The Queen of Suspense: Mary Higgins Clark

A prolific writer, Mary Higgins Clark, has written over 42 novels. Her favorite protagonist has always been the intelligent, strong-willed and heroic woman. 

She has smartly used popular song titles as her book titles (Let Me Call You Sweetheart, Remember Me, Moonlight Becomes You, etc.).  

New York City and it's neighboring cities have been used again and again as her locations which adds an element of class to her stories. 

You won't find gory murder scenes or foul-mouthed dialogues in her stories. There's always a familial element to her story lines that makes it better and more realistic.

Her characters and villains typically belong to the Upper-Middle class strata of Society which adds sophistication to her story lines.

She's also been an influence to her family members that her daughter (Carol Higgins Clark) and ex-daughter-in-law (Mary Jane Clark) became writers as well. She has collaborated with Carol Higgins Clark on several stories as well.

I never get tired of reading her novels. I like her stories so much that I've recommended her to my cousins and they got hooked as well. 

JOHN GRISHAM AND HIS LEGAL THRILLERS

A fugitive lawyer, a reluctant heiress, a grandson seeking redemption, a couple planning to skip Christmas, crooked judges lording over a prison, a man seeking justice for his daughter, an idealistic lawyer, a rainmaker...a runaway jury----These are just some of the unforgettable myriad of characters created by lawyer-turned-wirter, John Grisham.

The world of law has never been the same since he first came out with his first novel, "A Time To Kill." And since then he has cultivated a following that has anticipated his new legal thrillers. Even Hollywood has joined the bandwagon, turning his novels into blockbusters.

For this year, I had a John Grisham marathon---reading 3-4 books of his back-to-back. I never do get tired of his seemingly formulaic story lines or heroes. There's still the mystery of knowing whodunit...Not all of his novels have happy endings. Even his rogue heroes gets their comeuppance.

Here are some of his novels that I highly recommend: 'A Time to Kill', 'The Confession', 'The Litigators', 'The Firm', 'The Runaway Jury', 'The Chamber', 'The Appeal'...

You should also try his novels about Theodore Boone, Kid Detective. It's funny and poignat and you can have your kids read them.

You'll never get bored reading any of John Grisham's legal thrillers. (the visual traveler)

My Guilty Pleasure: Judith McNaught Novels

If I were to be asked what my guilty pleasure will be, it's  Judith McNaught's romance novels. Her bestselling novels are part of my reading collection.

Her story lines and character descriptions might be the same---the intelligent, brooding, and successful leading man---the beautiful, independent and damsel-in-distress heroine---they fall in love, separate and then find their way back in each other's arms---it's your classic love story formula but it works all the time.

The first novel that I read from her vast collections is "Paradise". I didn't sleep the entire night in order to finish the book and by the end I had tears in my eyes.

I know it sounds sappy but I really enjoy reading her historical and contemporary novels. And once in a while, I reread my favorite titles. Every year, it has been a tradition for me to reread my favorite McNaught novels. I still fall in love with the characters.

I'm more inclined to her contemporary stories than her historical ones but all the same I really like the way she writes. I can't wait for her new novel which (cross my fingers) will be launched this year. (thevisualtraveler)