the helm is Nicholas Spencer. Spencer is on the verge of a medical revolution until his plane crashes, and his body is not found. Marcia "Carley' DeCarlo, a columnist for the Wall Street Weekly, is assigned the story of Spencer's disappearance, as well as his involvement with stolen money from Gen-stone. Carley knows this is the story of her career, and it doesn't hurt that she is the step-sister to Spencer's socialite wife Lynn. Carley does not like her step-sister and while the opportunity to bring her down as well as boost her career does seem appealing, she can't help but feel bad when Lynn's house is burned down nearly killing her. Carley has now turned her investigative skills to free her step-sister of any involvement with Spencer's wrong doings, and find out if Spencer was guilty or set-up. Is he in fact dead, or just hiding... 'Second Time Around' is another winner from "America's Queen of Suspense." The pages turn fast as mystery fiction is blended with a what-if scenario that could have been pulled out of the headlines. Surprises, twists and turns, and shocks galore will keep readers guessing right up until the explosive finale. Mary Higgins Clark is without equal when it comes to writing suspense novels. 'Second Time Around', one of her best novels in years, has a plot that is all-too-real, with suspense thick and razor sharp...readers will be hard pressed not to finish this in one sitting. An instant bestseller, 'Second Time Around' should be put on your must read list. Nick Gonnella
Rating:
Summary: "Fantastic!"
Review: "The Second Time Around by Mary Higgins Clark is definately a book you won't want to miss! I had such a good time reading this exciting story. The characters are terrific and the plot is exciting. Another BESTSELLER to be sure... Take "10" Ms. Higgins, you've earned it!
Rating: 
Summary: Flat entry by a talented writer
Review: It's no doubt that Clark is one of the most talented mystery writers around, but this attempt, despite her deft handling of different points of view, falls flat. The protagonist, Carley, is likeable enough, especially when she provides details about her beloved parents. She keeps her professional journalistic wits about her at all times and cleverly pieces together the puzzle of Nicholas Spencer's demise. Where Clark stumbles is in the failure to show personality through character interaction. We don't get enough chracter dimension coming through the dialogue, perhaps because Clark uses hackneyed phrases and there never seems to be the slightest amount of conflict, particularly between Carley and Casey. Maybe Clark needs to find another editor. She uses old-fashioned names for her characters, like Ned and Edna and Vivian, and antiquated references that don't ring true for a woman in her 30s. While this tendency does bring a certain gentleness to the subject of murder and mayhem, a forward-thinking editor could clean up Clark's prose and make it more believable.
Rating:
Summary: Um...boring.
Review: Mary Higgins Clark absolutely should stick to writing in the third person. It just works for her. Narrating in the first person only makes this uninteresting, insipid recent novel from her all the more worse. The main character, Carley DeCarlo, is so lame and lacking in personality despite Clark's attempts to make her seem believable through the story of how she lost her child. She is so frustratingly one-dimensional. The other characters are just as intolerable. You are left wishing Nick Spencer would be so good as to make an appearance so you can take a break from the boring storyline. And folks it is boring...it feels as if Clark is trying her darndest to make this whole Gemstone fiasco seem intriguing. Bottom line, it's not. "The Second Time Around" is so flat and predictable.
Rating:
Summary: ok, but not great
Review: This is the first book I have read by Ms. Clark. It was ok. It wasn't a bad story, and it was written well enough, it just lacked the speed and action that I am used to. I read alot of Coben, Hunter, and Patterson. The thing I liked most about this book is the lack of vulgar language and sex. I like to send books to my mother and she doesn't want to read trash. This is a book I can send to her without worry.
The characters in this book were well developed, the plot was good, and it was an easy book to read. It was just a little slow compared to what I usually read.
Carley is a journalist and has bought stock in a company that boasts it has the cure for cancer. The only drawback is the guy who is making those claims is dead(or is he). Everyone who invested in the stock is now out of luck. One man takes things into his own hands and starts making others "pay" for the money he lost. Carley is trying to find the truth, and may lose her life in the process.
I need to read another of her books before I make a decision on whether I like her style or not, but I would recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: A Little Too Formulaic
Review: Over the last few decades, Mary Higgins Clark has become the Queen of Suspense by writing intense psychological thrillers. In her latest novel, "Second Time Around", she makes no exception, following her patented formula down to the last detail.
Carly DeCarlo is an aspiring financial journalist who is assigned to cover the disappearance of pharmaceutical entrepreneur Nicholas Spencer, who was believed to have been killed in a plane crash just days before news broke that his latest cancer vaccine was worthless. Not only is the vaccine a dud, but $25 million of the company's stockholdings has disappeared along with the man. Coincidence? Many think not.
Slowly, DeCarlo works her way through the mystery of Spencer's disappearance. Did he really die in the plane crash reported to have taken him? Or was the disappearance staged? Who set fire to his mansion just a few days after he left? And what does his widow, Carly's stepsister Lynn, know about it?
As in her previous thrillers, Mary Higgins Clark has written a gripping novel that will keep you glued to her book. However, it seems like she's followed her patented formula a little too well. Once again, she centers her work around a single, thirty-something New York journalist who is getting in over head. Once again, a past flame is out to rescue her. And once again, it all seems a bit routine. By the third chapter I knew how it would end - just as I knew how all of her previous works would end. Yes, this one is good, but if you've read her previous work you'll easily be able to guess what happens to DeCarlo.
Overall, this is an imaginative work, but it is a little too formulaic for my taste. Four stars for a psychological thriller matching those Clark is famous for. One star lost because it matches those previous thrillers a bit too well.
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