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Regan Reilly Mysteries # 4.5
Deck the Halls
Mary Higgins Clark, America's Queen of Suspense, has joined forces with her daughter, bestselling author Carol Higgins Clark, to create a brilliant and exciting story of high stakes, intrigue and detection in a kidnapping played out against a holiday setting.
Three days before Christmas, Alvirah Meehan, the famous lottery winner and amateur detective, meets Regan in a New Jersey dentist's office. Regan is there in search of her busy father, who is scheduled for a routine visit. However, it is soon apparent that Luke Reilly is not going to keep his appointment,
But Regan's worry turns to panic when a call comes through on her cell phone telling her that her father and his driver Rosita Gonzalez, are being held for $1,000,000 ransom. She turns to Alvirah, because although Regan is a licensed detective in L.A., it is Alvirah who has the valuable contacts amongst the ranks of New York's law enforcement community.
As Regan and Alvirah desperately try to meet the harsh demands and tough deadline of the kidnappers, Luke and Rosita, held captive on a decrepit houseboat
moored in the Hudson River, are becoming increasingly terrified. And to make matters worse, a winter storm is gathering, putting their lives in even greater danger ...
'Deck The Halls' is filled with twists and turns , intrigue and danger, as well as a hearty dose of holiday cheer. Mary and Carol Higgins Clark have created a breathless yet heartwarming story of suspense in their first collaboration - a Christmas classic for many holiday seasons to come.
Three days before Christmas, Alvirah Meehan, the famous lottery winner and amateur detective, meets Regan in a New Jersey dentist's office. Regan is there in search of her busy father, who is scheduled for a routine visit. However, it is soon apparent that Luke Reilly is not going to keep his appointment,
But Regan's worry turns to panic when a call comes through on her cell phone telling her that her father and his driver Rosita Gonzalez, are being held for $1,000,000 ransom. She turns to Alvirah, because although Regan is a licensed detective in L.A., it is Alvirah who has the valuable contacts amongst the ranks of New York's law enforcement community.
As Regan and Alvirah desperately try to meet the harsh demands and tough deadline of the kidnappers, Luke and Rosita, held captive on a decrepit houseboat
moored in the Hudson River, are becoming increasingly terrified. And to make matters worse, a winter storm is gathering, putting their lives in even greater danger ...
'Deck The Halls' is filled with twists and turns , intrigue and danger, as well as a hearty dose of holiday cheer. Mary and Carol Higgins Clark have created a breathless yet heartwarming story of suspense in their first collaboration - a Christmas classic for many holiday seasons to come.
292 pages, Paperback
First published November 30, 2000
About the author
Mary Higgins Clark
570 books12.4k followersThe #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark has written thirty-eight 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. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she has coauthored five more suspense novels.
Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and made her an international bestseller many times over.
Clark’s books have sold more than 100 million copies in the United States alone. Her books are beloved around the world and made her an international bestseller many times over.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 502 reviews
November 28, 2018
This is a kidnapping plot situated three days near Christmas. The reason why it didn't get 4 stars is because the authors (count them), ran out of ideas sooner. But I heaved a sigh of relief when having read it, as its brevity was its saving grace.
This book, written by Mary Higgins Clark, and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, is a crossover of two series. In the more popular author's corner, we have Alvirah Meehan, a sexagenarian, and her husband Willy.
On Carol Higgins Clark's side, there is Regan Reilly. She is a PI and is part of the crew trying to foil the kidnapping and rescue the victims. A crossover is a tricky task to execute. I thought it was well done. I'm in two minds regarding which character was ultimately the more useless. Still this is a solid book, and introduces Jack Reilly, Regan's future hubby.
This book, written by Mary Higgins Clark, and her daughter, Carol Higgins Clark, is a crossover of two series. In the more popular author's corner, we have Alvirah Meehan, a sexagenarian, and her husband Willy.
On Carol Higgins Clark's side, there is Regan Reilly. She is a PI and is part of the crew trying to foil the kidnapping and rescue the victims. A crossover is a tricky task to execute. I thought it was well done. I'm in two minds regarding which character was ultimately the more useless. Still this is a solid book, and introduces Jack Reilly, Regan's future hubby.
February 7, 2017
دوستانِ گرانقدر، این کتاب از 190 صفحه و 11 فصل تشکیل شده است و از آن دسته از داستانهایست که زندگی های مختلف را همزمان مورد بررسی قرار داده و هرکدام را به نوعی به داستان مرتبط میسازد
داستان به نوعی هیجانی و جنایی است... اصلِ داستان حول محور خانواده ای میگردد که با شکستنِ پای مادر خانواده یعنی «نورا» برنامه هایی که برای کریسمس داشته اند خراب شده است و فرزند خانواده «ریگان» خود را مقصر میداند، چراکه زیر اندازی را برای مادر خریده و پاشنهٔ کفشِ «نورا» در آن گیر کرده و پایش شکسته است و سعی دارد تا با رساندنِ خود به خانواده در شب کریسمس، این موضوع را جبران کند
در این میان، دو آدم ربا به نام های «سی بی» که از ارث و میراث کلان چیزی نصیبش نشده است و «پیتی» نقاش ساختمانی که همیشه تنها بوده و حالت های روان پریشانه دارد.. که در داستان در موردِ آنها توضیح میدهد، پدر خانواده یعنی «لوک» و رانندهٔ لیموزینش «رزیتا» را دزدیده و طلب پول میکنند و «سی بی» اهدافی دارد که با دزدیدنِ «لوک» قصد رسیدن به آنها را دارد
تمامی خانواده ها و اشخاصی که در داستان از آنها یاد شده، به نوعی در شب کریسمس به یکدیگر مربوط میشوند
آیا هر کدام از شخصیت های داستان میتوانند شبِ کریسمس در کنار خانوادهٔ خویش باشند؟؟ از میان تمامی این شخصیت ها هر کدام برای کریسمس و تعطیلات برنامه ای دارند... کدامیک نمیتواند به هدفِ خود دست یابد؟!؟
عزیزانم، بهتر است خودتان این داستان را خوانده و از سرنوشتِ آن آگاه شوید
----------------------------------------------
امیدوارم این توضیحات، جهتِ معرفی این کتاب، کافی و مفید بوده باشه
«پیروز باشید و ایرانی»
داستان به نوعی هیجانی و جنایی است... اصلِ داستان حول محور خانواده ای میگردد که با شکستنِ پای مادر خانواده یعنی «نورا» برنامه هایی که برای کریسمس داشته اند خراب شده است و فرزند خانواده «ریگان» خود را مقصر میداند، چراکه زیر اندازی را برای مادر خریده و پاشنهٔ کفشِ «نورا» در آن گیر کرده و پایش شکسته است و سعی دارد تا با رساندنِ خود به خانواده در شب کریسمس، این موضوع را جبران کند
در این میان، دو آدم ربا به نام های «سی بی» که از ارث و میراث کلان چیزی نصیبش نشده است و «پیتی» نقاش ساختمانی که همیشه تنها بوده و حالت های روان پریشانه دارد.. که در داستان در موردِ آنها توضیح میدهد، پدر خانواده یعنی «لوک» و رانندهٔ لیموزینش «رزیتا» را دزدیده و طلب پول میکنند و «سی بی» اهدافی دارد که با دزدیدنِ «لوک» قصد رسیدن به آنها را دارد
تمامی خانواده ها و اشخاصی که در داستان از آنها یاد شده، به نوعی در شب کریسمس به یکدیگر مربوط میشوند
آیا هر کدام از شخصیت های داستان میتوانند شبِ کریسمس در کنار خانوادهٔ خویش باشند؟؟ از میان تمامی این شخصیت ها هر کدام برای کریسمس و تعطیلات برنامه ای دارند... کدامیک نمیتواند به هدفِ خود دست یابد؟!؟
عزیزانم، بهتر است خودتان این داستان را خوانده و از سرنوشتِ آن آگاه شوید
----------------------------------------------
امیدوارم این توضیحات، جهتِ معرفی این کتاب، کافی و مفید بوده باشه
«پیروز باشید و ایرانی»
November 11, 2022
کریسمس در خانه خواهم بود
اثر مری کلارک
ترجمه مهین قهرمان
به سختی کتاب را تمام کردم
بجز هیجان و تعلیق نسبی داستان چیز دیگری برای جذب نبود
اثر مری کلارک
ترجمه مهین قهرمان
به سختی کتاب را تمام کردم
بجز هیجان و تعلیق نسبی داستان چیز دیگری برای جذب نبود
December 15, 2023
3.5 stars. This is my second reading of this holiday kidnapping tale. With bumbling crooks, featuring the recurring characters Alvirah and Willy Meehan along with Regan Reilly, this is a light, entertaining story taking place in the three days leading up to Christmas. No real thrills, but a quick, easy read.
August 30, 2019
Muy corto, súper sencillo y con muy poca intriga y misterio y hasta cierto punto, algunas situaciones poco fiables o creíbles.
September 27, 2022
Disclaimer: I have been reading and reviewing for over a decade, and in that time, I have grown and changed a lot. My views in the following review reflect the person I was when I wrote them and may not reflect who I am today - for better or for worse. While I would love to be able to reread and update my reviews to reflect who I am today, I think my time is better dedicated elsewhere. If you choose to read this review, please bear in mind this attitude.
December 27, 2022
This was a quick, easy and entertaining Christmas read. I was kind of drawn to the book because it started on Thursday December 22 and I started reading it on Thursday December 22. It was also by Mary Higgins Clark and her daughter. MHC is one of my favourite authors so it was like spending Christmas with an old friend. One thing that bugged me in this book, and maybe it’s the case with her other books as but I just never noticed, was all the main characters were described as attractive, handsome or good looking. In the case of Regan her attractiveness was mentioned repeatedly. Glad I was reading a book full of attractive characters. Lol
December 2, 2022
Uno más de la saga y aunque no son obras maestras sí son muy entretenidos.
December 2, 2023
Very mediocre. Only read it because I use it as decor every year and was intrigued 🤪
December 4, 2020
It was nice to revisit an author I read a lot of many years ago. Mary Higgins Clark has the formula worked out to a tee — and this book is full of her style of characters. Fun read.
December 22, 2023
I actually enjoyed this one more than I thought I would. The kidnappers are reminiscent of the Home Alone bandits, adding a bit of lightheartedness to a tense situation.
December 24, 2017
In my mystery/suspense books, I like a bit of, well, mystery and suspense. Within the first few pages, readers are told both the bad guys and their reasons for committing the crime, so the only mystery was waiting for the good guys to catch up. I slogged through a significant portion of the book, but truthfully didn't care to finish it.
December 3, 2012
The danger , for me, in reading the same author or same genre or series too close together is that I tend to get bored with the same characters etc. I am afraid that happened here with this book. I read The Christmas Thief just a few weeks ago and I maybe should have waited a little while longer before I read this one.
The premise is that Nora had tripped on a rug and broke her leg, landing her in the hospital. While recovering, Luke plans to attend a funeral and his driver , Rosita, picks him up the hospital. But, while she is waiting for Luke a man jumps in the car with a gun and once Luke arrives, proceeds with a bizarre kidnapping scheme.
Nora and Luke's daughter, Regan, Alvirah and Willy and Jack Reilly all work together to find Luke and Rosita, while Rosita's cop friend watches her boys.
The kidnappers are inept and silly, much the way the criminals were in " The Christmas Thief". To me they were just too similar. Alvirah's role in this one was toned down a great deal and I really missed her involvement. After getting through the first section, I found myself enjoying the book a lot more as I went along. It isn't a bad read. If you are looking for very light, non violent, cozy sort of holiday fare, then this is the book for you. Over all a C-
The premise is that Nora had tripped on a rug and broke her leg, landing her in the hospital. While recovering, Luke plans to attend a funeral and his driver , Rosita, picks him up the hospital. But, while she is waiting for Luke a man jumps in the car with a gun and once Luke arrives, proceeds with a bizarre kidnapping scheme.
Nora and Luke's daughter, Regan, Alvirah and Willy and Jack Reilly all work together to find Luke and Rosita, while Rosita's cop friend watches her boys.
The kidnappers are inept and silly, much the way the criminals were in " The Christmas Thief". To me they were just too similar. Alvirah's role in this one was toned down a great deal and I really missed her involvement. After getting through the first section, I found myself enjoying the book a lot more as I went along. It isn't a bad read. If you are looking for very light, non violent, cozy sort of holiday fare, then this is the book for you. Over all a C-
December 22, 2015
This was ok . The kidnappers were carictatures and we knew from the beginning who kidnaps the pair and why, so there was really no suspense or thriller aspect. I'm actually not sure what the novel was trying for? Other than an opportunity for mother and daughter to write together?
I'm being generous and giving it 3 stars as it wasn't awful, it just wasn't anything really.
I'm being generous and giving it 3 stars as it wasn't awful, it just wasn't anything really.
November 14, 2018
I'm a sucker for Christmas books at the holidays. This one is of the "Home Alone-ish" category -- silly, buffoonish criminals that are good for a few snickers and eye rolls. It was an extremely quick, entertaining read.
January 5, 2009
A kidnapping by dumb and dumber.
October 9, 2012
A delectable Yuletide mystery/suspense novel from this mother/daughter writing duo! Plenty of edge-of-your-seat moments, along with a bit of holiday charm, make this great Christmas reading.
December 10, 2019
All the action in this suspenseful novel comes over four days of Christmas, 22-25 December, and it provides an ideal Christmas read for the mother and daughter duo of Mary and Carol Higgins Clark admirably capture the Christmas feel even though the taut situation that develops is far from a Christmassy one.
Regan Reilly, a private investigator, goes to the dentist to catch up with her father, Luke Reilly, who has an appointment but he is not there and he is never late. While there Regan bumps into Alvirah Meehan, a lottery winner and an amateur detective and when Regan receives a call on her cell phone telling her that her father has been kidnapped along with his driver Rosita, she teams up with Alvirah to try to discover what has happened and where her father is being held.
The kidnappers demand $1,000,000 as a ransom and Regan's mother, a detective fiction writer, who is laid up with a broken leg, insists that they arrange to get the money to meet the kidnappers' demand.
The kidnappers have an ingenious method of getting the money that, initially, nobody can work out. And with various other characters flitting in and out of the drama and looking like they could be involved in the plot, Alvirah, Regan and the police in the form of Jack Reilly (unrelated), is called in, look absolutely flummoxed. All the time investigations are ongoing, Rosita's two children are pining for their mother as Christmas Day is rapidly approaching while the injured Nora Reilly is decidedly anxious for the safe return of her husband.
The kidnappers' first attempt at getting hold of the ransom money goes terribly awry so they arrange for another drop but, interpreting some guarded words from Luke Reilly in a brief call to his daughter to say he is okay, the kidnappers are eventually apprehended and Luke and Rosita are freed and are back among their families for Christmas Day.
'Deck the Halls' is masterfully told, extremely suspenseful and holds the reader's attention throughout while maintaining a Christmas feel and giving an excellent portrayal of New York and its environs.
Regan Reilly, a private investigator, goes to the dentist to catch up with her father, Luke Reilly, who has an appointment but he is not there and he is never late. While there Regan bumps into Alvirah Meehan, a lottery winner and an amateur detective and when Regan receives a call on her cell phone telling her that her father has been kidnapped along with his driver Rosita, she teams up with Alvirah to try to discover what has happened and where her father is being held.
The kidnappers demand $1,000,000 as a ransom and Regan's mother, a detective fiction writer, who is laid up with a broken leg, insists that they arrange to get the money to meet the kidnappers' demand.
The kidnappers have an ingenious method of getting the money that, initially, nobody can work out. And with various other characters flitting in and out of the drama and looking like they could be involved in the plot, Alvirah, Regan and the police in the form of Jack Reilly (unrelated), is called in, look absolutely flummoxed. All the time investigations are ongoing, Rosita's two children are pining for their mother as Christmas Day is rapidly approaching while the injured Nora Reilly is decidedly anxious for the safe return of her husband.
The kidnappers' first attempt at getting hold of the ransom money goes terribly awry so they arrange for another drop but, interpreting some guarded words from Luke Reilly in a brief call to his daughter to say he is okay, the kidnappers are eventually apprehended and Luke and Rosita are freed and are back among their families for Christmas Day.
'Deck the Halls' is masterfully told, extremely suspenseful and holds the reader's attention throughout while maintaining a Christmas feel and giving an excellent portrayal of New York and its environs.
December 4, 2022
My mom loved mysteries. And she loved Mary Higgins Clark. We both did. I remember reading Mary Higgins Clark myself, many moons ago.
At the library on Black Friday waiting for the local stores to open after we had already hit the mall early and had breakfast, I saw this book, along with The Christmas Thief, on the shelf. I needed something a little lighter in literary style after reading Joyce Carole Oates "Babysitter." And I miss my mom. Somehow, this felt perfect.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Loved the trouble that you saw coming with Alvin Luck and hoped that it wouldn't turn into to big of a subplot. But it was just the right amount, and helpful in the end, too.
At the library on Black Friday waiting for the local stores to open after we had already hit the mall early and had breakfast, I saw this book, along with The Christmas Thief, on the shelf. I needed something a little lighter in literary style after reading Joyce Carole Oates "Babysitter." And I miss my mom. Somehow, this felt perfect.
Thoroughly enjoyed this read. Loved the trouble that you saw coming with Alvin Luck and hoped that it wouldn't turn into to big of a subplot. But it was just the right amount, and helpful in the end, too.
January 2, 2023
A quick easy read, but if I'm going to read a mystery/suspense...I kind of would like a mystery/suspense. This story tells you who did it and why in the first chapter. You are basically waiting for the main characters to figure it out. There are no real twists. The characters are just a little too perfect. It wasn't so terrible I couldn't finish it though. It was lighthearted and predictable....kind of like watching a hallmark movie.
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January 23, 2023Saben ese vacío o bloqueo que queda después de una muy buena -o muy mala- lectura? Hablo de esa sensación de no querer leer nada más por un tiempo. Pues este libro, te la quieta.
Es un libro sencillo, con apenas 200 páginas, y es tan fácil y rápido de leer que terminas recuperando el gusto o las ganas de nuevas lecturas.
La historia narra el secuestro de un padre de familia y su chófer, en navidad. La introducción es algo larga, pero luego toma forma rápidamente. Ya finalizando todo empieza a encajar -como en las típicas novelas policiacas- y se siente bien.
La novela mezcla a una familia amorosa, una investigadora muy graciosa, un cuerpo policial y dos secuestradores que parecen salidos de una comedia.
En fin, es una historia que se lee en un día y que recomiendo un montón.
Es un libro sencillo, con apenas 200 páginas, y es tan fácil y rápido de leer que terminas recuperando el gusto o las ganas de nuevas lecturas.
La historia narra el secuestro de un padre de familia y su chófer, en navidad. La introducción es algo larga, pero luego toma forma rápidamente. Ya finalizando todo empieza a encajar -como en las típicas novelas policiacas- y se siente bien.
La novela mezcla a una familia amorosa, una investigadora muy graciosa, un cuerpo policial y dos secuestradores que parecen salidos de una comedia.
En fin, es una historia que se lee en un día y que recomiendo un montón.
December 18, 2021
I'm doing my annual Christmas story reading, and this one is a fun caper story which reminds me of Donald Westlake's stories. Regan Reilly's father and his chauffer are kidnaped and she assembles an interesting team to find them. The kidnappers are bumblers but dangerous in their bumbling, so although it is funny, there is also some suspense.
September 14, 2017
This is one of those books that when you pick it up it is so hard to put down. I started reading it yesterday and finished it today. Very fast paced, I think you will enjoy it also.
Rosita drives a limo for her boss Luke Reilly who owns several funeral homes. Luke recently took an elderly gentleman to a luncheon he was invited too and the guy was so impressed with the group that when he passed away he left them a million dollars.
A relative was not happy about it and this book tells what happened.
A great fast paced read I think you will enjoy.
Rosita drives a limo for her boss Luke Reilly who owns several funeral homes. Luke recently took an elderly gentleman to a luncheon he was invited too and the guy was so impressed with the group that when he passed away he left them a million dollars.
A relative was not happy about it and this book tells what happened.
A great fast paced read I think you will enjoy.
March 2, 2017
Easy-reading mystery/suspense combining characters from each author's individual works.
December 4, 2018
Good story. Good combination writing.
December 15, 2020
Not much to review but it was a fairly good and light holiday read.
March 8, 2022
What a great book! Good mystery!
July 26, 2023
Lectura muy muy basica y con trama descubierta en las primeras paginas, muy flojo
October 4, 2023
A book for light reading. I picked up this book at a church book sale mainly for its holiday and mystery theme. I wanted something entertaining while I was traveling. This is a combined effort of a mother/daughter authors team. The story revolves around a kidnapping before Christmas and the blunders of the kidnappers, the police hunting for suspects and the family/friends of the people kidnapped finally ending in a successful reunion and new friendships . It was an entertaining read.
November 28, 2023
A shallowly written book. At first I forced myself to read the book for a book group. By the end of the book, I found I enjoyed the characters, although several were so overdrawn they were mere caricatures. There were no surprises in the plot. Could kidnappers be such clowns?
Displaying 1 - 30 of 502 reviews