My Gal Sunday by Mary Higgins Clark
Published on February 1, 2003 by Pocket Books
Genre: Suspense, Mystery, Thriller
Pages: 206
Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
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Henry Parker Britland IV—wealthy, worldly, and popular—is enjoying an early retirement. His new wife, Sunday—as clever as she is lovely—has just been elected to Congress in a stunning upset victory that has made her a media darling. Henry and Sunday make a formidable team…and never more so than when they set out to solve baffling high-society crimes. From a long-unsolved case they reconstruct aboard the presidential yacht to a kidnapping that brings Henry frantically back to the White House, the former president and his bride engage in some of the most audacious and original sleuthing ever imagined.
Review
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Mary Higgins Clark book eh? Well, blame it on my never ending reading list, which usually doubled whenever I finish a book. This time, since I managed to be productive and read all five books in my reading list earlier than I expected, and since the opportunities were so good to me, I was able to acquire a book of MHC! And who am I to decline the offer eh? It is MHC we are talking about here, which I boldly admitted that I’m a big fan of! Hehe
This is actually just a short read, just about 244 pages overall. But just like her other book that I’ve read, The Anastasia Syndrome and other stories, this book also comprises not just one story, but four short stories! But unlike the Anastasia Syndrome, this book totally deserved my 4-star rating. But what’s also great about this book is that it features MHC’s new husband and wife team of sleuths. But unlike Alvirah and Willy Meehan, these two new couples we’re uhm, I would say the younger version of the latter, quite interesting eh? But unlike her previous books, this one has quite a handful of words that I need to consult my friend Meriam D for its meaning.
And having mentioned the four short stories in just this one book, I’m making a break-down of this book starting from the first short story to the next.
A CRIME OF PASSION
In this story, we’ve got to learn more about the newest sleuthing duo of MHC. And oh lala! One of America’s sexiest men, eh? That’s quite a catch, haha. This first story also serves as the introduction of this sleuthing duo.
Honestly, I find it a bit dull. Maybe because I’ve just read a teeny weeny romance story and switching to suspense is quite a rush, haha. As what the title says, it definitely is a crime of passion. Henry’s (main male character, which is also the previous president of America) close friend and political ally was the prime suspect of killing his young lover, which was shot 3 times in his library. He even managed to have a good night’s sleep in his bedroom after leaving Arabella (the victim) bled to life in his library.
At first, I already guessed that it’s not Tommy (Henry’s close friend and political ally) who killed the poor Arabella. But I was curious on who the heck was the culprit. And dang! The story came so fast that I was left surprised by the sudden exposure of the real culprit. But I just realize that it’s just a short read with four short stories in it. So the idea of delaying the exposure of the culprit is already out of the picture.
So far, this story isn’t one of my favorites of all four short stories, but it still managed to spook me.
THEY RAN AFTER THE PRESIDENT’S WIFE
This story is longer than the first short story. And what I noticed was the unnecessary blabber. Haha, I’m already very eager to read the suspense part so that is why I’m so looking forward to reading the action part rather than to read a dull blabber. (me being so impatient haha)
As obvious as the title says. This story started when Sunday (main female character and Henry’s wife) was kidnapped by an unknown culprit. This story is quite challenging for they all have no clue on how to find her. And I was so touched on Henry’s undying love for Sunday. My oh my! Who knew that America’s sexiest man could be that charming?
So far, the only concern that I find in this story is the blabber part.
HAIL COLUMBIA!
This book is all about the disappearance of an honorable politician Garcia Del Rio which took place when Henry was just twelve years old in a yacht named Columbia. This story is going to be interesting on how MHC is going to write this story because obviously, the crime took place a long time ago.
But dang! I never thought it could be this interesting. My oh my! MHC managed to amaze me in just this short read huh. So far, this book is my favorite of all the four short stories.
MERRY CHRISTMAS / Joyeux Noël
As the title goes, this one’s talk about Christmas. At first, I was a bit doubtful if I’m going to enjoy this short read, for it’s no secret that I was never a fan of MHC’s holiday books. But in all fairness, this book is quite, uhm, how do I say this? Well, this story is heartwarming. Imagine if you’re a mother and found out that your beloved son was kidnapped? (beware: this one’s going to be a spoiler ehe) But fortunately, the kidnapping act went wrong.
And this little boy, Jacques, found its way to the sleuthing duo that made the way for this little boy to be reunited to his parents. I think it’s a great choice to end this book eh?
So that’s it guys. That’s the reason behind my 4-star rating above.
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