REVIEW FOR - THE MELODY LINGERS ON - BY MARY HIGGINS CLARK

pic and description taken from Goodreads

DESCRIPTION:

As the sole assistant to a famous upscale interior designer, Lane Harmon, mother to five-year-old Katie, is accustomed to visiting opulent homes around the tri-state area. A born optimist, Lane finds the glimpse into these gilded worlds fascinating, and loves the reward of exceeding the expectations of their often-demanding owners. When she is called to assist in redecorating a modest townhouse in Bergen County, she knows the job is unusual. Then she learns the home belongs to the wife of a notorious and disgraced financier named Parker Bennett.

Parker Bennett has been missing for two years. He dropped out of sight just before it was discovered that the $5 billion dollars in the fund he had been managing had vanished. Bennett had gone out on his sailboat in the Caribbean. Was it suicide or had he staged his disappearance? The scandal around his name has not died down. His clients and the federal government all want to trace the money and find Bennett if he is still alive.

Lane is surprised to find herself moved by Mrs. Bennett’s calm dignity and apparently sincere belief in her husband’s innocence. Gradually, Lane finds herself drawn to Mark, the Bennetts’ son, who is similarly determined to prove that his father is not guilty. Lane doesn’t know that the closer she gets to the Bennetts, the more she puts her life―and her daughter’s life―in jeopardy. 

MY REVIEW / THOUGHTS:

I have a very soft place in my heart for Mary Higgins Clark.  I know I have said this before, but I am saying it again.  I didn't like reading when I was young, and never really got into reading until after I was married.  My friend told me to read one of MHC's books and I got hooked.  I read every single one of them that was out at the time, and continue to do so, and loved it.  

This book didn't disappoint.  I just love reading her books.  I love that there are always so many great characters, and that she jumps from one to the other.  It keeps me on my toes.  This book (in my opinion) had kind of a  "Devil Wears Prada" kind of feel.  hehe.

Glady is a mean, shrewd woman that is also an amazing interior designer.  People pay lots of money to get her to decorate their house.  Lane, her assistant, is a nice sweet girl who is working hard for Glady, but also has made some of her own demands to keep Glady in line.  She has to be done with work at 5:00 every day to be home with her daughter, or she would have to quit.  I love Lane.  She is a kind, savvy business woman herself.  She has learned from the best.

Glady decides to do a home remodel from an old friend probono.  The client was The wife of Parker Bennett, who has been missing for two years.  He went missing after ripping a whole bunch of people off in the financial world.  He was a bad man.  I didn't like him from the moment his name was mentioned.

While Glady takes the job she makes Lane do all the work.  In so doing she gets to know the clients son Mark Bennett.  She is drawn to him, and his charm.  Her daughter even seems to like Mark.  What she doesn't know is that, the Bennetts have a dark past, and the closer she gets to Mark the more danger her life is in.  Lane doesn't believe Mark is involved and fights for his innocence.  

This is when the story gets even more interesting.  It gets even more exciting, and the tension builds.  I love it when a book does that.  I loved every minute of this book.  I finished it the day I got it.  It has been a while between reading and writing this review...but that is because it's Summer and I choose to spend all my time with my kids and off my blog.  I decided since the book still has me thinking about it, it was time to sit down and write the review :).  It was a great book.  If you like MHC you will really like this book.

Source:  I bought this book for myself off Amazon.com.  I was not compensated in any way for this review.  These are my own PERSONAL thoughts on the book.

MY RATING:

WHERE TO BUY:

   

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

pic and bio taken from Goodreads

Mary Higgins Clark, #1 international and New York Times bestselling author, is the author of 46 books and counting: she’s written thirty-three suspense novels; three collections of short stories; a historical novel, Mount Vernon Love Story; two children’s books, including The Magical Christmas Horse; and a memoir, Kitchen Privileges. She has also written five holiday suspense novels with Carol Higgins Clark and The Cinderella Murder, a new thriller in collaboration with bestselling novelist Alafair Burke.

Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and have made her an international bestseller many times over.