Let Me Call You Sweetheart (1995 original; edició 1995)

Kerry McGrath is a prosecutor and divorced mother of one precocious ten-year-old girl. Or maybe just normal ten-year-old. She is doing well in her work and receiving good feedback when she is diverted by a case from before she was hired.

Skip Reardon was convicted of murdering his wife but has always maintained his innocence. He has filed many appeals and will continue to do so as long as he is able. The case was tried by the chief prosecutor and defended poorly. While Kerry is intrigued by some aspects of the case, initially she can't see a good reason to doubt Reardon's guilt. In spite of a gut feeling that he is telling the truth, she has to rely on evidence.

There are bizarre aspects to the case. The victim's father is a plastic surgeon who has been essentially recreating his daughter in some of his patients. His obsession seems to extend beyond grief. The victim, Suzanne Reardon, attracted many men and took advantage of that attraction. She was known to be unfaithful, and among her lovers she counts a mobster and possibly an art collector.

Meanwhile, Kerry's ex-husband is defending the mobster, and more than threats are taking place. Kerry is pulled in different directions as she tries to uncover the truth. Her boss doesn't want to stir up an old case when it practically made his reputation, and her husband worries that investigating his client will not go well for him or for the couple's daughter Robin.

In the end it all wraps up, which is what we expect from this type solid, standard mystery-suspense story. The characters are standard as well, and some of the prejudices are. For example, Kerry holds the belief that a lawyer who represents a really bad client is bound to be tainted by the same brush - lying down with dogs, getting up with fleas. But our justice system guarantees representation for all accused. A lawyer who defends a bad person is doing what needs to be done. Perry Mason had it wrong, only defending the "innocent".

All in all, good airplane reading, solid. ( )

Really enjoyed this book - very fast moving, with several layers to the story. It keeps you thinking about who may have done it right up to the end. Read in 24 hours as very difficult to put down - wanted to know what happened next. Some good characterisation - made you care about the main characters.
Can't wait to read my next Mary Higgins Clark. ( )

Loved this book but then I love nearly everything she writes. Fast paced, which I love. I didn't put it down unless I absolutely had to. ( )

great

Kerry McGrath is a dedicated prosecutor and a devoted mother. When her daughter's face is cut in a car accident, Kerry is relieved that the plastic surgeon who treats her is the eminent Dr. Charles Smith. Then Kerry notices something bizarre. Two of Smith's patients bear an uncanny resemblance to Suzanne Reardon, a young woman killed eleven years earlier. Why would Dr. Smith create look-alikes of a murder victim?

I really like Clark's books, especially her earlier ones and this was great. Short chapters, interesting characters, full of suspense and red herrings, and a happily ever after ending - what more could you ask for? ( )