The Second Time Around : A Novel

Rating:
Summary: At Her Best
Review: There is nothing like a novel by Mary. Her writing style is of the highest quality. If you are a fan or debating on purchasing a book written by this author I urge you to do so. This was a wonderful read.

Rating:
Summary: a very poor read
Review: This is the second story of MHC's that I have read. I picked it up upon a recommendation, and I'm sorry that I did.

MHC shows a lack of understanding for the subject matter. Her insights into medicine (vaccines are preventive therapy, not treatments), the pharmaceutical industry, pharmaceutical development, and large business operations are way off the mark. Her poor understanding makes this story unbelievable as it unfolds.

A good writer researches their topic. Sadly, MHC did not take the time and effort to do so. Because of that, her story comes off more as a bad soap opera than a mystery. If the reader is looking for a good mystery that is well written, I would recommend that they pick up any of Michael McGarrity's books instead.

Rating:
Summary: Such a deception!
Review: I am a huge MHC fan. I have read all her books. This one is the worst by far. I couldn't believe it. The plot and ending is so predictible. I finished the book thinking what a waste of my time that was. I will buy her next book and give her another chance but that's it after. This book was such a deception.

Rating:
Summary: Not as great as the other ones...
Review: This isn't nearly as great as Daddy's Little Girl, another one of Clark's recent novels. From the beginning, we are revealed the identity of the serial killer, which takes away the surprise of ultimately finding out who the culprit is. I also find that Clark is a predictable writer. There is a trend that after about nine-tenth of the book the serial killer will be attempting to kill the protagonist, who is the detective, and then someone would try to kill her and that ends the story. Also, why is the protagonist always a female and the main antagonist always a male? Why not switch things around?

Rating:
Summary: Um...boring.
Review: this story keeps you wondering what will happen. It was a real page turner. Kept you thinking throughtout the book. Who really is the one to blame? This book is set local in new york city. It is a great book.

Rating:
Summary: Pretty good
Review: This book kept me reading but I can't say that it was really fast-paced. I really liked how the author switched narratives between the first person view of Carley, the reporter investigating everything and the 3rd person view of the arsonist/murderer Ned.

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.