Skip to main content
PBS logo
 
 

Book Reviews of I Heard That Song Before

I Heard That Song Before
I Heard That Song Before
Author: Mary Higgins Clark
ISBN-13: 9781849834575
ISBN-10: 1849834571
Publication Date: 3/3/2011
Pages: 448
Edition: UK ed.
Rating:
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1

4 stars, based on 1 rating
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Ltd
Book Type: Paperback
Reviews: Amazon | Write a Review

48 Book Reviews submitted by our Members...sorted by voted most helpful

reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 174 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 6
Little 6-year-old Kay Lansing sneaks into the hidden chapel of the Carrington mansion in New Jersey where her father is a landscaper and overhears an argument where a man says, "I heard that song before." Kay grows up to marry Peter Carrington, who lives in the mansion. Twenty-two years before, Carrington's wife and a neighborhood girl, including Kay's father died under mysterious circumstances and now Peter is being charged with the murders.

I had trouble getting into this book and keeping the characters straight, but about a third of the way through the book, the story became more compelling and interesting. The second half of the book is the most interesting and suspenseful, but I thought the characters weren't that well developed except for Kay. The number of other characters, such as the teams of lawyers on both sides were hard to keep track of for me, at least. Other than that, the ending was fairly predictable in one way, but whodunit was a surprise to me.
Kairbear avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on
Helpful Score: 4
I stopped reading MHC a few years ago because I didn't find her newer novels as good or as exciting as her older ones. After a friend recommended this, I read it in about a day. I think this storyline is more like the old MHC and I really enjoyed it. I'm glad I gave her another chance!
marcym avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 159 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 4
After being disappointed by "Two Little Girls In Blue" I was almost afraid to read this one. Mrs. Clark came through, and wrote a "whodunit" that left me guessing till the end. The main characters are well developed and realistic, and the crimes could have actually happened, as opposed to some of her previously stretched plots. I'll take another chance on the next book she writes also.
MELNELYNN avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 669 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 3
Mary Higgins Clark is a national treasure. I read her first book, WHERE ARE THE CHILDREN?, when it was first published 30 years ago, and I've faithfully read every one since. When it comes to neo-Gothic romantic suspense, she never disappoints. Her new novel is particularly enjoyable.

We have the heroine, Kay, the daughter of the landscaper for a great estate house in New Jersey. We have the house itself, complete with lush gardens and hidden chapel. And we have the brooding master of the house, with whom Kay falls in love against her own better judgement. It seems a young woman in his past disappeared mysteriously, then his pregnant first wife committed "suicide." Nearly everyone suspects him of being a ladykiller, including the police. And Kay just might be the next lady on his list....

Clark is one of the few writers who can take these classic ingredients and mix them together into a story that always seems fresh and new. It is a remarkable talent. If you enjoy her stories as much as I do, you'll want to read this one.
heavenboundlj avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 232 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 2
This is on my list of favorites from MHC. This is like several mysteries in one. Keeps you guessing and trust me you won't put it down. You only thought your family was messed up! ha ha
J avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on
Helpful Score: 2
Enjoyable. Not one of her best, though. Quick read.
tigers9494 avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 49 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
I really enjoyed this one!
booksquirrel avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 40 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
Fantastic murder mystery. It kept me guessing the whole time. I was back and forth and loved it! Love the short chapters, too, but it was still very fast-paced anyway. Definitely a must-read.
scrapbooklady avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 472 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
"I Heard That Song Before is a mystery about a series of deaths that may or may not be related and that may or may not be murders. The characters here are very interesting and well-rounded. While it may not be Mary Higgins Clark's best work, it was an interesting, enjoyable read.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on
I could not put this book down. It was excellent
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 204 more book reviews
There is quite a mix of characters in this book with many different personalities and lifestyles. This is a well written book. It is a good, fast paced read that was suspenseful.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 21 more book reviews
I enjoyed!!
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 2 more book reviews
Kept me on the edge of my seat. Very good mystery.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 3152 more book reviews
Too many characters to keep track of, a romance that is riduculous--meet one day, get married the next day---too far fetched and corny
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 92 more book reviews
Brand new book--just not one I wish to keep.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 49 more book reviews
Fun read. Enjoyed this one!
Krafty-Kat avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 13 more book reviews
A good book! I enjoyed reading it. It kept my attention and my mind trying to solve the mystery--right up until the end. I try to figure them out as I go along. This one really kept me guessing.
Time well spent! Enjoy!
marishka avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 23 more book reviews
The book reminded me of watching "Murder She Wrote". A good who-done-it read, but trying too hard to be "G" rated. Still, I recommend.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 6 more book reviews
Little 6-year-old Kay Lansing sneaks into the hidden chapel of the Carrington mansion in New Jersey where her father is a landscaper and overhears an argument where a man says, "I heard that song before." Kay grows up to marry Peter Carrington, who lives in the mansion. Twenty-two years before, Carrington's wife and a neighborhood girl, including Kay's father died under mysterious circumstances and now Peter is being charged with the murders.

MHC is one of my favorite authors. I like her style of writing. Although, some things may be considered predictable for MHC novels, the "Whodunit" was a surprise to me!
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 9 more book reviews
Another of my favorite authors. This one didn't have as many plot twists as some of them have.
barbarah avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 3 more book reviews
Mary Higgins Clark spins a tale. Some of the plot was predictable. Not her best work, but a quick easy mindless read.
JTsWife avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on
Very good reading
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 23 more book reviews
Not one of my favorites by Mary Higgins Clark. Definitely wasn't one of her page turners. Seemed sort of predictable and not up to her usual standard of suspense.
Froggie avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 55 more book reviews
This is your typical Mary Higgins Clark book....grabs you right away and a quick and easy read. She knows how to weave a tale that will surely keep the reader interested from beginning to end.
Readnmachine avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 1474 more book reviews
Convoluted suspense novel about a young woman whose wealthy groom is suddenly implicated in a decades-old murder. Too many characters to easily keep track of; huge lumps of expository material; and a very-late-in-the-book revelation about the victim which comes totally out of left field with no previous supporting info and no indication -- ever! -- as to how the investigator found out.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 2 more book reviews
This book is a good easy read, predictable MHC but interesting nonetheless.
BoxerBabe avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 21 more book reviews
Another good suspense/mystery from M.H.C!
ilovedale3 avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 524 more book reviews
Another winner by Clark! You don't really know who to trust in this book and you will never guess the killer's motive!!!
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 153 more book reviews
It was kind of easy to figure out who did the crime, but it was still a pleasant read.
reader avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 76 more book reviews
Another Good Book by Mary Higgns Clark.I love all her books.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on
Great mystery - easy to read. Enjoyable
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 10 more book reviews
Another page-turner from Mary Higgins Clark, I enjoyed this book.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 25 more book reviews
A little slower read then most of her other books, but I still enjoyed it.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 9 more book reviews
Great suspenseful mystery.
jjares avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 3411 more book reviews
This novel is a well-written suspense story written by Mary Higgins Clark. As this is the fourth book I've read by this author, I found the plotting complex. However, the story was a bit longer and gave the reader ample opportunity to boil down the murderer to two possibles. I liked that the stories are full of well-written dialogue without salty language or sex scenes.

Peter Carrington has been living under a shadow for 22-years. There have been deaths over the years (some labeled as suicides). However, after Peter marries his third wife, Kay Lansing (daughter of the family's former landscaper), things start happening that reopen old wounds. Kay has memories of an argument in the Carrington's mansion chapel twenty plus years before -- and it has a direct connection to the following string of deaths. Then Peter's luck runs out, and he heads for a murder trial. When Peter decides to use the defense of perhaps killing while sleepwalking, Kay knows she must do something to help her husband. Unfortunately, the sleepwalking defense will only keep him in jail for the remainder of his years.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 78 more book reviews
This book is not one of her best but I still found myself not wanting to put it down.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 58 more book reviews
This is a great book!!!
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 9 more book reviews
Fun read
frenchie1960 avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 22 more book reviews
One of Mary Higgens best books so far. Leaves you quessing till the end! 4 stars
bookboy1971 avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 23 more book reviews
This is a great book. The characters are very well developed and MHC keeps you guessing until the end. I could not put this book down when my family and I went to the beach. I warn you that this book will keep you up at night.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 3 more book reviews
a little predictable
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 193 more book reviews
Not as good as some of her other books, but still an interesting who done it story. It's a story about 2 murders and the one man everyone in town believes did it. But did he really? His new wife, Kay, wants to solve the mystery that could put her husband in jail for life.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 45 more book reviews
This book was a good read.I read this book fast and I enjoyed it.The premise of the book deals with sleepwalking and how it is viewed when a murder or crime may be committed and a good mystery.
I enjoy most of her books.
tripletmom avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 225 more book reviews
Can't go wrong with a Mary Higgins Clark book.
BNJunkie avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 28 more book reviews
A good light enjoyable read. Typical of MHC.
reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 29 more book reviews
It was ok but I gues I am burned out on Mary Higgins Clark
rolltide1al avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 223 more book reviews
**** Great book! MHC never disappoints me. Another one of my favorites.
gxflygirl avatar reviewed I Heard That Song Before on + 2 more book reviews
Mary Higgens Clark is a master at writing she usually gets my attention on the first page. She weaves her tail and keeps your interest. I have read almost every book she has written.