The Shadow of Your Smile

By Mary Higgins Clark

At age eighty-three and in failing health, Olivia Morrow knows she has little time left. The last of her line, she faces a momentous choice: expose a long-held family secret, or take it with her to her grave.

Olivia has in her possession letters from her deceased cousin Catherine, a nun, now being considered for beatification by the Catholic Church. These letters reveal that, at the age of seventeen, Catherine gave birth to a son and gave him up for adoption and they identify the father as Alex Gannon, a world-famous doctor, scientist and inventor of medical patents.

Now, two generations later, thirty-one year old paediatrician, Dr. Monica Farrell, Catherine's granddaughter, stands as the rightful heir to what remains of the Gannon family fortune. But in telling Monica who she really is and getting what is lawfully hers, Olivia would have to betray Catherine's wishes and reveal the story behind Monica's ancestry.

But as the pressure of Olivia's impending choice weighs down on her, little does she realize that Alex Gannon's grand-nephews - who are currently exploiting the Gannon inheritance to fund their profligate lifestyles - will stop at nothing to silence Olivia and prevent Monica from learning the secret, even murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK
• Release date: Apr 29, 2010
• ISBN: 9781847377883

Mary Higgins Clark

The #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark wrote over forty suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a his­torical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series including The Cinderella Murder, All Dressed in White, The Sleeping Beauty Killer, Every Breath You Take, You Don’t Own Me, and Piece of My Heart. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she coauthored five suspense novels. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers.

Reviews for The Shadow of Your Smile

[nolak_2 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Dr. Monica Farrell is the daughter of an adopted man, who did not know who his real parents were. Olivia Morrow, who is about to die, knows the truth. As Monica and Olivia try to meet, forces are against them, but also there are several ways forming to bring the truth into the open. Monica has two men who are moving into her life, one she wants and one she doesn't. There are several stories woven together that eventually form the conclusion, as is typical of Mary Higgins Clark, but this one has more than most, so keep everyone else at bay as you read it or you will miss essential pieces that you will need to understand the story.

[lgillingham_2 · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

Complicated story line and lots of inter-related characters.

[jhullie-3 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I was ever so slightly disappointed in this book. I usually adore MHC books but this one left me a little befuddled. Too many characters were introduced early on and I mixed up names continually for the first half of the book. Also, I figured out 'who done it' very quickly and was frustrated with the slow story line. Perhaps that is just a measure of my familiarity of MHC's writing style. All in all it was a good read and I did spend a couple of late nights (early mornings) absorbed in the story.

[olegalca · Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

This was one of the more interesting MHC books I've read - I liked one of the side plots of beautification in the Catholic church but there were still far too many 2 dimensional characters and she has an annoying habit of having her characters say completely idiotic things to each other. She wants us to know things but having the characters tell us makes them less believable.

[ameise1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a very fast-paced gripping reading. An old lady seeing death is thinking to make public a family secret. The heirs whom are not from the direct line of this inheritance try to stop her. A young paediatrician who doesn't know that she is the legitimate heiress is the target of being murdered. There are several homicides due to cover up the intrigues of the evil ones.

[tomwheaton · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another good read from MHC. It's hard to believe that this prolific author can continue to write stories that capture the readers interest throught the book. A quick read with short chapters that jump back and forth between characters that tell the story and keep the reader turning the pages to find out what will happen next.

[suefernandez · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Typical MHC reading...which is good, quick, semi predictable. I enjoyed this a lot, and the super short chapters, in different character voices, keep you reading. As long as she writes, I'll be reading MHC.

[dools46 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

this is a very readable story, but is very similar to others written by MHC, while I enjoyed it, it was nothing new

[marcejewels · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

From my blogMary Higgins Clark is my favourite author mainly because she is consistent and hasn't let me down yet. She found a formula that works for her and sticks to it. She gives you the intro, the story with the characters interacting so you start thinking who are the bad guys and then near the end you are reading so fast because you have to know who don't it or how they did it and there is always a little twist. At first I started thinking there are too many characters in this book but she gives you enough that you can keep track of them and begin thinking how do they relate to the suspense of the story. Monica was my favourite character and the story revolved around her. I find she always has a strong female character that comes across as genuine, someone you like. A major family secret from generations long ago and because of adopted grandparents Monica did not know her history, so was naive in thinking someone was after her and would do anything to keep the secret which included murder. I enjoyed how MaryHC showed that money don't make you happy, the glamorous and rich were definitely over their heads and miserable.

[carol420 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

When 82-year-old Olivia Morrow receives the news that she is dying and has little time left, she must make a big decision. Many years ago, her deceased cousin Catherine, who became a nun, had a big secret. And Olivia has letters in her possession that confirm the details of the fact that, at age seventeen, Catherine gave birth to a baby boy, whom she subsequently put up for adoption. The child's father, Alex Gannon, went on to become a world-famous doctor, scientist, and inventor holding medical patents.

Things become a bit more complicated when this same nun is being considered for "beatification" because of alleged miracles she has performed, by healing terminally ill children. Dr. Farrell is being called upon to "testify" as to the medical facts and supposed miracle that healed one of her patients, all in support of the sainthood of this nun. So the scene is set. What will Olivia do? And what will certain others do to keep the truth from coming to life?

I enjoyed the way the author pulled in supposedly incidental characters and created unique circumstances that would help bring down the house of cards built by the unworthy characters, somehow forestalling disaster. I like Mary Higgins Clark books. This one may not be in my top five from her but I still enjoyed it and it is well worth reading

[bookczuk · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

True to style Mary Higgins Clark, with a bit more about her beloved Catholic Church, thrown in. Made me think on what makes a saint a Saint, which was an added bonus to a breezy summertime ear-read.

[askum_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Another good book by Mary the only thing I found was this book was really predictable. After reading the first couple pages you knew who the crimes were committed by. Good book but not one of my favorites.

[lrobe190 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

Olivia Morrow, eighty- two and in failing health, has in her possession letters from her deceased cousin Catherine, a nun being considered for beatification by the Catholic Church. The letters show that Catherine gave birth at age seventeen to a son whom she gave up for adoption. The biological father, Alex Gannon, was a world-famous doctor and inventor holding medical patents. Two generations later, Monica Farrell, Catherine's granddaughter, is the rightful heir to the Gannon fortune. But in telling Monica this, Olivia would reveal her cousin's secret. The only people aware of Olivia's impending choice are those exploiting the Gannon inheritance--and they might stop at nothing to keep her quiet. (from publisher)Mary Higgins Clark's books are always fast-paced and suspenseful. This one seemed to drag a little. I found it harder to get into than most of her books. Still, it's a good story and entertaining.

[lizdugan · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This was a page turner with a fast paced format. The short chapters made it easy to read in short bursts, but I could have read it continuously. I am a first time reader of Mary Higgins Clark, but I am addicted now.

[tiffy_reads · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Another great Mary Higgins Clark book! Loved every minute of this book.

[readinggeek451 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A missing heir, financial shenanigans, hit men, dedicated doctors, and a very sick little girl add up to one of Clark's lesser novels.There is very little suspense and very few surprises. It's okay, but only okay.

[sharonmoe · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

An interesting read, but not one of her best IMO. Once I got into it it was hard to put down. But still, too many characters and not enough real surprise.

[nwieme-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Good "beach read"... a few too many interwoven characters with no substance.. I mean you can't feel bad when someone gets murdered when you know little more than their name... not the best effort by MHC, but it filled some time by the pool.

[scoutlee_1 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

The story opens with Olivia Morrow learning she has weeks to live. Olivia is in her 80s and knows she has lived a good life. Knowing the end is near, there is a secret that she has been harboring for most of her adult life. Olivia is torn on whether to keep her family’s secret or reveal the truth and the consequences that will inevitably follow.Monica Farrell is a successful pediatrician. Her current case centers around Sally, a sweet girl who has seen the inside of a hospital too many times in her short life. Dr. Farrell is at odds with the girl’s mother, who casually leaves her daughter and doesn’t show concern for her physical health.Monica is surprised when she receives a phone call from Olivia Morrow claiming to know her grandparents. Monica’s father was adopted as a young boy and she doesn’t know anything about his biological parents. Olivia asks her to meet with her so she can explain everything. Monica immediately agrees. When Monica shows up at Olivia’s home the following evening, the unexpected happens.True to the author’s style, The Shadow of Your Smile if full of characters. There’s another storyline that runs parallel to Olivia and Monica that will collide with theirs by the end of the book. Greg and Peter Gannon are nephews of the infamous doctor Alex Gannon. Greg is on the board of directors of the Gannon Foundation and is heavily involved in insider trading. Peter is a Broadway producer who hasn’t had much success. The two men are a disgrace to the Gannon name and all that Alex has stood for. When Peter is accused of a crime, the media frenzy puts an unwelcoming spotlight on the Gannon family.As Monica tries to figure out why Olivia called her, there’s a hit man following her trying to stop her from finding out Olivia’s secret. The plot moves quickly as the reader discovers the true identity of Monica’s grandparents.

[quiltinfun06 · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

I admit it. I have been a fan of Mary Higgins Clark for many, many years now. So it was a no brainer to pick up the newest tome “The Shadow of Your Smile”. I have to also admit that I didn’t like it at first and this surprised me. I usually pick it up and finish it within the first day. This wasn’t happening. Why? I would have to say that while I did ultimately enjoy the read; it was a very predictable Mary Higgins Clark story. Could it be possible that I have outgrown her? Could be.This all being said, I will add that once I did get going it was a race to the finish. There was plenty of intrigue, a hint at romance, some twist and turns all ingredients for the Higgins Clark recipe. The characters included the solid citizens, the slightly leery and the full blown villain also her signature types.I might not run right out the next time and purchase the newest of her novels. I will, however, get it from the library and take it to the beach for the pure joy of a nonsense read.