© 2007
By Mary Higgins Clark Published by Pocket Books
Reviewed by Dorothy Black
If, indeed, “practice makes perfect”, Mary Higgins Clark might prove it, since she has written over thirty books. Despite her great popularity as a writer of tales of suspense, this is the first this reviewer has read. This may be an advantage, since this novel of suspense can be judged for itself, unencumbered by reputations already held by her other writings.
This story revolves around a twenty year high school reunion. Our main character is Jean Sheridan, whose many attending classmates are individually portrayed.
One by one, five women in Jean’s class are murdered, and she realizes she is the next on the murderer’s list. The murderer refers to himself as “The Owl” and leaves a small owl object with his victims. Who is he? The suspense builds as first one, then another member of the party is suspect.
There are sub-plots to further intrigue the reader. One involves a daughter Jean had adopted out when very young, whom she had kept secret but eventually locates, only to realize she also is on the murderer’s list. Another sub-plot revolves around a young reporter who keeps turning up, wanted or unwanted as each case might be, and useful or otherwise, depending on the situation. Of course, we have romantic turns here and there as well. But throughout the tale, the suspense builds, our suspicions are built up or dissolved, and we find we are not as adept at identifying murderers as we thought!
This story is complicated by the many characters, and I found it necessary to list them for guidance as I read. But that very complication enhanced the intrigue, and the telling of the tale is masterfully handled. Mary Higgins Clark, a #1 New York Times best selling author, is a good writer.