Rating: Summary: Not Mary Higgins Clark at her best! Review: I was very disappointed in Clark's latest book. It seems that she has to write in a hurry now and cannot spend the amount of time she used to spend with her first books. In my opinion you could have turned this into a short story, just keep the beginning and the end and pitch the middle. Very repetitious and boring - it seemed we were just trying to fill pages. It's too bad that a great writer has to resort to this kind of writing just to get a book published!
Rating: Summary: The only mystery here is how did this book get good reviews? Review: I've been an avid fan of Mary Higgins Clark since I was a teenager and in the last 4 years or so her books have gone from well written mysteries to a sort of just cranking out another formulaic story for her legions of readers. In "Before I Say Goodbye" there is no real psychic mystery, no real sense of connection with her one dimensional characters, and certainly no real sense of menace that used to pervade Mary Higgins Clark's books. Instead it just seemed like she was going through the motions and taking the easiest and the least challenging way out. Why did I bother finishing the book? Why did I even buy this one after disliking her last 4? Sentimental feelings I guess. I have to confess that Clark managed to redeem herself from page 256 til the end. In those 18 pages I read what I have expected from MHC all along, well written suspense. Maybe there's hope after all.
Rating: Summary: Holds the readers interest, although the plot is shaky. Review: Mary Higgins Clark is a smart writer. She knows her strengths and she sticks to the type of writing that she does well. Clark's latest novel, "Before I Say Goodbye," is the story of Nell MacDermott, a newspaper columnist who wants to run for her grandfather's former Congressional seat. She has been married for three years to Adam Cauliff. Adam is an architect who has been acting secretively of late. He is vehemently opposed to Nell's idea of running for office, and this is a source of friction in their marriage. Suddenly, a terrible accident occurs on Adam's cabin cruiser, and Nell's entire world is turned upside down. The man whom she loved is suddenly a stranger to her, and Nell must come to terms with some harsh truths about her husband's secret life. Clark's plot is intricate, with many characters woven in to the narrative. One problem with the book is the large number of coincidences that tie all the characters and plot elements together. Too many unbelievable things happen to bring the story to a "logical" conclusion. To her credit, Clark avoids writing gloppy romantic scenes, and she limits the melodrama to the very end of the novel. "Before I Say Goodbye" is good escapist fiction, a genre at which Mary Higgins Clark excels.
Rating: Summary: Writes one good tale after another Review: While not "quite" as strong a story as some of her others, this is nevertheless quite a good tale--leaving readers wondering to the end "Who Done It?" I would suggest readers also try Ms. Clark's "All Around the Town" and "Loves Music, Loves to Dance," for some of her very best works. Other authors who have provided me with very enjoyable reading this year are Michael Palmer with his, "The Patient," and Charles Wilson with "Donor" and "Game Plan". Wilson in particular is another author who both keeps you on the edge of your seat and guessing until the last page.
Rating: Summary: A Very Suspenseful Thriller Review: Unlike most of Clark's books when the victim is hardly known, in this book he is known and well. At the beginning of the book, Nell decides to try and run for the congressional seat formerly held by her grandfather for fifty years. When she informs her architect husband, he blows up and leaves in a huff. Later that night, his boat explodes with him on it, along with several others. For the most part of the book, Nell mopes around the house and finally discovers the killer accidentally.Clark again delivers a multi-layered mystery with red herrings thrown left and right and enough of her trademark plot changes and twists to keep everyone happy. A great book for everyone!
Rating: Summary: Please, say Hello! ... Review: ....to a wonderful book! I really enjoyed the latest MHC book. Nell (the main character) was very believable and likeable, although a little more naive in some areas. If you think you get bored about 2/3 through most books, this one you won't. At that point, (or a little earlier) clues were starting to point towards the ending, yet still didn't give it away and propelled me to finish it quickly so I'd know the how and why. You don't know if it is the "obvious" that is the how and why, or the obvious "unobvious". This would be a good starter book for a new MHC reader, or for one who is well seasoned in her books. It is better than many of her books, although almost all are wonderful.
Rating: Summary: Best one Yet! Review: Just finished reading "Before I say Goodbye" and I must say that it is one that you won't want to put down! The story keeps you guessing, and is truly the best Mary Higgins Clark book to date!
Rating: Summary: She's Done It Again! Review: Mary Higgins Clark has once again out-done herself! This book is rivetting! The plot keeps you up well into the night,and chances are you don't sleep until you've finished! A great read for anyone that likes a good page turner.
Rating: Summary: not her best Review: Not my favorite, but if you like MHC you'll want to read this one. I just read a great mystery thriller "A Tourist in the Yucatan" I highly recomend it!
Rating: Summary: another good one worth reading Review: I will admit at first when I started reading I was worried because it appeared that it was a little choppy. What I mean is there were very short chapters introducing different characters in a day to day diary format. When I first started I thought there was not enough development in the eary stages. Then I realized she was going to continue writing about a particular day and make a new chapter for each character and expanding on them. Nell's huband Adam is involved in a boating accident that costs him his life as will as several others. Each person has a motive for getting rid of the other. The regret of him dying so suddenly is that she had a fight with him about her running for Congress. Adam's stated concern is that Nell is at the beckon call of her grandfather a former Congressman. But is there more to that concern? That is where the mystery begans. I really enjoyed this book, I am however a faithful reader of Mary Higgins Clark so I am always tempted no matter what anyone writes about her books to go ahead and read it. I have never been disappointed.. most times I think it was well worth my time to read it.
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