Just Take My Heart: A Novel
Written by Mary Higgins-Clark
Narrated by Jan Maxwell
3.5/5
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About this audiobook
After famous actress Natalie Raines is found in her home, dying from a gunshot wound, police immediately suspect her theatrical agent and jealous soon-to-be-ex-husband, Gregg Aldrich. But no charges are brought against him until two years later, when a career criminal suddenly claims Aldrich had tried to hire him to kill her.
The case is a plum assignment for attractive thirty-two-year-old assistant prosecutor Emily Wallace. She spends long hours preparing for the trial, and unaware of a seemingly well-meaning neighbor’s violent past, gives him a key to her home to care for her dog.
The high-profile trial makes headlines, threatening to reveal personal matters about Emily, such as the fact that she had a heart transplant—especially when she experiences eerie sentiments that defy all reason and continue even after the jury decides Gregg Aldrich’s fate.
But little does she know, now her own life is at risk...
Mary Higgins-Clark
The #1 New York Times bestselling author Mary Higgins Clark wrote over forty suspense novels, four collections of short stories, a historical novel, a memoir, and two children’s books. With bestselling author Alafair Burke she wrote the Under Suspicion series including The Cinderella Murder, All Dressed in White, The Sleeping Beauty Killer, Every Breath You Take, You Don’t Own Me, and Piece of My Heart. With her daughter Carol Higgins Clark, she coauthored five suspense novels. More than one hundred million copies of her books are in print in the United States alone. Her books are international bestsellers.
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Reviews for Just Take My Heart
238 ratings21 reviews
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great books. Keeps me guessing until the last word
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Great story and narration! Couldn't stop listening! Looking forward to more Mary Higgins Clark novels.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Cleverly constructed plot revolving around a court case when a man is accused of murdering his estranged wife.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I have devoured every MHC book over the years and just revisited them all in order. It was interesting to see the progression of technology which passing time has brought.
Some of the more recent works left me feeling a bit ho hum but this one had me in its grip. Knowing the MHC style and format I did guess the villain early on but still enjoyed the writing.
I have to admit there was a lack of suspense, which her early books were so filled with, but all in all it was a good read. - Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5Reading Mary Higgins Clark is like curling up by the fireside, with a blanket and a hot cup of chocolate - cozy and comfortable. Just Take My Heart continues the tradition of a smart, strong female heroine who works out the clues just in time for the killer to catch up with her. Clark tries to side-track us with Jimmy but it's a rouse that's half-hearted at best. If you are looking for a suspense-filled mystery look elsewhere. If you like to cozy up to a familiar, dependably good book read Just Take My Heart.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5This book, while not on par with some of her earlier works (like "A Stranger is Watching" or "Where are the Children?") is a step in the right direction. It had an interesting premise and sustained my interest throughout the entire novel, even though I had a hunch who the killer was by the middle of it. There was also a suspenseful subplot involving a serial killer. Also, the book was not overflowing with minor characters and I was able to keep track of all of them, unlike her last few books.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5The shark wasn't jumped, it was pole vaulted, landed on and exploded with that absolutely ridiculous ending. That said, it was an otherwise enjoyable read although I found Emily almost unlikeable. Interesting mix of her case- the Natalie Raines murder while Emily herself was the victim of a voyeur and peeping tom turned stalker. I enjoyed the typical MHC misdirection throughout.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5In the past I have just loved Mary Higgins Clark, she is such a great suspense author! I did enjoy this book, but it was not a "love it" book for me. It was fast paced, to a point, for me. I found it was easy to keep reading once I got started, but it was hard to pick up again when I stopped for the purpose of I just "had" to see what would happen next. I feel like it started off on the right foot and kept my attention for the most part. The plot and side plots were very interesting and I did enjoy watching them play out. The characters were the best part for me. My favorite was Emily. I wasn't sure at first how Natalie's murder was fitting in with Emily, but as the book progressed a few chapters, it all made perfect sense and fell into a nice mystery. Zach, the creepy, murderous neighbor of Emily's made for an interesting side plot as well. I did feel like her heart transplant wasn't as much of a deal as the back of the book made it out to be. It seemed to me more of a way to get the title of the book. I didn't really see how it added much if anything to the book. This was a suspenseful book and really was a well written book, it just didn't do it for me personally. I'm not really sure why, just didn't click with me. I did finish it because to be honest I really did have to see how it all worked out. Haha, so I guess that's a contradiction to me saying it wasn't for me, but I just had to know. Not finishing it would have been like walking out of a movie halfway through, but then later wondering how it really ended. ;-) So, in a nutshell, writing was good and had decent flow, details were definitely there, suspense was there to a point, characters were great, and the plot and side plots were also good. I would suggest someone pick this book up if they are looking for a suspense novel that is an easy read with lots going on in it.4/5 Stars
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I really liked this book and found it hard to put down. Can't wait to read another
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5This was not my favorite of Clark's, but it was good nonetheless. The cast supplied a good variation of creepy, untrustworthy, and oblivious. A typical legal thriller.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5It is a fantastic story. It was enthralling from the first until the very last page. There are strong personalities and I've got quickly familiar with all of them. It also shows, that it's not up to somebody's education or social position whether they stand on the good or on the worse side of the law. On the other hand there is also a hint how the public view works when trial are discussed on broadcast. In this case it was helpful but that could easily turn around into the contrary.
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5Fantastic book, got you holding until the end.... didn't like it at all!
- Rating: 5 out of 5 stars5/5First let me just say that if you are a fan of Mary Higgins Clark then you will really like this one. One of my new favorites! This book has a great cast of characters, many of which seem to have their own little secret. We follow the story of Emily Wallace who is the prosecutor in the case of Gregg Aldrich who is accused of killing his wife. Her primary witness however is a repeat offender with a less than stellar character. We also learn that Emily had a heart transplant. I wish we had learned more about this time in her life as well as more info about the loss of her husband in Iraq. Another side story of interest is Emily's creepy neighbor Zach, who talks Emily into letting him dogsit for he while she is so busy working on the case. Masterfully written, this book keeps you guessing until the end!
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Emily Wallace assistant prosecutor just got the case of a lifetime prosecuting Gregg Aldrich for the death of his wife the actress Natalie Raines. But even as she feels like she will win the case there is a small voice in her head or should I say heart that says he is innocent and her key witness is as untrustworthy as they come. And to top it off her next door neighbor is starting to really give her the creeps.Poor Emily she really is oblivious to all the people that are out to get her and there are a lot. Of course you do figure some things out but the title kind of gives it away anyway but I liked how MHC handled the reveal.I really enjoyed this mystery and legal thriller there was a difference in this one than with some MHC books, there was no romance I liked that it was just a straight foreword mystery/thriller, and well written as are all MHC’s books.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I almost didn't finish this book. I was about half way through and it still hadn't gotten any better. But I am glad that I stuck with it because the second half of the book was like many other Mary Higgins Clark books, it had lots of suspense and left you guessing. I guess what I didn't like most about the beginning of the book was the trial. It was a page by page of the Greg Aldrich trial, a man who was being accused of murdering his wife. But after the book started going and Emily's neighbor, Zach, comes into the picture more the book really picked up. I have to say that I was very surprised with the ending. It had a very different ending than what I am used to reading, but in a good way. I love reading a mystery/suspense novel and not know what is going to happen. I am finding most books predictable lately. But that is not the case with this one.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5When famous actress, Natalie Raines, is killed in her own home, her husband, Greg Aldrich is arrested for the murder. Assistant prosecutor, Emily Wallace, must prosecute Aldrich at the trial. Her main witness is a former criminal, Jimmy Easton. Emily things she has enough witness to convict Greg, but as the trial moves along, she begins to wonder about Easton's credibility. Meanwhile, Emily's creepy next door neighbor is spying on her and little does she know the danger she is in.I love Mary Higgins Clark's books. They are suspenseful and easy reads. In the last few years, they appear to be more formulaic than her earlier works, but still enjoyable and entertaining.
- Rating: 3 out of 5 stars3/5I have always liked Mary Higgins Clark, when I read her when I was younger she always kept me guessing. I don't know if because I'm older and have more experience or whether Mary Higgins Clark has become more predictable in her "who done it's" , but it takes something away from the mystery when I can figure out the plot half way through the book. Other than that the story was well written and kept me interested. More court room drama than I'd have liked, but all in all a good read.
- Rating: 2 out of 5 stars2/5Broadway actress Natalie Raines thinks she knows who killer her roommate, Jamie Evans, years ago when they were young actresses. When she sees the man again in the audience, she rushes home but is met by the killer.However, it is Natalie's estrained husband, Greg Aldrich, who is arrested.Emily Wallace, assistant prosecutor, is given the case and is so involved in her work that she fails to notice her new neighbor taking an ununual interest in her. In actuality, the neighbor, Zach Lanning, has placed a microphone in her home and is stalking her.Much of the case against Greg comes from the testimony of Jimmy Easton, who is a career criminal caught while burglarizing a home.Clark does a good job in portraying Greg Aldrich as a sympathetic character but her characterization of Emily fails. She is supposed to be a bright prosecuting arrorney but can't see the neighbor watching her through his screens. Why would a woman leave her windows open to invite such stalking?The story didn't create the suspense that Clark is noted for.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5I have read every one of Mary Higgins Clark's books to date, and although the later ones don't seem quite as fresh and original as the first ones did, I have enjoyed them all, and this one was no exception. It was easy to read, light and entertaining, and hard to put down once started.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5A mystery unfolds in the first few pages leaving the reader guessing not only who did the crime but also which direction was the story going. Immediately read through the book and my 19 year old daughter started it as soon as I finished. We both enjoyed a few surprises from Clarks latest release.
- Rating: 4 out of 5 stars4/5Mary Higgins Clark has been my favorite author since high school. The Cradle Will Fall was the first book I read by her and I spent that summer reading all her books. Every April, I look forward to her new release.Just Take My Heart is about a man who is accused of killing his famous ex-wife. Although it takes time for the case to come trial, the public has pretty much found him guilty. Emily is the assistant prosecutor assigned to the case. Emily is thrilled to take the case as she has suffered numerous losses and thinks this is a sign that things are finally moving forward in her life.Emily knows her job is to convince the jury that Greg Aldrich killed his ex-wife out of anger over their divorce. However, as the trial progresses, Emily suddenly has doubts that the wrong man is on trial.Natalie’s real killer didn’t come as a surprise. Despite the obvious, I still would recommend this book to all of Ms. Clark’s fans.