Mary Jane Clark

Short chapters and multiple point of views make for an interesting compliment to this novel which seems to mix suspense fiction with aspects of both mystery and thriller genres. The story is fast-paced as the author quickly moves you from one head into another. Yet, the puzzle you are trying to get all of the pieces to is very complex. The pages of “Dying for Mercy” are layered with not only slightly obscure, yet auspicious clues, but also a wealth of suspicious characters.
One show more particular, anonymous point of view----always written in italics—who seems to have everything to lose, lends a deeply enigmatic element as well as a spooky touch. Also, Innes Wheelock, the man whose death the puzzle of this novel evolves around, is an elaborately baffling character. He is an enigma in the best sense of the word. The mix of a life of excess and prestige weaves with his religious ideals and goals of justice. With his death, he begins a puzzle for those connected to him in a mind of forcing repentance.
Mary Jane Clark has a way of making you question everyone. With her omniscient point of view, all that is purposefully left unsaid along with the little hints the reader does get, makes her excel in her craft. I was even questioning the good guys!
Her setting of Tuxedo Park is a wonderful, complimentary backdrop—extravagant—lending wealth, beauty, excess and the illusion of safety. It is rare an author comes up with a setting that so matches the characters, the setting becomes a character in its own right.
Thinking back over the story, for a murder mystery, her characters were well-crafted, circling their personalities around the character Innes and his suicide. The story was really about motivations right to the very end. You find yourself questioning not only what motivated the initial suicide and following murders, but, what keeps you reading, is the goal of finding out what is being covered up. show less

I wanted to try a book by this prolific New York Times bestselling author, and a mystery involving a bakery seemed right up my alley.

Piper Donovan is an out-of-work actress who is helping her mom with her bakery, “The Icing on the Cupcake.”

Piper, 27 and “gorgeous” has only ever wanted two things out of life: to act, and to fall in love. During high school, her role model was Carrie Bradshaw from “Sex and the City.” [You can tell this will not be a feminist tract.]

Piper used to show more co-star in a daytime soap opera along with her best friend Glenna Brooks, who is now quitting the series to marry a man she hardly knows, Casey Walden. She asks Piper if her mom's bakery will make the wedding cake, and Piper is thrilled, but nervous.

Piper dates, but has no one steady in her life except a handsome guy ("just friends") she met at karate class, FBI Agent Jack Donovan. And it is with this relationship that the author shows why she has so many female fans. After dinner over at Jack’s apartment, Jack cleans up the table. [That alone would get my hormones in an uproar, but there’s more!]

'Piper watched as Jack cleared the dishes away. The sleeves of his V-neck sweater were pushed up, revealing his muscular forearms. As he turned and carried the plates to the sink, she couldn’t help but admire his tall, trim build and broad shoulders.”

The little titillation between Piper and Jack aside, dead bodies start piling up on the set of the soap opera. (Piper is on the set once more to film a dream sequence in which her former dead character appears.) Piper and Jack cogitate on who the murderer could be (when not taking stock of each other’s assets).

And in a final baking frenzy, Glenna’s wedding cake is made. But will Glenna be alive to eat it? [And seriously, would a movie star eat cake ANYway?!!!]

This is only the first of this series, so I have no doubt we’ll see more of Piper piping icing, and Jack fighting to maintain his trim build in spite of the constant temptation of Piper’s cookies….

Evaluation: Fast and diverting read if you’re up for a cozy mystery. It includes a tempting recipe for buttercream icing suitable for 100 people. [That ought to hold me for a weekend…] show less

Footprints In The Sand
By
Mary Jane Clark

My "in a nutshell" summary...

Florida...sun...sand...and...murder...actually more than one murder.

My thoughts after reading this book...

Hmmm...there are tons of interesting characters in this book...and I suspected each and everyone of them while I was reading. And can I just say that every once in a while I love books with lots of really short chapters? Yum! This book had the best short chapters ever...each one made me suspect someone new. I truly did show more not suspect the real murderer until the very end...and just so you know...it was the very last person I would ever suspect!

Let me briefly tell you what happened. This is what I would call a light hearted mystery so I will not be revealing anything major...it would spoil the fun of this delightful book! Piper...the Nancy Drew character in this book...is in Sarasota for her cousin Kathy's wedding. A friend of Kathy's disappears and this starts a progression of horrible events. Murders...mayhem...alligators...and...Puffer Fish! It is just fun and entertaining and well written.

What I loved about this book...

In a word? Everything! There are tantalizing food descriptions and beaches and wild life and quirky characters and mysterious characters and again...I suspected everyone. I loved it! I love the kind of cozy mystery where a supporting character makes a really bad choice and you know ultimately...it's curtains for them! Great fun!

What I did not love...

There is a recipe for Aunt Nora's Siesta Key Lime Pie in the back of the book...easy, no baking, and now I am forced to make it. Fictional Aunt Nora says it's the best.

Final thoughts...

What a delightful fun book this was. I have not read a Mary Jane Clark book in ages...she has written tons...but I loved Piper. I need to check out more of these books. If you love a relaxing cozy suspenseful mystery...this is an amazing one to choose. show less

To Have and to Kill was the first book that I have read by Mary Jane Clark. It was an easy to read, cozy mystery. It would be great for a cold day inside or a day at the beach.

It was about Piper, an out of work actress and the murder of one of her friends. This wasn't the best mystery ever. There is too much stuff going on that has nothing to do with anything else. Things are described too death while the story is kind of glossed over. The author doesn't let the reader think for themselves. show more I like a mystery where things are implied more and you need to use your imagination more. I wouldn't recommend this book to hard core mystery buffs but it would be good for everyday, nice light reading lovers. show less