Where Are the Children by Mary Higgins Clark

Title: Where Are the Children?

Author: Mary Higgins Clark

Read by:  January LaVoy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster

Length: Approximately 6 hours and 5minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster.  Thank-you!

I first read this classic masterpiece of suspense when I was in high school and was hooked on Mary Higgins Clark’s books.  I’ve read several in the years since I read this book and had a chance to listen to Clark speak in Milwaukee about fifteen years ago.  I was excited to be able to read it in a new format, audiobook, and revisit it.  It’s been so long since I’ve read it, it was almost like reading a new book again.

Nancy Elderage has a loving husband Ray, and two young children, Missy and Michael.  As her birthday approaches, Nancy grows fearful as she does every year.  Years before, she was known as Nancy Harmon and was married to professor and had two small children, Peter and Lisa.  On her birthday Peter and Lisa went missing and were later found washed up on shore.  Nancy has moved cross country with a new name, dyed hair and has started a new life after her acquittal for the murder of her children. Ray knows of her past but has a moment of doubt when Missy and Michael go missing on Nancy’s birthday.  Where are Missy and Michael?  Could Nancy be a killer after all?

I enjoyed listening to this audiobook.  January LaVoy was a fabulous narrator who gave a voice to each character.  The plot was tight and intense.  The book was written and set in the 1970’s and it was interesting to see how much has changed since that time when it comes to crime, sadly.  It was very nail biting at the end and I was on the edge of my seat.  I felt that way as a teenager reading it, but even more now so as a mother.

Overall, Where are the Children is a classic mystery and makes a wonderful audiobook to keep you on the edge of your seat. 

I’ve Got You Under My Skin by Mary Higgins Clark

Title: I’ve Got You Under My Skin
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
Read by:  Jan Maxwell
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: 7.5 hour (7 CDs)
Source:  Review Copy from Simon & Schuster – Thanks!

I’ve Got You Under My Skin was the best Mary Higgins Clark that I’ve read / listened to in years.  I’ve been a Mary Higgins Clark fan since I was a teenager and was able to listen to her speak and get an autograph around ten years ago at a Milwaukee Public Library event.  I learned at that event that I can admire authors, but have a hard time thinking of anything to say once it is my turn for an autograph.  I become instantly tongue tied when faced with someone I admire.

I’ve Got You Under My Skin is a riveting mystery that is great for making my long drive to and from work go by swiftly.  The novel starts with the brutal murder of a young doctor in front of his three year old son, Timmy.  The murderer tells young Timmy that his mother is next and then it will be him.  Five years later, Timmy’s mother Laurie is putting together a reality show that features cold cases and a recreation of the events by those involved.  Her first show will be based on the murder of wealthy Betsy Powell the evening of a lavish graduation gala that she held for her daughter Claire and three of Claire’s friends.  The graduates have lived with a cloud of suspicion over them for the last twenty years and all are more than happy to accept money both from the production and Betsy’s husband to have a chance to clear their names.  The story is split between the Betsy Powell mystery and Laurie’s mystery.  I liked how the two stories intertwined and kept me guessing on who the murderers would be and also what they had for motives.

I haven’t read all of Higgins Clark’s novels, but of the ones I have read the past ten years or so, this is my favorite.  The characters were great and the storyline was crisp.  I also like how there is no vulgar language or sex scenes.  It’s also very impressive that Mary Higgins Clark is now 86 years old and still manages to write such great novels.   This mystery was perfect as an audiobook and Jan Maxwell was a wonderful narrator.

Overall, if you are looking for a good mystery on audio, I’ve Got You Under My Skin is an excellent choice that will keep you intrigued.

Inherit the Dead by Mary Higgins Clark, Charlaine Harris, Stephen Carter, etc. all

Title: Inherit the Dead
Author: Mary Higgins Clark, Charlaine Harris, Stephen Carter, etc. all
Read by: Christopher Evan Welch

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

Length: 7 CDs, approximately 8.5 hours
Source: Review Copy from Simon and Shuster Audio.  Thank-you!

Author Linda Fairstein got together a great group of mystery writers for a wonderful cause.  All royalties in excess of editor and contributor compensation for this novel will be donated to Safe Horizon, the leading victim assistance agency in the country.  Each author wrote a chapter of this book and made it a great and compelling story.

Perry Christo is a Private Investigator.  He was once a detective on the police force, but lost his badge when he was framed for corruption after discovering more than he should have on a case.  His marriage broke apart after that and he has been trying to make a go of it as a PI.

Julia Drusilla is a wealthy divorcee that is looking for her missing daughter, Angelina, nicknamed Angel.  Angel is a young woman (20 years old) that was raised by her father after the divorce.  On her 21^st birthday, she will inherit a large trust fund if she is there to sign the papers.  Julia is searching for her to make sure this transfer takes place.  As Christo digs into the story, he learns there is much more to Angel than meets the eye.  

I found the novel to be fast paced and interesting.  I loved the twists and turns and how Perry also used the time to introspectively think about his own life.  Christopher Evan Welch was a good narrator and was the voice of Christo to me.

Daddy’s Gone a Hunting by Mary Higgins Clark

Title: Daddy’s Gone a Hunting


Author: Mary Higgins Clark

Read by: Jan Maxwell

Publisher: Simon & Shuster Audio

Length: Approximately 9 hours (8 CDs)

Source: Simon & Schuster Audio Review Copy – Thanks!

I have been a fan of Mary Higgins Clark since I first started reading her books as a teen. I was fortunate enough to hear her speak and meet her at a book signing in Milwaukee about ten years ago. It was very exciting. Her talk about her life and writing was very inspiring.


Her latest novel, Daddy’s Gone a Hunting, was a perfect book to engage you in an audio format. I loved listening to it on my way to and from work. I usually don’t listen to audiobooks with my kids around, but it accidentally came on one day when we got in the car on the way to Green Bay. In that part of the novel, a mysterious fire was being investigated. The boys begged to listen to it, and my 7 and 5 year old were quiet for the half an hour trip listening to it with fascination. I was amazed. There was a murder after they stopped listening so I didn’t let them listen to all of it, but I will keep it in mind that this is something they like for the future! What I really liked was that the audio was not vulgar or sensational on the details of the murder.

In Daddy’s Gone a Hunting, the Connelly Fine Furniture Antique reproductions factory and museum has burned down in the middle of the night. Mysteriously, Kate Connelly, the daughter of the owner, and a disgruntled former employee, Gus Schmidt are there in the blaze. Gus unfortunately doesn’t make it, and Kate ends up in a coma. Kate’s younger sister Hannah tries to keep the blame for the fire off of Kate and prays for her recovery. Kate’s father Doug is seemingly more concerned about getting the insurance money for the factory, and the tragedy harkens back to past family misfortunes.

The mystery deepens with a vast cast of interesting characters and a plot that soon involves murder. It kept me guessing right up until the thrilling conclusion. I told my husband I was ready to drive around the block a few times to finish the book up. I did bring it in the house and finish it as I couldn’t wait until my next drive.

I don’t know if I noticed as much when I was younger, but I was interested in the references to Catholicism in this book. Higgins-Clark has her characters express their faith be they faithful or lapsed Catholics with two Priests playing a minor role in the drama. I liked it.

Jan Maxwell was a fantastic narrator of this audiobook. I could listen to her narrate all day. I will definitely keep my eye out for more audiobooks that she narrates.

There was a slight downfall to the book, but it is related to the ending. I loved the ending, but wasn’t convinced on the motives of the killer in his initial deception. I want to discuss this with someone, but I also don’t want to ruin the ending so I will leave it at that.

Overall Daddy’s Gone a Hunting was a riveting mystery that translated wonderfully to an audiobook version and definitely made my long drives to work more enjoyable.