After writing dozens of damsel-in-distress novels, Clark can probably crank them out in her sleep. In fact, she may have done just that with this one.
Using the country-manor-mystery as a template, the novel plops a dozen main characters on an ultra-luxurious cruise ship as it makes its maiden voyage from New York to Southampton. The all-alone lady of the title is a gemologist fleeing a disastrous wedding supper at which her (now former) fiancé was arrested for fraud. She's looking to get away from the media uproar and pay for her passage via a series of lectures on the sumptuous ship. Also on board is an eccentric octogenarian with a priceless emerald necklace which bears a curse and also attracts the attention of an international jewel thief known only as The Man With a Thousand Faces. (Come on, Mary, you can do better than that.) The alert reader will identify the villain almost immediately.
Half the main characters are embezzlers or petty thieves, and the others are so unsympathetic that it's hard to work up much concern over their fates as the danger level ratchets up. Recurring characters Alvirah and Willy Meehan (introduced in her novel 'The Lottery Winners') make another appearance here, being unbelievably kind and -- in Alvirah's case -- an enthusiastic amateur sleuth.
All in all, it's a pleasant enough fantasy-escape novel that won't keep you awake nights. (And if you can land Clark's agent, your dreams might just yield something equally marketable.)
Using the country-manor-mystery as a template, the novel plops a dozen main characters on an ultra-luxurious cruise ship as it makes its maiden voyage from New York to Southampton. The all-alone lady of the title is a gemologist fleeing a disastrous wedding supper at which her (now former) fiancé was arrested for fraud. She's looking to get away from the media uproar and pay for her passage via a series of lectures on the sumptuous ship. Also on board is an eccentric octogenarian with a priceless emerald necklace which bears a curse and also attracts the attention of an international jewel thief known only as The Man With a Thousand Faces. (Come on, Mary, you can do better than that.) The alert reader will identify the villain almost immediately.
Half the main characters are embezzlers or petty thieves, and the others are so unsympathetic that it's hard to work up much concern over their fates as the danger level ratchets up. Recurring characters Alvirah and Willy Meehan (introduced in her novel 'The Lottery Winners') make another appearance here, being unbelievably kind and -- in Alvirah's case -- an enthusiastic amateur sleuth.
All in all, it's a pleasant enough fantasy-escape novel that won't keep you awake nights. (And if you can land Clark's agent, your dreams might just yield something equally marketable.)
From what I know about Mary Higgins Clark, this Alvirah & Willy series was very popular. This is the final of the eleven stories in this series. By my reckoning, this is a rather mundane last entry. I thought the plot vehicle (sumptuous cruise from New York to England) to be on the ho-hum side. This cruise was so lavish that it was compared to the Titanic (of course). Naturally, there is a priceless jewel -- with a curse.
Alvirah & Willy are a pair of light-hearted sleuths with a zinger backstory. They won the lottery a few years ago and are enjoying their wedding anniversary (43-years) on the exclusive QUEEN CHARLOTTE luxury liner. Because of the lack of violence and salty language, these stories are considered "cozy mysteries." These stories are also do not discover any deep truths or profound thoughts. They are just light reading.
It is soon obvious that Lady Emily (owner of the cursed, and priceless Cleopatra necklace) will have to die. There are lots of red herrings and possible murderers mixed into this brew. One of the more interesting characters is Celia Kilbride, a gemologist of wide repute. She is escaping New York, just after her ex-fiance is caught stealing money from her friends. Now, the ex-fiancee and con man blabs all to PEOPLE Magazine, implicating Celia in his dishonesty. The FBI will want to talk with her as soon as possible. She's on the cruise ship to lead discussions on gems and their history.
Sit back and prepare for some light fare. The red herrings and worried travelers keep the reader busy. Overall score = G+.
Alvirah & Willy are a pair of light-hearted sleuths with a zinger backstory. They won the lottery a few years ago and are enjoying their wedding anniversary (43-years) on the exclusive QUEEN CHARLOTTE luxury liner. Because of the lack of violence and salty language, these stories are considered "cozy mysteries." These stories are also do not discover any deep truths or profound thoughts. They are just light reading.
It is soon obvious that Lady Emily (owner of the cursed, and priceless Cleopatra necklace) will have to die. There are lots of red herrings and possible murderers mixed into this brew. One of the more interesting characters is Celia Kilbride, a gemologist of wide repute. She is escaping New York, just after her ex-fiance is caught stealing money from her friends. Now, the ex-fiancee and con man blabs all to PEOPLE Magazine, implicating Celia in his dishonesty. The FBI will want to talk with her as soon as possible. She's on the cruise ship to lead discussions on gems and their history.
Sit back and prepare for some light fare. The red herrings and worried travelers keep the reader busy. Overall score = G+.
i loved this book. i couldn't put it down and finished it in 1 day.
