Mystery Lady

She’s a twenty-first century novelist beyond compare. While reading her novels, I’m always there – watching in horror – the suspense and terror unleash in every spine-chilling plot that she does so brilliantly concoct. All her characters are fictitious – mere figments of her imagination. But she so cleverly manages to infuse into them – life, hope and a mission taking their dreams to fruition. Every page that I read sends my adrenaline rushing. But to know who the criminal is – she skillfully keeps me guessing. While I’m reading her novel, I put all things on hold and blissfully tend to forget the rest of the outside world. A keen observer of all routine acts of everyday life - with compassion, she describes suffering, pain and strife. Her protagonists are invariably women known for their courage, patience and acumen. She writes typically in a gripping style enmeshing a sensational plot filled with guile. She describes so realistically every little aspect that I can easily hear the wild wind blow, see from the window the gentle falling snow, feel the heat of the raging fire, smell the waft of the flowering vine and taste the tartness of the vintage wine. In every novel from start to finish, she takes me on a thrilling journey - steeped in terror, suspense and mystery. So easily she makes me forget the happenings in my own territory when I am ensnared in her captivating story. My heart beats faster, my eyes forget to blink, my stomach begins to churn with every page that I turn. And the moment I think all is fine – a chill begins to run down my spine. Though all her novels focus on deceit, hatred and crime, family values they do always entwine – a mother’s love, a father’s determination, a sibling’s care, a grandmother’s affection, a husband’s commitment, a wife’s devotion. With an insatiable feeling, the more I read the more she makes me want to read. In my mind her literary work never fails to ignite a spark. Can you guess who this mystery lady is? She’s none other than Mary Higgins Clark. 9 July 2010 11: 25 am