(image: Michael Buckner/Getty Images)
Mary Higgins Clark, the beloved author best known as the “queen of suspense”, has passed away at the age of 92. Higgins Clark wrote 56 books, all of which became bestsellers, with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. For many mystery fans, her work was a gateway that led to a lifelong love of the genre.
It is with deep sadness we say goodbye to the “Queen of Suspense” Mary Higgins Clark, author of over 40 bestselling suspense titles. She passed away peacefully this evening, January 31, at the age of 92 surrounded by family and friends. pic.twitter.com/SoAGqBebRP
— Simon & Schuster (@SimonBooks) February 1, 2020
Higgins Clark became a widow at 37, left to raise her 5 children alone. She found work as a radio series scriptwriter and sold short stories while struggling to support her family. In 1975, at the age of 48, her first suspense novel Where Are the Children? was published and became a hit. From then on, she continued writing at a brisk pace and earned a legion of fans.
Michael Korda, Editor-in-Chief Emeritus of Simon & Schuster, said of Higgins Clark, “She was unique. Nobody ever bonded more completely with her readers than Mary did; she understood them as if they were members of her own family. She was always absolutely sure of what they wanted to read—and, perhaps more important, what they didn’t want to read—and yet she managed to surprise them with every book.”
Many fellow authors and fans took to social media pay tribute to Mary Higgins Clark.
The work of Mary Higgins Clark was so immense and reached so many people-I used to read her books all summer and couldn’t put them down until they were finished. Very few authors have this kind of storytelling talent. Rest In Peace, Ms. Clark and thank you. https://t.co/iLKlTxO1df
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) February 1, 2020
Very sad to hear of the passing of the great Mary Higgins Clark. She was a wonderful and warm person, and she paved the way for women in suspense fiction. What a loss. Condolences to her wonderful family. https://t.co/F4kY9YSKXQ
— Lisa Scottoline (@LisaScottoline) February 1, 2020
She magically managed to keep the readers reading. “She was unique. Nobody ever bonded more completely with her readers than Mary did. She was always sure of what they wanted to read & what they didn’t want, and surprised them with her 50+ books” her longtime editor Michael Korda pic.twitter.com/BooYoDUQGS
— Hussein Sabrie (@Husseinsabrie) February 1, 2020
Goodnight to one of the greatest and nicest. Mary Higgins Clark has died. I spent so many days with her and Carol raising money for literacy. Truly a legend — and one of the kindest. #RIPMaryHigginsClark https://t.co/Wyjv5nveRN
— Brad Meltzer (@bradmeltzer) February 1, 2020
“When someone is mean to me, I just make them a victim in my next book.”
-Mary Higgins Clark (she told me this during an interview once!) Rest In Peace dear Mary. pic.twitter.com/pT9YLq4KYb— Raymond Arroyo (@RaymondArroyo) February 1, 2020
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Kudos to my Tosa neighbors who built a six foot tall Baby Yoda snowman!! ❄️♥️ pic.twitter.com/bLN3H536O1
— Karen (@kdub10s) January 25, 2020
Why on earth soundcloud proposes the following track after yours ?? https://t.co/vY7rjBmbOp
Tried several times, same following one… pic.twitter.com/hIdTXLIlBn— JeanSébastien GALLOO (@jsgalloo) January 31, 2020
Are you boldly going into the weekend or getting scared of your own shadow, Mary Suevians?
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