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.
Barbara Coats says
Mary Higgins Clark is great ..Have been a fan for YEARS..Saw her MANY TIMES
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Marsha Bly says
I was SO sad to read this. I was an MHC reader from her very 1st book, right to the end. I actually used one of her books to change my non-reader “daughter” into a reader. She grew up in s home with no books, and a TV in every room. This was 1987 and we were on a trip… I finished the book and gave it to her. From that day forward she became a reader! We were fortunate to attend 2 MHC book signings, and at the 1st, I told MHC the story. She said ” it makes me so happy to hear stories like that”! She was so warm, friendly and yet regal in a way! She was a wonderful example and an amazing person. She will be missed?
Gail says
I am still reading “Kiss the Girls and Make Them Cry” and was just thinking last week how wonderful it was that Mary was still writing such great books at her advanced age. She was the first writer I got into as an adult and I have nearly all her books in hardback. She has given me such joy, such escapism. She will be missed by me and so many others.
Mary VS says
America’s answer to Agatha Christie! What a classy, and at the same time, warm and down-to-earth lady. It comes through in all her books. And what a great storyteller! I’ve heard that the need to support her five young children was a part of the catalyst for her breaking into the novel-publishing world in the 1970’s. I always picture her telling them cozy-scary bedtime stories, always with a happy ending, and sometimes a good message to mull over. And she has done that for her many fans worldwide for decades. She will be missed!!
Lynn S says
Such sad news. I vividly remember reading her stories in my early teens: The Anastasia Syndrome, A Cry in the Night and Where are the Children spring to mind. She opened my mind to the mystery genre and just how enriching and exciting it could be.
She will be sorely missed.
Carolyn Hendrickson says
Prayers
Michelle says
May she rest in peace, may her family know she gave many people hours of enjoyment.
Michael says
If you go to Amazon and type in “Mary Higgins Clark Books”, and then click on her name under “follow the author”, you will find a short but interesting autobiography written by her. In her words:”If I were to define myself in one sentence, I would say, “I’m a nice Irish Catholic girl from the Bronx.”” A moment of silence for the passing of a lovely person.
Judy Koester says
I enjoyed the Alvirah and Willy series. She seemed like a grand lady. First M.C. Beaton, now this.
Jo Anne Yerkes says
I owned and read lots of her books in the 70’s and 80’s until I moved.
My sympathy to Carol and the rest of her family.
Andi says
I think the one series is co-authored with Alafair Burke, not Blake. Probably wouldn’t have noticed except the first name Alafair is not one I’d heard until she started being published, so I always notice it! I do appreciate all the many ways you get so much information to us, I love the site!
Ellen Fujawa says
Thanks for the update. I don’t know how I missed this in the news. She and M.C. Beaton were so prolific. It is sad to think they will never pen another best seller.
Pam says
I love her books, and a friend recently gave me about 5 that I have not read. I have already read a lot of hers, but look forward to reading the rest. I wonder if Alafair Burke (not Blake) will continue the Under Suspicion series?
Bek says
Fair winds and following seas, Mary.
Ms. Clark was the author of my very first mystery, although I can’t for the life of me remember if the VERY first was “Where are the Children,” or “A Stranger is Watching.” But I quickly read everything she had out at that point, and scoured the shelves of my local bookstores and libraries for new releases. She was one of the Grand Dames of Mystery, without question, and will sorely be missed.
Val H says
I was so sorry to hear of Mary Higgins Clark’s death; loved her books and own quite a few of them which have been read and borrowed by many of my friends. “A Stranger Is Watching” is still my special favourite.
Anne says
My mother and l went to a book signing of Mary Higgins Clark at Left Bank Books in St. Louis, Mo. She was classy, elegant and very nice. I love her books. She will be missed. Godspeed Mary.
Linda says
Oh how I loved and admired her; for the difficulty she faced in becoming one of the GREAT female mystery author. Mary, you will always be with us.