When the main character found some spirit, I loved this novel

Where are the Children? by Mary Higgins Clark

Available for $10.40 via Booktopia.

Just as well that this is an early book by Mary Higgins Clark, as its plot is totally predictable and perhaps a little silly.   She has now moved on from this and her later novels are much better written.

The main character Nancy Harmon has been tried previously for the death of her two children from her first marriage.  She is so distraught that when she is accused of their murder, she just gives up without a fight. uckily for her, she was let off the charges after misconduct by the jury and the main prosecution witness disappeared, so there could be no second trial.  Her husband, Carl, has committed suicide after the trial, or so it appears.

Nancy has moved, changed her appearance and remarried. She now has another two children who go missing after she lets them out in the garden to play.  A nasty storm makes it harder for everyone to communicate, including the police, and makes it easier for bad deeds to be done without alerting anyone.

Of course, Nancy is the prime suspect, and the police chief is convinced that she is guilty of what is seen as probably a repeat of the previous murders.  But thanks to her new husband, Ray, and friends who include an attorney and a doctor, who keep faith with her and try to prove her innocence, she is not left to defend herself alone.  Unfortunately, once again Nancy is at first too distraught to fight the prejudices of those who believe her to be guilty, and she almost collapses under the pressure of possible murder charges once again.

The search for the children is filled with close calls and people who have seen things, but don’t report them until it is nearly too late.

The book is an easy read, but I found Nancy to be helpless, hapless and pathetic.  The character annoyed me until near the end of the book, when she suddenly found some spirit – at last!!

The ending is just a bit slick for my taste.

My advice? Move on to Mary Higgins Clark later novels. Are you a fan of Mary Higgins Clark? What is your favourite novel? 

Available for $10.40 via Booktopia.