Book Review
You Don’t Own Me
by Mary Higgins Clark & Alafair Burke
Simon & Schuster © 2018
Under Suspicion #6
Summary:
Laurie Moran produces Under Suspicion, an investigative legal show which focuses on solving cold cases, bringing families justice for their loved ones. Under Suspicion has never let a case on their show go unsolved, which is why Dr. and Mrs. Bell are determined to get justice for their murdered son, Dr. Martin Bell.
Martin Bell is a physician of national stature for his holistic approach to pain management. When he was shot in the driveway of his Greenwich Village carriage house, the court of public opinion convicted Kendra Bell, Martin’s wife.
For five years Kendra Bell lived with the public shaming and suspicion of having committed a vicious crime. Shouldn’t she be anxious to work with Laurie Moran and Under Suspicion to clear her name once and for all? Why did she refuse to have the murder re-investigated by the show?
When Laurie is finally able to open an investigation, she begins to uncover secrets about Martin Bell that the police may have overlooked, secrets that might have led to Martin’s death, and could put Laurie’s life in danger.
My Thoughts:
I read Mary Higgins Clark novels when I was in school years ago. To be honest, they were one of my favorite homework-procrastination tools. I enjoyed the way Mary Higgins Clark wove two stories together, gradually building up tension to the final conclusion which often had me awake in the wee hours of the morning because I could not put my book down!
I must say, I was so disappointed in this book! I need to go back and re-read some of my Mary Higgins Clark novels to determine if it is my preference which changed or if the writing style of Alafair Burke as a co-author changed the pace and narration of the book so much.
First of all, no. Laurie’s life is not in danger. She is the heroine of a 6-book series published over the last five years. She’s not going to die. There is no tension in that story line for me.
Secondly, the writing style was just flat. I am the type of reader who wants to be immersed into the world of the book. I had a lot of trouble with the visualization of these characters and scenes. It just didn’t reach off the page and grab me like most novels do.
Third, there was a twist which was woven into the book with a small mis-direct. The twist reveal-to-resolution lasted seven pages. It almost felt to me like the firework you light that just sparkles for 3 seconds and fizzles out.
I rated this book 2 stars instead of 1 because I do think Laurie and Alex’s story is a sweet addition. I also felt that there was a truly compelling mystery that could have been written based on these characters and this premise. It just fell way flat for me.
I’m going to go re-read Where are the Children? Now.