What Mary means to me.

“It’s an honour to be nominated” has earned its clichéhood honestly:- it’s true. And all five of the Mary Higgins Clark nominees this year feel especially honoured to be on the shortlist for this award. Why? Well, in our own words, here’s what Mary means to us as writers, as readers, as the wee girls we used to be . . .

Frances Brody, A Woman Unknown

"A library assistant put her finger on the not-so-well-kept secret. “Once  you borrow one of Mary Higgins Clark’s books, you’ll be back for more.”  Many women who have never met Mary feel a personal connection, including me. I was struck by how much our early lives have in common: Irish Catholic backgrounds; Mary’s dad died when she was ten years old and so did mine; each of us plunged into the world of work early with the useful skills of shorthand and typing. Mary has kept her fingers on the keyboard all these years. She’s an inspiration."

 

Hallie Ephron Night Night, Sleep Tight

For me, Mary Higgins Clark personifies a heady cocktail of suspense mixed with women's fiction.  Her protagonists are likeable, believable, capable women who find themselves in dangerous situations and get themselves out. Her pacing is flawless, propelled by surprising plot twists. Like her books, I try to write mine so that they charge full throttle into creepy but never tips over into icky. I’m delighted that NIGHT NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT is nominated as a worthy example of her kind of novel.

 

Susanna Calkins TheMasque of A Murderer

 

"I first encountered Mary Higgins Clark when, as a teenager, I picked up WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN at my local library. I remember reading the book with a flashlight under my covers, turning page after page as fast as I could. I just had to know what had happened to the woman’s children. In fact, the finale of that story was so vivid and compelling that many times over the last twenty-five years, I have found myself replaying those climatic final scenes in my mind. To me, that is the epitome of suspenseful storytelling. I am so honored to have been nominated for the Mary Higgins Clark award  and thrilled to meet the Queen of Suspense herself."

 

Catriona McPherson, The Child Garden

"I can remember when I didn’t think Mary Higgins Clark was a writer – I thought she was an imprint. (I  thought the same about R.L.Stine.) How could anyone be so prolific? Then, her Willie and Alvirah characters were my guides to New York City on my first trip there and her Christmas stories became a fixture of my Decembers. Actually meeting her is still one of the highlights of being a published author. She was there at Cleveland Bouchercon speaking at a librarian’s breakfast, looking resplendent at seven in the morning and charming everyone in the room. I think I’ve read every word she’s ever written and being on this shortlist is a dream come true.

 

Lori Rader-Day, Little Pretty Things

Lori: When I was 11 or 12, I ran out of books in the kid’s section of my small-town library and was sent upstairs to the adult section. But I knew I wasn’t an adult and so scuttled into the first doorway I came to rather than passing by that imposing circulations desk. That room was the mystery room, where I met the likes of Agatha Christie and Mary Higgins Clark—seemingly nice ladies who told dark, engrossing tales I couldn’t wait to share with my friends. I’ve been reading dark stories ever since—and seemingly nice ladies are still my favorite type to read, to write, and to know.

 

See? That’s why it’s such an honour to be nominated. (And when the whole shortlist is made up of pals, there’s no way for it to go wrong. On Edgars night in New York later this month, no matter who wins, we’ll all be cheering.) So, Femmes Fatales readers, what does Mary mean to you?

Comments

[Kristopher]

As I said on a panel at the Cleveland Bouchercon, when I first read Mary Higgins Clark, it was a major transition moment for me - From Encyclopedia Brown and Nancy Drew to an "adult book." For some reason, when I read Where Are The Children, I realized that this type of thing could really happen - and that it was possible it could happen to my Mom! The heroine of that story was just a regular mother going about life when things went terrible wrong.

From there, my love of domestic suspense stemmed and has never abated.

[Elaine Viets]

Congratulations, Catriona. This is an excellent list of nominees -- so many good books here.
Mary Higgins Clark is one of the most successful -- and kindest -- writers in the mystery world. A glamorous, gracious woman. You are indeed honored.

[Susie Calkins]

Thank you for inviting me to share my thoughts! I loved everyone's take! And I think Kristopher's comment (above) is spot on: her books represented a transition for me in my reading. (I'm sure I still read less "adult" books, but there was something transformative about her book when I encountered it as a teenager)...

[Lori Rader-Day]

So we were all scarred by Where Are the Children! Good to know. It is indeed an honor to be nominated---it's made my year! I would also like to point out that the breakfast at which you met her, Catriona, was put on by MWA Midwest and planned by Clare O'Donohue and YOURS TRULY. I got to eat my banquet hall eggs sitting right next to MHC! It was a real moment for me. I got to tell her that library story above. She is delightful.

[catriona]

Huh. I can't spell "resplendent". Fixed it now.

[Hallie Ephron]

Thanks, Catriona, for sharing the spotlight! Where Are the Children is certainly a classic suspense novel. MHC opened the door for the rest of us to crowd in behind her.

[Donna Andrews]

Glad I don't have to vote, because there are too many good books here, all written by lovely friends.

[Karen in Ohio]

All of the above. And how does one choose a winner, when all the entries are fantastic?

May I also say that the always elegant Mary Higgins Clark is one of the few people in the world who looks exactly like her author photo--from 15 years ago? I'd search for her real portrait, if I was ever in her attic.

[Kathy Reel]

An amazing list of authors and titles here! I've read three and am planning on catching up on the other two. I need to catch up with Susanna's wonderful Lucy Campion series an start the intriguing Kate Shackleton series. Lori, Hallie, and you, Catriona, are all books I read and have as favorites. Wish you all could receive the award.

[Kathy Reel]

I've already commented, but I wanted to add a couple of things. I look forward every year to the new Mary Higgins Clark book. I know it will be a great read, a reliable friend. It was really interesting reading how the Mary Higgins Clark mysteries played a part in each of the nominees' lives.

[Frances Brody]

Great to read what everyone has to say. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting Mary Higgins Clark but she looks grandly impressive in the photographs. Although I won't be over to cheer for my fellow nominees in New York, or congratulate at Malice, I've just booked for Bouchercon in New Orleans. Hope to see some of you there ...?

[Cath Hoffner]

Mary Highins Clark had me at "Loves Music Loves To Dance" book. I devoured her books. What great personal takes from the nominees! All of these authors' books were excellent reads. Congrats on your nominations!

[Hank Phillippi Ryan]

Oh, you are all my heroes. WOw. Terrific! And Mary is the queen of us all.