Mary Higgins Clark ​

Mary Theresa Eleanor Higgins Clark Conheeney, known professionally as Mary Higgins Clark, was an American author of suspense novels. Each of her 51 books has been a bestseller in the United States and various European countries. Many of her novels have been made into movies and television films.

Quick Facts ​

• Known for her suspense novels.
• 21 of her novels are number one best sellers.
• Some of her novels were adapted for television and film.
• She co-authored several books with her daughter.
• Her books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone.
• Known as America's Queen of Suspense.

Background ​

Clark was born on 1927 in The Bronx, New York, the only daughter of Irish immigrants. Financial struggles hit her family after the death of her father when she was 11, forcing her to work while in high school. After graduating, she attended secretarial school and worked for Remington Rand in New York City. After her marriage in 1949, she became a full-time homemaker and mother, residing in Washington Township, Bergen County, New Jersey for 26 years. Her writing venture began with short stories, getting her first story published in 1956. After her husband's death in 1964, she returned to work and wrote her debut novel, Where Are The Children, published in 1975. The book became a bestseller and she went on to publish many more successful crime novels. She passed away in 2020.

Writing Style and Impact ​

Clark's writing style is marked by suspense and intrigue, with a focus on psychological depth. Her female protagonists are often strong, intelligent women caught up in dangerous situations. Her work is known for its knack for suspense and its elegant prose. She made a major impact on the suspense genre, and she has numerous bestsellers to her name. Her novels have been lauded for their compelling narratives and well-drawn characters, and she stands as a significant figure in modern suspense literature.

Notable Works ​

• Where Are the Children? (1975)
• A Stranger Is Watching (1977)
• The Cradle Will Fall (1980)
• All Around The Town (1992)
• Just Take My Heart (2009)