Each time I look at a picture of Mary Higgins Clark with her sweet smile and laughing eyes, I ask myself; Where does this mother of five children, six grandchildren, and wife of John Conheeney get her ideas for the intriguing novels she writes? Finally, I have at least one answer. "On The Street Where You Live" is set in the historic resort Spring Lake, New Jersey, where Mary Higgins Clark recently acquired a Victorian house.
On a television interview, "Mrs. Conheeney" said that once she'd bought the old Victorian the "what-ifs" began to pop up one after another into her mind. From this inspiration, arose one of her most fascinating suspense stories.
Imagine a person who believes him or herself the reincarnation of a Nineteenth Century serial killer. A murderer who killed three women and was never found out. Now, what if that person feels compelled to repeat history? And, what if the urge is so great the murders begin again in the Twenty-first Century?
In fact four-and-a-half years ago, Martha Lawrence, young, beautiful, a daughter of a prominent Spring Lake family, disappears. Police assume she is dead, but her body has yet to surface. Then, some two years later, another lovely young lady Carla Harper vanishes. Since Carla is a visitor at a local Inn, no one connects her disappearance with that of dear Martha. A witness reports seeing Carla near her hometown prior to her disappearance. How nice for the killer, who knows Carla never left Spring Lake.
"He knew every detail, every nuance of what had happened to her and the others. Relishing the thought of his omniscience, he lightheartedly joined the late afternoon strollers on the boardwalk and exchanged pleasantries with friends he met along the way. But even as he bantered with them, he could feel the need stirring within him, the need to complete his trio of present-day victims."
The ticking clock begins to count down. Martha died on September 7, just as her predecessor Madeline Shapley, died on that date in 1891, Carla vanished on August 5 just as her predecessor Letitia Gregg did in 1893. It is now Tuesday, March 20, and the finale in the deadly trio must be selected and executed on March 31, like Ellen Swain in 1896.
Clark introduces her players with the expertise of a chess master. First, the protagonist, Emily Graham, a young criminal attorney who buys back her ancestral home in Spring Lake--The Shapley house. Emily's move from Albany is brought about after an acrimonious divorce, and to elude a stalker. She takes a position with a Manhattan law firm, but first plans to enjoy a period of rest in Spring Lake. Soon her peace shatters. Once again she is stalked, and another, even greater fear awaits her.
On excavating a pool in Emily's back yard, workers find the skeleton of a young woman. Police identify the body as that of Martha Lawrence. A silver scarf with metallic beading caresses her neck. Within Martha's skeletal hand is the finger bone of another woman with a sapphire ring on ita family heirloom belonging to Madeline Shapley.
Some of the other characters involved in this suspenseful tale are: Rachel Wilcox, owner of the scarf, a Viking like woman who insists that she gave it to her husband, Clayton, to keep for her at the Lawrence party on the night before Martha disappeared. Dr. Clayton Wilcox, is a former college president with a blemished past. He along with the other guests at the party have been extensively investigated by the Monmouth County police.
Will Stafford, a divorced attorney who now practices real estate law in Spring Lake. Will is a lady's man, likable, handsome, and enjoys a fine life in the resort community.
Bob Frieze, member of an old Spring Lake family, whose business and marriage are falling apart. His wife, Natalie, a ruthless gold-digger, threatens to expose Bob's frequent memory lapses to the police.
Eric Bailey, a former client of Emily's, who was the source of her wealth, but is now going broke, and Bernice Joyce, a friendly dowager, who confides a deadly secret to a gossip columnist. Then, there's Ned Koehler, the convicted stalker, who may be innocent of that crime. And, Nick Todd, son of Emily Graham's new law partner, plays an unexpected role in her dangerous quest for the truth about the murders.
After the discovery of the skeleton of her great-great-grand aunt Madeline, Emily feels the need to delve into the history of Spring Lake. She has a feeling that if she can solve her ancestor's murder, it will shine light on the current murders taking place.
While all this is going on, the killer decides Emily is the perfect choice for the third victim. She bears a striking resemblance to Madeline Shapley. Same midnight-brown hair with hints of auburn. The same lovely mouth. The same tall, slender body. The reincarnated killer, if that is what he or she is, feels there's an orderliness, a rightness to the prospect of killing Emily. The mere thought sends a shiver of pleasure.
Clark's excellent research into the theory of reincarnation and her understanding of its tenets, helps her present a tale with great credibility. Regardless of the desire to race to the end of the book, don't. Watch for the clues, let the story take you to the conclusion without peeking at the ending. You won't be disappointed. This story keeps you guessing right to the last word. At that point, you may feel as I
did, stunned. WOW! Now we know how Mary Higgins Clark manages to wind up number one on every bestseller's list in the country.
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(Jones is a published writer & literary critic)
COPYRIGHT MAY 17, 2001, PATRICIA A. JONES, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
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