Book Review: Daddy’s Little Girls by Mary Higgins Clark

The Blurb

“At just seven years old, Ellie Cavanaugh lost her sister Andrea to a brutal murderer. It was her testimony that put Robson Westerfield away, but now, twenty-two years on, he is about to be released. Ellie, now a writer and investigative reporter, senses trouble and travels to her hometown just as Westerfield arrives and begins a campaign to prove his innocence. Ellie still suspects him, as does her estranged father, and both are determined to thwart his attempts. But someone has other ideas…Someone who is picking up where Westerfield left off, commiting other dangerous acts that send Ellie spiralling into a whirlwind of secrets, lies and deceit. Can she uncover the truth before a desperate killer sets his sights on her? As events reach a head, Ellie realises she might be the only person who can seek vengenance for the past…”

(source: Amazon.com)

What I thought

I love Mary Higgins Clark! You know that – I rave about her every chance I get 🙂

In Daddy’s Little Girl, the book is narrated by Ellie Kavanagh who, as a 7 year old, found her sister Andrea’s murdered body in a hide-out in a neighbouring property. Twenty-two years later, Andrea’s convicted killer (her boyfriend Rob Westerfield) is about to be let out of prison based on some fresh evidence that casts doubt on his guilt and Ellie is determined that he should be put back behind bars. As Ellie hunts for clues and new witnesses that will prove what she always believed – that Rob did kill Andrea – she finds her own life in danger the deeper she delves.

I have to admit, that despite still loving this book (I love all her books) this is probably my least favourite out of all the ones I have read – about 13 or 14, I believe. I can’t really put my finger on why although if I was to take a guess it would be that it was pretty obvious who the murderer was right from the start, despite several attempted red herrings. There wasn’t much guess work or suspense involved. Having said that, as Ellie uncovers more and more evidence the plot picks up real pace and there are the usual cliffhangers and race-against-time’s that are the blueprint to MHC’s novels.

In summary, I really enjoyed this – as I do all her books – but it just wasn’t one of my favourites.

 

I read this book as part of the Queen of Suspence hosted at Tea Time with Marce (2/6)

and also as part of the R.I.P. V challenge (2/4)