Customer Reviews

No Place Like Home: A Novel

5 star:		(31)
4 star:		(23)
3 star:		(26)
2 star:		(16)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Alex Nolan saw the house in Mendham, New Jersey and bought it as a surprise for his wife Celia as a birthday present. Celia is shocked and speechless because it is the same home where she grew up in until she was 10 years old. Her mother, Audrey Barton was accidentally shot by Celia, known back then as Liza Barton, and her stepfather, Ted Cartwright was seriously wounded. There was a trial, but Liza was acquitted. She was adopted by distant relatives and relocated to California. Liza returned years later as "Celia Kellog" to New York to attend the Fashion Institute and fell in love with her first husband Larry Foster. When he died, Larry left his estate to his wife and son, holding her to the promise that she would never reveal her true identity. She met Alex Nolan and a romance very quickly blossomed. Living in Mendham was a chance for them to start fresh. Alex was a successful attorney and was going to head his firm's New Jersey office. Alex seemingly did not pay attention when his realtor Georgette Grove tried to disclose the story of Liza Barton to him. Their house over the years had become known as Little Liza's place and had been recently vandalized. As police try to follow up on the vandalism, two murders take place. Celia is suspected in both, especially as her former identity is disclosed. As she is haunted by her own memories, Celia becomes more determined to reveal the truth of what happened 24 years ago. Well-done, nicely tied together, with great twist at the end.

I love Mary Higgins Clark books. I have read every single one. With that said, I can't say this is her best, or even in her top 15. But I did read it all the way through, and it was entertaining, though somewhat unbelievable.

Positive points: admirable protagonist, beautiful and smart (typical, of course!) Many characters to draw suspects from, several twists and turns that keep you reading. Also, family-friendly writing; you can always lend MHC books to your teenager and your grandma without worrying about the content.

Not so great points: The "coincidences" that were pretty hard to believe. Also, the circumstances that the storyline takes place within are also questionable. You may question the main character's judgment at times and wonder what she was/is thinking. As long as you don't think about it too hard, you'll be able to look past these things.

Bottom line- if you like a quick mystery/thriller and aren't bothered by glitches in the storytelling or circumstances, then you'll enjoy this book.

My husband and I listened to the unabridged audio cd of this book on a car trip and we were captivated! This author is exceptional. We couldn't wait to hear what happened next as we listened to each mesmerizing chapter. I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good old fashioned mystery filled with intrigue. Great character development and the reader was terrific. Don't hesitate... buy this one!

Mary Higgins Clark is an excellent mystery writer. Her use of flashback writing always brings the reader a strong connection to the main character. This novel is no exception. Here the main character Celia lives in fear that her true identity will be found out. She struggles to remember what happened the night that she accidentally killed her mother and injured her stepfather. This struggle allows the reader to sympathize with Celia, and immediately draws the reader into the mystery of what really happened. Although the character keeps most people at arms length, her obvious devotion to her family comes through in this story.

I have read all of Ms. Higgins-Clark's novels, and like another reviewer, it also took me some time to pick up No Place Like Home. But, unlike some, I found this novel riveting, and hard to put down. The writing style was something new, the plot something original and interesting, and the characters still held the same warmth and life of the author's previous works. Personally, I'm waiting anxiously for the new book, and am currently re-reading some old favorites!

MHC used to be my favorite author, but then the last several books of hers seemed to have been writen by someone else. When I saw her latest, I hesitated only because I've been left disappointed in the past. I actually read through the first several pages at the bookstore ... just in case. Right off the bat, No Place Like Home felt like a MHC book. The old MHC. Not the MHC who wrote Nightime is My Time or Daddy's Little Girl. (Those poor trees!) I'm thoroughly enjoying this book, despite its having several coincidental occasions (that's why there's only 4 stars, as opposed to 5). I don't mind suspending belief for a time because MHC has managed to sprinke some of her old magic through the book. Fans of MHC will enjoy this one.

For me, Clark is the teflon author. Despite the fact that her dialogue is laughable (writes like a 70 year old even though her characters are 30 somethings), and her plots are getting totally predictable, I am always engrossed by her books until the very last word on the very last page. The thing is she still knows how to concoct a swift and enjoyable read, that makes at least this reader forget all the flaws. She will always be one of my favorites.

Mary Higgins Clark is by far one of the greatest writers ever - and this book just confirms yet again that she found her true calling in life!

True to her reputation - Higgins Clark gives us a story previously untouched.. Imagine the horror of your mother dying infront of your young ten-year-old eyes - and then being accused of murdering her.. You finally are aquitted of the murder and move away and on with your life.. You marry the perfect man - but based on a deathbed promise - you don't tell him about your past.. And as a present he buys you a house.. The same house where your mother died..

Before long people start turning up dead - one-by-one - and now your scared that people will recognise and eventually blame you for the murders..

Who will you trust?

Five out of Five - Excellent easy read!..

Always Mirren.

The only reason I gave this one star is because Amazon won't let me give it zero stars. The writing in this book is so amateurish that if it had been sent to a publisher by an unknown writer it would have been immediately rejected.

I thought Clark couldn't get any worse than her last book "Nightime Is My Time", but with her latest "No Place Like Home", she surpassed "Nightime".

There isn't room to list everything that's wrong with this book. The lowlights are: Chapters alternate between first and third person, which makes a very jarring, disruptive and irritating read. No character development; all so one dimensional it's impossible to care what happens to any of them.

A weak, dimwitted heroine who holds to a unrealistic deathbed promise to her first husband, agonizes over what to wear today, and seems naturally inclined to make dumb decisions. When she finally decides to tell her second husband she is really Lizzie (afterall, the NY Post is going to front page it the next day!), she leaves a phone message for him to call her, turns off her phone, takes a sleeping pill and goes to bed!

Possibly the most grating, infuriating aspect is the repeated unrealistic police procedures and actions. A reporter thinks another murder may occur so the prosecutor gives her a key piece of evidence because he "owes her". Good grief!

I can't believe this book and "Nightime" were written by the Mary Higgins Clark I have read for years. This latest effort seems geared to a young teenage mentality and could, in fact, have been written by a teenager, given the very, very amateurish writing.

A family Christmas is woven together with memories that are so real, you'll feel like you were there when they happened.