Rating: 
Summary: Clark by any other name is still a Clark
Review: Bill Kendell, senior news anchor for Key News, suddenly dies without any warning. His friends and associates are divided in their reaction to the news of his death. His former wife and son are stunned and deeply grieving his passing. His co-anchor Eliza Blake, who was just coming out of the morose of her own spouse's death, is shocked and mourns her loss. On the contrary, several individuals are elated that Bill is out of the picture. As cutthroat as the industry can be, Eliza begins to wonder why some folks are gleefully celebrating Bill's death. She starts inquiring into the background of Bill and several persons who are absolutely thrilled by the news reporter's death. However, Eliza is unaware as she begins her queries that her investigation will take her to people occupying positions of power in the highest levels of the government, an action which placs her life in danger. Fans of Mary Higgins Clark will recognize and enjoy the flattering approach to suspense that her namesake Mary Jane Clark employs. The chapters are tiny, the heroine grieves yet achieves against all odds, and New Jersey (not Eerie, Indiana) is the center of weirdness in the universe. In spite of using the Clark (MH not MJ) formula, this reviewer promises to tell fans that DO YOU WANT TO KNOW A SECRET is an enjoyable fun, no brainer tale of suspense. Harriet Klausner
Rating: 
Summary: Another Mary Higgins Clark
Review: By now y'all know Mary Higgins Clark is the ex-mother-in-law of our author here, Mary Jane Clark. Many speak to the similarities of style -- a dashing (and gorgeous wholesome single mom, young widow, and accomplished professional) leading lady who overcomes all odds; enough violence and suspense to entertain and befuddle; and a nice clean ending we can all feel good about. Well hopefully that could be said about many a good book. The differences I see are more interesting. First the venue -- set mostly in the surrounds of a major news network, midst the tribulations of the early morning shows and anchor broadcasts at night, we certainly get (ala the movie "Network News") plenty of up close looks at the pressured lives on the news set. In the best tradition of write about what you know about, MJ speaks from personal experience as a producer and writer for CBS News. Indeed, Dan Rather gets a cameo mention in the story, as he does in the acknowledgments up front for his encouragement to the author. I just hope the romances reported among many co-workers aren't quite that prevalent, although as we know, propinquity is a powerful force (said Zelda to Dobie...). Second, we get a pretty good story line. The first shocker is the apparent suicide of a famous anchor, followed thereafter (but paced well) by the murders of his doctor and his secretary. Even the most dense of us realize the connections, though the trained newshounds seemed to miss it. A big surprise at the end serves up a murderer I dare say few suspected more than a page or two before the unveiling, so high marks for suspense. Third, and of course not as welcome, we do get an awful lot of characters, relationships, AIDS pleas, disease causes, snippets of events, changes in scenery, etc.; to me, all that clutter gets a little tiresome. Certain loose ends never do get wrapped up, and I'm not even sure that a major subplot, the campaign machinations of a presidential candidate, really advanced the basic story line that well. I also personally disliked chopping the book up into 141 (!) chapters - do the math, they span 302 pages, so that's like two pages each. And the last 35 span only 25 pages, so we're down to barely more than the "sound bites" so lovingly quoted throughout. So - for her first outing (of four to date), not bad. Clean things up, simplify a little, give us a little longer reading stretch with out raising and lowering the curtain a hundred times, and we might have something here. I'll at least move on to number 2 - "Do you promise not to tell?". And you?
Rating: 
Summary: Good Venue, Satisfying Plot, But Lots of Clutter
Review: By now y'all know Mary Higgins Clark is the ex-mother-in-law of our author here, Mary Jane Clark. Many speak to the similarities of style -- a dashing (and gorgeous wholesome single mom, young widow, and accomplished professional) leading lady who overcomes all odds; enough violence and suspense to entertain and befuddle; and a nice clean ending we can all feel good about. Well hopefully that could be said about many a good book. The differences I see are more interesting. First the venue -- set mostly in the surrounds of a major news network, midst the tribulations of the early morning shows and anchor broadcasts at night, we certainly get (ala the movie "Network News") plenty of up close looks at the pressured lives on the news set. In the best tradition of write about what you know about, MJ speaks from personal experience as a producer and writer for CBS News. Indeed, Dan Rather gets a cameo mention in the story, as he does in the acknowledgments up front for his encouragement to the author. I just hope the romances reported among many co-workers aren't quite that prevalent, although as we know, propinquity is a powerful force (said Zelda to Dobie...). Second, we get a pretty good story line. The first shocker is the apparent suicide of a famous anchor, followed thereafter (but paced well) by the murders of his doctor and his secretary. Even the most dense of us realize the connections, though the trained newshounds seemed to miss it. A big surprise at the end serves up a murderer I dare say few suspected more than a page or two before the unveiling, so high marks for suspense. Third, and of course not as welcome, we do get an awful lot of characters, relationships, AIDS pleas, disease causes, snippets of events, changes in scenery, etc.; to me, all that clutter gets a little tiresome. Certain loose ends never do get wrapped up, and I'm not even sure that a major subplot, the campaign machinations of a presidential candidate, really advanced the basic story line that well. I also personally disliked chopping the book up into 141 (!) chapters - do the math, they span 302 pages, so that's like two pages each. And the last 35 span only 25 pages, so we're down to barely more than the "sound bites" so lovingly quoted throughout. So - for her first outing (of four to date), not bad. Clean things up, simplify a little, give us a little longer reading stretch with out raising and lowering the curtain a hundred times, and we might have something here. I'll at least move on to number 2 - "Do you promise not to tell?". And you?
Rating:
Summary: ...
Review: Do You Want To Know a Secret is a well-written book that entertained me throughout the whole novel. It was about a few newscasters who all had secrets that could ruin their reputations. However, their secrets get out. Unfortunately, they don't know how or who told. There are characters in this book who aren't the people that everyone thought they all knew. This book has many twists and turns that keeps you on the edge. I enjoyed this book very much. If you are looking for an exciting and wonderful book then read this.
Rating:
Summary: GOOD SUSPENSEFUL BOOK
Review: Eliza Blake, tv anchorwoman , is grieving over the death of her husband when her news partner, Bill Kendall, is found dead, apparently a suicide..........or was it???? Everyone has secrets to hide in this book, and the author knows how to play with our emotions..........I found this to be a realistic and exciting read, packed with twists and surprises....reminiscent of her (ex) mother-in-law, the great Mary Higgins Clark! Enjoy yourself with this one....she's an author to watch for!!
Rating:
Summary: GOOD SUSPENSEFUL BOOK
Review: Eliza Blake, tv anchorwoman , is grieving over the death of her husband when her news partner, Bill Kendall, is found dead, apparently a suicide..........or was it???? Everyone has secrets to hide in this book, and the author knows how to play with our emotions..........I found this to be a realistic and exciting read, packed with twists and surprises....reminiscent of her (ex) mother-in-law, the great Mary Higgins Clark! Enjoy yourself with this one....she's an author to watch for!!
Rating:
Summary: You'll be breathless!
Review: I devoured this. At times, I couldn't put it down; other times I HAD to put it down because my heart was racing. A smart, swift, supremely clever book. You'll never guess the end -- though it is perfect. Fabulous new author! Can't wait for her next book (coming next summer, I hear).
Rating: 
Summary: Tries hard but can't go full steam ahead
Review: I have a few positive statements regarding this novel. The book is an easy read over a weekend or while waiting at airports. It will not scholastically exhaust you nor keep you awake at night pondering some esoteric message. Unfortunately it will not excite, enthuse, or tantalize you. It's plot was trite, its "twists" predictable, and its characters one dimensional. The story line is detracted by the author's seeming adolescent obsession with physical appearance ("with looks that got her chosen college homecoming queen"). There are too many other great mysteries to read. Don't waste your time here.
Rating:
Summary: This was good
Review: I really enjoyed this novel. The author is very good at thickening a plot and drawing you into it!
Rating:
Summary: All around good, easy read
Review: I started the book last night, and couldn't put it down until 4 am, but at least I finished it! It was a good storyline, I enjoyed getting a simple glimpse into the media world. It also gives you a good peek into the corruption behind campaigns and politics in general. I really liked the characters in this book, although each one, in my opinion, could have used some more depth. The only reason this book doesn't get 5 stars is because as you read it - you start to feel that the second half of the book <with extra emphasis on the last quarter of the book> was completely RUSHED. I really don't like a sudden closing to a book. However, it really does keep you guessing until the last couple of pages. I just feel that it could have had MORE of an impact, and MORE of that "UMPH" had the story been written at the same speed throughout. I do recommend this book for anyone who just wants a good book to read. If you're looking for something you will remember for life - this isn't going to be it. But if you're looking for a pleasant way to spend a nice afternoon - - - by all means, try reading Mary Jane Clark's "Do You...etc." Final word: I believe her mother-in-law, the OTHER Clark, would be quite proud of her ex-daughter in law. The woman can write. However, given her talents, I wish she would learn to write in her own style, instead of in the familiar style of the OTHER Clark.
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