A Small Tribute to Mary Higgins Clark

A Small Tribute to Mary Higgins Clark

I say small, because it’s not like I knew her personally. I had only started reading her novels three years ago, after coming across Death Wears A Beauty Mask and Other Stories at the Tucson Festival of Books. From the very first story in that collection, the title story, I knew I had struck gold. Even I could recognize the talent of Mary Higgins Clark and I wanted to read all of her work from that point on.

Last year when I discovered the Under Suspicion series, co-written with author Alafair Burke, I got even more excited. Now the great Mary Higgins Clark was introducing me to another mystery writer whose books I could start reading; with her seal of approval, how could I not?

What is especially saddening about the news of this loss is that just yesterday I had checked out All Dressed in White from the library, which is book three in the Under Suspicion series. I was wondering if or when the next book would be out. I was doing my usual thing where I show my husband the back cover of the book, where a perfect portrait of Mary Higgins Clark always sits, and saying “There she is, the GOAT!” (Greatest of All Time) and then flipping to the first few pages where the sweetest introductory messages always are from Mary Higgins Clark herself.

Maybe it’s fitting if I share the acknowledgment from All Dressed in White. Passages like these always made reading her books feel so personal, and made her seem like a friend somehow…

“We know who did it! Others in this tale are no longer “under suspicion.”

Once again it has been my joy to cowrite with my fellow novelist, Alafair Burke. When we put our creative brains together we have a lot of fun.

Marysue Rucci, editor-in-chief of Simon & Schuster, is again our mentor on this journey. A thousand thanks for the help.

Thank you to Dr. Frederick Jaccarino for his helpful expertise on a medical issue in this story.

“Root, root, root” for the home team. In my case it is “my spouse extraordinaire,” John Conheeney; my children; my right-hand assistant, Nadine Petry. They are always with me with words of encouragement and solid advice. Thank you, merci, gracias, etc, etc, etc.

And you, my dear readers. You are always in my thoughts as I write. If you choose to read my books, I want you to feel as though you have spent your time well.

Cheers and Blessings, Mary.”

-from All Dressed in White by Mary Higgins Clark and Alafair Burke

Well, I do feel that my time spent reading your books has indeed been spent well, Ms. Clark. Thank you for the gift you have given readers for so many years, and for many years to come.