Customer Reviews

He Sees You When You're Sleeping : A Novel

5 star:		(14)
4 star:		(16)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

The Clark ladies are a formidable literary pair, often co-authoring to offer double dips of pleasure for mystery loving readers. Now, they've taken a leaf from the classic Christmas film "It's A Wonderful Life" and spiced it with danger. Carol Higgins Clark gives authentic voice to their story.

Sterling Brooks might be everyman--except for the fact that he's in heaven's anteroom, where he's been waiting for almost 50 years for admission to heaven. In his case patience isn't its own reward, and the Heavenly Council proposes a test for him. Sterling must return to Earth and prove his Pearly Gates eligibility by helping someone else.

Where to start but Manhattan and the Rockefeller Center skating rink? There he finds a woebegone seven-year-old, Marissa, whose family has been placed in the Federal Witness Protection Program due to the threats of the murderous Blodgett family. It is the Christmas season and Marissa is separated from those she loves.

It does take some work and thought on Sterling's part but, of course, the tale has a happy ending. After all, even almost-angels have mysterious powers.

Sterling Brooks is marking time in the celestial waiting room watching everyone else get their wings. As a lawyer during life, described as the kind of person who was first in the lifeboat, who never went out of his way for anyone and who was too smug and self-absorbed to notice what was going on around him (trial lawyers won't like that portrait of one of their own), it's not going to be easy for Counselor Brooks. Summoned by the Heavenly Council and informed that his only chance for admission will be his participation in an earthly experiment to recognize someone with a problem and help them solve it, Brooks is off to earn his wings. Transported back to Rockefeller Center during the holiday season, Brooks doesn't have that much time to help seven year old Marissa get reunited with her father and grandmother. The road to heaven may be paved with good intentions; but Brooks' trip takes him to the underworld of gangsters Junior and Eddie Badgett who have scared Marissa's father and grandmother into the witness protection program because of something they know.

While this book may fly off the shelves this holiday season because of its authors' following, it's not destined to take up residence next to Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" or Capra's "It's A Wonderful Life" in this reviewer's holiday collection. Sure, it's probably not expected to be a classic, but even as an afternoon read with Mel Torme crooning in the background and the chestnuts roasting on an open fire, it's a disappointment.

There's not enough humbug in me to say don't read this book during a free moment in the holiday rush. It is short at 199 pages. It's just that I think mother-daughter authors Mary Higgins Clark and Carol Higgins Clark could have done much better if they lightened up on the sugar coating.

I don't give book reviews but here goes. This one will get you to sit straight up, no slouching. My wife told me my eyes would be so wide open at times... and she was right. I can't see why anyone would not enjoy this good writing. Mary has a very real and capturing way. We have all seen movies and read books about the person who needs to do the good deed on Earth to gain rights to Peter's gate, but this one is arousing. I am not a regular reader of Mary's, my wife is, she also says this is intense. I want to recommend another book my wife ordered here, and is as satisfying, SB 1 or God By Karl Mark Maddox.

I know I now need to get ready for all of the unhelpful reviews but at least I'm honest! The entire time I was reading this book I was asking myself why was I reading something so stupid! These ladies took "IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE" and changed it around to something so lame that I can't believe it was even published. I enjoy reading M. H. Clark because she has some nice, mild thrillers with great stories. This book was not a thriller, nor was it a great story! A lawyer is sent back to earth (to get his wings--hmmmmmmmmmm where have we heard that before?) to help a slightly sad little girl who has a great life. There, I've told you the story and you don't have to read it!

What super read! I had trouble putting this one down!!! The title should be compared to the Christmas movie, It's A Wonderful LIfe but with an added twist, 'Danger...' This story will get your blood a pumpin' and your heart a thumpin'. In my opinion--a must read!

I read every single one of Mary Higgins Clark's hardcover books and none is like this. This book did not contain the trademark suspense thrilling storyline that I have come to love about Ms. Clark's writings. I just finished the book because I am an avid Mary Higgins Clark fan. But this book, unfortunately, was a big disappointment. However, I will continue reading anything this spectacular author produces.

He Sees You When You Are Sleeping is an entertaining, heartfelt and moving story about perseverance, redemption an most importantly, love!

A story everyone will enjoy.

Like many Mary Higgins Clark fans, I raced to the bookstore to get my annual Higgins fix....and was sorely disappointed. I just read everyone else's review, so I see I'm in the minority, but I found this less than a page turner. I put it down SEVERAL times and didn't really care that much to pick it back up except that I felt I should somehow. I thought the characters were shallow with little real motivation. The plot was contrived. The outcome was obvious. The book had none of the suspense or twists I've come to admire. Just label me Scrooge, I guess!

I hate to knock a book about Christmas, and angels and all that good stuff, but this is just too childish. Actually it would be good for my twelve year old grand-daughter so all may not be lost. This is the second loser by mom/daughter that I have read and I wish they would give it up. Even the last Mary H C I read was trite and poor and not worth the time. Sorry this just is not a good read, period.

Well, being the long-time Mary Higgins Clark fan that I am I really thought I'd like this book. But truth be told, this holiday "thriller" is a thunker. It delivers no pinache or pizazz and is written on a 3rd grade level. As a Christian, I am also unhappy with the plot. It's the most unoriginal and tired storyline I've ever read, due to the poor writing it almost is as though they're making fun of Christianity! The lead character was a self-absorbed jerk who lived only for himself and was afraid of commitment "here on earth," so the saints send him back to prove he's got a good heart. You read the first chapter and you know exactly how the darn thing will end.

It is not chilling with mystery. The only criminal aspect is that the little girl this kindred spirit is to save has a father in the Mafia. They try to make it a heart-warming tale as well (which puts the hope of any book being a good mystery right in the stew pot with the burner on high).

Mary does well on her own, but Carol's books are notoriously bland. The recipe for a good mystery book simply does not have "co-write with your daughter" in the ingredients. Pick up It or On the Street Where You Live for a suspense novel you'll never forget.