MARY HIGGINS CLARK: A Book Review (Pt. 2)

While My Pretty One Sleeps

Book Cover

While My Pretty One Sleeps was one of Mary Higgins Clark wonderful creations. This novel was published in 1989. It was also made into a television adaptation in 1997.

Main Characters:

Neeve Kearny - A famous fashion designer at New York City. One of the characters that is eager to solve the murder case of Ethel Lambston.
Ethel Lambston - A bestselling author known for her juicy exposes. A regular customer of Neeve's Place, Neeve's own fashion boutique.
Myles Kearny - Father of Neeve. A retired police officer.
Douglas Brown - The hateful nephew of Ethel.
Seamus Lambston - Ethel's ex-husband.
Gordon Steuber - A fashion designer who got in trouble because of his cases on tax evasion and drug trafficking.
"Uncle Sal" - The killer.

Story Plot:

Neeve Kearny was maybe the only person that is worried by the sudden disappearance of Ethel Lambston. When Ethel's body was found with her throat cut, Neeve suddenly remembered all her memories about the death of her mother, Renata, twenty years ago. As she and her father, Myles, tried to solve the case, she later found out that her life is in danger, too. With the help of Myles' new-found friend, Kitty Conway, they were able to solve the mystery puzzle of Ethel's death and discovered that the one who killed her wife, Renata, is the same killer of Ethel.

At first, there were three primary suspects for Ethel's death. Douglas Brown was found to be living in Ethel's place after when Neeve went to her place to deliver her latest purchase of clothing. When Douglas said that he has no idea where Ethel can be found, he was immediately become a suspect. Another suspect is Seamus Lambston, who happens to be Ethel's ex-husband. He was paying Ethel in alimony since their divorce. The night before Ethel's disappearance, they fought over their issue about the alimony, which triggered Seamus to punch Ethel. Lastly, Gordon Steuber was alleged in killing Ethel because of his personal hate to Ethel when she found out that Gordon was selling drugs.

Until, Neeve found out that the man he treated with respect and love was the same person who killed her mother and Ethel. He is no other than the "Uncle Sal" she used to know. Uncle Sal's motive in killing Renata Kearny is about the ownership of the fashion boutique. He had killed Ethel because he found she was able to found out that he stole the Pacific Reef design from Renata. Then, he planned to kill Neeve to keep her from solving the case, and finding out the truth.

Myles was just in time to save the life of his daughter from a man he thought was his companion.

Point of View:

The story was written in the third person point of view with an omniscient narrator, wherein the narrator was only telling the actions of the characters in the novel.

What's My Say?

The story is a thriller-romance combination. At first, I wasn't able to visualize the story since it was in a 1988 fashion trend setting (which I don't have an idea for I was a 90's baby. :P) But with the use of its chosen point of view, I easily understand where the story will lead, and that for me is very effective. The anticipation it gave me really get me hooked-up with the story.