Reading Mary Higgins Clark always reminds me of watching Murder She Wrote. The show usually had three plotlines --- the standard "rule of three" --- and by the end of the hour it had was wrapped neatly like a nice package with Angela Lansbury tying up the loose ends by solving the case brilliantly. Though we knew the formula, it never kept us from tuning in, usually for the sheer pleasure of escape and watching the story unfold.

The three plots in  ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT concern a stolen chalice, a missing baby and a will which seems to be fraudulent. To solve the mystery, she revives her beloved characters Alvirah and Willy Meehan --- the former cleaning woman and plumber who won the lottery and left their life in Jackson Heights, Queens for an apartment on Central Park. Like Angela Lansbury, the two of them have fun along the way to solving the puzzle.  

The pace is swift and the story is a pure escape --- totally fun Mary Higgins Clark. I admit however, that I am still trying to conjur up what melody of the song, "All Through the Night" sounds like.

This holiday season, put aside your chores and curl up on the couch with ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT. When you close it you will be relaxed and more ready to enjoy the festivities. And then you might just want to tuck a copy into someone's stocking or gift bag, as well.


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