Just Take My Heart: A Novel

Mary Higgins Clark's latest book is a fast-paced, entertaining page-turner. Cleverly plotted with twists and turns in true MHC-style. Broadway star Natalie Raines accidentally discovers who killed her former roommate. A few days after the revellation Natalie is found dead in her home and her soon-to-be ex-husband Gregg Aldrich is suspected of the murder. But nothing happens until two years later when career criminal Jimmy Houston claims that Aldrich had hired him to kill his wife.Assistant prosecutor Emily Wallace is assigned the case, and while she is hard at work preparing, a seemingly well-meaning neighbour offers to take care of her dog. Greatfully Emily accepts and even gives him a key to her home. However, after a while the neighbour starts appearing somewhat creepy and soon Emily begins to fear for her life.The case is high profile and we follow the developments, not the least the brilliantly written courtroom scenes.There are many interesting people involved in this drama. The characterization is excellent and the question of "who did it" well enough and long enough hidden to keep the reader awake until the wee hours.What made me hold back the last star and only give the book a four, is that it does taste a tiny bit of routine. As the truth is revealed, everything fits almost too well and from the moment the suspect is hinted at, the solution is obvious and the final pieces of the puzzle neatly falling into place.Although nothing original, great entertainment and a typical MHC mystery which will certainly delight all her fans.

Mary Higgins Clark is such a superb mystery writer! Every one of her books is so well done! We lost a lovely woman for sure!

I am reading it now. So far it has been a very good book as all of Mary Higgens Clark's books are. His book arrived on time and in good condition.

I have read all of Mary Higgins Clark. I have had the honor of meeting her in Colorado Springs when I lived there. She was at a book signing. She is a wonderful person. She does a great job with her books. Just Take My Heart is just another example of her fine work. When I started this one I figured I would have it done in a week. Boy was I wrong. I finished it in a day. I just could not put this one down. Her court room made me feel like I was sitting in that court room. Parts made me hold my breath until I read what happened. I know books take the author a long time to write, but I sure wish she could pump them out as fast as I can read them.To be honest, he books are my first choice. I have read them more than one time and still enjoyed them the second time around.

I’ve read hundreds of murder mysteries in my lifetime, but never, until now, have I read a novel by “The Queen of Suspense,” Mary Higgins Clark. So I chose, at random, one of her novels, Just Take My Heart. You shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I admit I liked the picture on the cover, plus I saw the novel was about a murder of a celebrated actress. Loving the theater, I felt serendipity was at work here as I placed my order. The book does indeed tell the tale of an award-winning actress’s murder and the fact that her estranged husband is on trial for the death. Along the way, Clark introduces far too many characters for my taste, making her lead character the female prosecutor. With the main story—the trial—being chopped up as Clark tells side stories, stories that we as readers may or may not see as related, we are off on a supposedly whirlwind of doubt, plot points, and supposition. I found none of the characters very compelling at all. Many were colorful, but only colorful on the surface for we don’t get enough background to truly dig deep into them. When the climax comes, for me, it was out of the blue. Yes, the murderer had been introduced to us, but by that time, we don’t know enough about him to believe he is the murderer and certainly the twist on that situation comes from far-leftfield. And I ask you, where did the two policeman come from to save the day? Supposedly, one policeman had been outside but then lured away. But suddenly, two burst into the door. And the final revelation, after all is said and done, is hokey. It is like something from a romance novel. There is nothing wrong with romance novels as a genre, but to suddenly throw a romance writer’s element into a murder mystery just didn’t score points with me. I suppose fans of the murder genre who are happy with the lighter versions of crime procedure novels enjoy Clark’s breezy whodunnit style. After all, the novel is written well enough that it moves along. It’s been a very long time since I read a four-hundred page novel in the three or so days I read this one, so that’s a plus. But I wanted more substance. Instead, all I got was an underdeveloped plot, some stock characters, and hokum. Deliver me from those last two pages. Please.

MHC does it again. This time a young war widow and heart transplant patient Emily Wallace is prosecuting the high profile murder case of famous actress Natalie Ravines whose husband Gregg Aldrich is accused and being tried. Her chief witness is a career criminal whose been in and out of prison. Gregg is found guilty, but as time goes on Emily questions Gregg's guilt and her chief witnesses testimony. Emily decides to go over the case file and in doing so opens a can of worms going back twenty years.Great story. Would recommend.

I have waited with baited breath for every new Mary Higgins Clark and I have always enjoyed each and every one of them. Not so this one. I love court room dramas on TV but in the book it goes on far too long. I found myself skipping pages - something unheard of with this story tellers books. I had a good idea who the guilty person was almost from the start, something also unheard of for me. Mary always keeps you guessing and I never have any idea who it really is (so many to choose from) yet I knew almost at the start and was correct. Fell very disappointed with this one.

I think I have read this book some time ago, but hadn't remembered when I purchased it. The only fault I find with it was the really lengthy opening of the trial of Gregg Aldrich, by the Prosecutor, it seemed to go on forever, but I stuck with it, and it was worth it. I have read everyone of the Authoresses's books and enjoyed them all, I'm waiting for the very latest one to come up for sale, hope the new book comes out soon! Heather. H.

Abridged. An enthusiastic prosecutor gets a case of a husband murdering his wife, she wins the case but then starts to have doubts, whilst this is going on there are others who have an unhealthy interest in her, both story lines run together but are easily separated for the listener. A good story well told, listener will want to listen through to the end.

Excellent twists and kept me on edge of seat throughout. Excellent read.Recommend to readers of James Patterson women's murder club series.