Book review: Just Take My Heart - Mary Higgins Clark

Title: Just Take My Heart

Author: Mary Higgins Clark

FICTION

Genre: Crime.

Amazon link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Just-Take-Heart-Higgins-Clark/dp/1849834717/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

Star rating: 7.0 out of 10.0

Buy: No

Borrow: Yes

Summary: After famous Broadway 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 on a burglary charge claims Aldrich had tried to hire him to kill her. 

The case is an important assignment for 32-year-old assistant prosecutor Emily Wallace. She spends long hours preparing for the trial, and unaware of a seemingly well-meaning neighbour’s violent past, gives him a key to her home to care for her dog. 

The high-profile trial makes headlines — especially when she experiences 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.

Main review: 

When Natalie Raines, famous Broadway star, is found in her home in Closter, New Jersey, dying from a gunshot wound, her former husband, Gregg Aldrich, whom she was in the process of divorcing, is the chief suspect. What no one knows is that, only days before she was murdered, Natalie accidentally came face to face with the man who killed her former roommate, Jamie Evans several years ago. 

Two years later, career criminal Jimmy Easton, comes forward to claim that Aldrich hired him to kill his wife, but he turned the job down. Based on Easton's testimony, Gregg is charged with the murder of his wife. 

Handling the case is Emily Wallace, a 32-year-old widowed assistant prosecutor. As Aldrich's trial is making headlines, Emily's boss, Ted Wesley, warns her that this high-profile case will reveal personal matters about her, such as the fact that she had a heart transplant. And, during the trial, Emily experiences sentiments which defy all reason and continue after Gregg Aldrich's fate is decided by the jury. 

In the meantime, she does not realize that her own life is now at risk.

Further reading suggestion: All Dressed in White - https://www.amazon.co.uk/All-Dressed-White-Under-Suspicion/dp/147114870X/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=