Mary and Carol Higgins Clark
The Holiday Mystery Books series
On writing together
Mary: Carol had her first book contract before I knew she was even considering writing. Her ability to translate everything she had studied as an actress into creating bestselling novels delighted me.
On what I learned from my mother
Carol: An important lesson I learned from my mother was how important it is to be optimistic and have a sense of humor. After my father died, it wasn't easy raising five children alone, but she worked hard, believed in herself, and four and a half years later had her first book published, Aspire to the Heavens, a biographical novel about George Washington. When that book didn't sell, she didn't become discouraged. Instead, she decided to try writing suspense. That worked for her!!!
On reading together
Mary: A book I remember that became such a favorite that she could recite it by heart was Little Sally Mandy by Helen R. Van Derveer.
Carol: The book she was referring to was actually The Little Red Lighthouse and the Great Grey Bridge. We even used it as a clue in the first Christmas book we wrote together, Deck The Halls.
Mary Higgins, the "Queen of Suspense" and Carol Higgins Clark, author of the Regan Reilly Mystery series, are both well-established forces in the mystery writing world, but have been collaborating together on seasonal holiday mysteries since 2000.
Photo credit: Theresa Artigas Photography
The Holiday Mystery Books series
Deck the Halls (2000)
He Sees You When You’re Sleeping (2001)
The Christmas Thief (2004)
Santa Cruise (2006)
Dashing Through the Snow (2008)
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