It Only Takes a Moment [Mass Market Paperback]

Mary Jane Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 28, 2009

A seasoned television professional—the host of the top-rated KEY News morning show—Eliza Blake has reported on tragedies many times from behind the anchor's desk . . . and she has survived devastating crises of her own. But only now is she learning the true meaning of terror when her seven-year-old daughter, Janie, is kidnapped from summer camp. Forced to suffer through a mother's worst nightmare in the glare of the camera lights, Eliza finds herself trapped in a media circus as the police and FBI explore every avenue . . . and every lead winds up at a dead end.

But Eliza isn't going to just sit around and wait for answers—because every minute wasted in the desperate race to reveal the shocking motives of a ruthless abductor brings a frightened little girl one minute closer to her death.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

New York City news anchor Eliza Blake, now back at the morning TV show KEY to America, pays a price for her high media profile in this riveting novel of suspense from bestseller Clark (When Day Breaks). When kidnappers seize Eliza's seven-year-old daughter, Janie, and Eliza's Hispanic housekeeper on their way home from camp in New Jersey, Eliza's comfortable life turns into a living nightmare. The FBI, local law enforcement and Eliza's news team work around the clock to discover the identities and locations of the kidnappers. When a psychic arrives at Eliza's doorstep, claiming to know details of the kidnapping that weren't released to the press, Eliza is convinced that the psychic can help find Janie. Suspicious letters, ransom notes and mysterious clues heighten the suspense. A multitude of red herrings will keep the reader guessing to the shocking conclusion. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

From Booklist

KEY News anchor Eliza Blake is back hosting the morning show, and she couldn’t be happier, since working mornings means more time with her eight-year-old daughter, Janie. But when Janie and the nanny fail to come home from camp one day, Eliza’s worst fear—that her very public persona has put her family at risk—is realized. Could the kidnapper be an obsessed fan? In Clark’s trademark fashion, suspects and red herrings proliferate, and all the while the guilty party is within arm’s reach. Supporting roles by Eliza’s boyfriend, Mack, and her KEY News co-workers help make this an entertaining entry in a pleasant if formulaic series. --Mary Frances Wilkens --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Avon; Reprint edition (July 28, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061286109
• ISBN-13: 978-0061286100
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.2 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (70 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #430,134 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Mary Jane Clark is the New York Times bestselling author of fourteen novels: 12 KEY News media thrillers and 2 Piper Donovan/Wedding Cake Mysteries. A former writer and producer at CBS News in New York City, Clark is the daughter of an FBI agent and mother of two. She lives in Florida and New Jersey.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars "Time is of the essence.", August 10, 2008

By 

E. Bukowsky "booklover10" (NY United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Only Takes a Moment: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

In Mary Jane Clark's "It Only Takes a Moment," Eliza Blake is the popular host of a morning television show who dotes on her seven-year-old daughter, Janie. When Janie is abducted along with her nanny, Eliza is devastated. She is inconsolable, even though her colleagues and friends rally around her and give her much needed support. The question is: Who took Janie and Mrs. Garcia and why? FBI agents explore every credible lead, hoping to find the missing pair before it is too late.

Clark's writing style is very simple and straightforward. Each chapter is, at most, a few pages long and some are as short as half a page. The characters are thinly drawn: Eliza is beautiful, bright, even-tempered, and thoroughly likeable. Carmen Garcia, Eliza's Guatemalan housekeeper, is an altruistic and pious woman who puts Janie's welfare ahead of her own. Eliza's devoted boyfriend, Mack, flies in from London to be at her side during this difficult time. The villains are ciphers with no distinct personalities. Clark throws in a number of red herrings and a final twist to deliver the obligatory surprise ending.

This is a formulaic and unchallenging thriller in which Clark deals superficially with the predatory nature of media executives who want to get the story first at all costs. Clark's writing should appeal to readers who dislike overt violence and profanity, since the author assiduously avoids explicit language and gore. "It Only Takes a Moment" is escapist entertainment suitable for an airplane trip or a lazy summer afternoon.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not worth your time, August 19, 2008

By 

alligator "shopper100%" - See all my reviews

This review is from: It Only Takes a Moment: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

I've read all of her books and usually enjoy them but this one was a big disappointment. In fact if she repeated herself, which happens quite often in this book, I'd just skim ahead. I couldn't wait to finish it so I could move on to something more interesting. The story fell flat and I wouldn't recommend it.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Good, Easy Read, July 29, 2008

By 

S. Atman (Southern California) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: It Only Takes a Moment: A Novel of Suspense (Hardcover)

(What's this?)

I love mystery/suspense novels, and this one really came across. It's a quick, easy read, although the story keeps the reader engaged and turning pages.

"It Only Takes A Moment" follows a kidknapping through the five days the girl is missing. It is laid out in short chapters that jump between the girl, her mom, her nanny, the mom's best friends, the mom's boss, the FBI, and the kidknappers.

The plot includes several good red herrings and a (small) twist at the very end that really makes the story. Note: Mystery/suspense readers will find the plot similar to another popular novel. I see this as coincidence, and it didn't affect the quality or enjoyment of the book.