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The Shadow of Your Smile (Abridged) Audiobook
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(3.01) - 4,138 listener ratings
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Publisher Description
Queen of Suspense Mary Higgins Clark brings us another New York Times bestselling novel that she “prepares so carefully and executes with such relish” (The New York Times Book Review) about the search for identity by the daughter of a man adopted at birth, who may be the inheritor of his large fortune.
At age eighty-two 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—the final step before sainthood. In her lifetime, Sister Catherine had founded seven hospitals for disabled children. Now the cure of a four-year-old boy dying of brain cancer is being attributed to her. After his case was pronounced medically hopeless, the boy’s desperate mother had organized a prayer crusade to Sister Catherine, leading to his miraculous recovery.
The letters Olivia holds are the evidence that Catherine gave birth at age seventeen to a child, a son, and gave him up for adoption. Olivia knows the identity of the young man who fathered Catherine’s child: Alex Gannon, who went on to become a world-famous doctor, scientist, and inventor holding medical patents.
Now, two generations later, thirty-one-year-old pediatrician Dr. Monica Farrell, Catherine’s granddaughter, stands as the rightful heir to what remains of the family fortune. But in telling Monica who she really is, Olivia would have to betray Catherine’s wishes and reveal the story behind Monica’s ancestry.
The only people aware of Olivia’s impending choice are those exploiting the Gannon inheritance. To silence Olivia and prevent Monica from learning the secret, some of them will stop at nothing—even murder.
Clark’s riveting novel explores the juxtaposition of medical science and religious faith, and the search for identity by the daughter of a man adopted at birth.
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"Olivia 's health is failing, and she must decide whether to expose a family secret or take it to her grave. To expose it could mean that her cousin, a deceased nun, may no longer be considered for beatification by the Catholic church. But to keep it could mean that the rightful heir of the family fortune may never inherit, or even learn the truth about her biological family. And there are some people who would do anything to make sure that Olivia's secret stays a secret. It's almost pointless for me to write a review, because I just love any story Mary Higgins Clark writes, and this one is no exception."
— Laren (4 out of 5 stars)
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“[A] gripping thriller…Clark skillfully mixes spiritual questions with down and dirty deeds.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Life-giving miracles counterbalance Clark’s usual turn toward velvety death-dealing menace in this tale.”
— Kirkus Reviews -
“Actress Jan Maxwell adds her own strokes to the aural canvas with her careful pacing and sincere portrayals of the characters.”
— AudioFile
Awards
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A #1 New York Times bestseller
The Shadow of Your Smile Listener Reviews
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" Dr. Monica was blessed to witness a miracle when one of her young brain cancer patients suddenly lost his tumor. The Catholic Church needs her testimony in Sister Catherine's sainthood nomination, but someone wants to stop her involvement in life altogether. Lots of twists and surprises. "
— Connie, 2/20/2014 -
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Shellie Morefield, 2/13/2014
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" MHC's books have become formulaic. I was slightly disappointed in this book. "
— Maureen, 2/7/2014 -
" Nice, quick read. I didn't give it 4 stars because of the continuous use of inner thoughts that's becoming a trademark of MHC latest books. It is so annoying! Unlike a good wine, MHC is not getting better with age... This book is a far cry from her first novels. "
— big, 1/29/2014 -
" Oh, Mary, Mary, Mary. What happened to the suspense? Each character and their motives were so well laid out that there wasn't any doubt at all who the bad guys were and even the hit man wasn't even vaguely menacing. I missed the thriller and the suspense part of suspense thriller. "
— Kaylynn, 1/27/2014 -
" This book reminded me of why I use to enjoy and look forward to a new book by Mary Higgins Clark. Her recent books have not held my interest the way her older ones did until I read this one. I am very glad to see that she is back to writing a mystery where you don't figure everything out half way through the book. "
— Ruthann, 1/26/2014 -
" After somewhat of a slow start, probably because of the incredibly high number of characters (higher than usual, even for a Mary Higgins Clark), the Author's experienced hand ropes us in for a superb trip in her unending imagination. "
— Lydia, 1/23/2014 -
" This wasn't one of her better mysteries. Not a lot of suspense and very predictable ending. "
— Bonnie, 1/12/2014 -
" What can I say. I love MHC and I loved this book! "
— Ellen, 12/23/2013 -
" Even after reading so many of this author's books, I still enjoy them. Not sure what she does differently, but she keeps my interest. "
— Pat, 12/19/2013 -
" Very predictable, but enjoyable for a quick, easy read on a rainy day. "
— Marie, 12/11/2013 -
" Very slow at the beginning and it took me awhile to get into it but at the end I couldn't put it down. "
— Pauline, 12/2/2013 -
" Still in the midst of reading it...its not the best...but so far so good. Can't wait to hear how it ends. "
— Kristy, 11/25/2013 -
" It's been a while since I've read a Mary Higgins Clark book. Loved it! I've forgotten how suspenceful her books are. "
— Lori, 11/20/2013 -
" One of my go-to authors when I don't have anything else to read. But man, the tried and true formula is getting old! I could predict what was going to happen from page 1. And yawn...did anything happen? "
— Monique, 10/19/2013 -
" I've read all of her books; I don't think the latest ones are as good as the earlier books. Still a good mystery. "
— E, 8/25/2013 -
" Good Mary Higgins Clark, as expected, with lots of twists and turns. "
— Beth, 7/12/2013 -
" I alwas like the mindless reading of Mary Higgins Clark "
— Marykay, 6/7/2013 -
" same old same-o "
— Angie, 4/14/2013 -
" It was very suspenseful. The end was a bit predictable. I don't like sappy endings. So that made the end disappointing. "
— Gail, 3/20/2013 -
" Really bad writing with a ridiculous convoluted plot. "
— Karla, 2/14/2013 -
" Very good book. Many twists and turns, a lot of fun to read. As usual, Mary Higgins Clark has written an excellent book. "
— Patty, 9/7/2012 -
" As usual Mary Higgins Clark delivers a book with characters to love and hate. The book was entertaining and the person behind the murders was not really obvious since it was not who the book led you to believe it was. Good read. "
— Denise, 8/4/2012 -
" -This book is an excellent suspense novel. It keeps you spellbound from beginning to end. It is amazing how the author intertwines the characters throughout the novel. "
— Olean, 4/18/2012 -
" As usual, Mary Higgins Clark spins a good yarn. I wasn't quite as close to the edge of my seat as usual, but it had some interesting twists I had not expected. So, certainly a fun read. "
— Julie, 4/9/2012 -
" An easy read which has, as usual for MHC, a very conveniently neat and pat resolution to all questions that arise in the story. Good airport book. "
— Crystal, 3/22/2012 -
" Good story but had too many characters, wich made it a little confusing. I would say it wasn't as good as most of her books, but still worth reading. "
— Cheryl, 3/10/2012 -
" Great read. Just what I expected out of a Mary Higgins Clark book. She never fails to write a good mystery book "
— Britney, 2/6/2012 -
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Betty Marler, 12/15/2011
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" Classic Mary Higgins Clark! Grabs you from the first page and keeps you in suspense to the last page!!!! "
— Sherri, 5/17/2011 -
" Enjoyed is a lot a page turner. "
— Elvis, 5/13/2011 -
" Another great suspense novel revolving around a long-held family secret. Takes place in New York. Won't want to put it down! "
— Cool, 5/12/2011 -
" "The Queen of suspense" does it again. This book draws interests in the first pages and keeps you guessing until the very end. Mary Higgins Clark's books are always enjoyable easy reading yet exciting, can't put down books. "
— Arleen, 5/11/2011 -
" Good for an airport read, and that's just what it was! "
— Jessica, 5/11/2011 -
" Another excellent book. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I found the ending wasn't as strong as the first part of the book, and became predictable at the end, but still a good read. "
— Mary, 5/8/2011 -
" A quick, easy read. I used to read a lot of Mary Higgins Clark back in high school, and just happened to come upon this one the other day, and realized it's one I hadn't yet read. "
— Mitzi, 5/7/2011 -
" Can't get enough of Mary Higgins Clark! I have read all of her books, except the latest. "
— Becky, 5/2/2011 -
" An overabundance of character perspectives did not allow for an emotional connection with them. "
— Katie, 5/2/2011 -
" typical Mary higgins clark - easy and quick read with a female protagonist...don't you worry though, she gets a man in the end! "
— Stacy, 5/1/2011 -
" this was a good story but it could have been better if it had been a bit longer...being a mystery it just seemed to wrap up to quickly for my taste but even so i would recomend all to read this book..there is still enough suspence in this book for all to like.. "
— Peter, 4/30/2011 -
" Didn't finished...wasn't as interesting as some of her books... "
— Gaets, 4/29/2011 -
" I always like Mary Higgins Clark and look forward to the next book out. This is her usual fare of mystery and romance and clean writing. I like her plot development from the beginning of this one and it just keeps on moving. "
— Kathi, 4/26/2011 -
" This book has earned 3 1/2 stars. I have not read a Mary Higgins Clark book in quite awhile and it felt like I had reconnected with an old friend. The mystery/suspense stories throughout the book were great. "
— Kelli, 4/26/2011
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.
About Jan Maxwell
Jan Maxwell is an American stage and television actress. She made her Broadway debut in the musical City of Angels and has been nominated for two Tony Awards and two Drama Desk Awards. She won the 2005 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Featured Actress in a Musical for Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Her Broadway credits include Sixteen Wounded, Match, and The Dinner Party. She is the sister of Obie Award–winning playwright Richard Maxwell.