Review: Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark

Remember Me by Mary Higgins Clark

Set in historic Cape Cod, this book follows Menley Nichols and her husband Adam through their personal and social struggles.  Their son Bobby was killed in a tragic accident, and Menley has never forgiven herself.  They now have a toddler daughter named Hannah, who is their pride and joy.  Unfortunately, Menley is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder, and her husband has reservations about leaving her alone with the baby (or alone in general).  He truly cares for her, but he is wary of her being affected by this disorder and not realizing it.  She, on the other hand, is becoming frustrated by him not trusting her and always surrounding her with people.  She experiences flashbacks at the most unexpected points but doesn’t want to scare her husband by telling him.  Needless to say, there is a great deal of tension in their relationship already.

Add to this mix a death that may be a possible homicide, and, well, it’s going to be crazy.  Scott Covey’s wife, the rich Vivian Carpenter, drowned in a sudden squall while they were boating.  Her wealth and five million dollar inheritence is enough to make people suspicious, especially Vivian’s family.  Adam chooses to represent the seemingly bereaved husband, pitying him for all the media attention and accusations.

Along with all this, the house the Nichols has rented has a tragic past.  Called Remember House, it was built by a sea captain for his delicate wife – a testament of his love to her.  Unfortunately, she was accused of infidelity with another man in the Puritan colony.  She denied it, but the other man confessed and repented.  In the sick manner of the Salem Witch Trials, he was pardoned, and she was flogged.  Her child – named Remember – was taken overseas by her husband, and she died a year later.  Based on some suspicious coincidences, however, it would appear that she never left the house she once lived in.  Is Menley hearing ghosts, or is she just losing her sanity?

Mary Higgins Clark is known as America’s Queen of Suspense, and for good reason.  She loves to start her books with the climax, then jump back in time and build up to the excerpt.  This trick gives you enough of a tantalizing taste to keep you hooked for the rest of the book, and she never disappoints.  Her characters are so rich and vibrant, and the books hurtle along straight through to the end.  The storyline, too, is so complex; there were so many twists that it was a plot pretzel by the end.  A fascinating read, and one that will not disappoint readers, this book is amazing.

Possible objectionable content: suspense, creepiness, and a slightly graphic description of a death.  Also implications of having an affair, but nothing graphic.  14+ just because it’s written towards older teens/adults.

Stardragon’s rating: 9.5 out of 10 butterscotch candies

Quotes: none without spoiling!    Mark of a good book, that.

Ahhhhhh…. been a long time since I reviewed a book.  Mary Higgins Clark is one of my favorites, but I’m having problems finding her at the Miamisburg Library.  Anyone have suggestions?

Moving on…  attempting to not stress out about school stuff (only the US History project, really.  Gotta email my grandparents and cousin.).  Am halfway through the 1st FMA scarf… it’s just taking me a while… but I finished my gift exchange gift!  And got an uber-cool purse made of a pair of jeans from the bazaar yesterday.  Along with gifts for Carly and Sami.  Unfortunately, most of the stuff there was artsy-craftsy, so no guy-geared gifts.  Poopy.  Oh well, I still have three weeks of school…