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Silent Night (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.02) - 1,009 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Mary Higgins Clark, the "Queen of Suspense," has crafted a very special holiday story about a child's courage in the face of danger, and the power of love. Charged with menace and thrilling suspense, it is the #1 New York Times bestselling author's gift to readers for all seasons.
When Catherine Dornan's husband, Tom, is diagnosed with leukemia, she and their two young sons travel with him to New York during the holiday season for a lifesaving operation. On Christmas Eve, hoping to lift the boys' spirits, Catherine takes them to see Rockefeller Center's famous Christmas tree; while there, seven-year-old Brian notices a woman taking his mother's wallet. A St. Christopher medal tucked inside the wallet saved his grandfather's life in World War II, and Brian believes with all his heart that it will protect his father now. Impulsively, Brian follows the thief into the subway, and the most dangerous adventure of his young life begins...
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"Chilling and suspenseful, Silent Night by Mary Higgins Clark, is a 'happy ending' Christmas story. When Brian Dornan disappears from his mother's side on a cold New York Christmas Eve night, her world just about collapses. Her husband, Dr. Tom Dornan, recently diagnosed with leukemia, had life-saving surgery just hours before. She took her two young sons to view the Christmas sights and sounds of New York, in an effort to relieve them all of their stress. In the blink of an eye, Brian is gone. What follows is a tangled triangle suspense filled game of cat and mouse between the Dornans, a convicted felon named Jimmy Siddons,and Jimmy's sister, Cally Hunter. Jimmy escaped prison by shooting a guard and his life hangs in the balance. Jimmy shows up on Cally's doorstep wanting money and assistance and gets it by threatening her and Catherine Dornan's son, Brian. Clues about Jimmy's escape are known to the reader, but not to the participants, until a clever cop named Chris McNally saves the day."
— Jackie (4 out of 5 stars)
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“Genuinely thrilling and suspenseful.”
— Detroit News -
“The tense-but-tender tale of the most harrowing Christmas Eve any mother could imagine...with an ending that’s nothing short of miraculous. We promise there won’t be a dry eye in the house!”
— Literary Guild -
“Clark...crams lots of intensity and suspense into little space.”
— Booklist -
“Teens will appreciate the realistic, paradoxical description of the relationship between Brian and his older brother: caring, concerned, and name-calling at the same time. Although readers know that the ending will be a happy one, they won’t expect the coincidences and the touching holiday details.”
— School Library Journal
Awards
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A Publishers Weekly bestseller
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A New York Times bestseller
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A USA Today bestseller
Silent Night Listener Reviews
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" A very beautiful yet simple story. "
— Shalini, 2/20/2014 -
" any book about christmas that i can read in one night in the middle of summer is a winner "
— Moira, 1/17/2014 -
" Never a disappointment when you read a Mary Higgins Clark Mystery. "
— Michael, 1/9/2014 -
" I listened to this while driving. Kept me awake. Just what I wanted it to do. It is nice having familiar characters as they become like good aquaintances "
— Annie, 1/3/2014 -
" This was a really fun quick mystery read. It was great for the holidays! "
— Mary, 1/2/2014 -
" I loved this book. It was a quick read with a little mystery mixed with a little drama all set at Christmas time. I have always been a Mary Higgins Clark fan but haven't read a book by her in a long time. Picked up this gem at the library sale and I'm so glad I did. Good story. "
— Stacey, 12/22/2013 -
" A quick and easy read, though quite predictable, but entertaining all the same. "
— Shelley, 11/22/2013 -
" I used to love her books, but they all seem the same. It took me years to finish this book, slow start, but I love a happy ending. "
— Karissa, 10/11/2013 -
" It was fun to read a holiday book...but it was awfully predictable. Also, tough to read about a seven year old boy lost and then kidnapped in NYC. Now, I never want to take the kids to New York! Quick, easy read, book #50 for the year!! "
— Erika, 9/28/2013 -
" Long a fan of Mary Higgins Clark, this autographed book was received in 1995 from my best friend. It's a special story about the power of love and the courage and faith of a child. "
— Jan, 9/23/2013 -
" Fun, light read... I enjoyed it. "
— Marilyn, 2/7/2013 -
" great book...first one from this author and led me to read more of her! "
— Carmen, 4/26/2012 -
" Quick holiday read. One of those "makes you feel good" stories, but lacks character development and has a formulaic plotline. "
— Jennifer, 3/19/2012 -
" Quick read. The outcome was very predictable. Love MHC books. "
— Elizabeth, 2/17/2012 -
" I always feel weepy when I read this Christmas story. :) "
— Ruth, 2/15/2012 -
" M.H. Clark with a little Christmas mixed in... Why not? "
— Lori, 12/19/2011 -
" Enjoyed it. Easy to read and get involved with the story. "
— Ronda, 11/27/2011 -
" I usually don't like these types of books, but somehow this one captured my interest and I have now read it multiple times and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. "
— Amber, 10/25/2011 -
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— sinta, 9/1/2011 -
" Nice quick easy read. Fast paced story. Tear jerker. "
— Stacey, 7/22/2011 -
" Predictable...follows well-trodden paths. I wanted to stop reading after five chapters but plodded along compulsively just to finish it. "
— Jose, 6/23/2011 -
" One of the author’s better Christmas mysteries. Brain candy with a holiday flair and a gloss of traditional Catholicism. "
— Gary, 4/21/2011 -
" I loved this book! it is amazing! one of the best ever! definately a cliff hanger! "
— Sophia, 4/11/2011 -
" A very small holiday novel that is so touching and chock full of emotions. A wonderful book. "
— Laurie, 3/7/2011 -
" Better than the first MHC book I read, but still just okay. Her reads are so quick though that I'll definitely try again another time. :) "
— Jessica, 1/15/2011 -
" A nice short read that had me on the edge of my seat sometimes. I'm also a sucker for Christmas books. "
— Rachel, 12/29/2010 -
" A sweet, short Christmas story. Not amazing or life changing, but a quick, easy read. "
— Ryann, 12/21/2010 -
" Although it is a short book it sure packs a punch, a lot going on in the plot and although it has less mystery than her usual work, I still recommend it at Christmas time. Be prepared, it will pull your heart strings and make you bite your nails a little! "
— Sophia, 12/15/2010 -
" I read all of Mary Higgins Clark books which is kind of a family tradition. I grabbed this one since it was set in New York at Christmas and I was going to be there. I was a two day read and a fine story but not overly compelling or suspenseful. "
— Alison, 12/13/2010 -
" I was almost 40 pages into this book when I realized I had seen a TV version. I still couldn't remember how it eneded. This is a short book and a fast fun read. I liked the little boy and how the author was able to reveal his thoughts by making them as simple as a 7 year old would think. "
— Cindy, 12/6/2010 -
" Read it in two sittings. Short, kind of predictable, but entertaining none the less. It was ok. "
— Janelle, 12/1/2010 -
" Anyone with a child will relate to this mother as she faces her worst fear on Christmas Eve! "
— Shelly, 11/19/2010 -
" Okay--I would die if this story happened to me but okay read for the holidays. "
— Melanie, 11/15/2010 -
" A short, fast read, but a story that keeps moving and makes you want to see how it's going to come out. "
— Linda, 10/30/2010 -
" If you ever read any of her books you will not be able to put it down. Full of suspense and horror a mystery to be mastered! "
— Grace, 8/31/2010 -
" I usually don't like these types of books, but somehow this one captured my interest and I have now read it multiple times and thoroughly enjoyed every one of them. "
— Amber, 6/30/2010 -
" MaryHiggins Clark is my favorite mystery novel writer. She always writes a clean and intriguing story. I read this one almost every year around Christmas time(especially on a cold snowy night...)It's quick too so perfect when I don't have a lot of time but I want to slip away for an hour or two. "
— Tirzah, 6/5/2010
About Mary Higgins Clark
Mary Higgins Clark (1927–2020) was the author of worldwide bestsellers that sold more than one hundred million copies in the United States alone. Twenty-one of her books reached the #1 spot on the New York Times bestsellers list. She was chosen by Mystery Writers of America as Grand Master of the 2000 Edgar Awards. An annual Mary Higgins Clark Award sponsored by Simon & Schuster, to be given to authors of suspense fiction writing in the Mary Higgins Clark tradition, was launched by Mystery Writers of America in 2001. She was the 1987 president of Mystery Writers of America and, for many years, served on their board of directors. In 1988, she served as chairperson of the International Crime Congress.