Just Take my Heart

A New Novel by Mary Higgins Clark

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Just Take my Heart  - (courtesy of Simon and Schuster)
Just Take my Heart - (courtesy of Simon and Schuster)
Does a transplanted heart carry with it traits and memories from its donor? That is the question that Mary Higgins Clark's latest thriller explores.

Natalie Raines is one of the brightest stars on Broadway, but that doesn't keep her from being insecure about her failed marriage and from reliving disturbing memories from her past. Particularly troubling in a recent encounter she has with the boyfriend of her college roommate, a woman who's 's dead for more than a decade.

Finding Natalie's Killer

When Natalie, herself, is stabbed and left to die in her New Jersey home, her estranged husband, Gregg Aldrich, is the first suspect. It was no secret that he still loved Natalie, even though the couple was separated, and he admitted to following her up to her Massachusetts cottage and peering into the windows to see if she was alone.

On Trial

Soon Aldrich is on trial for his life, charged with his wife's murder. Like many innocent parties, he has no pat alibi for the afternoon of Natalie's murder and his behavior leading up to the murder is somewhat suspect.

The bulk of "Just Take my Heart" revolves around the Natalie's husband's trial. The reader meets young and capable district attorney, Emily Wallace and her own brush with violence. Wallace is initially convinced of Aldrich's guilt, but becomes less sure as this high-profile trial drags on. To make matters more tense, Wallace's boss, District Attorney Ted Wesley is set to become the nation's next Attorney General and would like the case wrapped up soon and successfully to boost his reputation. Wallace also becomes the subject of media scrutiny and facts about her life, such as her recent heart transplant, are published, much to her chagrin.

"Just Take my Heart" is a classic Mary Higgins Clark thriller, with well-developed and empathetic and human characters. It also offers enough plot twists and turns to keep the reader interested, without losing any credibility. It's another solid effort by one of America's leading mystery writers.

About Mary Higgins Clark

Mary Higgins Clark is one of the most prolific and recognized authors in the mystery genre. She has penned 27 suspense novels, three collections of short stories, an historical novel about George and Martha Washington, and a memoir. She has co-authored four novels with her writer/daughter, Carol Higgins Clark. Her books have sold more than 80 million copies worldwide. Clark lives in Saddle Brook, New Jersey with her husband. Between them they have 16 grandchildren--her six and his ten.

Novels like "Where Are You Now?"

Sandy Mitchell, <i>(© 2005 Terry Michelle)</i>

Sandy Mitchell - Sandy Mitchell is a fulltime freelance writer, based in Cleveland Ohio. Her passion for reading began as early as she could hold a book ...

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Comments

Jun 23, 2009 12:47 PM
Guest :
I have read several of Mary Higgins Clark's novels, and "Take my Heart" I feel is one of her best. Through her novels I have "known" Ms. Clark for a lonnnng time. I feel that I do know her. And her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark. I am a widow living alone, so that reading, reruns on TV (except for "The Closer), and sports on TV keep me going. I have a question, in "Take my Heart" in the end, Emily dates an orthopedic surgeon. I can't remember an orthopedic surgeon. Who is he and how did he relate to Emily. As you get older, there are two things that happen, the first is loss of memory.
Thank you, Mary Higgins Clark, and thank you for giving us Carol.
Helen (meema@yachtcomputing.com)
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