Unfortunately, we have lost another pillar of the mystery community. Mary Higgins Clark, the author of over 50 novels over a career spanning more than five decades, passed away last week at the age of 92. She will be missed by many. According to a post on her home page, her death was a result of complications of old age.

Though Mary Higgins Clark was best known for her many individual stand-alone novels, she was also the author or co-author of three series, the Under Suspicion Mystery Series with co-author Alafair Burke, as well as the Regan Reilly Mystery Series and Alvirah and Willy Mystery Series with her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark.

Rest in Peace, Mary. Our sympathies go out to Mary’s family and friends.

It feels like every year there are a few sad deaths to mention after the holiday season… this year, we all will miss Marion Chesney Gibbons, likely better known here as M.C. Beaton. According to a brief entry on her website, Marion Chesney Gibbons passed away after a brief illness in late December, at the age of 83.

A very prolific romance author in the 1980’s and 1990’s under the name Marion Chesney, under the Beaton name she eventually moved to releasing more and more mysteries in both the Hamish Macbeth Mystery Series and the Agatha Raisin Mystery Series. One of the shapers of the modern Cozy sub-genre, she will be missed by the community and remembered for her many beautiful stories.

Rest in Peace, Marion. Our sympathies go out to Marion’s family and friends.

Hello everyone – I just wanted to wish you all a Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, Happy Kwanzaa, Happy New Year, or any other assorted Happy Holiday!

Once again my personal close family has managed to reunite this year – myself and husband, son who lives in town, and daughter who visits from Washington D.C. This year, we’re also joined by our son-in-law, who is likewise visiting from D.C. And of course our own darling three year old puppy, Cocoa.

I’ll be back in a few days, so, Happy Holidays!

I just wanted to take a quick minute to wish all of my American readers a Happy Thanksgiving! And to everyone else, have a good day as well!